Epilogue:
The New Normal

TWO WEEKS LATER

It was odd how things could change so radically in such a short time.

As Ezra Standish reflected upon the events of the past month, he had to admit, even for one as adaptable as him, the number of changes had taken some getting used to. Starting from the last time he and his associates occupied their table at Paloma's to the conclusion of their most recent adventure in Riyadh, it had been a heady number of weeks. Arriving before his associates to conclude a little bit of business with the new majority owner of Paloma's, Ezra couldn't say he was terribly upset at Roberto's heir preferring to remain a silent partner.

In truth, Ezra's only reason for wishing to buy the place was to ensure it stayed the same and the new owner promised him any changes would be slight. It was important to everyone, Roberto's legacy was preserved and Ezra wholeheartedly agreed. Sitting at their table waiting for the others to arrive, it would be the first time since their return from abroad they would be sharing a drink together. The place was unusually busy and Ezra wore a faint smile of amusement since he was privy to why this was the case and wondered how his comrades would react when they found out themselves.

Glancing at the door, he saw Josiah stepping into the establishment, appearing better recovered from the injury he sustained at Eridu. They managed to leave the place within seconds of it sinking completely into the desert. While Ezra still had difficulty believing in the supernatural forces that wiped the ancient Sumerian city off the face of the Earth, there was no denying what they witnessed. By the time they had reached a safe distance from the ruins, all that remained of Eridu was a huge crater, smoking with clouds of dust and heat.

There was no sign of the Erran. Those who were not killed during the gunfight were presumably swallowed up by the sinking city or fled when Adashir Shah was killed. The fate of Krestos and the Shah's sister was also a mystery. Mary claimed the woman was alive when the blond left her to find Buck and Nathan, if somewhat unconscious. It did not matter Ezra supposed, whether or not Aisha Shah escaped Eridu, because if she was alive, Chris Larabee was convinced they would see her again.

Despite all the injuries the seven and their companions sustained, Chris wanted to leave Riyadh immediately. Considering they were at the epicentre of the ancient landmark's destruction, it was possible they might be held accountable when the authorities came to investigate what took place at Eridu. Besides, Chris suspected and rightly so, the explanation they had thwarted the uncreation of the world by an ancient Sumerian goddess might not be well received by the predominantly Muslim people.

Nathan stabilized JD long enough for them to reach the Darlin' Millie, where the healer had a fully stock infirmary capable of treating the boy's injuries during the flight away from Arabia. Even though Chris and Josiah sustained wounds of their own, both men were willing to suffer a little discomfort to aid their hasty departure. Within an hour of arriving at the Darlin' Millie, the seven were on their way out of the country.

When she finally regained consciousness, Alexandra Styles seemed to suffer no ill effects from her ordeal as Tiamat's temporary host. She awoke a little dazed but possessing no memory of what happened to her beyond the Shah's opening performance of the ritual, but everything else that followed was a fog she could not decipher. Under Vin's behest, no one enlightened her. It was best to remain one of the many mysteries encountered during this whole affair.

Much like the identity of their mysterious ally who had come to their rescue when things were at their worst. According to Vin, the shot that killed Adashir Shah would have to have been made from at least 800 yards away and while the sniper later was equally skilled, that initial shot was fired by someone who was a formidable marksman. Vin who was capable of taking out targets in the 1000 yard range, was impressed.

It was a mystery that bothered Chris Larabee who hated riddles, however, for now, it was one the leader of the seven would simply have to live with.

"Ezra," Josiah offered his usual understated greeting when he finally reached the table and sat down. "You're here early. Aren't you the one who's always saying it's good to be fashionably late?"

"I am," Ezra admitted, not at all repentant by it either. "However on this occasion, I did have business to conduct before our libations tonight."

