Called Up

An ATF/AU

By: Tidia

Beta/Fluffer (because she added to this to make it so much better, but is too humble to be a co-author): Mog (or mogue)

Warnings: Swearing. They are men involved in law enforcement. I'm leaving it at that.

Disclaimer: Magnificent 7 does not belong to me and must give credit to MOG for creating the ATF- it is still shiny.

Notes: With a heavy heart I offer my condolences to the foreign services officers and the support staff who lost their lives. I have known FSO and have admired their character, strength and belief in the United States.

Part 3

Federal Building

Denver, Colorado

Four months had passed and Vin's desk remained untouched. JD didn't think the six-month mark could come soon enough. There was only a four-year age difference between the two youngest members of the team. They had stuck together, and now JD was on his own.

He was working on some research for their current assignment. Chris had left his door open and JD heard his supervisor's phone ringing from the empty office, then go silent. Buck's phone rang next, but his fellow agent was down the hall. JD glanced at the caller id screen and saw the call was coming from lobby security so he answered it.

"Agent Dunne," he announced.

"Agent, we have a visitor for Team 7…Lisa Eckard. She's a Foreign Service Officer with the State Department and she says she knows Agent Tanner."

JD looked at Josiah, waving to get his attention. With a hand over the mouthpiece, he explained who was waiting downstairs. They both agreed. "Let her up, Hank."

"You don't think it's bad news?" JD looked to Josiah for confirmation.

Josiah shook his head. Bad news would be delivered differently. "It wouldn't be the State Department coming for a visit, JD."

"You know the CIA uses Foreign Service Officer as a cover. She could be an agent," JD said, keeping an eye on the elevator. He had been gathering information on Vin, some required hacking. But he was not just good at what he did, he was great, and it wasn't ego talking. At least he knew Vin had made it to Pakistan, after that was a bit of a mystery. Of course, he had ideas.

"Maybe she's exactly who she says she is," Josiah replied. "You keep a look out for her and I'll find Buck and Nathan."

When the elevator opened, JD was already there. A woman wearing a visitor's badge stepped out and looked around. She was a brunette, straight hair, petite, wearing a jacket over a skirt and blue shirt. She searched the area, waiting to take a step forward.

"Lisa Eckard?"

She tipped the visitor's badge clipped to her lapel. "I am. I'm looking for Special Agent Larabee?"

"Chris, uh, Agent Larabee is in a meeting. I'm JD Dunne, a member of Team 7." He never tired of saying that, he hoped he never did. He did, however, wish he was dressed in something a little more professional than jeans, Nikes, and a Dropkick Murphys t-shirt.

"Security said that you work with Vin." She offered her hand to shake. "He told me about his team."

"Oh!" JD exclaimed, suddenly realizing their location probably wasn't the best for a conversation. "Why don't you come on back to the bullpen?" He led the way as Lisa continued.

"I helped Vin when he arrived in Pakistan. The DOD asked us to help set-up living accommodations-"

"JD, are you going to introduce our guest?" Buck took long strides toward the couple by his desk.

"Buck, this is Lisa Eckard. She works for the State Department and knows Vin."

JD was embarrassed when Buck lifted her hand and clasped it gently with both of his. "Well whatever she has to say, we definitely won't be shooting the messenger." He winked at her.

The sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted the amorous attention. "I'm Nathan, Ms. Eckard. This is Josiah. We haven't heard from Vin in a while and would appreciate any news."

"I saw him a month ago. I just finished six months in Pakistan. When Vin got there he was providing PSD for the State Department. Sorry, personal security detail and I was assigned to find him suitable living accommodations."

"I'm sure the place you found him was better than his apartment in Purgatorio," Nathan commented.

"A little better." Lisa smiled, and then elaborated. "I live in Colorado Springs so I'm home for a bit. I did bring a message from him."

"What's the message?" JD asked, wondering what Vin wanted to pass on. His emails were short to let them know he was doing as well as could be expected. He asked questions more about them, and thanked them for the care packages.

"I'm fine." She smirked. "He's a man of few words."

