Chapter: 27

The Twelve Angelic Orders/The Fourth Choir

Angels of the World: Govern all of the World

The Fourth Choir Angels find themselves intricately involved in human affairs and are considered the Angels of the Earth and the friends of man. They constantly weave in and out of our lives, listening closely to human affairs. The Fourth Choir Angels include the Principalities, the Archangels, and those simply called the Angels."

These three Angelic Orders are charged with relations with mankind, and thus the "least Divine" of all the Angelic Orders. From Divine Diplomats to Heavenly Socialites.

The Fourth Choir Orders are the developers of politics and the arbiters of taste, bringing the discipline of abstract structures to the corporeal realm.

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh.

Psalm 2:4

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The six men stood in the hospital waiting room, awaiting word from the doctors on their two friends.

Buck paced the floor with a vengeance, his nervous tension emanating through the quiet silence.

The others watched him as he went back and forth from the door of the room to the window of the room on the far other side.

After awhile, Josiah stood up and became a barrier in his path. “Buck. Sit down. You’re making the rest of us antsy.”

“What the hell are they doing in there anyway?” exclaimed Buck. “It’s been hours.”

“Buck, they doing all they can for them,” explained Nathan. “As soon as they have them stabilized, they’ll let us know.”

“I just don’t like it, Nathan. Are you sure we can trust these people?”

“Trust me, Buck. We can. I know these people and Chris and Vin are under the best care in Vegas.”

Just then, an elderly doctor with white hair and blue eyes walked into the room. He looked harried and from the look on his face, they knew the news was not good. They all rushed to the man, almost startling him.

“Nathan?”

Nathan moved to the forefront of the group.

“Dr. Cohen.”

“Well, Mr. Tanner has a lacerated lung from one of his broken ribs. We’ve stabilized him and he’s in ICU at the moment. We believe he can be moved to a regular room in the next day or so if his tests look good.”

“And Chris?” asked Nathan tentatively. He knew from his own professional experience that when they had brought him in he was the more critical of the two.

“Mr. Larabee is a more serious case. Both of his wrists were slit, but fortunately for him only the right one reached a major artery. He’s still in surgery and should be out in the next hour or so. They’re repairing the damage done. He lost a lot of blood that we have replaced. Lucky for us we have his blood type on hand. Besides malnutrition and being dehydrated, we also found an unidentifiable substance in his blood stream.” At this doctor paused, not knowing how to address the situation. “Is Mr. Larabee a drug user?”

The six men stood silent. They did not know how to answer him.

“I need to know. It would explain the reason for the attempted suicide. It is a known fact that drug usage can lead to depression which in some cases causes suicidal tendencies,” he explained. Dr. Cohen saw the hesitation in their eyes.

“Listen, it’s very important to know this information on the patient in order to know how to treat him. Nathan?”

Nathan nodded and said, “Yeah. He was taking barbiturates. He’s been under a lot of stress since the death of his wife and son.”

“Well, Nathan, I can tell you what is currently showing up in his bloodstream is definitely not barbiturates. This drug seems to be a sort of designer drug, a mixture of three drugs. We identified one of them, but we can’t seem to identify the other two.”

“This is news to us, Doc,” responded Buck. “We only know about the pills.”

“Well, then we’ll have to wait until Mr. Larabee is conscious. Nathan, I’ll keep his condition out of the records. I’ll assign special nurses for him and Mr. Tanner, so you don’t have to be worried about information leaking out. These two nurses are very good about keeping patient information confidential. But I will also list them as Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones just in case. We’ll say they are out of state businessmen who were in a car accident. That you should keep certain people uninterested,” he said winking at Nathan.

“Thanks, Dr. Cohen,” replied Nathan.

“No problem, Nathan. We owe you too much and I can’t find a better way to return the favor. I’ll let you know as soon as Mr. Tanner and Mr. Larabee are conscious.”

“Thanks again, Doc,” said Buck as the doctor walked out of the room.

“Nadia,” came a whisper from the other side of the room.

“What?” said Buck, turning around to see who had made the comment.

“It was Nadia,” said Lucien defiantly.

“Nadia?” questioned JD.

“Yes. The drug was from Nadia.” They all turned to look at him.

“And how would you know this?” asked Buck suspiciously.

“Because when I was out in the streets while you guys were enjoying the perks that came with being an archangel, I kept an eye on Nadia and her dealings. Her husband’s main business in the organization was drugs. Nadia especially accelerated in designer drugs, her and her young modern scientists. I don’t think they were made for street consummation or sale. I think she had something more diabolical planned for them and I think Chris was one of her experiments.”

“Do you know what kind of drugs they were?” asked Nathan hopeful.

“No. But I do know that due to a report that sort of accidentally slipped into my hands, that one of the chemicals used was a sort of an inhibitor remover.”

“A what?” questioned JD. “What the hell is that?”

“An inhibitor remover, my dear Mr. Dunne, is something that creates euphoria and destroys a person’s inhibitions, making them more susceptible to suggestions, thus obliterate a person’s moral conscience,” explained Ezra.

Nathan turned to Ezra surprised at his knowledge. “And how do you know this, Ezra?”

“Let’s just say that in my dealings with known felons and reprobates that this is not the first time that I have heard of the utilization of such substances.”

Josiah eyed him suspiciously as did the others. But they knew with Ezra, there was nothing of the criminal underworld that he did not know.

“So, Nadia was trying to brainwash, Chris,” said Josiah in thought.

“I believe so, Josiah,” answered Lucien. “It seems that if she could not get Chris to stay with her by his own choice, then she would take that choice away.”

“But that doesn’t explain why she want Vin too?” ventured JD.

“Maybe that was only a coincidence. We know Vin went to look for Chris. She might have thought that he would ruin her plans,” suggested Nathan.

“With Nadia, nothing is a coincidence,” retorted Buck.

“That’s for sure,” agreed Lucien.

“Well, then one of us stays with Chris and the another stays with Vin. Josiah, you stay with Vin. Buck you stay with Chris. We leave neither alone at anytime,” stated Ezra. “JD, you and I have some research to do on our Nadia Diaz. Nathan, keep working with the good doctor and see if they can decipher what kind of drug was used on Chris. I’ll contact our gracious benefactor Chief Travis and let him know that we have found our lost angels.” He then sat up from his seat on one of the waiting chairs and walked started towards the door.

“I’ll stay with Chris,” piped up Lucien.

Ezra studied him carefully and saw the nod that Buck had given him that it was fine by him.

“Okay, Lucien. You stay with Chris. Buck, you go with us. If anything happens to Chris or Vin, use the cell phones to contact the rest of us.”

“Ez!” called Buck.

“Yes, Mr. Wilmington?”

“You sure do make a good, as you say, illustrious leader,” said Buck chuckling.

“Mr. Wilmington, your jokes have little to be desired,” said Ezra frowning and walked out the door.

He did not see or hear as the others burst out laughing at his indignation.

* * * * *

Nadia had reached the Twenty-One Club within the hour. She could not be late for her meeting with Marco considering she had lost Larabee. She knew if she told him that he would be upset about the lost of Larabee.

Although it was important for her to contact Marco, it was not her top priority. Her main concern was about the fact that Larabee did not walk out all on his own, at least not with all the blood they found in the bathroom and bedroom. Based on the evidence of the found straight razor with his blood on it, it looked like her beloved blond had tried to take his life. His friends had taken him away, but she did not know if he was dead or alive.

She was vexed by the whole situation. She did not think that the drug would cause depression. It never did in any of the other experiments, but she reminded herself that that was exactly what they were, experiments and not conclusive results.

Her other issue was that she no longer had Archangel Gabriel either. At least when she had Larabee, she knew the lanky, Texan would return. Now she had lost both of them. But Nadia, knowing herself, it would not be for long. She would have them back, alive or dead.

She walked through the club to Marco’s usually table. She would have to put Marco off for a little while longer.

He was sitting alone but she knew that would be only until their meeting was completed. Marco’s sex drive was insatiable and sooner or later he would acquire what he needed to stave off his cravings. Nadia pitied the poor girl who had to deal with him.

Nadia took her seat across from Marco. Her bodyguard, Devon stood off to the side, his eyes sidling over to Marco and winking. Marco made a slight nod confirming that he understood.

“Well, Nadia, dear, you are looking lovely, as usual,” said Marco smiling.

Nadia grimaced at the look. She really hated the man, but sometimes you slept with vipers to get what you wanted.

“Thank you, Marco. You are looking you’re normal handsome self today. You must be in a good mood, huh?”

“Yes, I am. And it’s all because you came back to see me, with good news I hope?”

At that comment, Nadia stood straighter and leaned closer to him. “Marco, I have some bad news,” said Nadia folding her hands into her lap.

“And that is?”

“I need a little more time to get what you want,” answered Nadia.

“Time is running out, my dear,” said Marco annoyed.

“I know, Marco. I just need a couple of more days. I am sure I can get what you want,” said Nadia “It’s just that it is proving to take a little more time than I anticipated.”

“I hope you know what you are doing, Nadia. We don’t have much time. I must get that list back and Larabee knows where it is. If my father finds out that I lost it, my life won’t be worth a damn.”

Nadia smiled inwardly at that comment, but she only showed sympathy to the man. “You worry too much, Marco.”

“And you do not worry enough, my dear. If you fail…”

“Don’t worry, I won’t,” she said standing up.

“Contact me as soon as you have succeeded.”

“I will, Marco,” she said and walked away towards the exit.

The other bodyguards followed Nadia towards the door, but Devon stayed a little longer.

He looked at Marco with eyes of knowing and said as soon as Nadia was out of hearing range, “She won’t, Mr. DeCorsia. I will make sure of that.”

Marco only nodded as just then, Nadia called from the other side of the room.

“Devon! Let’s go!”

“Coming, Miss Diaz,” replied Devon, cutting through the crowd to hurriedly join her.

As they walked out of the club, Marco smiled wickedly. He thought to himself, “Well, Nadia, it seems I’m smarter than you are.”

* * * * *

Josiah sat in the hospital room that contained Vin Tanner. The nurse had just come and left, after she had changed the IV and added some medicine to it.

She had told him that they thought he was regaining consciousness and knew it would not be too long before he became fully conscious.

And that was what was worrying Josiah, that Vin would awake before they had any good news about Chris’ condition. He knew that the lanky Texan would worry himself sick about it. He hoped that they would have better news before he awoke, but the doctor had came by earlier to examine Vin and had said there was no change on Chris.

