A/N A week late, a dollar short and still I don't own anything. I claim no knowledge of an actual search and rescue operation involving kidnapping. In this story Chris's team is a special group of people from the Sheriff's department, search and rescue and medical field (maybe others). Basically think small town that operates like the old west law enforcement.

Follow the Lights Home

Chapter 6 Bring Them Safely Back

"People often believed they were safer in the light, thinking monsters only came out at night. But safety – like light – is a façade."

― C.J. Roberts, Captive in the Dark

Chris was beyond mad; he was pissed. Buck was in deep shit. When Chris found him he'd need a lot more than a shovel to dig out of it. All would be better if Chris could have ridden right out after his nephew when Ezra came and told him of the situation. He had called Josiah and brought him up to speed and was preparing to head out. The plow and ambulance arrived too late to take the boys to safety but they arrived just as he was fixing to head out. Being the boss could be a pain in the ass.

Nathan came up with the ambulance he used to work with before he transferred to Chris's team. J.D. Dunne and Casey Wells the department's new recruits drove up not far behind the ambulance. Josiah was on his way over from searching the area around Vin's father's car. With another quick call it was determined that search and rescue was only ten minutes out.

"Wells drive Ezra back home. His horse can stay in my barn for now," Chris ordered while sending Standish a warning glare before the disagreement could leave his lips. With a sigh the boy went to unsaddle and board his horse.

Stripped of his poker face, Ezra came up to Chris on his way to the squad car. With more words at his disposal than most dictionaries Ezra could not think of a single thing to say. His green eyes meet Chris's hoping to communicate that way.

"We'll find them, Ezra," Chris reassured briefly clasping the twelve year old boy's shoulder, "I'll let you know."

He nodded his head in understanding while swallowing a lump in his throat; Ezra then followed after Officer Wells heading back home. Chris watched the car pull out wishing his boys were on their way to safety as well.

By the time Josiah and his team arrived Chris, Nathan and J.D. had horses saddled and ready to go. Once he had everyone assembled Chris told what he could, answered what he knew, and directed a plan of action. They split into two groups Josiah and Nathan led one team; while Chris took the green J.D. with him on his team.

Josiah pulled him aside and asked him quietly, "Chris, are you sure you want to take our exuberant young brother?"

"No I'm not sure about a damn thing. I don't know why anyone would take Vin. Or why my nephew would be so damn stupid to ride after goons with guns. And I'm not sure I won't kill J.D. when he won't stop bouncing, "Chris hissed, "But J.D. is my responsibility; just like Buck and Vin are. I'll be damned if I let anything happen to any of them."

Chris turned away and mounted his horse, "Chris," turning back only when he heard Josiah call him, "We'll bring them back. All of us are riding home, "Chris nodded before leading his group down the road. Chris rode behind Kojay the senior member of the search and rescue team. Kojay had been tracking lost hikers and wanted suspects in the area since Chris was in diapers. If you wanted someone found he was your man. The second group followed behind at first until the trail they were following was lost in the falling snow. Reining in his horse Chris waited for Josiah to ride up. With Kojay consulting they determined the only places for shelter in the area. Josiah and his team would head out to the mill and mine, since they were fairly close together. While Chris would lead the way to the old Royal homestead.

"Alright boys these men are armed and have a least one hostage. But Buck is riding out there too so be sure you know what you're shooting at," Chris paused to glare in warning at the assembled teams before continuing, "Let's ride!"

The groups left the road heading to their destinations praying that answers could be found at one of them. If they were wrong they would lose them if they somehow got back to the highway. But Kojay reassured the increasingly tense Larabee that with the weather and the direction the tracks were heading when they lost them indicated one of the three locations. Of course he had said it in his vague bull shit way that made Chris wonder if he had a death wish.

"Deputy Larabee?" J.D. Hesitantly called from his stalled horse.

"What!" Chris growled hoping the kid was smart enough not to ask a stupid question.

"Does this tree look odd?" apparently not then, Chris reined his horse around.

Sensing the dark mood J.D. hurried on in one breath, "What I mean, there is a fresh mark on the trunk possibly from a knife. Does you nephew carry carry around a knife? Would he think to mark a trail to backtrack or lead others to him?"

Chris paused as J.D. held his breath. Riding slightly ahead Chris found a similar mark; he returned to his team with a renewed hope. Buck loved the classics. He rode up to Dunne who had not moved or made a sound.

"Good job Dunne," Chris praised before turning to show the mark to Kojay.

Chris radioed Josiah with the find, but had him stay on his targets until they knew more. The marks began to spread farther apart and a few sported rust colored stains. Logically Chris knew that Buck, if that's who was marking the trees, probably just nicked himself. However he couldn't shake the feeling of it being a bad omen. Damn Josiah and his crows. Gun shots shattered the cold silence.

A/N I know another cliff hanger. But at least Chris is on the trail to get the boys back safely.