Magnificent Seven Big Bang 2012
Part 2
77777777777
The drive to the warehouse was a quiet one in the car, except for the comments from Buck to where to turn and the final command to stop as they got to the warehouse. For a long moment, there was silence in the vehicle, and then Buck spoke up. “We're here.”
Chris looked over at Buck. “This is the warehouse.”
“Yes, Ezra is in there, so is Evert.”
“Good. You’re staying here. Team Six will back us up.”
“I'm not staying here, Ezra thinks I'm dead. Besides I owe Evert for what he did.”
Chris growled softly. “No, you’re staying here. You aren't in any shape to do anything but go back to the hospital.”
Shaking his head, Buck stared at Chris. “I'm here, another few steps won't kill me.”
Nathan snorted. “Yes, they might. Or did you forget that you almost died a few days ago?”
Crossing his arms, Buck shook his head. “No. I didn't forget it. But Ezra has been stuck with Evert for those days, and who knows what that man has told him. I'm going.”
Glaring at Buck, Chris snorted then growled out, “Fine, you will wait here till we have Evert and his goons under control. Then we will send someone out to get you and bring you to where Ezra is.”
Buck bit back his retort, knowing this was the best deal he was going to get, though all bets were off once the others were gone. The Explosives Expert nodded. “Fine, I'll wait, but you better get me once you're done with Evert.
7777
The door to the room he was being held in banged open. Looking at the angry face of Evert, Ezra frowned. “What happened?”
Evert growled slightly. “Tie him up and gag him.” Turning to look at Ezra, the boss frowned. “Your boss seems to have found us. I'm not ready for him, so you can stay silent and if he wants you so badly, I'll see what I can trade you for.”
As Ezra was about to reply, the goon shoved a gag in his mouth and forced the undercover agent to sit down on the chair. Ezra glared at the men. He hoped that Chris will make Evert regret what he had done.
77777777777
As he entered the warehouse, Chris looked around the area. As the rest of the agents took their positions, Chris called out, “Evert! Where are you? I want to talk to you!”
For a second there was nothing then a from behind some half empty crates, “I'm here. Though, I would like to know how you found me?”
Glaring at the man, Chris growled softly, “You killed one of my men. What makes you think I wouldn't find you?”
Checking to make sure that his bodyguards were next to him, Evert smirked. “I still have one. Unless you want to see him dead also?”
A growl and Chris shook his head. “You won't get to hurt him. Drop your weapons and raise your hands. You're surrounded.”
Evert glanced around the warehouse. Chuckling, he shook his head. “Now, Chris. Who else do you think is here? You sound rather like a cop.”
Chris pulled out his gun and badge. Josiah and Nathan followed. “No not a cop, try a Federal Agent, and you are under arrest.”
Evert grinned, “You only have two men with you. How are you going to take me in?”
Chris grinned. “I didn't just bring two men, I brought a whole bus load of people with me and they have you in their sights.”
Glancing around the warehouse, Evert shook his head. “You don't have anything on me.”
Smirking, Chris shook his head. “We have everything on you. You've had two federal agents recording all your movements for the last two weeks. Now drop your weapons and hands up.”
Evert was about to speak again. When the goons threw their weapons down and raised their hands. Staring at the goons, Evert growled out. “What are you doing?”
The leading goon shrugged his shoulders. “You said it yourself, you would kill us without a second thought, and, well, you don't pay us enough to get shot by federal officers.”
Evert glared at men. “After all this? Everything I've done for you?”
The goon snorted. “We aren't stupid and we aren't going to take a bullet for you.”
With that, Chris' voice called out. “Evert put your weapon down or we'll shoot.”
Looking around quickly, Evert wanted to scream. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. With a sigh, he dropped his weapon and put his hands up. Though, he grinned. “You may haul me to jail, but I’m not going to tell you where your agent is being held.”
Before Chris could say anything, a voice from behind Chris spoke up. “We don't need your help. I know where all your secret rooms are here.”
Evert paled as he recognized the voice. “You are supposed to be dead! I saw my men shoot you!”
Like a ghost, Buck appeared and glared at Evert. “Should have made sure your men were better shots.”
77777777777
Beaten and tied up to a wooden chair, Ezra couldn't believe his eyes as the lone door of the cell like room he was in seemed to explode inwards, and six men in ATF gear swept into the room. As the lone guard was taken down and handcuffed, the Undercover Expert whispered out. "I must be crazy."