Nathan frowned. "Has he been keeping safe?"

"As far as I know. But, I figured if I was going to come by then I better bring you something more…" With her left hand, she tucked her hair behind her ear.

JD had seen it clearly when she moved her hair. There was a ring on her left finger. "Um…is that an engagement ring?"

"Wait a minute," Buck was thinking the same thing as JD. "You and Vin? That's a message! My boy Junior is full of surprises."

Lisa's face registered shock. She brought her hand up and studied it a moment before laughing. "Vin's been working with my fiancé's team. I brought copies of some pictures that Rick sent. I figured you would want them." She reached into her purse and fished out an envelope.

"Please accept our apologies, Ms. Eckard," Nathan said, smacking the back of JD's head. "We usually don't let these two out in polite company."

JD rubbed the spot. "Hey, Buck thought it too."

She pulled the photos from the envelope, handing them to JD. "No worries. I can't wait to tell Rick. And Junior is Vin's nickname?"

"On account of him being a younger version of Chris Larabee, in some ways," Buck offered up.

JD pulled several 5 x 7s from the envelope and his teammates crowded around. The first showed six soldiers in desert fatigues posed around and on a Cougar armored vehicle. All wore sunglasses that wrapped around to shield them from as much of the sun as possible. Some wore scarves tied over their head, or wrapped loose around their necks, others had on baseball hats.

Nathan tipped the photo more his direction. "You can't even tell which one is him."

"There," Josiah said, pointing to a figure with a headscarf who leaned against the Cougar's hood. His face was further hidden under some facial hair. "That's his slouch."

Buck agreed. "Totally Junior's grin. And let me guess," he added, pointing to the largest of the six men, "this one's Rick?"

Lisa nodded enthusiastically. "Yep. He's going to love this."

"Uh-oh," Josiah said.

"What?" JD asked.

Nathan winced. "Not gonna be good."

JD swiveled his head to look from Josiah to Nathan. "What?"

Buck looked pleadingly at Lisa. "I don't suppose there's any way we can stop this from getting back to Vin?"

The woman tried to suppress a laugh. "I like Vin, I really do. And you guys seem really nice…but not a chance in Hell."

"What?" JD demanded of his friends.

Buck looked defeated. "Teams in the military will rag on you like nobody's business."

"The name Junior is just too precious not to share," Lisa said.

Buck still wore a defeated expression. "I think Vin may take a little revenge at being the entertainment."

"So it's like what we do here," JD replied. He had never been in the service, but realized a while ago that Chris ran the team like a military unit, yet allowed them freedom to be more like the Dirty Dozen.

JD had been tempted to do his bit helping the cause when Toby died in the towers attack, but Buck and Chris had convinced him his place was in Denver. JD knew they were right. He had a good thing going with the ATF, especially with Team 7. He was an expert when it came to computers, and his team respected him for his knowledge and eagerness to learn.

"I'd be more afraid if she tells her fiancé you hit on her before accusing her of being hooked up with Vin," JD added, glancing from the picture up to Buck. "I'm just an innocent, naïve kid."

"So you're saying you'll throw me under the bus?" Buck asked, crossing his arms.

JD nodded with a smile. "Yep."

Josiah snatched the top picture from JD's hand. The next picture was Vin seated cross-legged on the roof of a building with a slate-like surface. Beside him was Rick, his arm around Vin's shoulder but his hand was raised up enough to form "bunny ears" behind the sniper's head. Above them was a white sheet rigged up to be a tent, evidently to provide a bit of relief from the sun. Both men looked at the camera, showing wide smiles. With one hand, Vin pointed at a rifle in his lap, while giving a thumbs-up with his other hand.

"That's not his Mk," JD pointed out.

Nathan leaned over the young man's shoulder. "Looks like a Win Mag." He took the photo, studying it closer. "Nice."

The remaining picture was the same setting, but this time Vin was alone. He lay prone, as if positioned for a shot. His right elbow was settled on top of what looked like an errant sofa cushion and his new rifle pointed out, with his concentration, on some distant horizon.

