A long night
Title: Late Night Interruptions
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Language and implied scenes
Characters: Ezra Standish, Nathan Jackson
Genre: General,
Summary: When Murphy's law hits, it hits hard - all Ezra wants to do is relax, but events conspire to keep him from that anticipated sleep.
Ezra Standish hung his head when the doorbell rang. Is it too much to hope for an uneventful night? He wondered. Before Ezra reached the door, all irritation had vanished. The door swung open and the automatic greeting died unsaid. He recognized the man at his doorstep, but not the girl clinging to his friend’s shirt. “Mister Jackson!”
Nathan Jackson heard and ignored the strongly veiled shock. "I hate to impose upon you after hours, in your home, and apologize for my unannounced arrival, but I beg a favor." During the drive over, Nathan had been trying to figure out how to ask for help, yet he could not come up with sentences that did not sound like panic or shock.
"Of course, Mr. Jackson. Please come in." Ezra opened the door allowing his guest to enter. His keen eyes spied the death grip the girl maintained on Nathan's shirtsleeve. Ever the helpful host, Ezra asked, "Would you like something to drink?"
"Hot Chocolate?" Nathan actually preferred a stronger drink, but he also knew the little girl in his arms would drink more of his drink than he would.
"Certainly." Ezra's arms swept towards the modest looking but expensive couch. "Make yourselves at home." He stepped into the kitchen and grabbed the half-gallon container of milk. Frowned when he noticed it has spoiled before being opened, again.
Not having fresh milk, Ezra reached for a metal teapot, filled it with water, and set it on the stove to warm. Hot Chocolate made with water, in Ezra’s opinion, did not taste nearly as good, but going to the store for more milk and other perishable foods that had undoubtedly passed their ‘sell-by-date’ was not an option tonight.
Ezra scoured the pantry for the bag of marshmallows he knew he had. Ah, there it was - still unopened. A quick perusal of the date revealed this processed food-item, made with *shudder* artificial flavors and preservatives was still editable.
With the water reaching the desired temperature, Ezra moved the teapot to a platter, where he'd previously placed three mugs, three spoons, the powdered hot chocolate/cocoa mix (real melted chocolate would have been better) and the bag of marshmallows.
Ezra walked into the living room with nary a sound. "I apologize for using water instead of milk, but the milk is no longer fresh."
Nathan smiled weakly. "This is fine, Ezra." He poured hot water into one mug, added the cocoa powder, tasted it, and then let the girl on his lap sip. "Careful," he warned her. She nodded, but refused to let go of Nathan's shirt as she drank. "Danka".
Nathan held the cup of hot chocolate in one hand while the other arm remained wrapped around the trembling child. "Thank you Ezra," Nathan reiterated.
Ezra had poured and fixed himself a cup after he saw how the slight waif of a girl watched their every move. "May I ask what brings you to my doorstep?"
Nathan leaned back, careful not to jostle the hot drink or the girl at his side. "Needed someplace secure and a listening ear. Chris's ranch is too far away, Josiah isn't home, Vin's adobe isn't readily accessible at night. JD and Buck would overwhelm little Fraulein."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. “And why not your place or is Raine working?" He sipped his hot chocolate, wishing again that he’d had an opportunity earlier today to restock on expired victuals.
Nathan let Fraulein have more of the cocoa, before he sipped at the miracle working liquid. "Raine's in the hospital but not as a nurse."
Ezra barely held back a choke. He hurriedly set his mug down so the trembling in his fingers wouldn't be as evident, and yet the chink as the cup hit the coffee table revealed his reaction just as easily. "How is she? What happened?"
"The same bastards that killed Frauleins' folks shot up the children's ward, trying to eliminate her - and I have no idea why Fraulein's been targeted. A stray bullet grazed Raine, resulting in a very minor flesh wound. And the doctors want to keep her overnight for observation. I've treated worse paper cuts at the office with everything the team pulls off at the office!" Nathan's unoccupied hand (Fraulein grabbed the mug with a t-shirt covered hand), rubbed his face. "Raine's got family watching her, otherwise she'd be with me. Fraulein hasn't' let anyone besides me or Raine touch her.”
Nathan changed topic, knowing what Standish’s next question would be. The team had discussions similar to this after some gun-busts found homeless children living in the warehouses used for black-market smuggling. "Yes, Ezra, I do know the proper procedure and regulations for treatment of minors and survivors of violent crimes - and when to report suspect abuse - but damn it if someone's not tracking Fraulein through the system. Child Protection Services can't keep her alive!"
"The CPS is overwhelmed and overworked with abused, neglected, abandoned children, unable to give a tourist's orphan the appropriate attention and help she needs." Ezra closed his eyes, mind racing. "What would you have me do?"
"I don't know!" Boomed Nathan, before turning to reassure the started Fraulein - with his shout of frustration, she dropped the cut of chocolate. Both men ignored the spilled liquid spreading on the couch cushions. Nathan sighed. "I just need some time to collect myself while I figure out what to do."
