Disclaimer: I do not own the Magnificent Seven or the characters. I do not use this forum for profit. I do own the story and it’s premises.

Birthday Fic: This is for Helen’s birthday. She wanted Vin hurt with Chris comfort.

Author: Stormm

Fandom: ATF, Vin, Chris, All Seven.

Premises: An assassin is out to kill Chris and Vin and the others have to insure that he does not succeed.

Rating: FRM

Warnings: Some language, some graphic violence.

Title: Til Death Do Us

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Chris strolled into the main office area at the Denver Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco. He was unusual late but he had to stop and drop off some paperwork that Travis had wanted before he started his day.

He saw the looks he got from his fellow colleagues and shrugged his shoulders as he approached his office at the end of the corridor of cubicles.

He walked inside, almost closing the door in the face of one of his agents.

“Hey, Cowboy, ya late,” said Vin entering the office without invitation and taking a seat in front of the desk.

Chris glared at him and took his seat behind the desk, putting his briefcase down next to it.

“What do you want, Vin?” he asked, not pleased with the sharpshooter’s presence in his office.

“We were wonderin’ why ya so late?”

Chris eyed him confused. “What are you now? My babysitters?”

Vin smiled wickedly at him. Every time Chris was late, they would tease him incessantly. It was sort of a game. Last week it was Ezra’s turn and the week before it was Buck’s. This week was Vin’s.

“Nah. We just wonderin’ what could make the great Chris Larabee mess up his schedule,” said Vin laughingly.

“First of all, if you must know, I had to deliver some overdue paperwork to Travis, which by the way, I believe you were responsible for making sure it was delivered on time. Second of all, I’m the boss and if you guys do this every week. You keep this up and you and your boys out there are gon’na be doing clean up duty in the research department,” threatened Chris, his eyes blazing.

“Hey, don’t get ya panties in bunch, Pard. Ya know we just yokin’ ya chain,” said Vin trying to pacify the blond.

Chris sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his eyes softened at the brown haired agent. “I know, Vin, I know. It’s just this Salazar case is getting to me.”

Vin knew what Chris was referring to. The Salazar case was one of the worst cases that had been assigned to their department.

A drug dealer by the name of Salazar had turned stoolie. The ATF was supposed to be working on the case in conjunction with the FBI to capture three of the top drug distributors on the West Coast.

But something happened. Salazar was assassinated on his last meeting with Chris and Vin. Shot right in the head while Chris and Vin were bringing him into ATF headquarters to meet with the FBI agents on the case in the middle of rush hour in downtown Denver.

After the shot, there was pandemonium. People were running and screaming everywhere.

Several ATF agents and ATF guards came running out of the building, searching for the shooter.

Chris had just at the moment the first shot was dying down noticed a glint of light coming from the roof across the street. It was then he felt the hackles on his neck rise.

Without a second thought, he pulled himself and Vin down to the ground behind a car, as a second shot was heard hitting the car they were behind.

The next time Chris inched up over the car to take a look, no shot came. Chris knew the shooter was gone. His mission complete and they had lost a valuable asset in breaking up one of the biggest drug distribution groups in the area.

Since that time, Vin knew Chris’ mood had been one of being pissed 24 hours a day. His anger sometimes took the outlet of staying up too late at night and eating very little.

It bothered Vin that he could not do anything about it. It would only be resolved when they found out that had contracted the hit on Salazar and found the shooter.

“Anything new?” questioned Vin.

“Nah. I got JD looking into some of the leads the FBI came up with, but of course, you know they’ll probably lead to nothing.”

Vin smirked. He knew as well as Chris that currently the FBI was all out of leads as well as local enforcement agencies and police.

“I’ll have Ezra check with his informants. See if he can get any juice out of ‘em,” replied Vin as he got up from the seat and started to leave.

“Thanks, Vin.”

“No problem, Chris.” He then walked out of the office, leaving the blond man alone with his frustration.

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

Vin sat with his legs up on his desk, watching the office in front of him.

Chris was still barred inside his office since early this morning.

Vin waited patiently for his blond boss. The others had left long ago to seek the solace of their homes and beds. Vin had decided to wait since he was planning on staying out at Chris’ ranch for the weekend. He just wished the man would hurry up with whatever he was doing.

Suddenly the door opened and Chris Larabee walked out of the office, carrying his briefcase and jacket under his arm.

“What took ya so long?” asked Vin.

“You still here?” questioned Chris surprised.

“Weekend. Ranch. Remember?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry. I forgot.”

Vin saw the look of confusing on Chris’ face and knew the man had been working too hard and for too long.

“We can cancel until next weekend, Chris,” suggested Vin.

Chris shook his adamantly. “No, no. I said this weekend. I promised,” said Chris smiling slightly. “And I keep my promises. Walk me to my car?”

“Sure, Cowboy,” said Vin getting up from his seat and following Chris towards the elevators that would lead them out of the building.

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

Vin and Chris walked through the empty parking garage towards the only two vehicles left in the building. Vin jeep was on the other side next to the wall while Chris’ truck was parked near the middle of the garage.

Vin accompanied Chris about half way to his truck and then veered towards the direction of his jeep. “So I’ll meet ya at the ranch in about a half hour,” he said as he walked away.

Chris nodded and as he watched Vin walked away.

Vin was about to get into his jeep when the hackles rose on the back of his neck. He noticed some type of liquid trailing out of the back of Chris’ truck. In fact, it was pouring out from the area and seemed to be located where Chris’ gas tank would be.

Vin exited his vehicle as he watched Chris getting ready to put his keys into his truck to open the door.

Suddenly Vin’s instincts were screaming loudly. “Chris!” he yelled.

Chris turned to look over at Vin, halting before turning the key. He watched as Vin started running towards him and after that things seem to be surreal to him.

One minute Vin was running towards him. The next minute Vin had collided with him, knocking him two feet away from the truck with his momentum and most of the breath out of his body and at the same time the black truck exploded.

Chris and Vin were thrown several feet into the air and landed hard on the other side of the garage.

As the truck blazed high, neither man had moved an inch from their positions on the ground.

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

Buck and JD came running into the ATF parking garage that was surrounded by Denver firemen, police and ATF personnel.

They spotted Ezra standing next to a police sergeant having a very livid conversation with him.

“Hey, Ez, what’s going on?” asked Buck concerned.

“This officer here does not understand that I am an agent of the ATF and that as such should be treated with carte blanche authority,” explained Ezra his eyes glaring at the young police sergeant.

“Take it easy, Ezra,” said Buck stepping in. “Sergeant, you want to tell me what’s going on here? What happened?”

“And you are?”

“Agent Wilmington, ATF.”

“Well, Agent Wilmington, as I tried explaining to Agent Standish here, no one is allowed to go into the building at the moment. There was an explosion in the garage and until I get the okay from the bomb squad and the fire department, no one is to enter without approval from the Fire Chief on duty.”

“I see. So Ezra, I don’t see the problem,” said Buck confused.

“Me either,” piped in JD.

“What this figure of local authority has declined to mention is that two people have been injured in this event.”

“What has the got to do with us?” asked JD, still not understanding the problem.

“Chris and Vin have failed to answer the cells nor are they at home,” answered Ezra eyeing both Buck and JD forcibly.

Buck and JD now understanding Ezra’s fears.

