Disclaimer – I do not own M7 and if I did the series would still be going.
Am being very mean to Chris in this chapter but who knows if life will get better for him, not yet I haven't finished being cruel and evil mwhahahaha.
Enjoy and please review if you can.
The Pain of Paperwork.
Chris entered the room wondering what was going to happen now.
"Hello Chris." Sheppard greeted the other man from the comfortable chair in the corner of Recee's office, Reece was sat behind his desk.
Chris spun round to face the other man, swaying slightly he frowned when he realised who he was looking at.
"Director Sheppard, Assistant Director Reece." Chris's husky voice replied.
Director John Sheppard could see why AD Reece was concerned the man stood before him was gaunt and pale, with a cough that sounded horrendous from where he sat. But the green eyes where clear and focussed, not acknowledging the fact that Sheppard being here was a surprise.
Chris kept his face blank, but he was surprised to see Director Sheppard here in Alaska. Did the man know what Spikes had done to force him from Denver, Chris would keep quiet and wait and see what the men wanted.
"So are you enjoying Alaska Chris?" Sheppard thought about trying to lull the thin blond into a false sense of security.
AD Reece just observed from where he sat behind his desk, he had not offered the standing agent a chair, he wanted to see what method Sheppard used to try and get information out of the other man.
"It's alright, the agents here are good, and they seemed to want to do well." Chris stood in the middle of the room so that he could keep both Sheppard and Reece in his line of sight.
"So how are you Chris?" Sheppard smile at the younger man.
"I'm fine." Chris gave his standard answer whenever he was asked this question.
"Right son you look really well and you sound even better." John Sheppard pointed out watching as Chris's expression hardened.
"I'm fine and that's all there is too it." Chris growled as he stood straighter, trying not to glare at the other man.
"When are you due for your yearly physical Chris?" Reece intervened.
Chris thought for a moment.
"February, I am able to do my job and if you have any problems with the work I've done then you only need to come to me." Chris really wanted to sit down, he was using his anger at being questioned to fuel himself because he felt tired and the urge to cough was overwhelming.
"Maybe we should bring it forward and have the company doctor take a look at you." Sheppard wanted to push and see what shook loose.
"Whatever you want to do, just do it." Chris left the I don't care part of his sentence unspoken, but the other men heard it loud and clear.
Sheppard and Reece exchanged concerned looks neither man had expected Larabee to be so uncaring of his health issues.
Chris coughed, covering his mouth, he coughed again and again, Chris tried to stifle the coughs but they came out loud and harsh sounding, he took a tissue from his pocket as a couple of sneezes added themselves to the coughing fit.
Sheppard held out a glass of water, Chris took it gratefully as the Director pulled him over to the seating area in Reece's office, he indicated a chair which Chris sank gratefully into, Reece moved to one of the other chairs.
"You want to tell me why you're in Alaska Chris?" Sheppard decide to get straight to the point as he was trying another tact with the watching blond.
"Because it's where Spikes said they needed help." Chris shrugged apparently unconcerned, he knew Spikes thought being transferred to somewhere like Alaska was a punishment, but Chris just saw it as an opportunity to eliminate some bad guys from the street, he did not care where he was based.
Sheppard and Reece both nodded understanding that Spikes would consider it a punishment, while they could see that Larabee did not see it the same way.
"Why leave your team behind?" Sheppard queried wanting to see if he would get the truth or not.
"It's given Buck Wilmington the chance to lead the team on his own, and I needed a change and Spikes and I decided that this was a good option." Chris felt bad for lying to the two other men, but he would protect his team no matter what.
Sheppard did not believe the man's statement and from the look on Reece's face neither did the other man.
"So this has nothing to do with Spikes being jealous of you and your success?" Sheppard quirked an eyebrow as Chris laughed.
"No sir." Chris projected an air of bored indifference, he hated trying to fool the two into believing what he was saying but he did not want the men to find out that it was due to Spikes threatening to disband the team over Buck and him supposedly having an illicit sexual relationship.
"I don't like being lied to son." Sheppard barked at the blank looking Larabee, he had hoped the man would confide in him, but it looked like whatever Spikes had done it obviously involved some threats regarding Larabee's Team 7, as that would be the only reason the other man would leave Denver. And Sheppard was determined to find out what that threat was, and if Chris would not tell him then he would have to use other means at his disposal.
Chris's expression remain stubbornly blank, he did not reply to Sheppard's accusation.
"Fine son if you won't tell me then I can't help you." Sheppard sighed frustrated. "You can go back to work son, carrying on doing the good job your doing."
Chris stood up and just before he left the room Sheppard spoke.
"Chris I expect you to see a doctor and get yourself sorted out, the last thing we need is for you to collapse out in the field." Sheppard watched as the exiting mans shoulders tensed.
"Chris you can come back here in an hour and I will recommend a doctor for you." Reece nodded as Chris left the room.
"He's lying." Reece stated the conclusion he had come to.
"I know." Sheppard wanted to strangle the obstinate Team 7 leader and possibly Travis as well for allowing the man to refuse the temporary AD position and then for not realising what offering Spikes the role would mean for Larabee.
"So what are you going to do about it?" Reece could see the other man thinking about his next move.
"I'm going to go back to Denver and see what I can find out there." Sheppard was going to speak to the rest of Team 7 to see what they knew and other team leaders, and see what they thought of the change Spikes had brought about.
"What do you want me to do about Larabee?" Reece had already decided that he would give the man the name of his own daughter who was doctor, and order the man to go and get seen.
"Just try to make sure nothing happens to him, and get the stubborn fool to see a doctor, I don't like the way he looks or sounds, make it an order if you have to." Sheppard commanded the other man.
JD sat at his desk he had deleted the security footage of Buck and the two members of team 1 fighting, substituting in its place what could only be considered a camera malfunction, he erased any sign of his tampering and got back to working on the teams up coming case.
Spikes was discussing the possible repercussions of Buck's actions, he smiled to himself when he thought of the punishment he could meet out to the ladies man with Jack Avery. They decided that Avery would take statements from Hicks and Coffey stating that Buck had attacked them for no other reason than some supposed good nature teasing from the other men, and they would have the security footage to back up the statement because it did not have sound. Larabee would not be around to save the man and Spikes was looking forward to putting the popular man in his place.
Avery gleefully rubbed his hands together; he wanted Wilmington punished, although he would have preferred his men to have beaten the other man up, rather than the other way round.
Spikes ordered the security office to send him up a disc with the time of the attack on it, after receiving it he smiled and told Margret to tell Buck to come to his office immediately.
"Remember Buck they fell and you where helping them up, and do not under any circumstances lose your temper." Josiah cautioned the other man.
"Yeah Buck me and Josiah saw everything and so it's our word against theirs." JD happily declared.
"Please Mr Wilmington refrain from allowing your aggression to get the better of you." Ezra hoped the other man could keep control.
"We've lost Chris an we don't want to lose you as well." Vin simple statement hit Buck hardest.