They had each went to see Chris in his own room at ICU and it frightened them to see their friend surrounded by all the equipment that beeped with every heartbeat, the oxygen mask over his face that covered up the eyes dark with circles that told of his ordeal. He could not see Vin being able to deal with it. The soft-spoken Texan’s heart would just break.

He watched as Vin started to stir, the stark white bandages surrounding his chest, stood out against the pale skin. Vin had gone through his own ordeal and had barely made it himself. Josiah could not think of what would have happened if they had lost them, he refused to think on it.

He walked quickly over to the bed and grabbed Vin’s hand. It was slightly cold to the touch and Josiah started to rub it to warm it up. “Hey, Vin. I know you’re in there, son. Why don’t ya let me see those shining blue eyes of yours?” he said trying to coax Vin to waking.

Vin moaned and turned his head to the side towards him, but still did not open his eyes.

Josiah continued to rub his hand, hoping to get a reaction out of the young tracker.

Vin heard a voice, but could not make out what was being said. He was too happy and peaceful where he was in the soft darkness. There was no pain and no anguish. It was as if all his bonds were removed. Bonds? Why did that word scare him so? Chris! He could not feel Chris through the bond that they shared. Something had happened to him. Oh, God! He remembered now. He remembered Chris in a bath of blood, his own blood, leaving his body one drop at a time. Chris was dead and he was alone!

Josiah saw that Vin was getting agitated, but not waking up. He was flailing his arms about in the bed and Josiah grabbed them to keep him from hurting himself.

“Nurse!” he screamed. “Nurse! I need you in here now!”

Luckily for Josiah, the nurses’ station was right across from the room Vin was situated in. Two nurses, a short blonde and a lanky brunette came running into the room. One helped Josiah to restrain the sick young man on the bed, while the other ran to the call bell for the doctor.

“Vin, calm down,” said Josiah smoothing the sweat slick hair from the young tracker’s forehead. “You’re safe, son. Everything’s going to be fine.”

Suddenly, Josiah found he was looking into a pair of fever bright blue eyes and in them was a look of terror that almost stopped his heart.

“Jo…Josiah,” came Vin’s weak voice, trying to bring everything into focus.

“I’m here, Vin. I’m here. Everything’s okay.”

“C…Chris? Where’s…Chris?”

Josiah now understood the terror he saw in the man’s eyes.

“Chris is fine. He’s in the room next door,” explained Josiah, hoping that Vin could comprehend him.

“Chris! Chris…dead!” he screamed and starting fighting them again.

“No, son,” said Josiah trying to calm the young man down. “Vin, Chris is alive, son.”

Vin stopped his fight dead in its tracks and focused a stare on the face of his friend. “He’s…He’s not…dead?”

“No, Vin. He’s not. He’s in the next room. Now you going to calm down?”

Vin nodded slowly. His head still hurt and his stomach was not doing much better.

At that moment, Dr. Cohen walked into the room.

“Well, Mr. Smith, I see you awake,” he said picking up Vin’s chart and scanning it. “What happened, nurse?”

“I think Mr. Smith was a little upset about his business partner,” replied the short blonde nurse. “But I think he’s calmed down now, right Mr. Smith?” She turned her green eyes to Vin.

Vin looked at her confused. Who was Mr. Smith? He then noticed Josiah nod slightly towards him and Vin knew that he was asking him to go along with it for the time being and he would explain later.

“Yes…I’m fine now,” answered Vin, grimacing at the pain in his chest and head he felt as he tried to find a different position on the bed.

“Are you in pain now, Mr. Smith?” asked Dr. Cohen. He had seen the pained look the man had as he tried to move on the bed.

“Said I’m fine, doc!” replied Vin annoyed. He did not want anything that would cloud his mind or keep him from finding out about Chris.

“Okay,” said Dr. Cohen curtly. “If you need anything you can press this call button.” He then moved the button closer to Vin’s right hand so that he could reach it. He then turned to the nurses and motioned from them to leave. He then followed quickly behind them and closed the door to the room.

“What happened, Josiah? Why are they callin’ me Mr. Smith?”

“Just take it easy, Vin. What do you remember?”

“I remember us findin’ Chris bleedin’ to death in the bathroom and I remember that I suddenly couldn’t breathe. After that, not much.”

“Seems your ribs went from crack to broken and one of them lacerated your lung. Luckily for us you didn’t puncture it, but it was bad enough. Doc says you gon’na have to take easy for awhile.”

“And Chris?” asked Vin tentatively. He knew the news could not be good based on when they had found him.

Josiah hesitated at telling him the truth, but he knew the lanky Texan would find out anyway and he wanted to control the situation.

“Josiah, just spit it out,” said Vin eyeing him angrily. He knew he was trying to protect him, but he wanted none of it. He wanted to know if Larabee was alive and would stay alive.

“From what the doctor has informed us he was dehydrated and malnutrition.”

“What about his wrists?” Vin swallowed hard as he thought on the scene of seeing Chris bleeding out in the tub.

“They’ve been repaired and the bleeding stopped. It seems the right wrist was the one most damaged. The doctor thinks we going to have to wait and see if he’ll physical therapy on that one. The left was not damaged as much. They had to replace the blood he lost.”

Vin sighed despondently at the thought of Chris not being able to use his right wrist and hand. It was his main gun hand, although Chris could shoot with either hand. In fact most of them could, but there was still the fact that he could loose the use of it.

Vin stared at Josiah and saw how he was trying to avoid looking at him. “Josiah, is there somethin’ ya keepin’ from me?”

“It seems the good doctor found some type of chemical in Chris’ blood tests,” replied Josiah with a finality.

“What type of chemical?”

“Some type of designer drug. Lucien believes that it was Nadia would put it there.”

“Damn! I shoulda known! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!”

“Vin, take it easy,” said Josiah. “It’s not your fault.”

“No? I was there, Josiah. I saw how he was actin’. Everythin’ was tellin’ me somethin’ wasn’t right and I let ‘im stay there. I shoulda of dragged his skinny ass out of there!”

“Vin, there was no way you could of known. Chris has been acting strange before then.”

Vin looked at him, knowing in his mind Josiah was right, but his heart would not let it go. He closed his eyes at the guilt he felt at failing his friend. He then opened his blue eyes to find Josiah staring at him in concern.

“Do ya think I could see ‘im?”

“I’ll check with the doctor. Right now, Chris is still out of it since he just got back down from surgery.”

“I’d appreciate it, Josiah,” he said closing his eyes again. He tired and his head and chest ached more than he let on.

Josiah was not fooled by Vin and knew the man was in pain. He said, ”I’m going to get the nurse something to help you sleep.”

“I don’t need…”

“Vin, don’t argue with me. If you want to see Chris later, you need to let yourself heal and I think this is the best way to do this.”

Vin knew he was not going to win this argument. “Kay, Josiah. Just remember to wake me when Chris wakes up.”

“Will do, Vin,” and Josiah walked out of the room to go find the nurse.

Once he was gone Vin was left alone again with his guilt and he prayed that Larabee would stay alive long enough for him to curse him out for putting them through this.

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Chapter: 28

The Eleventh Angelic Order

The Archangels

Those angels who govern the affairs of the messengers of the various realms and dimensions are known as the Angels of the Eleventh Order. They are very large and radiant spiritual beings. They are called Archangels. Their presence signals great change. They sometimes take human form in order to cause occurrences or change the tide of events for humanity.

"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered.”

Daniel 12:1

http://www.steliart.com/angelology_angelic_orders.html

Christopher Michael Larabee slowly came to consciousness amongst great pain. His head was thrumming viciously in time to the beeping sounds he heard at the edge of his wakefulness. His stomach and wrists felt no better and it was within this second that Chris had realized that he was alive and had he failed again. Tears fell unbidden from his eyes to stain the pillow his head rested on.

As he lay in the bed with his eyes closed, he started thinking of how thing had gotten so out of hand. It had started with the death of his wife and son. That tragic event had started a chain reaction that quickly spiraled downhill.

Next came his inevitable fall from grace and the drowning of his soul. The alcohol helped him to forget the memories and his ease his torment for a little while. The drugs helped him to function during the day, to keep working on finding his family’s murderers and do the job he was paid to do. He remembered not caring whether he lived or die. Morals were gone and trampled under every action he had taken within the past three years. Even the lost of his brother and the distance he had put between his friends did not faze the anguished blond. Only death would give him peace. Only death would bring him to his family.

His kingdom had fallen and everything he every knew or believed had been destroyed. He did not want to live anymore, just to exist. Existence was not the way to live and that is what it had felt like after losing his loved ones.

Then faces came within his mind’s eye. Six of them to be exact. In the beginning they were his anchors to redemption, his path to salvation. But now he had failed them again, as he had failed his family and himself. He could not bear facing them or life again. Slowly he decided that he would find a way to end it all, no matter the cost.

He finally opened his eyes, blinking hard. Bit by bit they came into focus and he saw that he was right, that he was in a hospital.

He tried raise his arms or move his legs and found them restrained by something. He then turned his blond head towards the door and saw his brother Lucien, asleep in a chair near it.

He let moist green eyes gaze on the sleeping form. His baby brother looked haggard and Chris knew it had probably not slept well within the past few days. Chris closed his eyes in sadness. He knew it was because of him that the young blond was not sleeping well.

When he opened his eyes next, he found himself looking into the pained blue eyes of his brother.

“Mickey!” exclaimed Lucien, as he moved from the chair to his bedside. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?”

Chris did not answer him. He only continued to stare at him.

Lucien was at a lost. He did not know what was going with his brother and the way he was currently acting was scaring him.

“Hey, you know, you sure do make it hard for a guy to find you,” he said trying to get through to the older blond on the bed.

Chris closed his eyes. He did not see the support that his brother was trying to convey to him. All he saw was pity and he would not live with that. It was too much to bear.

Suddenly, Chris face seemed to contort in anger. He started to struggle on the bed, arching his back hard trying to break his restraints. He did not care if he hurt his already injured wrists. It did not matter. He wanted out. He wanted away. He wanted to finish what he started.

Lucien jumped back startled and concerned. There was something definitely wrong here. He walked immediately to the call button and pushed it to summon the nurse.

As he waited for them to come, he walked towards the bed of his brother and tried to keep him from hurting his wrists anymore. He pleaded as he tried to grip his brother’s arm, “Please, Michael. You must keep still. You’ll only hurt yourself more.”

Chris heard the words, but continued to fight. It was what he wanted. To hurt himself, to end his torment and to bring peace to his mind and body through death. But these people would not listen. They would not let him finish what he had started. Chris screamed in grief and anger and he kept screaming, not listening to the voice that was trying to calm him.

