Not surprisingly, it was JD who noticed the time.
"Merry Christmas everybody."
A couple of the others glanced at their watches. It was 12:20.
Josiah was the only one to respond. "A day for miracles if ever there was one."
Silence fell over the group again as they all settled back into their seats again. The room was fairly quiet, with a few other groups gathered, all looking appropriately concerned. No one spent Christmas eve in the ER if they had any choice in the matter. Chris wondered as he looked around if anybody was here for the other accident victim. He wasn't sure that he wanted to know.
Looking back to his own team he felt a twinge of guilt at being grateful they were all sitting with him. He should order them home to get some rest. Of course, he also knew trying to do so would be a wasted effort, and there had been enough of that going on already. The waiting would be hard, physically and mentally, on all of them, but some even more than others. After spending the previous night on the floor of Ezra's living room, the last thing Vin's bad back needed was a night in a waiting room chair. And Josiah didn't look any more comfortable in his spot. But there wasn't a chance either man would leave until word was received. More than the rest, those two had come closest to making a connection with Ezra that guaranteed their presence. JD was in that camp as well.
Chris cast his glance to his oldest friend in the group. Anyone looking would assume that Buck was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the situation. The truth was, Chris knew, that the first sign of news would have him on his feet and at the ready to offer support to whoever needed it the most. Buck was staying for his friends, and nothing would change that.
The concern on Nathan's face didn't surprise Chris in the least. He might not have been Ezra's biggest supporter, but like Buck, like all of them, this was a time to stick together, and do whatever it took to make it through this. These men were his team, and he was beginning to realize how important the seventh man had become to that picture.
"Damn it Ezra, you better not screw this up for us."
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All heads turned when the door from the exam area opened. About damn time too, Chris thought as he stood to ready to approach whoever was finally coming to talk to them. He took one step forward then froze in place. The others were similarly paralyzed in shock.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Buck broke the silence first.
"As difficult as it may be to comprehend, that was the exact thought I was having." Ezra responded to him.
Trying to sneak out of the hospital should have been easy for a man with his experience in getting out of uncomfortable situations, and he had little trouble finding the opportune moment to slip past the nurse's desk. The advantage of a quiet evening and distracted staff. The last thing he expected to encounter was anyone in the waiting room. Having six men now blocking his path was an obstacle for which he was completely unprepared.
"What the hell are you doing Standish?"
"Again, a question I feel I should be directing at you."
"We were waiting to find out whether or not you were still alive." JD said, the relief at having the answer evident in his voice.
The shock was beginning to wear off, and the team was making a move toward him. Needless to say, that was the last thing he wanted or needed right now. Getting out of here, getting home where he could deal with all of this on his own terms was his only goal at this point.
"Do tell. What an unexpected response." He wondered fleetingly what outcome they'd been hoping for, then chastised himself for the thought. He may not be a favoured son here, but he did have to admit he knew his death would have caused them at least some concern. "Given that you can all now see for yourself that I have in fact survived the unfortunate events of the evening, perhaps the time has come for you to return to your homes and attempt to salvage what you can of a good night's sleep."
"Unfortunate events? That's what you call all of this? Goddamn it Ezra, I've got half a mind –"
"A fact I have never disputed Mr. Wilmington. But that issue notwithstanding, I would have to state this is neither the time nor locale for the sort of discussion I sense if forthcoming. Perhaps a few days from now, in a more private environment." He made a concerted effort to marshal his waning reserve and head toward the nearest exit. The surge of adrenaline that had enabled him to mount his escape wasn't going to keep him on his feet much longer.
The few cautious steps he took toward the door were being watched far to closely for him to fool anyone, least of all the team's medical expert. "Ezra, what did the doctor's say? Clearly you were hurt."
"Nothing of consequence, I assure you." That would have been so much more convincing without the pain lines that creased his face, the limp that slowed his walk and the obvious caution with which he made even the slightest movement.
"Mr. Standish, where do you think you are going?" Six heads turned at the sound of the doctor's voice. After a moment debating his options, Ezra made a similar move.
"Home, Dr. Romero. You indicated we were done, and I see no reason for me to take up valuable space in your facility under the circumstances."