“And, their vehicles are not at their residence nor accounted for.”

At that comment, Buck walked passed the officer and through the yellow police banner with JD and Ezra following.

“Hey!” yelled the officer, running after them. “You can’t go in there!”

Buck turned to face the oncoming running man and said, “You just watch us.”

The officer backed up as he saw the sneer and the look that the tall agent came him. He decided that it was best not to antagonize these men. They did not seem like the peaceable types.

Buck, Ezra and JD marched into the frenzy garage. Fire fighters and policemen were all over the place, including some ATF agents who were examining evidence at the scene.

They noticed paramedics working on two people at the far side of the site and walked quickly over to them.

What beheld them was surprise and shock.

“Chris! Vin!” exclaimed Buck, running over and kneeling down next to the paramedics.

Both of his friends were unconscious and covered in ash, cuts and bruises.

“How are they?” questioned Buck of the paramedics.

“So far, we got only cuts and bruises, but both are unconscious, so we haven’t ruled out concussions,” replied the woman paramedic who was starting an IV into Vin’s arm.

Suddenly, there was a groan coming from the direction of Chris Larabee.

“This one seems to be waking up,” stated the male paramedic at the scene.

“Chris?” called Buck.

“What…what the hell?” came Chris’ low rasp as he tried to reach for his forehead.

The male paramedic grabbed his hand and placed it back at his side. “You need to keep still, mister. You might have a concussion.”

“Huh? What? Oh, hell,” said Chris, his glazed green eyes looking over to where Vin lay. “Vin?”

“Take it easy, Chris.”

Chris eyes widened in bewilderment. “Buck?”

“Yeah, it’s me, Stud.”

“What happened? What’s…what’s wrong with Vin?”

Buck did not know what had happened. He saw Ezra talking to the Fire Chief and the Bomb Squad officer, but at this moment his main concern was his two friends.

“I don’t know, Pard. Vin’s out like a light and you were too a minute ago.”

“Seems…seems I remember Vin yelling my name and…damn!”

Buck saw the blond man flinch. “Chris? What’s wrong?”

“I think my car blew up…Vin…he must have known,” stated Chris trying to rise from his prone position.

“Hey, hey, stud, you gotta settle back down,” said Buck quickly trying to help the paramedic subdue the man.

Chris pushed both hands away and sat up anyway. “Cut it out! I’m fine,” he said adamantly grabbing his head.

“But I bet your head aint,” retorted Buck.

“Just a headache. What about Vin?”

Buck heard the worried tone in Chris’ voice. He looked over at the woman paramedic and she said, “He’s unconscious, but there does not seem to be any physical damage. I won’t know for certain until we get you two to the hospital.”

“Don’t need no hospital!” hissed Chris. “Buck, help me up.”

But Chris…”

“Buck, either you help me or I’ll help myself,” said Chris defiantly.

“Sir, are you refusing medical attention?” asked the male paramedic.

“Yes! Now get the hell away from me.”

Buck sighed and rolled his eyes in exasperation. He held out his hand and Chris grabbed it in one fluid motion. Buck heaved and pulled Chris to his feet, although he stood shakily on them.

“Chris, you sure you’re alright?”

“I ain’t going to say it again, Buck,” said Chris brushing the ash off his clothes.

JD looked at Buck and shrugged his shoulders. He knew there was no way of stopping Chris from doing something if he had a mind to.

Just then, Ezra came walking over to them. He looked Chris up and down and then looked to Buck for some information, but none was given.

He then looked back at Chris and said, “Chris, I think you and Vin need to be put in protective custody.”

Chris eyed him confused.

“Why’s that?” said Chris pushing a lock of blond hair out of his eyes.

“It seems the bomb squad found an incendiary device attached to your vehicle. There was another one attached to Mr. Tanner’s vehicle also, but it seems it did not go off as programmed.”

“You mean someone’s trying to kill them?” asked JD stunned.

“Yes, I do believe that is what the bomb squad is insinuating.”

Chris listened vaguely to their conversation. Most of his attention was focused on the curly haired man that the female paramedic was working on.

“Chris, do you understand what Ezra’s saying?” asked Buck.

“Huh? Yeah, yeah, listen. JD, get on the phone and contact Josiah and Nathan. Have them meet us over at the hospital. Ezra, find out if the building is still open or if they think there’s structural damage that won’t allow us in,” said Chris looking around him.

“Gotcha,” replied JD, pulling out his cell phone and dialing numbers.

Buck noticed that Chris was looking for something. “Chris, what you looking for?”

“Where’s my briefcase?” said Chris thoughtfully.

Buck looked at him not understanding. “Your what?”

“My briefcase. Where is it?” asked Chris angrily.

Buck looked at Ezra who had no inkling as to why Chris’ briefcase could be of such importance.

“Mr. Larabee, may I suggest that we look for that later and accompany Mr. Tanner to the hospital as our first priority?” recommended Ezra.

“Yeah, yeah, right,” said Chris pulling a hand through his disheveled hair.

At that moment, they heard a moan coming from the direction of the curly haired man on the ground.

“Vin?” queried Chris, kneeling down by the injured man’s side.

Vin eyes slowly opened and focused on the face above him. “Chris? What…what happened?”

“Seems we pissed someone off, Cowboy,” said Chris smiling slightly.

“Oh, shit! Not again,” groaned Vin as he took in the paramedics who were busy around him. “How…How bad?”

“Well, my car’s gone. Seemed yours was lucky, though. Unfortunately the garage took a beating, but it’s still standing,” explained Chris.

Vin suddenly made a move to sit up, but the paramedics held him down. “Chris! It was a set up!”

“Take it easy, Vin,” said Chris trying to calm the fears of his friend. “We know. Right now though, you’re going to the hospital.”

“But I’m…”

“Fine,” finished Chris. “Yeah, we know.” He looked at Buck and Ezra and saw them smiling. “Shut up,” added Chris, knowing that they were not only smiling at Vin’s answer but the one Chris had given them earlier.

“But I…I am, Chris.”

“Let’s just let the doc make that decision first, okay?”

“And how come ya ain’t hurt too? Iffen I remember, ya was there.”

Chris rolled his eyes towards the ceiling and said, “Maybe ‘cause you landed on me. By the way, thanks, cowboy.”

“For what?” asked Vin, his deep blue eyes squinting at him.

“For saving my sorry hide.”

Vin grinned as best as he could under the circumstances and said, “Well, someone had to save ya sorry hide. I guess it’s better it was me.”

“Hardy, har, har,” said Chris standing up. He then turned to the paramedics and said, “Okay. Let’s get him to the hospital just to make sure his brain’s all there.”

The paramedics then lifted Vin and placed him on one of the stretchers, while the young Texan mumbled something about bosses with terrible jokes.

“We’ll be right behind ya, Stud,” called Buck as they wheeled Vin away towards the ambulance. He then saw JD approaching them.

Once the young man got close enough, he grabbed him by the shoulders, while Ezra grabbed Chris by the arm and they walked out of the garage towards Buck’s truck.

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

In the hospital waiting room, the four men sat. Vin was taken into one of the treatment rooms and a young intern had told them that as soon as his examination was done, he would be out to inform them on the condition of their friend.

That was three hours ago and Buck watched as Chris paced like an anxious tiger up and down the room.

