Tragic Miscommunication

by Katritam

*Re upload* In the wake of a terrible miscommunication...will team 7 lose one of their own. *ATF,gen*

5. Satisfaction

Tragic Miscommunication

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Okay – So I've had to repost this...not fun...Sorry if you've already read...but maybe you'll enjoy a re-read?

A/N—Thanks to all for following this little trip into the wonderful world that is Mag 7 ATF. This will, if all goes according to my plan, and the muse doesn't have any brilliant ideas, be the last chapter of this story...and I hope to resolve everything to your satisfaction, and if not, hopefully you will at least be able to see why I did it this way.

This chap is slightly less...segmented...really...it's just a long (Really, Really long) epilogue.

So, without further ado...enjoy this massive beast.

Chapter 4: The Frikking Monster

JD leapt to his feet as soon as he saw Vin moving slowly into the den, "Here Vin, you can have my seat!" the youngster was already trying to herd Vin to the kind of ugly, but very comfortable armchair.

"JD..." Vin started, but was startled by the sudden appearance of another hand on his shoulder.

"He can't sit there JD, he's should stretch his legs out...he can have the couch..." Buck's large hand was pulling him towards the three seater couch, where Josiah and Ezra were quickly getting to their feet, making room for the injured man.

"But I..." the object of their attention tried again, only to be cut off by Nathan's interference.

The medic shot to his feet, moving across the room towards them, issuing directions as he went. "Ezra, you sit back down, you're not exactly in top condition yourself" the big black man waited until the southerner sat, before he rounded on the other occupants.

"For god sake, Buck, JD, let go of Vin...stop your pushing and pulling, you're gonna hurt him..." Nathan scolded, exasperated.

JD and Buck both reacted as if scalded, leaping back from Vin, Buck worriedly asking "God Vin, Sorry ...we didn't hurt ya? You're not bleeding again?"The big man reached towards Vin; as if to check for tell tale signs of bleeding, when Vin stumbled backwards.

The sniper waved his hands in the air, a gesture of frustration unusual for the typically calm man, "Stop, just stop already...I cain't stand it..." the long hair flipped wildly as Vin paced across the room "I'm fine, I ain't breakable...I can sit on my own, been doing it for a long time now...ya'll gotta stop motherin' me...I don't need to be coddled and babied...I'm fine!"

Vin spun back around, intent on continuing his justified tirade, when he gasped, hands going to his side as pain flared across his abdomen. He doubled in on himself slightly, taking deep shaky breaths. Nathan, Buck and JD all rushed to help him, but were quelled with a ferocious glare, "Leave me alone! I'm fine..." the tracker snarled.

Ezra spoke up, playing mediator from his spot on the couch, "Vin, you're not fine, you've been shot. We're just concerned...you need to calm down, getting angry will not help matters..." he trailed of as scathing blue eyes turned to his.

Breathing still shallow and pain lingering in his voice Vin, crossed his arms, glare strong as he spoke, "I knew that's what this was all about...you're all trying to make up for what happened..." several sets of guilty eyes looked away, as their young team member continued "You don't have to...there's nothing to make up...I forgave you...I'm not angry..."

"Why?" the previously quiet voice asked, Chris interrupting from his own seat, where he had been watching the drama unfold.

Vin turned to his best friend, confusion apparent on his face "Why, what?" he asked.

Chris got to his feet, walked to Vin and steadily guided the smaller man to the couch, one hand at the small of his back, the other on his right arm. Vin allowed himself to be helped with no complaint, eyes on Chris, bafflement clear.

Chris sat opposite him on the coffee table, glad that they were finally going to have this conversation, but dreading it at the same time, leaning forward, maintaining eye contact Chris asked "Why aren't you angry?"

The others who had still been standing also returned to their seats, they wanted, needed to hear this to, also not having understood Vins easy forgiveness of what to them was the gravest betrayal of friendship.

Vin sighed, still not sure he understood, but willing to try to make them understand. "It hurt that you could believe that I would ever put one of you in danger...but I also understand that you were upset and worried about Ezra, acting on adrenaline and not thinking clearly..." Vin trailed off, not sure what else to say.

"Vin...none of those are any excuse for how we treated you...what we said, did, or didn't do...we know you...know how seriously you take your job to protect us...but we still betrayed you, abandoned you at the slightest hint..." Josiah tried his own explanation; unable to fathom that Vin could just forgive and forget what had happened.

Vin looked stunned "Betrayed...You're all here now...you didn't betray or abandon me...what are you talking about..."

"Vin! I told you to go back to the office! You were shot and hurt and in shock...and I sent you away...we ignored you, yelled and blamed you for almost killing Ezra! If that's not betrayal than what is? " Chris asked, voice intense, almost desperate that Vin understand the gravity of what they had done to him.

Vin turned huge blue eyes on them, individualizing them as he spoke "Betrayal is being with people but being alone, or being alone when surrounded by people" his eyes were glassy with memories as he spoke, "Being told that you will never amount to anything, worthless, hopeless, not deserving love or care".

Vin slumped further back into the seat, continuing in a harrowed voice "Being held accountable for actions belonging to another...watching your mother die, and not being able to do anything...knowing that the people who are supposed to care for you have willingly left you to die...having no one to trust, because anyone you have trusted before used you, or abused you..."

He was silent for a moment; the other men couldn't bring themselves to speak, knowing that Vin was speaking, though abstractly and vaguely, of his own past, which he never spoke of. They waited for him to continue, which he finally did "Betrayal cannot happen without trust...and intent...and nobody else who ever betrayed me ever felt bad about it...I trust you...like no one I have ever trusted before...and I trust that you wouldn't ever mean to betray me... and the way I see it, a betrayal without meaning...is just a mistake...and everyone makes those..."

"You's are all sorry...and a true friend, who trusts...forgives mistakes...so you're forgiven...and that's why I'm not angry..." he spoke with such matter-a-fact determination, that some of the others couldn't help but crack a smile at the 'Vin logic', which despite it, seemed to actually make a bit of sense, at least from where Vin was sitting.

Chris spoke "Okay Vin, that makes sense...but a mistake is still a mistake...and it still hurts when someone you trust makes a mistake like we did...you should be angry...at least about the fact that I sent you away without even asking if you were okay...I could have killed you!"

Nathan was agreeing, his guilt the strongest over this issue. He had allowed Vin, almost made him, walk away, and as a result the younger man had almost died, he told Vin as much.

"It's my job to keep you guys healthy...I didn't even notice...Chris is right...you should at least be angry about that...my short-sightedness almost killed you" the medic trailed off as Vin answered his statement.

"I'm not angry at all about that, I'm not angry about anything...It'd be right hypocri-..." he looked at Ezra, who nodded and Vin tried the word again "-Hypocritical- of me..."

Chris and the other stared at him, not sure that he had the right word, Vin elaborated "Well...you guys were angry because you thought I had hurt Ezra..." the team tried to interrupt him, but the sniper continued "even if you didn't mean it...that's why you acted the way you did at the time...you were angry because I almost killed Ezra, right?"

Chris slowly nodded, not sure where this was going, but paying attention as Vin continued "But ya now say that was wrong, cos you know...ya just know, I'd never hurt any of ya on purpose...right?"

Again Chris nodded.

Josiah and Ezra were starting to smirk a little, getting an idea where this was headed as Vin finished "Well, if you know I would never hurt ya on purpose, and aren't angry with me because of that...then I also know that you would never have meant to hurt me when you sent me away, so I ain't angry either...You've said ya sorry...I've forgiven you...there's nothing more to it...I'm over it... "

Chris blinked, blinked again, and then shook his head "Well how can I argue with that logic..."

Vin relaxed more comfortably on the couch, happy now that his point was across, and the others seemed to get it, maybe they would lay off the mothering now?

Chris moved to go back to his own seat, but at the last minute stopped, and leaned forwards where he was sitting, placing both hands on Vins knees, waiting for the blue eyes to meet his before speaking "Vin...your forgiveness doesn't mean that the hurt you felt is going to just go away...you may not feel we betrayed you...but the break in trust, however minute...well that won't resolve itself any more than our guilt will...deserved or otherwise...you may not feel it now...but if something starts to bother you...talk to us...it's something that will only get better with time, patience and honesty"

Vin nodded, eyes wide and serious, not truly understanding, but willing to try, the blond nodded, clapped his hands on Vins knees then got to his feet, heading back to the other single arm chair that was 'Chris's seat'.

"Good...right...pizza and the matrix!"

JD crowed as one of his favourite movies was selected, usually he had to beg and connive and bribe...but Chris's word was law.

He just knew that their leader was a secret Sci-fi geek... not that he'd ever breathe a word, after all, he valued his life.

Chris settled into his seat as Buck organised the DVD. Seeing the look of unbridled glee on JD's face Chris couldn't help himself, and ordered "JD, go put the pizza in the oven, don't forget to add the extra ham and cheese..."

JD stared at Chris, then at the TV where the Movie was already beginning to run, then back at Chris, before getting to his feet and sulking into the kitchen, after all Chris's word was law.

Vin stared after the moping agent, unable to stifle a grin as he took pity on JD and began to get to his feet, saying "Without mercy Chris...I'll go help the kid..."

Quicker than he could say 'mother hen' Ezra had pulled him gently back down beside him, Buck, Nathan and Josiah had protested and Chris got to his own feet saying..."Never let it be said that I am without mercy...I'll help JD..." he pointed at Vin, saying in a stern voice "You stay right where you are..."

Vin growled softly, but remained where he was without protest.

The others all shared a grin, Vin's easy capitulation to the 'motherin'' and Chris's 'order' showed more forgiveness than any words the tracker could say. They all knew that Vin could, had and did challenge Chris on a daily basis, and was the only one who could walk away relatively unscathed, the fact that he was choosing not to right now, said much for the trust and loyalty he still felt existed between himself, Chris and the rest of the team.

Chris turned and left the room, Vin huffed a long suffering breath before he slumped back into the seat; after all, Chris's word was law.

And at this point in time, he was much too content breathing the air they'd cleared to bother trying to challenge the law.