The nurse came running into the room, Josiah and the doctor hard on her heels.

“What happened?” asked Dr. Cohen, moving quickly towards the now frenzied blond struggling wildly on the bed. He also tried to help subdue ill man. Josiah joined in on the other side of the bed, placing his hands on Chris’ arms to keep him from pulling on the injured wrists.

“I…I don’t know. He woke up and I tried to talk to him and then…then he just went crazy,” explained Lucien.

“Nurse,” said the doctor, motioning to the hypodermic in her hand.

The nurse swiftly injected the sedative into the man’s IV line.

“Chris,” said Josiah softly. “Chris, you need to calm down. You’re going to only hurt yourself more.”

Unexpectedly, Chris found his voice. “No! Let me go! Please! Let me die! I need to finish it! Please!” he cried.

“No, Chris. We ain’t gon’na let you die,” said Josiah defiantly. “We need you too much, brother. We need you here.”

“He’s right, Mickey,” joined in Lucien. “We all need you with us.”

“No! Pain! Only pain! No more pain, please!” he screamed and then sobbed loudly as tears rolled down his cheeks. The sedative was taking affect and Chris’ struggles started to cease.

Lucien looked at Chris with eyes of shock. It had upset him to see his brother so. He had never seen his brother cry, not even at his family’s funeral. He always thought of him as a strong man, a man made of an iron-will. But now, he was frightened. Deathly so for the man and for himself because he saw that there was a weakness to the man and Nadia had discovered it. He could not let that woman get any nearer to his brother otherwise she would completely destroy him.

“Mickey,” said Lucien brushing the blond hair of his brother in a soothing motion. “No one is going to hurt you anymore. I swear it.”

Chris did not hear him. He was still in his tortured realm as the sedative started to bring him closer and closer to the darkness.

Josiah looked on in dismay. This was not very good and once the blue-eyed lanky tracker found out about it, they would definitely have their hands full.

Chris finally closed his eyes and let the darkness win. His last thought was of freedom and a task left unaccomplished.

Dr. Cohen sighed in relief. He then turned to the nurse and said, “Nurse, if this happens again, please increase the dosage of sedative to Mr. Jones and contact me immediately,”

“Yes, Doctor,” replied the nurse leaving the room after adjusting the IV line and reviewing the monitors.

“So, Doc, you have any idea what’s going on with him?” asked Josiah now very concerned.

“Well, if what you have told me is true, then Mr. La…Mr. Jones is going through withdrawal which can induce depression and paranoia. It’s part of the cleansing process. Unfortunately, being in the current condition he’s in, it is not inductive to his healing process. In fact, I don’t think it was wise to give him any more sedatives since we still do not know the other two chemicals and I do not know what type of reaction it will have on his already drug-induced body, but of course, in his current frame of mind we have no choice.”

It was just then that Chris’ body began to tremble slightly. Lucien and Josiah turned to the doctor, who then rushed over to the call button.

“What’s happening now?” asked Lucien fearfully.

“He’s convulsing. I think it was because of the sedative,” said Dr. Cohen frantically. “Nurse! Get in here now!”

Just then, Nathan, Buck, Ezra and JD came bursting into the room as Chris started to convulse violently on the bed.

“Out! Out! Everyone out! Now!” exclaimed Dr. Cohen as the monitors started to beep erratically.

The two nurses came rushing into the room, one pushing the others out the door, while the other assisted Dr. Cohen with the still convulsing patient.

The doors closed silently behind them as they heard the doctor ordering the nurse to administer an anticonvulsant.

“What happened, Josiah?” asked Nathan.

“Don’t rightly know, but I think it has something to do with Nadia’s designer drug. Chris woke up and Lucien was talking him when he started getting violent. The doctor had given him a sedative to settle down and then all of sudden he started convulsing.”

“Probably a reaction of the designer drug and the sedative. Dr. Cohen thought there might be a problem with administering any other drugs without knowing what the other two chemicals might be, but I guess Chris must have been really violent for him to take a chance like that.”

“No. Not violent, Nathan,” came Lucien’s distraught reply. “He wanted to die, to end his life.”

“Die?” questioned Buck. Oh, God, no. Not again, not again.

Lucien saw the way Buck’s fell at this announcement. Although the others were shocked at it’s revelations, they did not have the look of someone who had previous experience.

“What is it, Buck?” asked Lucien, walking closer to the tall-moustache archangel.

“This can’t be happening again. It can’t.” was all that Buck said.

“Buck, what do you know about this?”

Buck sighed and leaned against the wall for support. He knew they would not let this drop. He hung his head in sorrow. “It happened once before, but…but I thought it was an accident.”

“What happened before, Buck?” asked Josiah.

“Chris, he…he…” Buck’s head rose to face them and they saw tears glistening in the tall man’s eyes.

“Please, Buck,” implored Ezra. “We need to know to help our fallen comrade.”

“It was not long after he lost his family. I had talked with him on the phone that night and he didn’t sound good. I told him I’d be coming over, but he told me not to bother. That he wanted to be alone. At first, I agreed, but then later I changed my mind and decided to stop by the ranch anyway. That’s…That’s when I found him. He…He was lying on his bedroom floor, two bottles of Jack Daniels, empty on the floor. I thought he was just stinking drunk. It’s not like it was the first time. I knelt besides him, decidedly to pick him up and put him to bed, like I’ve done so many times before. That was when I noticed it.”

“Noticed what, Buck?” inquired Lucien, his eyes begging Buck to finish his story.

“An empty bottle of barbiturates. They were lying on the floor next to his body. I panicked then. I grabbed him and made him throw up whatever was in his stomach. After that, I gave him enough black coffee to be spitting grains, then I put in him the shower, hoping to revive him. He finally came to and when I finally got him settled and lucid, he told me it was an accident. That he hadn’t realized it had taken so many. He said he was trying to sleep and thought at first the booze would help. When it didn’t, he tried the pills. I wanted him to go get some help, but you know, Chris,” he said as wispy smile fell on his face. And quickly his face then turned to one of dread. “But now that I think about it…This…This was his plan all along.”

The discovery of Chris’ true intentions struck Buck like a knife in his heart.

“Oh, God! What have I done! What have I done!” yelled Buck. His soul was being torn from him at the thought that he had not seen what Chris was doing. Buck let the tears fall without hinder.

JD walked over to his best friend and wrapped his arms around him. He would protect his friend and keep him safe from the blame. “Buck, it wasn’t ya fault!” he said, hugging the big man to him. “There is no way ya could have seen this, Buck. And Chris needs our help now.”

Buck looked at the young man that he called friend and saw the wisdom that resided there. He smiled gently and said, “How did you become so wise for one so young?”

“Awh, Buck, don’t get all soapy on me now,” replied JD, embarrassed by the show of affection.

Buck laughed and ruffled the hair of the young Easterner.

“So what do we do now?” asked Lucien, his concern for his brother’s welfare still weighing heavily upon him.

“Well, first let’s see what the Doc has to say about Chris and then I need to go back down to the lab and see if we can figure out what those missing chemicals are,” stated Nathan.

“How does Mr. Tanner fare, Mr. Sanchez?” asked Ezra, taking command of the situation.

“Well, he was awake and of course, you know he was asking about Chris and biting at the bit to get to him. I told him I’ll let him know when he was awake,” said Josiah. “But the way Chris is acting I don’t know if I should.”

“You can’t keep them apart forever, Josiah,” said Nathan warningly.

“Just until he heals. The man had a lacerated lung, Nathan. It can’t be good for him to get upset right now.”

“I think you’re wrong, Josiah,” said Lucien. “I think Vin is just what Chris needs and vice versa. Believe me. I think Vin is the only one who probably can get through my brother’s thick skull.”

Buck started chuckling at that comment. “You’re sure right about that, Lucien. If Chris will listen to anyone it has to be that scrawny ass Texan.”

“Well, why I don’t see about getting Vin moved into Chris’ room. I’m sure Dr. Cohen will appreciate it more if he has both stubborn men in the same place,” said Nathan.

“Good ideal,” agreed Lucien.

“Well gentlemen, let us go to the waiting room and I can expound on what myself, JD and Buck found out about our lovely Miss Diaz,” said Ezra, motioning towards the room down the hall.

They all walked away to wait for word on their friend and to discuss Ezra’s find.

******************************************************************************************

Chapter: 29

The Sin of the Fallen Angels

The Sin

A rational creature (that is, a creature with intellect and will) can sin. If it be unable to sin, this is a gift of grace, not a condition of nature. While angels were yet unbeatified they could sin. And some of them did sin.

The sinning angels (or demons) are guilty of all sins in so far as they lead man to commit every kind of sin. But in the bad angels themselves there could be no tendency to fleshly sins, but only to such sins as can be committed by a purely spiritual being, and these sins are two only: pride and envy.

http://www.steliart.com/angelology_fallen_the_sin.html

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.”

Proverbs 1:10

Vin sighed despondently as he was moved into the room that Chris currently occupied. He was glad that he was closer to his friend, but he still worried about the effects of long-term drug abuse and recently Nadia’s little experiment on the blond. The older agent seemed to be sleeping now and it not only eased Vin’s mind some, but the nurses and doctors as well.

Chris was taken out of ICU, after his last examination by Dr. Cohen. Dr. Cohen had decided that he did not need to be in the Intensive Care Unit, but kept him listed as in guarded condition.

They had taken him off the sedative after the adverse reaction he had to it, but he was still kept restrained. Consequently, he had to be put on suicide watch due to the severe depression and violent outbursts that continued even after the blond was passed his seizures.

Dr. Cohen, who had accompanied Vin as he was moved from his old room, walked over to the now settled Vin, seeing a grimace on his face as he tried to sit up more in the hospital bed. He knew that the man’s ribs were painful and wanted to alleviate his discomfort.

“Need some help, Mr. Smith?” he asked Vin, walking over to the button that would raise the bed. He then pushed it so that Vin could sit up more easily.

“Yeah,” said Vin as the front of the bed rose, his blue eyes all the while were glued to the sleeping blond in the next bed. “How is he?”

“Mr. Jones is currently in guarded condition.” Vin started to interrupt when Dr. Cohen raised his hand for him to wait. “It has nothing to do with his injuries. His wrists are healing fine. It’s more to do with the unknown chemicals in his system. Since we don’t know what it is, we can’t treat it and if we can’t treat it, we can’t cure it. We have to be very careful about what we administer because it could create another adverse reaction in him. Right now, we’ve taken him off the sedatives, but we have found out that we can give him painkillers.” At this Dr. Cohen looked at Vin under hooded eyes. “How about you?”

