"Ezra, look at it from our perspective." The team had spent most of the time since Ezra was conscious enough to understand them trying to reason with the men. "Right now, Inez thinks you not just walk on water, but could likely change it into wine after."

"If you think for a moment sir, that I would consider taking advantage of the gratitude and sense of obligation she must be feeling –"

"Steady there Pard. I'm sure that's not what Buck meant."

"Of course not. Good God Ezra we know you better than that. What I was getting at is that right now Inez is your biggest fan, and if she thinks for a minute that we aren't doing everything we can to take care of you... well let me put it this way. Have you ever had warm beer?" Ezra nodded, a slight smile coming to his face.

"We hate warm beer Ezra." JD whined playfully. "We really, really do."

"Now you wouldn't do something that would subject us to that result, would you son?"

"I believe you may be significantly overstating the case, but I do understand your concerns. And given the fact that I am significantly outnumbered on this, not to mention the fact that I am far from at my best when it comes to my debating skills at this point, I will reluctantly, but gratefully, accept your offer. But only until I am sufficiently mobile to manage on my own, by my determination."

Chris was unable to keep the smile completely off his face. To be honest, he had expected the debate to go on much longer and wasn't totally convinced that they were going to win. The fact that Ezra had caved in as quickly as he did, meant one of two things. The man was either for in more pain and discomfort than he was letting on, or after all this time he was finally starting to accept his place on the team. While he hoped it was the latter, he reluctantly accepted that it was likely a little bit of both.

"I suppose," Ezra continued, "this could be seen as little more than fate."

Nathan looked puzzled. "You saying this is all some kind of weird karma?"

"Well I'm not sure I describe it that way, but it does seem likely that there is some indescribable destiny playing a role in all of this." Ezra did his best to stifle a yawn before continuing. "And since you mention karma, it brings another subject to mind. Precisely how severe was the damage?"

"I thought the doctor explained everything to you Ezra?" Nathan became a bit concerned about the short-term memory indicators.

"Yes, he did, and in far more detail graphic detail that I believe was necessary. Wanted to ensure I was prepared to follow his every instruction. Given the consequences he outlined I can assure you he was successful."

"I'll have to get him to give me some pointers." Chris commented quietly.

"The damage to which I was referring," Ezra continued, ignoring Chris, "was to my vehicle."

They all glanced nervously at each other but as Ezra had been keeping his eyes closed in deference to his fatigue and headache, he failed to notice. "I know it had to have been a significant amount of marring to the paint from contact with the guard rail, and I'm certain the fenders will need to be replaced."

"Yeah," Buck agreed, "those fenders are definitely toast."

His tone triggered every alarm in Ezra's mind. His eyes snapped open and he reflexively moved to sit up, only to collapse back into the pillows. "Oh dear Lord, my aches have aches." He yawned widely, too tired to try to hide it any longer.

"You're supposed to stay still Ezra. That's precisely why they've been keeping you sedated."

Now his alarm headed in a different direction. "For precisely what duration have I been sedated?"

"They didn't tell you?" Nathan stalled regretting he had said anything.

Ezra shook his head and was immediately sorry he'd made even that small motion. "Well, let's see. They brought you into emergency and then took up to surgery and then there was recovery-"

"Mr. Jackson! How long?"

Chris spared Nathan the trouble. "Accident was three days ago Ezra. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve."

Ezra blanched. "I had no idea! Surely you have not all been here the entire time?"

"Why would that idea surprise you so much Ezra?" JD asked, more than confused. "Where else should we be?"

"Going about your lives of course. Especially at the holidays, being with your families."

"That's where we've been. With each other. Here. Together. With you." Vin hoped the message was getting through.

Ezra wasn't certain that he had the strength right now to control his response, so focused on returning to the original subject. "If we may return to the matter at hand."

"Ezra, don't worry about it. It was in the course of doing your job, more or less, and I'm sure I can get the judge to sign off on the insurance claim." In truth Chris was far from sure of that, but there was no reason to be getting the injured man any more agitated at this point.

"Being kidnapped is not part of the job description, and robberies are not the responsibility of the ATF. It is more than likely our thief will sue me for causing the accident."

"Causing?" Despite his efforts, Chris could feel his anger levels rising. "Can I take from that comment this wasn't exactly an 'accident' after all?" He had the distinct impression he knew what Ezra would be saying next.

"I chose to believe it was unlikely he had the intention of allowing me to survive our encounter, so I elected to take matters into," he yawned widely again, "my own hands. Perhaps we could table this discussion for the time being?"

Chris abandoned the futile effort at self-control. "You drove your car off a cliff so that son of a bitch wouldn't kill you, and you can't see where I might find a little frustrating?"

"Off a cliff?" Ezra's voice tightened. "I assumed it was a hill, or similar incline, based on the terrain."

"Then why did you jump out?" Buck couldn't help but wonder at the action.

"Well, the man was armed. I felt it best to put as much distance as possible between us. I assume he was not as fortunate as I?" His voice betrayed guilt at the implication.

"Not a great loss to society there Pard. He had a record as long as your busted arm, including assaults and a manslaughter charge that didn't stick. You're right. You likely wouldn't have walked away."

Ezra nodded his acceptance of the fact. It didn't make taking another's life any easier, but rationalization always helped a little.

"And I also assume there is not enough left of my vehicle to make a decent paperweight?"

"Well –" Chris dragged out the word, "it did kind of blow up."

"Damn. I am sorry Mr. Dunne."

JD looked as puzzled as they all felt. "What for?"

"Your" Ezra yawned again, "leather jacket was in the car. I assume it has been destroyed."

"I can get another jacket. It's not important."

"But your property –" Ezra's voice was starting to slur more noticeable, as the effects of the painkiller continued to kick in.

"Okay Ezra. We can talk about it later. Out at the ranch."

"No. No ranch. Not for the party. Ruin your party."

"Relax Ezra. There's not going to be a party." Chris tried to assure him.

"Of course not." Ezra eyes closed again. "No, there never is."

"Ezra, what you mean?" There was no reply other than a soft snore.

"What do you suppose he meant by that?" Vin wondered.

"You know, I have the feeling we really don't want to know. And I'm betting that's how he'd like it too."

M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7

TBC