Chapter 7

a/n - ok so I hate most of this chapter, just could not get it to flow how I wanted, afraid any legal bits are just what I could find on wiki so apologies for any glaring law mistakes! But invoking my new year's resolution of accepting imperfections, letting go and completing stuff, I'm going to post this anyway, please be kind!

Sam couldn't help but worry about his agent as the deputy negotiated the twisting tree lined drive that was part of the ranch property. Mick had sounded ok and although he tended to play down injuries he knew how important honesty was in the field, so Mick really wasn't badly hurt, but the mental effects of the morning's events could be a problem, Sam was brought out of his thoughts by the deputy speaking.

"This is Lee's place, the Old Homestead… what the …" Sam's worry increased as the deputy swore and reached for his side arm, opening the car door.

Sam followed suit, "what is it?"

"That's Jenkins' truck," he replied, indicating the battered vehicle.

Ducking low they made their way to the still open front door, scanning the other buildings as they went for signs of movement.

The deputy reached the door first, Sam joined him a second later. After a quick non-verbal communication between them, Sam made entry first, darting around the door, scanning the room to his left, the deputy followed, looking to the right. Spotting the body on the floor and seeing that the rest of the room was clear Sam moved forwards cautiously, gun ready.

"Hey Sam, we're in here."

"Mick?" Cooper looked to his right at the sound of Mick's voice and could see him sat on a chair at the kitchen table, grinning. Breathing a sigh of relief, but still uncertain Sam kept his weapon drawn and made his way towards the archway. "You ok Mick?"

"Well I could with a real drink, but Lee here won't let me have anything stronger than water," he pulled a face and waved a glass of clear liquid.

Finally reassured that everything was ok Sam holstered his weapon, the deputy following his lead.

"So what happened this time?" he asked with a hint of frustration, gesturing towards the body. As he moved into the room he looked around, seeing a woman who had to be Lee, sitting at the table. The deputy had filled him in about her background on the drive, but still he hadn't been sure what to expect, she seemed lost in thought and not particularly pleasant ones either. Continuing his survey Sam also picked up on the rifle laid on the counter and Mick's leg propped up on a chair.

Mick grimaced. "Jenkins decided to come back and finish the job he started earlier, once again Lee here had to come to my rescue." He gestured to the woman.

"So Jenkins turned up here, after you called me?"

Mick nodded, pulling a face, "yeah, he pulled my own gun in me."

"So then what?" he prompted the younger agent, wanting to at least get the basics of the story out of him for now.

"I thought I'd had it, I tried talking him down, but the guy was a total psycho. I wasn't getting anywhere and was about to try and go out fighting when Lee strolls in with her rifle at the ready." He paused, looking across at Lee, concerned.

Sam smirked at the younger agent, having to be rescued not once, but twice had to be pretty hard for him to handle. The fact it was a woman probably wouldn't bother him so much, Coop knew that for all of the young sniper's apparently chauvinistic comments, he was used to working with women in dangerous situations, both in his military days and now in the FBI. Mick respected the abilities of Beth and Gina, and trusted them to have his back in the field, as much as Prophet and himself. But the fact he'd been a sitting duck both times would cause the self-reliant young man a few issues. Although watching his reactions as they talked, Sam realised that more was worrying Rawson than his loss of face, he seemed more than usually concerned about the woman who sat across from him, though that could just be down to gratitude for saving him.

"So Mrs Morgan took the shot?" that would explain why she had been so quiet so far and some of Mick's concern for her.

Sam took a more thorough look at Mick's rescuer, Lee was pale and looked to be in shock, not surprising really, given what she'd just done, even seasoned FBI agents had difficulties, especially with their first kill. She hadn't acknowledged their arrival beyond raising her head to look at them and then returned to nursing her own apparently untouched glass of something that looked stronger than water.

Mick followed his glance, looking concerned, "Yeah, Lee shot Jenkins," he reached out and took her hand, "it was a good shot." He reassured her.

