Lost

Disclaimer: I don't own The Magnificent Seven, not making any money, just cheap thrills.

Warnings: Angst, Slash

Rating: FRT

Lost
Chapter 22


With Browner's video taped confession and the documented evidence he gave them, bringing Dan Barnes to justice was an easy task. It wasn't necessary for Chris to be in Atlanta when the FBI arrested Barnes, they already had the confession, JD had emailed it to them along with copies of the documented evidence. Chris could have sent the originals by courier, but as Vin's friend he needed to be there when they interrogated Barnes. There was one more reason and that was the argument he had used to gain permission for both him and Ezra to personally deliver the evidence to Atalanta.

"Chris, what can I do for you?" Orrin asked, though he had his suspicions as to why Larabee was in his office.

"I want to deliver Browner's confession and the documents to Atlanta."

"Not wasting time, are you?"

"They need the evidence, no point wasting time."

Orrin motioned Chris to a chair and leaned forward, "Tell me what's really going on."

Chris sighed, shooting his boss a sheepish smile. "This guy, Barnes, is the one who started the rumors about Ezra. I think Ez deserves the chance to see the man who ruined his career with the FBI brought to justice. Besides, with everything that's happened, I'd feel better if we delivered the evidence instead of relying on a courier."

Orrin leaned back, thinking over what Chris had said. "Alright, I'm authorizing you and Standish to deliver the evidence. Also, in the interest of seeing that justice is carried out, I'm officially ordering the two of you to observe the interrogation of Agent Barnes, participating directly if you feel it's necessary." As he spoke, Orrin was busily writing out the orders that Chris would need. "I'll have Gloria type this up, you'll have it and your plane tickets within the hour."

"Thank you Orrin," Chris smiled, as he pushed himself to his feet and left the office.


Chris gave himself a mental shake, bringing him back to the present moment. Though it would have been unnoticeable to most, he could tell that Ezra was nervous about the upcoming meeting. "I've got your back Ez," he whispered to the other man as the doors to the elevator opened.

Ezra turned towards his boss and friend, the mask slipping for a second, letting his shock show, before he slammed it back in place. A small nod was his only outward acknowledgment of Chris' support, inwardly he was nearly jumping for joy. Until joining team seven, Ezra had rarely encountered anybody willing to offer their support, and none of them had ever come through for him when it was truly needed. Having so little experience with such loyalty and friendship, words such as the simple ones uttered by Chris, still had the power to awe him. Stepping into the offices of the Atlanta FBI, Ezra froze in his tracks. "Deputy Director Lawerence, I wasn't expecting to see you here sir."

Chris frowned, he didn't like the effect this man seemed to be having on his agent. Stifling a growl, he stepped forward, silently vowing that the feebies wouldn't find a way to blame this situation on Ezra. "Deputy Lawerence, I'm Chris Larabee, SAC of ATF team seven," he introduced himself, his hand extended.

"Agent Larabee," Lawerence greeted, shaking his hand. "Agent Standish, it's a pleasure to see you again," he smiled as he turned towards Ezra.

"Yes sir," Ezra nodded. Damn, why was he here? Surely he didn't expect that he could convince Ezra to return. "If I may inquire Deputy Lawerence, why are you here?"

Lawerence took a step back, faltering under the direct questioning that was so unlike the Ezra Standish he knew. "I understand that there is quite damning evidence concerning the guilt of Agent Barnes."

"There is," Ezra confirmed. "Are you here to sweep it under the rug?"

"No! I'm sorry," Doug Lawerence quickly apologized as several heads turned their way. "On the contrary, I am here to offer a formal apology to you Agent Standish and to tender an offer for your reinstatement in the bureau."

"Just like that?"

Doug winced, he couldn't blame the man for his skepticism, but still he hadn't expected quite that reaction. "Well, Barnes hasn't admitted that the rumors he spread were false, nor has he admitted to his role in the escape of Rupert Browner. However, given the evidence against him, there is no doubt that he is guilty which of course makes his allegations concerning your honesty suspect to say the least."

