In less than an hour, the plane had landed at O'Hare in Chicago. Ezra had spent most of that hour gripping the armrest as tight as he could as he fought off waves of nausea and dizziness as well as a throbbing headache. Buck had insisted on sitting next to him as he decided sitting across the aisle was too far.

Several times the man who was the cause of Ezra's current suffering had tried to mouth off. Each time, Buck had put a quick end to it. They'd found out, based on the passenger manifest, that his name was David Banks.

As the plane landed and started taxiing to the gate, the captain made another announcement requesting that all passengers remain seated until after the medics had left. Once the plane had stopped, the other three passengers in business class were requested to take free seats in the economy section to give Ezra some privacy while the medics checked him.

Once the plane was at the terminal and stopped, the door was opened. The first through were local police who took custody of Banks. The entire time he was being removed, he kept screaming and shouting at Buck and Ezra that he'd make them pay.

As soon as Banks was taken care of, two EMT's entered the plane and made their way over to Ezra. "Let me get out of your way," Buck said as he moved into the aisle behind the row they'd been seated in.

Ezra watched as one of the EMT's sat in the seat Buck had just vacated and reached for his wrist. "I assure you, gentlemen, I'm fine and don't require your services."

"How about if you let us look you over and decide that."

"If it means I can get off this damnable flying tube faster, fine," Ezra sighed. Since it was now doubtful that he'd be seeing his home tonight, he at least wanted to get to a hotel as soon as possible. If he had his preference, it would be one with nice, soft, comfortable beds and equally soft pillows. His entire body felt like the dull pain of a toothache from the combination of the bruises from yesterday's falls and the ones he was sure he acquired in his most recent fall. Added to that was the bright, hot pain that occasionally zigzagged up his right leg from his ankle. At least he hadn't injured it anymore...at least he didn't think he did.

"We'll get you off as soon as possible. My name's Kevin, by the way. Can you tell me what yours is?"

"Standish. Ezra P. Standish," he replied with a sigh.

"The P's for Phillip," Buck added helpfully.

Ezra craned his neck so he could see Buck standing in the row behind him. "I'm sure he didn't need that little nugget of information, Mr. Wilmington."

"Just trying to help."

Kevin tried to hold back a laugh. "I'm just going to get a set of vitals on you. Can you tell me what happened?"

Before Ezra had a chance to relate the story, Buck launched in relating everything that happened from the time Buck had punched him and he tumbled down the stairs to the most recent incident. To Ezra's chagrin, he didn't leave out anything as he related how many times Ezra had vomited to his continuing headache and slight dizziness. Ezra scowled up a Buck, but he didn't try to make him stop.

"Wow," Kevin's as-yet unnamed partner said when Buck was finished. "You have had a bad day."

"One that I'd like to come to a close…preferably somewhere with a comfortable bed."

"Well, they did let us use the lounge and bumped us up to business class," Buck added on.

"Yes, that just makes for the marvelous time I've been having. Wonder what they'd do if I'd broken my neck," Ezra added in dryly. He winced and tried to pull away as Kevin lightly palpated his bruised right cheek.

"Can't be sure but your cheekbone may have a fracture." Kevin looked over his shoulder to his partner. "Pupils are equal but they're a bit sluggish…probably concussion. His blood pressure's a little low…ninety over fifty."

"I've been prone to low blood pressure," Ezra quickly interjected trying to stave off that being an excuse for hospitalization.

"We'll let the hospital know." Kevin handed his partner the pad he'd recorded Ezra's vitals on and waited as he radioed the hospital.

"Now, gentlemen, I really don't think it's necessary to involve the hospital. Since you've done your duty, I don't suppose you'd let us go on our way. I'm sure there's still a flight that would get us to Denver today."

"I think it's best if we transport you to the hospital and let them rule out a concussion and make sure there's no fracture in your cheekbone."

"I knew it," Ezra whispered before nodding his agreement. No matter how much he just wanted to get home, he knew better than to take a chance with any kind of head injury. He'd had his share of concussions in the past. It was better to be safe than sorry.

Once he'd resigned himself to a hospital trip, he did his best to block out what was happening around him and just go with the flow, as it were. He only responded when a question was asked directly of him. Consequently, he had no real recollection of being moved to the ambulance or of the trip to the hospital.

M7 M7 M7 M7 M7 M7 M7

At Ezra's insistence, Buck remained at the airport to claim their luggage. By the time he'd done that, arranged a hotel room, and left the luggage there, and then called Chris to let him know about this latest development, Ezra had already been at the hospital for several hours.

