A/N – Usual disclaimers apply, I do not own anything and if I did then M7 and Sentinel would still be going.
Well don't know what happened with this chapter the men just seemed to want to stay in this town, and poor Chris, I'm not a male but have been told that being kicked is the most painful thing ever. I will get to Ezra and soon.
Any reviews and or suggestions is great.
Sentinel Legend:
Nathan jumped at JD's shout, he immediately moved his hand off Chris's back, and Vin mirrored his actions. Chris continued to cough; this bout of coughing seemed to be never ending to the watching men.
Chris could no longer separate his pain from coughing from the pain from simply being touched, by his clothes, and even by the very air surrounding him.
"Nathan." Vin was confused by JD's shout.
"He's right." Buck could see clearly now that Chris was in immense pain.
"Do something Nathan." JD frantically demanded.
Chris wanted to roar with pain but his throat had locked shut it seemed and he was still coughing harshly, the site of the drip felt like his whole hand was being ripped apart piece by piece.
Nathan grabbed Chris's hand as the ill man went to rip out the drip, to Nathan's relief Chris's coughing seemed to have stopped for now, but the man was releasing painful sounding moans, and rocking. His breathing sounded panicked and much too loud to all the men.
"Please." Chris needed his pack's help.
Buck could see the horror on Nathan and Vin's expressive faces as both men realised that they had inadvertently been hurting their pack leader. Buck pulled Vin to his feet; he could see Josiah pulling onto the side of the road as he was determined to assist his pack in their distress. Buck then pulled the moaning man against him, he attempted to link with Chris, when he succeeded he flinched as he was bombarded by the feelings of pain from the other man. Buck clinched his teeth as he fought to stabilise the other man's sense of touch, the pain nearly made the big sentinel zone himself.
Chris felt Buck presence, he grabbed onto the other man knowing he would help him.
Nathan and the others watched as Chris seemed to sag limply against Buck, both linked men groaned in pain. Nathan went to touch the men but was stopped by his sentinel.
"Wait Nathan." Josiah could see Buck was sweating and becoming slightly pale, the man was gritting his teeth. Chris was as white as a sheet and shivering against Buck, his eyes where tightly closed and his fist clenched where they clung onto Buck blue shirt.
"What should we do?" JD was not happy with sitting there doing nothing.
"We wait, Buck is gonna help Chris." Vin confidently announced he was also unhappy with waiting but he did not want to make matter worse.
Chris sighed as the pain seemed to lessen, he felt Buck's arms supporting him and Chris slowly opened his eyes, he looked deep in the blue eyes of his best friend, he managed a small smile for the other man.
Buck felt exhausted, his body ached, and he watched the smiling green eyes close and felt Chris slide into a healing sleep. Buck gave a reassuring look to the other men and then he followed Chris into an exhausted slumber.
The four men looked down at the two sleeping men, Josiah and Vin moved them both so they where lying down, Nathan smiled as he watched the men move into their normal sleeping position, with Buck snoring flat on his back and Chris curled half on the larger man with his head buried against Buck's neck. Vin ran his hands over the two men and he reassured himself that they where only sleeping, neither stirred. Josiah repeated the action and he nodded at Nathan, the healer took both men's pulses and he used the digital thermometer placing it gently in the man's ear to get a reading. Nathan made sure that the iv line was still connected to Chris.
"There just sleeping now." Nathan patted JD shoulder as did Josiah who returned to the front of the vehicle and once again they where back on the road.
Vin yawned he smiled as Nathan pointed to the other couch opposite where Buck and Chris where sleeping.
JD put his hand over his mouth to hide his yawn; Nathan scowled and shook his head as both men stuck out their tongues at him.
Nathan chuckled as JD settled on one end of the large couch and Vin the other, Nathan found a cupboard full of blankets and covered all four men. He moved to the front of the RV and frowned at the smirk on his sentinels face.
"Kids." Josiah sniggered as Nathan smacked his arm.
"Do you want me to drive for a bit?" Nathan had decided that four hours driving before a break was needed was what he would allow.
"No not yet, keep an eye on Chris and the others." Josiah kept his speed to just below what the law allowed.
A short time later he turned on the radio to an easy listening station as Nathan snored in the passenger seat. He kept looking in his mirror to check on the other four men. He shook his head fondly as he noted that JD and Vin where curled up together like a pair of puppies. Chris and Buck had not moved and they both seemed to be deeply asleep if the snores from Buck where any indication and Josiah was glad that Chris's coughing seemed to have died down, he could see that the fluids Nathan had administered where nearly running out so he would have to wake his guide.
"Nathan." Josiah voice rumbled softly.
"Am awake." Nathan blearily looked around.
"The fluids are nearly done." Josiah saw Nathan nod, the man moved to check on Chris and Buck.
Nathan mumbled softly to himself as he checked Chris over, he was not happy with the sound of his breathing and the cough seemed to be getting worse. Nathan injected a strong dose of antibiotic into the sleeping man. He looked down at Buck, he gently examined the large sentinel, and he chuckled quietly as Buck snored on undisturbed. He felt the bond between Chris and Buck humming with life, he gently pushed and was welcomed into the bond, Nathan knelt down he rested his head against Buck as he was joined with part of his pack.
Josiah could see the peaceful expression on Nathan's face, he nodded happy and turned his attention to the road, he had decided that he would stop for a break soon; he wanted to stretch his legs and possibly see what food he could ply the other men with.
Nathan felt a hand gently stroking his short hair; he looked up into the peaceful green eyes of his alpha sentinel. The stroking stopped as Chris snuggled back against Buck and returned to sleep. Buck's hand soon replaced Chris's; Nathan looked at the blue eyed sentinel.
"You're doing fine Nathan." Buck yawned he watched Nathan's eyes shine at his praise.
"He's sick Buck." Nathan whispered.
"He's strong he'll recover, they all will." Buck looked over at the sleeping Vin and JD, he noted that the young guide was wrapped securely in the sentinel's arms, as if aware of the attention he was receiving Vin's eyes opened and he smiled sleepily at Buck and Nathan.
"We're fine Nathan." Vin drawled he ran his hand over JD who remained deeply asleep.
"I hurt Chris." Nathan sadly told the other awake men.
"It was an accident Nathan." Buck tapped Nathan's head as the man looked away in shame.
"But I should have known." Nathan could see the denial in both sets of blue eyes.
"Did you mean to hurt him?" Buck quiet words shocked the three listening men, Josiah wanted to get up and defend his guide.
"Of course not." Nathan was horrified by the very thought of deliberately hurting anyone especially his Alpha.
"Then it's an accident and you should not punish yourself for it." Buck smiled as he once again stroked the dark skinned guide.