Moving over to Ezra, Buck started to untie him and smile. "Nope, not crazy."
"I beg to differ. You are dead, I saw them shoot you."
Finishing with the last restraint, Buck stood and grinned. "They didn't shoot me dead. It was just a slight graze."
Walking over to check Ezra, Nathan snorted. "It was more then a slight graze, and the only reason you're here is because you knew where they were holding Ezra."
Glaring at the Nathan, Buck ignored the black spots in his vision and shook his head. “I'm good. I don't need to go back.”
Before Nathan could say anything, Chris spoke up. “You are going back to the hospital and staying there until the doctors say that you're perfectly fine to go.”
Before Buck could say anything, Ezra spoke up. “How bad was it? How didn't you die?”
Before the Explosive Expert could say anything, Chris growled out. “It was bad enough, and from what the doctor said, somehow he was able to turn just enough for the bullet to miss most of his neck and hit his shoulder instead.'
Seeing how pale Buck had gotten, Vin spoke up. “I think we need to save this discussion for later, otherwise, Bucklin here is going need to be carried out of here.”
As everyone looked over at Buck, the Explosive Expert stubbornly ignored the fact that the black splotches in his vision were bigger now. Glaring at the Sniper, he bit out, and “I'm fine.”
A soft snort, and then Chris spoke up. “Vin's right, Lets get everyone out of here and those that need to go to the hospital can go. We can discuss how Buck survived later.”
Trying his best to glare at Chris, Buck failed when his body finally decided enough was enough and collapsed into unconsciousness.
With a curse, Josiah was just fast enough to save Buck from landing hard on the ground. Gently laying Buck on the ground, Josiah looked up to Nathan. “Nate?”
Moving over to Buck, Nathan checked Buck over quickly and sighed. Glaring at Chris, Nathan spat out. “I told you he wasn't ready, he’ll be fine, his body just decided it had enough.”
Watching as Nathan called the paramedics, Vin shook his head and made his way over to the freed Undercover Agent. “You okay?”
Ezra shook his head, “I saw them shoot him.”
The Sniper smiled softly. “Well, they missed enough. He's alive.”
Watching the just arrived paramedics talking with Nathan and putting Buck on the stretcher, Ezra turned away and looked at Vin. “How bad is he?”
The Sniper watched the action over at Buck for a second then spoke. “Not as bad as it looks. He just did too much too fast. I have a feeling Chris and Nathan will want to have a talk with him.”
Ezra sighed slightly, “I might have a talk with him as well.”
77777777777
Slinking through the hospital corridors, Ezra paused outside of Buck's door. The last few days had been nightmarish to say the least, and ,even now, he wasn't sure if Buck being alive was real or a product of his imagination.
Hesitating for a long second, Ezra almost turned around and went back home. If any of the Seven asked him why he was here and not at home sleeping, he didn't have an answer beyond he just wanted to make sure that Buck was still alive, not dead and lying in an alleyway getting eaten by rats.
Taking a deep breath, Ezra opened the door and peered into the room. Releasing the breath he was holding when he saw that the two occupants were asleep.
Sliding into the room fully, Ezra shut the door and watched to make sure that soft click of the door didn't wake either JD or Buck.
When neither man even shifted, Ezra proceeded to almost tip toe over to Buck's bed and gently laid a hand on the man's chest. Leaving it there for several seconds, he allowed the feeling of the chest moving up and down in breaths relax the pain and grief from him. It wasn't a dream, Buck was alive not dead.
Shaking his head, Ezra lifted his hand off Buck's chest and backed away a few steps, checking to make sure he hadn't disturbed the Explosive Expert. Taking a quick glance behind him, he made sure that JD was still asleep in his chair.
The Undercover Agent was happy to see that the young man hadn't moved since he had entered. Ezra moved back to lean against a wall and settled against it to watch the sleeping men. He knew that he wasn't going to get anymore sleep tonight, and, hopeful, if he told himself enough that Buck was fine, the nightmares might stop.
77777777777
Taking a sip of his coffee and stretching is legs so his feet could rest on Buck's hospital bed, Vin smirked softly, at the remembrance of the lecture that both Chris and Nathan had given Buck earlier when they had stopped by. Fully grinning at the look of Buck's face when he learned that he would be staying at the ranch until he was ready to go back to work had been priceless.
Shifting into a slightly more comfortable position, Vin allowed his eyes to close, though at the crick of the door opening, his eyes shot open and he turned to look to see who had entered into the room.
