AU: Fallen Angels

Rating: FRM – Fan Rated for Suitable Mature

Warnings: Some language, some graphic violence.

Title: Fallen Angels

Chapter: 56 of ?

Herald the Angels

The six friends and colleagues of the blond sat in the waiting room, anxiously awaiting news of their friend.

Chris was brought in and immediately taken to one of the trauma rooms. It was three hours later when they had finally stabilized him and the doctor came out and explained to them that he was now being moved to ICU. He had told that they would have to wait until they had him set up in the area. They would come get them for a five-minute visit, but nothing more.

Nathan knew that was going to be difficult with Vin and Buck. Those two were the closest to Chris, although the others were not any less concerned. But the doctors would be hard pressed not to let them stay longer.

Chris had been their leader and he had turned all of their lives around, if you call getting them either out of prison or keeping them from not going to prison. They all owed Chris a lot, something that would be very hard to repay.

Nathan looked up, as did the others to see the doctor coming towards them. They all got up and walked swiftly over to meet the doctor, almost making the man feel like he should turn the other way.

“You are all family of Mr. Larabee?” asked the doctor, almost backing up.

“Sort of, he’s our friend,” said Nathan stepping in. “We all have the legal authority to make decisions for Chris if he is incapable of doing so, this includes any medical decisions.”

“Oh, I see. I’m Doctor Shapiro and well, your friend seems to be in stable condition, although he has been moved to ICU due to the crisis he had in the ambulance. But I have to tell you I have never in my life seen the results of blood tests like this,” said the Doctor.

“What do you mean, Doctor?” asked Josiah concerned.

“Well, there were chemicals in his blood that I’ve never seen before. Do you know if he worked in a pharmaceutical laboratory or for any type of pharmaceutical company?”

“No,” said Nathan, knowing exactly what it was that was troubling the doctor.

“Let’s just say that Chris worked for the government in a special capacity and that has put him in exposure to chemicals that are experimental in nature,” interjected Ezra calmly.

They all turned to stare at him, but they were happy that Ezra came to save the day again with his silvery tongue.

It would have been inappropriate for this doctor and his hospital to know the nature of Chris’ illness. This was not Dr. Cohen, which was a shame since he was more familiar with Chris’ condition.

But now since Chris had the antidote it did not seem necessary, at least that was what the others thought. Nathan on the other hand had a different opinion.

They needed the analysis that was started by Dr. Cohen so that they could complete their final analysis of the missing chemical. Nathan knew this doctor did not have the information that Dr. Cohen had or the familiarity with the drug.

There was more at stake than Chris’ life. There was the issue that Nadia might succeed in taking the formula back to her friends in organized crime.

Once Dr. Shapiro had given them the information about Chris’ condition which included the knife wound and its impact to his condition, he explained to them that once he was set up in ICU that he would let the nurses on duty know that they could have five minutes visitation, only two at a time with him. He then walked away to finish overseeing the final set up of his patient.

Nathan then turned to the others and said, “Guys, we need to discuss what we going to do about that drug that Nadia created.”

“Why?” JD asked confused. “Chris already has the antidote in him and he’s going to be fine.”

“I know, JD. But remember, Nadia still knows the formula and she can produce more,” came Nathan’s statement of finality.

The others eyes lit up. They were sickened by the fact that Nadia had the capability of releasing the horrid drug on the rest of the world.

“We can’t let her do that!” exclaimed JD.

“We know, JD,” said Vin wishing they had not let the woman go.

“We can’t second guess ourselves now, brothers,” interjected Josiah. “Our concern right now is Brother Chris.”

They all knew Josiah was right. Nadia would have to wait. It was bad enough that they did not know where Lucien had gone. They would have thought that he would want to be with his brother. The man was a strange one. They still could not figure him out.

“Well, boys, we might as well get comfortable and wait for the doctor to come back. It seems it’s going to be a long night…again,” said Nathan and sat down in one of the waiting room chairs. The others followed his lead, their faces all crossed with concerned about their friend.