“Chris, sit your ass down! Ya scaring me,” exclaimed Buck.

Chris turned to glare at the ladies man.

“On second thought, the way you look, you’re already scary.”

Chris knew that Buck was speaking of his current appearance. One side of his face was covered in blood and cuts. His clothes were torn and where the tears existed was more blood and cuts.

Chris had refused to let any medical personnel near him at the site or at the hospital. He immediately explained to whoever wanted to try that he wanted to know about his friend and that anything else was not to be discussed.

Buck, on the other hand, figured they just wait until Nathan and Josiah arrived to handle the irate man. If anyone could handle Chris that was not Vin, it was definitely Nathan. And if he could not, there was always Josiah and physical force.

After Buck’s last outburst, Chris turned back to continue with his mission to create a grove into the floor.

Ezra sighed in relief as he noticed Nathan and Josiah coming into the waiting room.

Nathan noticed Chris and deigned to walk over to the others, but went straight to the blond who seemed to be distraught.

“Chris, what the hell are you doing?”

Chris turned to face Nathan, anger and confusion on his face.

“Nate,” was all he replied.

“Did you get a look at yourself?” asked Nathan as he started to reach over to examine the cut on the blond’s head.

Chris slapped the hand away and said, “I’m fine. It’s Vin I’m worried about. Can you go and find out what’s keeping that snot-nosed kid of a doctor?”

Nathan eyed the blond man annoyed, but he also knew it was no good trying to talk sensible to him until he knew the scruffy looking Texan was okay.

“Alright, Chris. I will. But you have to promise me when I get back to let me take care of that cut on your head.”

Chris reluctantly nodded and watched as the agent and medic walked through the double doors leading into the emergency room area.

Josiah noticed the blond man’s agitation and said, “Chris, it’ll probably take a long time before Nathan gets back. Why don’t I go to the cafeteria and get us all some coffee?”

Chris, finally realizing the ex-preacher was there, replied, “Yeah. Great idea, Josiah.”

“I’ll come with you,” piped up JD getting up from his seat next to Buck and following Josiah towards the stairs to the cafeteria.

“Mr. Larabee, I think we need to discuss our next plan of action while we await for Mr. Jackson’s assessment of Mr. Tanner’s condition,” said Ezra.

Chris nodded and sat down next to Buck and Ezra. Buck breathed a sigh of relief that the man had finally sat down.

“So what you got in mind, Ezra?” asked Chris listening intently.

“It is my opinion that this attack was definitely targeted to yours and Mr. Tanner’s persons.”

“No kidding,” injected Buck.

Ezra ignored the comment and continued. “I think it is best that you and Mr. Tanner be put into protective custody until such time we can identify the perpetrators involved.”

“That’ll take too long, Ezra,” dismissed Chris. “Besides I don’t hide from anyone.”

“We know you ain’t hiding, Chris,” interrupted Buck. “It’s just that it don’t make any sense to expose you or Vin to danger if we don’t have to.”

“Buck, I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself. Vin can stay here in the hospital with you and Ezra watching his back.”

Just as Buck was about to protest Chris’ suggestion, the door to the emergency room opened and Vin, helped along by Nathan was led to them.

“Nate? Vin?” questioned Chris, rising from his seat. “What the hell is he doing here?”

“They’ve released him, Chris,” explained Nathan. “They left some antibiotics for the bad cut on his arm and some pain medication. They also want him to rest for the next few days. Tests proved negative for concussion.”

Vin blue eyes rolled up at the ceiling. He hated when they talked about him as if he was not there. “Hey, guys, over here,” said Vin irritated.

“So,” said Chris ignoring him. “We get him in bed and have a babysitter with him. Buck and Ezra have been assigned that detail.”

“Hey, it’s me ya talkin’ ‘bout. I’m here, guys,” said Vin again, his ire increasing.

“Should move to the safe house,” stated Buck.

“Don’t think that’s wise, Buck,” replied Chris. “Too many vulnerabilities. How about the ranch?”

“Yo!” yelled Vin. “I ain’t a child!”

Chris and the others finally noticed Vin standing looking at them angrily.

“Listen, Vin. Someone’s trying to kill you,” said Chris determinedly.

“But it ain’t just me they tryin’ to kill, Chris.”

“He’s right, Chris,” interjected Buck.

Chris glared at Buck, then turned the glare towards Vin and the others. He was not about to put into protective custody. He knew of only one way to get these men and being secreted away was not going to bring them out.

“If I go into hiding they won’t try again and if they won’t try again, we won’t find them.”

His friends’ faces showed their disagreement with Chris’ assessment of the situation. They did not like the fact that Chris wanted to set himself up as bait. Vin was especially not fond of this idea.

“It’s a bad idea, Chris,” spoke up Vin. He walked over to blond, limping as he did.

“Vin…”

“No, Chris. Ya listen to me. We are in this together and we fight this together. Or I go hunt this bastards on my own!”

Chris stared at the defiance that shown on the lanky Texan’s face. He knew Vin was serious. He would rather go out and hunt the assassins on his own, rather than leave Chris as bait.

Chris sighed despondently and sat down heavily in one of the seats in the waiting room.

“So, does this mean we agree?” asked Vin, cocking an eyebrow at the man in front of him.

“I guess we come up with another plan,” said Buck smiling lividly.

“Sure do look that way,” added Josiah.

Chris ran a hand through his messy blond hair and shook his head in unbelief.

“Ya ain’t gon’na win this one, Cowboy,” said Vin smirking at the blond, noticing how tired and in disarray the man was.

“Let’s get these boys home and we can start planning,” said Buck.

“Yes. I have to say that I have an extreme aversion to hospitals and emergency rooms,” said Ezra getting up from his seat and brushing off his clothes.

“Come on, Chris,” said Nathan grabbing him by the arm and pulling him up. “You can ride with me, Vin and Josiah while I look over those bruises and cuts of yours.”

Chris was tempted to argue, but he was too exhausted to have such a confrontation at the moment.

As Chris, Vin, Josiah and Nathan starting walking towards the exit, Buck, Ezra and JD followed, discussing what to do next.

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

Chris had finished taking his shower and was toweling off the excess water when he heard a knock at his bedroom door.

He quickly wrapped a towel around his waist and went to the door. He opened it to find Nathan standing in the doorway looking unwavering and holding a white medical kit in his hand.

Chris glared at the young medic. He knew why he was there. Chris had denied him access to his body during their ride to the ranch, pleading with Nathan that he needed to take a shower first before he would let the healer-agent near him. Now Nathan was here to make sure he delivered on his promise.

“Nate,” said Chris crisply and then sat down on the bed.

“Now, Chris,” replied Nathan just as crisply and knelt down in the front of his boss. He started taking out disinfectant, gauze and other items to work on the blond man’s cuts.

Chris sat stoically still, while Nathan examined, cleaned and bandaged any cuts he found.

Nathan noticed Chris’ immobile form and knew the man was thinking hard on something.

“Want to talk about it?” asked Nathan trying to appear nonchalant.

“Trying to figure out who be desperate enough to want me and Vin dead using paid professionals,” said Chris confused.

“I know you ain’t contemplating that, Chris. We have pissed off so many people, most of them who would be willing to sell their souls to see us dead that this should not be anything to think about.”

“That’s the problem, Nathan. Half are in prison and the other half is dead. There can’t be but a few of them that are alive and out.”