"Trying to sleep hush." JD grumbled as he buried his head against Vin's chest.
"Yeah you heard the man." Vin chuckled all of the men stilled as Chris's head lifted from were it had been buried against Buck, the man was simply adjust his position slightly, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are we stopping?" Nathan looked at to Josiah, the bigger man nodded.
"I would like to stretch my legs and maybe we should all eat." Josiah pulled off the road he drove away from the interstate and found a dinner parked in front of it and walked to where the others where.
"So do you want to go in and order or should I get a menu and we get take out?"Josiah pulled Nathan off the floor and the two men settled in two of the comfy chairs by the occupied couches.
"Should we wake Chris?" JD did not mind staying in the RV.
Buck smirked at JD.
"He's already awake."Buck felt Chris smile against him.
"So what are we doing brothers?" Josiah stomach rumbled he grinned at the laughing JD.
"Let's go eat." Buck grunted as Chris sat up.
"What are we waiting for?" Chris led the others into the dinner; he sniffed appreciatively at the smells coming from the selections of pies he could see. Chris felt JD nudge him gently.
"Don't focus so much Alpha." JD warned. Chris headed towards a large table in the corner big enough for all six men.
"Thanks JD." Chris settled himself in a chair where he cold watch his pack as well as see anybody who approached them.
"So what would you all like?" A perky red headed waitress asked smiley widely at the men.
The men looked at the menu's and the waitress patiently waited, she could see the other diner patrons taking an interest in the men who where considering what to order. The Sheriff was studying the men, he caught the blond haired mans eye; he blinked in surprise as the man appeared to growl at him.
"Easy Big Dog." Buck nudged Chris's foot with his own.
"Sentinels." The Sheriff spoke he could tell he had been overheard as whispers started going round the locals sat around the table, his town had never had there own sentinel or guide but occasionally they passed through and everyone had seen the films and read about them.
The six men ordered some drinks while they where still deciding what to eat, JD nearly jumped as Vin gently touched his arm.
"How are your barriers JD?" Vin did not want the guide to be overwhelmed.
"High." JD bounced in his chair, his barriers where high and he was confident because his pack was with him.
The other men smiled as JD bounced on his chair, Chris yawned he wanted to eat and then go back to sleep. He was ignoring the looks the Connecticut locals where giving the men.
"Why are they starring at us?" JD whispered to Nathan.
"Just ignore it JD." Buck winked at the waitress who came back to take the men's food order.
Chris could see Nathan watching him, he gave his order to the waitress who rushed away to tell the cook who the men could hear barking orders in the kitchen.
The food was delivered and the men began to eat, Chris blinked when he felt Nathan take his hand.
"Chris." Nathan brought the sentinel out of his zone relatively quickly.
"Sorry." Chris muttered.
Buck looked at the man, Chris was now just pushed his food around the plate.
"Chris?" Buck waited for Chris to look at him.
"Not hungry anymore." Chris did not want to zone again, he felt ashamed that eating a simple meal could make him zone.
Nathan looked at Buck who shrugged confused.
"I'll be back in a minute." Chris needed to just get away for a minute, he headed for the restroom.
"How longs Chris been online?" Vin asked he happily tucked into his burger and fries.
Buck, Josiah and Nathan exchanged looks; Buck frowned when the other men nodded at him.
"A matter of days." Josiah was enjoying his bowl of chilli.
"Buck what's going on?" JD was confused by what was happening.
"JD Chris has been online a matter of days and in that time he hasn't really had the opportunity to do normal things, so he's having some problems." Nathan thought that they could help Chris with these minor problems as it was not a big deal.
"We have to help him then." JD declared, he saw each of the men nod in agreement.
Chris tiredly washed his hands, he splashed water on his face, and he had deliberately not listened in to the conversation the men where no doubt having about his embarrassing zone on the simple taste of the cheese burger he had been eating. The taste and smell of it had zoned him so quickly he had not realised it, he would have come out of it on his own Chris was sure.
Buck listen to Chris's actions, he heard the man muttering agitatedly to himself, and Buck stood up.
"I'll be back in a minute." Buck headed to the rest room. He would not allow his friend to think the way he was.
"Idiot, freak. God damn wimp." Chris was angrily pacing the restroom; he was in his own world of self contempt. "Jesus some Alpha you are."
Buck paused he listened to the mutterings from the other man who then began to cough, Buck made to go to his friend, Chris headed for the toilet stall as he felt everything he had eaten which was not much make a reappearance.
Chris was glad the floor was clean as his knees buckled, he found himself caught before he hit the floor.
"Buck." Chris gagged again thankful of the support he dialled down his senses so that he would not zone on the sight, smell and taste of his own vomit.
"I'm here Alpha." Buck held Chris as the man's stomach emptied.
"I'm fine." Chris felt there had to be nothing left in his stomach, he prayed their was not anything left.
"Sure Chris." Buck helped Chris to the sink where the man rinsed out his mouth.
"Chris you shouldn't worry about zoning." Buck kept hold of the man. "You haven't had any training on how to deal with your senses, but we'll all help you."
"I can't control it sometimes." Chris saw only Buck's desire to help.
Buck realised that that was the point that was really upsetting the other man, the lack of control.
"You will though Chris and I'll help you as will the others." Buck released his friend when he thought he was strong enough, he was ready to catch the man if he should falter.
"The sooner the better Buck." Chris did not think he could face any more food.
"Let's get back to the others." Buck held the door open for Chris.
The men returned to their seats, Buck started eating again; he kicked Chris under the table and pointed at his food. Chris also noticed Nathan scowling at him, Chris picked up his burger and took a small bite he methodically chewed and swallowed, he would fill his stomach, although how long it stayed there was anybodies guess.
The dinner door flew open and a deputy rushed in and straight over to the Sheriff.
"Sheriff Black, we need you." The Deputy shouted even though the man he was talking to was sitting right in front of him. "Little Sandy Ellis is missing and her mom reckons she's in the woods somewhere by the lake."
Chris and the others could not help but listen.
"Alright let's organise some search parties." Sheriff Lucas Black looked to where the group of strangers where sitting.
"Chris?" Buck asked he suspected that Chris would help look for a missing child.
"You're not up to this Chris." Nathan did not want Chris, JD or Vin running round in the woods when it was so cold and soon to be dark.
"Buck see if the Sheriff wants our help." Chris put down his barely touch food, he picked up his coffee and took a sip of the hot fluid.
Buck walked over to the Sheriff.
"My Alpha offers our help looking for your missing child." Buck could see the man was considering their offer.