"He looks good," Josiah said as he studied the picture and passed the first group shot to Nathan.

"Looks thin," Nathan commented.

"How can you tell?" JD asked. Vin looked the same to him, just dressed a little differently from his black ATF fatigues.

Nathan cocked his head, as if he couldn't believe his friend didn't believe him. "I know, JD. I know."

"You know he only has about eight weeks left," Buck commented. "He's looking kinda comfortable."

The pictures went back to JD, who tucked them into the envelope. Lisa bit her bottom lip and JD saw it as someone who was giving bad news.

"Rick and the others want him to stay."

"He's wanted back home," Buck replied, patting JD on the back.

JD wanted to tell him that he wasn't going to leave and he didn't think Vin would either.

"That was the same thing he said," Lisa confirmed. "I should get going and let you get back to work. Just keep them all in your prayers."

Josiah reached out and clasped her hand. "They won't be far from our thoughts."

"I'll walk you out, darlin'." Buck jutted out his elbow for Lisa to take.

She pulled a card from her purse and handed it to JD. "In case you want to get a hold of me." She then hooked her arm through Buck's and allowed herself to be escorted to the elevator.

JD studied the card before moving to his desk and dropping into his chair to enter the information into his email Contacts tab. He had just filed the card amongst the handful of important ones he kept in a small business card folder when Buck appeared. He quickly settled into his chair and leaned forward toward JD's desk.

"Can I see those pictures again?"

JD barely had time to pick up the envelope before his roommate reached across and snatched it from his hand. Buck tipped the envelope upside down and the photos slid out. Josiah was at his shoulder.

"You noticed?" the profiler asked, as he slipped on his glasses.

"Yep," Buck replied. "Vin's keeping interesting company."

"What?" JD looked towards Nathan who shrugged in response. "I don't get it."

"No markings on their uniforms, facial hair, and they blend in." Josiah pointed to the picture.

JD took the photo and studied it. "And that means?"

"Delta Force, kid." Buck exhaled loudly. "Vin's hooked up with Delta Force."

Since Vin had left, JD had done a lot of research on the groups serving in the Middle East. Delta Force was known as one of the U.S.'s secretive counter-terrorism and special mission units. He knew outsiders called it Delta Force, but the soldiers involved called it The Unit, and they worked with the CIA on many missions.

"Thank God," JD said. "I thought I was losing my touch." The others looked at him. "I was trying to track him. I got as far as Pakistan, but then it was like he fell off the grid. Now I know why. Getting outmaneuvered by a secret organization is fine by me."

Josiah patted him on the back. "You were taking a big risk there."

"Just wanted to make sure he was safe," JD confirmed, a bit sheepishly.

Buck winked at him. "Watching his back. It's what a team does."

And JD didn't want to be with any other team. He couldn't wait for Vin to get back.

…

Ezra's Townhouse

July was starting off like usual as the hottest month in Denver. Ezra had the local morning news on in the background and listened with half an ear as the weatherman announced that the Fourth of July would reach a high of ninety degrees.

No matter how hot it was outside it never deterred him from hot coffee. He prepared his breakfast doppio with the simple two-cup macchinetta. The others would have been surprised at his lack of a fancy espresso maker. Truth be told, his stovetop coffee maker had been a gift from a girlfriend. He couldn't imagine ever trading it for anything else.

He was surprised when his home phone rang at 10 a.m. It didn't exactly ring, since most of the time he kept the ringer off and it went directly to his answering machine. He heard Nathan leave a message.

"I know your home. I already tried your cell and it went right to voicemail so I figure you have it off. Call me when you get this."

Ezra took a sip of the strong coffee, not allowing his teammate to ruin his morning ritual on his day off—espresso, croissant and sectioned grapefruit with a bottle of Evian.

The answering machine picked up again, indicating that Nathan had called back.

"I need a ride to Chris's. Rain's car is in the shop and she needed mine to get to work. I wouldn't bother you if I didn't have anyone else to take me-"

Ezra did not know why he took mercy on his friend, but he picked up the phone, interrupting Nathan's impassioned speech to the answering machine. "Mr. Jackson…."

