2nd story, Never a Dull Moment by Sivan Shemesh
Title: Never a Dull Moment
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
Author: Sivan Shemesh
Artist: gemspegasus
Disclaimer: Not mine but the plot.
Character/Pairing: Chris/Ezra
Rating: R
Warnings: M/M Slash, minor character death, angst, violence.
Summary: Inspired by "White Collar". What if - Judge Travis had already recruit 5 (Josiah, Nathan, Buck, JD, Vin) and hear about Agent Chris Larabee from FBI, what he did not know that Larabee is using a conman name Ezra, how the team will adept the new men? Was it a bad choice?
Authors Notes:1) This is not beta-ed, due to RL.
2) Buck and Chris do not know each other.
3) AU: Modern
--
Part 1
Orin Travis stared at the five men before him, though he felt that he has missing something and yet he could not find what is missing.
He heard of a special agent from FBI with great reputation; finishing any case that he had ever worked on it with 100% percent.
Orin Travis asked for him, with hope that he will get the agent into his team.
In the meanwhile in the room five men stared at the man who hired them, not knowing who more will be added to the group.
--
Josiah who was the old one from the bunch was the first that Judge Travis hired. Apparently Orin heard of him of his reputation as he worked as private investigator and each job, the client recommended him.
He was the best profiler and good investigator that he heard, but then he retired and worked as a pastor at church, as the Lord found him.
J.D. Dunne was the second one that was recruiting. The young man just turned 20 as Orin discovered him at C.I.A. he was the younger man that hacked through the system for seconds, and the judge had to hire him.
It was also true that JD's hacking helped the judge to find the rest of his teammates.
JD found the bounty hunter, Vin Tanner in the unexpected place, in counted Jail, where the prisons will have one year before the shot will set in his vein. Lucky for Vin Tanner that the Judge saved him in the last minute, and for that Vin is grateful for the kid and the Judge for saving his life.
They found Buck Wilmington at some bar, flirting with one woman by his side, and the other in his lap.
"Mr. Wilmington?" the man asked him. Buck nodded and the man continued, "You are coming with us."
"I will call you ladies, have no fear, it might only a misunderstanding." Buck told them smiling and left with the four men.
"What is it? I'm done nothing." Buck declared.
"That's what you say, though Judge Travis includes you in his team, amongst us, and clearly, I have no idea what he sees in you." JD told him as much as he observant the man in front of him.
"Listen kid, I've seen enough from all you seen in your youth, and I believe that my skills and profession will be gained in his team, after all, I believe that you're not the ones who understand how to unlock the bomb, do you?" Buck asked and smiled.
"I'm not a kid Buck." JD replied to him but decided not to comment about the bomb.
"Nice to have you with us Buck." Vin shakes his hand with the new man, only the other could felt the welts waves at his hand.
Buck glares at Vin and told him smirking, "You are calling for the way, young man, I love to play pranks."
Josiah smiled and JD sighed heavily, as he thought 'It's going to be a long day.'
Nathan Jackson, they found in the children hospital "Heart".
"Dr. Nathan Jackson?" JD asked as Josiah followed him, "Judge Travis asked for you to be in his team."
"It's has been awhile since I heard of that name," Nathan replied and watched the group, and then he added asking, "How is he?"
"He is still in good shape, looking for you." Vin replied.
"Tell him that I could only join after next week and then only then, I will appear, I have schedule to finish, and children to see." Nathan told them, and then he returned to his job.
Two weeks later all the five men worked under Judge Travis, who still thought that he is mission something.
--
It's been after two weeks that Judge Travis finally received a piece of information about the newcomer to his unit. He wondered what took them so long.
Though there was a catch: Agent Chris Larabee does not come alone.
He wonders with who Agent Larabee coming and what is weight in the bargain.
Orin collected everything that he had on the new member of the team before he left his room and walked toward the main room where his new team gathers up.
"Ladies," Orin turned to face his men before he continues, "As you know Team 7 is not yet finished, as the last member will be join tomorrow, but he is not alone, he is bringing with him another man as it secretly been held, and we will only knew who is he when the agent will come."
"Who is he?" JD asked with curiosity.
"The last member to this team, Mr. Dunne," Orin asked, noticed the nodding that he received from the young man he added, "He is a special Agent that I got from FBI. His specialist is dealing with cons and all, though from what I got from his supervisors that he is a good leader, and every time he got very good results.
His name is Chris Larabee I have his file so each of you can learn about him."
"We will, and Orin do you know when our next mission will be?" Nathan asked with impatient, as he wants to start with the mission, he was ATF Agent for Christ sake.
"Shortly after you'll see the member, or mighty members," Orin replied, as he walked toward his room, but before he entered to his room he remembered at something and then he turned facing them as he added, "Oh just one minor things, ladies, don't kill each other when the unite will begin. You are going to be one of the great elite teams, just remember my words."
The five men nodded as the judge went to his room.
--
On the next morning…
It was nearly 09:00 at the morning, to say that Judge Travis was checking his phones to know where Chris Larabee is and why he was late; it will bring him more grey hair than he already had.
Then he saw the man from the profile entering with another man.
"Agent Larabee, welcome to my team," Orin greeted him, and so the other men, and then he continued staring at the auburn man before him, who was wearing a black hat and wearing sunglasses yet in the building. Orin observed his clothes, he noticed that the man wore only fancy robes, and then he turned at him, "I didn't catch your name, young man."
Though before the man could reply, Chris did, "His name is Ezra Standish, and that is all I'm going to give you about him."
"All right then, ladies, let us find your best seat in the work," Orin led them to the main room were the cubicle were. "Choose where you want to work, and then when you will get comfy, I let you know your first mission."
"Finally." Buck muttered, he felt boring after all the stupid tasks that Orin gave them.
Ezra walked toward the table, and sat at the chair that was near the window, as he survey what is going on outside.
"Ezra, what do you think that you are doing?" Chris asked him.
"Why Mister Larabee? Nothing at all." Ezra replied and closed his eyes.
"Get up, and do something useful than sleeping, you know better than that Ez." Chris snapped at him, hiding his grin.
He was happy though that he could bring Ezra with him to work at the ATF, now that he released the conman from his leg cuff, he knew that he needs to watch him 24/7.
"What should I do then? I barely slept till we got here, not even changed my clothes, not to mention that my baggage still in the apartment that you set to us." Ezra complained.
"Is he always like this?" Vin asked Chris, while he grinned at Ezra.
"Always, apart from that when he fell asleep." Chris replied, and Ezra raising his hand, as giving up and left them as he walked toward the kitchen, or what's still remain from their called 'kitchen room'. From what he seen, it was mess.
"Who made this horrible coffee? It tastes like mud!" Ezra voice been heard from the kitchen.