Vin stared at the ceiling above him, knowing that at 2 am in the morning, the others would have conniptions if they knew he was still awake, they would all have something to say. JD would be the easiest, soft concern, and ideas to help, Josiah and Buck would both be gentle, but Buck's loud and Josiah's soothing wisdom and strength was not what he wanted.

Ezra would understand, of that Vin was sure, but the southerner would still be worried, and the last thing the other injured man needed was to be fretting after him. Chris would probably yell, but his green eyes would be concerned.

Nathan would be the worst, man was like a damn grizzly mama bear, and he the youngest of her cubs!

The Medic would likely take him to task about not sleeping, and then take him to task about not asking for help to get some sleep.

Oh, he had no doubt that Nate just wanted to help, and none that the man actually could help him.

It was more the fact that he didn't want the help; he hadn't slept since the first night they had been at the ranch, two—no, three nights ago. He didn't want to sleep and was hoping that the others would not discovered that his usual night owl tendencies were bordering on insomnia.

Remembering his reason for being awake, as if he could actually forget, Vin rolled to face the window, pleased that he had left the opening ajar, sighing as the gentle breeze chased his thoughts across his face, glad for the fresh air to help clear his head of the memories.

It seemed that he wasn't quite as unaffected as he had thought. Not quite so over what had happened.

Images from the dream, the nightmare that had woken him the first night remained in his vision despite the small comfort the stars gave.

Ezra, eyes dull and unseeing, red blood dripping, spreading grotesquely across the southerners favoured white suit, turned to him, hands outstretched, reaching "You killed me Vin... "The man cocked his head, as a child would, when baffled by something "Why did you kill me...I thought you were my friend...I trusted you..."

Vin reached towards him, hands trying to stall the flow of red on the white material, and from the flesh beneath, but knowing it was too late, 'He had done this' he didn't even notice that the scene had changed until the material beneath his hands went from white, to black.

Yanking his hands away Vin looked up, knowing what he would see, but still shocked when the green eyes of his best friend found his.

Except they weren't Chris's eyes. None of the bright warmth, concerned exasperation or righteous fury remained...they were empty, hollow...dead.

"You killed him Vin..." NotChris turned a stare more terrifying than any glare on him.

Vin shrank back, hands over his eyes not wanting to look, not wanting to hear, know the truth, what he had done "N-No...Never!...No! C-Chris..."

NotChris seemed to ignore him, speaking over Vins faint whimpers of protest. "You killed him...he was your friend...and you killed him...you're worthless...hopeless...loveless...I want no friend I can't trust..."

Vin stumbled backwards with each word, hands going from eyes to ears, trying to block the words, despite knowing the truth.

Then Chris was gone, and in his place JD...

The boy had blood running down the side of his face, covering one of the haunting dead eyes, he spoke to Vin "You killed him Vin...You were meant to protect him...me...all of us... "

On an on, over and over, a different friend each time, Buck, Nate, Josiah...

Vin had retreated to the farthest point of the blurry grey dreamscape, hands over his eyes, but still seeing...still hearing...

And then JD was back, eyes staring and unseeing as the blood coursed across his face in rivers of red, seeping down onto his collar, the figure spoke "You killed me Vin..." the little head cock and confused gaze looked puppyish on JD as the boy continued "Why did you kill me Vin?...I thought you were my friend...I trusted you..."

Vin didn't approach the falling body this time, didn't try to help, instead he watched JD crumple in on himself and finally go still, blood spilling like a halo around him. The tracker stared, eyes huge, breathing harsh and laboured as puffs of air wheezed through the constricted lungs.

Then the body became Chris.

As before the man spoke, but didn't see "You killed him Vin...pathetic, snivelling coward...I need someone who I can rely on to watch my back..."

And then it was Nate in the centre of the room. There was dark red liquid seeping from the gaping wound at the medic's throat, it gurgled as he spoke "You killed him...It should have been you..."

He faded out, replaced by Buck and then Josiah.

Vin rocked back and forth, curled into a small ball, face in his knees, arms wrapped around his legs, a constant whimper forced itself from his clenched lips.

And Nate was back, hands clutching at the gushing liquid that ran from his throat, gurgling "You killed me Vin..." the head cocked, "Why did you kill me...I thought we were friends...I trusted you..."

Vin wasn't looking, but he knew when the body hit the ground almost as instinctively as he knew when Chris came.

And so it continued, the blame, the deaths.

Until Just Chris remained, and he returned, not bleeding or damaged in an outwardly visible manner, but Vin knew he was dying none-the-less.

The blond had his hands to his chest, as if trying to protect his heart, and Vin knew that this was what Chris was dying from, a broken heart.

The dialogue started. But for the first time, it differed "You killed me Vin...Broke my heart...destroyed me...You were never what I needed...how could you be...you're a danger to us...a danger to me" he walked forward, his gait off, unsteady and shakily, until he stood over the sobbing trembling form.

"Why did you kill me Vin?..."

And then Chris slumped, and for the first time since Ezra, Vin could not do nothing.

He threw himself at the falling body, lunging forward, desperate to catch, hold...to plead.

Threw himself up, and straight out of sleep.

Vin had sat shakily on the bed, breath a shallow panicked rasp as he took in the surroundings. His bed at Chris's, the window, framing his stars...

A loud snore came from two doors down, and he barely heard JD sleepy, irritated "Buck!", but it was enough.

Heaving in a great breath, the trembling became all out shakes as he rode the horrifying high to the bottom of the long jagged cliff where he was dashed against the rocks.

Stifling the distraught sobs, with his hand, Vin levered himself out of bed, hand going to the bullet wound that pulled painfully at the sudden movement, grimacing when he felt the tell tale wetness that seeped onto his hand, he had pulled a stitch or two...probably while he as thrashing around during the ...

Getting to his feet, ignoring the aching pain he stumbled into the bathroom, almost falling into a seated position on the toilet. He used the glass on the vanity to take several long gulps of water, trying to calm himself, but unable to completely quell the shaking.

Wiping his face with a damp washer he was glad that at least the tears had ceased.

Looking out the window, he could tell that dawn was only an hour or so away, and while he was unlikely to be disturbed so early, Chris was the earliest riser, apart from himself, and even then the leader usually followed the sun, but no one could predict the needs of a full bladder.

Yanking his shirt up and over his head, remembering to make a note to discard it properly so the red stain wouldn't betray him, Vin gently eased the covering away from the wound, and was gladdened that it was relatively minor, he'd just popped two stitches. Grabbing some loo paper he dampened it a little and then wiped the blood away. He snagged an older washer from the cupboard, which he folded into four and using at as pad, bound it tightly over the wound.

Admiring is handy work, he was glad that the added measures weren't obvious. Nate would be livid if...at the thought of the medic, Vins mind settled on dark hands clutching at a bloody throat, and his breath hitched, he immediately turned his mind elsewhere.

Nathan was fine, they were all fine.

If the medic found out he had popped the stitches, he would not be very impressed, but Vin was more worried about the questions of 'how' that would inevitably come up.

And there was no way he was going to tell them that, they had enough guilt already...it was a mistake for god's sake.

Conveniently ignoring how furious Nathan, not to mention Chris, would be when, not if, but when they actually did find out, Vin headed outside, glad for the first rays of gold appearing on the horizon, as he moved towards the barn and Peso.

Peso was a good companion, and Vin enjoyed grooming the horse, he found it calming as well as being productive. Peso snorted into his hair, and Vin grinned and leaned against the massive shoulder, petting the soft, glossy neck as the horse nickered at him softly. Peso was a much misunderstood animal.

His reputation included names such as devils spawn, and satan's beast, or Chris's personal favourite, 'great black bastard' which Vin thought was vaguely hypercritical, but had found no reason to actually say that to his best friend. Yet.

Peso was a magnificent animal, both physically and in personality. He was feisty, and spirited, impossible to break and as temperamental a stepped on rattler, but Vin, being the kettle, didn't mind calling the pot black.

He loved his horse, and any who bad mouthed him, seriously, he didn't mind the jokes, had better not do so in Vin's company, or they might find that the horse is the least of their worries, and that the owner is the one to watch.

Sighing again at the gentle nibbling on his ear, Vin nudged the horse back, and bent to pick up the supplies he had used while brushing the horse, he froze, a deep groan drawing itself to the surface form the pit of his stomach as an agonising pain screamed to be recognised from somewhere in the general ache that had been his side for the past few days.

Slowly he forced himself to straighten, using more power of will than actual ability, leaving the brushes and combs were they lay. He wandered over to the closest bag of grain and slumped down on it, unable to suppress the moan of pain. It just wouldn't seem to break; there had been moment here and there of the sharp stabbing pain, but nothing as terrible and prolonged as this. It was so bad that he was actually starting to contemplate calling for Nathan when it was gone as suddenly as it had arrived.

Breathing deeply, Vin settled, he knew he was to expect some pain, after all he had been shot, but this was almost, actually it was beyond intolerable...standing he hissed as the small aftershocks of pain left stinging tendrils across his abdomen.

It would probably help if he was actually taking his medication, he was taking the antibiotics as much as he hated them, knowing that he couldn't afford an infection, but the pain killers made him drowsy, which wouldn't do at all when your physically exhausted but steadfastly refusing to sleep.

Now that the pain was gone Vin could see that the sun was starting to shoot rays in the distant gloom, and decided that he would watch the sunrise from his favourite place on the farm. He slowly, and with difficulty, climbed the ladder into the barns loft, having to stop several times as the wound pulled and ached, thinking that he may have bitten off more than he could chew, but he was nothing if not stubborn and preserved until he reached the top.

Dragging his weary body over to the open hatch, he stared out; and was immediately ensured that the view was worth the climb. It was simply magnificent, one of the true simple wonders of the earth.

Sitting, he watched as the sun finally appeared and began its journey into the sky. He was just contemplating heading back down, when a yell from the house got his attention.

"Vin?"

Leaping from his perch on the low window sill, although with less than his usual grace, Vin hurried toward the ladder, hoping to avoid an encounter with Chris while he was 10 foot off the ground, but he was too late.