"No, I indicated the examination and tests were done. The treatment portion of this particular party has only just begun."
Chris closed his eyes with a quick prayer for patience. He knew he was going to need all the help he could get on that front. Before he could speak, Ezra resumed his attempt at escaping the confines of the ER.
"Nonsense. There is nothing wrong with me that a few days of rest and a handful of aspirin won't cure."
The doctor stared in disbelief. "Really? I would love to know where your medical degree came from." His gaze shifted from his exasperating patient to the rest of the team. "Is he always like this?"
With a curt nod of affirmation, Chris finally spoke. "It is comforting to know you choose to ignore everyone, and not just me Standish."
As if to verify the observation, Ezra made no comment on it. Instead, he tried to take another step toward the door, but was encircled by an impenetrable wall. Knowing exactly who he had to deal with for this, he reluctantly turned back to Chris. "Perhaps you can inform your posse that they have no right to prevent me from taking my leave?"
Deciding turn about was fair play, Chris ignored the comment and turned back to the doctor. "Am I allowed to yell at him?"
"Would it do any good?"
"Rarely has in the past, but I live in hope."
Ezra own patience, not to mention his ability to remain standing, was fading quickly. "As you gentlemen seem perfectly capable of caring on this discussion without my presence being require, I think I shall be departing for the night."
Chris's attention snapped back to him. "Freeze Standish."
"Freeze? Do you intend to have me incarcerated Mr. Larabee?"
"If that's what it takes."
Sensing the time had come to try to diffuse some of this, Vin moved forward. "Nobody is trying to do anything but help you Ezra. Make life easier on everybody if you would just let us."
Help was the last thing he was expecting. Anger, disappointment and animosity – yes. Help? Hardly. Not able to convince himself he was really hearing sincerity in the comment, Ezra resorted to his fallback position of detachment.
"I assure you the offer is appreciated with the same enthusiasm with which it is no doubt offered."
"Watch it there Hoss. Vin has been on your side in this mess since things started, so you might want to show a bit of appreciation."
"Easy Buck. I'm sure Ezra wasn't aiming to offend me, or any of us. I'd guess he's just a bit off his game is all. Right?"
None of this was playing out the way he had in mind. He just wanted to go home and sleep away the next few days. Surely no one could object to that. "I am not off anything, although I will concede to running dangerously low on patience at this juncture. Since the good doctor has indicated my injuries were insignificant I see no reason to prolong this exercise in futility." His half step forward was effectively halted by Josiah's hand being lightly placed on his chest, which resulted in a poorly disguised wince.
Enough was enough, and Dr. Romero was putting an end to this now. "I'm pretty sure I didn't say anything about insignificant. What I did say is that it was nothing short of a miracle you weren't more seriously injured. You have several cracked ribs, a cracked clavicle, and a hairline skull fracture. There are multiple deep contusions which indicate bruising to your kidneys and liver as well. Then there re is the matter of severely sprained right wrist, not to mention the tendon and muscle damage to your knee and ankle. You're only walking on it now because your leg has been so numbed with freezing that you have no idea how much pain you are in. And that was because we couldn't give you pain killers due to your concussion. I could go on, but I think you get the general idea. So, no Mr. Standish, I am not done with you. I am far from being done with you."
Halfway through the monologue JD had stepped away to find a wheelchair, and now brought it up behind Ezra. "Might as well have a seat Ezra. No chance in hell we are letting you do anything else."
"I assure you all, this is most unnecessary." It was going to be impossible to convince any of them of that fact if he fell flat on his face, and he was fairly certain if he didn't get out of there soon, that would be the next humiliation he had to deal with. Why couldn't everyone just leave him alone?
Tired of arguing, Dr. Romero took a step forward. "I don't know how to make this any clearer to you, but maybe you need the blunt approach. I will stake my medical career on the simple statement that without benefit of that airbag, we wouldn't be having this discussion right now. Your friends here would be identifying your body in the morgue. You are one incredibly lucky son of a bitch Mr. Standish, and it would be nothing short of abject stupidity for you to leave this hospital in the shape you are in right now. Would it kill you? Probably not. But without those injuries being dealt with promptly and properly you will likely spend the rest of your life in chronic pain. If that sounds like something you want, by all means feel free to sign the paperwork and go home. Otherwise, get your ass in that chair and let me do my job."