"Sheriff it's going to be dark soon." His deputy who also happened to be his nephew informed him.
The locals all hung on every word, the cook began making coffee and sandwiches he would supply the search parties with sustenance.
"Alright have everyone meet at the Ellis house." Sheriff Black turned his attention to Buck. "Any help you can give would be great."
Buck nodded; he saw the others getting ready to leave.
"We'll follow you to the house." Buck saw the Sheriff nod.
Josiah got behind the wheel and followed the Sheriffs car down the road.
Nathan scowled at Chris who was routing through his case.
"What you doing Chris?" Nathan knew it was pointless to protest the man helping in the search.
"JD you and Vin make sure you have layers on its going to get cold." Chris pulled out a thick sweatshirt.
"We need thicker jackets." Josiah boomed from his driving position. "I got the address off the Sheriff, and I see somewhere to buy something coming up."
"Stop then." Buck shouted back.
The men emptied from the RV and headed into the shop, they headed straight to the selection of heavy coats the shop stocked.
"Make sure everyone gets some gloves." Nathan picked up a heavy coat up and threw it to JD.
The six men chose the coats, gloves and Nathan insisted they have hats as well; Chris handed over a credit card before the others he glared at Nathan who offered his own.
The men rushed back to the RV and then headed to the address they had been given using the navigation system in built in the vehicle.
Chris looked at the numerous people who milled about around the Ellis home, he noted that the house was close to woods and these he assumed where the child was missing.
Sheriff Lucas Black noted the thick jackets the men now sported he was surprised when the pale thin blond took the lead, he had assumed the well muscled moustached man was the leader, the men fanned out behind the leader and headed over to where Lucas stood with Sandy Ellis's parents.
"Sheriff." Chris acknowledged the man.
"Elijah, Cindy these are the sentinels who have offered to help." Sheriff Black told the distraught parents.
"Please find our baby." Cindy Ellis tearfully spoke; she looked at the green eyed man.
"We will bring your child back if we can." Chris felt JD huddle against his back; the young guide was picking up on the parent's emotions.
Buck placed his hand on the squirming guides back, he bolstered the youngsters shield, and he could feel Vin add his support as Josiah kept his hand on Nathan offering his support to the doctor.
"Do you have something of Sandy's?" Buck broke through the mothers tears.
"What do you need?" Elijah Ellis would give these men whatever they wanted.
The Sheriff could see everyone who was going to search for the missing child was listening to every word that was being spoken, the men and women where moving closer.
"Something Sandy has worn or been close to." Nathan spoke for the group.
Elijah moved quickly to his house he brought a blanket that was on his daughter's bed, it had been a constant source of comfort for his daughter this soft pink blanket, she used to carry it everywhere when she was younger. He handed it over to the black man.
"What are they going to do?" Cindy Ellis sort comfort from her husband.
"I think they'll try and use the smell of Sandy from the blanket." Sheriff Black patted the woman as her husband held her close.
Nathan felt the sentinel's crowd around him; he began to talk as he gave each man the blanket to scent. He watched as Chris moved towards the parents, the blond man stalked towards them, Nathan watched the Sheriff move out the way as Chris growled at him.
Chris was focused intently on the two people.
"Just stay still and calm." Nathan called to the man and woman whose child was missing.
Chris moved to the woman's side he gently snuffled her, he was still growling as he sniffed the man. Chris's head tilted he looked at the people watching, he sniffed and the growls grew in volume. Chris began to pace in front of the parents snarling.
"Buck?" Nathan was confused by Chris actions something had gotten the Alpha Sentinel agitated.
"What the hells he doing?" Sheriff Black demanded.
"I don't know what's going on." Buck was as confused as Nathan.
The searchers began to mutter amongst themselves at the sentinel's strange behaviour.
Chris suddenly turned and loped towards a truck parked down the street, as one the rest of the pack and the Sheriff, parents and the other locals rushed after him.
"Jesus Buck he's gone feral." Nathan warned.
"Keep back." Vin shouted as a heavy set man, who Vin thought must be the truck owner went to pull Chris away from the vehicle.
Chris turned on the man and pulled him close.
"What did you do?" Chris growled, he slammed the man against the side of the truck which rocked with the force of the impact.
"Somebody get this freak off me." The angry man yelled.
Chris sniffed him and began to snarl, the man attempted to break free of Chris's hold but the angry sentinel was having none of it the man found himself tossed to the floor.
"Abe is here to help search." Sheriff Black protested.
"He smells of her and there not related." Chris snarled he shook the man.
"Sheriff tell this freak to back off I haven't touched her." Abe yelled.
Buck and the others got closer, Buck, Vin and Josiah had to agree with their Alpha now they where closer to the man prone on the floor.
"He's lying and he's had contact with the child." Buck words backed up the blond man who was continuously growling.
"Let him up." Sheriff Black barked the green eyes glared at him, his hand lowered to his weapon.
The matter was settled as Elijah Ellis sprang onto the prone man he punched the man repeatedly.
"Where's my baby you bastard." The incensed father punched the man in the face.
Sheriff Black and one of his deputies pulled the man off and held him tightly.
"I haven't got Sandy." Abe groaned as blood poured from his split lip.
"Arrest him and take him to the office." Sheriff Black barked. "You best tell us where that little girl is."
Another deputy handcuffed the man and dragged him to the police car.
"Where does he live?" Nathan looked to where his pack sentinels where gathered around JD, Chris was still growling low in his throat.
"Should we start the search there?" Sheriff Black could tell the man was holding something back.
"Yes and keep her parents away." Nathan had felt the evil oozing from the man they had removed, once Chris had attacked him.
"Do I want to know?" Sheriff Black looked to the growling blond.
"No." Nathan watched the Sheriff go over to the parents surrounded by well meaning neighbours.
"Nathan." JD called.
Nathan moved over to the men, Chris was coughing loudly and pacing angrily, Buck and Vin were watching Chris pace as Josiah wrapped his arm around JD, the young guide was bouncing in place.
Josiah saw the Sheriff heading to his car; he led JD towards the RV, the rest of the pack followed closely behind. Josiah joined the convoy of cars headed to the arrested mans home.
Once they arrived the men piled out of the RV, Chris took off into the woods Buck and Vin charged after him.
"Follow those men." Sheriff Black barked at his two deputies the men turned and raced after the sentinels, it seemed like the people who wanted to help search for the missing child all followed Chris and the others as well.,
"Sheriff Black." Nathan quietly called, his skin crawled looking at the house, and he could swear that he did not want to go closer. Nathan felt JD huddle closer to him, Josiah placed a large hand on both guides backs.
"Yes." Sheriff Black could see both of the guides where sweating, the younger man looked like he wanted to throw up or something.