"Thank God. I knew you were there. I need a ride to the barbeque."

Ezra rolled his eyes. Yes, he too was attending the Fourth of July picnic at Chris's but providing a ride to Nathan simply couldn't be done. Not this time, very bad timing. "Can you ask Buck or Josiah?"

"You're my last choice." Nathan paused, then elaborated. "I actually wanted to get there on time. Buck is picking up Nettie. Casey and JD are going on the bike. Josiah is working at the mission before coming over…."

Ezra rubbed a spot over his eyebrow. "You aren't helping Josiah with his worthy endeavor? I thought that was something you usually enjoyed." Nathan constantly reminded him about the importance of giving to the community. Ezra preferred monetary donations.

"It's too hot," Nathan mumbled.

"Pardon me? Agent Jackson, are you making an excuse?" Ezra smirked in amusement. "And may I add that it isn't a very good one."

"The mission doesn't have air conditioning, and it's too hot. Now, can I have a ride?"

Ezra had other plans that did not include Nathan. He grabbed for not-so-subtle alternatives. "How about a taxi? I'll arrange it, even pay for it." Whatever the cost, it would be worth it.

"A taxi? Are you planning on going to Chris's today?"

Ezra actually pulled the receiver away from his ear to stare at it for a second before shaking it slightly as if throttling it. Sometimes his teammate's obtuseness truly baffled him. "Yes, I was planning on going. I did say as much, repeatedly, even though I had been invited to partake in another sensible, indoor affair."

"Don't make me beg, Ezra."

Ezra took a moment. This wasn't an ideal situation and he really did not want to veer from his Plan A. He sighed. "Very well. But at some time in the future I will ask for a favor in return."

"This isn't 'The Godfather', Ezra. I'm not going to kill anyone for you or help hide a body."

If there had been someone to kill or a body to hide, then Ezra would have handled it himself, thank you very much. "Nothing so dramatic. However," he glanced at the Tag Hauer encircling his wrist. I will have to adjust my plans and pick you up now." There was only silence. "Nathan?"

"No, that's good. I'm ready to go now…just surprised that you are."

"More surprises to come," Ezra quipped with a longing look at his espresso that he would be unable to fully enjoy.

"What?"

"I'll be there shortly."

"Thanks…I think."

They said final goodbyes and hung up. Ezra erased Nathan's previous message and checked his watch again. It wouldn't kill his friend to wait a few minutes longer. He would understand that breakfast was the most important meal of the day.

…

Nathan thought the best thing he could do was to wait outside so he'd be ready when Ezra got to the house. He sensed that the other man was preoccupied, possibly up to something. He wouldn't put it past the southerner to do little more than slow down and force him to jump in.

So Nathan stood outside in the sun, his fishing hat putting up a gallant attempt to keep him somewhat shaded, but failing. He moved closer to his house, under the tree in the front yard, which he silently thanked Rain for forcing him to plant.

He looked at his watch. If Ezra had left when he said he was going to leave then he should have been there fifteen minutes ago. Nathan took a deep breath, held it to a count of four, then released and repeated it. Josiah would be proud.

On his seventh round of breathing he saw the Jaguar turn the corner, then pull to the curb in front of the house. The brake lights were still on; the passenger side window went down. Ezra tilted his blue-tinged sunglasses down slightly and stared at Nathan.

The window went up and Nathan took that as a sign to move fast to the car. He felt a drop of sweat crawling down the side of his face. He wiped it roughly away as he pulled open the door and slid into the leather passenger seat. He quickly found the seatbelt and latched himself in as Ezra pulled away from the curb. "Thanks for the ride."

"You gave me no choice," Ezra replied, looking left and right at the stop sign before continuing.

Nathan wiped a hand down his face. "You exacted a promise from me like a ten-year-old." He raised a hand to stop Ezra from interrupting. "As long as it doesn't get me into trouble or you hurt, then you'll get your favor, but you're making it sound like I owe you big when all you're doing is giving me a ride to the same place you're going…"

"I think I will be the judge of that." Ezra maneuvered the Jaguar onto the highway.