"Vin...are you in he...Jesus Christ Vin, what in the hell are you doing up there!"

The blond was at the foot of the ladder, eyes angry as they took in Vin's own lofty perch above him.

Sighing Vin answered truthfully, perhaps a little waspishly, "I'se watching the sunrise...is that a problem? "

Chris heaved his own sigh, and able to detect the irritation in his friend's voice, answered a little more calmly "Well, no...Of course not, but you could have watched from say...down here..."

Vin had reached the ladder and was now sitting on the balcony of the loft, eyes peering over the edge to see Chris, the sniper answered "Why? I get a better view up here..."

It was Chris's turn to snap, frustration warring with irritation "Yeah, and the doc said no heavy lifting or extended flights of stairs for a few weeks...I don't think he meant that you could climb ladders instead..."

Vin grumbled, but the blush was indication enough that he hadn't remembered the instruction, petulantly he answered "Spose not...well suns up now, I was coming back down anyways" turning away from Chris he shuffled backwards and went to step back onto the top rung of the ladder, which was a good half meter from the loft edge, the one above having broken at some stage, and Chris hadn't gotten round to repairing it yet.

Going up hadn't really been a problem, coming down however was proving to be just a little more difficult. It all lay in the fact that usually they'd just swing down, waist at the edge, and hang until their feet found the rung; the problem with this was the bullet hole that happened to be at Vin's waist.

Chris watched the smaller man fidget and fuss for a moment, waiting, until finally Vin cracked and asked for help

Only he didn't.

The tracker sat facing the rest of the barn, feet dangling a good couple of inches above the thin rung that he now couldn't see because of his own body. He eased his body forward, almost wiggling off the edge of the loft floor, and Chris realised what he intended to do an instant before Vin would have slipped off the floor, and just hoped to hell he landed on the rung, and the jolt didn't tear the stitches in his side.

"Get your ass back on that floor...you damn fool, are you trying to kill yourself?" Chris didn't wait for an answer, the fact that Vin had stopped and was now paying attention to him enough, as he started up the ladder himself.

Getting to the top rung, Chris found that this placed him directly at Vins eye level, and he watched, exasperated as the blue gaze flinched back from his, guiltily.

The blond spoke "Just ask for help Vin, it's not that difficult a concept...your too damn stubborn and self reliant for your own good."Vin had the good grace to shrink back a little more, as Chris went on "What if you had missed the rung, it's a bloody long way to the ground...as it was, even if you did land it...you've got a fricken hole in your hide that mighta ripped open!"

Vin mumbled something, unclear under his breath, gaze still not meeting Chris's.

Chris sighed, softening his tone, he asked "What was that Vin?"

The sniper winced sullenly at a pained twinge from his side, before finally looking at Chris with big blue eyes, "I'm sorry...wasn't really thinking...keep forgettin'..."

Chris nodded and clapped a hand on one slumped shoulder "Don't be sorry, just don't do it again..."he waited for Vins nod before he added "Right, let's get you down...so I can go and have my coffee...maybe two."

Vin cracked a grin at that, but looked at the blond a bit confused "Uh, Chris? Exactly how am I getting down...your kind in the way..." he looked from Chris, to the ladder and then to the ground as if to prove his point.

Chris sighed "Trust me, okay" as he took a step down one rung, gladdened by Vins murmured 'always'.

One hand on the side of the ladder and one on Vins waist, Chris leant back a little, creating room between himself and the ladder. "You, grab my shoulders and ease yourself down until you find the rung...Vin..." blue eyes turned back to him..."Do it slowly, and use me as support, I can easily take your weight... you really are gonna tear that wound open again if you ain't careful..." he missed Vins guilty look as the blue eyes dropped from his and Vin began to shuffle forward again.

Vin pretty much used his upper body strength to almost climb down Chris, at a slow, controlled speed, assisted by the hand that held him steady from the waist, Soon his feet were on the rung and Chris was making sure he was stable, as Vin rode out the increased jolts of pain in his stomach.

Finally they eased and Chris, noticing said "You okay?" Vin nodded and Chris added "Okay, carefully turn around and climb down after me." He climbed to the bottom of the ladder and stepped off, waiting for Vin who was much slower, moving carefully, and trying to ignore the painful pull every time he stepped down.

Two rungs from the bottom and a large hand on either side of his waist basically lifted him the rest of the way smoothly, and he sighed, glad to be back on solid ground, he wouldn't tell Chris, but he probably wouldn't be repeating that climb for a while.

Chris waited a moment as Vin caught his breath than began guiding the younger man back towards the ranch house, stopping to pick up the horse grooming instruments as he passed, saying to Vin a bit smugly "I bet you won't be trying that climb again anytime soon."

Vin just growled.

The dishwasher was packed and the table cleared of the breakfast dishes, except a covered one for Ezra, who was still asleep. Buck had retired to the den, and was watching the cheerleading tryouts, for 'scholarly interest' and he had managed to drag an only semi-reluctant JD with him, every few moments a dismayed half-shout of 'Buck!' could be heard.

Nathan had headed off to find some cell reception to call Rain, and let her know that he and the boys were staying out at the ranch for a bit longer. Chris himself was on the phone to some breeder upstate, talking about going to see a man about a horse.

Vin had taken a fourth cup of his tar-coffee out to the porch, settling comfortably in the old rocker that had been Sarah's. It was a fine day, not a cloud in the sky, the gentle breeze blowing the fresh air, laced with the scent of lavender and eucalyptus. Vin just sat back and relaxed, eyes closed, soaking up the atmosphere.

The soft clink of the door several moments later had his eyes opening and he greeted Josiah with a smile and a friendly gesture when the big man asked "Care if I join you brother?" The man sat heavily, as he always did, his own mug settling on the rail near Vins.

For several moments they just enjoyed the silent companionship and the glorious day. Finally it was Vin who broke the stillness and asked, voice strangely soft and hesitant, vulnerable "'Siah...?"

The big man turned his attention to Vin, his deep voice rumbling quietly, soothingly as he asked "Something on your mind, Vin?"

The blue eyes stared out at the sky, reflecting the deep blue as he spoke "Why did ya ignore me that day..." he trailed off, needing to add no more clarification.

Josiah's large frame almost crumbled in pain at the shy, uncertain question. He had know that despite Vin's ability to forgive, the depth of the pain they, he, had caused wouldn't fade so easily, whether Vin realised or admitted it.

He turned to face Vin, determined to do this right, honestly, "Oh Vin,...I am not without my faults...in fact they are many...that day...it wasn't you I was seeing...I was seeing another incident, many years ago, in which something I did, led to the death of someone I held very dear to me...by the time I shook the stupor off, and remembered that you are nothing like I am, or at least, as I used to be...you were gone, and it was too late..."

The whole time Josiah had been speaking Vin had gazed staunchly out into the distance, refusing to meet his eyes, and Josiah now used a hand to turn the small face towards him.

"I know only a little of what happened to make you so wary of people...hush...and I don't blame you at all...the fact that you can find it in your heat to trust us, me...it's astonishing...and Vin, I will never throw that trust away so blindly again...I promise to never become so absorbed in my own, or anyone else's past that I judge you by that history...I will never hurt you like that again..."

Vins eyes were glassy and Josiah could see that he was starting to comprehend what had happened, how Josiah had turned from him in shame for something that he, Josiah had done, not Vin. Finally the blue eyes cleared and he spoke, "I know you as well 'Siah...well enough to know you would never hurt me on purpose...whoever you remembered...I'm sure they knew it as well"

Josiah stared in amazement at this...he wasn't much more than a child...yet so much more. Such compassion and wisdom... the boy was comforting him, not only was all well, perhaps better than ever between them, but the boy was trying to help him with something that he had never been able to get over.

And surprisingly, the words worked, as he felt the consuming, angry guilt ease just a little, for the first time in a long time.

Smiling, he half ruffled, half caressed Vins curls, grinning "You truly are one of his chosen Vin Tanner, and I am honoured to have known you and been called friend by you..."

Vin blushed scarlet, eyes skittering away from him in discomfort as they always did when confronted with praise and affection, but Josiah wasn't letting it go.

"Thank you...my friend"

Vin reached out with shaky hands and drained the rest of his mostly cold coffee, and then rose to his feet mumbling, "Uh...need more coffee" before hightailing it as fast as his bullet hole filled body could go.

At the door he turned back, face a ridiculous, tomato red, "Thanks 'Siah...I'm glad to know you as well, man could ask for no better protector or friend." he said quickly. Vin was gone before Josiah had time to process the words, and he missed the warm smile that blossomed over the older man's face.

Vin chased his fifth coffee that morning with a can of coke and as a result, was absolutely buzzing, his fatigued body glad for the caffeine boost. Unable to shake Josiah's words or the small grin they left on his face he followed the sounds of shrieking laughter and shouts from the den, entering to a room full of organised chaos.

The TV was still running, but was currently unwatched as Buck had flipped the struggling JD over the back of the lounge, and was currently beating him to death with a cushion. A long, painful death to be sure, if judging from the inhumane shrieks that came from the boy's mouth.

JD was well and truly pinned, Buck using his size to great advantage as well as the angle he had tossed JD onto the couch, it was almost impossible for JD to move, and Vin decided to even the odds just a little.

Careful of his side, Vin grabbed the ballpoint pen of the table beside him, and with hands used to stripping a rifle, he soon had the empty round casing. Looking around Vin began to hunt for suitable ammunition, the duo still wrestling near the couch not having even noticed his entry to the room.

Finally he gathered a handful of the bright pink candy that was obviously JD's, little rock looking things called nerds, he shook his head at the absurd looking junk food, he was much more of a classic guy, but then, beggars can't be choosers. The rocks were actually quite pleasant, kind of tangy and sweet at the same time, he could go for that, but more importantly, they were the perfect size for his mini projectile weapon.

Load.

Ready.

Aim.

Fire.

Buck yelped and jumped back from JD as he his backside was suddenly peppered with little pinpoints of pain, probably twenty in two seconds. Spinning around he came face to face with...Vin.