Spotting Ezra, Vin frowned. “I thought Chris ordered you to take a few days off.”
Startled, the undercover expert paused and stared at the sniper. Thinking quickly, Ezra spoke up. “I couldn't sleep. Thought I would swing by and see how Buck is doing.”
Eying the Southern, Vin shook his head, “What's the really problem? You could have called.”
Taking a glance at Vin, Ezra turned his eyes back to Buck and took a couple of steps until he was at the end of Buck's bed. Shrugging his shoulders, Ezra sighed. “It's nothing.”
Snorting slightly, Vin could tell it was more then nothing. Settling back into his previous position, Vin eyed the sleeping man, and then spoke in hush voiced. “You know I can't image what you were going through those few days. As far as you knew Buck was dead rotting in an alleyway.”
Shuttering slightly at the image that the words drew up, Ezra closed his eyes for a moment, then opening them hissed out, “It was rather unpleasant.”
“I bet it was more then a little unpleasant. Considering, when you saw Buck you looked like you were going to faint or rush up and grab Buck to see if he was real.”
“Gentlemen do not faint. I was just surprised. Our Explosive Expert was so pale; I thought he was a ghost.”
“Naw, not a ghost. Just a very lucky. So, how bad are the nightmares?”
Glaring at the Texan, Ezra crossed his arms and stared at Buck's rising chest when he spat out. “What do you mean how bad they are? I don't have any nightmares.”
“Sure. And the reason that you have visited every night to check to make sure Buck is still alive is because you find the trip from your house to the hospital relaxing?”
Whether it was from lack of sleep or the roller coasters of emotions the past week, Ezra found to his horror he answered the question honestly. “He told me it wasn't my fault right before they put the bullet in him. He was facing death and in his last words, he was trying to make me feel better. Then the shot and....”
His voice trailing off, Ezra shrugged helpless, for once his words failed him, as he just couldn't describe what he needed to say.
Vin eyed the Southerner, and then turned to look at Buck. Chuckling softly, and then chuckling harder when Ezra glared at him. “Mr. Tanner what is so funny.”
Getting himself under control, Vin grinned softly at Ezra. “What did you think he was going to say? This is Buck. You think he wanted you to carry around the guilt for being tied up and unable to move and you didn't save him? Hell, I'm surprised he didn't dodge the bullet or t ell them to wait while he made sure you wouldn't feel guilty about this.”
Ezra frowned. “Are you saying he has a death wish?”
“Aw hell no, Buck doesn't have any type of death wish. He would be the last person to have one. He is just very realistic about what could happen on the job and he knows sometimes it isn't anyone's fault. He wouldn't want you to destroy your life with the guilt that you thought that you failed in some way.”
Uncrossing his arms, Ezra ran one hand through his hair. “But didn't I? He almost died simply because he was thought to be nothing more then a hired hand able to be discarded as easily as a plate or cup.”
Snorting, Vin wished he had a baseball bat to whack some sense into Ezra. Sighing, he rubbed his eyes. It was late and he really would have preferred to have this conversation when he was more awake. “Are you going throw him underneath the bus next time? Or me?”
“No!”
“Then stop it. You aren't Evert. The fact that we ran up against this wacko means nothing. We came out of it fine.”
“What about next time? What if next time you or Buck or any of the others that come in undercover get shot and killed because they were thought to be expendable?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Vin stared at the sleeping Buck for a moment, trying to formulate an answer that Ezra would accept. Though the Sniper had a feeling that Ezra wouldn't relax until Buck talked to him. “It's a risk. We always take a chance that someone might think that way, but it's a risk worth taking. And whatever happens, it doesn't mean that it's anyone's fault except for the person who pulled the trigger. Besides, it isn't like you can stop any of us from doing it.”
Cracking the first small smile in days, Ezra sighed. “True. You are all so stubborn, I would most likely have a better chance of moving a mountain with a teaspoon then convincing anyone from doing something life-threatening.”
Nodding in agreement with the statement, Vin leaned back into his chair and eyed the Southern for a second. “You want to pull up a chair, or are you heading back home?”
For a second Ezra seemed torn, then, with a shrugged of his shoulders, he grabbed a nearby chair and settled it next to Vin's. “For tonight, at least, I'll join. Besides I do not relish the drive home at this time of night.”
With that, silence fell across the room, each man lost in thought before they both shortly dropped off to sleep.
