"Nothing we can do tonight. Might as well rest up for the morning," Buck muttered, unrolling one of the extra sleeping bags.
Standish sighed as he was handed a sleeping bag. He crossed the room to the pool table and unrolled the bag on the felt covered top.
"You're sleeping up there?" JD asked curiously.
"Like a babe, Mr. Dunne, like a babe." At JD's quizzical expression, Ezra continued, his drawl quite pronounced, "Ah spent numerous years slumbering in the arms of Morpheus, residing on more than one of its brethren. It could easily be considered mah cradle!"
"We need to set up a watch schedule," Chris reminded.
"What in the world for? It's not like the statuary is going to attack in the night," Crooks huffed.
"It's a preventative measure, Dr. Cranks," Ezra drawled.
"So Junior doesn't take him another walk-about," Buck explained.
"That is of no concern to me. He's Ms. Wells' problem and my name is Crooks, Standish," Sydney huffed.
"Why so it is, how apropos," Ezra smiled innocently.
"It will disturb my normal sleep pattern less if you assign me a late night shift Mr. Larabee. I rarely retire before four." Ezra turned to Chris.
"Since I'm usually up at five, I'll take over from Ezra," Josiah spoke up.
"I can take any shift. After being an intern, you've learned to sleep standing up or you've had psychotic episodes and quit." Nathan chuckled.
"Give me enough cola and I can stay awake for days," JD piped up.
"We're college students, what's sleep?" Bruce put in.
"I worked third shift for 30 years," Nettie said. "Thanks all of you. It'll be a load off my mind having extra eyes on Vin."
"I'm not losing sleep over him," Cedric scowled.
"I've got better ways of losing sleep," Ivy said in a throaty tone. Licking her lips she watched Chris.
"I'll be happy to take a watch," Mary said flatly, glaring at Ivy for her blatant offer.
"It's almost midnight now. I figure three watches. Buck, take first watch and whoever wants to stay up with you. Standish, you, Nathan and whoever else from two to four. Josiah and I will take the four to six shift; whoever wants is welcome to join us. Everybody pace yourselves. We don't know what we'll be facing tomorrow," Chris ordered
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Nettie rolled out an air mattress and pulled an air pump out of her case. "These bones are too old to be sleeping on the floor," she grunted.
"I'll take care of that Ms. Nettie," Bruce soon had the mattress plumped up.
"Thank you, son," Nettie smiled warmly. "Doubt I'll sleep, but it'll feel good to stretch out."
"What about Vin?" Tony asked softly.
"Just unroll his bag beside mine. I'll see if I can coax him over, but I don't hold out much hope of him sleeping. The boy doesn't sleep much anyway, and with his rituals being disturbed he's off balance," Nettie sighed.
"Vin honey, it's time for bed," Nettie stroked Tanner's bent head. "At least come sit down beside me while I rest, alright?" Nettie coaxed.
Vin stood up and moved to the bedding. Sitting down, he shifted irritably.
"Vin, we don't sleep in our shoes," Casey knelt down and touched Vin's sneaker.
Vin frowned for a moment before untying the laces and pulling the shoes off.
"Here's your quilt honey," Nettie laid a brightly patterned quilt across his legs. "Lay down," she urged Tanner on to his side while she rubbed his back for a long while. Sighing tiredly, Nettie moved over to her own bedding and stretched out.
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"Just relax. You've taken care of us all day," Angel said softly, moving over to remove Nettie's shoes. "You're awful tense," Angel said before starting to massage the old woman's feet.
"I'll give you a year to stop that. Lord, child, that feels good," Nettie groaned.
Ten minutes later, Angel tucked the covers around Nettie before sitting back.
Vin's bright blue eyes met hers for the first time. He sat up abruptly, gently stroking the sleeping Nettie's hand, then reaching out, he hugged the startled Angel.
"You're a sweetheart aren't you, Vin Tanner? When you come out to stay I'll introduce you to my little sister," Angel teased, running her fingers through the soft curls. He lifted a hand to hide his face and peeked out between his fingers and gave her a lopsided smile, then flushed brightly pulling away. Ducking his head, he got lost all too soon, stroking his pony and again humming the disturbing melody.
"Wow," Tony whispered, offering his hand to help Angel to her feet. "You reached Vin."
"No, I didn't. He found me," Angel whispered. "He's so lost."
"He's interacted more today than he ever has," Casey joined them. "Thank you for taking care of Aunt Nettie. She just won't let me take care of her. I guess because she thinks she has to take care of me," Casey sighed softly.