Vin was startled from his scrutiny of his friend and looked up at the doctor. “How ‘bout me what?”

“Pain?”

“I’m fine,” replied Vin with a glare.

“Sure you are,” said Dr. Cohen calmly. “But if you feel you need anything, Mr. Smith, please just press the button for your nurse.” He then placed the call button on the bed within his reach. Dr. Cohen then started for the door, but before leaving he said, “Oh, by the way, your friends are waiting to see you. Shall I send them in?”

“Yeah, Doc. ‘Preciate it.”

“No problem, Mr. Smith,” he responded and went outside the room to get the others.

Vin then laid his head back onto the pillow and stared at the ceiling waiting for his friends to appear.

“You don’t lie very well, Pard,” came a raspy voice from the other side of the room.

Vin turned his head on the pillow towards where the voice came from and found he was looking into a bright pair of green eyes.

“Chris!” he exclaimed. “Ya awake!”

“Yeah. Guess I am,” he said trying to raise his hand to face. But he found out that something was preventing him from doing so.

“They got ya tied down, Cowboy,” stated Vin.

“Why?” asked Chris bewildered. “What did I do now? Where are we?”

Vin could see that Chris really did not remembered what had happened, but he also knew it was a fragile balance the man was clinging to.

“Uh, we in the hospital, Chris. Don’t cha remember what happened?”

Chris shook his head. “No, kinda fuzzy here. Why we in the hospital, Vin?”

“Ya got hurt, Pard,” he lied.

“Hurt? Don’t remember,” replied Chris, licking his dry lips. “How come I can’t move?”

“Ya had seizures and they were afraid ya might hurt yaself. Had to tie ya down,” answered Vin now wishing the others would hurry up and arrive. He did not know how long he had before Larabee would start to remember.

“’Kay. I’m kinda thirsty, Vin.”

“I’ll call for the nurse and have her bring ya somethin’ to drink,” he said. Vin was about to push the call button when the others five agents came into the room.

“Hey, sleepy head’s awake!” exclaimed Buck, seeing Chris awake.

“Mr. Larabee, it is good to see you with us again,” said Ezra.

“You can say that again,” piped in JD grinning from ear to ear.

“How you feeling, Chris?” asked Nathan, still worried about his friend’s health, physically and emotionally.

“Are you in pain?” asked Josiah.

“Buck? What the hell’s goin’ on here?” asked Chris, still confused by his and Vin’s current situation. His mind was still foggy but he knew from the tone of their voices that something was not right.

“Don’t ya remember, Chris?” questioned Buck. He peered at his older friend in concern, noting the still paleness of the face and the darkened rings around his eyes.

“He don’t remember anythin’, Buck,” said Vin trying to warn the tall agent to go easy on the blond. Seeing that Buck did not get the message, the lanky Texan started to get out of the bed.

Nathan walked quickly to the bed of the young sharpshooter and grabbed him by the arms to prevent him from leaving his bed. “What do you think you’re doing, Vin Tanner? You get back in that bed!”

“I’m fine, Nate,” said Vin eyeing the young doctor miffed. “It’s Chris who needs lookin’ after.”

“Yeah, you’re all fine until you end up in the hospital. Lay back, Vin,” he said gently pushing the young man back onto the bed.

“Buck, you haven’t answered my question,” stated Chris now irritated at being ignored.

“Listen, Pard,” started Buck, walking over to stand next to the bed. “Ya been really sick and…”

At that moment, the door to the room opened and everyone, including Chris turned to see who it was. Lucien stopped in his tracks when he saw how all eyes were turned on him.

“Lucien? It can’t be” came Chris soft voice in surprise and disbelief. “How? When?”

“Hello, Mickey. Nice to see you awake,” said Lucien still standing near the door. He was afraid that his brother would turn violent at his presence again and he was ready to turn tail and run if he did.

“Lucien came back, Chris,” said Buck stepping in to explain. “Remember?”

Chris could not take his eyes off the young blond. He thoughts churned and memories started to surface in the turmoil. He saw pictures fly through his mind, showing glimpses of the past few days. He saw Marco laughing at him, asking him about a book and then he saw Lucien and himself running. From what, he did not know. Then he saw something that chilled him to the bone. It was Nadia, leaning over him, saying that she would get Vin. Get Vin? Why?

Suddenly, Chris started to shiver violently. The tension of it moved its way from the top of his head, down to his toes. He remembered. Yes. He remembered it all. He had failed he told himself over and over again. He had failed to protect to them, like he had failed his family.

“NO!” screamed Chris, his body bucking on the bed, trying to get loose.

Buck and Nathan rapidly ran over to their leader, trying to subdue him.

“Chris. Chris,” called Buck, holding down the man’s wrists so that he would not damage them more. “Come on, Pard. Ya got to stop it,”

Chris did not hear, would not hear their words. He continued to fight even harder now. He wanted out. Out of the bed, out of the hospital, out so that he could finish what he thought he needed to do.

“Oh, God, Nathan. He remembers,” said Lucien over the den of the screaming man, his blue eyes staring at the fierce spectacle that was going on before him.

“Josiah, get Dr. Cohen in here now!” ordered Nathan, still trying to calm the struggling man. “Chris, listen to me. You going to hurt yourself like this.” He helped Buck to hold the man’s wrists down, but it did nothing to keep the man from trying to free his legs and kick out at the two.

“LET ME GO! Please!” screamed Chris, bucking even harder now, his head twisting back and forth on the pillow.

Vin sat up on the bed, his ribs were making themselves known, but he ignored the pain and slowly approached the bed of his friend.

“Come on, Cowboy, ya got to calm down,” said Vin sitting down on the bed next to the blond agent.

“Please, Vin, please. Help me,” pleaded Chris, the tears silently rolling down his face as he continued to fight for his freedom.

Although Vin was frightened by this display of emotions from his usually strong friend, it did not deter him in trying to stop him from hurting himself. “Hey, Cowboy,” he said, brushing a flying strand of hair out of the way of the green eyes. “Ya gotta calm down iffen ya want us to help ya.”

At that comment, Chris started slowly to calm down. He trusted Vin and knew Vin would help him even if the others did not.

“You’ll help me?” asked Chris tentatively.

“What are friends for?” said Vin trying to keep the conversation calm.

“Then you’ll tell them to let me go?”

Vin stared at him, trying to decide what to say. He knew he could not let Chris leave. It would mean the man’s death. But he also knew he could not be flippant with the trust the man was giving him. There had to be another choice.

“Well, we cain’t let ya go just yet, Cowboy. Ya have to get better first then we can all go home,” explained Vin as if speaking to a child. Vin knew Larabee’s current mental state was not stable enough to handle it any other way.

“Home? No. No home. Just want it to all stop, Vin. Please,” the blond cried.

“But if ya get better, it will stop. I promise ya,” said Vin rubbing the man’s arm soothingly.

“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!” screamed Chris. “It will not get better! As long as I am alive it will not get better! Leave me alone! Just leave me alone!” Chris then closed his eyes to the man he considered a brother and to the others who cared about him.

Vin grabbed Chris by the arm and said, “Don’t shut me out, Cowboy! Please, don’t do this.”

Chris refused to answer. He kept his eyes closed, tuning out the pleas of his friend. Chris thought he knew what was better for everyone. His existence had taken the lives of his family and now it was trying to take the lives of his friends. He would prevent it from happening again, even if it meant his death. He would wait. He would be patient. Sooner or later they would get careless and then he would have his chance.

Vin saw Chris’ resolve fortify itself. The man was not ready to listen to him now. It was too soon and the drugs still invaded his body and mind. Until he was clean, Chris would not be reasonable or logical. He turned to the others for help.

Now seeing that Chris had calmed down some, Buck motioned for Vin to start moving back to his own bed. He had noticed that Vin was listing over, probably from the pain of his ribs.

“Josiah, you help Vin over to his bed,” said Nathan, still holding onto the wrists of the other man on the bed. He too had noticed that the young blue-eyed agent was slowly growing pale.

“Sure, Nathan,” answered Josiah, walking over and placing his arms carefully around the lanky Texan. “Come on, brother. Let’s get you to bed.” He then assisted Vin over to the bed and helped him to settle in.

Vin layed back onto the pillows as Josiah fluffed them for his comfort. “How’s that, Vin?”

“Fine, Josiah,” responded Vin saddened by the current situation.

Josiah could see the Texan was hurting not just from his damaged ribs, but also from the damage done by the words from Chris Larabee.

“Listen, Vin. Chris didn’t mean it. It’s the drugs talking and his soul is in anguish.”

“I know, Josiah,” said Vin looking into the big man’s eyes. “But I hate seein’ ‘im in so much pain. A man should only take so much.”

“I know, Vin. I know. But we are here to help him shoulder his burden. He can lean on our strength.”

Vin shining blue eyes showed the hope he felt building within him at Josiah’s words. “Yeah, he can, Josiah. He sure can. To hell and back,” said Vin grimacing at the pain that stabbed him in the side.

“Ezra, go get the nurse in here. I think Vin needs some relief,” said Josiah.

“My pleasure, Mr. Sanchez,” said Ezra bowing to them and leaving in search of a nurse.

“Josiah, I don’t need a nurse. Anyways Doc said iffen I needed anythin’ I could just press the button. Don’t need Ezra,” complained Vin.

“Let the man feel wanted, okay?” said Josiah, smiling devilishly.

Vin smirked at the realization of what Josiah had just done. “Ya know, he gonna kick ya ass when he finds out.”

Josiah only smiled wider. “Only if he catches me.”

* * * * *

It was later in the night and everyone had gone to his prospective beds except for Lucien. He had told the others that he would take the first watch over the two ill men. He sat in the chair near the door, hoping that all would be quiet for the night.

After the nurse had come and gave Vin a painkiller for his abused ribs, they also gave Chris his dose of the same. The painkillers had made both Chris and Vin drowsy and made sleep come to them much more easily. Chris had tried to fight it, but his exhausted body and mind was not strong enough and he fell deeply asleep.

When Chris next awoke, he could tell it was night. He knew someone was in the room besides himself and Vin and turned to see his brother Lucien sitting on a chair, reading one of the hospital magazines. He was determined not to let his younger brother know that he was awake, but his body betrayed him. The intense coughing came unbidden and he could not stop it.

Lucien heard the wracking coughs that came from his brother’s bed and jumped up from his chair, letting the magazine drop to the floor. He ran over to him, thinking he may have to call a nurse.