“Then what the problem?”

“The ones that are don’t fit the profile. They don’t have either the brains or the funds for the type of firepower it took to plant C4 in our vehicles. It just doesn’t feel right,” answered Chris.

“Listen, Chris, first of all, the boys are working on finding out who might be responsible. JD’s got his laptop and he’s pulling up all information concerning any of our arrests and cases. Right now though, you and Vin need rest if you’re going to help. Vin has some definite bruising on most of his body and the cut in his arm was pretty deep, needing stitches. You, although you won’t admit it, are showing signs of a mild concussion. I bet that headache is still there, huh?”

“How did you know?” asked Chris surprised.

“I can see the pain in your face. You and Vin have to take a mandatory rest. Otherwise, I’ll get the others and we’ll tie you and Vin down and make you get some rest.”

Chris managed a small smile at Nathan’s attempt to relieve the tension in the room.

“Okay, Nate. I’ll rest. As long as you can guarantee that Tanner does the same,” said Chris smiling wickedly.

“Definitely. Now I’ll get you something for that headache,” said Nathan standing up and moving towards the door.

“Thanks, Nate,” called Chris as he watched his agent walk out of the room.

Chris knew Nate was right. Worrying about it until his head exploded was not going to make things any better or finding the men who tried to execute him and Vin any faster.

He got dressed in his black sweat pants and T-shirt and laid back on the bed awaiting Nathan’s return with medicine for his headache. He closed his eyes, drifting into a light sleep, wondering if they would find the men before they tried again.

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

Jacklin Troy and Rafe McClean sat in the dingy hotel in the downtown area of Denver.

They were eating dinner and listening to the news intently. The number one story of Denver was about how an explosion had rocked the Downtown Denver Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco Office garage and how two of its agents were hospitalized, but alive.

“Shit!” cursed Jacklin, running a hand through his brown hair. “They should have died in the explosion.”

“You fucked up, Jack,” said Rafe chuckling.

“I bet it was Tanner. No way Larabee could have known.”

“Yeah, well it don’t matter. They’re still alive and if they are we don’t get paid.”

“We’re gon’na remedy the situation and Tanner ain’t gon’na stop this one. We’ll get both of them son of bitches in one shot.”

“What’s your plan, Jack?”

“You’re going hunting, Rafe. Just like we use to do back in the hills of Tennessee, son,” laughed Jack.

Rafe looked at him confused. “What?”

“What did we do back in Tennessee when you hunted for snakes?” asked Jack.

Rafe thought for a moment and then a wicked smile came to his face. “Yeah, yeah.”

“That’s right. When you wanted to kill a snake, you don’t follow him into the high grass. You find his home and then you smoke him out.”

“Right. And then when he comes out…”

“You shoot him,” finished Jack, laughing loudly.

Rafe laughed along with him. They would have their payday, one way or the other.

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

Vin dressed in his jeans, with no shirt and no shoes slowly crept by the room that held the sleeping Chris Larabee.

He had tried to get some sleep in the guestroom that was right down the hall, but Buck’s snoring in the room next door kept him awake and aware. Now he was on the prowl for some late night coffee and quiet.

Nathan, Josiah and JD had left earlier in the evening to go to their homes for rest. They were on duty at the office in the morning, while Buck and Ezra were playing personal bodyguards to Vin and Chris.

Just as he was about almost completely pass Chris’ room, the door flew open and he found himself face to face with his bleary-eyed boss.

“Chris?”

“Vin? What you doing slinking around the house this time of night?”

“Wasn’t slinkin’ and I can ask ya the same question, Cowboy,” replied Vin scrutinizing Chris face.

He noticed that the man looked like hell warmed over, his hair in disarray and his green eyes swimming in a pool of red. He still wore his black sweat suit pants, but no shirt was seen.

“I’m always up at this time,” Chris curtly answered.

“Yeah, right. How’s the head,” said Vin unbelieving.

“My head is fine. How’s yours?”

“I ain’t the one that can’t see straight,” replied Vin tersely.

“Yeah, but I wasn’t the one limping,” retorted Chris.

“Very funny. How about some coffee?”

“You making it?”

“Of course. Who did ya think was makin’ it?”

“I was hoping someone who don’t have a cast-iron stomach,” retorted Chris.

“Just keep ‘em comin’ Chris. Just for that remark, ya don’t get any,” said Vin feigning anger.

“No, no, I didn’t mean anything by it,” said Chris hurriedly. He knew no matter how bad Tanner’s coffee was, it was better than nothing.

“So, come on, Cowboy. What ya waitin’ for?” said Vin, walking towards the kitchen.

Chris followed him in his bare feet out into the hallway. “Nothing. And if you keep on calling me Cowboy, you may find a bullet in your scrawny hide,” smirked Chris.

“Who you calling scrawny?”

And the conversation of who was the skinniest was continued as they walked to the kitchen.

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

Rafe stood next to the trees that lined the Larabee Ranch property. He had just come from scouting the area after finding out that the two targets had left the hospital.

He was lucky when he accidentally heard a conversation between the attending physician and their personal physician that both men were staying at Larabee’s home for the time being.

He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. He heard his cousin Jacklin pick up the phone on the other end.

“Yeah?” came Jacklin’s voice over the phone.

“This is Shooter. The packages are at the Larabee Ranch,” he said softly.

“How’s the perimeter?”

“It looks like two guards inside with them.”

“Any perimeter devices?”

“None on the grounds. Just a security alarm on the door, but it can be easily broken.”

“What about any guard dogs and the like?”

“None.”

“Armed?”

“ATF, most likely,” replied Rafe.

“Firepower?”

“Bring the works. I have a feeling they ain’t going down easily.”

“Right. You stay there, Shooter. Keep an eye on them and keep me updated as to any changes in security. I’m on the way.”

Rafe hung up the phone and moved so his silhouette was hidden behind one of the trees. Payday was getting closer every minute.

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

The clock in the hall of Larabee’s home chimed five. Vin got up and started to prowl the house again. He and Chris had gone back to bed around two and now he was up again at five. He did not understand what bothering him. It was as if he had an itch he could not scratch.

Vin knew he was not about to go back to sleep and decided he would go take care of the horses. Originally, this was suppose to have been their weekend together to do a little fishing and horseback riding, away from the draining flow of work.

But then with the assassination attempt, that was ruined. Vin was still confused by the attempt. There were not a lot of high profiling cases that they were assigned to lately.

The only case still on their docket was the Salazar case and that one was closed due to the death of their most important evidence, so he could not believe that it was the reason behind it.

He needed to sit down with Chris to go over the cases once again. He felt as if he was missing something.

Dressed, he walked outside the house towards the corral where the horses were.

He was about to reach the corral gate when suddenly he thought he heard something like a loud puff go off. Immediately he was pushed back into the fence by a force he did not see. He fell to the ground, a hand catching him in the fall.

Vin knelt there, panting heavily, looking down at the ground. He reached his hand up to his shoulder and touched it. It came away red with blood.

He swiftly crouched down, trying to ignore the pain that was throbbing in his shoulder. Someone had shot at him and the person was probably still there. He crawled towards the barn, keeping his profile as low as possible as not to give the shooter another shot.

When he finally reached the barn, he noticed that someone was coming out of the Larabee house.

