Thank you all the friendly people who reviewed my earlier stories. It's easier to feed the plot bunnies with real reviews. These are big jackrabbits not your regular little plot bunnies. These fellas will knock you down and beat you up. The prefer specialty feed i.e. reviews. They want them and they intend to get them one way or another.

The Magnificent Seven aren't mine. It just isn't fair. They don't feed 'em right. I'd take better care of them. Everyone knows Vin's claustrophobic. It's plain cruel to lock him up like that.

ATF AU

Definitely for the more mature as far as I'm concerned.

Warning this is headed for dark and ugly places

ATF 8 SHATTERED

Buck paced tension radiating into the air.

"Where the hell is he?" Buck demanded of the empty apartment. Buck grabbed the phone on the first ring.

"JD?" Buck demanded.

"No, Bucky it's not JD. Although we are getting well acquainted aren't we John?" the voice raised Buck's hackles. Muffled sounds in the background. The sound of fists on flesh. "Yeah, John and I are getting well acquainted, Bucky," Harsh laughter assaulted Buck's ear and then the connection was severed.

Shakily Buck dialed "Chris, Arthur Martin's got JD".

"Buck are you sure?" Chris demanded.

"He just called Chris said he was getting' acquainted with JD," Buck's voice raised in panic.

"I'm on my way Buck stay there. Do you understand me? I'm coming Buck," Chris spoke roughly. Chris threw on some clothes and ran for his truck. As he pulled onto the highway he hit the speed dial.

"Vin don't ask questions. Get to Buck's now,"

"Leaving now," Vin affirmed.

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When Chris pulled up all the lights were on. Vin's Harley sat beside the door. Looking around Chris felt his panic settle slightly. Josiah's Suburban, shared the curb with Ezra's Jag. Nathan's car sat across the street.

"Who's Martin and why does he have JD?" Vin demanded as Chris entered.

"Martin's grief is with me," Buck answered. "When I was working Denver PD I arrested Benjamin Martin for assault and attempted rape. Daddy wasn't able to buy Benji off that time. He was sent to Juvie, he hung himself the next morning," Buck raised haunted eyes to met Chris's strained face. "He's gonna hurt the kid Chris. My fault I shoulda watched over him better,".

"Nathan, start searching for property titles of places he could have taken JD. Ezra check your contacts. Vin ditto. Josiah can you get me a profile on Martin and what we can expect? I'll try and get your old files, Buck. Do you still have that gal with the DMV? See if you can get anything on Martin's vehicles," Chris fired off commands "Go now and fellas watch your backs Martin may go after someone else too".

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Buck sat in the emergency waiting room pale and shaky. The shell shocked look was on each of the others as they waited for news on JD.

"He wouldn't even look at me Chris. How in hell do I help him over this? Would have never happened if he wasn't my friend," Buck's voice broke over a sob.

"I don't know Buck but we're sure as hell gonna do it. Martin isn't gonna break that boy," Chris promised. The door opened and Dr. Appleton entered.

"Buck he's not in any danger. Let's go some place quiet and I'll explain what were going to be dealing with," The six men seated themselves in the small conference room and waited for Dr. Appleton to speak. Buck's choked moan was easily heard in the deathly silence as Chris was handed the rape kit.

"This won't be necessary the bastard's dead," Chris sighed.

"Good," The motherly woman muttered under her breath. "Both of JD's wrists are sprained. He has some rather severe lacerations from the restraints. His right shoulder was dislocated. He has multiple contusions. A concussion and broken ribs. Both ankles are lacerated. We're watching him for internal bleeding. The tears to his rectum and soft tissue have been repaired. I have him on a antibiotic, pain medication, muscle relaxers.

With JD's past reactions to medication this isn't going to be easy for him. I don't need to tell you how sick they're going to make him. He's running a fever already. I gave him a rather powerful sedative for tonight. So he's going to be awfully dopey. Tomorrow I want to start on a anti-depressant. Chris, I want him on a suicide watch. I would rather not make this official since he's an agent," Dr. Appleton sighed.

"He won't be alone I promise you," Chris nodded to the compassionate Doctor.

"I'll let you know when he's ready for you," Dr. Appleton slipped out.

"Kid put up one hell of a fight," Nathan sighed.

"What do we do now?" Buck asked.

"Stay with our youngest brother, support him be ready to listen," Josiah suggested.

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"It's been three days Chris and he ain't said a word," Buck paced the hall.

"We need to give him some time Buck," Chris calmed.

"Chris he's not getting any better. Dr. Appleton is making noises about sending him to long term care. Chris he's in restraints right now," Buck growled.

"Why the hell did they do that," Chris demanded in shock.

"He managed to save up his pills," Buck admitted.