Buck nodded he was determined not to lose his cool. He made his way upstairs and smiling at Margret he waited for Spikes to call him into the office.
"You're looking lovely as ever Miss Margret." Buck eyes twinkled merrily at the matronly woman.
"Buck Wilmington you're such a charmer." Margret giggled at the handsome man.
"And you're so pretty Miss Margret." Buck flirted whole heartedly with the woman.
Spikes stood at his office door frowning bad naturedly at the two people flirting unashamedly infront of him.
Buck looked up and smiled widely at Spikes, watching the surprise flair on the other mans face.
"You can come in now, I don't want to be disturbed Margret." Spikes informed the woman.
"Yes Mr Spikes." Margret refused to call the odious man by his temporary title.
"So what can I do for you today sir?" Buck beamed at Spikes who he could see was confused and angry by Buck's happiness.
"I have been informed that you attack Hicks and Coffey from Team 1." Spikes solemnly declared.
Buck paused and looked confused acting upset.
"Oh no Bob, Hicks and Coffey where rough housing in the parking garage and they fell over and I was simply helping them up again." Buck grinned at the other man.
"That's not what happened and you and I both know it." Spikes snapped at the grinning buffoon sat in the chair opposite him. "You attacked them, breaking Hicks nose and kicking Coffey in the groin."
Buck shook his head in denial.
"No sir I never laid a hand on them, you can ask both Josiah and JD who witness the event." Buck continued his innocent act.
"I have the security camera footage which shows you attacking the two men." Spikes ground out annoyed.
"Does it really, can I see it then?" Buck grinned inanely at Spikes, he saw the moment the man realised the security footage may not contain what he expected.
Slamming the disc into the dvd player in his office attached to the large screen television Spikes watched as you could see Buck, Hicks and Coffey waiting for the elevator and then it seemed like the camera malfunctioned.
"So you see sir nothing happened." Buck smirked as Spikes growled.
"Margret get Sanchez, Dunne, Avery, Hicks and Coffey to my office now." Spikes barked at the woman.
Buck waited for the other men to arrive; Spikes sat growling behind his desk, he might have known that Dunne would destroy the evidence but he would break the youngster and get him to admit to tampering with the security footage. Larabee frightened the kid and he could be meaner and more intimidating than the other man without breaking a sweat or so he thought.
The five other men entered the office with Josiah and JD going to stand by Buck and Avery, Hicks and Coffey standing at the other side of the office. Coffey was limping slightly and he glared at Buck, while Hicks had a bandage across his nose he smirked at Buck.
"Wilmington is denying that he assaulted you both he says you fell and he was simply helping you up." Spikes snapped.
"No sir, he went for us like a rabid dog, he punched poor Hick's in the face and kicked me in the groin." Coffey whined, for such a big man he had quite a high pitched voice.
"That's not what we witnessed." Josiah's deep voice contracted the other man.
"Well of course you're going to lie for Wilmington." Hicks annoyed sounding nasally voice insinuated.
"Be careful what you say son." Josiah calmly looked the other man in the eye.
"Are you threatening me old man." Hicks swelled with indignant fervour.
"You would know if I was threatening you son." Josiah smiled insanely at Hicks who tried not to flinch at the look in the heavy set man's eyes.
"That's enough." Spikes barked, he stood up and loomed over JD who had sat next to Buck. "Well Dunne what did you do to the security footage?"
JD shrugged and looked innocently at the glaring Spikes, he could not believe the man thought he could intimidate him, JD could survive Chris Larabee's glares relatively unscathed and Bob Spikes was an amateur compared to the Team 7 leader.
"I didn't touch anything sir, why what's happened?" JD innocence shone through his doe like eyes.
"Don't lie to me son, you're in enough trouble as it is so don't make matters worse." Spikes invaded JD personal space expecting the kid to crumple and confess.
JD kept his eyes on Spikes and did not back away from the other man.
"NO sir I'm not lying and I resent the implication." JD confidently spoke not raising his voice. "And if you carry on accusing me of doing something wrong then I want my union representative present before we discuss anything further."
Spikes jaw dropped at the kid's audacity. Jack Avery had kept quiet up till this point, he could see the writing on the wall, without the security footage showing the fight then it was a matter of his two men's word against the three members of Team 7 and even Spikes could not punish Wilmington without solid evidence, especially now that Dunne had mentioned bringing in the union.
"I'm sure it was just an honest mistake AD Spikes." Avery decided that they weren't going to get anywhere and just wanted to stop the meeting before something untoward happened and Spikes or one of the others lost control.
The three men from Team 7 starred in disbelief at Jack Avery they had not expected the temporary team 1 leader to back down so quickly. Spikes looked at Avery in surprise, and then it dawned on the man that he would not be able to put his plan in motion without the camera footage as the members of Team 7 would stick together no matter what. Hicks and Coffey but sputtered, but where silenced before they could protest by the glare from Spikes.
Margret's curiosity had gotten the better of her and she had moved closer to the door, she was horrified by what she had over heard, Buck was the most placid man, he only lost his impressive temper when defending his team or someone weaker who protecting. And how dare Spikes attack the adorable young JD, well wait until Margret told her friends, Spikes was unpopular now but after this he would be hated. Many in the Denver office where upset and dismayed by Spikes somehow getting rid of Chris Larabee and now for the man to try and hurt the most loveable members of Team 7 mainly JD Dunne and Buck Wilmington was not a clever move on Bob Spikes part. She rushed back to her desk when she heard the men moving towards the door.
Avery waited until the other men had left Spikes office, he turned to Spikes.
"Damn Dunne, I should have got the footage sent up straight away." Spikes grumbled angrily to himself.
"Too late to berate yourself now sir it was a good plan to get Wilmington to attack Hicks and Coffey its just a shame that the two idiots couldn't deliver the beating you wanted them to Director." Jack Avery used the Director title to soothe Spikes temper.
Margret quietly gasped as she listened at the door.
"I will get Team 7 disbanded if it s the last thing to I do, I'll find a way and I want you and Jessica to help me do it." Spikes barked at the other man. "I want Chris Larabee to hear about the break up and know that he could do nothing to stop me."
"Larabee must be suffering in Alaska Director with no team to back him up. I bet he's showing that he's not as special as everyone made out. " Avery encouraged the man in his hatred of Chris Larabee.
"Of course he's going to be running scared probably making mistakes and upsetting people because of his arrogance." Spikes laughed to himself. "Alaska such a nice place."
Avery joined in the laughter.
"So shall we invited Jessica out for lunch then Bob?" Avery smirked as Spikes nodded eagerly.
Margret scowled when she thought of the three conspirators trying to bring down the best team in the ATF, she heard the two men heading toward the door she moved over to her desk and projected an air of professional competency.
"I'm going out for lunch Margret, I'll see you later." Spikes good naturedly informed the woman who was his assistant.