Leaning against the door frame, hands behind his back, butter wouldn't melt in my mouth look, firmly plastered across his face.

Which he promptly ruined by asking "What's the matter Buck...is JD being a pain in the ass..."

The ladies man growled, and started to charge at Vin, when he was suddenly hit from behind by the flying form that was an airborne JD Dunne. Buck stomped around for several minutes, jumping and cursing and pulling at the limpet that, no matter what he tried, stayed firmly attached to his back. Finally, out of breath he slumped onto the couch, calling "Truce...truce...mercy...uncle...I give...I have been bested by the aerial ninja and his spunky companion the dastardly 'pink rock' ranger"

Vin snorted tossing the pen aside, and entering the room. JD's voice rose from the depths "B-Buck! Git off! You're squishing me!" he squeaked. Buck laughed and got off the boy, wiggling and thrashing as he did so, mashing JD further into the soft seat, before slumping down beside the boy.

Vin sat in 'Chris's chair' looking at the other two, "So...apart from being beaten by a handful of pink candy...what in the hell are you two up to?..."

JD's immediate grin meant that whatever it was, it didn't bode well for Buck.

Admittedly the big man took it in his stride good naturedly as JD explained, "We were watching the cheerleading tryouts, and Buck had it bad for number 11...right up until she was disqualified for being a he..." as he said this the boy dissolved into conniptions again, and Vin was soon to follow.

Buck groaned "Hell, It ain't that funny!"

Except that it was, and he knew it, so he joined in the laughing.

Finally they settled, JD was munching on some other hideous lolly, and Buck's eyes were glued to the TV again. Vin was almost too settled, and afraid that sleep might be just around the corner, no matter how caffeinated he was he spoke again.

He grinned as he spoke, hoping to incite a little more banter "Ya know JD, you're lucky I was here, Buck had you pinned but good..." the boy grinned at Bucks superior snort, agreeing with Vin "I know, he cheated, and pounced before I even cleared the couch, but I'm lucky you've always got my back..." the boy trailed of when he realised what he had said.

The silence that followed was rare among them, awkward and long.

Finally Vin broke the stifling atmosphere "It's okay JD..."

The other agent exploded "It's NOT okay Vin...it's true...you've always got my back, and when you needed me to have yours, I failed...rottenly..." his voice was angry, but it was self directed.

Vin spoke reassuringly and calmly "JD, I know you look up to me...that ya like it when I teach you to track and treat ya like one of the guys...but in all honesty, I'm just as human as the rest of you, and just as capable of making mistakes..." JD went to interrupt, but Vin beat him to it, continuing "No listen to me! You believed, wrongly as it turned out, that I had done something dangerous, and stupid...and were angry with me about it...and JD, if I had made such a mistake...and I likely will one day... I hope you will be angry with me, and not just brush it off...and then I hope you will forgive me..."

JD was listening closely, and Vin could tell that Buck was as well, despite most of his attention being on the kid "JD, you made a mistake...I was a bit angry until I understood everything that had happened...and that you were all sorry about the mistake you made...but now I forgive you...I know you'll always have my back when it counts...perhaps even because of this...everything teaches us something JD...and I think the lesson in this is that no one is perfect...and everyone makes mistakes...and we forgive them when they do..."

JD nodded, and smiled slightly, voice a bit shaky as he spoke "Thanks Vin...I really am sorry...I didn't believe it, but couldn't see any other option, cos I just didn't look hard enough...I'll make sure I always look harder from now on..."

Vin smiled at the easy acceptance and forgiveness JD could offer, and knew that none of them realised exactly what he had been through to achieve his own level of inner security, and it had all been thanks to this group.

He spoke again "JD...you're a great agent, and you're just going to keep improving...but I know you're already a better friend...and I'd trust you with anything"

JD grinned, happy that all was settled between him and Vin, taking comfort in the fact that Vin now knew that he was worth just as much in JD eyes as ever, he was about to say as much when an irate, blood curdling screech filled the house, seeming to shake the very glass in their panes.

"JJJJJDDDDDDDDD DUUNNNEEE!"

JD's eyes shot open wide, and his head whipped around, looking for the owner of the voice...before it dawned on him and he leapt to his feet, saying exuberantly "Oh crap...I think Ez just found that I tie-dyed every pair of underpants he owns...gotta run..." he took off for the porch, knowing that Ezra was less likely to follow him outside, even without being wounded.

At the hallway entrance he stopped and turned to Vin, asking "Cover for me...?"

Vin answered "You got it..." understanding that it was more than a simple question he was answering.

JD shouted his thanks as he took off, the thuds on the stairs indicative of their angry owner's journey out the front door after the wayward imp. Apparently tie-dyed underwear were reason enough to venture outside before Ezra got first cup of coffee.

Vin and Buck finally calmed down enough to choke down a glass of water each, both still thinking about the wickedly wrong glee on JD's face as he baited Ezra.

Sitting at the dining room table, knowing that once Ezra caught JD it wouldn't be long before Chris broke them up and called lunch, Vin turned to the big man opposite him.

When Vin spoke, for the first time regarding the incident, he actually sounded a little guilty or ashamed "I think I should be apologising to you...You almost had Ezra...and then got knocked on your ass by me...If I'd been just a little better, more accurate, I could have missed you completely...as it was I could have gotten either you or Ezra killed..."

Buck stared at the boy with a stunned look on his face, not speaking back yet, unable to comprehend what he was hearing, finally he snapped. Jumping up he rounded the table in two steps and knelt beside Vin, who looked startled and nonplussed, but at least he'd fallen silent.

"Junior" Buck began "Stop being an idiot...you had no time to think or be any more accurate before you threw yourself between Chris and that bullet...Chris is probably right that I was reacting partially to the sudden loss of control over the situation when I went off at you...but Vin...don't ever second guess yourself like that... and Ez and I are both okay...and Chris would probably be dead if you hadn't acted when you did..."

Vin tried to say something, but Buck cut him off with a hand over his mouth... "Still speaking here junior...It's your turn to listen for a moment...I haven't told anyone the entire truth about the incident from my POV..."

Vin looked startled at that revelation, but remained silent, although that may have just been the hand keeping his mouth closed as Buck explained "I knew it was you when you first fell...and I thought you'd been hit...I'm kicking myself now...but at the time Vin, I almost ate my own heart...had I been so focused on Ezra that I had missed someone aim, fire and kill you?...I couldn't do anything while the bullets flew, but as soon as the dust cleared, I was looking for you...and then you looked just fine...no blood or pain...I keep thinking...If only I'd said something...asked...but I was just so angry at you...for making me worry like that..."

Bucks voice was upset, an octave lower and slightly wet as he spoke of a shame he had kept hidden. Vin surprised him by leaning forward into a hug, for someone not very tactile; the boy would do anything to help a friend. Buck on the other hand, was very tactile, and he had no qualms about drawing the slight frame to his own much larger chest, shuddering at the memory of the instant he had thought Vin was dead...

Vin spoke "I'm sorry for worrying you..." Buck snorted and Vin acquiesced "Again" he added.

Buck tightened his hold as he spoke "You're forgiven...And I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions...for letting my anger and relief get the better of me...and for breaking your trust."

He released Vin and sat back on his heels a bit, as the boy spoke "I forgive you...and Bucklin...I'd trust you with anything...except perhaps Cecilia..."

At the name, Buck's eyebrows jumped "Cecelia" he tested it on his lips as he moved to the chair beside Vin, "Cecilia...I don't remember any Cecilia...did you score with one of them pretty nurses Junior?...Oh come on...don't hold out on Uncle Buck..."

Lunch had been spaghetti, cooked by Buck with JD's help, and it had been very good, if they did say so themselves, crediting Buck's Italian heritage, which may or may not have existed. JD had taken great delight in informing Buck exactly who Cecilia was, starting by telling him that 'Yes I know Vin's girl...she'd probably be happy to let you go for a ride while Vin's out of commission' and then elaborating at Bucks stunned reaction, that she was in the shed, and Vin expected her back in one piece, not a single scratch, Vin really adored his new bike.

The argument about what they were going to watch after dinner had already started by this time, despite being several hours away, but as they say, early bird catches the worm, or Chris Larabee had last say.

After lunch Vin had insisted that they go riding for a few hours, that the horses need it as much as they did, and that he would be fine, that he was just going to sleep and watch the idiotbox. Finally after much grousing, they had agreed, also agreeing to take Peso on a halter.

They were only gone a few hours and Vin, true to his word, sat around and did nothing. Mostly. He may have gone for a walk to the old lake a few minutes away, but it wasn't strenuous or difficult, despite leaving him exhausted and sore, yet happy.

The others returned just before 4pm and Chris 'allowed' Vin, as if he could have stopped him, to help groom Peso before they bedded the horses down for the night. Going inside they began the nightly battle of 'first to the shower gets all the hot water', although Vin had had his shower while they were out, and by unanimous decision they agreed to let Ezra have the first shower; they claimed it was to stop his bitching, but everyone knew the truth.

Hamburgers were on the menu for dinner, quick, simple, filling and tasty, and they retired to the den where Chris dug out an old favourite in the form of Lethal Weapon. Much laughter always ensued as the team watched the antics or Martin Riggs and Roger Murtagh on screen. Halfway through the second movie Vin excused himself, heading up to bed, claiming tiredness, this in all honesty was so true that he didn't feel he could stay awake down in the den any longer.

The others turned in not too long after as well, and Vin sat awake in a sleeping house, wary that sleep should turn to death if his eyes were to close in slumber.

Morning couldn't come soon enough for Vin and he waited until it was barely reasonable for him to be out of bed before escaping outside again, glad for the biting coolness in the air that staved off the drowsiness. He had found that the pain was another method adept at keeping him awake, but if he could get rid of that he would.

It had gone beyond the occasional jolts of sharp pain, and was now a constant piercing pain, that meant he had to mask his every movement from the others, lest they realize he wasn't being overly forthcoming.

He didn't want any of them having to come and find him like Chris had the previous morning and so he made his way back inside just as they began to stir. As each one entered the kitchen he pressed a mug of coffee, tea or milk into awakening hands, smiling at the half-asleep thanks he received.