Nathan frowned, and focused on the route they were on before speaking up. "This isn't the way to the ranch."

Ezra gave a noncommittal answer. "I have an errand to run first."

Nathan shifted in the leather seat. "Are we making a beer run? That last craft brew that you found?"

Ezra shook his head. "No, I believe there are still some of my fine beer and wine choices hidden in Mr. Larabee's refrigerator."

Nathan was an agent for the ATF, which meant he had the ability to figure out where they were going. The medic, however, started with the direct approach. "Where are we going?"

Ezra tilted his head. "Nathan, I am an undercover specialist, and if gun runners, capo bosses, Serbians, Russians and all the heathens we have come across have been unable to get information from me, then I doubt you will."

"Can I at least put on the radio?" Nathan hoped for something more than the silence, and his thoughts of where he was being taken.

"Be my guest."

Nathan picked a jazz station.

"No, not that one."

He tried the local independent station.

"Not that one either."

He stopped on the classic rock station.

"That will do."

Three songs and ten commercials later, Nathan started to get an idea of where they were heading. "Buckley Air Force Base. We're heading to Buckley." Nathan felt his grin grow. "If you'd told me then I would have brought some cigars."

Ezra's eyebrow cocked up. "For what?"

Nathan almost thought he was wrong, and that Ezra's errand was not picking up Vin, but Nathan had a feeling and he was going with it. "So this is what it's like to be included on a plan." Vin and Ezra seemed to attract trouble when they teamed up, but something about their attitude was admirable. Sometimes Nathan was even jealous.

"You, sir, were not included in this plan." Ezra's southern accent was thick. "You're an interloper."

"You're an ass," Nathan responded, thinking of how Ezra had practically forced him to beg for the ride, all for the sake of a surprise. "How long have you known?"

"About three days. It was confirmed yesterday." Ezra raked a hand through his hair, then shifted the air conditioning vent up.

"The guys are going to be surprised." Nathan thought about the reactions of his friends, and glad he would be witness to it. He was feeling the buzz of excitement, too.

"That was the intention." Ezra sighed.

Nathan lightly bumped Ezra's arm. "Vin will love that I came along."

Ezra glanced down to where Nathan had touched him, then back to the medic. "Up until you inquire about his health."

It was part of his job, which he took seriously. They should be happy that there was somebody who paid attention to such things. "Well someone has to. Ya'll are liable to walk around shot and falling over instead of going to the hospital."

"That has never happened."

"Because of me," Nathan replied, perhaps a little too smug, but enough that Ezra remained quiet until they reached the security checkpoint. A fence was across the entrance with a guard seen though the window of a small booth.

Ezra pulled the car up and set it in park, leaving it running for the air conditioner. He pressed the button to bring the driver's side window down. "Hello, I have a friend coming in on the military flight."

The airman with sidearm at his hip, and clipboard in his hand, nodded to Ezra. "Name, sir, and identification."

"Ezra Standish." He was already fishing his ATF ID from the Jag's center console. He flipped open the badge and handed it to the airman.

"And your passenger?" The soldier looked towards Nathan, then scanned the page on his clipboard.

"He's not on the list," Ezra replied, accepting back his badge after the airman had written down his identification information. "I can leave him with you if you'd like."

"Nathan Jackson. I'm also ATF." Nathan stretched over Ezra to pass his ID and badge to he airman. "Ignore my friend."

The man did not reply. He simply took Nathan's badge, and wrote down the number before making a phone call, which Nathan figured was to confirm his identity. Once that was accomplished, Nathan got his badge back.

"Can you open the trunk, please, sir?"

Ezra complied with the request and then they heard a resounding thud as it was closed.

"Thank you. Do either of you gentlemen have any weapons on you?"

Nathan muttered a reply that only Ezra could hear. "Only his attitude."

"Shut up," Ezra replied, in the same low tone, before answering the airmen. "No, sir. On our way to a barbeque after this."