“Mickey, are you alright?” he asked worriedly.

As the cough subsided Chris answered coldly, “I’m fine, Lucien.”

“Are you thirsty?” asked Lucien concerned that his brother was having a relapse.

“Yeah,” said Chris thoughtfully. “Can I have a drink, please?”

Lucien went over to the nightstand next to the bed and poured a glass of water from the plastic carafe. He then placed a straw in the glass and let Chris sip the water. He pulled it away too soon to suit Chris and said, “Not too much, brother. You’re very dehydrated and you have take it in slowly.”

Chris nodded his thanks as the wheels within his mind started to turn. He noticed how caring his brother was with him. Maybe he could use this towards his advantage. He put on the most admirable smile he could muster and said, “Thank you, Luc. I didn’t think anyone cared anymore.”

Lucien placed the glass back on the nightstand and turned to regard the look of appreciation on his brother’s face. “That’s not true, Mickey. We all care for you. You know I would do anything for you. You’re my brother.”

Chris smiled widened at that comment. “Really? Anything?”

Lucien glanced suspiciously at him. He felt something was not right with his brother, but he could not put his finger on it.

“Well, almost anything,” responded Lucien nervously, trying to work up a smile.

“How about loosening these straps for me? They kind of choking off my circulation here,” said Chris slyly, nodding to his wrists.

Lucien looked intently at him and then at Chris’ wrists, trying to decipher any deceit in his request. But older blond seemed to be calm and alert, not dazed and crazy like before.

Chris knew his brother was trying to figure out what he was up to so he said trying to allay his fears, “I just need it loosen. I’m not asking you to remove them. Please.”

Lucien looked over to where Vin Tanner lay and saw that the man was still deeply asleep from the painkillers. It could not hurt to loosen them and he knew he would be there anyway, so there was no way Chris could escape without him knowing.

Lucien finally relented. “Okay. Just a little. But you have to promise me you won’t try anything.”

“Sure, Luc, sure. I promise. I ain’t going no where, not with the rest of me trussed up like this,” answered Chris feigning a grimace.

Lucien loosened the straps on his wrists but made sure that he could not get out of them. “How’s that?”

Larabee sighed deeply. “Great. Thanks.”

“Are you up to talking?” asked Lucien. He wanted to talk to his brother about his experience at the hands of Nadia. He knew it was not pleasant for him, but since he was in such a receptive mood he wanted to try and find out exactly what happened and what he thought Nadia might want from him.

“I’m kind of tired right now, Luc,” said Chris letting his eyes close for a moment. He reopened and then looked at Lucien studying him hard. “Can we talk later?”

“Sure. No problem, Mickey.” Lucien thought he had pushed him too soon. Maybe later when he had rested he would be up to talking about the incident. “I’ll be right over here if you need me.”

“’Kay,” said Chris closing his eyes again.

Lucien picked up the magazine off the floor and sat back down in the seat he had previously occupied. He then started reading the magazine again, settling down for the night.

What he did not know was that Chris was awake and watching his every move. He could wait. He was very patient when he wanted something and this was something he wanted very badly. He knew sooner or later his friends would make a mistake and then he would have his freedom. He closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, waiting for his chance.

********************************************************************************************

Chapter: 30

The Three Archangels – Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer

God created three Archangels to rule over the cherubim and the angels.

Michael served Eternity. Gabriel served Awareness. Lucifer served Infinity.

“God created 3 Archangels (Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer) to administer the government of God throughout the Angelic Realm. Each was perfectly crafted and were allowed to walk among the stones of fire and to enter any reality found among the Infinities

God gave great power and authority to the three Archangels and they were created to reflect majesty and beauty. The one God created as the being of the greatest light and brilliance was Lucifer.

Lucifer pleased God because Lucifer searched the Infinities diligently seeking the jewels of reality. God created all possibilities but until they are observed they are unmanifested.

The Angels became Gods instruments of Awareness, peering into the infinite possibilities and manifesting realities. Many beautiful realities did Lucifer bring before the throne of the Eternal. His awareness was sharp and keen and Lucifer found many splendors hidden in the infinite possibilities God had set into motion.

Then came the time when God brought forth the greatest jewel of all. God created the Infinities containing the Physical Realm where the possibility of life existed. Thus began the Game of Angels. For it was in this new and beautiful expanse, we call the heavens, that God had placed a new and wonderful jewel. A world where life was growing and changing. The search for the Jewel of God had begun.”

http://reluctant-messenger.com/history04.htm

Archangel Michael had lain in the bed silently planning through the night. He had watched his brother as he doze off and on, but until he left he could do nothing to remove his bonds and escape. He had to wait. A patient man could move mountains if he put his mind to it.

Suddenly he heard a sigh from Lucien’s position where he sat guard. Chris closed his eyes immediately, hoping that Lucien did not see him awake.

Chris did not see Lucien as he looked over to where Chris lay and then looked to where Vin lay. As far as Lucien could see, his charges were asleep and he was worn out.

He stood up and stretched his back muscles, trying to relief the cramp he had developed from sitting too long on the chair. “Well, at least someone had slept peacefully,” he thought to himself. “Although it was not me.”

Lucien decided since they were both asleep that he would go and get some breakfast and then find one of the others to stand guard for a while so that he could get some sleep.

As Chris heard him leave the room, he opened his eyes. He looked around and saw that the tracker was still deeply asleep, probably with the help of some medication. Usually, the young man could hear a pin drop in his sleep. He knew it was time to put his plan into action.

He twisted his left wrist within its constricting bands. Since Lucien had loosened them earlier, he found it easy enough to slip the wrist through. The only problem was the pain that came with his manipulation of his damaged wrist, but Chris was determined not to let it win. He breathed in deeply, waiting for the excruciating ache in his wrist to subside.

Once it did, he reached over to his other wrist and removed that restraint. He then rose stiffly from his lying position on the bed and then quickly removed the other two from his ankles.

He got up from the bed, sneaking a peek to see if Tanner was still asleep and he was happy that he found him so. He knew the young sharpshooter would try and stop him from completing what he believed was something that he did to do. The voices told him that he had to or they would not leave him alone.

As he stood on shaky legs, the pain in his side was making itself known. He doubled over and suppressed a groan. He needed to get dress quickly and he needed to get out of here fast. He knew Lucien would not be gone long and he figured if one of the others came, he would have no chance at all for escape.

He then straightened up and started to the closet on the far side of the wall. He did not see as he rummaged through the clothes looking for own, that a pair of bright blue eyes was watching him.

“Where ya goin’, Cowboy?” drawled Vin, as he sat up slightly keeping the pain in his ribs at bay.

Chris turned slowly to face the young man afraid that his escape was going to be stopped.

“Didn’t know you was awake, Pard,” he said softly, cautiously walking over to the injured man’s bed.

“Chris, don’t do this,” came Vin’s plea.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” snapped Chris. He did not mean to, it was just that his head felt so fuzzy and everything seemed to make him on edge. “I’m sorry, Vin. I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just…just…”

What Chris did not understand was that Nadia’s drug was still in his system and still had a control of his emotions, more than he did. But Vin understood.

“Listen, Chris. That stuff’s still in ya.”

“What stuff? Nadia’s little treat?” said Chris now giggling softly. He then turned to look behind him and said, “Shhh!”

Vin stared at him in shock. “Oh, God. Chris, no, no.”

“What are you going on about, Vin? You and my friend need to be quiet. Shhh. If we don’t be quiet then the others will hear us,” whispered Chris, looking at something that Vin could not see behind him.

“Chris, there ain’t no one here but us. It’s just us, Pard,” he said sitting up further in the bed and tossing his legs to the side. His ribs pulled as he moved and he grimaced in pain.

“Hey, hey, Vin. You okay?”

Vin saw something of the old Chris in those eyes now, but he wondered for how long.

“Yeah. I’m fine, Chris. It’s nothin’ to worry about.”

Chris started his ridiculous giggling again. “No, no, no, no, no,” said Chris in a mantra while he continued to hit the wall with his fists by the side of Vin’s bed.

Vin had to grab him physically, which caused his sore ribs to flare. He was trying to keep the blond from damaging his already injured wrists against the wall. His knuckles were already bleeding from where they hit the wall.

“Chris! Stop it! Please!” begged Vin. His friend’s mind and reasoning was slowly deteriorating in front of his eyes.

Chris suddenly stopped and looked at Vin with puzzlement. “Vin? Don’t be so sad. We can leave now. They ain’t here,” said Chris pulling away from him and starting to get dress.

“Chris, ya cain’t leave. Ya ain’t well, Pard.”

Chris turned to face him, his eyes glaring angrily at him now. “What do you mean I can’t leave? I can leave anytime I want to! You ain’t my boss!”

Vin saw that Chris was getting more agitated by the minute. He wondered why the nurses hadn’t come nor his friends considering all the noise they were making. He knew he could not handle Chris by himself, let alone contain him. He prayed the others would get there quickly and he decided he needed to stall for time.

“Hey, Chris. Why don’t we both go together? I don’t like this damn hospital myself to tell ya the truth,” said Vin lying.

“Really?” asked Chris suspiciously.

“Ya know me, Cowboy. When have I ever liked hospitals?”

Chris peered at him trying to decipher if he was lying or not. Vin held his breath and hoped that Chris’ sixth sense that was linked to him was not working.

Chris nodded, still unsure, but willing to accept Vin’s explanation of why he wanted to join him. “Kay, Kay,” replied Chris. He then turned around suddenly, looking the other way and said, “Shhh! I told you to be quiet! If you don’t shut up, I’m gon’na have to shoot you!” He then started the annoying giggling again.

“Well, Chris, how about some clothes here?”

“Oh, okay,” answered Chris, walking slowly over to the closet again to find Vin some clothes.

Vin hoped that it would buy them enough time for either a nurse or one of his friends to show up and see that Chris was out of his restraints.

Chris returned with Vin’s shirt, pants, shoes and socks.

“Hey, Cowboy? Where’s my jacket?”

“Oh,” said Chris, dropping the clothes in his hands onto the bed and moving away to go back into the closet.

As he was about to grab Vin’s jacket from the hangar in the closet, the door to the room opened and Lucien, Buck and Josiah came in.

“What the hell?” came Buck’s soft surprised as he saw Chris rummaging in the closet and out of his restraints.

“Chris!” exclaimed Josiah stunned by the blond man’s release.