He realized from the blond hair and dark clothing that it was Chris, probably coming out to the do the same thing that Vin had originally planned. Vin knew the shooter was still there and Chris probably had not heard a thing since Vin determined that the shooter was using a silencer.

Vin made a decision quickly. He could not let Chris become a sitting duck. Standing up in one swift motion, Vin tried to run to prevent Chris from coming out any further into the open.

Unfortunately, what he thought was running was really stumbling. His arm had since gone numb and he could only wave with one arm to try to ward Chris off.

Chris, still dealing with a headache and aching eyes, saw his friend coming at him from the corral, almost falling onto the dirt path several times and trying to signal something, but he was still a ways off. Chris, unheeding the frantic waving of his friend, continued towards him at quicker pace.

“No, Chris!” Vin tried to yell, but it only came out a rasp.

“Vin?” called Chris as he hurriedly went to his friend.

At that moment another puffing sound was heard, and with it came the ricochet sound of a bullet bouncing off of something hard.

Chris ran at break neck speed to get to Vin as he realized that they were being shot at.

He managed to meet the young Texan about half way and grabbed him quickly by the waist, noticing the blood that flowed freely from his shoulder.

He then pulled his friend towards the cover of the barn, avoiding the bombardment of bullets that sped after them, now from two different directions.

“I think they found us, Pard,” said Vin. Chris could hear the pain in the man’s voice.

“Just take it easy, Cowboy and let me take a look at that shoulder,” replied Chris as he quickly examined the wound in Vin’s shoulder.

“Shit! Take…it easy will ya! I ain’t…a piece of meat!” exclaimed Vin at Chris’ probing of the hole.

“Sorry, Vin,” said Chris quickly assessing Vin’s condition.

Chris knew Vin had lost a lot of blood and was losing more by each minute. The shooters were using silencers and he knew Buck nor Ezra would not have heard the shots that were keeping Chris and Vin pinned downed. He also was worried by the fact that if Buck or Ezra, or if any of the other of the boys came up the drive, they would be perfect targets for the would-be killers. He knew he was running out of options fast.

Vin knew they were in trouble and right now he knew he was not going to be much help. His arm was numb before, but now it was starting to hurt painfully. He knew Buck and Ezra did not know the current position they were in and based on the way the shots were coming, one of the men was definitely a sharpshooter like himself. The other one was a good shot at best, but with both of them, they had them in a crossfire situation.

“Chris, ya armed?” asked Vin hopefully.

“Yeah. But I got only one clip. How about you?”

“Me too. Ya think we can create a loud of enough noise to wake Ezra and Buck?” asked Vin, trying to smile although he was in pain.

“Ezra, probably. Buck, not unless we use a grenade launcher,” replied Chris trying to lighten up the mood. He started loading his only clip into his gun.

Vin pulled his gun from his waistband and started to do the same, fumbling with it as the pain in his arm increased with movement.

Chris green eyes stared at his friend as he watched him struggling to get his gun out and loaded.

“Vin? You alright?”

“I’m…fine, Chris. Don’t worry about me. Worry about those bastards out there!” hissed Vin.

Reluctantly, Chris knew Vin was right. They needed to alert the others as to what was happening and the only way to do that was to make some noise.

“Listen. I’m going to try and get a little closer to the house and try to get one of them into my gun range. Do you think you could keep me covered?” suggested Chris.

Vin knew that Chris was concerned about him. But it was the two of them out there and Ezra and Buck unawares of what was going on. One of them had to try and get the attention of the others. It was the only way to get help.

Vin nodded grudgingly, as he head swam and spots appeared in front of his eyes. He shook his head to clear it and found it helped a little.

Chris had noticed the action and he was concerned, but there was very little he could do at the moment without help.

“You sure?” questioned Chris.

“I said I could, now didn’t I. Just get going before I shoot ya myself,” said Vin smirking at the lanky blond.

Chris smiled and said, “You better be here when I get back, understand?”

With that he watched as Chris, crouching down low, starting his trek across the grassy area that would lead him to the house. Vin made sure as he did that his gun kept the area where the bullets were originally fired covered in order to keep the blond safe.

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

Jacklin watched as the blond haired one tried to reach the house. He knew that if he did, then he would be able to warn the two guards inside before they could complete their mission.

“Rafe, make sure he doesn’t reach the house,” said Jacklin into his headset.

“I got ‘im, Jack. He ain’t going nowhere,” came Rafe’s reply.

Jacklin then sighted the blond within the sight of rifle and fired off a shot. The puff of the sound of the bullet leaving the gun was the only thing heard until the bullet landed a foot in front of the running man.

Jacklin then saw Rafe counter with his own shot, trying to herd the blond man back towards the area of the corral.

He watched as Larabee quickly dodge each one of their shots, but he knew he could not keep it up for long. When he thought Rafe had a great shot to take out the ATF agent, another shot was heard landing not far from Rafe’s position.

“Shit! They’re shootin’ back, Jack!” came Rafe’s shout over the headset.

He watched as Larabee saw his opportunity and the man started back towards the house again.

“Keep Larabee pinned down! Don’t let him get to the house!” ordered Jack through the headset.

Vin knew his shot had come close to where one of the shooters were, but he also knew he had not taken the man out. He just hoped it bought Chris enough space to get to the house to alarm the others.

Vin raised his gun again and sighted at the other side of the property where the other shooter was. He knew he had to keep both of them busy while Larabee tried to reach help. It was getting harder and harder to keep his eyes focused on his targets. He just hoped Chris got to the house before he would loose consciousness.

Chris was almost to the house, when another shot rang out and missed him, hitting the ground near his foot. He pulled out his own gun and fired randomly at where he thought the shot had come from. Not caring whether or not his bullet found its target he crouched down lower and moved faster towards the house.

He was almost near the yard of his house, when he heard several shots coming from behind him. He knew it was Vin, covering his back and he just hoped the young Texan stayed under cover until he could return with reinforcements.

As he was about to run through the gate, he felt a pain in his thigh that brought him down to the ground. He grunted in pain and tried to stand up to run again, but found his leg had gone numb.

When he glanced down, he saw a stain of red starting to grow high up on his right leg. He had been shot. “Shit! Son of bitch!” he screamed as he tried to pull himself up by grabbing on to the gate.

Just then the front door flew open and Ezra came running out, crouching low and firing at the area of the one of the shooters.

A minute later and Buck came running from the side of the house, also firing his weapon at the other shooter.

They both converged on Chris’ position and still firing at their unseen assailants, they pulled the blond back into the house.

“Damn!” came Rafe’s shout over the headset. “There are more of them now.”

“I can see that, Rafe. Shut the hell up! Just keep shooting. I haven’t seen that bastard Tanner among them. He still has to be out here somewhere.”

Rafe nodded, although there was no way Jacklin could have seen him and scanned the area for the sharpshooter.

Since the other two men had pulled their blond target into the house, there was silence.

“Damn! What we going to do, Jack?”

“We’re going to finish the job, Rafe. Now keep an eye out and keep quiet!”

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

Inside the house, Buck and Ezra laid Chris down on the floor just behind the door.

Buck was trying to get a look at the hole in Chris’ leg, all the while the ATF agent was struggling to get back up and go back through the door.

“Chris! Stay still!” yelled Buck. “You bleeding like a stuck pig.”