"See you later then Mr Spikes." Margret calmly responded, watching the men leave the floor; she picked up her phone head set and began making calls, satisfied the smiling woman went back to work.
Spikes, Avery and Jessica enjoyed a long lunch laughing and joking with each about what they where hopefully going to do to make the remaining Team 7 members lives difficult.
Spikes read the email he received advising him that Director Sheppard was coming back to Denver and he wanted to meet with the department heads and the team leaders. Spikes immediately emailed the relevant people advising them of the following days meeting.
The following day at nine o'clock Director Sheppard sat in the large conference room with AD Spikes, he was waiting for the team leaders and department heads to arrive. Jack Avery was sat next to Spikes as Sheppard was sat at the head of the large table which dominated the conference room, with his assistants on either side of him, eagerly waiting for instructions.
The door opened and Margret calmly walked in, carrying a list, she made her way to Spikes and keeping the smile off her face she dropped her bombshell.
"I'm sorry Mr Spikes but these people have all called in sick with some sort of stomach bug." Margret handed the list to Spikes.
Director Sheppard noted that Margret had not used the AD title that Spikes was so proud of, he saw Spikes slowly turning red whether that was with anger or embarrassment Sheppard was not yet sure which one. Sheppard held his hand out for the list, which Spikes handed over reluctantly. The Director glanced through the list and saw that every team leader, except those who due to being on active cases where out in the field and would not have been present anyway, had called in sick as well as every department head. The only one that had not was Avery and Sheppard was not surprised by this.
"Do you have any idea why the ATF version of The Blue Flu has suddenly broken out?" Director Sheppard had to hand it to the missing people this was a sure fire way to show their disapproval of Spikes leadership.
Spikes gulped he was mortified that his people would embarrass him this way. It had to be a plan thought up by Larabee somehow, Spikes did not realise how unfair his thoughts where but in his mind everything that did go wrong was down to the Team 7 leader.
"I am as clueless as you are Director; maybe there was something wrong with the food in the cafeteria or something." Spikes offered trying not to stutter.
"This is not what I expected from a newly promoted AD, how in the hell can you have alienated your whole office Bob." Sheppard calmly stated his displeasure. "I am not sure AD Travis made the correct choice in allowing you to take over, maybe you need to think about stepping down and letting someone more able take over."
Spikes heart sank at Sheppard's words, he did not deserve this he had worked hard and treated everyone fairly and now it was all slipping through his fingers. He then realised that Sheppard was not insisting he step down he had only made a suggestion so Spikes decided that he would not step down he would just have to work harder.
"I don't think stepping down is a choice that I am going to make." Spikes informed the Director.
"Then I think you should consider bringing back Chris Larabee as transferring him was obviously a mistake." Director Sheppard wanted Spikes to make the correct decision; he did not want to make it an order.
"That's something I'll consider." Spikes insincerely advised the other man. He would rather not be forced to do that as it was all down to Larabee that his tenure as AD was going so badly.
Sheppard sighed, but he was going to watch this play out, he would give Spikes every opportunity to do the right thing, and if he did not make things right then the Director would have no option but to step in and if he did then, boy would people know that he was not happy.
"Fine, you may as well return to your office the Spikes." Director Sheppard commanded. "Margret please wait here I have something I wish to discuss with you regarding AD Travis."
Spikes stormed to his office, wondering what Sheppard was saying to his personnal assistant.
"Margret do you want to tell me what's going on here?" Director Sheppard looked at the matronly woman who met his stare unblinkingly.
"I believe that Bob Spikes is a untrustworthy scumbag sir and he seems to have developed a hatred of Chris Larabee and Team 7 due to some petty jealousy." Margret declared with no hint of remorse for spilling the beans on Spikes.
"What makes you think that Margret?" Director Sheppard considered the woman before him an excellent judge of character and she had been with the agency a long time and had been Travis's assistant for over ten years.
"Because he used his power to force a sick Chris to accept a transfer to Alaska because of the man's desire to protect his team, I don't know what the threat was." Margret wondered how much to tell the man, deciding that he has always been a fair man she ploughed straight on. "But I can imagine part of the threat has to do with a supposed sexual relationship between Chris and Buck, and poor Buck was attacked by two of Team 1, luckily he kicked their arses for them."
Director Sheppard looked at Margret sternly as she smiled at the thought of Buck winning against the two bully's. Sheppard would have to look into this and see exactly what he could find out was true or not.
"Thank you for being honest with me Margret and hopefully after today's humiliation AD Spikes will settle down and show everyone what a proper leader he can be." Director Sheppard had to back the other man up even when he did not believe what he was saying.
"Please Director Sheppard, Orrin should have made Chris Larabee take the promotion, they could have compromised in such a way that would have allowed him to stay with his team." Margret smartly responded frowning at the man.
"Yes well I will be discussing the matter with Orrin, Margret can you keep me informed of any other matters I should know about." Director Sheppard smiled at the woman who nodded.
Chris Larabee sat dejectedly waiting to be called into the doctor's office, AD Reece had threatened to suspend him if he did not go, so here he was waiting for the man's daughter to see him, unluckily for him Reece's daughter was a doctor and no doubt she would be reporting back to her father about his health.
"Christopher Larabee." The petite woman called, Chris reluctantly followed her into the room.
"Hi, my name is Sarah Connor and my father's told me all about you Chris, it's alright if I call you Chris isn't it." The woman smiled at Chris who nodded resigned to being poked and prodded.
Chris looked around the office noting the pictures and other items which soften the harshness of the room, making it less like a doctor's office and more like an everyday study.
Sarah Connor watched her new patient look around her office curiously, she was under instruction from her father the man's boss to give him a good once over and to help him in any way she could. She noted that Larabee was dressed for the office but with quite a few layers on and he still looked cold, even though her office was nice and warm. She noted his gaunt appearance and the dark circles under his eyes and the sound of his congested breathing.
"Would you take of your jacket and lift your shirt so I can listen to your chest please?" Sarah watched as the man silently removed his jacket and raised his shirt and under shirt. Sarah rubbed the bell of her stethoscope and placed it against the thin back. "Can you take a deep breath for me?"
Chris tried to obey the request but he ended up starting a coughing fit, which felt like it lasted an eternity. Dr Connor handed Chris a glass of water when he finally stopping coughing, she continued her examination, looking in his mouth and taking pulse rate and blood pressure, placing the thermometer in his ear she waited for it to beep with the results.
"Could you get onto the scales for me Chris?" Sarah frowned when he stood shoe less and silent on the weighing machine. "Alright let just measure your height."
Chris was grateful when the doctor indicated that he could sit down again.
"Alright Chris, I think that you have a serious case of Bronchitis and I'm going to prescribe some antibiotics because you don't want it to develop into pneumonia, it's a five day course and I would like you to take some time off work to allow your body to recover." Sarah could see the refusal before the man spoke.
"No I'll take the pills but I'm not taking the time off." Chris stubbornly told the doctor.