"What happens the next time somebody cast aspersions on my honesty?"

"Now Ezra, you know we have to investigate allegations..."

"Investigate? Nobody at the bureau investigated, if they had they would have found legitimate reasons for the lifestyle in which I conduct my private life. No sir, everybody in this office readily accepted the rumors which Barnes started. You all made it abundantly clear that you believed me to be corrupt, treating me accordingly. As they say, your apology and the offer of reinstatement is too little, too late. Now, I believe we have a suspect to interrogate."

The coldness of Ezra's cultured voice brought a chill to Chris' blood. He hated to hear that tone in Ezra's voice, recognizing it for the defense mechanism it was, hiding the hurt the undercover agent had felt over the betrayal of his former colleagues. "Is Barnes already in an interrogation room?" Chris asked, deflecting attention from Ezra and back to the case at hand.

"Yes he is, right this way," Lawerence replied. Turning away, he led the way down a long hall to the interrogation room.

"What is he doing here?" Barnes snarled when they walked into the room.

Ezra didn't reply, simply sliding into a seat at the long table, Chris taking the seat next to him.

"Agent Standish is a member of my team."

"Who the hell are you?" Barnes demanded.

"Agent Larabee, ATF. It was my team that caught Rupert Browner, after you helped him to escape justice," Chris growled.

Barnes turned to the Deputy Director, "Can't you see what's happening here? I'm being set up, Standish is just trying to get back at me for exposing him as a corrupt agent."

"Really Barnes, is that the best you can do," Ezra calmly responded before anybody else could. "If I were truly seeing revenge, why would I have waited all of this time?"

"Probably so nobody would suspect you of setting me up."

"Do tell, and how is it that I arranged for Rupert Browner to come to Denver? How did I arrange for his confession or the documentation he has attesting to your guilt?"

"He must be in on it with you," Barnes quickly countered.

"Of course, and he agreed to return to Atlanta, to serve our his original sentence, because...?"

Barnes bit his lip, damned wily bastard was doing it to him again. This was exactly the reason why he had started the rumors in the first place, his superior attitude grated on his nerves, making him the perfect choice for a scapegoat. "I don't know, maybe you threatened him. That's it, you must've threatened him," Barnes decided.

"That would have been an interesting trick, seeing as how Agent Standish wasn't involved in Browner's interrogation," Chris interjected.

"Give it up Barnes," Deputy Lawerence spoke up. "Your best option, given the evidence against you, is to confess and save the taxpayers some money, maybe the judge will be lenient in the sentencing."

"How lenient?"

"He might take ten years off your sentence," Lawerence tempted the other man.

"Ten years?"

"Yes," Lawerence confirmed.

"I want the sentence guranteed in writing before I agree to anything."

"Of course, and you will publicly apologize for the rumors you began about Agent Standish."

Barnes glanced thoughtfully at Ezra, apologize? To hell with it, the satisfaction he'd get from letting the doubts continue wasn't worth the extra ten years. "Deal."

"I'll make the arrangements," Lawerence stood.

"That Chris on the phone?" Vin asked. A grin spread across his face when Buck jumped a foot, hitting his head on the cabinet above the counter.

"Damn Vin, do you have to do that?"

"Do what?" Vin innocently asked.

"You know what," Buck playfully growled, rubbing his head.

"So, was it?"

"Was it...oh, yeah, it was Chris."

"Everything okay?"

"Barnes agreed to confess and publicly apologize to Ezra for the rumors he started, admitting that he did it to keep suspicion off himself. Chris also said that a Deputy Director Lawerence offered to reinstate Ezra."

Vin sighed, "What did Ezra say?"

Buck grinned, "He told Deputy Lawerence that the offer was too little, too late."

"Good for him. When are they coming home?"

"A couple of days."

Vin gave him a puzzled look, "Something going on?"

"I don't think so, Chris said Ezra has some investments in Atlanta that he wants to check on while he's there."

"Investments?"

"That's what Chris said," Buck confirmed. "Don't you have a therapy session?"