“I don’t give a damn, Buck. Vin’s still out there!” shouted Chris and he started to fight the hands that tried to keep him down again.

“Mr. Larabee, we will retrieve Mr. Tanner. But you must calm down. Running out there without a plan will not save Mr. Tanner and will probably get your own self killed,” countered Ezra.

Chris looked at Erza and knew he was right. He needed a plan and he needed it fast.

“Alright, Ezra. But we got to do this fast. Vin is hurt and I don’t know how long he’s going to last out there.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Larabee. I always have a plan ready for such an occasion.”

With that, Ezra started to explain what his plan was, while Buck quickly worked on containing Chris’ injury.

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

Vin’s eyes had almost closed on the own accord several times during his monitoring of the area.

Each time, he forced them back open and made sure that the two shooters were still where he last knew they were.

The shooting had stopped and he had breathed silent relief at knowing that Chris was now in the house with Buck and Ezra.

He knew they were probably developing a plan to rescue him from his predicament. He was just worried about what Chris would do. The man had a tendency to act first and think later and Vin knew these two shooters seemed to have a lot of firepower.

It still worried him that they still had no inkling as to who put out the hit. They had to capture these guys alive or otherwise they would never know, only giving the person another shot at him and Chris.

He also knew that unless his friends hurried he was not going to last long. He felt the numbness in the bottom part of his arm start to join his upper arm. Although the bullet was in the shoulder, it seemed to be affecting his whole left side.

He steadied the gun in his right hand, keeping his shaky aim in front of him. Dizziness was starting to assault his senses and he knew it would not be much longer before he was vulnerable to the men who wanted him dead.

“Come on, Chris,” he said softly to no one in particular. “I need ya now, Cowboy.”

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

Jacklin was tired to waiting. It only gave the men inside more time to call for more help. They had to end this and end this now.

“Rafe!”

“Yeah, Jack?”

“Listen, we can’t wait any longer. We have to get this done and fast. It won’t be long before they have help out here.”

“So what you wan’na do?”

“I got an idea. Tanner’s blind where he is. I want you to move around and get in back of the house. Plant some C4 and blow that house to shits.”

“What are you going to do in the meantime?”

“I’m going to move back around Tanner and the barn. Once I get close enough to get a shot, I’ll take it.”

“Right,” answered Rafe. “I’ll contact you when I have set the charge and get into position.”

Jacklin then started his move to the area behind Tanner’s position, taking his high power rifle with him.

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

Ezra explained his plan to Buck and Chris. He wanted Buck to circle around the back of the house and try to get over to the corral area where Vin was.

In the meantime, he and Chris would create a diversion to the keep the shooters busy.

Chris had a first balked at this, as he wanted to be the one to go after Vin. But Buck and Ezra finally convinced him that he would be no good to Vin with only one leg. They needed someone to move fast and also be able to bring Vin back to the house.

Chris reluctantly agreed. He would stay with Ezra and help with the diversion. But in his heart, he wanted to be out there, watching Vin’s back and keeping him safe.

“Weapons?” asked Ezra.

“In the basement,” said Chris. “In the safe. Combination 12 left, 15 right, 23 left.”

Buck nodded and ran to the basement to get them.

“How many clips do you have left, Mr. Larabee?”

“This one,” said Chris showing it to Ezra.

“I have two. Is there more in the basement?”

“Yeah. But Buck’ll find them.”

As soon as his name was said, Buck came ambling back into the room carrying a rifle, four more hand guns and a box of ammunition.

“Mr. Wilmington, will you assist me in loading the ammunition?”

Buck nodded and started to load the rifle, while Ezra took to loading the handguns. Chris took some of the ammunition and started loading his own gun.

Once they were done, they took off into three groups. Buck went out the back door, while Ezra stood ready at the front and Chris, limped to stand ready at the side.

Ezra had explained to Chris, that they would keep the shooters busy by firing at their last verified location, while Buck would sneak around back and get Vin.

They were not to stop shooting until Buck had returned.

Once Buck was gone, Ezra started the countdown. He raised his hand in the air, so that Chris could see it. Chris nodded that he was ready and Ezra’s fingers folded one by one counting from five.

Once at five, Erza ran crouched down, while Chris crawled out, both of them firing their weapons at the two different locations.

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

Vin heard the shooting and opened his blue eyes, startled by the commotion. He knew it was his friends and that he had to be ready for their rescue.

He shook his curly brown head furiously to get the cobwebs out and brought a shaky gun hand, blood and all to bear at the targets positions.

He just hoped that they would get to him soon. He did not think he could hold onto consciousness any longer. He was nauseous and hot and cold at the same time. His head was pounding and so was his heart. He knew it was from blood lost, but there was little he could do about.

“Come on, Chris,” he thought to himself. “Ain’t gon’na last much longer, Pard.”

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

Rafe was in back of the house when he saw a tall moustache man run from the back door and heard gunfire coming from the front.

“Jack!” he whispered over the headset.

“You set already?” came Jack’s question.

“No. One of them just left the house and I’m hearing gunfire in the front.”

“They’re trying to divert our attention somewhere else, cousin. I have a feeling that it has to do with Tanner. Listen up! Get those explosives planted. Once that’s done, keep the ones in front pinned down near the house. I’m going to take care of Tanner and whoever else is coming to rescue him. When I give you the word, blow it. Understood?”

“Yeah, I got ya, Jack. Out.”

Rafe then started completing his orders. He removed the silencer piece from his rifle. There was no more need of it. “There’s gon’na be a party tonight,” said Rafe softly.

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

Buck ran pass the back of the house and now was almost to where Chris had said he had left Vin. He kept crouched down low and tried to blend in with the rest of the trees behind the house.

He saw what looked like someone lying behind the barn in the dirt. He made haste to that position, hoping it was Vin or at least a dead sniper.

When he got close enough he saw it was Vin, pointing his gun directly at him, but his aim was very unsteady.

“Hey, Stud, it’s me. You wan’na point that somewhere else?”

Vin looked up to see that the shadow he saw approaching in his peripheral vision was one of his friends.

“Sorry…Bucklin…thought ya was…one of the bad guys,” said Vin breathing harshly and lowering his weapon.

Buck knew it was probably from blood lost, he thought he was lucky that Vin was still conscious. It would make his job much easier getting him back to the safety of the house.

“No problem, Pard. I came to take ya to safety,” said Buck kneeling besides the young sharpshooter and taking at their surroundings.

Vin smiled weakly at him. It looked like things were finally going their way.

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

Chris shot several times and heard Ezra’s .38 Revolver firing round after round into the nearby area. But there was no one firing back and that worried Chris a lot.

As soon as his Glock was empty, he went back inside the house to get more ammunition.

The silence of non-returning fire was not lost on Ezra either. He knew something was very wrong. Their attackers were not retaliating and that bothered Erza even more. Something was up.

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

Rafe had finished setting up the explosives and was back in his spot on the hill. He pushed the button to his headset. “Jack! It’s done. Start clean up,” said Rafe into it.

“Confirmed,” came Jack’s reply over the earphone.

Rafe then sat back to wait for Jack’s signal.

He knew it would not be long before they would complete their mission and move on to the next payday. He could hardly wait for them to be back on their way to Tennessee and then to the next job. He had some making up time to do with his girl and needed a short rest until the next job.