"With the new owner," Josiah nodded in understanding, aware now like the rest of the seven, Ezra had a stake in the place. It didn't surprise Josiah in the least that Ezra would have secretly bailed out Roberto in a time of crisis. While the gambler professed to being a terrible cynic who would never part with his cash unless it was at gunpoint, Ezra also possessed a core of decency he did not like to reveal to anyone. "So are they going to sell you the business?"

"No they have chosen to retain majority ownership of the establishment," Ezra said with a sigh as Josiah gestured at one of the regular waiters to bring him his usual order. "I am not disappointed. To tell the truth, I always preferred being a silent partner. I only invested in the establishment because Roberto needed the capital. I prefer our expeditions as relic hunters to earn my keep rather than playing barkeep."

"Fair enough," Josiah remarked as he noticed Vin Tanner and Chris Larabee coming through the door. Other than a slight stiffness in his walk, Josiah noted Chris showed no signs of being injured. "Let's hope they don't change things too much. I like the place the way it is."

"Likewise," Ezra agreed, raising his glass at Josiah in solidarity. It coincided with Chris and Vin's reaching the table. "Mr Larabee, Mr Tanner, I trust you both are well?"

"He's still an ornery cuss needing me to drive him around, but he's fine." Vin threw Chris a smirk, aware of how much their leader hated having to rely on anyone. Despite their close friendship, getting Chris to admit he needed help was like pulling teeth and the last week had been no exception.

Chris threw Vin a dark look. "Between your woman and Nathan, I thought I'd just give in and spare myself the bitching."

On the few occasions Alex had been with Vin when the sharpshooter dropped by to check on him, the lady was just as adamant as Nathan that he rest his leg and not exert himself. Despite Krestos blade avoiding anything vital when he was stabbed, it did penetrate muscle and that took time to heal. Resigning himself to the fact that neither of them was going to leave him alone unless he acquiesced, Chris knew when to yield to superior numbers.

"Hey I can't help it I landed a doctor," Vin smiled proudly as both men took up their customary seats at their table, taking note of how busy the place was tonight. It felt like every regular at Paloma's had found it necessary to be present at the establishment this evening.

"If my ma were alive, she'd be awful proud."

"Every boy's dream," Josiah chuckled but the happiness in Vin's eyes at the mention of Alex was unmistakable. It was plain to every member of the seven Vin had fallen very hard for his doctor and it was just as pleasing to them, that the feeling was mutual. No one who saw their exchange during the ritual of the tablet could deny there wasn't something very special about Vin's romance with Alex Styles.

"Will the lovely Miss Styles be joining us this evening?" Ezra asked, thinking this was the new normal he was going to have to get used to, the fact their circle was growing larger with the arrival of Alex Styles and Mary Travis.

"Yeah," Vin nodded with obvious pleasure. "She and Mary are on their way. Alex has been staying with the Professor since her Pa's house burnt down."

"Bastards," Chris couldn't help but hiss at the memory of that. He still felt angry all of William Styles's work had been reduced to a fiery pile of ashes. There was no reason for the Erran to torch the place except out of spite. It gave him some satisfaction knowing the Shah's head had been blown off without the man ever seeing the Tablet fulfil its purpose.

"It won't be for long anyway," the sharpshooter continued. "She's going to have to head back to school in Pennsylvania on Monday."

"That's too bad," Josiah said noting Vin's sigh of disappointment at that revelation. Pennsylvania was a long way from New Mexico, almost on the other side of the country. It was a hell of a distance for two people who were very much in love.

"Yeah," Vin admitted he was already missing Alex and it would be even worse when she left after the weekend. They had spent almost every day together since their first meeting and though they had not shared each other's bed yet, there was no denying how intimate their relationship was. Still, he was terribly proud she was a doctor and he took solace in knowing it wasn't forever.

"It's okay though, she's only got four more months in Pennsylvania and then she'll be heading back to Albuquerque to do her internship at a hospital here. She's also got a two-week vacation coming up so we'll make it work." He said confidently.

