Healing Begins
"All right if I grab a shower Chris," Vin asked as they pulled up at the house.
"Please, you smell Tanner," Chris growled.
Larabee laid out a plastic bag to cover the cast, fresh towels and a pair of sweat pants he thought Vin could pull the cord on tight enough to keep on. A tee shirt and socks were added.
Vin headed to the bathroom.
Buck released a big sigh. "Damn Junior's seen some ugly."
"What did Vin mean when he said he was never there?" JD demanded.
"Covert Operation," Chris explained. "They weren't sent in official, no ID. When things went wrong the army could claim they didn't know about it."
"Brother Vin has come far to have healed so well," Josiah admired.
"Well he isn't healed and I want to look those injuries over," Nathan fumed.
"Chris?" Vin called in some embarrassment.
"Yeah Vin," Chris strode to the open bathroom door.
"Will ya untie my boot laces? Hurts like hell ta lean over that much." Vin admitted sheepishly.
Chris nodded, "Sit and I'll have you loose in a minute."
Larabee unlaced the combat boots and pulled the socks off. Recovering a wad of cash, a knife and a snub-nosed colt .38 in the process.
"How in hell do you manage to carry all this armory Vin?" Chris asked.
"I'se eat mah Wheaties," Vin flashed a tired grin back.
Standing up Chris watched as Vin worked the buttons left handed. Pushing the fingers to the side Chris started on the buttons.
"I usually get dinner first Larabee," Vin warned.
"I've got better taste than scrawny sharpshooters," Chris returned. "How many layers do you have on Tanner," Chris frowned as he came to the third shirt.
"I'se always cold," Vin sighed.
Looking at the long sleeve on the T-shirt pushed up above the cast Chris spoke "I'm going to have to cut the T-shirt off."
"I reckon," Vin agreed.
"Nathan, I need some bandage scissors." Larabee opened the door and called out. "It's all right Nate. I just have to cut his shirt off," Chris calmed Nathan at the door.
Chris' breath caught hard as he saw Vin without a shirt for the first time.
"Chris," Vin's voice was shaky. "I'se fine".
//That's what you think just wait till Nathan looks at them ribs.// Chris struggled to grin.
//Ah hell, he's gonna yell ain't he.// Vin moaned.
//Damn right, Cowboy//. Chris nodded to the buckled belt and worn jeans. "You gonna manage the rest of it?" he asked.
"Kin do the rest mahself thank ya kindly," Vin growled.
Chris walked out closing the door behind him. Chris turned startled when Vin opened the door. His breathing was erratic and his eyes wild.
"Need ta know I kin get out," Vin said in a shamed whisper.
Larabee frowned in concern "No one'll bother you. Leave it open if you want," Chris gentled.
Vin shivered as he closed the door.
"Ah, Hell," Vin whispered.
Chris cracked the door a couple of inches. //OK, now?"//
//I'se worse than a little kid// Vin admitted.
Chris waited listening as Vin's strained breathing settled out. Finally he heard the water start. Stalking down the hall he joined the others in the kitchen.
One glance at Chris's face and Buck closed his mouth and handed him a cup of coffee. Chris stood at the sink looking out. They jumped as the coffee mug shattered splattering coffee across the counter.
"Hell," Chris muttered.
Nathan lifted the hand checking for cuts and burns. Chris turned leaning back against the sink. The raw look on Chris face stopped any questions. Small talk began fading when the water stopped.
Vin appeared bare toes peaking from under the too long pants legs. The tee shirt hung to mid thigh. The shoulder seams hung well down his arms. A towel hung from his fingers. His hair was still dripping.
"Hard ta dry it with only one hand," Vin explained.
How old is Vin? He looks younger than JD right now. Chris froze.
"Sit down Mr. Tanner I have always wanted to tame that tangle you laughingly refer to as hair," Ezra offered.
Vin sank into Ezra's chair while avoiding the gazes of the other men. His hands rested in his lap. Ezra smoothly toweled the long strands dry and gently combed the tangles out.
Ezra smiled at Vin's "Ouch bad fairies," at one stubborn knot. Sheepish blue eyes met Ezra's smiling green ones. "Mama said tha' bad fairies made tangles," Vin hesitantly offered.
"Mr. Tanner I'm certain in this case that your mother was right," Ezra assured the blushing man. So very childlike at times. "My mother has spent a rather large fortune in an attempt to acquire hair like this," Ezra mused as he combed the silky strands.
