Found

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

Warnings: Slash, Angst

// indicates Sarah

Rating: FRT

Found
Chapter 8


"Police, don't move! Back into the house."

JD stared at the officer in disbelief, slowly raising his hands he backed into the house.

Officer Mullins looked around the room in surprise, he'd never heard of this many men working together to break into a house. A bank maybe, but not a house. "You're all under arrest for breaking and entering," he quickly informed them.

"We're not thieves son," Josiah boomed.

"We're ATF agents," Nathan added.

"Right, and I'm the tooth fairy," Mullins scoffed. "Put your hands behind your heads and get on your knees."

"We don't have time for this," Chris growled. Shifting his hold on Ezra, he helped the younger man down onto the couch. "Look officer, we're ATF and I can prove it. I'm going to slowly reach for my wallet, okay?"

Mullins looked around the room uncertainly, "No sudden moves." He knew he should wait for his partner, but there was something about the blond that compelled him to listen.

With more patience than he was feeling, Chris slowly reached for his wallet. Taking slow steps, he walked towards the officer, the wallet held open to show his i.d..

"Damn," Mullins mumbled. "I'm sorry Agent Larabee," he apologized as he slid his gun back into its holster.

"It's all right Officer..?"

"Mullins, Danny Mullins."

"Officer Mullins," Chris acknowledged. Turning away, he quickly made his way back to the couch. "Come on Ezra, let's get you out of here." Helping the smaller man to his feet, he kept one arm wrapped supportively around Ezra's waist. "You boys call me as soon as you have Lawerence in custody," he ordered Buck and Vin.

"Danny what's going on?" a new voice asked from behind them.

"It's all right Sean, it was a false alarm."

"So they live here?"

"Um, well, Agent Larabee what are you doing here?"

"Josiah explain it, I need to get Ezra to the hospital."

"You got it boss," Josiah acknowledged.

Chris didn't wait for anything else, his focus back on Ezra, where it belonged. As he led the way outside, he heard Josiah's booming voice launching into an explanation of the day's events.


Once they had been given their explanation, the two officers reluctantly left the house, their offer of assistance having been turned down. Josiah left directly after the DPD officers, leaving Buck and Vin alone. With nothing else to do, the two began exploring the house.

Vin stepped past the room where he had earlier found Ezra's clothes, "Aw, hell," he cursed as he took in the items in the room. "Buck!" His call brought his lover running, the two nearly colliding as Vin turned towards the door at the exact moment his lover came through it.

"Are you hurt?" Buck anxiously asked, grabbing Vin, his eyes moving over the smaller man, searching for signs of injury.

"I'm fine Buck," Vin scowled.

"Then why'd ya holler?"

"This," Vin responded, gesturing to the room. Stepping away from Buck, he began to move around the room.

Buck stared around the room, though he supposed torture chamber was a more accurate description. One wall was lined with various implements of punishment; whips, paddles, canes, nipple clamps, and other things that Buck didn't even want to imagine the use they would be put to. In the center of the room, chains fell from the ceiling, shackles attached to the end. Around the room were other items, a punishment horse and a St. Andrews Cross among them. The wall opposite the door was covered with pictures of Ezra. In some he was being tortured, others were more sexual in nature; Buck noticed that in those pictures Ezra's eyes didn't look right.


"Shit, what the hell is this?" Vin gasped.

Buck rushed to his lover's side, "What?"

"This," he replied, handing Buck a small bottle. Pulling out his cell phone, he called Nathan, quickly letting him know what they'd found.

Buck watched with concern as Vin's face grew pale. What could Nathan be telling him? Needing to help, he wrapped his arms around his lover, offering him silent support. "What did Nathan say?" he asked when the call ended.

"He said this stuff is used as a date rape drug," Vin quietly replied.

Buck swallowed hard, tightening his hold on the man in his arms. "Ezra was raped?"

"No, Nate said that was the first thing they checked for and there ain't any evidence of rape."

"Thank God for that," Buck whispered.

"Yeah, can't figure out why he didn't is all. Hell he had this drug, that would've made it easy to get what he wanted, so why didn't he use it?"

"I don't know sweetness," Buck whispered in his ear. "Why don't we wait in the living room?" he suggested. He wasn't really surprised by his lover's quick acceptance, the younger man nearly bolting for the door in his hurry to leave the room. Following him, he found Vin standing at the living room window, staring out, fine shudders moving through him.

Vin leaned back into the comforting embrace of his lover, "Sorry."

"No need to apologize Vin, I wanted out of there as bad as you did."

"I ain't never understood it."

"Understood what sweetness?"