"I managed to do it for years," Chris added, finding it odd that lately it didn't ache nearly as much to discuss his marriage to Sarah. "Couldn't always get base housing so Sarah had to stay with her dad while I was stationed somewhere. You and Alex will be fine." He gave the younger man a look of encouragement before making eye contact with a waiter who knew enough about the Larabee glare to never leave the man in black without a drink for long.

"Where are the others?" Vin asked, scanning the room for the rest of their comrades, unable to see them amongst the crowd of people.

"Mr Jackson is going to make a brief detour at Mr Wilmington's abode to ensure JD is fit enough to join us this evening. It seems he was somewhat sceptical at young Mr Dunne's insistence to join us."

Buck had insisted JD stay with him during his recovery since JD's present address was still the off-campus lodgings he occupied when he had his scholarship. Chris had a feeling it wouldn't be too long before that empty room in Buck's apartment was going to be JD's permanently. If it were not for that possibility on the horizon, Chris might have made similar overtures to JD who had truly risen to the occasion during this whole business with the Erran. If nothing else, JD's injuries had driven home to the rest of the seven just how much he meant to them.

"There they are now," Josiah remarked, glancing at the door as the three men stepped through the main doors.

Nathan stepped through first, always drawing the attention of those newcomers to Paloma's who wondered why a dapper looking black man wasn't in a fancy jazz club somewhere. Of course, there were those who questioned it for uglier reasons but they never lasted long in the establishment. JD followed close behind, moving slowly with Buck hovering next to him in concern.

Even from here, Chris could tell Buck wasn't entirely happy JD was up and about but knowing JD as well as they did now, the young man would have been determined to be present tonight, despite the fact he wasn't entirely recovered. At the thought, Chris made a mental note not to rush immediately into their next job to give JD time to recover so he wouldn't have to sit it out. It was telling just how much a part of the team JD had become because it felt damned odd to imagine embarking on any new hunt without him.

If asked, none of the others would be able to explain why JD joining them felt as if some cosmic mechanism had fallen into place, as if in the scheme of things, JD would always be one of seven.


"So how have you been fairing Mr Dunne?" Ezra asked once the seven were finally seated and armed with drinks. There was a rumble of excitement moving through the crowd and although inquiries had been made as to the reason why, Ezra revealed nothing, interested in seeing his friends' reactions when the unveiling was done.

"He ought to be home resting still," Nathan grumbled, unhappy the kid was moving around. JD had sustained kidney damage and even though neither he nor Alex were doctors, they both agreed the wound Aisha inflicted on JD was serious. Unfortunately, there was little to be done to fix such an injury beyond treating the symptoms, which in JD's case had been blood loss. The kidney could repair itself if the patient had the good sense to rest appropriately.

"Oh I'm alright Nathan," JD insisted happily, still chuffed by the fact he was out of Buck's apartment after days of being a shut-in. "Besides, if I didn't get out of Buck's place, I was going to go stir crazy. Either that or Buck was going to drive me there," he added with a playful smirk.

"What did I do?" Buck looked at him with mock hurt, aware he had probably been a little overprotective in his effort to care for JD. He couldn't help it, he had a real affection for the boy that bordered on the paternal. "Except feed you, tucked you in at night, read you bedtime stories and picked up your favourite Dick Tracy funny books. Fine thanks I get..."

"You offered to get me a girl...!" JD pointed out, giving the others a look that spoke volumes about how he felt on that subject. When it came to women, JD was almost as shy as Vin had been before Alex had come along.

"Rest Buck!" Nathan exclaimed aghast. "Getting him all hot and bothered over a girl or in your case girls, isn't getting rest."

"Oh hey now," Buck defended himself immediately. "I'll have you know I did not offer to get him a girl. This stewardess I know, Jill, well she was in town for a day or two and she had a friend..."

"Nice Buck, nice." Nathan rolled his eyes in exasperation. "You want to saddle the boy with a stewardess, in his condition? Try him on something with training wheels first."

"That's what I told him!" JD started to say before Nathan's word sank in. "HEY!"