"Alright but you need to make sure you get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids." Sarah instructed the man. "Also I am concerned with your weight you are seriously under the recommended weight for your height."
"It's just the cold making me not want to eat." Chris coughed again.
Sarah waited till the man stopped coughing, she was not happy with what she had just heard.
"Chris being the weight you are means that your body is not able to shake off illnesses like this cold which has turned into Bronchitis, I know your throat is sore so I suggest you try to eat soup or protein shakes but you must eat." Sarah felt that the man was not really listening to her. "Mr Larabee unless you want to end up in hospital because your body fails you then you'll try to eat and drink as much as you can. Or is there something you're not telling me about your lack of appetite and weight loss."
Chris did not want to go through the hassle of trying to explain to another doctor about his appetite or lack thereof. He was not that bothered by his lack of appetite for food and his weight which was still going down, it had always settled down in the past and no doubt once he shook off this cold it would get back to normal.
"No I'm fine and I'll try to eat." Chris coughed into a tissue and then blew his nose, he dumped the tissue in the bin.
"I would like for you to come back and see me next week." Sarah did not give the man a chance to refuse as she pulled up her schedule for the next week.
"Fine if I can and I hope that my appointment today is kept private and not discussed with anyone without my express permission." Chris warned the woman about talking to her father about today.
Sarah sighed as she imagined her father's annoyance when she told him that she could not discuss Larabee's health with him. Oh well I he asked questions then she would just have to deal with it when it happened.
"Good I'm glad we've sorted that out." Chris was in a hurry to escape now; he took the prescription and bid the petite doctor goodbye.
Chris filled the prescription at the chemist not far from work, he slowly walked into the Anchorage office of the ATF. The young man behind the receptionist desk waved to get Chris's attention.
"Agent Larabee Sir, AD Reece wanted to see you as soon as you arrived, do you want me to let him know that you're on your way to his office." The youngster was in awe of the black clad man he tried not to fidget under the intense stare.
"Sure Jeff you can let him no thank you." Chris smiled as the youngster rushed to obey him.
Chris waited for the elevator to take him to the level Reece's office was on he waited impatiently to be called into the man's office.
"Come on in Chris." AD Kyle Reece called, he watched as the blond took the seat he pointed to. "Do you want coffee Chris?"
"Thanks." Chris waited for the AD to begin.
"So you want to tell me how the doctor's appointment went?" AD Reece waited for the standard reply.
"I'm fine." Chris murmured thankful for the coffee which seemed to warm his hands he was feeling the cold, even though the ATF building was nice and warm.
"Chris what did the doctor say?" Reece pushed for an accurate answer.
"She gave me antibiotics and told me to drink more, I'll be fine." Chris scowled at the other man who just smiled back at him ignoring the bad tempered scowl.
"Maybe you should take some time off to recover."Reece was surprised at the panic that flared briefly in the normally stoic mans eyes.
"No I'm fine." Chris could not face anymore time alone in the apartment, he was planning to carry on working as normal and as it was Thanksgiving weekend he would be working in the office so that the weekend passes quickly.
"Alright, but you need to take it easy." Reece decided to offer the man an invite as his wife was keen to meet the man who had impressed her husband so much.
"I will." Chris assured the director.
"Oh and Chris my wife would like for you to come to our house for Thanksgiving dinner this Saturday as she knows you don't have any family in the area." Reece fully expected the man to refuse. "And I don't want to be in the dog house so I'm sure you can make it, you can eat and then leave straight after if you want."
"Surely you just want family around over Thanksgiving?" Chris huskily declared.
"Nope its fairly open house this weekend and you'll have fun I'm sure son." Reece kindly patted the other man as he went to top up the coffee cups, he offered Larabee a chocolate biscuit the man shook his head in refusal of the sweet treat.
Chris felt backed into a corner and so he decided to just accept the offer and deal with it on the day, hopefully something would come up.
"That's great then." Reece could imagine the poor man did not know what he had let himself in for as his wife like to mother people and being told about the Denver agent she was determined to meet him and feed him up if possible.
Chris did not like the smile on the Directors face and hoped that the dinner was not too trying.
Chris got back to his apartment that night and made himself some soup and bread he sat at the small table and read the paper while he tried to eat the food, he thought if he could distract himself he may manage more than a few mouthfuls, after half a bowl and one slice of bread Chris decided that he would give up, getting himself a glass of water and juice, the blond went into his bedroom got changed into a jumper and sweat pants, he sprawled on his bed and signed into Skype on his laptop, smiling when he saw that Buck, Vin and Ezra where all online he was just about to video call them when Buck beat him to it, he accepted the call request.
"Hey Big Dog how's it hanging?" Buck cheerfully yelled.
"Too the left as usual." Chris replied chuckling at the confused look on JD's face who was sat next to Buck waving to him.
Vin and Ezra both laughed at Chris's comment. JD suddenly burst into fits of laughter as Buck nudged him.
"How you guys doing?" Chris was keen to hear what his team where doing.
"Where all fine Cowboy." Vin blue eyes twinkled happily at Chris.
"Looking forward to your return Mr Larabee." Ezra drawled at the men.
"Good. So are you looking forward to Thanksgiving weekend?" Chris took a quick drink and coughed into the tissue he had ready to blow his nose.
"Yep Netties making pumpkin pie Chris I can't wait." Vin almost drooled at the thought of the pie.
"Sounds good." Chris smiled at the men.
"Casey's gonna make a cake." JD did not sound to happy about that.
"Oh well I'm sure it'll turn out better than her last effort." Chris hoped it did for JD's sake.
"Yeah her biscuits are lethal weapons, you could throw them and they where like rocks." JD remembered nearly breaking his teeth on one.
"Hey atleast Casey can make a decent cup of coffee." Buck looked at Vin and winked.
Chris laughter turned into painful coughing, the men waited for him to stop, Chris got of the bed and hurried into the small bathroom, Buck, JD, Vin and Ezra winced in sympathy as the could here the sounds of Chris coughing from the sensitive webcam, they grimaced as the coughing brought about a bout of vomiting.
"Jesus that sounds nasty." Buck wished he could be there to help Chris.
Vin frowned at the camera, listening to Chris puke and cough.
Ezra's concern was growing for the blond as the sounds emanating from the other side of the webcam seemed unending.
Buck jumped as a crash sounded from Chris's end, he leaned closer to the webcam as worrying silence now made the men concerned.
"Chris are you alright?" Buck called urgently to his friend, the others remained silent.
No answer from the other man.
"Chris damn it answer me, are you alright?" Buck voice began to rise.
"I'm here Buck just give me a minute." Chris tiredly answered.
"Come where we can see you Chris?" Buck instructed the man.
"I'll be there in a minute Buck." Chris husky voice muttered.
"What the hell happened Chris?" Buck demanded an answer.
"I tripped is all Buck." Chris appeared in the webcam, holding a towel to his face.
"Lets see what you've done Chris?" Buck's quiet voice commanded.