Finally it was just Ezra they were waiting on, and everyone knew they were unlikely to see him until midday, which is why when he breezed into the room several minutes later, completely dressed, coifed and styled all they could do was stare.

Vin handed him a mug of coffee, hands acting on auto pilot as he did so, brain engaged with being unengaged in the wake of such strange behaviour.

Finally Ezra could bear it no longer and asked "What?"

Conversation picked back up, and breakfast was made and the table set as they got over the fact that the nocturnal had joined the ranks of the daylight partiers.

After breakfast, Buck, JD and Josiah agreed to head into town to get a few essentials, and grain for the horses, Chris retreated to his office, filing reports on the Johansson case, despite the team being on leave for the next few weeks.

It wasn't until Vin sat down in the den, and reached for the TV remote that he realized Ezra's reason for getting up early.

Him.

In most cases the southerner was as tricky and slippery as a damn eel, but in the matter of his friendship and relationship with those he most cared about, Ezra did not have enough experience for anything other than a direct 'face it and move on' ideal.

This is what his plan was this morning. After cornering Vin in the den for almost an hour, but yet to have said anything of importance, Vin shifted the conversation dynamic.

"Ez...If you've got something you need to say...then say it...I ain't gonna be able to read your mind, no matter how long we sit here..." the southerner actually blushed a bit, but in his defence he did plough into it.

"Of course...I just sought to address the underlying tension that I feel has come between us..." Vin just looked baffled and Ezra sighed.

"I- I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry that you got hurt...maybe if the others hadn't been so focused on me..." Ezra trailed off and Vin cut in.

"Ezra, you had a gun to your head, someone they cared about had a gun to his head...hell...someone I care about had a gun to his head...we were all watching...it was the only thing we could do...no one else would have seen the guy who took a shot at Chris, it was the height, and the sudden movement he made that did it...you have nothing to be sorry for..."

Ezra felt the warm thrill of affection that coiled in his chest, not yet familiar, and he doubted, ever growing stagnant. Returning the sentiment, he spoke "Thank you Vin...the same also applies to you...my getting shot was not your fault...you did what you had to do to save as many of us as you could...which was everyone...so you have nothing to be sorry or ashamed of..."

He stopped as Vin's cheeks pinkened and the younger man asked "How did you..."

Ezra answered "I know how you think Mr Tanner...exactly where you would lay the blame...and Vin...I won't have it...it was no more your fault that it was mine...got it?"

Vin nodded, although not overly convincingly, and Ezra pushed a bit further "No Vin...I want to hear you say it..."

Vin looked down, unable to believe how well Ezra knew him, he hadn't even realised he was still harbouring guilt about any of this...

Ezra's voice prompted him, stern and firm, yet gentle "Vin...now please..."

It was strange, Ezra had no true authority over him, but he still had the authority that Vin gave him, and he used it now, pressing the advantage, needing to make Vin see, as Vin had done so easily for him.

He placed a hand on the slim shoulder, seeming to startle Vin out of his own reverie, and the younger man spoke "I-It wasn't my fault...I-I did nothing wrong..."

Ezra smiled as he reassured the wide blue gaze searching his "Nope...you did everything right..."

Vin smiled at him, a little moist, but happy, and more at peace with himself than he had been for days.

Ezra left Vin to contemplate what he had been told when he heard the truck pull in, going to offer his help...just to see the same shocked looks he had received that morning. Besides they wouldn't actually let him help, he was injured; therefore it didn't hurt to offer.

Being lighter than you had felt in days was a wonderful feeling, and Vin revelled in it, although he did have to admit, not being heavy and weighed down seemed to make it almost easy for him to just float off on a haze of fatigue. But unless he wanted to scream the house down, he had best stay wide awake.

They unpacked the car, with a disgruntled Ezra tasked with carrying in the bulk loo paper, putting everything away, before Josiah brought the KFC they had bought in, and passed the plastic cutlery and paper plates around. Vin loved KFC, it was his favourite take out place, which is probably why the guys went there, but Vin had to disappoint them, because a soon as the smell hit his nostrils he realised he actually feels rather nauseas. He knew that lack of sleep and intense pain could do that, and so didn't say anything. He knew though, that the others had noticed his lack of appetite, and he more than half expected Nathan to call him on it, and was strangely disappointed as well as relieved when the medic does not.

As much as he hates Nathan's fussing and the stupid meds and needles, the fact that Nathan seems not to care hurts more that the wound does. There's no way he's going to seek the medic out though, the team would have him committed if he displayed behaviour that out of kind. Vin had a feeling that he knew the reason behind Nathans seeming reluctance to have anything to do with him. Hell, he'd broken the man's trust in the warehouse. Nathan's job was his life, therefore the teams lives were Nathan's life. The fact that Nathan must think that Vin would rather die than tell Nathan he was injured, must have destroyed any trust and caring Nathan had for the sniper.

Vin broke out of his melancholy musings as the others began to clear the table, he started to help, but was gently forced back into his seat by at least three sets of hands, although none of them are dark.

After the beautiful fine day of yesterday, it didn't take long for the dreary overcast sky outside to convince them that they would rather be inside. Ezra was quite happy to start a friendly poker game with Buck, Nathan and Josiah, and Chris returned to the office grumbling of his "piece of shit technology" meaning his computer, snagging JD on the way.

Vin settled into the couch, and before long was day dreaming about the foggy mountain out the window, comfortable enough in his own surrounds that he didn't even notice when he starts to fidget a bit.

But someone else does.

He almost hissed as a particularly sharp bolt of pain lanced through his side, and he tried to hide a grimace.

Not entirely successfully.

After sitting in one position for too long, he shifted, and his hand flew to the wound as pain lanced through him.

Someone lost what should be a winning hand at the table, too preoccupied by Vin to notice.

They ate lunch in the den, just toasted sandwiches and orange juice. The football was on in the background, indecipherable beneath the waves of conversation in the room. Vin once again picked at only one sandwich, although he did drink two cups of juice. His head was down most of the time, as he mused on something he didn't fully understand, and he missed the interference someone runs when two of the team try and prod him into eating.

After lunch most of them decided to have a lie down and retreated to their rooms, Vin stayed on the couch, finding it easier to resist the siren call of sleep here than in bed.

It was only a few minutes later when Buck came back into the den and approached Vin, saying softly "Hey junior, Nathan wants to know if he can take a look at you? "

Vin looked up from his stupor, a little pale and green around the gills "Tell him he shouldn't have bothered asking "

Buck gaped for a second, he knew Vin hated being fussed over and cared for with a passion, but he had never refused Nathan before, he tried to reason with the boy, not sure what was going on inside that head of Vins, or between Nathan and Vin. "Vin...Nathan just wants to..."He was cut off by the sniper.

"Just tell him." The boy turned his gaze out the window, conversation obviously over.

Buck stared at him for a moment, before he left to deliver the message, knowing it would hurt Nathan, and wondering if something had happened between the two of them other that the incident.

Buck wasn't sure what he had expected once he delivered the message to Nathan, upset or anger perhaps, but he hadn't expected the medic to smile, as if privy to some great secret, and grab his kit before heading for the den.

Curiosity piqued, Buck followed Nathan into the den and over to Vin, smiling when Nathan, true to what Vin had said, didn't bother asking. Finally understanding when Nathan just knelt near the couch were Vin was reclining, and said in a matter of fact tone, "Right, temperature first, I think" and produced a thermometer, which Vin allowed to be slipped into his mouth without even a whimper of protest from the usually maddeningly frustrating boy regarding anything medical.

Buck left the room, headed for his own bed; sure that Vin is in good hands.

Nathan looked at the thermometer again, frowning at the slight fever, and wondering at the obvious nauseousness the boy displayed during meals today. The medic noted the pale, sallow skin, that despite having been shot, Vin shouldn't be sporting quite so obviously.

"How long have you been feeling off in the stomach?" he asks and waited patiently for Vin to answer, which the boy does.

"Uh, since the KFC I think..." Vin said easily, without hesitation. Something that Nathan thinks he could get use to, fighting Vin was half the battle when the kid was sick.

"Right, and you're a bit warm...have you been taking you're antibiotics on time...you haven't missed any?" Nathan was half worried that infection could be the cause, Vin was notoriously bad with meds, and Nathan usually took charge of them and basically forced them on the boy at the correct intervals and in the correct dosages.

Vin however nodded, and Nathan knew that the sniper had never out right lied to his face before, and trusted that he wasn't doing so now. "Okay, good" he murmured, despite not knowing the answer yet.

"Next, I want to get a look at that wound...Shirt off..." he ordered, reaching for the hem of the blue shirt the kid wore. Vin pulled away, and Nathan raised his eyes to meet obstinate blue, 'Ahhh...There's the Vin I know...and love'' he thought to himself...well this was a fight he had plenty of practice manoeuvring.

"That wasn't a request Vin...you're shirt...now" the boy raised wide eyes to him, and as innocent and young as they seemed, Nathan could see the fire of stubbornness in them.

"But Nathan...the wound is okay..." Vins voice was reassuring, but the words had the exact opposite effect on Nathan, who remembered, that in Vin language, 'fine' meant anything from a hangnail to a nail through the hand, and 'okay' was just as ambiguous.

"Vin Tanner...I'm not asking again...take the shirt off..." he almost growled the order, sure something was going on.

Vin hesitated one second to long and huffing an irritated breath Nathan reached for the hem again, and pulled the shirt up, glad when Vin didn't protest, though he looked decidedly unhappy about it. Reviling the white bandage, which Nathan began to unwrap his hand were suddenly caught and held by two smaller hands. Sighing, Nathan let go of the bandage and in turn engulfed Vins hands in his own huge, gentle palms, holding them steady, but able to feel the tremble despite this.

Looking up into eyes he had learned to read, he asked "Okay Vin, what's going on?" and waited, knowing that eventually Vin, who knew he couldn't out wait Nathan in this matter, would give in.