Deciding to spare JD any further embarrassment by moving the subject somewhere safer, Josiah turned to Chris. "Any idea what's next for us?"

Chris took a sip of his whisky and noted the entrance of Mary and Alex through the door, even though he feigned ignorance for the moment. The others would notice them soon enough but he couldn't help but wonder how a woman wearing a loose-fitting, silk white shirt and ladies slacks could still manage to look stunning. Next to Mary, looking equally lovely was Alex who was dressed in a light summer dress of blue that turned heads as she walked by and approached their table.

"I think we might take a week off," Chris said casually, not wanting to let on he was doing it for JD's sake. Knowing the kid, JD would feel guilty and kick up a stink about it. "I'm going to give up my place in town and move into the ranch."

"Really Chris?" Buck sat up, a little smile of pleasure on his face. "That's a great idea. Place been empty for too long."

"Yeah," Chris nodded, not wishing to delve too deeply into the reasons why he had stayed away, telling himself the spread was going to waste and it was somewhere he could get a little peace and quiet. Besides, Sarah hated waste and she wouldn't want him to let the place stay empty. She would be the first to tell him it was time to get on with life and let the past go. "It's time."

Understanding the sensitivity of the subject, the others chose not to question Chris too much on his motivations, and were simply glad he was taking a positive step forward. It was almost a relief when they sighted Alex and Mary arriving, giving them the perfect segue to leave the topic behind.

"Hey Darlin'," Vin greeted sighting Alex who promptly leaned over and kissed him on the lips.

"Hey Cowboy," she smiled affectionately at him just as Josiah pulled out a chair for her and shifted his chair a little, so she could fit between them. "Hey everyone." She greeted and then saw JD. "You look better JD."

"Thanks, Alex, I'm feeling good," JD said, showing her the glass of Cola he was drinking. In his condition, Nathan would just kill him if he attempted to touch alcohol. "Even if I have to drink this stuff."

"You need to take care of yourself," Mary added, recalling how brave the young man had been at Eridu. Even though he had been bleeding like hell, he was determined to save Alex nonetheless. In Mary's book, JD deserved all the admiration and encouragement that was owed to him.

"Especially with Buck trying to fix him up with stewardesses," Nathan threw in, still unable to believe Buck had tried to fix JD up in the condition the young man was in.

"Really?" Alex gasped and promptly leaned over to swat Buck across the shoulder. "What is wrong with you? Is there a switch in your head, set for horndog or something?"

A burst of laughter followed across the table as Buck glared at her with mock dislike. "When are you leaving again?"

"We'll be heading back East on Monday," Mary replied from her seat next to Ezra. "Alex and I thought it might be fun to travel back together. I've got to get back to New York, one of my contacts gave me a lead they're about to arrest Lucky Luciano. I intend to be there for that arrest."

Chris who was in mid swallow just about choked at hearing that revelation. "The mob guy?"

"It wouldn't be a story if he was the guy at the pretzel stand, Mr Larabee," Mary said smoothly, amused by his reaction.

"Are you insane?" He stared at her incredulously. "You could get yourself killed messing around with those sons of bitches. The next time the Professor hears from you it will be when they fish you out of the East River!"

"Really Mr Larabee," Mary rolled her eyes at him. "Don't have a conniption, I've done this before. It's my job. I know how to keep out of trouble."

"Evidence so far says otherwise," he returned just as sharply.

"Well if you would rather me accompany you boys on your next adventure," she stared at him with a brow raised in clear challenge. "That would be almost a good a story as the one in New York."

Chris narrowed his gaze and realised he had just been played. "Not a chance in hell."

"Why not?" Mary protested in exasperation. "I could be an asset!"

"You're off by two letters..." he growled.

As Chris and Mary launched into another argument, oblivious to their companions at the table, Buck could only stare at the spectacle, shaking his head, trying to remember if Chris's relationship with Sarah had been this cantankerous. It took him a second to realise it was.