"It's just a nose bleed and bit of a bloody lip." Chris mumbled his head was pounding after falling over.
"Alright Chris." Buck could see the pain in Chris's dulled green eyes.
"Maybe you should take some Tylenol or something." JD suggested timidly as the blond pinched his nose to stop the flow of blood.
"I will in a minute." Chris felt the other room was too far to go to too get the painkillers, especially when he felt a bit light headed.
"Chris what are your plans for Thanksgiving?" Ezra quietly asked the pale man.
Chris had not realised that the dapper undercover agent had asked him a question, he was waiting for the room to stop spinning.
Vin was horrified that the blood from Chris's lip and nose seemed to stand out grotesquely against the white of the man's pale skin.
"Chris." Buck quietly called
"Buck." Chris squinted at the screen.
"Ezra asked you a question Stud." Buck saw Chris's nose had finally stopped bleeding, the man dropped the towel on his bed and relaxed back against the pillows piled on his bed.
"Sorry Ezra, what did you say?" Chris tiredly tried to focus on the man's face, blinking rapidly Chris rubbed his eyes.
"I simply asked what you would be doing for Thanksgiving." Ezra repeated his question; he noted that Vin was quietly sending a text.
"Right, I've been invited to dinner with AD Reece." Chris took a drink and felt it sit sickeningly in his stomach, which was empty after his coughing fit.
"Great are you going to go?" Buck asked, he was worried that Chris would be on his own while everyone else was celebrating.
"I don't really think I have much choice from what Reece was saying." Chris watched the screen as Nathan's face appeared as he joined the call.
"Hi Chris." Nathan studied the pale man, noting the bloody nose and lip.
"Hi Nate, how are you, how's Raine?" Chris smiled at the healer.
"I'm good Chris, and Raine sends her love." Nathan watched as Chris rubbed his head and then shook it as if he needed to clear it. "How are you feeling Chris?"
"I'm alright just a bit tired." Chris honestly answered. The men's faces registered there surprise at not hearing the usual I'm fine answer from Chris. "What?"
"Nothing Chris." Buck laughed at the half hearted glare Chris was giving the laptop.
"Shoot you all." Chris mock growled into the webcam.
Chris suddenly sneezed and cursed as his nose began bleeding again, he picked up the towel again and held it to his face muttering under his breath.
"Chris you alright?" Nathan asked and watched concerned as Chris moved off the bed and disappeared from sight.
"I'm just getting a fresh towel and some painkillers guys stop worrying." Chris called from where he leant against the wall. He staggered into the other room, he picked up the bottle of Tylenol and the antibiotics he was taking and a fresh towel and he settled back on the bed.
The men silently watched as Chris struggled with the child proof cap, JD tried not to laugh at the intense concentration on Chris face as the man tried to open the bottle. Buck elbowed the JD hard and shushed him as Chris lost his temper and threw the bottle across the room.
"Fucking child proof shit." Chris snarled as he got off the bed to retrieve the bottle he had thrown.
"Take it easy Chris." Nathan calmly called to the other man as Chris reappeared and threw himself back on the bed the bottle held tightly in his fist.
Chris tried again to open the bottle, he brought it closer and squinted at the marks he was supposed to match up. Rapidly losing his temper Chris slammed the bottle against the wall, he had completely forgotten that Buck and the others where watching as he twisted the cap and then swore when it refused to come off.
"Chris take a breath Stud and calm down, you're trying to hard." Buck could see the anger beginning to overwhelm the other man.
Chris acted like he did not hear Buck, as he finally exploded throwing the bottle away from he, the laptop fell off the bed and rested on its side as the men listened to Chris throw anything within reach and curse roundly.
"Chris Chris." Nathan called jumping when the sound of a glass shattering could be heard.
"Nathan just stop he'll calm down in a minute." Buck told the worried looking healer.
"He's going to hurt himself again." Nathan was not the only one worried.
"No he won't." Vin was confident in his statement, Buck nodded in agreement
Soon the sound of destruction stopped and all the men could hear was the sound of Chris's struggling for breath, and coughing what sounded like his lungs up.
Josiah suddenly joined the video call, he silently observed the worried looks on his brother's faces but he could not see Chris, but he could hear the man coughing.
"We'll would you look at that." Chris declared, he picked up the laptop and set it back on the bed, he went and got himself a fresh drink and decided he would clean up the mess he made later. Dreading facing his team Chris sat on the bed, trying to calm his breathing he held up the now open bottle of pain pills and attempted a reassuring smile for the other men.
"You ok now." Vin Texan accent sounded stronger to Chris.
"I'm fine sorry about that boy's." Chris shook out two tablets and then popped two antibiotics on his hand he then swallowed them with some water, very glad when they did not get stuck in his sore throat.
"What else did you take Chris?" Nathan had noted the extra pills.
"Antibiotic's the doctor gave me." Chris nodded at Josiah who smiled serenely back at him.
"What for?" Nathan wanted to know what the pills where for.
"Bronchitis, I'll be fine." Chris sighed as he saw Nathan frown. "It's just a precaution Nathan I'm alright really."
"Are you going to the shelter this year Josiah?" Chris knew that Josiah volunteer to help give out food to the needy and homeless during the Thanksgiving holiday.
"Yes Chris we all are before we go to Netties." Josiah was thankful that his brothers where going to volunteer as well.
"Great." Chris yawned tiredly; he picked up his drink and let the cool liquid soothe his sore throat.
"Maybe we should let you get some sleep Chris." Vin smiled as Chris pouted like child.
"No it's fine it's still fairly early." Another yawn made the blond mans eyes water slightly.
"Sure and you're bright eyed and bushy tailed." Buck laughed as the other man gave him a one fingered salute.
The men started to talk about the horses and what they where going to bring to the Thanksgiving party, and Chris made the odd comment and suggestion. The men were not surprised when Chris fell asleep listening to them, the men kept chatting and the subject soon turned to Chris, who's heavy breathing sounded horrible to the other men.
"Bronchitis Nathan?" Buck looked at Nathan.
"Hopefully the antibiotics help and it doesn't turn into pneumonia." Nathan so hoped that Chris did not get that bad.
"What pray tell us are the repercussions if it does develop into pneumonia?" Ezra asked the most important question in his mind and the others if their expressions where anything to go by.
"He'll more than likely end up in hospital, but hopefully it's not going to come to that, I just wish he was back here." Nathan did not like telling the other men this possible outcome.
"Buck do you still have his medically power of attorney?" Vin looked to the ladies man.
"Yes and if anything happens then I should be notified as Chris's next of kin, I also have his power of attorney, so if he ends up in hospital, then he'll be transferred straight back to Denver, I'll make sure of that." Buck grimaced as Chris coughed, the sick man rolled onto his side and continued to slumber.
"I wonder what Spikes is going to do after being left high and dry in the meeting?" JD asked the other men.
"I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall then." Nathan smiled at the idea.
"Bet Sheppard gave him hell." Vin chortled aloud.