77777777777
Lying on the couch, Buck glared at the television as if it was the object's fault for him being stuck in Chris's ranch being mother-henned to death by concerned teammates. Shifting slightly on the couch, he tired to ignore the pull of the his wounds across his neck and shoulder. All he really wanted to was to be at home in his own bed. One little over doing seemed to have him on lock down.
Closing his eyes for a moment, his eyes popped open the moment he heard footsteps come into the room. Grumbling underneath his breath, he hissed out, “I'm fine Chris.”
A soft chuckle then, “Mr. Wilmington, I'm flattered that you think that I'm our fearless leader.”
Sighing, Buck rolled his eyes, it just wasn't his day. “Sorry Ezra.”
Coming around to sit down across from Buck, Ezra grinned. “I take it Mr. Larabee is being overprotective?”
“Hell. If it was just Chris, I could deal with it. Try including JD and a hovering Nathan. I can't move off this couch without one of them showing up and yelling at me to get my ass back on it.”
Ezra grinned. “I see. And where are your minders now?”
Buck huffed. “They all, sadly, had to leave. Travis needed to talk to Chris and JD about something and Nathan had some ride-along he had to do. Then he was going to eat dinner with Raine. All of which had them making me promised, on the pain of death, not to move from the couch for any reason.”
Raising an eyebrow, Ezra peered around the room. “And how would they know if you moved?”
Buck sighed, “I don't know, but I think JD set up a camera in here.”
Frowning, the Undercover Expert glanced around the room. “You think he really did something like that?”
“Do you remember the lecture that I received about not staying in the car? And what would happen next time that I don't follow orders? At this point, I wouldn't put anything past them.”
Eying the injured man, Ezra had to agree. Chris had been a tad angry about what had happened. “I can see your point. They wouldn't be above doing that.”
Buck nodded in agreement. “So, why are you here? Can't be because you're trying to avoid anyone and if you're here to check up on me...”
Ezra shook his head. “No. I have not been sent by anyone to spy and make sure you're following their instructions.”
Buck grinned. “Good, you want to help me escape?”
“No, I enjoy my life. And I have a feeling I would lack it rather quickly if I help you leave this abode against the others' orders.”
Eying the Southern, Buck sighed. “So, if you aren't here to help me escape, why are you here? Another nightmare?”
Staring at the Explosives Expert, Ezra frowned. “What nightmares?”
Carefully resettling himself, Buck glanced over at the shocked man. “I'm not stupid and you and Vin do not talk very quietly.”
“You heard all of that! That was a private conversation.”
Waving his hands to motion Ezra to stop, Buck sighed. “I didn't hear all of it. I kept fading in and out thanks to the drugs that I was on. But I caught enough it.”
Ezra huffed. “I don't have nightmares. I sleep fine.”
Snorting at the words, Buck let off a small breath. “That is why you keep showing up to make sure that I'm still alive each night? Why you're here now? To make sure that your dreams aren't the reality of and that me being alive is a dream?”
“I'm sleeping fine. As for the nightmares, I saw you die in front of me.”
Being careful in moving his head, Buck met Ezra's eyes. “Yes, and that would be enough to give anyone nightmares. And the dark circle eyes and haggard expression on your face let me know you haven't been sleeping. So, in the dark what have you been thinking about?”
Leaning back in his chair, Ezra debated with himself for a long minute, then with a shrug, he spoke. “Why did you tell me it wasn't my fault? I didn't listen to your feeling that something was off with Evert and we ended up tied up with you surviving by luck.”
Ignoring the pain that flared as he straighten up and leaned towards Ezra, so he can grab the undercover agent and make sure he had the man's full attention, Buck spoke softly and slowly. “You couldn't have known. I didn't know Evert was that far gone. Things happen due to no fault of our own. In the end, we made it out alive and even if we hadn't, it wasn't your fault and I wouldn't have blamed you.”
Standing up and moving a few feet away to break the contact with Buck, Ezra shook his head. “But...you almost died. He said he left you in an alley for the express purpose of making sure that you would lie with the filth and rats were eat your bones. Then the newspaper article and...”
Buck hissed as he started to get up. Turning back to Buck, Ezra cursed. “Don't move. You’re hurt and Chris will kill you.”
“Then come back over here.”