"You need to get you forensic people here." Nathan hated to be the one to break it to the man.
"Why?" Sheriff Black really did not want to hear what the man had to say.
"He's killed here before." JD timidly spoke he wanted the other men to return.
"Oh God." Sheriff Black moved to his car he would get help.
Chris lopped through the woods, he had ramped up his hearing as far as he could, and he focused on the faint heart beat he could hear. Chris ignored his burning lungs and raced towards the missing child.
Buck was struggling to keep up with his Alpha, he could not believe the man could move so fast, even with his long strides he was falling behind the sick blond. Buck growled and forced himself to go faster.
Vin could feel his previous ill treatment slowing him down; he struggled to keep up with the other two sentinels. He was determined not be left behind so he kept going, keeping Buck in sight Vin urged himself to go faster.
Chris's arms wind milled as the ground seemed to disappear from under his very feet; he tumbled head over heels down the incline. Forcing himself not to tense up, he finally rolled to a stop at the bottom. Getting to his feet, Chris ignored the new aches pains and bruises he knew he would have, turning to look up the incline he had just rolled down Chris snarled to himself.
"Buck, Vin watch the drop." Chris yelled, he tilted his head waiting for a reply.
"Coming Stud." Buck replied, Chris could hear the two sentinels's charging towards him.
Chris followed the sound of the whimpering and heartbeat he could hear, smiling he bent down and looked inside a huge log.
"Hello Sandy, let's take you home." Chris could see the tear stained face.
"I want my mama." Soft sobs accompanied the heartfelt words.
"Come on out and I'll take you to see your mama and papa." Chris reached out a hand to the traumatised child.
Chris gently helped the little girl crawl from her hiding place, he could see she was cold wet and tired, he ran his senses over her and was relieved when he could find no injuries on her, although she was shivering with cold, Chris took off his heavy jacked and wrapped it round her, standing he began to climb up the incline.
"The bad man stoled me away." Sandy sniffled.
"He can't hurt you now." Chris panted as he forced himself up the hill, he paused to catch his breath and saw Buck looking down at him.
Buck smiled as he saw Chris climbing up towards him carrying the young girl; he could hear the childish voice chatting with his friend.
"How did you find me I hidded good." Sandy yawned snuggling closer to the man carrying her.
"I'm a sentinel." Chris turned his head to cough, he shook his head at Buck who was about to come down the incline to him. He looked down at the child and realised that she had fallen asleep, he finally made it to Buck and Vin, and both men help him the last few meters from the top.
"Do you want me to take her?" Buck took off his jacket, he put it on Chris with a bit of manoeuvring when he saw that the panting man was not going to relinquish his hold on the sleeping child. He hid a smile as his jacket engulf the smaller man, but at least it would keep the sick man warm.
"Let's go." Chris began to head back the way they had come, he had not realised that night had fallen; he had been so focused on getting to the child.
Buck kept close to Chris in case he should stumble, he could see Vin was doing the same on the other side. Buck could see and hear the locals getting closer.
Josiah frowned he had Nathan take JD back onto the RV as both guides where becoming distressed by the house of horrors that was now being cordoned off as they waited for a judge to sign a search warrant. Josiah saw the local media being rapidly joined by television camera's he wondered if one of the locals had phone the reporters.
"Chris there are reporters here, and the parents have just arrive." Josiah softly called; he knew that even if Chris did not hear him then Buck or Vin would.
Buck growled angrily.
"It's fine Buck, lets just get Sandy back to her parents." Chris kept his attention on where he was putting his feet so he did not fall.
"You sure you don't want me to carry her?" Buck again offered, he smirked at the glare Chris sent his way.
The three sentinels walked closer to the locals who all gathered round, they could see the young girl bundled up in the blond man's jacket. Chris did not pause as he strode towards the Ellis family, he could hear the media hounds circling and he decided to ignore them, Chris was surprised how far from the house and road they had travelled, his precious bundle was getting heavier and heavier, but he could now see the lights of the various law enforcement cars and vans.
The three sentinels where being followed by the locals who remained surprisingly quiet so not to disturb the sleeping child.
Chris nearly fell to his knees as light bulbs and lights where shined right into his eyes by the media, he was bombarded with questions from all sides.
"My baby." Cindy Ellis rushed with her husband, Chris gently handed over the sleeping child, and paramedics hovered behind the ecstatic parents.
Buck grabbed Chris as he snarled at a reporter who thrust a microphone in his face.
"Keep back." Josiah's voice boomed, he pushed to his pack mates sides.
"Bloody reporters." Sheriff Black moved in front of the growling sentinel. "Can you go to the Sheriff's office so we can take statements?"
"Fine." Buck pulled Chris away from where the Sheriff, his deputies and some of the locals blocked the media from the men.
Vin and Josiah watched Chris and Buck's back as they clambered tiredly into the RV.
"Chris you need to get out of those wet clothes." Nathan waited for Chris to acknowledge him.
Vin took a close look at Chris and noted that the man seemed to be covered in mud and to be favouring his side.
"You hurt?" Vin watched as Buck started to take his jacket off the silent blond intent on seeing what he had hurt.
"Let's just get to the Sheriff's office and then after that I'll get changed. I just want out of this town." Chris slap at Buck's hands "Stop it Buck."
Buck raised his hands, he would leave the man for now, but after the Sheriff's office then he was fair game.
Arriving at the Sheriff's office, the six men headed inside.
"Hello you must be the boys who helped find Sandy Ellis." A buxom matronly woman looked the men over. "My name is Minnie Black and my son's the Sheriff."
"Hi." JD shyly greeted the woman.
The other men waited to see what the woman would say next.
"Well aren't you just the cutest thing." Minnie Black studied the smiling youngster; she then turned her attention to the other men.
Looking closely at the dirty, wet man stood coughing in front of her Minnie Black made a decision "Well now you look like you've been through the ringer son, why don't you all go to the diner across the street and I'll send someone to fetch you when Lucas is ready."
Buck gave the woman a grateful smile as Chris coughed next to him, he nudge the other man who simply followed as Buck led the way across the street to the dinner.
Josiah took Chris's elbow as the man blinked at the brightness of the lights. He followed Buck to a large table at the rear of the dinner, which Josiah noticed was more or less empty, an older woman poked her head out the cooks hatch.
"Will be right out." She called.
"Chris you alright." Nathan looked closely at the other man.
"I'm fine." Chris squinted at the menu; he was waiting for Nathan to tell him to eat.
JD chuckled as Vin's stomach growled, the Texan shrugged as he picked up a menu.
"So what'll you boys have?" The woman cheerfully asked.