Sure enough, it took several minutes of Vin staring at their joint hands, and Nathan staring at Vin for the first cracks to appear, but appear they did.

"I-I still trust you more than just about anyone else" as a dialogue opener it wasn't very clear, but Nathan understood exactly what Vin meant by the statement. Vin had a rather severe case of latrophobia...or fear of doctors, hospitals and the like...admittedly it was less serious now than it had been, but Nathan was still the only medical person that Vin would willingly let near him.

Nathan placed one of his hands that was now being clenched by Vins against boys chest, "Oh Vin...I never doubted it...not even for a second...I just wasn't sure you weren't angry with me for not catching the fact that you were shot of all things..." Nathan fell silent as Vin answered his revelation.

"No, no...you're not all knowing Nathan...I didn't even know I was hurt...no signs, no blood, I was never angry with you about that...only that you though I would deliberately endanger Ezra...I-I was not really angry about that either...just hurt..." he stopped, eyes still looking at the striking contrast his small, pale hands made against Nathan's dark, large ones.

Nathan jumped to explain "Never...I never thought that...I will never think that Vin...I've patched you up to many times after you pull one fool stunt after another" he squeezed the shaking hands to take some of the sting from his words as he continued "that you pulled so that one of the others wouldn't get hurt...I know you would die, almost have...before you'd let anything happen..." Nathan waited as Vin processed this, glad to see that the pale cheeks and scarily haunted eyes were much brighter now.

"Then...Why?" Vin asked.

Nathan answered as honestly as he could recall, 'You fell and Ezra was shot, you looked fine, and Ezra did not...I didn't know you were hurt, and I had my hands full with Ezra...I'm sorry, I wasn't looking out for you Vin...' there wasn't much else to say besides sorry.

Vin sighed as he answered "I'm not the only one you have to take care of...you're the team medic and Ezra was bleeding out and I looked fine...it's okay...I understand..." he smiled a watery at Nathan who reassured him.

"Next time there won't be a next time, I know now that you can appear to be perfectly fine and be half dead...so from now on, expect me in your personal space, checking you over ...I won't let any of this happen again..." he was happy when Vin looked relieved and calm, and that their relationship was back on normal standings, one last squeeze to the hands in his and Nathan let go, reaching for the bandaged torso.

"Right...bullet wound..."he said, only to have Vin grab his hands again.

"VIN..." Nathan was starting to get irritated...but this was definitely the Vin he knew and for that he was glad.

Vin refused to meet his eyes, nor let go of his hands as he spoke "Um...you're going to be mad... I know I should have told you when I did it... but I was...scared..." he almost whispered the last word and Nathan sighed at the continued delay, especially now that his fears were confirmed, but he had to remember that this was Vin he was dealing with.

When the boy had first joined the team, he had refused to let Nathan anywhere near him after finding out that the man was a medic, and it had taken months of steady work to break down the walls and get Vin to see him as a man and friend first, then a doctor, as was impossible to do with most medical personal one encountered in their lives. Nathan had never found out what had truly started the phobia, but knew it was something traumatic that had happened when Vin was very young.

It had taken a long time to even get Vin to admit that hospitals and doctors terrified him, only Chris or Nathan could keep him calm if a hospital visit became necessary, but even now, it was a challenge to get him to admit his fear, the fact that he had done so without prompting, showed Nathans that Vin was looking for reassurance that he was indeed still the friend first, and then the medic.

"It's okay Vin...I'm just going to have a look for now...I already figured that something happened, so calm down...I'm not angry..."Nathan's hand went back to the bandage and he peeled it away, eyes on Vin's knowing that if the boy freaked out, he could pop every stitch, and Nathan definitely did not want that.

Finally he got the bandage off and was met with the added pressure pad, in the form of a washer. He frowned at Vin, but kept it only at a 2, not his most volatile glare that he saved for complete imbeciles who walked around for a week with their shoulders dislocated. "Not exactly hygienic Vin" was all he said, wanting the boy to know he wasn't exactly impressed with where this was going. He eased the washer off, and the bloods stained pad beneath, immediately seeing that two stitches had popped.

'Okay...not so bad...still pretty stupid though, and unnecessary...how did it happen Vin...' he asked, expecting an answer.

Vin sighed, but complied "That first night,..." he trailed off at Nathan's glare, at least a 5 this time.

"Four days ago..!" Vin just nodded, and Nathan decided to let bygones be bygones, but not without a warning.

"That was stupid Vin, It could have gotten infected...remember the promises and rules we set when I agrees to be your primary physician despite not being a doctor" he asked the question, knowing that Vin would remember.

"If something happens, and I don't tell you, and it gets so bad you can't fix it...you won't be my doctor anymore..." as Nathan suspected, Vin remembered clearly.

"Right, you remember that...now as for this cut, I'm not going to re-stitch it, but I will keep an eye on it, and you. It's not infected, so I don't know what's causing the fever or nausea" He said, although he actually did have a fair idea, but because he knew Vin, he knew there was a better approach to it than directly.

Nathan re-bandaged the wound, and pulled Vin's shirt down, patting him gently on his good hip "Right, I'm going to go lay down for a few hours, I'd suggest you do the same..." he ran a hand through Vins hair as he got up, smiling when the boy, like always, shook the long locks back into their organised disarray, before the medic headed for his bed.

Vin sat in the den for several hours, glad that the confrontation with Nathan was over, and had run about as smoothly as one ever had. In fact he felt better about his relationship with all the guys.

Well, almost, that was.

He ran the incident over in his head again, like he had a hundred times, and each time, it was Chris's face that popped out at him, that hurt as he watched.

But he realised that Chris was not the only one who hadn't done his best to settle the relationship, for there was something he had to do as well, and getting to his feet, albeit, a little shakily, he headed towards the office, where he could still hear the gentle 'Clack...clack...clack' of single finger typing now and then.

Before his courage deserted him, Vin knocked on the office door...and waited to be bid 'come in'.

The blond was at the desk, one hand hovering over the keyboard the other grasping a pen, multi-tasking at its best, and for a second Vin felt as though he shouldn't interrupt. Then Chris turned to him, a little surprised, saying "I thought you were asleep Vin...did you need something?"

Vin sighed, shaking his head as he said "No" and started to back out, but he didn't get very far before Chris's voice coaxed him into the friendly study.

"Vin..." Chris never needed to say much to communicate with Vin, and that at least, had not changed.

Vin entered the room and closed the door, leaning against it as he spoke hesitantly, "I was kinda hoping you had time to...talk...it's okay if you don't...I just thought..." he trailed off as Chris indicated the chair next to the desk.

"Vin...I've always got time for you...what's on your mind..." the leader asked as Vin sat.

The sniper licked his lips as he spoke "I just wanted to let you know...I thought about what you said about safety protocol in that meeting...I came back to tell you afterwards...that you might have a point...I probably should at least wear a vest and harness more..." he trailed off, not understanding Chris's grin.

The blond explained "I had forgotten...I'm glad you thought about it though...I wasn't saying it for any other reason than your safety...I'd like to keep you alive if possible..." he stopped, unable to believe that the meeting had only been a week ago, it felt like forever.

Thinking back over what else Vin had said, he asked, "Wait a second, you came back to the office?...after we'd all left, why?..." He didn't need to wait for Vin's answer as it popped into his own head, "...Oh Vin, your car! I'm so sorry...I completely forgot..." Chris felt his gut tighten, how had he forgotten his best friend?

Vin was speaking..."I came back, and the secretary said you'd all gone to the saloon without me...I didn't ring because I didn't want to intrude..."he was cut off abruptly by Chris.

"Your never intruding Vin, you belong there...we just all thought you'd gone home..." again Chris recalled all Vins words, his brain settling on the sad 'without me' and hoping that he may have found something to make Vin feel a little better he added, "We don't speak about work at the saloon anyway, just family and friends...We spent the whole night discussing you..." Chris could tell by the gentle quirk of Vin's lips that the boy had gotten the message he was trying to send, that Vin was as family as it got.

The leader continued "How did you get home? I wished you'd have called me..." Chris was an expert at Vin language and could tell that there was something that the boy didn't want to tell him, so he coaxed gently, "It's okay Vin, tell me...I deserve to know" whether this was because he was a good friend or a bad friend, Chris wasn't sure, but regardless, he wanted to know.

Vin capitulated "I...Uh – I walked" he knew Chris wouldn't be impressed, and he was right.

"Vin, you walked two blocks home, through Purgatorio in the dark and...wasn't that the night of the thunder storm?" Chris wasn't angry, but he wasn't exactly calm either.

Vin just nodded, figuring there was no use denying it.

Chris kept going "That's probably why you were late and sluggish the next morning...I know how you are with the cold...Dammit!...I'm sorry...you should have called Vin..." the boy could clearly hear the self loathing and anger in Chris's voice, as the older man extracted a promise.

"Promise me that you will call if you need me...I don't care what time it is, where you are or what's gone down previously...you call me...got it?" Chris voice was determined, and Vin knew that arguing was useless, besides he liked the warm feeling Chris's protective words stirred in his chest.

"Okay Chris...but you've gotta promise to do the same..." The leader nodded, agreeing to the simple honest request as easily as his tracker had.

The phone rang and Vin got up to leave Chris to his privacy, but was gently pulled back into the seat by Chris as the blond answered the phone. From the one sided conversation Vin figured that the caller was Judge Travis.

Vin sat in silence, until Chris hung up several minutes later.

"Travis threw the book at Johansson, he'd going away for a long time...apparently we 'did good'" Vin could easily hear the self directed loathing in the bitter, sarcastic statement.

The self derision remained as Chris went on, "You should probably know that I'm also putting myself on formal review regarding my conduct after the bust..."

Startled, Vin interrupted "What? Chris, No! It was just a mistake..."he said almost desperately.

Chris answered him with vehemence "Yes Vin! And Mistakes still have consequences...I almost got you killed for god's sake!..."

Vin stared at him for a moment, unable to comprehend how Chris could do this to him.