"I had no idea you had a relative in the medical profession Mr. Larabee."
Chris said nothing, knowing if he did they would be words he could never take back. What he'd just heard confirmed his worst fears. The fears they had all had about what had happened, and what still might. He balled his fists, forcing himself to keep his temper under control. He stared unwaveringly at his agent, who returned the gaze with less hostility, but every bit as much determination.
With a deeply felt sigh of exasperation Josiah stepped between the antagonists. "Back off Chris. Much as you might like to, you can't order a man to stop being a jackass." The comment resulted in the beginning of a celebratory smirk on Ezra's face until he registered the insult. "As for you Ezra, stubborn as you are, and I will concede God provided you with an excessive amount of that particular trait, you are not foolish enough to fail to recognize the depths of the predicament you are in at the moment."
"Are you certain of that Mr. Sanchez? We jackasses are not known for our ability to reach logical and reasoned conclusions."
Little force was required to propel Ezra into the waiting wheelchair, and JD had positioned it to insure a soft landing. Aside from a heated look that could have melted an iceberg, Ezra didn't respond. He was fading quickly, and recognized the complete ineffectuality of the act.
"Room 289 has been set up for him." The doctor smiled at JD as he wheeled the reluctant invalid to his waiting bed, then turned to the others. "I advise against any visitors for the night."
"One of us doesn't stay, you won't have a patient in the morning." Chris had no question in his mind of that. He couldn't begin to understand what had driven the fool to try to walk out of there in the first place.
Romero was shaking his head. "I have to admit you may have a point there. He shouldn't have even been able to stand up now. He's messed up that ankle pretty bad, and the knee isn't much better. Walking like this will only have exacerbated the problems. If it had been the other fellow trying to leave it would have made a lot more sense."
"The second driver?" This may be the first good news they'd heard in a while. "You're treating him too?"
"Yes. I'm sorry, I can't really discuss that with you Mr. Larabee."
Knowing it wasn't exactly playing by the rules, Chris reached into his pocket and showed his badge. "Anything that factors into how a federal law enforcement agent gets hurt is most assuredly my concern doctor. What can you tell me?"
Rubbing the back of his neck, Romero muttered something about never catching a break before he spoke. "Without offering any specifics I will say that what happened to your friend would appear to be entirely the fault of the other driver. And I will add that there was no alcohol in Mr. Standish's blood. I assume that was your concern?"
"One of them." Chris could feel the relief coming from the others like a wave. He could only assume that would immediately be followed by the same guilt he was feeling for doubting Ezra's innocence. Why was it that was so easy for them all to do?
"Look gentlemen. It has been a long night, and it isn't close to being over for me. If you are going to stay, I'm going to insist that it be no more than two of you. One would be better. Once I get Mr. Standish patched up and then settled he will need to get some rest. From the looks of you, you all need the same."
He left without waiting for a response.
"Go home Chris. And take Vin and Nathan with you. Buck, you'll have to wait for JD to get back before you head home."
"Just what makes you think you are the one to stay Josiah?"
"Because out of all of us, I'm the one least likely to want to try to kill him."
"No, Vin has that title. You are a close second. And I am not killing anyone – yet."
Buck took Chris by the arm and started to walk him out. "You do know it is that 'yet' part that is causing the concern here?"
Chris pulled free and stopped. He was about to remind them all who was in charge here when he got a good look at them. Everyone was exhausted. Physically, mentally and emotionally drained. He could only assume he looked just as bad. Then he smiled. He actually had to fight to keep himself from laughing. Ezra may not consider himself to be part of this ragtag team and would use his last breath to make that fact understood, but that didn't matter. One look at those faces told Chris there was no longer any doubt that the rogue agent was part of the family, and if it took them until next Christmas, they were going to find a way to convince him of that.
"Josiah and I are staying. The rest of you get a few hours of sleep then get your asses back here. Standish is going to have a family Christmas with us, whether he wants it or not."
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tbc