"Just coffee." Chris requested he ignored Nathan's unhappy face. "I'm just going to wash my hands."
Chris escaped from the others, he shivered cold and wet just did not feel good at the moment, he hoped the Sheriff or whoever he sent to take statements did not keep them long. Coughing Chris rinsed the soap from his hands; he gripped the sides of the wash basin as pain shot through his side as the coughing intensified.
"Oh God." Chris groaned as his head spun, he let go of the basin and rushed to the toilet, the coughing led to a bout of vomiting, which made the pain from battered body seem to increase ten fold.
Strong gentle hands helped Chris stay upright; he looked into the gentle blue eyes of the older sentinel.
"Come on brother lets go sit down." Josiah kept his hand on the blonds elbow as they made their way back to the others.
"Maybe Chris should go back to the RV and lay down." JD suggested as he bit into a juicy burger.
"No we stay together." Chris slumped in his chair, he watched the other men eat; he ignored the bowl of chicken soup that someone had kindly ordered for him.
"Once we've eaten where going back to the RV, Chris needs to change and we all could do with some rest." Buck ignored Chris's sour look.
"I agree." Josiah patted the tense knee of the Alpha.
"Soups nice Chris, I ordered it for you, is that ok?" JD gave the pale man a huge grin. "Do you like it?"
Buck hid a smirk behind his hand as JD gave the grumpy man a happy smile, Chris picked up a spoon and began to eat. JD nodded his head, he then smirked at Buck, who winked back at him mission accomplished.
People began to enter the dinner, starring at the men who sat eating, the men ignored the attention they where getting.
A heavy set man approached the table; he stopped when he noted the intense stare from the tall moustached man.
"Just wanted to thank you for helping find that little girl." The man nodded to Buck and then backed away.
Chris had enjoyed the soup, and now he just wanted to lie down, he had not realised the others had finished eating and where waiting on him to move. Chris slowly stood up, his body was stiffening and he held a hand against his mouth as he began to cough, gritting his teeth he led the other men back to the Sheriff's office.
"The Sheriff is dealing with the FBI who have turned up, they have the warrant to search Abe's house." Minnie Black informed the men. "Is it going to be as bad as you think?"
"Worse, much worse." JD whispered as he shuddered. He felt arms wrap round him as he was pulled against the pale blond gently patted his back.
"We'll be in the RV parked outside when the Sheriff gets back." Buck saw Vin rubbing JD's back as the younger man was scented by the growling Alpha.
"Alright." Minnie watched the men leave.
"Close the blinds Josiah, and make sure the doors are locked." Nathan nudged Chris who still held JD towards the bathroom.
Chris released JD and scowled at Nathan.
"Strip Chris." Nathan ordered, he began to undo Buck's jacket that Chris still wore.
"I can do it Nathan." Chris slapped at the healers hands.
"As pack healer I'm allowed to help." Nathan yelped as Chris hit his hand, he found himself enveloped in a hug as Chris sniffed him; the blond stroked his back and rubbed his head against him in apology for the slap.
"Sorry." Chris dropped his hands and stood still as a statue, letting Nathan remove his clothes.
"Chris its fine, I'm not hurt." Nathan saw Chris's head tilt listening to him; Nathan shrugged as the man remained still and silent. Nathan began to speak, he told Chris about his training as a doctor and why he had chosen the career he had.
Nathan had Chris stripped he was gently examining the battered body, frowning at the new bruises which littered the too thin frame, he was becoming concerned that Chris was zoning as he was so still and quiet. Nathan gently linked with the Alpha, he smiled when he realised that the blond was relaxed by the sound of his voice, so Nathan carried on chatting.
"Chris shower ok, I'll bring you some clean clothes." Nathan gently patted the other man's face.
"Sure Nathan." Chris stood under the spray; he picked up the sentinel friendly soap and quickly washed himself clean.
"Chris alright Nathan?" Vin saw the coloured man open Chris's suitcase and picked out a set of clothes.
"He's got some new bruises and the like, but luckily he hasn't done too much damage." Nathan considered the clothes he was holding; even the man's underwear was black.
"Yep Nathan everything is black." Buck chuckled as the guide grinned back at him.
Chris reluctantly left the shower, he immediately felt cold, grabbing a towel he briskly rubbed himself dry, ignoring the sore spots all over his body, he bent to dry his feet, and nearly keeled over as the world spun alarmingly, his stomach somersaulted dropping the towel Chris raced to the toilet and began to throw up.
"Poor Chris." Vin looked to Buck, the taller man headed to the bathroom.
"You alright Big Dog?" Buck felt sorry for his friend, as nothing seemed to be going right for him health wise that is.
"I'm fine." Chris slowly stood upright, he took the towel Buck held out to him and wrapped it round his waist.
"Were you going Big Dog?" Buck asked as Chris passed him.
"To get clothes and dressed." Chris opened the door, he took the clothes Nathan held out and shrugging he dropped the towel and got dressed, and he ignored the other sentinel's cataloguing the injuries to his body.
JD was setting up the games console he had found to the large flat screen television, he handed Vin a controller and sat on the opposite end of the couch to the sentinel.
Chris was glad when he collapsed between JD and Vin; he noted that Josiah was making a drink of what smelled like hot chocolate in the kitchen area. He relaxed as the soothing sounds of his pack mates took his mind off the pain from his tired body; he took the box of tissues off Buck when a coughing fit had his eyes watering.
Vin and JD were soon immersed in playing the computer game, Vin had turned the sound down, the other four men sat watching the two youngster battle the zombies, Josiah had handed over mugs of hot chocolate, the men where sipping.
Chris's chin rested on his chest, Josiah nudged Nathan and nodded towards the sleeping man.
"Would he be better lying down?" Buck heard JD whine when Vin paused the game as all the men looked at their sleeping Alpha.
"Probably." Nathan motioned for JD and Vin to move, Josiah simply scooped the man into his arms and carried him to the bedroom, depositing the man on the bed he chuckled as Chris immediately sprawled across the bed, Josiah gently pulled off the man's shoes, he placed a blanket over then man.
"I wish the Sheriff would hurry up." JD grumbled, he and Vin had changed games and now all five men where playing a racing game.
Buck, Josiah and Vin all looked towards the door to the RV as a knocking sounded out. Buck got up; he unlocked the door and starred at the deputy who stood waiting.
"Sheriff Black wants you to give your statements." Deputy Black was immensely curious about the sentinels and guides.
"We'll be there in a few minutes." Buck advised the man, he could see how curious the man was.
"I'll wait." The Deputy had been told to escort the men.