"That's Vin, as the first rule at the morning; the one who get in early made the coffee for whole day long." JD explained and pointed the blame mark toward the Texan.
Chris left his desk and walked toward the kitchen, smiling toward his lover and spoke, "As far as I see it, you are going to lose the battle, after all I know that you will be here late."
"It will be fixed, Mister Larabee, if not my name is not Ezra P. Standish." Ezra teased the agent.
JD in the meantime hurried to his desk, as he was very interesting to know who the hell is remain person, and why Chris not want them to know more about Ezra?
By the time JD finished to grab everything about Ezra Standish, the conman finished to make coffee for them.
"Great coffee, Ezra." Josiah said after he took a sip from the coffee.
"Oh my God…" JD voice been heard as they hurry to find out about.
"He's a thief; you're adding a conman and a thief into our team." JD mumbled, as anger been sound in his voice.
"Now you wait just a minute young man," Chris started, noticed though that Ezra had 'I told you so' look and hurried to leave the room as the accusing eyes were on him, "Ezra, where do you think that you are going?"
"Home, hopefully, need to do better things than taking the entire accusation look." Ezra replied and left them.
"You have crossed the line kid; he didn't steal anything for the past three years that I'm working with him."
"He might start it over again, after all once a thief always a thief and you can't change his nature." Nathan pointed it out.
"True, but you can take it also as your advantage at your side of the law." Chris told him, and in that moment he wants to leave them as well, knowing how hurtful words can be, even after Ezra changed.
"What else should we need to know about him, brother?" Josiah asked.
From his observer, as Josiah learned from the young man while he makes the coffee; he works quickly, and yet he was amazingly a true gentleman who held Chris with highly respect.
"That he is willing to help, knowing how the others work, and know how to blend in." Chris replied, noticed though how quiet the man was, though he didn't yet knew what his rule in this group was.
"What are your roles in this team?" Chris asked.
"I am a techie, helping with the info, hack if I needed to." JD replied.
"I'm the team EMT." Nathan pointed.
"I'm the Firearms expert." Buck said.
"I and Vin am expert with the Alcohol and Tobacco." Josiah pointed it out.
"For what does the judge needs me to? He's got all the men that he needs for the job." Chris asked them.
"Maybe you should ask him that, though for my opinion as I read your files, I believe that you knew how to lead us in the missions." Josiah replied with a grin.
"Correct." Judge Travis voice was sound behind them.
Orin noticed that someone is missing and turned to ask Chris about it, "Where is Ezra?"
"He didn't sleep a lot since we moved here, and need to arrange his house, hopefully he will back later." Chris replied with a little lie; hope that it will be suffice the judge.
"For his sake, I do hope that he will return later." Orin warned him.
"Why? After all, I don't know why you added me to your team." Chris dared him.
"I need a leader to this elite team, and I know that you are the best with guns, though what I don't know why did you insist that Ezra Standish will accompany you? As far as I got the info from JD, you bring a thief into my team." Orin told him.
"You crossed the line, all of you." With that Chris left the building.
To say that Chris was pissed, as Buck saw him leaving, Buck hurried to find him and have a talk with him.
"Buck, where are you going?" Orin asked him, noticed the way that Buck calling after Chris left.
"Let him be sir, he might be our best to have all the team back, so we can have to work on the first mission." Josiah explained.
--
Buck hurried after Chris; hope to catch him before he gets in the car if he had one.
"Hey Chris," Buck called after, "Wait, I know the perfect place to lose stream."
Chris stared at the man in front of him, he nodded though he knew that Ezra won't take it nice, smelling the drink from his mouth.
"Fine, show the way, Mister…" Chris agreed and yet he still didn't gather his name.
"Just call me Buck, Chris," Buck faced him, before he continued, "Look, I know that it was out of line about Ezra, but we need to know who is in our team, and you know it, but let go from it, and let's have a drink, my friend."
Chris nodded and followed him at his car.
When Buck reached to the bar and parked at the place near it, he showed Chris around, and told him that he marked the bar for the team.
They sat at the bar, and Chris seemed laugh see the man trying to get a date from the Mexican waitress.
"Inez, sweetie, meet my friend here, Chris." Buck told her with soft voice.
"Welcome to our bar, Mr. Chris." Inez bowed him slightly before starting to hostile them, "What can I bring you?"
"Just water please." Chris asked and noticed the frown that lay upon Buck's face.
"Inez darling, I will love to have a kiss and a whiskey." Buck sweet talk with her.
Inez turned around and went to give Chris the water, and then without a word she turned and placed the whiskey at Buck, but added one word, "Nunca."
"What does it means?" Chris asked, and got curious.
"Never senior." Inez replied and left them alone.
"What do you want to talk to me about?" Chris asked him want to get to the point, knowing that Ezra is getting angrier by the minute he is staying.
Buck stared at him in the eyes he thought that he saw something in the man's eyes, and yet he couldn't figure out what it was.
"How much do you know the thief?" Buck asked him.
"For years of hunting the man down, and couple of year to earn his trust and to work under me with the FBI." Chris replied after he took a swallow from the cup.
"Is he that good, that thief?" Buck asked, and in that moment when he saw the anger upon the other man face, he asked for mercy, and regret for the words that he had spoken, though it was too late now.
"The best." Chris replied and stared at the empty cup, and then he let watch at the man in front of him as a blink of memory pierce his mind, and thought to ask.
"Where did you service?" Chris asked.
"Navy Seals." Buck replied.
"So do me, what a small world." Chris replied.
Then a moment of silent took its time, and both men tried to do something to break it. Though Chris was going to lose it and left, until Buck remembered.
"No fucking way." Buck suddenly broke the silence.
"What got you riled?" Chris asked and stared at him.
"Don't you remember? I was your lieutenant…" Buck gave him some rope, hope that the other man will get it and will know.
"Your rank and unit please." Chris asked.
Buck talked and only then Chris remembered.
"You cost me a lot of trouble Buck." Chris said grinning at him.
"You remember the Triangle?" Buck asked.
"That's one mystery that we couldn't solve, still can't," Chris replied and then he added grinning, "Though Ezra had some theories about it."
"No kidding, I would love to hear some."
"I will try to arrange it before we leave."
"You don't have to leave," Buck said, and added, "The kid was curious about Ezra, and leaving him in the dark wasn't a good plan, you'll need to open up, and everything will be all right."
"I'll see what I can do." Chris told him.
"That's all I ask."
Another moment of silence broken Chris's cell phone.
"Chris." He answers the phone.
"Slow down Ezra, I don't understand a thing when you talking like this." Chris tried to ease the other man in the line.
Fear hits him when he realized what Ezra is telling him.
"I've been followed… someone wants to kill me, why on earth did I agree to come with you? Getting killed was none of your plan!"
"Ezra, where are you?" Chris asked.
He received nothing but shots in the line.