"Mr. Tanner I realize it is not my business," Ezra began, "Why do you keep your hair at such a length?"
"It's mine," Vin tried to explain. "First thing they done when I's in fosta care they'se cut mah hair. Always kept it short in them fosta homes. Costs less ta just run tha clippers over it. Didn't have ta help tha little 'ens wash it. Said it kept tha lice down. When I got outta tha Rangers I wasn't gonna let nobody take no more pieces of me. Haven't cut it since," Vin drawled softly.
Troubled gazes met over Vin's bent head.
"Vin time to stop putting it off, let me see those ribs," Nathan demanded breaking the uncomfortable silence.
Vin frowned and started trying to pull the T-shirt up. Ezra removed the towel from Vin's shoulders.
"Dear Lord!" Ezra exclaimed as he viewed the revealed skin.
Vin's arms were a tracery of white scars from sleeve to wrist and the top of the cast. A heavy layer of scar tissue encircled the left wrist.
JD's chair overturned as he fled the room.
"Poor kid, I shouldn't have come in here," Vin whispered.
"You didn't do anything wrong Vin. JD just needs a little time," Nathan soothed.
"Git on with it Nathan," Vin growled.
Moving behind Vin, Nathan pulled up the shirt. Nathan's fussing ceased. He froze a saddened look on his face. Ezra looked ill as he stood clenching his hands staring at Vin's back. Vin sat perfectly still an unreadable look on his face. Nathan visibly gathered himself then reached out with shaking hands. Taking a breath he probed the ribs and bruises.
"Damn Nathan, they's cracked you tryin' ta go 'head and bust 'em through," Vin growled.
"Don't give me no grief white boy," Nathan ordered "You haven't been taking care of these like your suppose to." He carefully pulled the shirt back down. Nathan moved around to the front his face now calm and full of caring. "Hurts to take a deep breath?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah," Vin admitted.
"Good maybe you won't go and do something stupid," Nathan admonished. "Where's your brace? Damn it Vin you need to give this collar bone a chance to heal," Nathan fussed.
Vin seemed to relax somehow after hearing Nathan fuss at him.
"Brace is on the counter in the bathroom," Vin muttered.
JD carried the brace in looking embarrassed.
"I cleaned the bathroom for you Vin," JD spoke worried eyes locking onto Vin's face.
"Thanks JD," Vin smiled calmly.
"You have any problems with these scars limiting your motion?" Nathan asked calmly.
"Not any more. Had me a good physical therapist. Hated her guts fer a long time though," Vin answered.
"What did you mean when you said that the pain killer was hurting your stomach?" Nathan inquired.
"Stomach gets all messed up when I take most medicines. I's somethin' the Doctors called a hypersensitive system," Vin tried to explain. " They gotta be careful with them pills. Most pain killers make me sick and wear off sooner then they's suppose ta. I'se on a ventilator when they give me a dose of opium once. Woke up on tha operatin' table a couple times," Vin remarked.
"You counting this time or before?" Nathan asked.
"Were 'fore in tha Army," Vin muttered.
"You just have to be the patient from hell," Nathan shook his head as he fit the brace and sling on.
"The trash you eat and a few pills hurts your tummy," Buck guffawed trying to ease the tension.
"It ain't garbage! Won't never eat another man's garbage 'gain!" the Texan snarled. Vin's furious eyes were full of shameful memories.
"I never intended to hurt you son," Buck's voice trembled.
"Ya ain't mah pa," Vin snarled, a dangerous look on his face.
"No, I'm not. I wouldn't never have let them hurt you like this Junior," Buck's voice was gentle.
Vin's distrusting look cut Buck to the heart.
"I done fine on mah own," Vin growled.
"I'd probably bust the buttons off my shirt. I'd be so proud to have a boy like you," Buck gentled.
A puzzled look crossed Tanner's face. Vin calmed down darting embarrassed looks at the others.
Chris moved cautiously and poured Vin a cup of coffee.
A shy smile finally crossed Vin's face. "I shouldn't have jumped all over ya like that Bucklin," Vin apologized.
"You aren't pretty enough to get away with it again," Buck chuckled. "I didn't aim to prod hurtful places, Junior," he spoke seriously.
"Yah really meant that about bein' proud iffen I were yers?" Vin's voice shook
"Hell Yes, women just love cute kids. Coulda scored a lot of dates off of ya," Buck teased gently.
Vin's eyes slowly filled with mischief.
"Pa sure would like ya lady. He likes women that's on tha hefty side," Vin spoke innocently with serious big blue eyes.