"Trying to get rid of me?"

"You know I'm not, now quit avoiding the question."

Vin dropped his head, "Yeah."

Buck crossed the room, wrapping his arms around the smaller man. "I know ya don't want to go Vin, but it's helping isn't it?"

"I suppose," came the soft reply.

"How about if I drive ya and after your appointment we can go to the saloon."

"I got a better idea, I'll meet you at the saloon when I'm done," Vin countered.

“You wouldn't be planning to skip your session, would ya?”

Vin supposed he should be offended by the question, and maybe he would have been if he hadn't known why Buck asked. He understood though, that Buck wasn't questioning his honesty, he simply recognized how much Vin hated going to the sessions. That knowledge made it easy to ignore the unintended insult, “No, just don't see any reason for you to spend an hour waiting around for me to be done.”

“I don't mind,” Buck quickly assured him. “Besides if I drive, then you can have a beer without worrying about it affecting your driving.”

Vin had opened his mouth to protest that he minded when Buck continued. The other man's words had him pausing as he mulled it over. He had a point, the doctor did say that since he was only on mild painkillers he could have the occasional beer but that it would hit him harder than usual so he shouldn't drive afterwards. “I could probably use a beer after the session,” he softly mumbled, more to himself than to Buck.

“Then you'll let me drive you?”

“Yeah, if you're sure you don't mind.”

“Wouldn't have offered if I minded,” Buck smiled. “We better get though if you're gonna make it on time.” Reluctantly letting Vin go, he grabbed his keys from the hook by the door and led the way outside.



Vin came out of the psychiatrist's office and walked straight outside, not even glancing at Buck. Concerned for the younger man, Buck jumped to his feet and hurried after him. “Vin...Vin wait!” he called as the sharpshooter ignored him and kept on walking.

Vin turned around, “What?” he snapped.

Buck took a step back, surprised by the anger in his friend's voice. It was obvious by his tone and stance that now wouldn't be a good time to ask what was wrong. “I thought we were going to the saloon,” he replied with the first thing he could think of.

“I'll meet you there.”

“It's two miles from here Vin and you're still recovering...”

“I know that Buck! Ain't likely to forget either, but the worst injury is my hands and I don't walk on them, I'll be fine.”

“You shouldn't...”

“Goddamn it Buck I'm an adult! I can make my own decisions!” Turning away, Vin stalked off, ignoring the calls that came from his friend as he walked across the parking lot to the street.

Buck watched Vin, his blue eyes filled with concern for the other man. He wanted to run after him, to drag him to his truck and make him accept a ride to the saloon. He didn't do that, no matter how much he might want to protect the younger man, he knew that right now it would only make Vin angrier. Sighing heavily, he walked to his truck and headed towards the saloon, driving slowly in order to keep Vin in sight. Maybe he couldn't keep Vin from walking to Inez's place, but he could make sure that he was available to help if needed.

Vin marched down the sidewalk, pointedly ignoring the truck that followed him. Damn them both! How dare they discuss him without his permission. Vin had always been a very private man, life had taught him early on that being open with others only provided them with a weapon to use against him. He knew, on some level, that they both meant well but he hated being talked about, hated having things revealed that he hadn't planned to tell anybody about.

The session had started out okay. They had talked some more about what Browner had done, the doctor insisting that he go into more detail about what happened to him. He hadn't been comfortable with it, would have avoided it if he could, but she insisted and so he talked. Then she had asked him about what had happened at Buck's apartment. The moment the words had left her mouth, Vin saw red! Damn him to hell! He had no right to tell her about that. None! Who the hell did he think he was? He thinks he's the man who loves you, a small voice whispered. Quickly he brushed the thought away. If he really loved me, he told himself, he wouldn't have gone behind my back like that. By the time he had walked the two miles to the saloon, Vin was only marginally calmer than when he'd started. Unconsciously he headed right for the team table. He wasn't surprised to see the rest of the team, sitting there, it was after all past five on a Friday afternoon. Sliding into his usual seat, he ordered a beer from the waitress.