Finally she looked at them.

"Well, I couldn't let him kill you" she said wryly, the jokey tone obviously a bit of an effort.

"You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that" he joked squeezing her hand, and turned serious "you saved my life in there, ok? Your husband would be proud of you."

"So what happens to me now?" she asked an edge of fear to her voice.

Sam and Mick exchanged glances and Sam shrugged.

"You shot Jenkins to save my agent, there'll have to be an enquiry of course, but it'll be deemed justifiable homicide and you'll be acquitted."

She nodded but still looked afraid.

Mick realised what might be worrying her.

"You won't have to do any jail time or anything like that, ok? I'll make sure of that"

Sam moved to sit on an empty chair next to her, wanting her to see how sincere he was and to put her fears at rest.

"You have nothing to fear from the law, you have my word. You defended a federal agent in the course of his duties. There is no doubt in my mind that Jenkins would have taken the shot, given the number of kills he'd already amassed. You'll have the full force of the FBI behind you."

She nodded in response, smiling faintly and looking a little calmer now.

"Thank you."

After giving her a smile and answering nod, Sam stood again, pulling out his cell phone, pleased to see that there was reception out here, only question was would anyone else have reception?

"I'd better try and get hold of the team, let Beth and Prophet know that they're on evidence collection, rather than a manhunt." Looking at Mick he continued, "We'd better get you to a hospital too and get that leg checked out."

"That's easy enough, there's a medical clinic in town." The deputy spoke up. "Doc Warren's used to dealing with gunshot wounds, folks round here just won't learn that alcohol and hunting don't mix! He'll fix you up alright, I can drive you if you like?"

"Sounds good, but we'd better wait until I can get some more people out here to secure the scene, Mick you ok to wait a little longer?"

"Sure thing Coop."

They didn't have to wait very long though as Gina and her deputy escort had finally been contacted and happened to be nearby on their way to Jenkins' place, so just diverted to join them instead. With the coroner's van not far behind them the ranch house was about to get a bit crowded, so Sam decided it was a good time for Mick to head out.

Once Gina had gotten most of the story and satisfied herself that her team mate wasn't badly hurt Sam spoke up.

"Deputy Collins, if you wouldn't mind taking that trip to the medical centre now?"

"Sure thing." The amiable man agreed.

"Mrs Morgan, you'd better get checked out too." Better safe than sorry, she had a little more colour in her face now they'd alleviated the worst of her fears, but still Sam figured she should get checked out. Plus it might reassure Mick who, Sam had noticed, kept shooting her little concerned glances.

"I'm fine" Lee replied, Sam opened his mouth to try and persuade her, but Mick intervened first.

"Hey, if I've got to go to the hospital for this scratch, then you've got to come too, look, I'll even let you hold my hand if you get scared." He held his hand out to her.

Lee rolled her eyes at him in response looking exasperated, she didn't take the offered hand and Mick pouted at her in mock disappointment. Sam raised an eyebrow at their horsing around, but figured that Mick knew what he was doing. It couldn't be easy for her to deal with everything she'd gone through that day, Mick's teasing seemed to bring her out of her shell and so Sam decided it was best to play along.

"I might need to handcuff him to you ma'am, that way you can be in charge of making sure he doesn't sign himself out A.M.A. He has a bit of a reputation for disappearing from medical facilities."

"Hey, low blow Coop!" Rawson protested "and it was only the once… well ok, maybe twice…, that time in Faluja doesn't count!" He called back as a now giggling Lee and the deputy helped him to his feet and walked him out, one of his arms across each of their shoulders.

Sam had a feeling that she might just take him seriously about keeping an eye on Mick, which wasn't a bad thing given his usual knack for avoiding medical treatment, it seemed that the young sniper might just have met his match in the woman. Musing on the similarities between the two and wondering how exactly Mick felt towards her Sam returned to the job at hand.