A/N – Usual disclaimers apply, I do not own anything and if I did then M7 and Sentinel would still be going.
Short Chapter as tired and work has been so busy I hope you like it and any reviews and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Sentinel Legend:
Chris looked at the man who had spoken.
"What else would you have me do Burke?" Chris looked at the other sentinel; his lip curled as he sneered at the Circle member, Chris was not in the mood to cater to the man's blown up sense of self worth.
"You could have left him suffering." Burke ground out angrily.
"And run the risk of an innocent being hurt, I don't think so." Chris made to move past the other sentinel.
Burke grabbed the other man as he attempted to pass, he realised too slowly that he had made a mistake when he found himself slammed against the wall, with a snarling Larabee holding him by the throat. Burke did not struggle he had more sense that that, he just hoped the other man did not kill him.
Josiah and Nathan rushed to Chris side as he had Burke pinned a few inches off the floor. Everyone could hear the growls the man was issuing, the guards went to intervene but Alpha Austin held up his hand stopping them, as Larabee could break the pinned man's neck in a blink of an eye.
Nathan put his hand on Larabee's bare shoulder he started to whisper in Chris's ear.
"Alpha please we need to get back to JD and Vin, just let him go, he's not worth it." Nathan felt Josiah move to the other side and gently nuzzle the growling man.
Burke was finding it increasing difficult to breath, he was released and the blond stepped back. Burke kept his eyes lowered he did not want the other man to attack him again, he could not believe how strong the man was, even though the blond alpha looked pale and sickly.
Chris growled when the people crammed into the room did not get out of his way quick enough, Nathan and Josiah followed close behind as Chris stalked to the elevator. Getting into the elevator he jabbed the button for the penthouse and as the door closed Chris finally allowed himself to give into the blackness.
Josiah had been expecting what happened he caught the other man before he hit the floor, cradling him like a child he held still as Nathan quickly felt the man's pulse and looked into his eyes.
Nathan frowned at Josiah, he was not happy at how hot the unconscious sentinel was, and the fact that Chris was moaning as if he was in pain. As soon as the doors opened Josiah rushed to the door, he barely acknowledged the guard who quickly opened the door.
Buck had gently disentangled himself from the sleeping pair, and he and Kojay had been quietly talking in the main reception area, Kojay had been telling Buck about his son and Vin and the antics they had gotten up to.
Buck stood up and rushed to the door, he moved out the way as Josiah carried Chris into the room. He gently placed the man on the large couch; Buck knelt by Chris's head and pushed the damp hair of his forehead.
"He's boiling Nathan." Buck's worried voice sounded unnaturally loud in the room.
"I know we need to get his temperature down." Nathan saw Buck nod, he simply picked Chris up and carried him through the bedroom to the large shower, Nathan realised what he planned and rushed to open the door to the shower, turning the water on Nathan watched closely as Buck stood under the numerous shower heads holding the overheating man in his arms.
Chris spluttered as he was hit by the cool water, his eyes opened and he attempted to burrow his face into Buck's neck. Nipping the larger man he heard Buck yelp and then chuckle good naturedly.
Nathan and Josiah both smirked as Buck yelped, they joined in the chuckling as Chris grumbled.
"I think he feels cooler now." Buck called out to Nathan.
"Freezing Buck." Chris was shivering in earnest now and he began to cough.
Buck began to panic as the coughing fit did not seem to end he stepped out the shower and was relieved when Nathan hurried over, the tall doctor thumped Chris on the back.
"Sick." Chris attempted to struggle out of Buck's arms which simply tightened as the big man moved to the toilet where Chris began to vomit.
Josiah grimaced as Chris groaned when he finally stopped puking his guts out.
"Put me down." Chris could feel the world spinning and he wanted it to stop, the corner of the bathroom was looking really good to crawl into and rock.