Buck sat dumbfounded as the others roared with laughter.
"You're correct Mr. Wilmington. A juvenile Vin Tanner would be an excellent way to get women . . . to rearrange your features," Ezra smirked.
"Vin you need to wear a medical alert medallion or bracelet," Nathan suggested.
"I'se does it was in with mah things," Vin spoke roughly.
Josiah lifted the bag containing Vin's stuff. Carefully he emptied it onto the table.
"Scared your gonna run out of weapons, Vin," Buck mused.
There were two 9 mm SIGs, a 9 mm Glock, .45 Colt 1911 and three knives in the pile.
"There's a Colt .38 and another knife in the bathroom," Chris laughed.
"Stronger then he looks," Nathan muttered
"Skinny ass like that shouldn't even be able to stand up, much less walk around carrying that weight," Buck snorted.
JD began counting "There's 8 magazines here and two speed loaders."
Buck shook his head in amazement "How can you move so damn quiet? You ought to rattle when you walk," Buck demanded.
Vin began sorting holsters, sheaths and harness out while Chris checked weapons. Ezra opened a plastic bag and poured the contents onto the table. He pushed the Medical Alert Medallion towards Nathan. Gathering up the change he started replacing it in the bag. Stopping he examined a coin closer. Soft laughter shook Ezra frame as he smirked at the laughing Tanner.
"What's so funny?" Buck asked.
"It is official Mr. Tanner has the medal," Ezra tossed the coin to Buck.
Buck's laugh joined them. Josiah pulled the coin from Buck's fingers. On one side was a donkey wearing a mortarboard. Around the edge wise ass was engraved. On the other side was an inscription. Twice is enough Slick. Captain James and the rest was damaged.
"Captain caught on ta my pranks didn't turn me in though," Vin explained.
JD's glance would touch on Vin's arms then skitter around the room.
"It's all right JD ain't proud of 'em. Keep 'em covered they trouble folks. Go ahead and look 'em over and get past it," Vin sighed.
"I'm sorry Vin," JD stammered.
"So's I, JD. I's sorry I didn't have 'nough guts ta tell ya about it after Wilson," Vin sighed. "Is there somethin' ya need ta know?" Vin raised serious eyes.
"Do you still have nightmares?" JD mumbled.
"Reckon I'se always gonna have 'em. Wakin' up scared ta death. Yeah JD, I still has nightmares," Vin admitted.
"Is that what happened at the hospital?" JD asked.
Vin suddenly had a panicked look in his eyes.
"Easy Vin you're all right," Chris calmed.
"One of them doctors was Iraqi," Vin choked out refusing to look up. "Reckon I heard him talking. Then I'se back there," Vin gasped his breathing labored.
"It's all right now. You're safe here," Chris touched Vin's tense shoulder.
"I hurt 'em didn't I?" Vin asked.
"Who? Vin," Chris asked softly.
"Them doctors that was trying ta fix me up," Tanner said in a shamed whisper.
"They understood Vin," Chris soothed.
"I know he weren't one of 'em. Just got sa scairt," the texan said in a whisper.
"Come on Cowboy, time for a nap," Chris insisted.
"I'se a might tired," Vin admitted.
"I need to change the dressing on that leg," Nathan reminded.
Vin nodded as he followed Chris out of the room.
"Chris you leave me be when the terrors come. I don' want ta hurt ya 'gain," Vin directed.
Larabee led Vin to the master bedroom.
"Chris, this's yer bed.," Vin protested.
"I'm not using it right now," Chris stated.
"Don't wanta sleep in yer bed ain't right," Vin fussed.
"Tanner, get your skinny butt in that bed," Chris ordered.
Nathan came in with his medical kit.
"Ah hell!" Vin sighed.
Larabee asked softly, "You want me to leave?"
Vin's fingers locked almost painfully around Chris' wrist. Nathan tucked the covers carefully to the side only revealing the wounded thigh.
"It looks real good," Nathan said in surprise.
"I kin change a bandage," Vin growled.
"I know that. You've been moving around a lot more than the doctors would want," Nathan explained. Gently he tucked Vin in.
"Thank ya, Nate," Vin smiled at the retreating man.
Tanner twitched and twisted a moment. "Bed's ta soft. I'll sleep on tha floor," Vin started pulling on the blankets.
"Vin!" huffed Chris in exasperation "go to sleep."
The tracker pulled a pillow closer and buried his face in it. He slowly relaxed after he took several deep breaths.