"Ezra, EZRA!" he started to shout, only to get the line cut, and know that he lost the call.
Buck watched the man, noticed that something was amiss by his reaction to what happened, noticed the panic.
"Chris, what’s wrong? Where's Ezra?" Buck asked.
"I need to go." With that Chris left the bar with hurry, never looking back.
Buck paid for both of the drinks as he hurried outside.
"Let us helping you." Buck offered.
"You helped enough." Chris told him, and then he tried to call back to Ezra, only to hear the voice mail.
--
Buck though as he watched Chris leaving, still have no faith in them, started to act like nothing happened.
"JD, I need you to find Chris's mobile number and then started to track with Vin from where the call made," Buck started to order, and then he added, "It's a matter of life and death, and don't tell the judge."
After fifteen moments, Buck received a call, checking the ID, it showed Vin.
"What did you got?" Buck asked.
"Hello to you too, as well." Vin replied.
"Hello Vin, what did you got?" Buck asked, he was impatient, knowing that man's life is on the line.
"He's on Highway, I've got the right streets, I already called the police and ambulance to be near the area, JD did the rest, and Josiah is praying." Vin spoke.
"Thank you Vin." Buck thanked and asked for the roads, while taking his car.
--
While on the Highway…
Chris was in the cab after getting information from Buck, he still didn't know why he trusts him so much, and yet in so little time.
Chris blamed the Navy Seal for that. In that time all he could do was lays trust in his buddy from the unit and so he did now.
He just hopes that Ezra will appreciate it.
Then, only then he saw Ezra hanging from the door of the black van, while trying not to get shot.
"EZRA!" he shouts, but the man didn't turn to look at him, he was too busy not to fall into the busy road and not to get shot.
Though Chris could see the trails of blood dropping from Ezra's shoulder and from his thigh, he just hope that after all the efforts that his lover do, he hoped that he will not lose him.
He just hope to know why Ezra been shot and what was the main reason for it.
Chris told to the cabbie driver to hurry up and get closer to the man hanging the door.
"Come on, come on…" Chris muttered at the driver, looked at Ezra and he seemed though far away, like the cabbie driver is not driving fast.
"I should take Ezra's jag…" Chris mumbled in frustration.
"I give you extra if you'd drive fast, and help save that man." Chris pointed where Ezra was.
The cab driver just heard the word 'extra' he hurried up, and was closer to the man who hanged the door tight.
Then the gunshots were those who frightened him as the cab moved away, and he could hear the passenger cursing him.
Chris heart skipped a beat as he watched with fearful eyes as Ezra's hand slipping away and he was about to fall and driving over.
"Faster before he will fall to the road." Chris told him.
The cabbie driver drove closer to the hanging man; he could hear the tap of his feet as he touched the taxi, but he still hanging on.
"Jump Ezra, I will catch you, jump!" Chris told with an order tone, hope that his lover will release before it will be too late.
Ezra stared at the man in the cab, one of his hands was already released from the door, and all left is for him to jump at the cab, but the problem was that he had no strength left.
"Continue driving," Chris told to the driver, and pulled himself out of the window, and crawled in the roof, "Come closer, Ezra gives me your hand."
Ezra stared at the begging eyes of his lover, and started to release his other hand and jump, but he seemed to forget about the villain in the car as they grabbed him, not wanting him to get away.
"Jump, I will catch you, just jump." Chris begged him.
Ezra let go from the door, his eyes were empty as he watched his lover, and fall hopefully to his lover's hands.
Chris came closer at him and almost lost him in the busy road.
He holds him closer in his arms while the taxi drove. He helped Ezra inside the taxi and then he followed him.
Then Chris told new direction to the cabbie driver, "Drive toward the ATF headquarters."
"He is bleeding in my cab, don't you think that the hospital will do him much better?" the taxi driver asked.
"It will do him worse." Chris replied.
Chris opened his phone and dialed to the last number that showed in his screen, unknown number.
"Buck's here."
"Buck, it's me, Chris," Chris said and then he added, "I've got Ezra, but he needs medical care, and I don't trust the hospitals, because whoever is after him will come to hunt him down."
"I understand, what do you want to do?"
"I'm heading toward the office, tells Nathan to be there." Chris told him and closed the phone.
Buck sighed heavily and started making some phone calls.
After twenty minutes of driving, the cab stopped in front of the building as Nathan waited near it, waiting to catch the wounded from Chris.
"How is he?" Chris asked as he noticed how Nathan knelt closely and check Ezra.
"Not good," Nathan replied and then he asked, "He needs hospital, Chris; he has been shot at least three times."
"Not the regular hospital then." Chris sighed heavily.
"What about your hospital, Nathan?" Josiah asked.
"Come on, I will handle with the paper work, while Buck and Chris you hurried with your vehicle and the others I believe will followed." Nathan sighed heavily as he lets them know what to do.
Buck helped Chris to carry on the wounded man, while Josiah followed.
Josiah sat next to Buck while watching in the mirror as Chris settled Ezra on the site and puts Ezra's head on his lap.
As they got to the hospital they seemed surprised to see Nathan already working on paperwork, and ready the bed for him, and get him into the surgery.
"Once he out the surgery, I want to be with him." Chris asked, and Nathan nodded.
--
While in waiting room…
The group watched Chris as he walked back and forth, not knowing why, after all the man was only a thief, and they did all that for respect for the man that was supposed to lead them.
"Chris, relax, he is still in surgery." Buck walked to him.
"He is been there close to three hours." Chris raised his voice.
"I know that, we all know that." Buck told him softly.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't raise my voice at you," Chris sighed as he apologized and then he added, "All of you tried to help me when I pushed you away, I'm sorry, and thank you for all the effort."
"It's ok brother," Josiah told him, and then he added, "You two are welcome to stay, and I'm certain that no one will ever going to ask any question about Ezra's past." As he said that he looked at JD and Buck which nodded.
"Fine, I will give that a try, only after Ezra will get his strength back." Chris told him, knowing that he needs to do 'the talk' to his lover.
After two minutes of silence Nathan and the nurses left the surgery room and headed for the waiting room.
"Chris," Nathan spoke, he sighed heavily, "We managed to get all the bullets out, he lost lots of blood."
Nathan handed Josiah the bullets, hope that they could trace it.
"You may stay with him now Chris, until we will move him to a room alone." Nathan told him, and watched as the man walked company by a nurse who showed him the way.
After Chris had left, Josiah sighed and decided to share his thought.
"Did you notice how closer they are?" Josiah asked.
"What do you mean?" JD asked.
"The way that Chris defended the guy, watch him closely, and even while we drove to the hospital he took care of him, very fondly." Josiah explained.
"What should we do?" Vin asked, not sure where Josiah leading to.
"Should we tell Travis about this?" JD asked.