"Do you need something, Vin?" Casey asked when Tanner leaned against her legs. "I'm going right over there by JD and play some rummy for a while. Angel, do you and Tony want to join us? Vin won't go to sleep, at least for a while. He'll stay here watching Nettie for me."
"Sure," Angel smiled.
The 'chicks' got involved in the card game, looking over to check on Vin regularly.
Vin sat quietly; he had taken the cards out of the wooden box and was busy laying them on the rug in different patterns before picking them up and starting over.
Jock sat quietly in a chair in front of the hearth. The rash seemed to be fading and he had cleaned up thanks to the kindness of Nettie and her chicks. He wore one of Tony's t-shirts, which hung off of his smaller frame. A pair of Bruce's sweat pants strained to contain Jock's more robust form, the elastic in the ankles preventing them from dragging the floor. Jock smiled down at the warm socks donated by Angel. I never heard of toe socks before. The brightly striped hosiery ended in individual toes. They are certainly eye-catching as well as warm.
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When it became obvious that no one was going to take care of him, Sydney Crooks huffed irritably and pulled out one of the sleeping bags out of the pile of gear. Ungrateful brats, just wait until I hand out your grades. I should have that air mattress not that old harridan. This should work nicely. Crooks kicked Cedric's bedding to the side and rolled out his sleeping bag on top of the huge bearskin rug. The head should even make a pillow of sorts. It must have been the 'trophy' of someone like that Larabee. As if going out and killing an animal makes someone a man. It's not difficult. Even a woman can use a gun. It is mental capabilities that separate the men from the Neanderthals. He can have Ivy; it's not like she's anything special. Crooks sniffed disdainfully as Ivy made a move on Larabee once more.
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"You know these bags can zip together," Ivy moved close to Larabee and cooed. "Two sleep warmer than one."
"No thanks," Chris said shortly, stalking away to unroll his sleeping bag out next to the hall door. No one would be able to open the door without waking him in the process.
"Give it up Ivy. If Chris had been interested earlier, he's not now, not after upstairs," Buck said kindly.
"He's a man, of course he's interested," Ivy snapped.
"Chris never was good at sharing his toys," Buck smirked.
"I worship the Goddess," Ivy snarled.
"Is that what they call it now days?" Buck grinned and walked over to talk to JD.
"Buck was being nice. Chris has too much class to be interested in any man's leftovers, you little tramp," Mary hissed.
Ivy raised an eyebrow and looked Mary up and down before smirking. "And he'd want a droopy old broad like you?"
"Chris loves me. He has for a long time." Mary's eyes turned almost black for an instant. "He might have gotten distracted at times, but he's mine and always will be." She hissed before stalking over to Nettie's chair and dropping onto the seat. Calmly, she began stroking Vin's hair and humming along with him.
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All but two of the lanterns were turned off to conserve batteries. One sat on a tall cabinet, acting as a nightlight to light the unfamiliar room. The second cast a pool of light over the continuing card game now involving Buck, the chicks and Ezra Standish.
Mary seemed to be dozing in the chair while Vin played at her feet. Larabee's dark shadow stretched across the threshold. Nathan was stretched out, a faint purring snore creating an almost soothing ambient noise. Josiah was propped up; his bible lay open on his chest while he dozed. Cedric sat in the darkness, hostile eyes lingering on Tanner's bent head and Ivy stalked irritably by the French doors while Crooks snored loudly from a distant corner. Steele was sitting quietly on a sleeping bag, scribbling in his notebook, pausing for long moments to study the room and its inhabitants.
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Hours later, the room was filled with the sounds of sleeping people. Ezra and Nathan sat quietly for the most part, occasionally speaking or sipping their instant coffee.
"We'd be in a world of hurt without Nettie," Nathan examined his cup.
"Indeed. She has managed to provide us with the necessities of life without the normal accouterments of civilization. Man can go to the moon or explore the floor of the oceans. But try and get his . . . posterior out of bed without a cup of coffee," Ezra smirked.
Nathan held up his coffee cup in salute. "To the feisty ladies who really run the world."
"Amen," Ezra chuckled.
Nathan thoughtfully studied Vin as he played with Ezra's deck of cards. "It's a good thing that boy isn't violent," he muttered
"Indeed it is. You do realize that young cretin Mr. Kilkenny may be correct in his speculation that Mr. Tanner is responsible for our incarceration?" Ezra commented.