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

Lucien had reached the area in which Mickey, rather Chris, was supposedly settled within no time.

Once he explained to the nurses that he was Chris’ brother and they finally believed him, they allowed him five minutes with the patient. The doctor had just left and told them that family would be visiting with the patient and they were to give them five minutes, two at a time, so unbeknownst to them, Lucien had arrived at the most appropriate time.

Lucien walked over to the bed where his older brother lay. He was shocked by what confronted him as he did.

His brother was hooked up to all types of monitors and IV leads that were delivering life-giving liquids to his body. It reminded Lucien of a bad dream he once had when he was little and Mickey was into things a young man should never be in.

The dream was a nightmare. One in which Mickey had been shot and Lucien, a little boy of ten was by his bedside, watching with fear and sorrow. That dream had ended tragically with Mickey’s life slowly seeping out of his body and the long squeal of the heart monitor being the only thing noting his passing.

He remembered waking frightened and screaming from the nightmare. His mother came running into his room and she had comforted him with her grown up words of wisdom and strength. He had forgotten about that dream, at least until now.

He moved slowly towards the bed with the beeping sounds and took his brother’s hand into his, expecting that long beep that haunted his dreams. Mickey’s hand was cold and Lucien thought this might be the last time he would see his brother alive.

He bent over to hover just above Chris’ ear and said, “Brother, you’re going to be fine. I don’t care what the doctors say. You’re strong, you always was. I think that was why Pa introduced us to each other that first time at the cemetery.”

Lucien sighed and then continued, “When you get out of here I want you to remember one thing, and that is that I will always love you and I would give my life for you. I’m sorry I can’t stick around, big brother. Got some unfinished business to take care of. But one day I will be back and then we can have that long talk we should have had years ago.”

He quickly wiped away the tears that were forming in his blue eyes and kissed Chris’ upon the forehead, knowing that although fate had torn them apart, it had also brought them back together again.

Lucien squeezed Chris’ hand one last time and walked out of the area.

As Lucien reached the staircase exit, Vin and the others were just coming off the elevator. They missed each other by a few seconds as the door to the stairwell closed and as they walked passed it towards the ICU area.

They were practically two feet from it, when Vin stopped in his tracks and turned quickly around to stare at the stairwell door. He thought he felt something, like something very familiar near the door. It puzzled his mind as to what it could be.

Buck was the only one who had came back to where Vin stood in concentration at the door and said, “Somethin’ wrong, slick?”

Vin shook his head of his reverie and turned to face the ladies man. “Don’t rightly know. Thought I felt somethin’.”

“Like what?” Buck asked curious.

“Can’t put my finger on it,” said Vin thoughtfully. He let out a breath as the feeling slowly faded away. “Guess it was nothin’. Come on. Let’s go see, Chris.” He then started back walking towards ICU with Buck following shaking his head in confusion.

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

Nadia had reached her apartment, avoiding the police who were stationed outside.

Of course, this would be one of the places they would come to search for her. She guessed that either Berto squealed, which was very unlikely or one of his men who had lived did, which was more likely about her involvement in the whole incident.

She quickly packed only the essentials and cleaned out her secret safe.

When she was sure she had everything, she took one long last look at what had been her home for the past five years and swiftly walked out of the apartment.

When she got downstairs, again avoiding being seen, she spied one her escort cars, which was not registered directly in her name, in its usual parking space.

She took out the spare key and started the car up, trying to figure where she would go next.

Well, Reno was looking good this time of year and she had a few holdings under assumed names there.

As she drove out of the parking garage and through the Las Vegas streets, her thoughts strayed to a certain blond and a certain curly haired Texan that she knew she leaving behind.

“Another day, Christopher and Vincent. Another day,” she thought, as she smiled wickedly at the sun slowly rising in the Eastern Nevada sky as she drove out of the city.

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

Vin and the others reached the ICU area where Chris was situated.

Dr. Shapiro and a young red-haired nurse met them at the entrance.

“Your friend, Mr. Larabee is resting comfortable. We have him sedated to keep him from fighting the respirator that is currently helping him to breath.”