"No, it's their issue," Buck replied and explained, "Would you tell Travis what you do or with who you date?" he looked them saw their faces and added, "I don't think so."
"If they want to tell us, they will in their time, and if you push them, they will get away." Nathan told them, as he watched the dynamic of the group.
"I do wonder what or why Ezra got almost himself killed, what was the reason behind this?" Buck asked and found himself staring over the door that Chris was staying.
--
Inside the room…
Chris walked to his lover; he noticed the tubes and the medical equipments that was spread all over him, it was like seen his wife and child in the hospital again, dying.
There was a chair waiting for him near the bed. He sat and put his hand upon Ezra'.
"Ezra love, you know that was the biggest decision for me," Chris sighed and kissed his palm before he added, "Though my love, you want me to join the team of Travis, you want this from me, and I don't quite sure that I want to be on this team without you."
Chris sighed again, before he continued speaking to his lover, hoped that his talking might revive him.
"I need you so much my love," Chris stared at his lover hoped to see him open his eyes before he added; "I don't want to lose you as I lost my wife and son."
There was a knock on the door, and Chris turned to see who it is.
"Forgive me of being interrupt you, but the stuff will be moving Ezra to another room which he will be alone, and I want to move him now, and then you can stay as much as you like." Nathan told him.
Chris nodded and then he whispered to his lover, "I will join to you shortly Ezra, you are moved to another room."
Then Chris left the room, waiting to hear his name, and the stuff to tell him that he can come back and stay with him.
Once he was outside, Buck walked to him and asked, "Do you need anything?"
"No, not yet, though I'm going to grab some coffee, will you let me know once I come back if they moved him to another room?" Chris asked, noticed the nodded from Buck and then he left searching for Cafeteria.
"Hey Nate," JD called for him, and as Nathan walked closer, he added, "How Ez?"
"The odds for him to live is very low, getting shot three times, and the man having lots of scars. You know that the first 24 hours are very critical, so we will see how he is dealing and then we move on." Nathan replied.
"What do you mean that his odds are low? What about the bullets?" Chris asked, his hands are shaken as he heard the doctor.
Josiah come closer to him, and takes the coffee before it will fall down.
"Chris you need to let Nathan do his job, you need to trust us." Josiah told him.
"Fine," Chris mumbled, "Did you move him yet? Can I be with him now?"
"Just follow the nurses, and know that we will be watching your back." Josiah assured to him, but Chris was beyond listening.
The coffee remained in Josiah hands, when a figure came by.
"A-hem."
"Judge Travis, what are you doing here?" Vin asked.
"That's what I need to ask you, young man." Travis replied.
He noticed the concerned that marked his men's face, and asked, "What is it? Is something happened to your sister Josiah?" Travis asked.
"No, Hannah is fine." Josiah replied.
"Then why are you here in the Children Hospital?" Travis asked.
"Ezra got himself shot three times, and Chris asked that he will be treated privately so whoever is after him would believe that he is in the hospital and not children hospital." JD replied quickly although he could felt the glares from his friends.
"Where are they?" Travis asked.
Nathan led him over the room while he told him about Ezra condition, "Travis, his odds are not good, though Chris is not giving up on him."
Travis nodded.
"How did you know that we are in the hospital that I'm working?" Nathan asked.
"I have an informer inside." Travis grinned and entered the room.
As Travis entered the room, he could hear the soft voice, words of love.
"Forgive me of interrupt you young man." Travis said as he came closer, and noticed the tubes through the pale skin of the wounded man.
"Sorry, I didn't hear you." Chris said.
"It's ok." Travis told him and squeezes his hand upon Chris's shoulder, give him some comfort.
"I still want you in my team, and if it means that I will have both of you, so be it." Orrin told him.
"Thank you." Chris thanked him.
"Come next week, and from what I heard from my sources, you have a fighter, even if he is the biggest stubborn ever." Travis said chuckling.
"I know, and I also believe that you are looking for an undercover agent." Chris agreed and asked.
"I am, oh you mean him?" Orrin asked.
"You need one who could do the sweet talk and yet to charm and get inside and I give all my trust with him, though he will not agree with me." Chris grinned at him.
Travis nodded and then he asked, "Do you know who shot him?"
"I do have my suspects, but I would like to know more when Ezra will be awake, then I will know more." Chris replied and turned his attention back to his lover.
"Take care you two, and I will see you back next week." Orrin told him and left the room smiling.
He will have seven men in his team; now all he has to left is that Ezra will live.
"You heard that Ezra, you will be undercover, and I will be a leader, which means we are staying at Denver, and I'm not leaving you behind." Chris said, and kissed the paler lips.
--
23 hours later…
Chris noticed that there was movement, and then he opened his eyes to notice Ezra is staring at him.
"Ezra, you are awake."
He could hear the mock voice and imagined Ezra is telling him 'how observant you are, Mr. Larabee.'
"I'll be here, just calling the doctors, to get that respirator out of your mouth all right?" Chris asked.
Noticed that Ezra nodded at him, Chris left the room.
"Where is Dr. Jackson?" he asked as he reached to the nurses' station.
"What is it?" one of the nurses asked.
"Ezra is awake, but have trouble to speak," Chris explained, and added a lie, "he is started to chock."
The nurses followed him back to the room, and one of the nurses paged Nathan to let him know of it.
When they came, Ezra did the best act of his life, and Chris sighed in relief when the nurses get the respirator out of his mouth, and then one of the nurses gave him ice.
"Slowly Ezra, I don't want you to choke." Chris reminded him to him with concern.
After Ezra finished the ice, he smirked at him weakly, "Yes mother."
Chris grinned and thanked the nurses for their help.
They were alone now in the room, and Chris asked him with concern, "How do you feel?"
"I had better days." Ezra replied.
"Did you know who hurt you?" Chris asked.
"They…cough…said that they are after Hank Connolly…" Ezra replied weakly as he watched his lover eyes moved away from him.
"Do you know him?" Ezra asked.
"I do… I didn't hear this name in years," Chris replied and left the chair, he walked toward the window, as he added, "I thought that he blamed me for the death of my wife and child."
"Then… then why they were after me?" Ezra asked, still feeling weak.
"They were not after you. I just hope that Hank didn't do anything stupid." Chris replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Like killing someone that he shouldn't of revenge killing his daughter." Chris explained.
"Do you think that they recognize you?" Ezra asked, as he could feel concern to his lover.
"Might." Chris only replied.
"Then that's why I got shot, they might saw us sometimes today together, and they make that connection." Ezra figured it out.
"You rest now, and I will see you when you will awake…" Chris told him, noticed how Ezra fights to keep his eyes open.
Ezra nodded and closed his eyes.
Chris watched him, and then he left the room.
It seems that he needs to make that phone call that he didn't do 5 years ago.