Arriving at the emergency department, he inquired at the check in desk where Ezra was. The receptionist informed him Ezra was still in one of the emergency bays and that someone would be out momentarily to talk with him. At least, he though, his friend hadn't been admitted...yet.

He took a seat in the waiting room and started flipping through one of the old, outdated magazines on the table. Momentarily ended up being closer to twenty minutes before he heard someone asking if anyone was there for Ezra Standish. He stood up and walked over to woman dressed in scrubs. He was unsure if she were a nurse or doctor. "How's he doing?" he asked as he approached her.

"We're still waiting on a few tests. You can come back and wait with him if you'd like."

"That'd be great."

Buck was led back to one of the emergency department cubicles where Ezra lay on a gurney. Although he had his left arm over his eyes, Buck was able to see the new bruising and swelling from the latest punch. There was an IV leading to his right arm and wires trailed from the neck of the hospital gown he wore to a cardiac monitor on the wall.

Spotting a rolling stool in one corner, Buck moved it closer to the side of the gurney and sat down. He was careful to keep quiet in case his friend was sleeping.

"You needn't go into stealth mode," Ezra said as he dropped his arm from over his eyes. "I'm awake."

Buck winced as he got a good look at Ezra's face. In addition to all the bruises, scrapes and black eye from yesterday, his right eye was now bruised as well as his cheek on that side. His eye was also nearly swollen shut. Since there was still some swelling around his left eye, he looked as if he were squinting. "You look like a racoon."

"So, I've been told by two nurses, an x-ray technician, a doctor, and another patient who was waiting for a CT scan," Ezra snapped.

"Touchy," Buck mouthed but didn't vocalize. Instead he asked, "Any idea if they're going to let you out of here."

Ezra pulled in a deep sigh. His head was still pounding although the dizziness had mostly abated. His right cheek was throbbing in time with his heartbeat. The only positive was that his ankle wasn't quite as sore now that it was elevated. "The doctor is still waiting for the results of the CT scan. He hasn't indicated if he wants to admit me or not. Were you able to rescue our luggage from going on without us?"

"I was able to get it. It's back the hotel."

"And Mr. Larabee? Am I right in presuming you've spoken with him?"

"Oh yeah. There was a really fun phone call. First, he laughed when I told him what happened. He thought it was a joke. Once he realized it wasn't...well...they probably heard him hollerin' in Colorado Springs."

"Wonderful." Ezra's tone said anything but. His assorted injuries of the past few days were going to severely curtail how effective he'd be in the field for some time and that was not going to make the higher ups happy. He just knew that once they were back in Denver, he'd get an ass chewing from his team leader. Maybe, if he were lucky, he'd even get one from Travis as well. "How many different ways did Mr. Larabee threaten to dismember me?"

"Oh hell, you're safe," Buck said with a wave of his hand. "It's me that Chris threatened to shoot, draw and quarter, keel haul...and then send me up to Travis if there's anything left. He did say, though, that it's going to be a good long time before he lets you out of his sight and something about not being able to trust any of us to get more than two miles away. You'd think we were kids and couldn't be allowed out by ourselves."

"You have to admit, we all seem to have a disproportionate number of incidents any time we're sent away for training or a seminar or something."

"It's not like any of it's our fault. I mean, look what's happened to you the last few days. It's not like any of that was your fault. Stuff just happens sometimes."

If it weren't for his eyes being swollen, Ezra would have given Buck a wide-eyed, surprised look. Instead, he continued to lay placidly as he kept to himself that, if anyone were to blame for his recent spate of injuries, it was Buck. Instead, he asked, "Would it be possible to see if you can do anything to affect my emancipation from this place?"

Ezra had no sooner asked the question when the curtain at the entrance to the cubicle was pulled back to admit the doctor. "I believe that's my cue." He looked questioningly at Buck.

"This is my associate, Buck Wilmington," Ezra introduced.

"Ah. Seems you made it here finally." The doctor held his hand out to Buck. "I'm Dr. Kensington. I've been treating Mr. Standish."

"Nice to meet you. So, how's Ezra doing."

Kensington suppressed a grin as Buck skipped past the pleasantries. "I just got back the rest of the testing we did. I was worried that there may have been a hairline fracture of the cheekbone, but the x-rays and CT scan came back clear of that. It's just extensive soft tissue damage. Although it doesn't look very pretty and it is painful, it should heal with no complications or other treatment needed."

"So, I'm free to go." Ezra moved to get up but was stayed by the doctor's hand on his shoulder.