“He has trouble breathing?” asked Buck concerned.

“It’s a precaution, Mr. Wilmington. His body is very weak from the chemical poisoning and blood lost and we want to make sure that we give him some help in the healing process. It’s normal standard procedure when it concerns something like this,” explained Dr. Shapiro.

“So what should we expect, Doctor?” asked Nathan, knowing that since the doctor had mentioned the respirator without asking then he knew he had to be not good.

“Well Mr. Jackson, he’s been in and out of consciousness before putting him on the respirator. The last blood test that was done shows a decrease in the chemicals in his bloodstream which is good news.”

“The bad news,” asked Josiah, hearing the undertone in the doctor’s voice.

Dr. Shapiro looked at them and he wished he had better news to tell them.

“Due to the prolong exposure he has had to the chemicals, it has already done some damage unfortunately. How much? Well, we won’t no anything definite until a couple of days and he wakes and that won’t be until we take him off the respirator.”

Vin did not like that and he knew Chris would like it even less.

“What type of damage are we talking about?” asked Nathan.

“Well, heart, kidney and maybe even the lungs have had a strain on them. We hope to cure that by giving him strong antibiotics and as the chemical itself keeps decreasing. The real concern is the brain. The poison that was progressing in his body seems to have disrupted the chemical balance in his brain.”

“And what would that affect?” asked Nathan.

“Well, the way it messes with the brain’s normal chemicals, it can create memory loss or lapses, schizophrenia, impairment to the vocalization centers and even such problems associated with long term abuse of LSD type paraphernalia,” explained Dr. Shapiro.

He saw the look on the men faces and notice the fear and concern that appeared there.

“Listen, we don’t know anything yet. Most tests that can tell us whether or not these areas have been affected are not conclusive until the patient is awake and aware. We’ll know more then. So I suggest you visit your friend and get some rest. You all look like death warmed over and I don’t need you scaring my other patients or my staff,” said Dr. Shapiro smiling gently at them as he left them to their visit.

They all knew the doctor was right, but they had to see Chris first before going home. It was just so that they were assured that he was still here among them.

Vin was the first to enter the room, with Buck and the others close behind.

Chris’ bed was on the far side of the room and there seemed to be only one patient in ICU that day. Josiah did not know if it was a sign of a miracle for the city, or just Chris’ luck.

They noticed the attachment of so many intravenous apparatuses and monitors that it frightened them to see Chris this way. Chris was very pale and the only thing that kept their hopes up was the steadying beeping of the heart monitor.

Vin walked slowly over to the prone form and cautiously grabbed a hold of the hand that did not have a needle in it. He squeezed the hand gently, tears almost forming in his blue eyes.

He leaned over the blond head close enough that he was an inch away from his ear and whispered, “Don’t worry, Cowboy. I’m here for ya. We’re all here and we ain’t goin’ nowhere and ya better not leave either, ya hear.”

Although he did not think the others could hear the conversation, they did. They felt the same way as Vin did. They would not let Larabee leave them.

They all gathered around the man in the bed, creating a united and powerful support system, although the man did not know it. They would fight to the death to keep him among them. That was the way of their friendship.

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

AU: Fallen Angels

Rating: FRM – Fan Rated for Suitable Mature

Warnings: Some language, some graphic violence.

Title: Fallen Angels

Heaven Help Us

Chapter: 57 of ?

Chris awoke to pain in every part of his body. He felt as if he had fallen out of an airplane without a parachute and had hit ground going at 1,000 miles a minute.

He tried to move one of his arms and found it to be immovable. He tried to move his legs and found they were also not obeying his commands.

He turned his head and at least found he had some control. He saw that he was in some sort of hospital bed and that he seemed to be strapped down in it. Railings surrounded him on both sides as if they thought he would try to escape his hospital bed.

He then turned his head the other way and saw Vin asleep in the hospital bed next to his, with his clothes and boots still on, a light blanket was thrown haphazardly over him. The Texan was snoring softly and Chris had to smile at the vision of it.