--
[ Part 1][ Part 2][ Part 3]
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
Author: Sivan Shemesh
Artist: gemspegasus
Disclaimer: Not mine but the plot.
Character/Pairing: Chris/Ezra
Rating: R
Warnings: M/M Slash, minor character death, angst, violence.
Summary: Inspired by "White Collar". What if - Judge Travis had already recruit 5 (Josiah, Nathan, Buck, JD, Vin) and hear about Agent Chris Larabee from FBI, what he did not know that Larabee is using a conman name Ezra, how the team will adept the new men? Was it a bad choice?
Authors Notes:1) This is not beta-ed, due to RL.
2) Buck and Chris do not know each other.
3) AU: Modern
--
Part 1
Orin Travis stared at the five men before him, though he felt that he has missing something and yet he could not find what is missing.
He heard of a special agent from FBI with great reputation; finishing any case that he had ever worked on it with 100% percent.
Orin Travis asked for him, with hope that he will get the agent into his team.
In the meanwhile in the room five men stared at the man who hired them, not knowing who more will be added to the group.
--
Josiah who was the old one from the bunch was the first that Judge Travis hired. Apparently Orin heard of him of his reputation as he worked as private investigator and each job, the client recommended him.
He was the best profiler and good investigator that he heard, but then he retired and worked as a pastor at church, as the Lord found him.
J.D. Dunne was the second one that was recruiting. The young man just turned 20 as Orin discovered him at C.I.A. he was the younger man that hacked through the system for seconds, and the judge had to hire him.
It was also true that JD's hacking helped the judge to find the rest of his teammates.
JD found the bounty hunter, Vin Tanner in the unexpected place, in counted Jail, where the prisons will have one year before the shot will set in his vein. Lucky for Vin Tanner that the Judge saved him in the last minute, and for that Vin is grateful for the kid and the Judge for saving his life.
They found Buck Wilmington at some bar, flirting with one woman by his side, and the other in his lap.
"Mr. Wilmington?" the man asked him. Buck nodded and the man continued, "You are coming with us."
"I will call you ladies, have no fear, it might only a misunderstanding." Buck told them smiling and left with the four men.
"What is it? I'm done nothing." Buck declared.
"That's what you say, though Judge Travis includes you in his team, amongst us, and clearly, I have no idea what he sees in you." JD told him as much as he observant the man in front of him.
"Listen kid, I've seen enough from all you seen in your youth, and I believe that my skills and profession will be gained in his team, after all, I believe that you're not the ones who understand how to unlock the bomb, do you?" Buck asked and smiled.
"I'm not a kid Buck." JD replied to him but decided not to comment about the bomb.
"Nice to have you with us Buck." Vin shakes his hand with the new man, only the other could felt the welts waves at his hand.
Buck glares at Vin and told him smirking, "You are calling for the way, young man, I love to play pranks."
Josiah smiled and JD sighed heavily, as he thought 'It's going to be a long day.'
Nathan Jackson, they found in the children hospital "Heart".
"Dr. Nathan Jackson?" JD asked as Josiah followed him, "Judge Travis asked for you to be in his team."
"It's has been awhile since I heard of that name," Nathan replied and watched the group, and then he added asking, "How is he?"
"He is still in good shape, looking for you." Vin replied.
"Tell him that I could only join after next week and then only then, I will appear, I have schedule to finish, and children to see." Nathan told them, and then he returned to his job.
Two weeks later all the five men worked under Judge Travis, who still thought that he is mission something.
--
It's been after two weeks that Judge Travis finally received a piece of information about the newcomer to his unit. He wondered what took them so long.
Though there was a catch: Agent Chris Larabee does not come alone.
He wonders with who Agent Larabee coming and what is weight in the bargain.
Orin collected everything that he had on the new member of the team before he left his room and walked toward the main room where his new team gathers up.
"Ladies," Orin turned to face his men before he continues, "As you know Team 7 is not yet finished, as the last member will be join tomorrow, but he is not alone, he is bringing with him another man as it secretly been held, and we will only knew who is he when the agent will come."
"Who is he?" JD asked with curiosity.
"The last member to this team, Mr. Dunne," Orin asked, noticed the nodding that he received from the young man he added, "He is a special Agent that I got from FBI. His specialist is dealing with cons and all, though from what I got from his supervisors that he is a good leader, and every time he got very good results.
His name is Chris Larabee I have his file so each of you can learn about him."
"We will, and Orin do you know when our next mission will be?" Nathan asked with impatient, as he wants to start with the mission, he was ATF Agent for Christ sake.
"Shortly after you'll see the member, or mighty members," Orin replied, as he walked toward his room, but before he entered to his room he remembered at something and then he turned facing them as he added, "Oh just one minor things, ladies, don't kill each other when the unite will begin. You are going to be one of the great elite teams, just remember my words."
The five men nodded as the judge went to his room.
--
On the next morning…
It was nearly 09:00 at the morning, to say that Judge Travis was checking his phones to know where Chris Larabee is and why he was late; it will bring him more grey hair than he already had.
Then he saw the man from the profile entering with another man.
"Agent Larabee, welcome to my team," Orin greeted him, and so the other men, and then he continued staring at the auburn man before him, who was wearing a black hat and wearing sunglasses yet in the building. Orin observed his clothes, he noticed that the man wore only fancy robes, and then he turned at him, "I didn't catch your name, young man."
Though before the man could reply, Chris did, "His name is Ezra Standish, and that is all I'm going to give you about him."
"All right then, ladies, let us find your best seat in the work," Orin led them to the main room were the cubicle were. "Choose where you want to work, and then when you will get comfy, I let you know your first mission."
"Finally." Buck muttered, he felt boring after all the stupid tasks that Orin gave them.
Ezra walked toward the table, and sat at the chair that was near the window, as he survey what is going on outside.
"Ezra, what do you think that you are doing?" Chris asked him.
"Why Mister Larabee? Nothing at all." Ezra replied and closed his eyes.
"Get up, and do something useful than sleeping, you know better than that Ez." Chris snapped at him, hiding his grin.
He was happy though that he could bring Ezra with him to work at the ATF, now that he released the conman from his leg cuff, he knew that he needs to watch him 24/7.
"What should I do then? I barely slept till we got here, not even changed my clothes, not to mention that my baggage still in the apartment that you set to us." Ezra complained.
"Is he always like this?" Vin asked Chris, while he grinned at Ezra.
"Always, apart from that when he fell asleep." Chris replied, and Ezra raising his hand, as giving up and left them as he walked toward the kitchen, or what's still remain from their called 'kitchen room'. From what he seen, it was mess.
"Who made this horrible coffee? It tastes like mud!" Ezra voice been heard from the kitchen.
"That's Vin, as the first rule at the morning; the one who get in early made the coffee for whole day long." JD explained and pointed the blame mark toward the Texan.