"Not so fast. You may not have a fractured cheekbone, but you do have a minor concussion. You'll have to be monitored for that."

Ezra closes his eyes. He would have squeezed them shut but wasn't sure how that would feel with all the facial bruising. He let out a slow breath as he gathered his thought. "I can assure you doctor, I'm well-versed in concussion procedure. I believe if there's another responsible adult to monitor me, there isn't any real need to admit me for observation."

Kensington looked between Ezra and Buck sizing them up. "I suppose you're his responsible adult," he asked Buck.

"I am," and "The jury's still out on the responsible part." Buck and Ezra said together.

"I can leave you there," Buck threatened. When Ezra looked properly chastised, he turned to the doctor. "I know all the signs to look for, Doc. Trust me. You're better off letting me take him off your hands. He'll just try to escape if you keep him. If you think that ankle'll slow him down, you're dreaming."

"To be honest, I didn't see any reason to admit you," Kensington said. "Provided you're carefully monitored for any symptoms indicating complications."

"I'll keep a careful eye on him," Buck promised. Ezra knew it wasn't an idle promise either. It had taken some time, but he now knew without question that his teammates had his back. Even if he hadn't known that, he'd seen how Buck had been treating him for the last day and half. He knew part of it was guilt, but an even greater part of it was just Buck's nature to watch out for someone who he thought needed his protection.

"Then a nurse will be in shortly to unhook you from everything and go over your discharge instructions. Do either of you gentlemen have any questions?"

"Will I be able to fly to Denver tomorrow?" Ezra asked.

"I'd prefer you wait at least 48 hours to make sure there are no complications."

Though disappointed, Ezra agreed with the travel prohibition. Once Buck and Ezra indicated there were no further questions, Dr. Kensington left. They didn't have to wait long before the nurse who'd brought Buck from the waiting room came in. After she unhooked the IV as well as the cardiac monitor, she went over what they should be looking out for with regards to the concussion as well as wound care for the laceration on Ezra's chin. Soon, the two men were waiting for a rideshare in front of the hospital.

"May I ask what kind of accommodations you've secured?" Up until now, Ezra had tried not to think of what kind of hotel Buck thought would be acceptable. There was no denying the two men had very differing standards. What Buck might think was great could leave Ezra shuddering in fear and afraid to touch the sheets on the bed.

"Don't worry. It'll meet your standards and it's within the agency budget."

"That still doesn't answer the question."

"I know." Buck grinned as Ezra attempted to glare at him. Even if he were able to match the heat of Chris's glare, the attempt was marred by his racoon like appearance.

"Mr. Wilmington," Ezra ground out through clenched teeth. "My head is pounding and there isn't an inch of body that isn't aching in some form or another. I don't particularly want to play games."

"Ok. Ok." Buck held his hands up in a placating manner. "It's a Westin over by the airport. Ok? It's clean, the beds are comfy, and there's even a shuttle to and from the airport."

"That should be suitable." Although it wasn't the Ritz or the Four Seasons, Westin hotels were generally acceptable to Ezra.

"There's even a pizza place close by. We can try some of that Chicago deep dish pizza."

At the suggestion, Ezra put his hand over his mouth. "Please don't suggest food, Mr. Wilmington. Just don't."

"Sorry." Buck looked from his phone to an approaching car. "Looks like this is our ride. We should be at the hotel and get you settled in bed before you know it."

Ezra smiled weakly at Buck's sudden turn to solicitousness. "Right now, that sounds like the best idea I've heard all day."

Once the car was stopped and Buck had made sure it was the rideshare they'd been waiting for, he assisted Ezra into the backseat then climbed in next to him. As he had when being transferred to the hospital from the airport, Ezra allowed himself to drift off. Most of the ride was a blur to him. Even getting out of the car and going up to the room was hazy at best and the next thing he was really sure of laying beneath the comforter on the bed ad Buck quietly moved around the room. "Buck," he called softly.

Instantly, Buck was by his side. "Yeah? You need something."

"I just wanted to thank you."

"Thank me? Hell, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't be in this fix in the first place and you'd be home in your own bed."

"I'm not going to argue with you about misplaced guilt. I just want you to know that I do appreciate the care you've given me."

"Hell that?" Buck sat on the edge of Ezra's bed. He reached over to tuck the comforter a little tighter around his friend. "That's nothing. You just get some rest and let ol' Buck see to things."

Ezra barely nodded. He felt his eyes getting heavier and heavier and let them drift close and sleep over-take him sure in the knowledge Buck would see to things.