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

Jacklin was steadily moving closer to the two men by the barn. Rafe had the explosion ready. Now all he had to do was get rid of Tanner and the other fellow that was with him.

He crept on his belly through the grass towards them, his rifle in his hand.

Once he was close enough to get an accurate target, he halted his movements and started to line up his targets in the scope.

Tanner was the main target, as was Chris Larabee. The other two men were just in the way. He would take out Tanner first, then the other man.

Larabee and whoever was in the house with him would be taken care of once Rafe set off the C4.

As Jacklin peered through his scope, he watched the tall man bend down near Tanner. He needed them up on their feet in order to get off a killing shot. He was patient. He would wait. He knew it would be a matter of minutes if this man wanted to bring Tanner to the house. Then it was payday.

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

Chris did not like the silence. It was ever pervading on his mind and he knew that it was not good. He opened the door cautiously and slowly limped outside, keeping as low as possible.

He held his Glock in front of him as he took a route that would bring him behind the house.

He was about half way to the back door when he spied something near the side of the house. He moved cautiously over to it and in one quick look realized what it was.

“Shit!” he cursed. It was a C4 incendiary device and it was rigged with a trigger. Chris was familiar with it. He had seen its kind many times before when he was in Special Forces. He needed to disarm it and fast.

He crawled over to it and started to do so when a shot rang out and hit the area not far from him.

“Damn!” He knew the shooters were back and they were trying to stop him from disarming the explosives.

“Ezra!” yelled Chris. “Erza, get your butt out here!”

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

“Jack!” shouted Rafe into the headset. “Come in, Jack!” He then shot another round to try and keep the blond target from getting near the package he had left.

“What is it?” came Jacklin’s annoyed response.

“Larabee’s trying to disarm the explosives!”

“Well, keep him away from it.”

“What do you think I’m doing?” replied Rafe angrily as he sent another bullet over the blond’s head.

“I don’t know, maybe acting like an asshole,” replied Jacklin sarcastically. “Deal with it. I am too busy at the moment.”

“Fuck you!” retorted Rafe and disconnected the headset.

Rafe had enough of Jack’s insolence towards his profession. He thought that Rafe was nothing but sniper, but he was more than that. He had not fought his way through the organization to be Jack’s lackey, cousin or no.

He fired another shot at Larabee. He smiled when he hit the dirt, trying to evade his fire.

Yeah. This was going to be fun.

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

Ezra heard Chris’ yell and came running to the door that would lead to his position at full speed.

Ping.

He skidded to a stop though, when he heard a bullet hit the door.

“Mr. Larabee?” he called through the door.

Ping.

“Ezra, there’s a bomb near the house! I have to disarm it!”

Ping.

Ezra quickly ducked behind the door as another bullet hit close to the doorway.

“I assume that the originator of this device is attempting to prevent your completion!”

“You got that right! I need some cover,” came Chris’ voice from outside near the door.

Ping.

“It is forthcoming, Mr. Larabee,” answered Ezra, pulling out his handgun and opening the door. He fired several rounds up the hill, hoping that he would hit something.

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

While Rafe tried to keep Chris and Ezra away from his explosives, Jacklin was busy trying to aim his sights on Vin.

He had him in his sights twice, but the sound of gunfire coming from the other side of the house made the men hug the ground and Jacklin could not get a shot off.

He decided he had to move closer to get a better aim and started his crawl through the grass towards the two men.

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

Nathan, JD and Josiah could hear gunfire coming from the direction of the ranch, as they got closer to the house.

“Nate, you hear that?” asked Josiah.

“Yeah, it’s coming from the house,” said Nathan pushing the vehicle faster.

“What’s going on? You think they found Chris and Vin?” asked JD impatiently.

“That’s exactly what I am thinking,” said Josiah. “Nate, get the vehicle as close as possible without alerting them of our presence.”

“Right, Josiah,” replied Nathan.

“JD, let’s get ready,” said Josiah taking out his own handgun.

JD followed suit and pulled out his gun to check to make sure it was loaded.

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

Vin and Buck lay in the grass behind the barn. Buck could see that Vin was getting weaker by the minute. The young man could barely keep his eyes open, let alone the gun he held in his hand.

“Hey, Vin. Why don’t you let me keep guard and you rest yourself a while,” suggested Buck.

Vin half-hooded eyes looked at the man confused. “I’m…fine, Buck.”

“Yeah. Sure you are, Stud,” said Buck unconvinced.

He then turned back to keep an eye on the house.

“Hey…Buck?”

“Yeah?”

“Iffen…iffen I don’t make it…”

“You listen to me, Pard. Ain’t nothing gon’na happen to you, you understand me? Not if I can help it,” said Buck determinedly. Then his eyes softened and so did his voice. “Anyways, Chris’ll shoot me if I don’t bring ya back alive.”

A small smile graced Vin’s face at that. He knew Buck was not far from wrong. There would be hell to pay if Vin did not make it back alive. Also there was a promise he had to keep to the man in black.

Buck saw the look on Vin’s face and hoped the man would take what he said to heart. He was watching his friend slowly die out here and it broke his heart in two.

He, just like Chris or any of the others would not be the same without the sniper at their side. They were more than just colleagues. They were family. He had to find a way to get him to safety and to a doctor, no matter the cost.

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

With Ezra’s help Chris finally got close enough to the device to touch it. Slowly and carefully he examined the build of it, the intricacies of its workings and knew from previous experience what he must do.

“Ah…Chris?” came Ezra’s voice above the resounding gunfire.

“I’m kind of busy right now, Ez,” yelled Chris back annoyed at the interruption as he tried to get to the underside of the C4 that was stuck to the house.

“I understand you are extremely busy at the moment, Mr. Larabee, but we have a situation. I seem to be running out of ammunition.”

“Ezra, it ain’t gon’na make a difference if I don’t disarm this bomb now!” exclaimed Chris successfully pulling the device from the house.

“That is a true statement, Mr. Larabee. But might I point out that without bullets I can no longer continue to, as you say, watch your back.”

“Well, go find something else to throw at him!” said Chris falling flat on his stomach to the ground as another bullet hit over his head. He stared at the package in his hands. He needed to disarm the bomb first.

Erza rolled his eyes upward at the comment, but went back towards the basement, mumbling about wishing he were on vacation at this moment.

Chris continued to try and disconnect the trigger as bullets continued to rain all about him.

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

Vin and Buck could hear the continuing firing that was coming from up the hill.

Buck was worried about Chris and Ezra, but he also was concerned about Vin.

“Vin? Vin, ya with me?” said Buck, looking over at the curly brown haired man who lay next to him. Vin’s eyes were closed and he seemed to be shivering although it was a warm day.

Buck knew Vin was out of it and he was going to have to carry him back to the house.

An idea formed in Buck’s mind. He knew the back of the house was unguarded. If he could make it across the corral with Vin, then he could get him in the house that way.

He started pulling Vin off the ground, trying to get him situated in his arms, when a bullet hit the ground in front of him.

He quickly dropped Vin to the ground, covering him with his body and firing his weapon towards the direction of the shot came from.

Another shot came from behind them, this time closer and Buck tried to curl up, protecting Vin. He fired two more rounds in the direction, hoping to hit something.

As he was about to try and pick Vin up and run for some cover, he heard a loud shot coming from the direction of the shooter, but this time, no bullet hit the area where he and Vin was lying.