Pulling Vin’s jacket off the hangar in the closet, he tossed the coat to Vin and just as quickly took the hangar off the rack, baring it like a weapon toward the trio who stood near the door. He started backing away into the corner of the room.

“No! Stay away from me!” yelled Chris, frantically swinging the hangar back and forth in front of him.

“Vin, what the hell’s going on?” shouted Buck.

Vin got up out of the bed and gradually walked towards his distraught friend. He needed to get him calmed down or he would either hurt himself or someone else. He raised his hands in front of him as he guardedly approached the man.

“Chris, Pard. It’s just Buck, Josiah and Lucien. Ya remember them, don’t cha?”

“No, I mean, yes. I mean, I don’t know,” cried the blond hysterically brandishing the hangar back and forth.

“Chris, why don’t ya put the hangar down, okay? No one’s gon’na hurt ya, Cowboy. I promise,” said Vin stepping closer to him.

Chris turned towards him immediately, feeling Vin’s presence entering his space. “Stop right there, Vin! Don’t come any closer, you hear me?” growled Chris.

“I hear ya, Pard. I hear ya. But I promise. No one’s gon’na hurt ya.”

“Promises, promises, promises. Sarah promised she wouldn’t leave me. Adam promised he would stay. Promises mean shit!”

Uh, oh. This was not working. Vin watched as Chris seemed to get angrier as time went on. They needed to subdue him, but how without hurting him. Vin decided he needed to try again.

“Chris, remember? It’s suppose to be us, Pard. Together. Remember?”

Chris nodded slowly, but still kept the hangar in front of him, warily eyeing the others by the door.

“So ya gon’na leave me here?”

Chris stood still thinking. Vin was his friend, his best friend. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt him. But then the voices kept telling him something different. The voices told him that there was only him and the others he heard. They told him to ignore the lanky Texan and to only put faith in his own resources and in the voices. They knew what was good for him. They told him he needed to escape and finish what needed to be done. Then they would go away and leave him alone once it was done. They would stop.

Vin and the others watched as Chris stood still, the hangar held limply in his hand. They also watched as he tilted his head to side, as if listening to something that only he could hear.

“Damn!” Vin thought to himself. “He’s listening to those voices.” He needed to distract him from the voices, to keep him from hearing what they had to say.

Vin stepped a little closer and said, “Chris! Chris! Look at me!”

Chris was startled from his reverie and came to stare into the blue eyes of his friend.

“It’s me, Chris. I’m the one that can help ya. Not them.”

Buck, Lucien and Josiah turned to each other confused. They had no idea what was going on, but they knew they had to let the Vin try, otherwise someone was definitely going to be hurt. They knew even with a simple thing as a hangar that Larabee was dangerous. They had seen what he had done to an attacker with just a newspaper. There was no one place on the perpetrator’s body that was not bruised, cut or damaged.

“But…But they say…”

“I know what they’re sayin’, Chris. But ya cain’t listen to them. They just want to hurt ya.”

Chris looked at Vin solemnly. Vin was his friend. No matter what the voices said, Vin would not hurt him.

“Vin?”

“Yeah, Chris?”

“H…help…me,” he said as he eyes rolled back into his head and then fell silently to the floor, dropping the hangar in the process.

Vin and Buck simultaneously ran over to where the blond lay. Vin picked him up and cradled him into his arms, being careful of his now bleeding wrists and knuckles.

Buck turned to Lucien and said, “Go get the nurse and the doctor.”

Lucien did not move, he only stared at the fallen form of his brother, lying on Vin Tanner’s lap. He said, “It’s all my fault. All my fault.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Lucien? Get the doctor, now!” exclaimed Buck.

Lucien awoke from his trance and quickly ran out the door in search of the doctor.

“How is he, Buck?” asked Josiah, moving closer to the three men.

“Don’t know. His wrists are bleeding again.” Buck then spied the torn knuckles. “What happened to his hands, Vin?”

“He…He kept punchin’ the walls. Buck, somethin’s really wrong with him,” said Vin scared.

This frightened Buck even more. He had never seen Vin scared of anything, at least not where others could see, except for now.

“What do you mean, Vin?”

“He kept talkin’ to someone who wasn’t there, Buck! What the hell did she do to him? Huh?”

Buck and Josiah knew that Vin had meant Nadia Diaz.

“I don’t know, Stud. But we’re gon’na find out, that’s for sure,” he said touching the unconscious man’s head gently. “We’re gon’na find out and if I have to rip her heart out, she’s gon’na tell us what.”

Josiah knew he did not wish to be Nadia Diaz at this moment.

*****************************************************************************

Chapter: 31

The Archangel Israfel – Her Song

“The Angel of Music - This powerful angel and his legions embody the creative word of God/Goddess through songs from the heart. Think of a time when you heard music that was so powerful and beautiful that you were touched deeply by its vibration. Archangel Israfel was there, opening your heart through sound. Music and sound are vibration, which is a powerful tool for transformation through the higher self.”

http://www.angelzone.org/Archangels.htm

“Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; protect me from men of violence,

who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.

They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips.”

Psalm 140:1

Archangel Nadia Israfel Diaz sat in her office at her home, waiting. She had sent men out to discover the whereabouts of Archangel Michael and Gabriel. Her men had still not reported and the only thing that they had found out was that the men were in Las Vegas. The problem was where. If she did not find them soon, Marco would have her head on a platter, but to Nadia that was the least of her worries.

Her main concern was retrieving one, Christopher Michael Larabee and fast. She knew he was probably going through the symptoms of not receiving his dosage of the drug. She had purposely developed it that way so that the recipient would become dependent upon it, making them basically a slave to the drug. She owned him and no one, no one took what was hers.

Nadia pulled a little vial from her pocket and smiled devilishly at it. Yes. She owned Larabee’s soul with her song of darkness. He would return, of that she was sure. And the young Archangel Gabriel, well, Nadia had some very interesting plans for his use. She knew that as long as she had him, Archangel Michael would do whatever she asked of him.

The phone rang, waking Nadia from her thoughts. She picked up the receiver, slowly.

“Yes?”

“Nadia, it’s me John.”

John was one of Nadia’s best men and a very good tracker when it came to finding what she wanted. He was once a bounty hunter for a bail bonds agency and his record of capture proved to be exceptional.

“What have you found out, John?”

“We’ve located the packages.”

“Yes!” thought Nadia. But to the man on the phone she said, “Where?”

“They’re in a hospital. Helen Campbell Medical Center. It’s a private hospital.”

“Yes. I have heard of it. It caters to high profile and affluent client.”

“That’s correct, Miss Diaz. George slipped in as an orderly and found out where the items are. They were admitted under assumed names, a Mr. Smith and a Mr. Jones.”

“What are their conditions?”

“George says that the report says car accident. I don’t believe it is a true statement of the packages condition. They’re very well guarded. Night and day someone is always there.”

“Hmmm. That does cause a problem, but none that we can’t handle.”

“Do you want to send in the men for retrieval?”

“No. Not yet. We need to develop a plan in which acquiring the items unharmed and without notice. Come on home and tell Devon he needs to stay there and keep an eye on them. Make sure he isn’t seen.”

“Yes, Miss Diaz,” she heard him say. She hung up the phone smiling. “Soon, my love. You will be back in my arms,” she said to herself.

_________________________________________________________________

Dr. Cohen and Archangel Nathan Raphael examined the sedated blond. Dr. Cohen had first had qualms about giving the ill man the medication. When the man had awoken from his last episode, he was violent and continually tried to get out of the restraints. Dr. Cohen knew he was doing considerable damage to his already injured wrists and side and decided it was a risk he had to take.

So far, there was no adverse reaction to the new sedative he administered. Now they just needed to try and find out what were the substances that were causing these episodes.

During this time, Chris’ temperature had risen to 102, his heart rate had increased and his blood pressure had risen dramatically. This worried both Nathan and Dr. Cohen. It meant that the drugs were not only affecting the man mentally, but physically as well.

Nathan stared down at the man he called friend. His ravings from earlier drove most of the others out of the room. At one point, they even had to sedate the young Texan because he was damaging his ribs by trying to be near his friend during the confrontation. It was in Nathan’s opinion that the blond agent had suffered enough. He was helpless to prevent it.

Nathan and Dr. Cohen’s assistant have been working in lab for the past day and they were no closing to finding the answer than they were before. He was afraid that they were going to loose the blond and he knew the other ill man would not be far behind if they did.

He glanced over at the young lanky blue-eyed man, as he slept restlessly on the bed across from his friend. Vin had probably got as much sleep as the rest of them did, but he needed it more. He was destroying his immune system and with the injured ribs not healed, Nathan was afraid it would turn into pneumonia.

Just then he heard a moan from the bed that held Chris Larabee. “Damn!” he thought. “With all those sedatives in him, he shouldn’t be waking up.”

But he was. He watched as glazed green eyes opened and try to focus in the morning light. He watched as those eyes when they finally focused glared at him. “Uh, oh,” thought Nathan. “He ain’t in a good mood.”

“How you feeling, Chris?” asked Nathan warily.

Chris did not answer. Instead, he tried to raise his head to look about him. He settled back when he eyes came upon his sleeping friend lying in the bed across from him.

“Vin?” said Chris weakly.

“Asleep, Chris. He re-damaged his ribs some trying to help us wrestle you into bed earlier.”

Chris eyed him in disbelief. “Wrestle? Me?”

“Yeah, Chris. Don’t you remember?”

Chris eyed him perplexed. “Can’t say as I do. My head’s…kind of fuzzy, all garbled.” Chris felt his mind in an upheaval. Images flashed within his mind, but none of them made any sense to him.

“Nathan? What happened?”

Nathan tried to skirt those questioning eyes, but found he could not. “Chris, you’ve been ill. We rescued you from Nadia’s home about a day ago. Do you remember?”

“I think so. I remember…I think I remember Vin being there.”

“He was. But he had escaped. Remember that?”

Chris struggled with his memory but could only find holes where the missing pieces should be. “No, no. I don’t,” answered Chris, his heart pounding in his chest. He was panicking. He did not know why he could not remember and it frightened him.

Nathan could see the panic growing on Chris’ face. He was hopeful that Chris would remember so that he could understand what Nadia had done to him. But he knew the drug was making it hard for the blond agent and until it was completely out of his system, the man would not be the same.

Chris was about to ask him some more question, when the door opened and Buck, Josiah, JD and Ezra walked in.

“Hey, Chris. Ya awake! How ya feelin’, Stud?” asked Buck, quickly walking to the man’s beside.