"I think you're giving Kilkenny's ranting too much credit. Think about it. You said it drained you to do your 'ghost thing' right? I know it sucks the life out of me to do a healing. Does Vin look drained to you?" Nathan scoffed.
"No, he doesn't Dr. Jackson. If you will think back, he didn't appear drained upstairs after he removed that shoddy bit of remodeling either. Young Mr. Dunne does not seem remarkably affected by the use of his talent, nor does Mr. Wilmington seem overly bothered." Ezra idly examined the expensive china cup containing the pathetic, yet wholly appreciated, coffee.
Nathan looked at Vin intently, thinking back to him removing the wall. "I don't think flesh and blood could handle enough power to seal this house. Not without killing him."
"Doctor Jackson, I've felt a drain on my talent ever since sunset," Ezra revealed emotionlessly.
"You've been around a lot of ghosts," Nathan reminded defensively.
"You're being drained as well, are you not, Dr. Jackson?" Ezra asked softly
"Yeah," Nathan admitted.
"Have you considered our merry little band of talents, Dr. Jackson?" Ezra appeared to veer off topic.
"What about them? You think the house is draining them too?" Nathan asked.
"You heal. Dr. Sanchez and I deal with the spiritual plane. Young Dunne interfaces with the inanimate. Mr. Tanner manipulates 'nature' if you will, changing the laws of physics as he desires. Dr. Wilmington indicated that he 'did a little of everything'." Ezra's voice trailed off.
"I don't follow," Nathan frowned trying to grasp the conman's convoluted thoughts.
"The house seemed to be in a somnolent state when we arrived. Now, she has awakened, acquiring workmen to employ in whatever manner required," Ezra said calmly.
Nathan scowled, "You and Josiah plug into the spirit world. JD plugs into the physical structure. I'll mend any damage. Vin's like a big battery or generator maybe? What's Buck's job?"
"He's a power inverter, converting the power into a usable form. Then Mr. Larabee provides a blood tie of some kind," Ezra speculated.
"What can we do?" Nathan breathed faintly, looking around the room uncomfortably.
"Attempt to prevent the house from making a complete circuit before we can effect our emancipation," Ezra drawled softly.
"Cedric's right in a way. Tanner really might be sealing us in. If that's the case, I sure hope somebody can get him to let us go," Nathan breathed faintly.
"If all else fails, it may become necessary to sedate him," Ezra acknowledged uncomfortably.
"Funny thing about drugs and their reactions," Nathan sighed. "I don't have anything in my bag that will put him under deep and fast. Vin wouldn't have any control at all."
"You're concerned that drugging young Master Tanner will leave his abilities active and under the house's control?" Ezra stiffened
"I think it would be an incredibly stupid thing to chance," Nathan revealed.
"I will most certainly support your intentions of not drugging the boy," Ezra breathed as fear washed through him at the very thought.
Ezra stiffened as he spotted a furtive movement in the shadows. "Mr. Jackson, do not turn your head. We have a problem! Mr. Kilkenny is behaving in an extraordinarily stupid manner. I believe the young fool is intent on doing Mr. Tanner harm. He has armed himself with a pool cue."
"Why are we being quiet?" Nathan whispered.
"Unless he is caught in a compromising position, he can protest his innocence. I believe I need to visit the facilities. Mr. Larabee seems to be a rather light sleeper and I'm certain of waking him in the process." Standish murmured, calmly standing up.
"I'll be ready to head Kilkenny off," Nathan scowled.
"Too late!" Ezra lunged to his feet, charging across the room to put himself between the wild-eyed Kilkenny and the oblivious Tanner. The conman was ill-prepared for Cedric's response, throwing up his arm to deflect the whistling blow of the cue stick. Ezra's cry of pain was cut off as another blow struck his temple dropping him to the floor.
"Now for the dummy," Cedric raised the cue to inflict a brutal blow.
Nathan's shocked bellow as he charged woke everyone with a start. Nettie's eyes flashed open; she kicked Cedric in the kneecap and then threw herself protectively over her 'boy'. The off-balance Kilkenny landed a glancing blow to the old woman's shoulder.
Nathan's shoulder caught the small of Cedric's back, slamming the smaller man into the hearth, knocking the breath out of him and probably breaking ribs in the process. Cedric's head hit the stone, knocking him unconscious.
"Did you ever play football, Dr. Jackson?" Tony kicked free of his blankets and hurried over.