"It's great that the others backed us up." JD could not believe the dislike Spikes managed to inspire.
"It's no surprise that no trusts that serpent Spikes." Josiah's bear like growl came booming from the laptop.
Chris sat up suddenly and looked around confused till his gaze settled on the laptop beside him.
"Hey sleeping beauties awake." Vin waved to Chris who grunted and threw an arm across his eyes.
"Shoot you long haired scruffy Texan." Chris grumbled, smiling as the other men laughed at the hurt look Vin tried to project.
"I aint scruffy." Vin denied the charge.
Chris snorted and turned to glare at his screen.
"Goodnight boys." Chris turned his back on the laptop.
"Chris you need to shut your laptop down." JD called and grunted as Buck elbowed him in the ribs.
"It doesn't matter JD." Vin and none of the others where bothered by Chris sleeping while they talked.
The men continued to discuss the happenings in the Denver office, especially what had happened with the Director Sheppard meeting that nobody attended other than Jack Avery.
Nathan had been listening to Chris's breathing, he disliked how congested the other man sounded, he noted when the man began whimpering in his sleep.
Chris walked through his house noting how empty it felt, he noted the absence of any familiar photos and pictures normally found round his house, he headed outside and could not see any of his horses in the nearby fields. Going into the barn he found it empty and abandoned.
Running back to the house Chris began searching the rooms throwing open the closets he found nothing inside. Suddenly he could hear screaming, racing outside he found the remains of his truck burning, he could see the men of his team trapped inside as the flames engulfed the car.
"No no no." Chris whimpered as the flames beat him back, looking at his hands he could see they were blistered and burned.
"Chris help me." Vin's voice echoed in Chris's head looking up he was horrified when he saw that Vin's face was burnt and disfigured.
Chris cringed and began to rock, keening he could hear his men calling to him, looking up they where surrounded him each man burnt and disfigured to the point that Chris almost did not recognise them
"I'm sorry, so sorry." Chris pleaded for forgiveness, his eyes burning with unshed tears as he rocked.
"Come on Chris it's just a dream, wake up Chris." Buck called urgently, he was as close to the screen as he could get.
"Chris listen to me brother you're dreaming and you just need to open your eyes and wake up." Josiah calmly spoke to the webcam.
"No all you're all burnt." Chris keened softly rocking.
"Chris I want you to listen to my voice and calm down." Nathan could hear Chris becoming more and more distressed.
"The fire it burns." Chris shook his head in denial. His men where dead and he was all alone in the world even Buck was gone.
"Ezra what the hell are you doing?" Nathan growled.
"Christopher come and look at the flame." Ezra's voice called the other man's attention, he ignored Nathan. "Chris look around and see the flame, see how bright it burns."
Chris whimpered as he looked up, he saw the flame, and he seemed mesmerised by it. The others watched silently as Chris continued to keen softly tears streaming unchecked from his confused green eyes.
"Chris reach out and touch it." Ezra's southern voice calmly coaxed the distressed man closer. "Trust me Chris."
A hesitant hand reached out and touched the screen, Chris blinked the men saw the precise moment Chris became aware of where he was.
"Damn it." Chris swore, he could see the other six men all starring silently at him in concern.
"You ok there Big Dog." Buck spoke first.
Chris buried his head in his hands, he hated the fact that once again his worst nightmare had been witness by his team.
"Chris you need to try and calm down." Nathan was not happy with the way Chris seemed to be struggling to breath.
Chris gripped the sides of his head, he wanted the other men to leave him alone, to lick his wounds in peace.
"Chris look at me son." Josiah waited patiently to be acknowledged by the silent man.
"I'm fine Josiah." Chris hoarsely responded finally looking toward the screen.
"Sure Chris now relax and concentrate on not breathing like a overweight pig." Buck smirked as his insult made Chris glare.
"Nah he sound's more like a boy pig getting lucky with the pigette of his dreams." Vin sniggered as Chris made an effort to slow his heavy breathing.
"Eww guys that's gross." JD smirked at Chris. "Need that image bleached from my brain."
"OK it's late and I'm gonna sign off now." Chris laughed as Buck made pig noises at him.
"Bye Chris." The men shouted as Chris shut down his laptop.
Chris lay starring at the ceiling for most of the rest of the night, he could not shake the remnants of the nightmare.
The following days where busy for the lean blond, he hardly had time to think, dwell on the nightmare or his feelings of loneliness. Soon Saturday dawned he got dressed, wearing his usual black jeans, black t-shirt, shirt and a lightweight jumper, Chris always seemed to be feeling the cold, he had to tighten his belt another notch, he picked up the cake he had bought from the local bakery and headed to Assistant Director Kyle Reece's house.
Knocking on the door, he waited to for it to be opened. Giggling sounded from the other side, the door was flung open and a young child stood starring at Chris.
"Ello who are you?" The little pig tailed girl grinned Chris, chocolate smeared around her mouth.
"Louise you naughty child you know the rules no opening the door without and adult present." Sarah Connor smiled welcomingly at the waiting blond. "Come on in Mr Larabee."
"Chris please." Chris handed the petite woman the cake.
"Would you like a drink Chris?" Sarah could not help but be dismayed by the fact that the man looked even worse now than when she examined him. The circles where darker round his eyes and he was thinner than before even with the many layers she could tell he was wearing.
"Coffee thanks." Sarah took Chris's coat, and showed the man into the room where a number of adults where sat or stood talking, Chris recognised a couple of agents from the ATF.
Reece walked over with his wife and introduced her to Chris.
"This is my wife Emily and this is Chris Larabee." Reece was shocked at how the other man looked. His wife fussed over the younger man, offering him snacks and telling him to make himself at home.
"Thank you for inviting me to you home." Chris smiled at the friendly woman.
"It's no problem son." Emily moved away to mingle Kyle followed her.
"Oh my goodness Kyle the poor boy looks and sounds awful." Emily Reece chided her husband.
"I know Emily, Sarah looked at him a few days ago, he has Bronchitis." Kyle told his wide of thirty years, she hugged his waist.
"He looks like he needs a good rest and some food." Emily snuggled up to her husband.
"I'm not surprised he looks tired, he's been doing night time surveillance with my team, and I've seen him in the office throughout the day as well." Terry Fuller one of Kyle's team leaders informed Reece and his wife.
"Kyle." Emily glared at her husband.
"Don't worry Emily I will be having words with the man." Reece intended to lay down the law to Larabee.
Chris settled himself in a chair, watching people move about and mingle; he wondered how long it could be before he could make his excuses and leave.
"Here Chris." Sarah held out a glass of juice to the man, she felt worried for him as had hoped to see some improvement, she could tell he really did not want to be at the party. "Drinking plenty of fluids is a good thing."
"Thanks." Chris was dreading being called to eat.
"Just try to eat what you can." Surprised green eyes met Sarah's, she smiled and then went to see if her mother needed any help in the kitchen.