Chris left his desk and walked toward the kitchen, smiling toward his lover and spoke, "As far as I see it, you are going to lose the battle, after all I know that you will be here late."
"It will be fixed, Mister Larabee, if not my name is not Ezra P. Standish." Ezra teased the agent.
JD in the meantime hurried to his desk, as he was very interesting to know who the hell is remain person, and why Chris not want them to know more about Ezra?
By the time JD finished to grab everything about Ezra Standish, the conman finished to make coffee for them.
"Great coffee, Ezra." Josiah said after he took a sip from the coffee.
"Oh my God…" JD voice been heard as they hurry to find out about.
"He's a thief; you're adding a conman and a thief into our team." JD mumbled, as anger been sound in his voice.
"Now you wait just a minute young man," Chris started, noticed though that Ezra had 'I told you so' look and hurried to leave the room as the accusing eyes were on him, "Ezra, where do you think that you are going?"
"Home, hopefully, need to do better things than taking the entire accusation look." Ezra replied and left them.
"You have crossed the line kid; he didn't steal anything for the past three years that I'm working with him."
"He might start it over again, after all once a thief always a thief and you can't change his nature." Nathan pointed it out.
"True, but you can take it also as your advantage at your side of the law." Chris told him, and in that moment he wants to leave them as well, knowing how hurtful words can be, even after Ezra changed.
"What else should we need to know about him, brother?" Josiah asked.
From his observer, as Josiah learned from the young man while he makes the coffee; he works quickly, and yet he was amazingly a true gentleman who held Chris with highly respect.
"That he is willing to help, knowing how the others work, and know how to blend in." Chris replied, noticed though how quiet the man was, though he didn't yet knew what his rule in this group was.
"What are your roles in this team?" Chris asked.
"I am a techie, helping with the info, hack if I needed to." JD replied.
"I'm the team EMT." Nathan pointed.
"I'm the Firearms expert." Buck said.
"I and Vin am expert with the Alcohol and Tobacco." Josiah pointed it out.
"For what does the judge needs me to? He's got all the men that he needs for the job." Chris asked them.
"Maybe you should ask him that, though for my opinion as I read your files, I believe that you knew how to lead us in the missions." Josiah replied with a grin.
"Correct." Judge Travis voice was sound behind them.
Orin noticed that someone is missing and turned to ask Chris about it, "Where is Ezra?"
"He didn't sleep a lot since we moved here, and need to arrange his house, hopefully he will back later." Chris replied with a little lie; hope that it will be suffice the judge.
"For his sake, I do hope that he will return later." Orin warned him.
"Why? After all, I don't know why you added me to your team." Chris dared him.
"I need a leader to this elite team, and I know that you are the best with guns, though what I don't know why did you insist that Ezra Standish will accompany you? As far as I got the info from JD, you bring a thief into my team." Orin told him.
"You crossed the line, all of you." With that Chris left the building.
To say that Chris was pissed, as Buck saw him leaving, Buck hurried to find him and have a talk with him.
"Buck, where are you going?" Orin asked him, noticed the way that Buck calling after Chris left.
"Let him be sir, he might be our best to have all the team back, so we can have to work on the first mission." Josiah explained.
--
Buck hurried after Chris; hope to catch him before he gets in the car if he had one.
"Hey Chris," Buck called after, "Wait, I know the perfect place to lose stream."
Chris stared at the man in front of him, he nodded though he knew that Ezra won't take it nice, smelling the drink from his mouth.
"Fine, show the way, Mister…" Chris agreed and yet he still didn't gather his name.
"Just call me Buck, Chris," Buck faced him, before he continued, "Look, I know that it was out of line about Ezra, but we need to know who is in our team, and you know it, but let go from it, and let's have a drink, my friend."
Chris nodded and followed him at his car.
When Buck reached to the bar and parked at the place near it, he showed Chris around, and told him that he marked the bar for the team.
They sat at the bar, and Chris seemed laugh see the man trying to get a date from the Mexican waitress.
"Inez, sweetie, meet my friend here, Chris." Buck told her with soft voice.
"Welcome to our bar, Mr. Chris." Inez bowed him slightly before starting to hostile them, "What can I bring you?"
"Just water please." Chris asked and noticed the frown that lay upon Buck's face.
"Inez darling, I will love to have a kiss and a whiskey." Buck sweet talk with her.
Inez turned around and went to give Chris the water, and then without a word she turned and placed the whiskey at Buck, but added one word, "Nunca."
"What does it means?" Chris asked, and got curious.
"Never senior." Inez replied and left them alone.
"What do you want to talk to me about?" Chris asked him want to get to the point, knowing that Ezra is getting angrier by the minute he is staying.
Buck stared at him in the eyes he thought that he saw something in the man's eyes, and yet he couldn't figure out what it was.
"How much do you know the thief?" Buck asked him.
"For years of hunting the man down, and couple of year to earn his trust and to work under me with the FBI." Chris replied after he took a swallow from the cup.
"Is he that good, that thief?" Buck asked, and in that moment when he saw the anger upon the other man face, he asked for mercy, and regret for the words that he had spoken, though it was too late now.
"The best." Chris replied and stared at the empty cup, and then he let watch at the man in front of him as a blink of memory pierce his mind, and thought to ask.
"Where did you service?" Chris asked.
"Navy Seals." Buck replied.
"So do me, what a small world." Chris replied.
Then a moment of silent took its time, and both men tried to do something to break it. Though Chris was going to lose it and left, until Buck remembered.
"No fucking way." Buck suddenly broke the silence.
"What got you riled?" Chris asked and stared at him.
"Don't you remember? I was your lieutenant…" Buck gave him some rope, hope that the other man will get it and will know.
"Your rank and unit please." Chris asked.
Buck talked and only then Chris remembered.
"You cost me a lot of trouble Buck." Chris said grinning at him.
"You remember the Triangle?" Buck asked.
"That's one mystery that we couldn't solve, still can't," Chris replied and then he added grinning, "Though Ezra had some theories about it."
"No kidding, I would love to hear some."
"I will try to arrange it before we leave."
"You don't have to leave," Buck said, and added, "The kid was curious about Ezra, and leaving him in the dark wasn't a good plan, you'll need to open up, and everything will be all right."
"I'll see what I can do." Chris told him.
"That's all I ask."
Another moment of silence broken Chris's cell phone.
"Chris." He answers the phone.
"Slow down Ezra, I don't understand a thing when you talking like this." Chris tried to ease the other man in the line.
Fear hits him when he realized what Ezra is telling him.
"I've been followed… someone wants to kill me, why on earth did I agree to come with you? Getting killed was none of your plan!"
"Ezra, where are you?" Chris asked.
He received nothing but shots in the line.