Nathan scowled, “Vin you shouldn't...”

“Not a word Nathan.” Vin quickly cut him off.

“You're still on painkillers Vin, ya shouldn't be drinking,” Nathan tried again, ignoring his friend's words.

“Last time I checked you ain't my daddy so lay the hell off Nate,” Vin growled, surprising Nathan into silence.

Just then Buck came up to the table, two beers in his hands. “Caught the waitress headed this way,” he explained as he set one of the mugs in front of Vin.

“Thought you was looking out for him Buck,” Nathan questioned, glaring at the beer.

“Doctor said he could have one beer and I'm driving,” Buck defended himself.

“He did?”

“Yes Nathan he did, hell you don't think I'd let him have a beer if the doctor didn't say it was okay, do ya?”

Vin fumed as he listened to them talking about him like he wasn't even there. Downing his beer, he stood up and made his way to the bar. “Hey Inez, one more,” he requested, sliding the mug across the bar.

“Si,” Inez smiled. Quickly filling the mug, she handed it back to him. A frown crossed her pretty face as Vin downed the beer in three long swallows and asked for another. “Is everything alright senor?”

Vin might be angry, but he wouldn't take it out on Inez, or any other woman. His mother had taught him better than that. “Everything's fine Inez, just thirsty is all.”

Inez nodded, handing him another beer. “If there is anything you would like to discuss, I am here,” she softly offered.

“Thanks Inez, I appreciate that.” Taking the beer, he walked back to the table, sliding back into his seat.

Buck frowned, “Didn't you finish that already?”

“Yep,” Vin replied, taking a sip of his third beer.

“Vin you ain't supposed to have but one,” Buck protested, grabbing the glass away from him.

“Give it back Buck,” Vin ordered, jerking the glass out of his hand.

“No,” Buck calmly responded. Taking the glass one more time, he quickly drank it, ending the argument.

“You son of a bitch, who the hell do you think you are?”

Buck stared at Vin, shocked by his behavior and anger. Luckily he had spent plenty of time dealing with Chris' drunken rages. “I think I'm your friend Vin,” he calmly replied.

“Vin you don't need to talk to Buck like that, he's just looking out for you,” JD added.

“Looking out for me? Who asked him to? Didn't ask none of y'all to look out for me, I can take care of myself. Don't need friends, they just stab ya in the back anyway,” Vin's tirade ended with a choked sound.

Buck ignored the puzzled, curious looks from his teammates. “I think I better get you home,” he quietly said as he stood up and pulled Vin to his feet.

“Don't want to go home with you,” Vin argued, stumbling against his chair as he pulled away from him.

Buck sighed, “Where do you want to go then?”

“Want to go to my home,” Vin slurred, the mixture of adrenaline, beer and painkillers rapidly catching up to him. Vin blinked as the room began to spin around him; before he had the chance to say another word his knees buckled as the world went dark.

Recognizing the signs, Buck was ready for it as he smoothly caught the smaller man in his arms. Cradling him to his chest, he kneeled on the floor, waiting for Nathan to check him over.

“His pulse is steady, breathing's fine. I think the fool's going to be fine, not counting the hangover he'll have tomorrow,” Nathan pronounced. “You best get him home Buck.”

“You have any idea what that was about brother Buck?” Josiah asked.

Buck thought about it, now that Vin wasn't ranting at him he could take the time to think over the words that had been thrown at him. Oh hell, “I think I might Josiah, but I probably better not say anything until I talk to Vin.”

“Fair enough,” Josiah nodded. “Just remember we're here if needed, and I mean if either of you needs us.”

“I'll remember Josiah, thanks.” With a helping hand from Josiah and Nathan, he pushed his way to his feet. Holding Vin close, he left the bar and headed home, knowing that the conversation which had begun here was far from over.


TBC

Sorry it took so long for an update, had finals to study for and I just cannot work on creative endeavors when I'm stressed. Hope y'all liked it, please feed the muse with reviews.