Sitting down at the huge table everyone began to pass the bowls and plates around helping themselves to whatever they wanted, Chris took a small potion of turkey, potato's and vegetables, he settled in the seat next to Sarah, she did not comment on his meal size. Chris managed to force himself to eat some of the food, but he could tell by the look on the doctor's face that she was not happy with the amount, but she did not say anything.
"Alright everybody, dessert will be served in an hours time." Emily chuckled at the groans from the well fed people. "Why don't you all go and relax."
Chris made his escape, he found himself in the large television room, he settled in a comfy chair, and soon found himself with a child climbing onto his knee.
"Hello dinner was nice wasn't it?" Louise smiled up at Chris. "I eat all my vegetables, did you?"
"That's good, vegetables make you grow big and strong." Chris smiled back at the friendly child.
"We're going to watch Toy Story and Ice Age." Louise proudly told Chris. "Will you watch it with me?"
"Sure." Chris could hide here until he could make his escape.
Chris settle down with Louise and few other children and adults to watch the movie, he smiled when giggles burst from the little girl.
Emily came in to check on the children as most of the older children had gone down to the basement to the games room, the remaining children where either watching the film or sleeping, Emily moved to were Louise was lying snuggled against Chris's chest. Emily smiled as she noticed that the man was also asleep. She gently felt the sleeping man's forehead, gasping at the heat she felt there. Turning she went to get her daughter.
Emily, Sarah and Kyle hurried into the room, Emily quietly moved the children into another room putting the film back on for them. Kyle picked up Louise and took her into another room handing the little girl off to her father. Making his way back into the other room he shut the door behind him.
Sarah felt the sleeping man's forehead, she frowned at the heat coming off him, she placed her doctor's bag on the table, removing the thermometer she gently placed it in the blond man's ear. All three waited for the beep, Sarah frowned at the reading, she turned to her father.
"Dad can we get him to a bedroom, he's got so many layers on it's no wonder he's so hot." Sarah gently tapped Chris hand and called his name.
"Upstairs or down here Sarah?" Kyle felt that a bedroom upstairs was probably he best idea.
"He's less likely to be disturbed upstairs." Sarah smiled as sleepy green eyes blinked open.
"Come on Chris you'll be comfier in a bed." Sarah and Kyle pulled the barely awake man to his feet, guiding him up the stairs, Kyle made sure he had a hold on the thin man, so he would not fall.
"I'll go now then." Chris muttered, his eyes slid closed as he slumped on the bed Kyle had sat him on.
"No it's alright son, let's get you comfortable." Emily undid Chris shoes and removed them and his socks.
Kyle and Sarah started to strip the layers from Chris, removing the jumper and Sarah undid the buttons on his shirt. Chris barely registered what was happening to him ,he tried to open his eyes but he was just so tired.
"Christ how many layers has he got on?" Kyle helped Sarah pull the shirt off Chris who stated to tip sideways, Kyle stopped the sleeping man from tilting over.
"Down to his underwear I think?" Emily instructed, she had been a nurse before she retired so dealing with the sick and injured did not faze her. "My goodness he's skin and bone."
The three looked down at the still sleeping man, his ribs where standing out starkly, they noticed the man began to shiver as if cold.
"Mum can you pass my bag?" Sarah wanted to listen to Chris chest again and take his temperature. They all stopped as Chris began to cough harshly, he struggled to sit up, Kyle and Sarah helped him. "And the bin as well."
Kyle looked questioningly at his daughter why would she need the bin, Chris continued to cough harshly.
"Bathroom." Chris managed to get out in between coughing.
"Just use this Chris." Sarah really did not want to struggle with the ill man, she had expected what happened next.
Chris coughed up disgusting coloured crap as the bin was held for him, Sarah rubbed his back as Emily sat the other side of him, Kyle stood ready to assist. Chris tried desperately to stop coughing but his body had other ideas, Sarah was not surprised when eventually Chris's body rebelled even further and he began to vomit, involuntary tears leaked from the corner of his eyes.
"Maybe he'd be better in hospital." Kyle spoke the thought aloud.
"No." Chris raised his head.
Emily and Sarah could feel Chris tense up, he attempted to get up, Emily gripped the thin bony elbow and gently stopped him, she saw Sarah do the same.
"I'll go now." Chris was confused, his sleep fogged mind did not understand why he was undressed and in a room he did not recognise.
"Shush Kyle, it's alright son you don't have to go anywhere." Emily glared at her husband who shrugged.
"Chris I just want to take your temperature and listen to your chest again alright?" Sarah took out the stethoscope and warmed the bell part, she placed it gently against Chris and listened intently.
Emily and Kyle stayed silent while Sarah listened, Chris coughed occasionally, and allowed Sarah to place the digital thermometer in his ear, he would get dressed and go back to his apartment in a minute, once he found his clothes that is. Sarah nodded at her mother when she finished.
"Let's make you comfy son, so you can get some more sleep." Emily nodded at Sarah and the two women manoeuvred Chris under the covers, even though he was protesting slightly. "Now you just relax Chris."
Kyle stood silent, watching as his wife and daughter tucked the covers around the protesting mans shoulders. Chris continued to protest and Sarah nodded her head at the door, Emily smiled and nudged Kyle out of the room.
"Shush now." Sarah started to stroke the blond head, smiling down at the man who was fighting to keep his eyes open.
"Need to go, don't want to be a bother." Chris fought against the pull of sleep.
"Hush now." Sarah ran her finger gently down Chris's nose thinking how handsome the man was, smiling as he went crossed eyed following her finger. She repeated the action, remembering her mother doing the same thing to her when she was tired and cranky and it always sent her to sleep.
Emily poked her head round the door, smiling she watched as her only daughter stroked the sick mans head.
"Sarah, honey I think he's asleep now." Emily noted Sarah did not stop the soothing motion of her hand.
"I know mum." Sarah got up from the bed. "He's a bit cooler now, although I think he's getting worse, he's definitely thinner than when I examined him."
"If he's vomiting because of the coughing then it's not really surprising that he's losing more weight honey." Emily felt for the poor man, Kyle had told her about his family being murdered and how he the man could possibly be being persecuted by a jealous colleague who was in a position of power.
"I'll come check on him in a little while." Sarah headed towards the door, she dimmed the lights in the room, Emily followed her out and the two women made there way downstairs and back to their guests.
Emily and Sarah both checked on Chris regularly over the next few hours, he seemed to be deeply asleep and neither woman disturbed him, by eleven o'clock that night, only Sarah, her brother Matt and her parents where left in the house. The four where sat chatting and reminiscing about past Thanksgiving celebrations.
The man sat drinking straight from the bourbon bottle, he felt so alone, he missed his daughter desperately, and he remembered how she had loved to celebrate Thanksgiving. Starring at the telephone the man took a deep pull from the bottle, he smiled as he recalled the phone call he had received, the speaker had told him about the situation his daughter's killer found himself in, and had given him the mans cell phone number so that he could call and share the holiday cheer. The man on the other end of the phone had given him some hints on what to say if he did call the murdering scum to cause the maximum amount of pain and worry. Picking up the phone Hank Connelly smiled in expectation as he dialled the number he had written down.