"In a minute Big Dog." Buck carried his sick friend back into the bedroom, he released him Josiah and Nathan stripped his clothes off and began to dry the swaying man, Buck stripped and hurriedly dried himself.
"Just leave me alone." Chris was reaching the end of his endurance, he shivered as Nathan and Josiah rubbed him dry. Coughing his whole body hurt, and he heard a buzzing in his ears.
All three me paused when they heard Chris's quiet request, Nathan and Josiah rushed too gently dress the shivering man, Buck noted that the thin blond had his eyes squeezed tightly shut and he was chewing on his bottom lip.
"Chris tell me what hurts." Nathan looked at the shivering man.
"Just don't touch me." Chris acted like he had not heard the guide.
Nathan and Josiah exchanged concerned glances, as Chris simply stood, shivering and swaying in front of them, the man had his eyes shut and his fists clenched at his sides.
Buck put on a thin t-shirt and drawstring cotton trousers, and saw that Chris was now dressed the same. He slowly approached his friend and gently placed his arms around the man.
"Easy Chris you can relax now." Buck whispered, he was glad his friend felt cooler that before, he began to lead Chris to the bed. Chris hand had come up and he had tightly grasped Buck's t-shirt.
"Lay down Chris." Nathan watched Chris bury his head against Buck's throat again.
"Hurts." Chris groaned.
"He's overloading." Nathan stated the obvious.
"Chris focus on me ok." Buck kept his voice low and even.
"Trying." Chris groaned as he squeezed his eyes shut even tighter to block out any light.
Buck settled on the bed flat on his back, he settled Chris against him, one of Chris's hands came up and covered the ear that was not pressed up against Buck, Chris's other hand was still tightly grasping the thin t-shirt.
"Should you sedate him again?" Josiah rubbed the thin back; Chris was tense and tears where escaping from his tightly closed eyes.
"I don't know." Nathan was not sure what to do; he was reluctant to administer any more drugs to the tense man. "Maybe I'll try a muscle relaxant; I'm going to discuss this with some colleagues."
"Nathan don't take to long." Buck could feel how tense Chris was, and the man was still shivering and panting against him.
Nathan quickly moved to the other room, he called downstairs and arranged a conference call with Dr Carson, Wilson and Dr Frasier from Denver.
Chris world had narrowed down to the pain he felt from all his senses, he was on the cusp of zoning, but he was trying desperately to focus on the slow and steady heartbeat of his closest friend.
Nathan hurried back into the bedroom, he had now to his immense relief been given Chris, JD and Vin's blood test results so he now knew what he was dealing with, the other three doctors wanted Nathan to give Chris a strong sedative and then allow the medical staff in Boston to monitor him. But Nathan had decided that he would just give the sentinel a pain killer, and a mild sedative and see if that helps.
Nathan could see that little had change in the short time he had been away. Chris was letting out the occasional groan, he was still shaking and lying as stiff as a board, he still had a death grip on Buck's t-shirt, the moustached sentinel looked increasingly upset and Josiah sat on the edge of the bed rubbing the blonds head and shoulders in an effort to relax him.
"Do something Nathan." Buck hated the fact that he could not seem to help Chris.
Nathan quickly filled two syringes, one will a pain killer the other with the sedative, and he quickly injected the man who was in such pain.
"That should help." Nathan told the two men, he felt enormous relief as Chris began to go limp against Buck.
"Thank God." Josiah rubbed tiredly at his eyes, he noted that it was nearly ten o'clock at night he headed into the bathroom to shower he would be joining the other soon he was that tired.
Nathan could see his relief mirrored in Buck's eyes; he smiled at the sentinel who cradled their Alpha close like a child.
"Go see if Josiah's alright Nathan." Buck instructed the tired looking doctor, he smiled to himself as he watched the heavy set sentinel pull his guide to him and snuffle at the man's neck.
"Happy Buck." Buck nearly jumped as Chris's voice quietly asked.