Like a dog sniffing out a new place.
"Smells like ya," Vin muttered sleepily.
I'll be damned he was sniffing.
"Thanks Chris," Vin muttered.
Larabee turned out the light and started to shut the door.
"Chris leave 'er open I'll sleep better," Tanner requested. "I don't do sa well in closed up places," Vin spoke softly in the darkness.
Caged and tortured, somebody has hurt him bad. "You want me to open the windows a little?" Chris offered.
"Don't matter none," Vin answered.
Meaning I'll sleep a lot better if the windows were open but I wouldn't dream of asking. Chris walked back to the windows and opened them both about four inches. An almost chill breeze crept in.
"Is that going to be too cold?" Chris asked in concern.
Vin shook his head noticeably more relaxed. Chris opened a closet and pulled another comforter out. He spread it over Vin and silently left the room.
//Thanks Cowboy.//
//No problem Vin//
Chris returned to the silent agents. "He's asleep, said not to try to wake him when the nightmares come."
"When! they come, not if," Josiah sighed sadly.
"Damn, Junior's been through hell," Buck whispered.
"Should I investigate the qualifications of this psychiatrist, that Mr. Tanner is dealing with?" Ezra asked Chris.
"No, I don't think so. Vin's used him before. He's comfortable with him," Chris mused.
"I need to get Vin's medical records. The opium reaction worries me. I need to know what kind of reactions we're dealing with," Nathan fussed. "To damn scrawny already didn't need to loose any more weight. Stopped taking his pain meds. He must be hurting real bad," Nathan worried.
"We need to know what we're dealing with," Chris acknowledged.
"You saw," Nathan spoke looking at his hands.
"Yeah," Chris closed his eyes tightly for a moment.
"He said he held his dying friend," JD whispered, "Vin didn't even seem like it bothered him."
"It bothered him JD. Hurts to much for him to deal with," Josiah explained.
"How can you just kill your friend?" JD asked in horror.
"You weren't there JD. Hope you never find out son," Buck hugged the younger man.
Chris and Buck exchanged a haunted look.
"Are you all staying or going?" Chris finally asked.
"You might need help with Junior. I'll stay," Buck offered.
Josiah nodded, "I'll stay, he might talk to me".
"He's hurt, I'm not going anywhere," Nathan frowned.
"I really don't want to be alone," JD admitted.
"If it would not be an inconvenience, I would appreciate your hospitality," Ezra drawled.
"There's a king size bed in the guest room. There's twin beds in Adam's room." Chris directed. "A full size in the back room there," Chris pointed. "Two comfortable couches, and a bed in the tack room. Linens are in the hall closet. No fighting after lights out," Chris glared but breathed a sigh of relief.
Buck woke about 3 a.m.. Going to the door of Chris' room he peeked in. A soft smile crossed his face. Chris sat propped up against the headboard his arms loosely cradled the sharpshooter. Vin was pressed against his side. His head rested on Chris' chest and an arm was thrown across his body. Chris' eyes sprang open. Buck nodded and started to turn away. Chris motioned him in.
"He let me talk to him after a nightmare," Chris gently stroked the sleeping tracker's hair.
"You OK, Chris?" Buck asked.
"Yeah Buck, I'm all right," Chris spoke softly.
I haven't seen that look since we lost Sarah and Adam. Buck felt a tight knot somewhere deep inside himself loosen in relief.
"I never thought Junior would be a snuggler," Buck chuckled.
A sleepy voice grumbled, "Bucklin iffen ya don't shut up I'se gonna have ta shoot ya fer sure".
"You look mighty comfortable Vin," Buck teased.
Chris chuckled as he removed the knife that appeared in Vin's left hand.
"Where'd you get this?" Chris asked.
"Don't do ya no good less ya have'm with ya," Vin muttered as he slid back into sleep.
Pleased looks were exchanged as Vin excepted their presence. Buck and Chris talked softly.
"Do you think we have a problem with this Arab reaction?" Buck asked.
"No, Vin's to smart for that. Never had a problem before and we've worked with Middle Easterners," Chris reminded Buck.
"He'd a killed that fella in the warehouse," Buck spoke seriously.
"Had him a good reason," Chris glared.
"I ain't sayin' he didn't," Buck soothed. "We just need to know who else is going to set him off," Buck explained.
"Yeah, need to let 'em know at the hospital too," Chris sighed.
Gently he rubbed Vin's back when he felt him tense and shudder. This time the nightmare stopped.