Buck could see the media was circling like vultures around the Sheriff's office, he was surprised they had not realised that the RV contained the sentinels and guides, he saw that some locals where taking an interest in what was happening, he could also tell that the locals wanted the media circus gone.
Buck closed the door, he could see the other men where getting ready to leave, he noted that Vin had gone to wake Chris.
Vin saw the Alpha Sentinel had kicked off the blanker, and Vin could hear the man's heavy breathing, he walked closer to the bed, green eyes flashed open.
"Sheriff's ready for us." Vin told the man.
"Is everybody ready?" Chris began to put on his shoes, his gut was churning getting up he headed to where the members of his pack waited.
"Josiah do not leave Nathan no matter what." Chris commanded, he looked to Buck. "Don't leave Vin or JD."
"What's going on Chris?" Buck could see the other men where as confused as he was.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Chris left the sentence hanging as the men followed him and the Deputy back to the Sheriff's office.
Chris could see the Sheriff talking to a number of men dressed in suits; Chris thought these must be the FBI men. Chris had a feeling that it was these feds that where causing his gut to tell him something nasty was possibly about to happen.
Sheriff Black nodded towards where the sentinels and guides waited, he saw that the blond Alpha had gotten cleaned up, he turned his attention back to the leader of the federal agents, and the man was an arrogant idiot who seemed to like the sound of his own voice. Lucas also got the impression that this man and his cronies did not like sentinels and or guides.
"So that's the sentinels and guides who helped you." The man scowled towards the group.
Buck felt Chris tense beside him; he scowled towards the man starring at his pack.
"Calm brothers." Josiah quietly spoke, he was also wanting to growl at the federal agent who was sneering at them.
"Thanks for all your help." Sheriff Black led the agent to the Sentinel he knew to be the Alpha.
"No child should be mistreated." Chris huskily told the man, he did not acknowledge the other man, or the agents stood behind the Sheriff.
"Special Agent James Cameron and I'm in charge of this investigation." James Cameron starred at the man stood in front of him, he hated that these Neanderthals got special treatment and he was determined to interrogate these men and find out everything they knew about the murders, as the men at Abe's house had found graves with young women and children in and also the attempted kidnapping of Sandy Ellis. Cameron had been told how the pale looking sentinel had zeroed in on the murdered and he found this worth investigating.
Chris drew himself to his full height he seemed to tower over the FBI agent.
"Sentinel Chris Larabee." Chris proudly declared, he could sense the man was not fond of the gifted.
"Sentinel Buck Wilmington." Buck gave the man his name, he stood at Chris side.
"Sentinel Vin Tanner." Vin spoke from the other side of Chris.
"Sentinel Josiah Sanchez." Josiah also stood at the side of his pack.
"Guide Doctor Nathan Jackson." Nathan declared with confidence.
"Guide John Daniel Dunne." JD tried to sound as confident as the others.
"Right well, Larabee you come with me and my men will be speaking with the rest of you." Cameron ordered.
"No." Chris gave a one word answer.
"What do you mean no?" Cameron glared at the other man.
"As Alpha I will not have you separating my Sentinel's and Guide's." Chris snapped at the man.
"Surely you have nothing to hide." Special Agent Cameron pointed his finger at the men.
"Josiah and Nathan will be interviewed together, as will Buck Vin and JD." Chris waited to see what the man would have to say.
Cameron barely kept the revulsion off his face as he looked at the group of men, he always thought that sentinels and guides where unnatural, he could hear his men fidgeting behind him.
"The law allows for this." Chris smiled at the man.
Buck held in a grin at the evil smile Chris was sending towards the Special Agent in Charge.
"Fine." Cameron snarled. "Take Larabee to the interview room."
Sheriff Black sighed he could tell this was going to get interesting, the blond sentinel was prowling towards the interview room, and Cameron was giving instructions to his men who would conduct the other interview. Lucas decided to stay with the Alpha Sentinel to maybe try and keep everyone calm.
Buck led Vin and JD to one of the side offices, while Josiah and Nathan went into another, Buck was more concerned with Chris keeping it together and not losing his temper with the FBI agent. Buck frowned when of the feds turned on a white noise generator, Buck's ears popped and he could tell that Vin was not happy.
Josiah scowled angrily at the fed who had turned on the white noise generator he could no longer hear his pack mates and Josiah was not a happy sentinel.
"Would you like a drink or anything Sentinel Larabee?" Sheriff Black asked as the man in question coughed.
"Sit down Larabee." Cameron brusquely ordered.
"I'm fine Sheriff." Chris ignored Cameron's words he paced behind the chair as the Agent in Charge sat in a chair, he noted that three other agents stood behind the man and one of them turned on a white noise generator. Chris growled.
"We don't want to be overheard." Cameron smiled nastily at Chris, who growled in response.
"Please take a seat." Sheriff Black requested politely.
Chris sat in the chair, he pushed out his sense of hearing, to monitor his pack, and he barely acknowledged the arrogant Cameron.
Slamming his hand down on the table that separated him from the Alpha Sentinel, Special Agent Cameron refused to flinch as the green eyed man glared at him.
"So how are you involved in these murders?" Cameron barked, he smirked as two of his agents began to move behind the pale blond.
"We helped to rescue the young girl, nothing more."Chris ignored the men walking behind him; he was not at all intimidated by the agent's antics.
"Right you expect me to believe that you found Abe Scott all on your own." Cameron icily demanded an answer.
"Believe what you will." Chris calmly answered, he could tell that the others where dealing well with there interviews.
"I think you're some sort of pervert who is somehow connected to these murders and that little girls kidnapping." Cameron grimly declared, he leant forward. "And I think all of you where involved."
Chris laughed at the man's ludicrous accusations,
"You think this situation is funny?" Special Agent in Charge James Cameron shouted incensed.
Chris's laugh changed to a serious bout of coughing to the point that Sheriff Black left the room to get a glass of water for him.
Cameron's eyes lit up when he realised that he and his men where alone with the pale looking sentinel, he decided he would show this freak who was the boss.
"I bet that you got bored of the two young men you probably all fuck and decided to move onto poor Sandy Ellis." Cameron leered suggestively.
Chris could not believe what he was hearing, he growled at the other man.
"So is the kid a good fuck, maybe you can pass him around." Cameron managed to jump back in time as the pale man went for him; his three subordinates grabbed the man as he reached over the table.
Chris roared with rage, he saw red as he lunged for the other man.
Cameron scrambled back from the table as his men attempted to subdue the enraged sentinel, he was glad all three of his men where bigger and heavier than the thin blond as they managed to pin him down, all three men used their full weight to hold the man, who growled at them, Cameron watched as one of his men used zip cuffs to restrain Larabee.