“Buck!” came a call from a voice that sounded like JD’s.

“JD?” called Buck.

“It’s me, Buck. We got ‘im.”

Buck stood up slowly and saw JD, Nathan and Josiah standing over someone in the grass.

“Get Nate over!” yelled Buck back. “Vin’s hurt bad.”

He watched as Nathan came running, crouched low over to his position.

“What the hell’s going on?” asked Nathan seeing Vin lying on the ground unconscious.

“He was shot about two hours ago in the shoulder,” explained Buck as Nathan immediately started to examine the young Texan.

“How long he been out?”

“’Bout a 15 minutes or so. Listen, Nate, can ya handle him? I got to help Chris and Ezra.”

“Sure, Buck. Take JD with you,” said Nathan.

“What about that other sniper?”

“Dead. Josiah got him. It was Jacklin Troy.”

“Jacklin Troy? Ain’t he the number one hit man for Carpio’s organization?”

“Yeah. I guess this all has to do with Emilio Salazar.”

“There’s still another shooter. He got Ezra and Chris pinned down at the house.”

“Probably Rafe McClean,” said Josiah who had now come up with JD following.

“McClean?” asked Buck.

“Yeah,” interrupted JD. “His partner and cousin. They been in the business as executioners for Carpio for years.”

“But why would they want to kill Chris and Vin?” asked Buck bewildered.

“Don’t know but we better get Vin to a hospital and stop the other one from killing Chris and Ezra,” said Josiah as he brandished his weapon and crept cautiously back towards the other side of the tree-lined hill.

“Where’s he going?” asked JD.

“I get it,” answered Buck. “Come on, JD.” Then he and JD followed Josiah’s lead, while Nathan continued to work on Vin.

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

Chris had got the device almost defused when he heard several shots ring out from the front of the house.

He knew Ezra must have found what he needed and was glad that he could keep the shooter off his back while he finished his work.

Chris worked feverishly to remove the trigger completely. It was the last piece and then the device would be neutralized.

He was about to pull the pin that held the trigger to the device when a shot rang out, hitting him on the arm.

Chris dropped the device on the ground and fell back near it, grabbing his arm in reflex.

It seemed the shooter was no longer concerned with keeping him busy. He was trying to kill Chris to prevent him from succeeding.

Blood flowing freely down his arm and his hand, Chris reached out for the device. He pulled it towards him and when he finally had it in his grasp, he held it with bloody hands and pulled the pin, releasing the trigger from the C4. The trigger dropped to the ground and Chris fell to the ground in relief.

“Mr. Larabee?” Chris heard Ezra called. “What is your progress?”

“The deed is done,” said Chris, breathing heavily.

“Are you alright, Chris?” came Ezra’s concerned inquiry.

“Fine…We got…got to get that bastard on the hill.”

Just then there was a shot heard coming from the direction of the hill and then utter silence.

Both Ezra and Chris turned towards its direction, expecting it to be only a delay.

But nothing else came and soon Ezra came walking out of the house towards Chris.

When he saw that Chris was hit, he quickly ran to him and knelt down, taking a handkerchief out of his pocket, stemming the blood that flowed from Chris’ arm.

“Mr. Larabee, you lied to me,” said Ezra tying the makeshift bandage tight.

“Ow! Ezra, that hurts!”

“I hope it does. It will teach you a lesson in mendacity.”

Just then, Buck, JD and Josiah came walking down from the hill.

Chris and Ezra smiled in relief.

When they were finally near enough, Ezra asked, “What took you so long, Mr. Wilmington? And where, may I ask, is Mr. Tanner?”

“Had a little complication, Ezra. Vin’s with Nathan. JD, put in call to 911. Tell them we need an ambulance.” Buck then saw Chris’ arm and added, “Make that two.”

“I’ll go check on Nathan and Vin,” said Josiah walking away.

“You got ‘em, Buck? What about Vin? Is he okay?” asked Chris from his position on the ground. He could not move, even if he wanted to.

His arm was starting to hurt really bad now, but that was nothing compared to the blood he had felt leaking in his torn pants leg for the past two hours.

He had not wanted to alarm Ezra or Buck since it did not seem it was relevant at the time. At the time, he was more concerned about Vin and still was. But now, the pain in his leg was becoming unbearable.

He tried to smile at his friends, happy that help had arrived and he and Vin would survive their ordeal, but it looked more like a grimace to the others.

Buck saw the pain on his old friend’s face. He knew his arm and leg was probably hurting bad, but there was no doubt that Chris’ mind and heart was primarily on the condition of young sharpshooter.

“Don’t worry, Chris. I told that boy he ain’t going nowhere. Nate’s with him now and we’ll get you both to the hospital,” said Buck trying to allay the blond’s fears.

“Damn!” cursed Chris.

“What’s wrong, Chris?” asked Buck concerned.

“Did you say hospital?”

Buck moaned heartily. “No, Chris. You are both going to the hospital and that is all there is to it!”

“I wasn’t…”

“Yeah, ya were and no! Absolute not! Ezra, if he so much as says a word about not going to the hospital, shoot him.”

“I will endeavor to keep ever vigilant, Mr. Wilmington.”

Chris glared at both of them, but it had little strength behind it. He was tired, both in body and spirit at this moment. All he wanted to do was sleep for a week. He knew the young Texan was probably feeling the same way.

His eyes closed slowly on the discussion going around him. A rest. It was something they all needed. He had not forgotten the promise he had made to his friend. Once he and Vin were out of the hospital they would definitely have that nice, relaxing weekend.

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

It was three weeks later when the others were to come out to the ranch.

Vin and Chris were already there, having been convalescing at the ranch for the three days.

Vin had suffered extreme blood loss when they finally had reached the hospital. It took the doctors a lot of work to bring him back from his nearness to death. Twice they had thought that they had lost him.

Chris also suffered badly. The leg had got infected and the blond had been in the throws of a fever for several days. He cried out in his delirium, mostly for the young Texan who was in the room next door.

But finally they were both well on the way to recovery. The doctors had told them both that they needed to stay home and rest for the next week, before they would be allowed to come back to work.

Today was the day of the great barbeque. All of the seven were to be together.

Vin and Chris had started the grill and were sitting on Chris’ back porch waiting for the gang to arrive. They sat on Chris’ lawn chairs, sipping their beers and staring out at the scenic view in front of them.

Vin turned to Chris as he felt a tug in shoulder at the healed skin there. “Did Buck and the others ever found out why Troy and McClean wanted us dead?”

“Yeah. It seems that Carpio thought Salazar talked before they knocked him off.”

“But he didn’t,” stated Vin simply.

“But they didn’t know that. Just to be on the safe side, they decided it was best if they got rid of us too.”

“They didn’t count on it bein’ that hard, did they Cowboy?”

“Guess not. They didn’t understand how it was.”

“And how is that?” asked Vin cocking an eyebrow at his friend.

Chris smiled and turned to Vin, his green eyes staring into blue.

“I guess they didn’t know that it was ‘til death do us part, Pard.”

“Guess not,” said Vin.

Just then they heard the sound of several vehicles coming up the road and they both turned and smiled as they left their chairs with beers in hand to meet the rest of their team.

Death was the only thing that could part these men from each other and God help anyone who tried.

The End.