"How people can be so cruel to each other and try to call it love. That ain't love, it's sickness," he snarled. "He's here," Vin announced as he stepped back from the window.

Buck stumbled, quickly regaining his footing he moved into position next to the garage door. "Well then let's greet him properly," he grinned.

Vin returned the look with a feral grin, his gun held at the ready.

Doug whistled a happy tune as he turned the key in the door, soon his Tempter would be completely in his control. Then he could take him, no more holding back, he would show the smaller man his proper place. Stepping through the door, he froze in his tracks, caught between the two guns pointed at him, the men holding them glaring at him with murderous intent.

"Just give me an excuse," Vin growled.

"I think not Agent Tanner," Doug smoothly refused. "I do hope you have a warrant, I would hate to have to charge you and your friend with breaking and entering."

Vin smirked, "Didn't need a warrant Lawerence. You're under arrest for the kidnapping and assault of Agent Ezra Standish," he coldly informed the other man.

"You can't arrest me, Ezra is here of his own volition. Ask him," he dared them.

"What makes ya think we haven't already?"

As Vin spoke, Buck came up behind Lawerence, quickly securing his wrists behind him with handcuffs. He didn't say a word as he patted the man down; removing his service weapon from its shoulder holster, he laid it on the counter.

"You have the right to remain..."

"You'll never make it stick," Doug sneered. These men didn't know who they were dealing with, but they would soon. Perhaps, if he were feeling generous he would leave their lives intact enough that they would be able to find work as janitors. "You broke into my home without a warrant, any evidence you might have found will be inadmissible."

"Not your home," Vin countered.

"Of course it is."

"You rented it in the name of Ezra Standish, even used his social security number and other personal information, that makes it his home."

"That does not negate the fact that you need a warrant."

Buck opened his mouth, snapping it shut at a look from Vin. He nodded, realizing a second after Vin that it would be better if Doug didn't know about the power of attorney until they had to reveal the information.

Vin, for his part, ignored the man's assertion, continuing to read him his rights. "You have the right to remain silent, use it. You have the right to an attorney and to have an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights as I've read them to you?"

"Of course I do," Doug sneered. "Though I am surprised that you read them so well Agent Tanner, or do you have them memorized?" he taunted.

“You slimy little bastard, you ain't fit to wipe his boots,” Buck snarled, quickly coming to Vin's defense.

Vin ignored the taunt, he'd heard worse from others, “Leave it,” he softly ordered his lover. "Buck you want to call for a unit to take him in?" Vin asked.

“I am curious about something Agent Tanner,” Doug smoothly continued. “If, as you say, this is Ezra's home and you found him here, how could I be guilty of kidnapping?”

Vin scowled, “Guess that'll be up to the prosecutor to figure out.”


When Buck and Vin finally arrived at the hospital, they were surprised to find the rest of the team, minus Chris, still in the waiting room. "Where's Chris?" Buck asked.

"He's in with Ezra," JD answered.

Vin frowned, Ezra hadn't seemed that badly hurt, "They limiting his visitors?"

"No, but he got a bit upset with all of us in there; Nathan suggested we visit him one at a time for now," Josiah explained.

"How bad is it?"

"Physically he's not hurt as badly as he could be," Nathan replied. "He's got plenty of cuts and bruises, but that's all. It's his psychological state that has the doctor concerned the most."

Vin nodded, he wasn't really surprised to hear that; they'd all seen how frightened and submissive he was at the house. Obviously whatever Lawerence had done to him it was more than just physical and he knew that could take longer to heal than any bruise. "How long they keeping him?"

"Just overnight for observation, then Chris is taking him to the ranch."

“He have any of that drug in his system?”

“A little,” Nathan reluctantly answered. “The doctor is sure he wasn't penetrated though,” he assured them.

“Maybe he just gave him the stuff to keep him docile so he wouldn't attack him or anything,” JD suggested.

“Maybe,” Vin mumbled, not ready to shatter the kid's hope. He wasn't kidding himself though, he'd seen the pictures Lawerence had. Ezra might not have been raped, but he'd been assaulted just the same. “Josiah, who do you think would be best to sit with Ezra while I talk to Chris?”

Josiah considered the question carefully, “I guess JD would probably be the least threatening.”

“How you gonna convince Chris to leave the room?”

“That ain't gonna be a problem JD,” Buck assured him. “Come on JD, lead the way.” With the youngest team member leading, they soon arrived at Ezra's room. “Vin, why don't you go talk to Chris, we'll wait.”

Vin nodded and quietly pushed open the door. He blinked rapidly, refusing to let the tears fall as he watched his friends. He took a step towards the bed, freezing in his tracks when Ezra flinched and moved closer to Chris.