"Get him up." Cameron wanted to cause pain for the man, his men pulled the struggling man to his feet, James moved to stand in front of him, he drew back his foot grinning evilly he imagined that he was taking a field goal and let rib, kicking the defenceless man right in the balls.
Chris felt pain explode in his groin area, he tried to curl in on himself as the man drew back his foot to kick him again, unable to defend himself due to the heavier men and the cuffs he felt the foot connect again with his body.
The door burst open as Sheriff Black rushed in, he could not believe what he was seeing and cringed in sympathy as the heavy set lead agent's foot connected with the groin of the sick looking man.
"What the hell do you think your doing?" Sheriff Black yelled, he was aghast at the scene he had walked in on.
"He attacked me." Cameron snarled.
Chris's head came up, and he snarled, the three men holding him suddenly found themselves with a raving mad man on their hands, Cameron yelped as a foot connected with his knee.
Sheriff Black did not know whether to aide Cameron or not, he heard one of the three hulking agents howl in pain, he realised that Larabee had somehow broken free of the zip tie cuffs which now lay broken on the floor. The enraged sentinel began to lash out at the agents attempting once again to pin him, Cameron was backing towards the door as one of his agents was knocked unconscious, and another was hurled against the wall, where he sank whimpering to his knees. Sheriff Black had no idea where the man was getting the strength from, but the remaining federal agent went for his weapon.
Cameron panicked as he rushed out the room, the sentinel had gone mad, he pulled out his weapon he would defend himself from the feral man.
Buck raised his head; he felt immense pain and rage fill him.
"Chris." Buck stood up he ignored the federal agent as he moved towards the door pulling it open he could see the arrogant agent in charge reaching for his weapon as he backed away from the interview room
Sheriff Black did not attempt to hinder the snarling sentinel as he knocked the FBI man out with a savage punch to the chair, Lucas backed out of the room holding his hands up in a placating gesture.
"For God's sake Cameron just stand still and put your weapon away." Sheriff Black could see Cameron was pointing his gun towards the two of them; Lucas did not want to get shot.
"What did you do?" Buck snarled he looked at Chris who was stalking from the interview room snarling in rage; Buck could feel himself wanting to growl and attack the armed man.
"I'll defend myself." Cameron voice quavered slightly, the blond sentinel growled at the sound of his voice.
JD moved passed Buck, he could feel the other man's rage, and JD took a deep breath.
"You shoot him and I'll kill you myself." Sheriff Black warned he watched the young guide approach the snarling sentinel; he ignored the fact that now the other door had opened and now the man's entire group was watching, he could hear the other sentinels growling with the Alpha.
"Shut up Cameron." Nathan snapped, he moved Josiah over to the other Sentinels, Nathan tried to project an air of calm, he moved his hand over the three men one after the other.
"Alpha." JD reached out a hand; he nearly jumped back as he felt a jolt from the other man. "Please."
The Dark Sentinel growled angrily, he wanted to get to the man who had hurt him, he snarled as his path was blocked. Head tilting he realised it was a member of his pack, he noted the hand held out to him, he heard the quiet request. His guide needed his Alpha, rumbling the Dark Sentinel pulled the guide close; he used his senses and checked the young pup was unharmed.
"Buck?" JD called as he was thoroughly scented and a hand skimmed over his body, JD pushed against the other man attempting to link, he gasped as he felt the pain encompassing the sentinel's body.
Buck rushed over at JD's call; the others a scant second behind until Chris was surrounded, Buck looked at the green eyes which flashed angrily.
"You and your men best get out of my station and not come back." Sheriff Black kept his voice low and even. "Take your men to the hospital and you best hope you haven't done that man any damage."
Sheriff Black slowly approached the group; he paused when the Alpha growled at him.
"Take your Alpha to my office." Sheriff Black pointed to his office, he saw the older sentinel nod, he felt relief as the men manoeuvred the Alpha away and the office door closed behind them, he watched as the older guide closed the blinds.
"Chris." Buck could hear the man was still growling.
"Oh God." JD whimpered as he felt and saw what the nasty FBI agent had done, he felt himself go white, he felt like he wanted to vomit. It was no wonder that the Dark Sentinel persona had taken over Chris's body, because when the man came back to himself he would definitely be feeling both kicks.
"JD." Nathan saw how pale the younger man had become, he was still wrapped in Larabee's arms and the Alpha growled angrily.
"He hurt Chris." JD felt Chris's growls rumbling, he ran his hands up and down the sentinels back and shoulders trying to calm him. "Kicked him."
Buck frowned he moved to touch the growling man's shoulder, he paled as he saw and felt what had happened.
"I'm gonna kill him the bastard." Buck angrily declared.
Vin, Nathan and Josiah exchanged looks they crowded round Chris and each man touch the growling Alpha. Shocked looks appeared on each man's face as they saw what had happened.
"I'll help you." Nathan replied.
"He's not calming down." JD whispered, he looked appealingly at Nathan who considered his words.
"Would you?" Vin put across, he felt the bond between Chris and JD expand to encompass them all.
Chris fought to rein in the Dark Sentinel, he groaned as he felt once again connected to his body, his eyes rolled back into his head as he lost consciousness.
Luckily Buck and the others felt the moment Chris regained control and the exact moment he passed out. Buck and Vin caught him as JD struggled to hold the man upright.
"Put him on the couch." Nathan barked, he wanted to ring Agent James Cameron's neck.
Chris curled in on himself and heard groaning, he realised that the noise was coming from him. Pain suffused his whole body.
"It's alright." Nathan looked at the mess that where Chris's wrists and hands, the man had struggled so intensely against the restraints the feds had used he had once again made them bleed and it looked like he had dislocated his thumb. Through the link Nathan felt the pain that Chris felt throughout his whole body although it was muted, he nearly groaned at the pain which was focused in Chris's groin area. "We need to get him back to the RV; I want to examine him properly there."
"Fine I'll tell the Sheriff." Vin went to inform the man, he could hear the Sheriff yelling down the phone at whomever he was talking to at the FBI.
Sheriff Black slammed down the phone, he was glad that Cameron and his goons had left for the small community hospital as he imagined that one if not all of the agents who Larabee had beaten had concussion or something wrong with them. He had his deputies put a cordon round the station and the RV so that the media could not get access to the gifted men. He had called the Sentinel and Guide Foundation in Hartford and made them aware of what was happening here and they promised to send someone to help straight away.
"Sheriff." Vin moved towards the angry man.
"Sentinel Tanner." Sheriff Black smiled at the younger man.