Ezra opened his yes, spied the bag of marshmallows, and selected a couple of the sticky treats. He tossed one in his mouth, offered the bag to a weary Nathan, and the still uncertain, shy child. Nathan grabbed a large handful, chewed and swallowed. "Marshmallows? I thought processed sugary shacks were 'uncouth'."
Ezra gave an undignified shrug. "I do keep a few select items available in case a guest or family drops by for a visit."
Nathan shook his head. "You don't entertain guests here, and Maude is your only family.” This was fact, and the entire team knew it.
"Blood relations do not make one family." Ezra sipped and finished the last of his cup, deliberately leaving a chocolate mustache on his upper lip. He knelt by the couch, eyes looking directly at the fraulein. Ezra held his arms out, reaching and ready to catch her if she decided to let go of her protector, but not taking her from Nathan. He refused to tear her grip, waiting for her to decide he was trustworthy and safe.
Ezra grunted as the girl jumped at him and grabbed him, holding Ezra for all she was worth. "Go get cleaned up while you have the chance. I fear she won't let either of us out of her site anytime soon."
Nathan nodded, stood up and sped-walked towards the bathroom.
Left alone with Fraulein, Ezra struggled to get upright without dislodging his passenger. "Shall we check to see what foods and snacks I have available?"
"NINE!" the little girl shrieked.
"Very well, we'll wait right here for Nathan to come back." Ezra gently unfolded a cloth napkin, wet one corner with the still very warm water from the teapot and calmly wiped his face clean. He wet another corner and gently rubbed Fraulein's face, being careful not to get the dirt in her eyes. Doing thus kept him occupied until Nathan emerged from the bathroom cleaner than when he went in.
Nathan had just resettled in the couch - on the side opposite the new brown stain - when a determined knock at the door announced the presence of another unanticipated arrival.
Ezra handed Fraulein over, gestured for both to lie down, and hide themselves from view of the entrance, before cautiously opening the door.
"Tobias!" A weary Ezra could not contain the shock in his voice. "What brings you to my humble establishment?"
"Save it for someone who cares," snarled Tobias as he barged his way past Ezra. "Where's the girl?"
"What girl?"
"Don't play dumb with me Standish. We both know that an ATF comrade of yours came by, and hasn't left yet either." His dark-brown eyes caught sight of two mugs on the coffee table. They looked out-of place, and confirmed the fact Ezra, a loner by nature, was entertaining someone.
"Not by his own transportation." Allowed Ezra, "But I may have lent him my own transportation."
"You?" Tobias laughed, and stopped his examination of the room he could see from the foyer. "Lending your private vehicle to another? You don't trust others that much."
"If you are so sure of that, then why would I allow him access to my private abode?" Ezra's casual stance against the wall did nothing to hide his ire or anger. "Now, I'll ask again. What. Girl?"
"You are serious." Tobias raised one hand up towards his baldhead, dropped it back down. "I am trying to protect the only survivor of a massacre, but I can't do that if you and your ilk keep stonewalling me."
"That does not excuse your heavy handedness."
"No it does not. And I don't care. So give me what I want, and I'll leave."
Ezra didn't move. He didn't speak for a long, long moment. The silence dragged on so long, Fornell Tobias began thinking he’d been stupid to confront Ezra in his own home.
Then, finally, Ezra spoke. "If my ex colleges at the Atlanta branch hadn't lumped us together in their vicious rumors, you wouldn't have made it past my front door alive." For most others, being hated by ex-partners of the FBI branch would have meant the man was untrustworthy. For Ezra, it was a glowing recommendation.
Tobias shrank in relief. "So, the girl is still alive. Thank God."
"I am not turning more information over to you unless you can guarantee her safety."
"How about being adopted by the retired marine who first called me a 'nasty-piece-of-work' to my face?"
Ezra blinked, not expecting that response. "Leroy?"
Tobias nodded.
"Leroy has agreed to take the girl in and care for her as his own?"
"Yes."
"Nathan?" Ezra called out.
Tobias turned, half expecting the appearance of the large black man hidden behind the couch, but not the arrival of a primed Glock pointing unwaveringly at him. The girl clinging to the man’s was also a surprise.
"I thought you didn't trust any FBI agents, Ez."
"Tobias is a unique case. He will protect Fraulein.” Ezra simply stated. Because Nathan knew Ezra like he did, Nathan understood that what was left unsaid: Tobias would do anything and everything in his power to protect a child, and if he couldn't physically care for the girl, he'd find someone who could and would.
"Positive?" The steady finger on the trigger unnerved Tobias more than he was will to admit. The sight of a small youthful face peering from behind the man's body, from where she held on tight, meant his relief overwhelmed the fear.
"Absolutely."
The gun’s safety was engaged, and it slid from view. "I want to meat this Leroy myself before I turn Fraulein over to him."
"Acceptable. I'll take you to him right now." Fornell pulled out his phone and sped-dialed.
Nathan stepped around the couch. "Tell Chris I might be late for work tomorrow."
Ezra snorted. "Tell him yourself." The two ATF men followed Tobias to his unmarked government car. "Take care Nathan, and I will see you when you get back." They clasped hands.
"You got it, brother."