"That's a small backseat," the airman commented, as he glanced in to make sure there was nothing suspicious there.

"It works."

The airman nodded, then pushed a button so the gate slowly opened. "The strip is about three miles up, park in the lot and check in once you get there."

"Thank you. Happy Fourth." Ezra waved as he shut the window and drove through the gate.

Nathan hadn't thought about it until the airman unintentionally reminded them. He shifted to look at the backseat of the Jaguar. There was a backseat, but it was not ample and there was no legroom. "Shit, shit, shit. I have to sit in the backseat."

"Yes." Ezra grinned. "Vin, the guest of honor, should be up front."

"You should have told me," Nathan replied, thinking about how cramped he would be.

"I suggested alternative means."

Nathan gritted his teeth. "I should have gone with Josiah." He would have had to volunteer at the mission, but at least Josiah's truck had plenty of room.

"And left me to my good deed."

He blamed Rain and the idiots that needed a doctor on the Fourth of July because they were shooting off fireworks and losing fingers while doing it, plus being down to one car.

They parked in the lot and walked to the hanger. Air traffic control was in the distance watching over the airstrip. After checking in, again showing their badges, they were pointed to an outdoor waiting area.

Even with his sunglasses, Nathan was squinting as he looked up to the clear blue sky. He watched as the plane got closer in its approach, landed with a shake, then braked until it slowed and taxied towards them. A rolling staircase was brought in, waiting until the plane stopped and chalks were wedged under the wheels so that the plane would move no further.

The pilot gestured to the crew on the ground and the door was opened once the staircase was attached. It was a slow trickle of men. There was not a large group waiting, a few families with kids milling about, stepping forward to greet their military person as they arrived. Nothing like the big welcome homes he had seen on tv

Finally, both he and Ezra perked up as they saw their friend at the aircraft's door, a large duffle on his left shoulder. In his right hand he carried a rifle case. He was searching.

Ezra raised his hand, and Vin's focused expression gave way to a huge smile. His face brightened more when he saw Nathan. His gait changed immediately, and he moved with more purpose.

When he reached them, he grabbed Ezra's outstretched hand. The southerner seemed startled when Vin pulled him in for a strong half hug, pounding his friend's back with his free hand. "Ez, appreciate you being on time. You bring Nate along to help you with that?"

"No, I was honoring our original plan, but someone insisted he needed a ride to the barbeque and I was his last resort."

Vin's eyebrows rose. "You owe Ez a favor? You were that desperate? I would've taken a taxi…or stolen a car…hell, hitchhiked."

Ezra cut in. "Yes, I think he gets the idea."

"Happy to have you home," Nathan responded gruffly as he studied Vin and ignored the savvy remark. He, too, received an enthusiastic half hug. Vin's features were sharper, easily seen since his hair was pulled back tightly. His desert camouflage jacket was loose over him. Nathan suspected weight loss, but his friend still felt solid.

"Good to be home."

Ezra led the way back to the car and Vin didn't look back.

"Let me put those in the trunk for you." Ezra put his hand out for the large duffle and rifle case.

Vin handed over his heavy gear bag, but carefully placed the case in the trunk himself; shifting it so it was secure.

"You should take the backseat," Nathan suggested due to concern for his friend who looked tired, not because he would be uncomfortable. "You could stretch out and get some rest."

"Did that backseat get bigger while I was away? 'Cause, as I recall, Cuervo is about the only thing that could stretch out back there and rest." Vin glanced at Ezra with a smirk as he made his way to the passenger side. "If I sit back there, Nate, then you would be owing me a favor, and I'm not like Ez. I'd ask you to hide the body, in fact bury it in your backyard. I reckon you may want to quit while you're ahead."

Ezra chuckled. "You have been missed, Mister Tanner."

"You two suck," Nathan retorted. "And wait until ya'll are in trouble again with Chris. Don't come callin'." He climbed in the back, not caring that he stepped on the car's leather upholstery before settling in for the long drive to Chris's.

"I will be calling you since you owe me." Ezra flashed a smile and Nathan groaned.

...

TBC