“Buck, what the hell is going on?” Chris tried to sit up, or move his hands and legs and found that he could not. He also saw that an IV was attached to his right hand. “And why am I trussed up like this?”

“You were being very uncooperative, Mr. Larabee and as such had to be restrained,” interjected Ezra, walking to stand by Buck and Nathan.

“Uncooperative? What’s that suppose to mean?” Chris was now very much confused and getting angrier by the minute. No one seemed to want to answer his questions.

“Chris, you need to calm down,” said Nathan, pushing the agitated man back down on the bed as he tried to rise.

“Calm down? Calm down, my ass! What the hell is going on here?”

“Chris, listen, Pard. Ya need to calm down. We got everything under control,” said Buck soothingly.

Chris did not like this at all. It was wrong. Something was very wrong. He decided that he needed to listen to his men and hear what they had to say. “Okay, Buck. I’m calm. Now tell me what the hell is going on here or I swear, if I get out of here I’m gon’na get my gun and shoot you!” Chris growled.

Buck sighed and then said, “Ya been on the run for the past several days, ole son. Nadia drugged ya,” explained Buck slowly trying to see if the man would stay sane today.

Chris took all this in, trying to find the piece of memory that would fill in the blanks. But none did. He then look frustrated at his friends, hoping that they could, but they did not have the answers either.

“Listen, Chris,” started Josiah. “It’s going to take some time for all this to come back to you. The doctor said you might have some memory lapses.”

“I don’t give a damn about memory lapses, Josiah!” shouted Chris.

Nathan looked to the others and they looked back at him as if he should have an answer.

“Listen, Chris, you have to take it easy with your wrists,” said Nathan noticing how the man twisted in the restraints.

“My wrists?” questioned Chris. He looked down at his wrists and saw they were bandaged and he could see blood soaking through them.

“Ya kind of hurt them before, Chris,” said JD innocently. Buck nudged him to tell him he had said enough.

They did not notice that Chris was not listening. His head was tilted to the side as if he was hearing something.

Nathan noticed this and waved the others to silence. “Chris? What’s going on, Chris?”

Chris did not answer. The voices were back.

“You’re a failure.”

Chris shook his head. He was not a failure.

“You have no friends. No one wants to be a friend to a failure.”

“No, no,” said Chris out loud.

“No what, Chris?” asked Ezra concerned. He had seen drug addicts strung out before.

“Stop!” yelled Chris starting struggle. “Go away!”

“Nathan, I don’t think he’s hearing us,” said Josiah insightful.

“I think you’re right, Josiah,” replied Nathan agreeing. “Chris, are you listening to me?”

“You failed your family. You failed your friends and you know the only way to get rid of us.”

“I tried to save them. I did,” cried Chris.

“JD, go get Dr. Cohen now,” said Nathan, grabbing on to the fighting blond.

“No, please, Nathan, no doctor,” came the panic voice from the bed.

“JD! Go now!” exclaimed Buck, trying to help Nathan with their struggling friend.

“What cha doin’ over there, Cowboy?” came the soft raspy voice from the other bed.

Chris stopped his struggling and turned to face the voice. Clear blue eyes were staring at him, his face fraught with apprehension.

“Vin?”

“Yeah, Chris, it’s me. What cha doin’ there, Pard? Ya not causin’ no trouble, are ya?” said Vin, a soft smile gracing his face.

“Vin. Vin, they won’t listen to me. They won’t tell me what’s wrong? The others…” Larabee clammed up as he realized once the words were out.

“The others?” asked Nathan.

Buck and Vin exchanged worried glances.

“Hey, Cowboy. I told ya before about listenin’ to those people. They don’t know ya like I do. Ya ain’t a coward.”

Chris lay silently, thinking about Vin’s words. No, he wasn’t a coward. But he did not think what he needed to do was being a coward. He thought it was saving his friends and ending his own torment from the voices.

“But Vin, if I do it then they’ll go away and then everyone will be sa…” He stopped in mid-sentence. But Vin already knew what he was about to say.

“Safe? If ya do it, Cowboy, how can ya be sure we’ll be safe? Don’t ya understand that without ya we’re still in danger,” Vin said finishing his sentence for him.

“He’s lying,” said the voices. “Don’t listen to him. We know the truth. We see it all,” said the voices interrupting in his head.

Chris eyes closed. Vin watched his friend’s face turn from one of confusion and panic into one of anger.

“Leave me alone!” he yelled to the voices. “Go away! Go away!”

Vin and the others looked on as they saw their friend fighting with some unknown enemy.

Vin motioned for Nathan to come over so that he could talk to him without Larabee listening.

Nathan walked slowly over to the young sharpshooter’s beside and leaned over so that he did not have to raise his voice or try to sit up with his injured ribs.

“Nate, listen. He’s hearin’ those voices again. I know it’s the drug, but it’s what’s causin’ all his problems. What have ya and the good doc found out about it?”

“Well, Vin, to tell you the truth, not much. Right now, from Dr. Cohen’s evaluation he’s showing the symptoms of Schizophrenia such as hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and disorganized thinking. Of course, he wants him evaluated by one of the staff psychiatrists first, but that was his preliminary exam. We think unless we find the cure that it will get worse.”

“So the drug is causin’ this?”

“More like because of not receiving it.”

“So unless we either give him the drug itself or the cure, it’s just gon’na get worse.”

“Yeah,” said Nathan sadly. “That about the just of it, unless Dr. Cohen’s assistant and myself can come up with an alternative. But I don’t think so.”

Vin saw the look in the young doctor’s eyes and saw it was one of defeat. “Don’t give up, Nathan. Not now,” said Vin his eyes sidling over to where the Chris was still trying to remove his bonds. “Chris needs us, Nate. He ain’t got anyone else.”

Nathan saw the plea in those blue eyes. His heart felt the pain and the fear of lost there, as much as his own.

“We’re not giving up, Vin. As long as my body has breath, we’re not giving up.”

Vin smiled then, knowing that this man would not give up on his friend or in trying to find the cure.

Just then Dr. Cohen walked into the room. Nathan walked quickly over to him and explained the situation. He nodded and they both moved to the bed of the ill blond, asking the others to step aside.

Chris lay on the bed, still hearing the voices and watching as Nathan and the doctor slowly approached him. He felt the fear and panic rising into his throat. “No, no,” he pleaded with them. “Leave me alone!”

“Chris, we’re just trying to help you,” said Nathan trying to keep the man calm.

“No. You want to hurt me like them. You all want to hurt me. Vin! Vin! You promised!”

Vin quickly rose from the bed, fighting off Buck and Josiah who were trying to get him back into his own.

“Let go, Buck!” he yelled, trying to move forward. “I need to speak to him.” Even with the pain in his ribs, the young tracker fought the two bigger men, pushing them aside and making his way to his friend.

“Chris, Chris, listen to me,” he said, grabbing Larabee’s arm. “I’m here. I’m here and I promise ya, I’m gon’na to help ya.” He then turned to look at the others. “We’re all gon’na help ya.”

Chris saw the honesty and truth in those eyes. He trusted what he saw in those eyes. His breathing slowed and he felt the panic lowering. “Kay,” he answered.

Without preamble, he watched the doctor inject something into the IV. He looked at Vin and the doctor.

“It’s only a slight sedative, Mr. Jones. It’ll only help you to relax,” explained Dr. Cohen.

Chris did not acknowledge him. The blue eyes of his friend held Chris’ attention. At that moment nothing else mattered.

As Chris felt the sedative slowly invade his being, his eyes became heavy and he knew it would not be long before he succumbed to the darkness of sleep. At least the voices could not follow him there.

Vin scrutinized Chris as he saw his eyes gradually close. He knew they had only two alternatives. One was to find Nadia and hope there was a cure. The other would be to find Nadia and give Chris the drug again to slow his condition from degrading even more. They would help Chris. They would find Nadia and force her to give them the cure, if there was one. The other alternative was unacceptable.

“Go to sleep, Chris,” said Vin, brushing back the blond hair from his friends face. “I always keep my promises.”

Chris eyes closed finally and did not open as sleep took his tired mind and body to dreamland.

***************************************************************************

Chapter: 32

The Fall of Lucifer - The Five Things He Wanted

Isaiah 14:13-14

· Lucifer wanted God's place. "I will ascend into heaven." He wanted to move God off His throne.

· Lucifer wanted God's position. "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God." "Stars" = angels of God. Lucifer was never the Commander-in-Chief of the angelic army, but he was a Five-Star General. He was not happy just being in charge of the cherubim; he wanted sole authority over all the angels without submitting himself to the authority.

· He wants to control all the universe--absolute control. "I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north."

· He was no longer happy to be a reflector of his Creator, he wanted to be the originator. "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds." Of the 150 references to clouds in the Bible, over 100 of them are related to the presence and glory of God. Lucifer was saying he was going to take to himself a greater glory than the glory of God.

· He wanted to be responsible to no one but himself. He wanted total independence. "I will be like the Most High."

http://www.steliart.com/angelology_fallen_the_punishment.html

Lucien had slept on and off throughout the day on the bed provided by the hospital. Even though, it was not a luxurious room, it was far more than he expected from a hospital room. With a separate bathroom and two beds, a television, a CD player and a telephone, if much more better than any other hospital room he had stayed in before.

He was exhausted not only from lack of sleep, but from the experience of watching his only brother’s mind slowly decay with something he blamed himself for. He should have taken Nadia out a year ago when he had finally tracked her down. But he didn’t and he did not know if it was because he was afraid for himself or afraid of what he might have done after.

Lucien smiled at that thought. Although he and Chris were different when it came to their personalities, there were certain things that they shared. Seeking revenge was one of them. He and his brother were very good at that and Heaven help the fool that incurred either one’s wrath.

He rose from his bed and decided it was time to see how his brother was doing. He brushed the spiked hair back into place and stood up, brushing off his clothes. He wished he had brought some change of clothing, but unfortunately, everything was moving too fast.

He walked over and exited the room, taking one last look to see if he got forgot anything and then went to join his brother and his friends.

*************************************************************************

When Lucien reached the room, he found his brother fast asleep, with Archangel Gabriel sitting by his bedside in one of the room chairs. Next to him, stood Archangel Chamuel and Raphael, who seem to be trying to persuade the young agent to go to his own bed within the hospital room.

“Hey, guys, what’s up?” he asked, a little too cheerfully.

Buck could see through the façade and knew that Lucien was putting up a nice front in order to hide his true feelings that Buck knew was probably eating inside him.

“We’re tryin’ to get this ornery, asshole back into his bed,” replied Buck glaring at the curly-haired man who still held onto to Chris’ hand.