Then he exploded "You're an asshole Larabee...haven't you already done enough? You want me to shoulder the blame for an IA investigation as well...?" Chris snapped his gaze to Vins, alarm in every feature, he tried to interrupt, but Vin had decided that it was high time that Chris heard him.

"Shut up! I know you feel guilty...you all do!...well so do I!...but tearing us apart with an investigation isn't going to help matter any!" he scooted forward on the seat, almost nose to nose with Chris. "It was a stressful situation, one we were not prepared or expecting to face, Ezra was down, emotions and adrenaline were running high...You. Made. A. Mistake..." he prodded Chris in the chest, saying "The great Chris Larabee is not perfect...he's human...and makes bad decisions just like the rest of us!"

Chris opened his mouth again, but Vin wasn't finished "Nope...quiet!...Any of us make a mistake like that, and you're the first one to forgive...well, don't hold yourself to higher standards! It was me you wronged! ME Chris! And I forgive you...yes it hurt...I thought my heart was being ripped out of my chest...yes I was upset...but I'd rather have it happen a thousand times than lose your friendship or guidance! " the brutal honesty was revealing, not only to Chris, but to Vin as well, as he allowed the fury he had been avoiding roll over him and be released.

Breathing ragged and erratic, Vin sagged back into his seat, face an unhealthy pallor, pain evident in his movements.

Finally Chris was allowed to speak, and in return, he favoured Vin with as much honesty as he had been awarded "You have my friendship and guidance forever, nothing will change that...I'm sorry Vin...I didn't think of it from your perspective...I won't be going near IA, this is a family matter..." Chris sighed with relief as Vin relaxed a little more, pain lines easing around the blue eyes.

"I'm sorrier than I can say that I hurt you, and broke your trust, especially when I know how hard it is for you to give it...and I don't know if I will ever truly forgive myself for that...but Vin, your forgiveness makes it easier to believe that I will."

He saw Vin's small nod of approval, acknowledging that this was all Chris could offer at the moment, and gladly accepting it.

Chris continued "I've watched you be beaten, drugged, kidnapped, assaulted, shot, stabbed and strangled too many times to count...and even though I knew you wouldn't have, at the time, and with everything going on, Ezra already being down, already being worried about him, and you appearing unhurt, it was easier to face the fact that you pulled a stupid stunt, than you sacrificing yourself for me again, which is exactly what happened..."

Vin tried to get a word in, but Chris wasn't finished yet.

"I know... I'm not asking you to not try and protect us; it would be as pointless as you asking me, but Vin...don't fault me, or the rest of the guys, for wanting to safe guard you as much as possible... this whole incident, on my behalf, was me wrongly handling my concern for you...I should have just spoken to you...I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you would never, ever, endanger one of us willingly, and Vin, when I said that, it was a heat of the moment cop out, I didn't mean it at all...you just seem to get under my skin like no one else...in both a good way and a bad way... I don't ever want to lose you...and it was easier to confront you with anger that terrified concern after I realised that you fell...All I can really say is that I'm sorry you...we... had to go through this...but I think we might actually be stronger because of it...and that I personally will never let it happen again...we'll never turn from you like that again"

Vin heard what he needed to hear, had needed to hear from the beginning; in Chris's reassurance, and most of any residual emotional turmoil disappeared, leaving him feeling more untroubled than he had in days.

Chris got to his feet and helped Vin to his, careful of the painful wound, glad that their unspoken bond didn't appear to have taken any damage, and did indeed seem to be forged stronger between them.

Vin knew that Chris knew, but felt the need to put it into words anyway, to make it real "Thanks Chris..."

The leader just hugged the smaller form to his side gently for a moment, allowing his own silent reassurance and answer to seep across the bond, gladdened when Vin tightened his own grasp in response, both men truly believing that all was going to be just fine.

"Right...I'm on dinner duty...any suggestions...?" Chris asked as he led the way towards the kitchen.

All of the men noticed the newly re-found balance between Chris and Vin over burrito's and peach cobbler that night, and were beyond happy when the usual team dynamic was back in place as they gathered in the den to watch the hilarious Jack Sparrow cavort around in "Pirates of the Caribbean'.

As like the previous night Vin got to his feet at about 8:30pm, halfway through the second one and said his goodnights, unable to stay awake much longer in the cosy atmosphere of the den.

He lay in bed, counting stars, happy that team 7 was back, as strong as ever, but finding that one downside of not having the emotional rift to concentrate on anymore was how it accentuated his exhaustion.

Finally he had to resort to silently pacing the floor, the cold, movement and pain keeping him awake.

In the den below, Nathan turned the sound down as Jack repartees with his 'Jar of sand' and turns to the others.

"I'm right to think we've all spoken to Vin...and everything is as normal as its going to get?" he asked.

The others all nodded or agreed, and looked relived that things had been sorted out, and not left to fester and rot.

Nathan sighed..."That good, very good...but we may have another problem on our hands..." at the worried looks he elaborated.
"I checked him over this afternoon, and the wound seems to be healing okay, although he had popped a couple of stitches..." at the angry looks he reassured them, "It's okay, I dealt with it...I doubt it will happen again...but that's not my concern...he's got a low grade fever and I noticed he only picked at his dinner tonight, which is becoming the norm, I'm thinking nausea...and he's taken to trembling of the extremities..." the others all looked worried as Nathan continued 'Now, he's Vin...so he hasn't said anything...but I'd bet my bottom dollar it's sleep deprivation and exhaustion...'

At the other startled, questioning looks he explained "I'm thinking nightmares...and being Vin he doesn't want to be a bother...so he won't come to us...and trying to force it out of him would be like hitting an old nag with a fly swatter, he'd just keep getting more and more ornery, and more obstinate in his decision...so we need to address this before he crashes and burns...but not directly"

The others nodded their agreement, and Nathan began to outline the skeleton of his idea for them, "I'm thinking that hi..."

By 2am Vin didn't need to move to stay awake, the screaming pain more than enough stimulation as he lay on the bed. He considered calling Nathan, but knew that would just lead awkward questions that would no doubt get him in trouble with the medic and their leader, as well as earning the disappointment of the others.

And besides, he wanted to avoid sleep, and was doing so successfully at the time.

By 6:30, he was in the kitchen, searching for coffee, only to find that they'd run out, the same seemed to be true of the coke. Sighing, but not overly worried he had a hot milo instead, sure that he was immune to the effects of caffeine anyway.

Chris came down not long after, greeting Vin with a cheery, "morning!" to which Vin grumbled but didn't reply, the first indicator that all was not well, Vin was the teams infamous morning person.

Pouring himself a juice, Chris began to make toast, offering Vin a piece, which was declined. They ate breakfast, the rest of the team trailing in one by one, Ezra last at almost 9am, quite considerably early by his standards. Each asked Vin how he was feeling, and each time the answer was more surly that the previous, and it soon became apparent that the young sniper was not in a good mood.

It became even more evident as the day went by.

Every time one of them helped him get up, or sit down they were snapped at.

Every time one offered to do something for him was rewarded with snarl.

Buck got told to "shove off" when he offered to brush Peso.

Vin was nowhere near that polite when JD asked if Vin wanted to borrow his game boy, his furious roar sending the boy scurrying backwards from the usual gentle, kind man suddenly turned irate, belligerent fiend.

Vin told Josiah to shove the offered glass of water up his ass, to which the giant did not take to kindly, but held his temper knowing that this was typical Vin avoidance, 'make 'em so angry, they want nothing to do with you' tactic.

Chris wasn't quite so lenient.

"Vin Tanner! That's enough! "Vins eyes flashed to his and Chris could see the rebuke forming on the tight lips. He reached across and sealed the foul mouth with a hard hand "Enough I said! One more foul word or bad tempered comment and I'll wash your damned mouth out myself..." Vin's eyes widened at the threat, but it was nothing he hadn't heard before, he glared his dirtiest at Chris.

"Wipe that look off your face. Now!" Chris ordered, continuing only when the glare became less murderous "You should be ashamed of yourself! We're only trying to help, but your acting like a selfish little bastard..."Chris knew Vin well enough to aim true, and the words easily took the belligerent wind out of the boys sails, and he wilted before Chris's angry gaze.

Chris was about to say something else about Vins unsavoury behaviour when the boy broke, refused to meet his eyes, just staring at the small hands in his lap. Sighing, Chris softened immediately, knowing how Vin hated being out of control, and knowing that being ill was one sure way to lose control.

Turning the small face towards him, having to pull against the reluctance, he spoke, much more gently this time, noting the embarrassed pink cheeks and pale skin. "Vin, we know you are sore and tired and sick of being out of control...but that doesn't give you the right to act like a child and lash out at everyone here, we all just want to help you."

Vin had the good grace to blush and duck his head, sighing as he followed the unspoken demand "You're right...I'se just...Sorry guys..."his apology was greeted by a barrage of 'It's okay's and we understands'

Chris spoke again, wanting to make sure the message got home clear, not wanting to have to deal with this every few hours. "If you had known that it would hurt like this...would you avoid jumping into the path of that bullet?" he asked.

Vin immediately replied, with no hesitation "Never" and stopped, seeing Chris's point "Right, sorry..."

After that he became a lot more cordial, quiet and sullen, but more polite, and the others were careful not to push the independent young man too far.

The day passed quietly, with no more drama, other than JD and Buck's regular banter. Chris pulled a casserole from the freezer for dinner, which Vin picked at until they moved the show to the den. He went to sit in his usual spot in the recliner near the window when he was pulled down onto the three seater between Nathan and Chris; who gave up 'his chair' to Josiah for the night.

Lord of the Rings was loaded in the machine, and the soothing opening music wafted from the speakers. Trap set, the others sat and waited. At 8:30, like the previous nights, Vin went to get up and leave, only to find himself retrained by a hand on both knees and shoulders.

Looking at his friend on either side of him, Vin Flinched a little at the unwelcome restraint but wasn't overly worried, "Uh...guys...I'm going to go to bed...I'm tired..." he trailed off as Nathan spoke.

"I know..., exhausted in fact...because you're not sleeping..." Nathan knew he had been right when despite the denial Vin blushed red and refused to meet his eyes.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about...let go..I'm going to bed..." he tugged uselessly at the hands that held him, starting to panic a little, unable to stand the lack of control on top of everything else.