Moving back towards Buck, Ezra waited for the Explosives Expert to talk. Resettling himself, Buck started speaking. “I think the newspaper article was for Evert. I don't think that JD or Chris thought that Evert would share it. They didn't know how derange Evert was. Hell, we didn't think he was that stupid. In that way we were all at fault. We thought it would be an easy case and it wasn't. We know better and we're learning from this. We need to count our blessings and move on. And if that means you need to check up on me to make sure I'm alive for a while, it's all good. Though, I'll warn you; it might become awkward once I'm able to go back to my normal activities.”
“I pray that I'll be over it by then.”
Shifting around slightly, Buck failed to hide a yawn. Groaning slightly, he looked over at Ezra who tried his best to hide his own yawn. Grinning, Buck carefully reached for an extra blanket and tossed it over to Ezra. “Why don't you rest your eyes on the other couch? That way you can make sure that I'm not going to escape.”
For a second, Ezra almost was going to bolt, but then Ezra settled down and nodded. “I think I will. Do you need any help?”
Snorting, Buck settled himself into a comfortable position. “Nah, I'm good.”
With that, the two men settled down and fell into a deep sleep.
77777777777
Several hours later, Chris and JD made their way into the living room of Chris’s house where Buck had been recovering. Coming to a halt when they spotted Buck with his finger over his lip telling the two men to be quiet the two men shared look.
Quietly moving deeper into the room, the two men spotted Ezra asleep on the other couch. When Buck was sure the other two men spotted Ezra, Buck slowly got up, ignoring the glares from the two men and slowly and silently made his way over to the two men and motion for them to head to Chris’ office.
When the group reached the room, Buck settled himself into a nearby chair and looked up at the other two. “Sorry I didn’t want you to wake up Ezra.”
JD frowned “Why is Ezra here? Thought he was supposed to be at home resting?”
Chuckling softly, Buck shrugged his shoulders. “I would say for the same reason that the two of you can’t let me at of your eyesight.”
Crossing his arms, and leaning against the doorframe to the room, Chris frowned “Really?”
Seeing the identical look from JD, Buck grinned. “He is just trying to banish the image of me being dead, just as you two are trying to banish the image of me lying in the alleyway covered in snow.”
Seeing the look of denial on the two men, Buck grinned. “You might as well not try to say that isn’t true. You both have been worse then a mother hen letting her chicks go out for the first time. I’m going to be fine.”
Chris looked at Buck and slowly nodded his head. “You can’t blame us. This one was too close of a call.”
JD watched for a second as Buck and Chris seemed to share a look and before he could say anything, Chris nodded again, and stated, “All right. I’ll get supper ready. When it’s ready we’ll draw straws on who gets to wake up Ezra.”
Before the other two could protest, Chris beat a hasty retreat to the kitchen. As the leader of Team Seven left, Buck turned to JD. “You okay also?”
JD shrugged his shoulders, “I…yes. It’s just you could have died. Ezra thought you were dead. What if?”
Buck grinned at the younger man. “But there is no what if’s. I’m going to be fine. We got the bad guy and we ride off into the sunset.”
“Ride off in the sunset?”
Grinning, Buck shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve been watching too many Westerns. Only thing on that is even remotely interesting.”
JD sighed, moving closer to Buck. “Still, you could have died and there would have been nothing we could do. You could have been left in the alley to rot.”
Buck reached out and pulled JD into a one arm hug. “I wasn’t. You found me, and things happen. Now, I told Ezra it wasn’t his fault and I’m telling you it isn’t yours. We all know it could happened, and we’ve been lucky. We shouldn’t have been given the case on such short notice, but it happen. We deal with it and move on. Besides, I’ll be fine. And if you truly feel guilty, you’ll help me escape while Chris is in the kitchen.”
Shaking his head, JD smiled. “No, I don’t want Chris or Nate hunting me down. I heard the lecture that Chris gave you. I think it scared everyone but you.”
Pouting slightly, Buck tired again. “Please? He won’t find out about it.”
Snickering, JD shook his head. “Nope. Besides, Chris said if I tried he would take away my computers for a month”.
Looking at the young man in shock, Buck shook his head. “I knew you like your computer more then me. Maybe when Ezra is awake I can get him to help me?”
JD grinned. “No, I think, though, you need to head back to the couch and rest before dinner.”
Opening his mouth to protest and having a yawn escape instead, Buck gave in. “You might be right. besides, I think it’s best if Ezra woke up with me next to him.”
Keeping an eye on Buck as the ladie's man made his way back to the couch, JD whispered under his breath, “Hell, you always waking up is the best.”
The End.