“I ain’t goin, Buck! So ya might as well stop ya yammerin’ and leave me the hell alone,” exclaimed Vin coughing loudly and glaring right back at him.

Buck sighed as if defeated. He and Nathan had been trying for the last three hours to get Vin back into bed. They could see by the pain in his eyes and the now constant cough that his ribs were plaguing him, but the young sharpshooter refused to listen. His concern and worry over the blond agent was running amok and he would fight tooth and nail before he left Larabee’s side.

“Vin,” started Nathan. “You’re not doing Chris any good by getting yourself sick. You got to think about this more clearly. I can see your ribs are acting up and you need the nurse to give you your medication.”

“That’s right, Vin,” put in Lucien. “Knowing my big brother, if he finds out that you have not be taking care of yourself because of him, he’s going to kick your scrawny ass all the way back to Texas when he wakes up.” Lucien then flashed a sincere smile at Vin.

Vin looked at the man and started to object, but when his blue eyes looked into the other blue eyes, it made him see how much Lucien favored his best friend. “Yeah,” he thought. “Chris and him are two peas in a pot.”

But he said instead, “Yeah, he would. But ya got to promise me, when he wakes up, ya let me know.” He looked at both Nathan and Buck unwaveringly.

Nathan and Buck both nodded in agreement.

“Okay, let’s go,” sighed Vin relinquishing his hold on Chris.

Nathan and Buck both grabbed the man gently by the waist and led him towards his bed.

Once they had him tucked in, Nathan pushed the button on his bedside for the nurse to come and give him his medication.

“I don’t need the medication, Nathan. I’m f…fine,” said Vin grimacing as he tried to get comfortable in the bed.

“Yeah, sure you are and pigs can fly. You’re going to get that medication, Vin, don’t argue with me.”

Vin held his hands up in resignation. “Okay, okay. Just don’t bite me head off. I already got ten little men in there playin’ their own tune.”

“Headache?”

“Yeah. Guess I over did it, huh?” asked Vin tiredly.

“Yeah, you did,” replied Nathan softly. He knew the man was suffering and he felt he did not need to suffer any more.

Just then the nurse came and looked at the men in the room. She quickly walked over to Vin’s bed, carrying a syringe in her hand and an IV set up. She smoothly and efficiently she set up the IV drip and put the IV needle into Vin’s hand. Vin winced at the sting, but knew it was nothing compare to his head and ribs.

Once done, she took the syringe and injected the substance into the IV bag. She said smiling down at Vin, “That’ll help with the pain and help you rest. You need anything else, just push the button, okay?”

“Thanks…” answered Vin, starting to the feel the medication burning it’s way into his veins.

“My name is Sheila. I will be yours and Mr. Jones’ nurse for the day, Mr. Smith,” she said as she walked out of the room.

“Nice girl, huh, Vin?” Vin heard Buck’s comment from across the room.

“Buck, stop thinking below ya belt,” said Vin trying to ignore the comment and the pain in his ribs.

“Listen, Vin. You just rest. We’ll take care of Chris,” said Josiah, walking into the room. He had wanted to see if the others were available to talk to Ezra and JD about what they found.

“I know, Josiah. It’s just that…he ain’t all there, Josiah.”

“What do you mean by that, Vin?” asked Lucien from his place by the wall.

“He ain’t all there. It’s like there’s somethin’ missin’ from him. Somethin’ important, Lucien. Ya know what I mean?”

Lucien’s blue eyes looked into the Vin’s. He knew what he meant. He had seen it in his brother’s eyes when he and Sarah had attended his college graduation. He was so proud and so full of life and it was that look of life that now seemed to be gone.

“Yes, Vin. I know what you mean,” answered Lucien.

“Well, I think Ezra and JD found out some interesting information,” interrupted Josiah. “He wants to see us in the other room.”

“You, Lucien and Nathan go, Josiah. I’ll do the babysittin’,” volunteered Buck.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” said Vin, trying to glare at him, but found that his eyes were getting harder and harder to keep open.

“You don’t. But Chris does,” said Buck, smiling softly.

Vin did not want to admit it, but he knew Buck was right. He could not handle Chris alone if he had another episode.

The others looked at Buck for reconfirmation. Buck nodded and they took it as his acknowledgment to leave. They each filed out, wishing the two men well.

*************************************************************************

Josiah, Nathan and Lucien found Ezra and JD in the other room. JD had his laptop with him and was busy keying away. Ezra was standing closing at his side, his eyes not leaving the scene as he heard the three men enter the room.

“You boys look like you got something of interest there?” commented Josiah, as he walked closer to the two.

Ezra sighed and turned to face them, while JD continued to work at the computer.

“We most assuredly do, my dear reverend sir. It seems that our Miss Diaz has been, shall we say, sleeping with the enemy.”

“You mean…” started Nathan.

“I mean she is as close to Roberto DeCorsia as his own daughter.”

“But what about his son, Marco?” asked Josiah, now curious also.

“It seems that Nadia has exuded more influence over the head of the family, than our nemesis Marco. From what we have found out, I believe Father Berto thinks his son is an incompetent pawn. Someone he could use. Sergio, Nadia’s demised husband, on the other hand was the real power. And once he died, Nadia put that to good use, including capturing her father-in-law’s ear.”

“So what you’re saying in essence is that Nadia has the real power and Marco has zilch?” questioned Lucien.

“In a way, yes, your hypothesis is correct, Mr. Caymen. Marco is just a figurehead for his father’s empire. But Nadia, now that is a horse of a different color.”

“So now, what does that mean?” asked JD, turning from his typing and joining into the conversation.

Ezra bent down and turned JD’s chair back towards the computer. “Please continue your work, Mr. Dunne.” He then turned back to the others again. “As to Mr. Dunne’s question, it means that she has formidable forces at her beckon call and that will mean that it would be difficult to get access to her.”

“You mean we can’t get to her?” asked Lucien dejectedly.

“I said difficult, Mr. Caymen, not impossible,” replied Ezra.

“You have to remember, Lucien. When it comes to Ezra, nothing impossible,” said Josiah, smiling wickedly.

Lucien then understood. He was glad his brother had friends like these. They would needed going against Nadia and her cohorts. He knew how deadly she could be when she didn’t get what she wanted.

Lucien started to remember when he had first Nadia how charming she was. She knew how to manipulate people into thinking they wanted to do what she wanted. She had even made Lucien believe that he was helping his brother when he got her the information on the original DeCorsia bust. He did not know that Nadia had her own objectives and that her plan included making a deal before hand with DeCorsia.

Then when she was finally captured by the organization, when she escaped she tried to kill Chief Travis and take out Chris at the same time. He did not understand her. She claimed that she loved his brother, but then she betrayed him and then tried to kill him. She was an enigma to both of them.

But Lucien knew something that the others did not and he had his own plans on how to deal with Nadia. First he needed to know that his brother would be save and that had been confirmed by the actions of these six men. With that out of the way, he now needed to go back to the life he had before coming here. The life he had fallen into after he was ejected from the organization. If his brother or his friends ever found out what his old occupation was he knew they would despise him. But in order to save his brother, he was willing to do anything, including going back to his old occupation.

Before he would leave, he needed to see his brother one last time. He knew what he contemplated to do would probably mean never being able to see his brother again, but if it meant that his brother would live, then so be it.

He turned to the four men who were in deep conversation on developing a plan to retrieve Nadia and get the antidote. He said, “Listen guys,” as they turned to face him. “I’m going to go see Chris and then I’m going down to the cafeteria to get some coffee. You guys want some?”

“That’ll be great, Lucien,” answered Nathan, smiling.

“Okay, be back in few.” Lucien exited the room quickly before he could change his mind.

The others turned back to the JD and the screen, but Ezra paused for a minute, looking at the space where Lucien had been. There was something bothering him about the way Lucien looked before he left. Ezra thought he saw something of sadness in those blue eyes. Ezra shook his head, not understanding what he saw and then turned his attention back to where the others were listening to what JD found.

************************************************************************

Lucien entered the room that contained the two ill men and found Buck sitting in the chair against the other side of the room. The tall man was fast asleep, his head leaning back in the cushioned chair, his mouth wide open and snoring loudly. He stood there and wondered how could the two ill men sleep with all the racking that was coming from the man on the chair. But then again, they were drugged. He laughed silently to himself at the thought.

He cautiously walked passed the sleeping agent and moved closer to the bed that held his only living flesh and blood. He saw that the older blond was sweating profusely and seemed to have acquired a fever since the last time he saw him. He pushed a strand of wet hair that stuck to his forehead back and stroked his cheek gently.

Although Chris was deeply in a state of drugged sleep, he could feel the cold touch of hand to his cheek. The coolness of it quenched the fire that burned there. It felt so good compared to the rest of his body that seemed to burning with unspeakable pain.

But Lucien did not see what Chris felt. He only could see his only brother lying in a bed in a restless sleep. He leaned down over his ear, making sure that the others could not hear and said, “Mickey, this may be the last time that we share a conversation.” A saddened smile came over his face. “I love you dearly, whether you know it or not. I can see I was wrong about Buck. Although he has a big mouth, I can tell that he really cares about you as much as I. And Vin, although we have not had a lot of time together, I can see why you care so much for him and why he does you. You two are so much alike, two white knights.” Lucien swallowed the lump that was now forming in his throat. This was very hard for him and he knew how hard it would be for his brother to get over. But Lucien knew he had help in these men he called brothers.

Chris could hear the pain in his brother’s voice. He thought to himself, “Lucien, what’s wrong? What’s going on?” Chris’ heart started to beat faster as he started to deign what Lucien’s words meant.

Lucien continued, “Don’t worry about me, Mickey. I can take care of myself. Just worry about getting well. You will have your cure from Nadia. I promise. Take care of these crazy friends you call brothers, especially the one on the other bed and the one in the chair. They need you more. Good-bye, big brother and don’t forget me.” Lucien then wiped the tear that had escaped his eyes. He then stood up, took one last look at the three men and quickly walked out the door.

What he did not know is that Chris heard the whole conversation. He tried to fight the lethargy that was keeping him from getting up out of the bed and stopping his brother. The swirl of the darkness that surrounded him was too strong, like trying to swim through a tidal wave. He could not fight the sedative and he could not save his brother. He had failed again in keeping someone he loved safe. Even though there was no one to watch them, tears of despair fell in tracks down the blond man’s face.

As he slowly gave in to the blackness of sleep, he heard the words of the voices as they followed him down. “We told you so. We told you so.”

TBC

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