“He’s been up the past four days, Stud, waitin’ for you to wake up,” said a voice to the side that sounded so much like Buck’s.

“Buck?” rasped out Chris as he tried to see where the big man was.

Suddenly, Buck came into his view just to the left of him. He looked as bad as Vin did.

“Buck...what happened?” asked Chris, the sound of his voice being so rough surprising him. Confusion ruled his thoughts as they flitted around in his mind.

“What’s the last thing you remember?” asked Buck cautiously.

Chris closed his eyes, keeping the blinding light at bay. “What…what did I do, Buck? How come I’m tied up?”

Buck gazed at him with concern and sympathetic eyes. He knew the doctor had said that there would be residual memory lost or lapses. They just did not know how much. “Well, ya kinda had a few really bad episodes in the past couple of days. We just wanted to make sure about safety.”

Chris opened half-cast eyes and stared at his long time friend. “Safety? You mean mine?”

“Nope. I mean the medical staff. Ya almost beat one of the orderlies to death the last time ya woke up all of a sudden. Since then, it was decided it was best to keep ya on lockdown,” said Buck smiling charmingly at him.

“So what did I do? How come I’m here?”

“Listen, Chris, a lot has happened in the past few days. Me and the boys been real worried about ya,” explained Buck quickly taking a hold of his friend’s hand.

“Buck?” said Chris a little louder than his head would allow.

“I think ya need to rest, Pard. Ya know we can talk about this later. Why don’t I get the doc? He definitely wants to see that you’re awake,” said Buck starting to turn for the door.

“Buck!” exclaimed Chris as loud as his voice would let him.

Vin stirred at the sound, waking up and quickly sitting up to scan the room. His wandering stopped when blue eyes met a pair of green eye facing him.

“Chris? Chris, ya awake!” said Vin jumping up from his chair bed, the blanket thrown to the floor. He then knelt by Chris’ bedside, one hand grabbing one of Chris’ in a tight hold.

“Not too loud, Cowboy,” said Chris closing his eyes. “Do you think you could get these restraints off?”

Vin glanced at Buck over Chris’ head and saw him shake his head. Vin nodded slightly, understanding Buck’s hesitation.

“Can’t do that, Cowboy. Gotta get the doc first. Ya got a headache?” asked Vin.

Chris opened hooded green eyes and squinted at Vin’s form against the morning sunlight coming from the window behind him.

“Yeah, a little…”

Vin knew when Chris said a little, it really meant a lot.

“I’m going to get the doc, Vin. Why don’t ya stay here and keep the Stud here company,” said Buck reaching for the door.

“Buck, if you walk out of the door without explaining to me what’s been going on, I swear I’ll…” threatened Chris, trying to get up from the bed and was gently pushed back down by Vin.

“Listen, Chris, let me get the doc and after he gives ya the all clear, I’ll tell ya everything, alright?” said Buck reluctantly.

Chris nodded slowly as he lay back, closing his eyes to the throbbing that was beginning to build behind his green eyes.

Vin sighed happily at hearing Chris sounding more like his old self and nothing like Mickey anymore. It was the one reason he decided to camp out in the hospital room.

Chris opened tearing eyes and said, “Vin?”

“Yeah, Chris.”

“Vin, tell me what…tell me what happened,” pleaded Chris.

Vin cringed at the sound of his friend’s weakened voice. He remembered when it had the ability to make the most powerful of men bow down in fear. Now it barely held the strength to scare a mouse.

Vin felt his anger rising at his own helplessness. His inability to make things right for his friend was totally consuming him.

This did not go unnoticed by the blond the bed. He could see the guilt and rage that was forming on the curly-haired man’s face.

“Vin…ain’t your fault. I just wish I knew…knew what happened,” said Chris tiredly.

Vin smiled gently at his boss. It was good to have his friend back to where he belonged. They would have to wait to see if things would be back to normal.

Just then, Buck returned with Dr. Shapiro. Vin saw that they were not alone and that Nathan and the others were close behind.