Chris stepped in "Calm down Vin, your being silly...it's just us, you know we won't hurt you...we won't let the nightmares hurt you either..." he said gently.

Vin stopped his useless struggle, looking at Chris "How...I don't...", Nathan answered the unasked question.

"I can see that you are exhausted...your eyes are bloodshot, your pale, nauseous and have the shakes...all signs of sleep deprivation...the nightmares were just the best theory..."

Vin looked down, embarrassed by his weakness.

"Vin Tanner, look at me...every person in this room has had at least one nightmare about what happened in that warehouse...there's absolutely no reason to feel ashamed..." gladdened when Vin took his words at face value and swallowed deeply, meeting his eyes.

"I can't sleep...I won't...I don't want to dream about...that...again..." he shuddered at the memory of his notfriends, and the other men got the idea that they had underestimated the horror of Vin's dreams, just by the look on the boys face. "You need to sleep Vin, you going to go into overload if you don't, and then you'll crash and burn, and I won't have it!" the medic said.

Chris interrupted "You sleep down here, with us about...we'll wake you at the first sign..." the leader knew that the boy's exhaustion and fatigue would be the true decider, Vin already trusted them enough.

Vin thought for a moment, he was so very tired, coming to a decision, "Promise..." he asked.

The others all agreed, offering promises and agreement.

"Fine...I'll do it..." Vin agreed, and they settled back into their seats, JD pressing play on the paused movie.

Vin leant back against the back of the huge couch between the two men, eyes shut but body rigid. Chris soon grew impatient waiting for him to relax, he grabbed the boys arm, "For god's sake Vin, you've fallen asleep against me plenty of times...lie down" and pulled the boy towards him careful of the wound.

Buck chucked a cushion at them and Vin ended up curled on his side, head on the pillow on Chris's thigh and legs tucked up between himself and Nathan's lap. It looked uncomfortable and scrunched up as hell, but the others had seen Vin fall asleep like this many times.

Nathan checked that the bandaged flank was facing up, and not tucked under Vin's side against the couch, and satisfied, they all turned back to the movie. Several minutes later and Vin still hadn't fully relaxed, tense between Chris and Nathan. The leader dropped his hand to the curly haired head, long fingers carding through the hair, trying to reduce the unease that Vin was feeling. Nathan's hand on his lower back, gently rubbing also bought a small measure of comfort, but still Vin didn't drop off.

Nathan was nonplussed, he had been positive that once Vin accepted that he was going to sleep, and lay down that the boy would be out like a light bulb, his exhaustion was so severe, but nearly half an hour later and he was still taut and tense, seemingly unable to relax.

A horrible thought occurred to him, one he wasn't sure he wanted to contemplate, but he couldn't think of anything else. Not wanting to wait even an instant more if he was right Nathan said "Pause the movie JD" and turned to Chris and Vin... "Vin...I need you to roll onto your back ... " Vin grumbled tiredly but let Chris help him to turn over carefully.

Nathan lifted the boy's shirt, ignoring his protest, and bating hands, which Chris grabbed. The medic ignored the bandaged area and instead focused his attention on the flat expanse of exposed abdomen. He placed his finger tips just under Vins navel and pressed down firmly.

Vin's response was instantaneous, a severely pained cry broke free of usually taciturn lips, and one hand got free of its imprisonment and tried to push Nathan's hurting hands away from his body, as he thrashed, trying to get free.

Chris gathered the hand back, as Nathan spoke "Sorry...I'm sorry..." hand warm and pain free against the rigid muscles. The pain gradually faded, and Vin calmed.

As he calmed, Nathan seemed to get angrier, and by the time Vin could breathe deeply, without hitched breaths the medic was furious, and it was clear in his voice "Vin, when was the last time you took your pain meds?"

The snipers eyes slid away, and he refused to acknowledge Nathan, but the medic was adamant, a large dark hand dragged the small face back to his and he growled "Vin Tanner...when was the last time you took the pain meds?"

Vin answered, knowing it was inevitable "Uh...t-the first night..." Nathan's dark look, became positive stormy, and he clenched his hands, as if to stop himself from physically shaking the boy.

"Goddamit Vin! You were shot through a wall of muscle...the meds were to help them stay relaxed! I don't even want to contemplate how much pain you've been in...Why the hell did you stop taking them?" the medic was irate, unable to believe that Vin would do anything so stupid.

Vin sighed, knowing he couldn't make it any worse anyway, said "They make me drowsy..." Nathan looked prepared to launch into another spate of yelling when Vin eyes registered with him, softening immediately he spoke "The nightmares were that bad?"

Vin didn't meet his yes, just nodded as he answered "Nightmare...I only had one..."

Nathan sighed, and ran a hand over the taught abdomen, speaking gently now "Oh Vin...You should have come to me...I could have given you something non drowsy if you were so adamant...JD go and get Vin's meds...Buck...a glass of water please"

Vin swallowed the tablets without protest, actually looking forward to not being in pain and knowing that Nathan would be fit to be tied if he did refuse.

The guys all returned to their original positions with Vin curled between Nathan and Chris. The battle of Amon Hen was watched with avid interest, Boromir dying in the arms of Aragorn, declaring his loyalty. Chris's hand passed over the long hair again, smoothing it back from the pale face. Nathan held the warm compress to Vins stomach, hoping to ease the pain until the meds kicked in.

The credits started to roll and JD switched to 'The Two Towers' and they settled in to watch. The men on either side of Vin knew the moment the pain meds started working, as Vin relaxed against them, body limp.

The music rose in crescendo and flowed as three of the fellowship, led by the blond elf, tracked the two halflings across the wilderness.

Gandalf the white had just appeared when Vin first fidgeted, just a small movement, perhaps no more than repositioning for comfort, after that though, Nathan and Chris's eyes remained more on the boy than the movie. The Ents had just gone to war when Vin flinched violently, and whimpered, hands coming up, as if to block his vision...

A soft litany fell from his lips "No-No-No-No..." the already pale face going ashen.

Wondering what the hell was causing this, Chris started turned to Nathan for advice "What do I do?"

Nathan was about to answer when Vin distinctly calmed.

The medic spoke "You speaking seems to help...just talk to hi...", Vin sighed as Nathan's voice rumbled above him, the boy relaxed back into peaceful sleep.

"All we have to do is talk..." Buck threw in, happy that it was something he was going to be able to help with.

Needless to say, the DVD remained on pause for the rest of the night, and several after that, as voices rumbled above the sleeping boy, calm, safe and secure in his dreams, finally on the road to complete recovery.

Epilogue

After two weeks leave and a further two riding a desk, both Ezra and Vin were granted the leave to return to full duty.

For the first few months it seemed that the situation and circumstances had mellowed the sniper; he wore his vest and harness without complaint and followed safety protocol where possible.

Chris was pleased.

And then it was on the 'safe' field exercises that the vest failed to appear every time.

And Chris was not so pleased.

Before too long they were right back where they started from, Vin arguing and refusing vests and harnesses, not following protocol, ignoring procedures.

And Chris was pissed.

He tried everything, reminders, memos, threat and bribes, usually to no avail.

The case they were going in on was eerily similar to the Johansson bust, and they were all feeling it, each tense and nervous. Geared up, decked out and equipment ready, they were just waiting for Vin to finish checking the sight on his rifle, and JD to double check the tech gear for the van, before the op was a go.

The store room door clattered open and the slim long haired figure emerged, rifle in one, harness in the other, but no vest.

Chris called "Vest, Vin!" which was promptly ignored.

The leader stormed over "Vin...go put your bloody Vest on!", giving the sniper a gentle shove towards the room.

Vin turned back, eyes stormy "I ain't wearing a vest on this one...need to be manoeuvrable..."

Seeing he had a fight on his hands, Chris squared his shoulders, snarling "We're all wearing vests...everyone...now go put it on!"

Vin just yelled back "NO! I said I AIN'T wearing a vest!"

Chris stormed into the back room himself to retrieve the garment.

Nathan marched over to Vin, "Goddammit Vin, don't be a fool...these guys are armed and dangerous...you need to wear the vest...I don't wanta have to be digging any more bullets out of your stubborn ass...now go!"

Vin is about to tell Nathan where he can shove it, when he is suddenly blinded from behind as something black and heavy is forced over his head.

Buck wrestled with the smaller man, determined that Vin was going to wear the vest, after what happened last time they faced a group like this...

Despite Buck's much greater size, Vin was a hellion, snarling and flining himself away, equally determined he wasn't wearing it.

"Git the HELL off me Bucklin!" Vin shouted as he finally pulled free of the big man's grasp, flinging the vest to the ground.

Josiah shook his head disappointedly at Vin, sure that the boy would capitulate if he stopped and thought rather than just fought against them.

Ezra tried his hand "Thirty of your favourite chocolate Vin...in return for wearing the vest?"

Vin just glared, saying "I'm not wearing the stupid vest! It restricts my ability to move, and I'm not in a location where it's necessary!"

It became a standoff, each man refusing to give, Vin holding off all five of them, adamant that he wasn't wearing the vest.

The door clattered open, and JD entered pulling his wheelie trunk of gadgets, speaking as if he didn't notice the tension, he said "Right, I 'm ready, we can go now..."

Buck turned incredulously to JD, as if to say, 'uh, you didn't notice? We have a slight problem here', when he noticed something odd.

He asked "Where's your vest JD?"

The boy turned wide eyes on him, "Oh, I ain't wearing one."

As one six voices exclaimed "What!"

JD answered, still light and airy "Well It restricts my ability to move...and I'm in the van, that's not a location where a vest is necessary..."

Seeing the stunned looks he was receiving, JD put the last nail in the coffin "Besides, Vin's not wearing a stupid vest."

Vin wore the stupid vest.

***THE END***

A/N—Okay folks this is it, the end.

I did the best I could to wrap it up...not sure how well I did but this chapter is a frikking MONSTER at 35 pages.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let me know what you think, or if I missed something.