"Ezra, EZRA!" he started to shout, only to get the line cut, and know that he lost the call.
Buck watched the man, noticed that something was amiss by his reaction to what happened, noticed the panic.
"Chris, what’s wrong? Where's Ezra?" Buck asked.
"I need to go." With that Chris left the bar with hurry, never looking back.
Buck paid for both of the drinks as he hurried outside.
"Let us helping you." Buck offered.
"You helped enough." Chris told him, and then he tried to call back to Ezra, only to hear the voice mail.
--
Buck though as he watched Chris leaving, still have no faith in them, started to act like nothing happened.
"JD, I need you to find Chris's mobile number and then started to track with Vin from where the call made," Buck started to order, and then he added, "It's a matter of life and death, and don't tell the judge."
After fifteen moments, Buck received a call, checking the ID, it showed Vin.
"What did you got?" Buck asked.
"Hello to you too, as well." Vin replied.
"Hello Vin, what did you got?" Buck asked, he was impatient, knowing that man's life is on the line.
"He's on Highway, I've got the right streets, I already called the police and ambulance to be near the area, JD did the rest, and Josiah is praying." Vin spoke.
"Thank you Vin." Buck thanked and asked for the roads, while taking his car.
--
While on the Highway…
Chris was in the cab after getting information from Buck, he still didn't know why he trusts him so much, and yet in so little time.
Chris blamed the Navy Seal for that. In that time all he could do was lays trust in his buddy from the unit and so he did now.
He just hopes that Ezra will appreciate it.
Then, only then he saw Ezra hanging from the door of the black van, while trying not to get shot.
"EZRA!" he shouts, but the man didn't turn to look at him, he was too busy not to fall into the busy road and not to get shot.
Though Chris could see the trails of blood dropping from Ezra's shoulder and from his thigh, he just hope that after all the efforts that his lover do, he hoped that he will not lose him.
He just hope to know why Ezra been shot and what was the main reason for it.
Chris told to the cabbie driver to hurry up and get closer to the man hanging the door.
"Come on, come on…" Chris muttered at the driver, looked at Ezra and he seemed though far away, like the cabbie driver is not driving fast.
"I should take Ezra's jag…" Chris mumbled in frustration.
"I give you extra if you'd drive fast, and help save that man." Chris pointed where Ezra was.
The cab driver just heard the word 'extra' he hurried up, and was closer to the man who hanged the door tight.
Then the gunshots were those who frightened him as the cab moved away, and he could hear the passenger cursing him.
Chris heart skipped a beat as he watched with fearful eyes as Ezra's hand slipping away and he was about to fall and driving over.
"Faster before he will fall to the road." Chris told him.
The cabbie driver drove closer to the hanging man; he could hear the tap of his feet as he touched the taxi, but he still hanging on.
"Jump Ezra, I will catch you, jump!" Chris told with an order tone, hope that his lover will release before it will be too late.
Ezra stared at the man in the cab, one of his hands was already released from the door, and all left is for him to jump at the cab, but the problem was that he had no strength left.
"Continue driving," Chris told to the driver, and pulled himself out of the window, and crawled in the roof, "Come closer, Ezra gives me your hand."
Ezra stared at the begging eyes of his lover, and started to release his other hand and jump, but he seemed to forget about the villain in the car as they grabbed him, not wanting him to get away.
"Jump, I will catch you, just jump." Chris begged him.
Ezra let go from the door, his eyes were empty as he watched his lover, and fall hopefully to his lover's hands.
Chris came closer at him and almost lost him in the busy road.
He holds him closer in his arms while the taxi drove. He helped Ezra inside the taxi and then he followed him.
Then Chris told new direction to the cabbie driver, "Drive toward the ATF headquarters."
"He is bleeding in my cab, don't you think that the hospital will do him much better?" the taxi driver asked.
"It will do him worse." Chris replied.
Chris opened his phone and dialed to the last number that showed in his screen, unknown number.
"Buck's here."
"Buck, it's me, Chris," Chris said and then he added, "I've got Ezra, but he needs medical care, and I don't trust the hospitals, because whoever is after him will come to hunt him down."
"I understand, what do you want to do?"
"I'm heading toward the office, tells Nathan to be there." Chris told him and closed the phone.
Buck sighed heavily and started making some phone calls.
After twenty minutes of driving, the cab stopped in front of the building as Nathan waited near it, waiting to catch the wounded from Chris.
"How is he?" Chris asked as he noticed how Nathan knelt closely and check Ezra.
"Not good," Nathan replied and then he asked, "He needs hospital, Chris; he has been shot at least three times."
"Not the regular hospital then." Chris sighed heavily.
"What about your hospital, Nathan?" Josiah asked.
"Come on, I will handle with the paper work, while Buck and Chris you hurried with your vehicle and the others I believe will followed." Nathan sighed heavily as he lets them know what to do.
Buck helped Chris to carry on the wounded man, while Josiah followed.
Josiah sat next to Buck while watching in the mirror as Chris settled Ezra on the site and puts Ezra's head on his lap.
As they got to the hospital they seemed surprised to see Nathan already working on paperwork, and ready the bed for him, and get him into the surgery.
"Once he out the surgery, I want to be with him." Chris asked, and Nathan nodded.
--
While in waiting room…
The group watched Chris as he walked back and forth, not knowing why, after all the man was only a thief, and they did all that for respect for the man that was supposed to lead them.
"Chris, relax, he is still in surgery." Buck walked to him.
"He is been there close to three hours." Chris raised his voice.
"I know that, we all know that." Buck told him softly.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't raise my voice at you," Chris sighed as he apologized and then he added, "All of you tried to help me when I pushed you away, I'm sorry, and thank you for all the effort."
"It's ok brother," Josiah told him, and then he added, "You two are welcome to stay, and I'm certain that no one will ever going to ask any question about Ezra's past." As he said that he looked at JD and Buck which nodded.
"Fine, I will give that a try, only after Ezra will get his strength back." Chris told him, knowing that he needs to do 'the talk' to his lover.
After two minutes of silence Nathan and the nurses left the surgery room and headed for the waiting room.
"Chris," Nathan spoke, he sighed heavily, "We managed to get all the bullets out, he lost lots of blood."
Nathan handed Josiah the bullets, hope that they could trace it.
"You may stay with him now Chris, until we will move him to a room alone." Nathan told him, and watched as the man walked company by a nurse who showed him the way.
After Chris had left, Josiah sighed and decided to share his thought.
"Did you notice how closer they are?" Josiah asked.
"What do you mean?" JD asked.
"The way that Chris defended the guy, watch him closely, and even while we drove to the hospital he took care of him, very fondly." Josiah explained.
"What should we do?" Vin asked, not sure where Josiah leading to.
"Should we tell Travis about this?" JD asked.