"We need to get to the RV, our Alpha is hurt and our healer wants to help him." Vin could tell everyone else in the Sheriff's office was listening.
"Sure my deputies have moved the media away from the RV so you should be alright." Sheriff Black saw the man nod. "I still need Alpha Sentinel Larabee's statement."
"Fine." Vin could not see them leaving this town until tomorrow the way things where going, he looked at his watch and saw that it was just after ten, he walked back to the private office to let the other know they could return to the RV.
Nathan wanted to get to the RV quickly so that he could deal with Chris's new injuries; he was trying to soothe the moaning man who rocked on the couch. Nathan could see that Chris was clenching his teeth together, he was pale and sweating.
"Come on Big Dog lets get you to the RV." Buck patted Chris's arm in sympathy.
"Can't move." Chris looked around desperately as his stomach rebelled.
Josiah seeing the problem stuck the waste paper bin in front of Chris as the man hurled his stomach contents into the bin; Chris gagged and continued to puke. Josiah rubbed the man's back; he frowned at the new bruises and aches he could sense on the too thin man.
"Buck can you or Josiah carry him?" Nathan was not going to wait much longer; he needed to see to Chris's injuries.
"I will." Buck scooped the man up and cradled him like a child.
Vin opened the door, he saw Chris bury his face in Buck's shoulder as the man strode towards the door, and a deputy escorted them to the RV, the media kept back after Josiah snarled angrily at them, although he could not stop them filming or taking photos or shouting questions.
"Put him on the couch, Josiah can you grab my kit?" Nathan did not look to see if his sentinel was obeying him.
Josiah rushed to get his guide well stocked first aide kit, handing it over he stood by as Chris moaned and rocked curled up on himself.
"Chris tell me where it hurts." Nathan waited for Chris's answer.
"Everywhere." Chris muttered as he recalled every punch and kick the agents had landed.
"I need to fix his thumb." Nathan filled a syringe he hated to have to drug the man again but until he relaxed and let Nathan touch him he could not get a clear picture of what hurts the Alpha had.
"Nathan's gonna help ya Chris." Vin frowned as Chris began to cough, he watched a Nathan attempted to pull the man into a sitting position to allow him to breath through his coughing fit but the ill sentinel was having none of it and curled tighter into himself.
Chris refusal to move made up Nathan's mind; he pulled Chris sweatpants down slightly and injected the medication into the man's body.
The men waited for the medication to kick in, they where relieved as Chris's moans stopped, he went limp and lax on the couch.
"Move him to the bedroom." Nathan picked up his bed as Josiah picked up the drugged man.
Nathan and Josiah stripped the man, they tried not to jostle him too much, Josiah gritted his teeth as he saw a boot shaped bruise on the thin body.
"Vin can you get me a bag of ice." Nathan requested as he moved Chris so that he was lying flat, he manipulated the dislocated thumb back into its correct position and then turned his attention to the injured wrists; he cleaned and dressed the wounds he found there. "Buck can you scan him for any broken bones."
Buck's hands skimmed over his Alpha, he shook his head at Nathan, he was glad that Chris had not broken anything, he was angry that the man had been hurt again.
Vin returned with the ice, he handed it to Nathan. He grimaced as Nathan checked out Chris's abused genital, all the men could see that he was bruised and swollen down there. Nathan wrapped the ice bag in a thin towel and then placed it where it should reduce the pain and swelling. Chris moaned and tried to move away from the cold.
JD climbed onto the bed next to Chris he cuddled the other man to him; Chris seemed to relax and settle. JD smiled happily at the others.
"Nathan is he alright?" Buck cringed when he looked at the ice covered groin of his friend.
"I don't think there will be any permanent damage but he's going to be very sore and the ice will help." Nathan smiled back at JD, Chris snuffled in his sleep and then he began to cough.
Chris looked around wildly as his eyes flew open, pain exploded from his chest as coughs ripped through him; his body shook as each cough burst from him. He could barely breathe and he realised that once again he needed to spit out the crap that was loosened in his lungs by his coughing. He struggled to get out the bed, he failed as Nathan simply held a bowl in front of him, keeping his eyes closed he repeatedly spat. Chris moaned as the coughing fit passed, at least this time he had not vomited.
"So what happened Chris?" Nathan gently wiped the sweating man's face.
"Hmmmm." Chris's eyes remained closed.
Vin smiled as Chris snuggled against JD who looked shock at the way the man was leaning so trustingly against him.
"I take it its nap time." Buck smirked at JD who simply yawned back at him.
"So let's make sure the RV is secure for the night and then get some rest." Nathan watched Vin and Josiah check the RV. Buck simply stripped to his underwear and climbed in next to Chris.
Buck snuggled up to Chris's back, he was careful not to jostle the sleeping man, he reached a hand over and stroked JD's head, sleepy brown eyes smiled back at him, before they closed and the young guide began to snore softly.
Vin and Josiah returned to the bedroom, Nathan had quickly changed the bag of ice for a new one, he had ignored Chris's feeble attempt to stop him. All three men stripped to there underwear and squeezed into the king sized bed with Chris and JD in the middle.
Chris looked down at himself and smiled he padded towards the clearing, he tilted his head as he listened for the other members of his pack, lifting his head he let out a mournful howl as he called his pack to him. Sitting he waited, he was unsurprised when the huge wolf representing his closest friend arrived first, the energetic wolf bounded towards him, Buck's tongue lolled out and he took his place at Chris's side. Next the shaggy wolf appeared silent and deadly, the blue eyes twinkled with life, and Vin's wolf took the place on the opposite side to Buck.
Chris looked into the darkness as two wolves appeared side by side, the heavy grey muzzled wolf of his oldest pack member Josiah the blue's eyes calmly survey the Alpha of the pack, the smaller black wolf by his side touched noses with the Alpha and then with Buck and Vin, the two wolves settled beside Vin.
Chris smiled as the gangly pup fell over its own feet as it raced towards the pack, barking in excitement the youngster wagged his whole body as he approached his Alpha, sitting in front of the magnificent silver wolf the pup raised a paw and offered it to his Alpha, the silver wolf's tongue licked the small ears of the pup which wiggled in happiness, he then took his place by Buck.
Chris waited patiently for the final member of his pack, he watched as the red wolf head hung low with exhaustion walked dejectedly towards the Alpha. Chris stood and stalked towards the other wolf, the red wolf growled in fear as the apex predator that was Chris Larabee strode confidently towards him. Chris ignored the smell of fear, he nudged the red wolf gently with his nose, Ezra collapsed Chris simply curled around the red wolf offering Ezra his strength and the packs support.
Ezra sat up eyes wide and starring as the confident words echoed in his head.
"We are coming."