"You should be asleep." Buck looked down into the sleepy green eyes. "Relax Big Dog."
"Trying Buck." Chris snuffled Buck who tiredly patted his back.
A short time later Josiah wandered back into the bedroom, he rubbed his barrel chest dry, smiling he noted that Buck's eyes where closed although his hand still gently stroked Chris's back. Josiah could not tell if Chris was sleeping, but he definitely looked more relaxed. Josiah pulled the covers up and over the two men.
"Thanks Josiah." Buck opened his eyes and smiled up at the other sentinel.
"Is he sleeping?" Josiah pulled on some pyjama bottoms, he clambered into the bed next to JD who snorted and rolled closer to him.
"Yes he's just nodded off." Buck yawned.
"Hopefully nothing else happens to disturb his rest." Josiah snuggled under the covers, he noted that Tanner was burrowed under the covers just the tip of his head showing.
"I'm so tired." Nathan muttered as he pulled on a pair of boxer shorts he climbed over Josiah so that the sentinel was on the outside of the bed.
"Sleep sounds like a great idea." Buck yawned again.
"Shush and go to sleep." The husky voice grumbled.
The three men chuckled at Chris's grumble they waited to see if the Alpha would say anything else. All three men settled down to sleep when nothing else was forthcoming, soon the sounds of snores could be heard.
Vin opened his eyes and looked around, he felt himself surrounded on both sides, and he felt refreshed and surprisingly hungry. Sitting up he looked down at the men in the bed with him, he noted the young man next to him, so this was the guide he had been a prisoner with, JD looked so young curled against the other guide, who in turn was snuggled against the heavy set sentinel. Vin turned his attention to the other two men, the moustached sentinel was watching him his blue eyes twinkling at him, the blond man had his face hidden against the watching sentinel's throat.
"Vin Tanner." Vin introduced himself.
"Buck Wilmington." Buck grinned at the long haired sentinel. "You feeling alright Vin?"
"I'm fine." Vin declared returning the mans grin with one of his own.
"I'm going to come to hate that phrase aren't I?" Nathan sleepily grumbled.
"Yep and especially when Chris says it." Buck chuckled quietly.
"How you feeling really Vin?" Nathan sat up, ignoring Josiah's muttered protest.
"I'm ok, I was lucky really." Vin looked down at the sleeping Alpha.
JD eyes blinked open; he sat up and looked around him.
"Hi JD." Buck greeted the younger man who shyly smiled back at him.
"How are you feeling JD?" Nathan wanted to make sure the two men where alright.
"OK, I'm sorry I couldn't stop them from hurting your Alpha." JD bit his lip his eyes where downcast he waited for the men to berate him for being a coward.
"Now brother you did the best you could." Josiah deep voice spoke before anyone else could.
"But they hurt him." JD whispered.
"Listen carefully JD." Josiah took the younger man's chin lifting it so that he could look into the soft brown eyes that had filled with tears. "You are in no way responsible for what happened."
Buck rubbed Chris's back gently he could feel the man becoming restless, he must be picking up on the tension in the young guide.
"But." JD began.
"No." Chris growled he pushed against Buck.
Josiah released the younger man whose head was once again bowed.
Buck grunted as Chris sat up and leant over him, he reached out a hand and pulled the upset guide towards him.
"JD you did nothing to deserve the way you where treated." Chris put his forehead against the younger man's. "You are a strong and powerful guide who was mistreated by the very people who should have helped you after you mother passed away."
A soft sob was all the answer JD could give, he felt Chris's arms wrap around him, the men shuffled around so that Chris could hug the younger man to him.
Buck could not believe that once again Chris's much needed sleep had been disturbed.
"It's alright JD." Vin touched the sobbing mans shoulder.
"I'm not a good guide." JD sobbed heartbrokenly.
Chris growled he pushed through JD shields as the guide attempted to pull away from him because he did not think he deserved any support.
