Vin was making himself dizzy as his head pivoted rapidly as he scanned the crowded streets for signs of the familiar burgundy coloured jacket. He couldn't say why he was sure, but he knew Ezra was close by. Shape he was in he couldn't have gone too far away. The hope now was that no one had decided an inebriated wanderer would make an easy mark for mugging, or worse. Of course, they'd all seen Ezra's reaction time, even after a few beers. Anyone targeting him might be in for a surprise, but Vin couldn't help but worry that today that wouldn't be the case.
He was about to turn down a side street when a distinctive voice and turn of phrase got his ear.
"My most earnest and profound contrition madam for my clumsiness and inadvertent discourtesy."
"You're drunk." The disgust in the woman's tone was evident.
"Unquestionably accurate, and an extraordinarily astute observation on your part."
It took only a few quick strides for Vin to cover the half block and intercede before Ezra ended up getting his face slapped.
"Whoa there Pard. Think it's about time we got you to a safe environment, don't you? Pardon us ma'am."
"Your friend is a drunk." She restated her complaint.
"Not really. Just victim of a real bad day. You have yourself a Merry Christmas ma'am." He put on what he hoped was his most charming smile as he tried to steer Ezra away from the scene.
"One moment Mr. Tanner. This enchanting lady and I were enjoying an intriguing conversation which you have boorishly interrupted."
How the hell did he do that? Most drunks couldn't put two words together, and if they could you could bet the words would be far less socially acceptable.
"That's ok Ez. She's gotta be going, and we've got somewhere to be as well." Seeing Ezra was about to speak again, and deeply afraid of what could be the result, Vin took him firmly by the arm and steered him away. He could hear the 'tsking' of the woman they left behind and had to fight his instinct to point out to the woman that judging others was not the best way to spend your time right before Christmas. Or at any other time of year for that matter.
"Unhand me Mr. Tanner."
"Sorry Ezra. Can't do that. You have an appointment to keep."
"I am able to, without fear of contradiction, unequivocally assure you that any engagements which had been arranged for the day no longer have any significant relevance."
Damn, that was annoying. "Trust me Pard. This one is significant. Chris is looking for you."
"Indubitably. Another party seeking to assess and malign my character, or rather lack of same. Well, it would certainly not be in the spirit of the season were I to deny him one of his deepest joys in life. Onward good sir."
As much as he would have loved to stop on the spot and lecture Ezra about everything that was wrong in what he'd just said, Vin recognized that to do so would mean stopping their forward momentum, and under the circumstances, that was a bad idea. Besides, given how smashed he was right now, nothing said to him would be remembered. Probably.
It took only a couple of attempts to get Ezra settled into Vin's truck. The biggest obstacle was overcoming his innate distaste for the vehicle. His preference tended toward more sophisticated modes of transportation.
"We'll get your car back for you tomorrow Ezra, but for now, lets just take advantage of mine being so handy." With an appropriately theatrical sigh, Ezra hoisted himself into the Jeep, stumbling slightly in his effort, and settled back. Vin sent a quick text to Chris as he made his way to the drivers seat, knowing it was highly unlikely the request he was making would be honoured.
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"Of course I remember the combination for my own home Mr. Tanner. I am intoxicated, not addled." Ezra tapped on the keypad to his condo while Vin watched in silence. He knew the code as well but decided it was best to allow his friend a couple of attempts first to try to save face. It was impossible to keep the shock from his face when the door was opened on the first attempt, but fortunately Ezra was not paying him any attention. How the man functioned so well when clearly drunk was yet another of the mysteries that made up Ezra Standish.
He took off his coat, heading toward the kitchen to get a pot of coffee going. He knew it wouldn't help Ezra, but he figured he was going to need it himself. Draping the coat over a chair, he looked up at the sound of a bottle being heavily put down on a table and saw Ezra already downing another drink.
"Damn it Ez. That is not why I brought you home." He moved quickly to grab the glass and discovered once again how untraditional a drunk the man was.
Neatly dodging away, Ezra picked up the bottle as he stepped aside and made his way to the sofa, grinning broadly. "But my selection of beverages is far more extensive and vastly superior than was available in that last establishment. I really cannot say whatever possessed me to cross that threshold." He shuddered slightly at the memory.
From where he stood Vin could see there wasn't much left in that particular bottle of scotch so decided there was not point in making an issue of the matter. He went back toward the kitchen and to the coffee he was now certain would be essential to his ability to survive the evening. On the way, he closed the door to the liquor cabinet, wishing he had a key and wondering if there was anything else he could use to block it off.