"Three months we've only known them three months Buck. I'm not giving up on my team that easy. If I have to drag that kid back from hell itself I won't give him up," Chris stormed into JD's room.

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Days later Chris, Nathan, Josiah and Ezra sat around in Chris's office. Every man was bone aching tired. "I was unable to stimulate a response from Mr. Dunne. I'll attempt it again when I take the midnight watch," Ezra reported.

"Brother Dunne has shut me completely out. I will try again at dawn," Josiah admitted.

"He won't even acknowledge I'm in the room Chris," Nathan fumed

"I even tried making him furious with me. It's like he isn't in there," Chris shook his head.

"Where's Vin? maybe he'll have better luck," Nathan asked.

"He's taking over from Buck in an hour," Chris answered.

"I've often wondered how someone so young has such ancient eyes," Ezra mused as he considered Vin's chances of reaching the withdrawn JD.

Chris raised troubled eyes, and spoke softly, "Have you ever seen Vin's military record? Damn thing has the date of induction. His date of honorable discharge, rank, serial number and a list of awards and medals. Everything else is classified.".

"I don't figure we'll ever learn about most of his past," Josiah spoke into the silence "Our Vin's calm has been hard won."

"Mr. Tanner is a remarkably stubborn individual. Considering his level of concern for young Mr. Dunne. I would wager that Mr. Tanner will have made considerable headway before I assume my shift. The odds are incredibly low that Mr. Dunne can hold out against him," Ezra voice was full of faith. The ringing phone had the four men checking their phones.

"It's mine," Chris snarled as he answered

"Yeah, Larabee." "Is something wrong Buck?" Worried looks crossed the men's faces. "JD wants me to pick up some of Inez's chili? Does he think I'm some kind of delivery boy?" Chris demanded. Grins started on the relieved faces. Chris continued speaking "Vin and JD decided their hungry. I'll bring it but damned if I'm buying. Those two can eat more than my paycheck," Chris hung up with a laugh. Ezra was shocked when Chris grabbed him up out of his seat. "JD's talking and he's hungry!" Chris crowed.

"Mr. Larabee it is indeed reason to rejoice. Was it necessary to damage my attire," Ezra failed to hide his pleasure at the news. The men headed for the door. "Gentlemen, I will provide the repast. In an hour in Mr. Dunne's room?"

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JD greeted each of them shyly. Ezra stood bemused at the room filled with colors. Walking to the window, he examined a jar. The evening light streamed through the window setting the beads ablaze.

"How lovely," Ezra whispered as he cupped his palm in a stream of light filling it with green fire."

"Vin calls it a rainbow jar," JD said. "He has one in the window of his apartment. Today he told me about the jar and helped me start mine," JD smiled shakily. "Buck helped me look for the ones I wanted."

"How does one create a rainbow jar, Brother?" Josiah asked.

"You need a bottle of course and lots of colored glass beads. Then you put in a bead that reminds you of something. Like I put in a gold and gray one for the day Mom and I went to the zoo for my birthday. It was a gray cloudy day, but it seemed like the sun was shining on us," JD reminisced.

"Lots of colors there JD," Chris acknowledged.

"Vin reminded me not to let Wilson steal the colors," JD whispered. Wondering looks studied the tracker and the glowing colors. Vin shifted uncomfortably under the gazes of his brothers.

"Just needed a little prodding is all," he muttered.

"I'm gonna need some help putting this behind me," JD admitted.

"Your not alone JD. Let us stand between you and the storm awhile," Josiah offered. Ezra's fingers traced the jar gently. Ezra gazed in awe at a simple glass jar.

"Mr. Dunne you must have many beautiful memories to color your soul with such wonder," he admired. Josiah heard Ezra's soft whisper "Count your blessings name them one by one."

Josiah continued the words from the simple hymn that suddenly had new meaning for him. "Count your many blessings see what God has done."

"I'se hungry guys ain't ya gonna pass that food around?" Vin growled. The room filled with relieved laughter.

author's notes

I have never known anyone personally that has been assaulted. Please don't think I'm treating the subject lightly.

How people survive tragedy without faith in God I can't comprehend.

Yes, I'm a Christian. I just can't come up with enough faith to think I'm the center of the universe.

The rainbow jar is something I read about in a Mag7 story I believe it was set in the old west. I found it amusing since the 'memories bottle' is something that has been a part of our family since the 1920s. I had an great aunt that lost 12 out of 14 children to typhoid in 2 months. She always credited that jar of memories as helping her survive.

Everyone in the family seems to start a jar on their own at some point in their life. It can be a very soul cleansing thing.

Cut Glass beads work the best. They gather light better and make a musical sound instead of a dull thump. A flat sided jar is our favorite. The beads are more exposed that way. Any jar will work though.