Frankly, he was amazed they managed to conceive Adam.

"After all these years, he still has no idea how to keep his temper around a woman," Buck said quietly to the others as the two continued to bicker, lost in their volatile version of foreplay. "Good thing he has me to keep an eye on him since I know how to handle the ladies..."

The strum of a guitar suddenly silenced everyone in the room.

They turned to the bar and suddenly Buck Wilmington realised why it was so busy here tonight. Perched on the edge of the counter, dressed in a white peasant blouse and a flowing red skirt, was one of the most beautiful women Buck had ever seen (and he'd seen quite a few). With wild, tousled hair, adorned with a red flower that might have been a hibiscus, she was the quintessential sultry latin beauty. Wearing a smile that was nothing short of dazzling, Buck could only stare mesmerised as she continued to strum the guitar.

"My, my, who is that?" Josiah whispered as she began to play a soft, haunting melody that captured everyone's undivided attention, managing the impossible by wrenching Chris and Mary out of their argument.

"That is Roberto's daughter," Ezra replied just as quietly, a dimpled smile across his face as he listened to her play. He wondered if she did requests. He always liked Red River Valley...

"That's Roberto's daughter?" Nathan exclaimed, unable to imagine grizzled old Roberto, producing such a lovely offspring.

"So that means, she's the new owner." Vin declared as the lady started to sing.

"That is correct," Ezra nodded listening to the song being sung.

"Aquellos Ojos Verdes

de mirada serena,

dejaron en mi alma,

eterna sed de amar ...

"She's awful pretty isn't she Buck? " JD remarked and turned to Buck. "Buck?"

Buck Wilmington was no longer listening. He was too busy thinking about how he was going to get her to go out with him. "I think I know who I'm going home with tonight."

"Oh God," Alex groaned, wondering if the man's ego could get any bigger. "I think you're being extremely optimistic."

"All I gotta do is lay on the charm," Buck grinned at her cockily. "She'll be as good as mine. No way she can resist my animal magnetism. You just wait and see."


She knew Lansing from her earliest days in the firm and though her expression remained as always mercurial to those around her, seeing the man who had once been a teacher, lying broken and bruised, surfaced a wave of emotion within her. Brushing her fingertips against the hands that once played the violin like a virtuoso, now crushed like kindling, she felt a swell of hatred for the ones who did this to him.

The harsh light of the morgue concealed nothing and as he lay against the cold slab in the small room, like a side of beef hanging in a meat locker, she was privy to every bruise and every bit of cruelty inflicted upon him. The wounds made the peaceful expression on his face even more profane. Lansing deserved better than this. For a lifetime of service, he should have ended his days surrounded by his roses, playing lawn bowls in the afternoon and taking tea with Penelope, his wife.

Instead, he was in the morgue of a small police station in Tangiers, having been found floating in a nearby canal, discarded like rubbish. It wasn't right.

"They tortured him," Riley stated, though he was certain she knew this already.

"For quite a while and judging by the damage they did, I don't believe he gave them what they were after."

"So the item is still in play." Riley finally drew the sheet over Lansing's face. There was no need to see any more. They had gleaned all they could from the man's dead husk.

"I believe so," Julia Pemberton nodded. "They've brought in Isabella Krauss, which means Hitler is interested."

"Why? It's a bloody relic." Riley stared at her bewildered.

"I think recent events have proven relics can have power and Hitler does love those. In any case, an object doesn't need to have supernatural qualities to have power. I prefer we keep this particular one from the Reich. They have enough of an inflated sense of importance as it is."

"Can't disagree with you there Miss," Riley conceded agreed. "So do we go after this thing ourselves?" He looked at her dubiously. Riley had many skills, one of which was being a rather good sniper, but ancient artifacts were not his forte.

"No," Julia remarked turning on her heels and heading towards the door. "I think we both know a group of men who are better able to handle this matter for us."

Riley smiled and answered, "that we do Miss and if I recall, they do owe us a favour."

THE END