"No, it's their issue," Buck replied and explained, "Would you tell Travis what you do or with who you date?" he looked them saw their faces and added, "I don't think so."
"If they want to tell us, they will in their time, and if you push them, they will get away." Nathan told them, as he watched the dynamic of the group.
"I do wonder what or why Ezra got almost himself killed, what was the reason behind this?" Buck asked and found himself staring over the door that Chris was staying.
--
Inside the room…
Chris walked to his lover; he noticed the tubes and the medical equipments that was spread all over him, it was like seen his wife and child in the hospital again, dying.
There was a chair waiting for him near the bed. He sat and put his hand upon Ezra'.
"Ezra love, you know that was the biggest decision for me," Chris sighed and kissed his palm before he added, "Though my love, you want me to join the team of Travis, you want this from me, and I don't quite sure that I want to be on this team without you."
Chris sighed again, before he continued speaking to his lover, hoped that his talking might revive him.
"I need you so much my love," Chris stared at his lover hoped to see him open his eyes before he added; "I don't want to lose you as I lost my wife and son."
There was a knock on the door, and Chris turned to see who it is.
"Forgive me of being interrupt you, but the stuff will be moving Ezra to another room which he will be alone, and I want to move him now, and then you can stay as much as you like." Nathan told him.
Chris nodded and then he whispered to his lover, "I will join to you shortly Ezra, you are moved to another room."
Then Chris left the room, waiting to hear his name, and the stuff to tell him that he can come back and stay with him.
Once he was outside, Buck walked to him and asked, "Do you need anything?"
"No, not yet, though I'm going to grab some coffee, will you let me know once I come back if they moved him to another room?" Chris asked, noticed the nodded from Buck and then he left searching for Cafeteria.
"Hey Nate," JD called for him, and as Nathan walked closer, he added, "How Ez?"
"The odds for him to live is very low, getting shot three times, and the man having lots of scars. You know that the first 24 hours are very critical, so we will see how he is dealing and then we move on." Nathan replied.
"What do you mean that his odds are low? What about the bullets?" Chris asked, his hands are shaken as he heard the doctor.
Josiah come closer to him, and takes the coffee before it will fall down.
"Chris you need to let Nathan do his job, you need to trust us." Josiah told him.
"Fine," Chris mumbled, "Did you move him yet? Can I be with him now?"
"Just follow the nurses, and know that we will be watching your back." Josiah assured to him, but Chris was beyond listening.
The coffee remained in Josiah hands, when a figure came by.
"A-hem."
"Judge Travis, what are you doing here?" Vin asked.
"That's what I need to ask you, young man." Travis replied.
He noticed the concerned that marked his men's face, and asked, "What is it? Is something happened to your sister Josiah?" Travis asked.
"No, Hannah is fine." Josiah replied.
"Then why are you here in the Children Hospital?" Travis asked.
"Ezra got himself shot three times, and Chris asked that he will be treated privately so whoever is after him would believe that he is in the hospital and not children hospital." JD replied quickly although he could felt the glares from his friends.
"Where are they?" Travis asked.
Nathan led him over the room while he told him about Ezra condition, "Travis, his odds are not good, though Chris is not giving up on him."
Travis nodded.
"How did you know that we are in the hospital that I'm working?" Nathan asked.
"I have an informer inside." Travis grinned and entered the room.
As Travis entered the room, he could hear the soft voice, words of love.
"Forgive me of interrupt you young man." Travis said as he came closer, and noticed the tubes through the pale skin of the wounded man.
"Sorry, I didn't hear you." Chris said.
"It's ok." Travis told him and squeezes his hand upon Chris's shoulder, give him some comfort.
"I still want you in my team, and if it means that I will have both of you, so be it." Orrin told him.
"Thank you." Chris thanked him.
"Come next week, and from what I heard from my sources, you have a fighter, even if he is the biggest stubborn ever." Travis said chuckling.
"I know, and I also believe that you are looking for an undercover agent." Chris agreed and asked.
"I am, oh you mean him?" Orrin asked.
"You need one who could do the sweet talk and yet to charm and get inside and I give all my trust with him, though he will not agree with me." Chris grinned at him.
Travis nodded and then he asked, "Do you know who shot him?"
"I do have my suspects, but I would like to know more when Ezra will be awake, then I will know more." Chris replied and turned his attention back to his lover.
"Take care you two, and I will see you back next week." Orrin told him and left the room smiling.
He will have seven men in his team; now all he has to left is that Ezra will live.
"You heard that Ezra, you will be undercover, and I will be a leader, which means we are staying at Denver, and I'm not leaving you behind." Chris said, and kissed the paler lips.
--
23 hours later…
Chris noticed that there was movement, and then he opened his eyes to notice Ezra is staring at him.
"Ezra, you are awake."
He could hear the mock voice and imagined Ezra is telling him 'how observant you are, Mr. Larabee.'
"I'll be here, just calling the doctors, to get that respirator out of your mouth all right?" Chris asked.
Noticed that Ezra nodded at him, Chris left the room.
"Where is Dr. Jackson?" he asked as he reached to the nurses' station.
"What is it?" one of the nurses asked.
"Ezra is awake, but have trouble to speak," Chris explained, and added a lie, "he is started to chock."
The nurses followed him back to the room, and one of the nurses paged Nathan to let him know of it.
When they came, Ezra did the best act of his life, and Chris sighed in relief when the nurses get the respirator out of his mouth, and then one of the nurses gave him ice.
"Slowly Ezra, I don't want you to choke." Chris reminded him to him with concern.
After Ezra finished the ice, he smirked at him weakly, "Yes mother."
Chris grinned and thanked the nurses for their help.
They were alone now in the room, and Chris asked him with concern, "How do you feel?"
"I had better days." Ezra replied.
"Did you know who hurt you?" Chris asked.
"They…cough…said that they are after Hank Connolly…" Ezra replied weakly as he watched his lover eyes moved away from him.
"Do you know him?" Ezra asked.
"I do… I didn't hear this name in years," Chris replied and left the chair, he walked toward the window, as he added, "I thought that he blamed me for the death of my wife and child."
"Then… then why they were after me?" Ezra asked, still feeling weak.
"They were not after you. I just hope that Hank didn't do anything stupid." Chris replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Like killing someone that he shouldn't of revenge killing his daughter." Chris explained.
"Do you think that they recognize you?" Ezra asked, as he could feel concern to his lover.
"Might." Chris only replied.
"Then that's why I got shot, they might saw us sometimes today together, and they make that connection." Ezra figured it out.
"You rest now, and I will see you when you will awake…" Chris told him, noticed how Ezra fights to keep his eyes open.
Ezra nodded and closed his eyes.
Chris watched him, and then he left the room.
It seems that he needs to make that phone call that he didn't do 5 years ago.
--
[ Part 1][ Part 2][ Part 3]