The other men stilled at Chris's low growl, JD felt the other man link with him, he stilled he blinked confused as he saw how much him talking to Chris had helped him when Dr Rostron had been abusing the blond sentinel. JD felt Chris's pride in him because of his actions in trying to help both Vin and Chris deal with the vile torturers.
Nathan and the others watched as JD relaxed against Chris, the four men each laid a hand gently on the other two men, soon all six became linked.
Chris opened his mind to JD he allowed the youngster to see his memories of his experience as a sentinel, JD was amazed that the man holding him was able to function after everything had happened to him, he saw how determined the man had been to reach him.
"Pack JD." Chris whispered softly, he snuffled the younger man.
Chris could feel the other men linking with JD and himself, he could feel the support from each of them.
JD tiredly rested against Chris he felt the others within his mind, he was surprised that these men considered him worthy of being in their group; he hoped that he would never make them regret their decision.
"Ours." Chris declared.
Nathan gently pulled back from the pack, he watched as one by one the others followed his example until only Chris and JD remained linked. He noted that JD was struggling to stay awake, and that Chris's eyes where mere slits. Soon JD's heavy breathing signalled that he had once again fallen asleep and Nathan noted that as soon as JD fell asleep Chris followed him.
"I'm starving." Buck stood up. "Who's up for some breakfast?"
Vin stomach rumbled, and Buck sniggered while Vin shrugged, the four men made their way out the bedroom, leaving the door open.
Kojay smiled in welcome as the four hungry men sat on the comfy chairs and couches.
"Shall I ask them to send up some food?" Nathan walked towards the phone.
"Sure Nathan and nothing to healthy." Buck wondered where they would be heading for their seventh member as he wanted to meet the man who belonged to the red wolf.
A short time later the five men where eating as a vast quantity of various different foods had been delivered.
JD yawned as he was drawn by the tantalising smells; he covered the sleeping Larabee and tiptoed out the room.
"Hungry JD." Buck teased as JD stuffed a slice of toast into his mouth.
JD nodded and the began to pile his plate with various bits and pieces, he saw the smiling blue eyed sentinel pat the seat next to him and so he plonked himself next to the long haired Texan. The men continued to talk, Josiah asked the other men questions about themselves and what they did and had done, the conversation ebbed and flowed as the men learnt more about each other.
"Hey get your own." JD pulled his plate away as Vin stole his banana.
"Vincent Tanner." Kojay chided as the blue eyed sentinel grinned unashamedly at him.
"There's plenty Vin." Nathan shook his head as Buck slathered butter and jelly on a roll and then threw it to Vin who caught it and began to munch his way through it.
"Heathen's." Josiah chuckled as he caught a peanut butter sandwich Buck threw to him.
Sniggering and laughing erupted as the men waited for their Alpha to wake.
Chris did not recognise the manicured grounds he was walking through he looked around him and sent out his senses, he heard cruel laughter, and he began to jog towards the sounds.
Chris was horrified to see the red wolf chained and surrounded by a pack of laughing hyenas, who circled the snarling wolf. Chris growled angrily as the hyena's snapped and snarled at the wounded wolf, Chris could see the red wolf was limping and panting as it struggled to break free from the chains that held it.
Buck's head tilted as did Vin's, Josiah paused in his conversation with Kojay, and all five men looked towards the dark bedroom.
Chris growled, he leapt towards the hyena's, his sharp teeth snapped close to a laughing hyena's face, the animal yelped and rushed away, Chris turned his attention to the others who had stopped and began to snarl back at him, rushing forward the huge silver wolf barrelled into the biggest hyena, he sent the animal flying, screaming in pain and fear the animal's tail tucked between its legs as it and the rest of the hyena pack scrambled away in fear.
Chris stalked angrily towards the cowering red wolf, the exhausted animal went down on its belly, and the silver wolf gently licked the bowed head. Chris huffed as bright green eyes begged silently for help and comfort.
"We're coming."