"No doubt my ability to function at this level is proving to be a source of exasperation to you. In fairness, I should tell you it derives from years of experience, both personal and professional. The nature of my work –" a small hiccup interrupted him, offering the first sign Vin had that gave him any hope – "requires I be able to maintain functionality while partaking of alcohol."
"Well Pard, you're off duty. You can relax."
Ezra shook his head with vehemence. "No, no, no. I am never off duty. That is rather the point. Letting one's guard down is simply not an option."
The connotations of that simple sentiment stopped Vin in his tracks. How had it never occurred to him that Ezra spent his life putting on a front? Being more, or perhaps less, than he really was? Guiltily taking advantage of the alcohol induced honesty of the moment, Vin prodded a bit further.
"Ezra, you putting on an act when you're around us? You know you don't need to be doing that."
"Mr. Tanner, my entire existence is little more than an act. It astounds me that you remain unaware of that, as I am quite certain the others have reached that conclusion. Now, if you will excuse me, I am feeling somewhat fatigued by the events of the day, and the admittedly rather excessive amount of questionable alcohol I have imbibed."
Reluctantly, but understanding the situation, Vin rose to help him through to his room. By the time he had taken the few steps needed to approach the sofa, he realized that wasn't how things were going to play out. Those few seconds were all it took for Ezra to slip out of his shoes and stretch out, folding his arms under his head for a makeshift pillow. Nothing looked remotely comfortable about the posture.
"Ah, now don't do that. You ain't gonna be able to move in the morning if you sack out like that." The words were wasted as a soft snore came from the prone figure. Shaking his head yet again, Vin made his way to the bedroom to retrieve the needed items to try to improve the situation.
The knocking at the door interrupted his return trip. He tossed the blanket and pillows to the chair before heading over. Slipping the chain on, he opened the door.
"He's asleep Chris."
"More like passed out."
"Call it what you want, he's in no shape for company. So, why don't you all head home, and this discussion can take place tomorrow."
Nathan's voice came from the back of the group. "He ok?"
There was a pause before answering, which was all the healer needed to hear. "Vin, at least let me in there to make sure he didn't drink himself into trouble."
"He didn't. Least ways, not the kind you're talking about." Vin looked out at the five faces staring back. Yes, there was some residual anger there, but mostly he saw concern. The same the he probably had on his own face at the moment. He closed the door enough to release the chain but stood in the way of anyone entering.
"Let him sleep this off. If he wakes up, no questioning, at least not until morning. There's more to this than just a bad bust Chris. I think the guys in suits got to him more than he would like to admit, even to himself. He doesn't need you – any of you – adding to that."
A steely eyed stare prepared him for the response he would get. "I'm not some kind of monster Vin. Not going to beat on him while he's down. I want to find out what happened so we can get him out of whatever shit they've put him in. And yes, I'm pissed that he chose to get drunk instead of deal with things, but I'm not exactly the one to be calling him on that, am I? Now, let me see that he's alright."
Another muffled snore alerted them all to Ezra location and their reactions made for an interesting image.
Nathan did as was to be expected, moving swiftly to the couch and checking on the man who was now his patient, needed or not. Buck choked back a laugh at the sight of the normally fastidious Ezra sprawled out with just a trace of drool evident. He went for his phone, determined to immortalize the moment but a swift swat from Josiah ended the effort – at least for the moment. JD, knowing his roommate, grabbed the phone away at the same time to forestall a future effort. "Leave it be Buck. I've seen you drunk, and trust me, you would want pictures of that anymore than he will."
Having finished blocking any photographic evidence of the temporary fall from refined grace, Josiah walked over, grabbing the abandoned pillows and blanket as he approached. Nudging Nathan to the side – "He's fine Nathan. Not like you haven't seen the rest of us like this, or worse" – he gently lifted Ezra's head and placed the pillow under it. Rousing only slightly at the sensation, Ezra reached up, pulling the pillow around so his head rested just barely on one end, while his arms wrapped around the rest in a tight hug. He shifted enough to free his face from the smothering sensation, then settled back into his quiet stupor. Waiting long enough to be sure not to disturb him again, Josiah finally draped the blanket, tucking it gently behind.
Vin moved back to the chair next to the end of the sofa, claiming his spot as official watcher. "No need for the rest of you to stay. I've got this." His words stirred Chris from his frozen gaze at the last member of the team. The building anger disappeared the moment Ezra snuggled himself into his coverings. For just an instant, Chris's mind flashed back to the nights Adam had moved in an almost identical fashion to tuck himself into the safety and comfort of his own bed. It was a combination of innocence and vulnerability that he never would have associated with the cocky, self-confident undercover agent who drove him crazy on an almost daily basis.
"Settle in folks. We're staying. Don't want him having any doubts when he wakes up that we are all 100% behind him."
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tbc