“They heard ya was awake,” explained Buck as soon as he saw the two men’s eyes upon him.

“Hey, Chris,” said JD taking a stance next to Vin and the bed.

“How are you feeling, brother?” asked Josiah coming to stand on the other side of the bed.

“Glad to see you have awaken, Mr. Larabee,” said Ezra taking a seat in the chair by the window.

“How’s the head, Chris?” asked Nathan concerned and perusing the blond man’s form. He had moved to the foot of the bed, looking at him concerned.

Chris eyed each of his men, assuring himself that they were all well and there. He needed to make sure that they were together. His eyes smiled as he took in each form standing near.

But for some reason, he still had a niggling sense of wrongness. He kept feeling that he was missing someone.

He looked at each of them again and counted. They were all there. He shook his head trying to clear the cobwebs, counting the men in the room.

As his eyes green eyes were about to close, they popped open as something grabbed at his mind.

“Where’s Lucien?”

All eyes turned to stare at the blond, neither of them wanting to answer the question.

“Well, Chris…” started Buck.

“He left,” said Vin simply. He did not want to lie to his friend and knew that it would be hard for them to do so.

“Left?” asked Chris bewildered. “When? Where?”

“Right after the FBI arrived.”

Buck glared at the lanky sharpshooter, wanting him to be quiet.

“FBI? Why?”

Buck sighed and knew that it was too late to try and hide it from the ill man. He said, “They were looking for him. I don’t know why, but Lucien left before they could see him.”

“And you let him go?” exclaimed Chris, rising halfway out of the bed, trying to get out of the restraints. Vin and Nathan gently pushed the blond back on to the bed, sending worried glances at the others.

“Chris, ya got to settle down or you’ll pull out them stitches the docs just put in,” said Vin.

“Fuck off, Tanner! And the rest of you too! You let him leave!” yelled Chris.

“Mr. Larabee, I would say that you should heed Mr. Tanner’s words,” interrupted Ezra.

“Ezra, you say one more word out of the fancy ass mouth and I’ll close it for you,” sniped Chris.

“Well, I never,” said Ezra trying to impose his most elegant indignant look at the man.

JD mouth opened in shock, afraid to say anything that might cause the man to continue his angry tirade.

Josiah started to open his mouth to say something and Chris jump to interrupt him with a glare. Josiah closed his mouth quickly. He knew at this point that the ill man was thinking straight and it would avail nothing to argue with him.

At that moment, the young red headed nurse from their previous meeting walked into the area.

“What is going on here?” she asked as she came in and saw the men trying to calm the man on the bed.

“Let me out of here!” screamed Chris at the nurse.

“Mr. Larabee, that is not possible at this moment. You need to calm down or I’ll have to page the doctor.”

“Then page him!” sniped Chris. “I want out of here.”

The nurse snorted and turned to walk out of the room.

“Now ya did it, Chris,” said Buck smirking. “I think ya pissed her off.”

“She ain’t the only one I’m gon’na piss off. Buck! You get me out of here now or I’ll make your life a living hell,” said Chris angrily.

“Chris, we didn’t exactly let him go, Pard. He just left,” said Vin calmly.

Chris lay there breathing hard and sending glares at the men in front of him. Somewhere in the back of his mind, where his reasoning stood, he knew the others did not understand why they could not let Lucien leave.

But then there was the emotional piece that kept the fear and anger there at the thought of having his younger brother out there alone and against who knew what. He could not let that happen again.

Buck looked at Vin as if to say, “see what you done” and then turned to stare back at the blond on the bed.

After a while Chris calm down some and looked imploringly at the young Texan. “I’m…I’m sorry, Vin, guys. Please. We have to find him.”

Vin saw the pain and anguish that his friend was going through at the thought of Lucien being in danger. He reluctantly nodded and said softly, “Okay, we’ll find him, Chris. We’ll bring him back.”

Chris sighed in relief and his body relaxed at having Vin’s support in his request.

“What?” Buck exclaimed. “Are you out of your mind? We don’t know where to look and…”