Chris turned towards the door, glaring at his friend. Damn it! Vin should know better than to barge in here. “Get out,” he growled.

Not intimidated by the tone, Vin quietly spoke, “I need to talk to ya Chris, it's important.”

“Whatever it is can wait,” Chris insisted.

“Don't leave me,” Ezra whimpered, clenching Chris' shirt in his fist.

The glare quickly softened as he smoothed the hair from Ezra's forehead. “Shhh, I ain't leaving you Ez,” Chris soothed the smaller man.

“Promise?” Ezra asked, sounding very much like a frightened child.

“I promise.”

“Chris...”

“No Vin, whatever it is can wait.”

“You need to know what we found,” Vin tried again.

“You can tell me later.”

Vin sighed, he hated to take the blond away from the man in the bed, but he needed to know this. “Ezra, would it be okay if Chris just stepped into the bathroom with me?”

Ezra looked away, ashamed of his weakness, he reluctantly nodded.

“I won't if you don't want me to Ez.” Chris watched him, worried by the man's demeanor. Hearing a whisper he leaned closer, “I didn't hear you, please say it again Ezra.”

“Sorry.”

“Sorry? You don't have anything to be sorry for Ez,” he assured him.

“I'm weak, I don't deserve your friendship,” Ezra miserably whispered.

Chris quickly stamped out the rage he could feel rising. He had to stay calm, or at least appear so. The last thing he wanted was to show his anger and have Ezra assume it was directed at him. “You are not weak,” he firmly argued. “Ezra you're one of the strongest men I know.”

“But I gave...”

“It was the drugs Ezra, nobody could resist those.”

Ezra looked up at him, his green eyes shimmering with moisture, “You would have.”

“No,” Chris insisted. “I couldn't have either.”

Ezra sighed, “Go talk to Vin.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, but please,” Ezra licked his lips, “don't be long.”

“I won't,” Chris assured him. “I'll be right on the other side of that door,” he pointed to the bathroom, “you holler if you need me.”

“I will.”

Chris pushed himself to his feet and grabbed Vin's arm, pulling him into the bathroom. “All right, now what couldn't wait?”

“Lawerence had pictures Chris.”

Chris paled, “Pictures? Did anybody else see them?”

“They're evidence.”

“Shit, what's in them?”

Vin sighed, this wasn't going to be easy but Chris needed to know if he was going to help Ezra through the aftermath. “He was being tortured in some of them and there was white streaks on his chest.”

“White streaks?”

Vin nodded, willing Chris to understand what he was saying. He really didn't want to have to spell it out for him.

“Son of a bitch!” Chris cursed. “What else?”

Vin swallowed, “There were others where Ezra was...he was masturbating. It was pretty clear he was drugged.”

“Goddamn, I'm gonna kill that bastard!”

Vin winced, the sudden yell echoing in the small room. “Calm down Chris, this ain't gonna help Ezra.”

The rage surging through Chris, drowned out Vin's voice. Shouldering past Vin, he shoved open the bathroom door and froze in his tracks.

“I'm sorry, please Chris I didn't want to, please believe me,” Ezra plead.

“Oh god,” Chris moaned. Rushing to the bed, he drew the younger man into his arms, holding him tight when he tried to move away. “Shhh, I know baby, I know,” he soothed. The need to comfort the man he loved quickly overrode his rage, calming him as nothing else could have. Holding Ezra close, he unconsciously began to sway. Focusing on Ezra, he wasn't even aware when Vin left the room.

“I didn't mean to make you mad,” Ezra whimpered.

“It wasn't you I was mad at Ez,” he quietly assured him. “The only one I'm mad at is Lawerence and myself.”

“You? I don't understand.”

“I should have realized sooner that he might be involved, if I had you wouldn't have suffered so much.”

Ezra stared at him, horrified at the thought of Chris letting unnecessary guilt eat at him. “Not your fault, please don't blame yourself.”

Chris opened his mouth to argue; //He doesn't need your guilt my love.// The unexpected sound of Sarah's voice stopped him cold. “I won't, but you have to promise the same,” he spoke aloud, while silently thanking his lost love for her help.

“I...I'll try,” Ezra offered.

Chris smiled, “I'll take it.” As grateful as he was for Sarah's interference, he was even more grateful for her tacit approval. Her next words brought a small smile to his face and a warmth to his soul.

//Of course I approve, you need each other. Take care of him and be happy my love.//

TBC

Sorry it took so long to update, been busy, busy, busy. Please feed the muse with reviews.