"Larabee." The husky voice answered after what seemed like forever to the waiting Hank Connelly.
"Hello Chris, how are you doing?" Hank smiled at the silence.
"What do you want Hank?" Chris groggily asked,
"To commiserate with you Chris, it must be hard being all alone in the world." Hank smiled as Chris coughed.
"I don't understand Hank." Chris coughed and coughed, he sat up in the bed and noted a glass of water on the bedside table, he struggled to wake up fully, his mind felt like it was only half working.
"Your team are dead Chris." Hank cheerfully declared. "They where killed in the line of duty, all six of them shot and killed."
Chris could hear Connelly laughing down the phone, he could hear buzzing in his ears, he shook his head in denial.
"Once again Chris people died because you weren't there to protect them." Hank shouted down the phone. "How does it feel to have killed again Chris, Sarah and Adam died because of you and now Buck, Vin and all the others are dead too."
"No you're lying." Chris could feel the walls closing in on him.
"Buck tried to save JD you know and they shot him down like a dog." Hank smiled as he heard the man begin to struggle for breath. "Nathan died first you know Chris, poor Raine a widow before she's a wife."
Chris scrambled off the bed he found himself pushing himself into the corner, rocking and gasping for breath, Chris began to hyperventilate, he could hear laughter coming from his phone.
"There all dead Larabee and you weren't there you murdering son of a bitch." Hank Connelly revelled in the misery he was causing the other man.
They heard the crash from upstairs, Kyle, Sarah and Matt rushed upstairs with Emily following as quickly as she could. Throwing open the door Kyle turned up the lights, they could all hear the sounds of insane laughter.
"Chris." Sarah rushed towards the distressed man, who tried to fold himself into a smaller ball in the corner of the room.
"It's a lie, a lie." Chris gasping for breath in between his denials.
"Sarah be careful." Kyle warned his daughter as Chris flinched away from her touch as she tried to get closer to the distraught man.
"Murdering son of bitch Larabee, how does it feel knowing you killed your best friends as well as your wife and son?" Connelly howled.
Kyle Reece flinched and picked up the phone from the bed and ended the call, he turned back to Sarah and Chris.
"Sarah back off a bit and see if he calms down now I've stopped the phone call." Kyle commanded his daughter, as every time she tried to touch Chris he shrank back from her, his breathing sounded awful as he continued to struggle.
"Come on Chris." Kyle watched the other man; he had what had been screamed down the phone. "I'll be right back."
Kyle rushed into his study he logged onto the ATF site remotely and began his search he, found what he was looking for, thankfully for his good memory he raced back upstairs. He found the situation had not improved in fact from the sounds of it things where worse. Sarah was not in the room; Kyle doubted she would have gone far. Kyle dialled the number and impatiently waited for it to be answered.
Sarah hurried into the room a filled syringe in her hand.
"This had better be good." The gruff voice growled.
"Buck Wilmington its Kyle Reece, I need your help and I need you to listen." Kyle briskly ordered.
"Do I know you?" Buck growled.
"No but I'm the AD in Alaska and Chris Larabee is in trouble." Kyle barked.
Chris heard the yelling and tried to squeeze himself further into the corner, his chest hurt and his heart was broken and Hank was right he could not protect anyone anymore, he was useless, why was he still alive when better men like Buck, Vin, and the others had died, he would swap places with them all in the blink of an eye.
"What the hell do you mean?" Buck yelled.
"Some one's told Chris you and the rest of his team is dead." Kyle frowned as Sarah took the cover off the needle and slowly began to approach the man.
"Oh God." Buck yelled, his bedroom door flew open and JD stood there gaping at him, Buck waved him to be quiet, and to come in.
"He's sick and confused you need to talk to him, he's hyperventilating and my doctor is going to sedate him if he doesn't calm down." Kyle rapidly spoke.
"No don't let her do that, he's had some strange reactions in the last few months with resistance to them." Buck barked down the phone.
Sarah paused, as her father grabbed her and pulled her away from the man she was about to inject. Kyle put the phone on speaker phone.
"You're on speaker phone Buck." Kyle watched Chris closely.
"Chris it's Buck, we're fine Big Dog." Buck almost shouted.
Chris no longer heard anything but the frantic beating of his heart and his own desperate gasping.
"Chris it was a lie, no one's hurt." Buck desperately called.
Sarah shook her head, the four people could see that Buck's voice was not breaking through.
"Buck it's not working." Kyle nodded to Sarah. "Sarah's going to sedate him, it's that or waiting for him to pass out because he's not getting enough oxygen."
Sarah and Emily approached Chris, and before Chris could move away Sarah injected the man. She knew it should not take long before taking effect, both Sarah and her mother moved back so as not to crowd the sick man.
"What's happening?" Buck demanded.
"We're just waited for it to take effect." Kyle picked up his phone. "Buck I'll call you in a while once everything settled."
"I'm coming to Alaska." Buck informed the man.
"Alright son." Kyle gave him his address and phone number, he ended the call as Chris leant more heavily against the wall.
"Sarah." Kyle looked at his daughter.
"He should be under by now Dad." Sarah had heard of cases where people could resist sedation but with Chris's health the way it was she had thought he would be well under the effect by now.
Emily moved closer to the heavily breathing man, she gently reached out and touched his shoulder, Chris did not flinch away, he barely lifted his head, Emily found a world of sadness and despair in the eyes looking back at her.
"Come on son, the bed's much comfier." Emily nodded to her husband and son, the two men quietly and without fuss picked up the lean blond and placed him on the bed. "Now you just concentrate on breathing nice and slowly."
Sarah moved to the other side of the bed and Chris, Kyle and Matt stood quietly at the end of the bed. Emily took hold of Chris's hand and held it to comfort herself and the watching man. Sarah was glad that Chris's breathing was not as rapid as before but he still was struggling to take a full breath.
"Sarah does he need a hospital?" Kyle could see the worry on his girls faces, he was also concerned by the vacant look on Chris's face.
"I don't know Dad, he didn't want to go before to the hospital." Sarah was reluctant to suggest the hospital after seeing the negative reaction Chris had had to it before.
"You may not have a choice." Emily soft voice made the two look to where she sat holding Chris's hand.
"Mum?" Sarah focused on the hand Emily held out to her.
"Call an ambulance Dad." Sarah could see the blue tinge to Chris's nail beds, Chris head had sank onto his chest and Sarah lifted his chin noting the blue tinge round his mouth.
"Come on son don't do this." Emily could not tell if Chris was aware of what was happening to him, his eyes where half open, but his stare appeared vacant and empty.
Kyle's phone began to ring he recognised the number and quickly answered it.
"Where heading to the hospital, he's not doing too well and it's probably the best place for him."