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azombiewritesTitle: An Alien investigation
Rating: PG
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
AU: Scientific Paranormal Investigations
Main Characters: All Seven.
Summary: When reports of alien sightings and abductions are made, SPIT7 head an investigation with the help of their new team member.
Disclaimers: The guys are owned by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp.
Spoilers: None
Status: Complete
Total Word Count: 32,663
Chris Larabee entered the restaurant first, the brief case that he carried softly bumped against his leg as it moved along side of him. He looked sideways and saw the two young men watching him. He smiled a greeting, which they returned, then continued on to one of the larger booths. JD actually waved to the two men who he thought was of similar age to him. Josiah winked, he always enjoyed the early mornings the best, he loved to watch the sunrise, and it put him in an extremely good mood. Vin saluted, it was his way. Buck smiled then nodded towards the blonde waitress, he winked at the two men who nodded in agreement.
They sat around the booth leaving the end seats for Nathan and Ezra. Chris trusted Nathan to bring the new man in on time for the meeting. He knew what condition Standish would be in. The man needed to be taught a lesson and an early morning meeting while eating was just the thing to do it. He wondered if the drinking was a regular occurrence, he hoped not. Standish was good, very good, he knew that already and he didn't want the talent he had to be wasted in a jail cell.
"Why don't we order some coffee to start with, then breakfast when they get here," he suggested.
The waitress moved gracefully towards the booth. The handsome man with the moustache was already smiling widely at her. In fact, they were all handsome in their own way. What a group of men. She sighed inwardly at the waste. Pity she was married. She lifted her left hand to show him that she was already attached but he just smiled even more, as though the ring meant that it was just going to be a bit more of a challenge to win her. Ralph's smile pushed any thought of adultery from her mind. She loved her husband and would never cheat on him.
"What can I get you gentlemen?"
"Lucy," Buck had leaned forward to look at her nametag and then up into her bright, clear blue eyes,
"we'll have coffee for seven."
"You expecting company?"
"Yep, they should be here any moment. Oh and make one of them strong. One of the guys has a bit of a hangover." The ladies man winked and she smiled in embarrassment.
"Sure, I'll be right back."
"Leave her be Buck, we have a job to do," Chris ordered.
It was the same everywhere they went. The woman didn't even have to be beautiful, just pretty, or even cute. Buck loved all women, especially the ones that fell into his open embrace. But that wasn't many, not all women loved him back. But that didn't stop him from attempting to seduce almost every woman he met.
"Speak of the devil." Josiah nodded towards the window.
Everyone stared, they couldn't help it. They saw Nathan throw up his arms as he walked behind the new guy, he obviously wasn't going to be able to explain why Standish looked so healthy. Chris frowned and then looked across at Vin, the man shrugged in return. They continued to stare as Standish entered the restaurant without acknowledging the two men that sat close to the door. He moved easily to the booth and sat down beside JD.
"Uh, morning Ez." JD's expression held a touch of respect.
"Morning JD, and it's Ezra, not Ez." Ezra nodded at him.
"Sorry."
"So, how's the hangover?" Buck spoke a little too loudly and was disappointed when Standish didn't wince at the volume. Everyone else always did. What was with this guy? He wasn't going to be any fun, he knew it.
"Clearing up nicely thank you," Ezra lied.
He still felt like hell but he wasn't going to allow these people to see it. He'd been taught the tricks of the trade; he knew how to look extremely healthy when on the inside he felt like he was dying. Standish had learnt from a young age to hide an illness. His mother didn't take too kindly to a sickly child, she didn't have time for them, and she never really had time for him when he was healthy either.
"What's your secret?" Chris asked him.
He was secretly amazed. Ezra looked better than any of them. He wore his black leather jacket over a light blue shirt that wasn't tucked in; it seemed that the shirt was made to be worn that way. There were no wrinkles in the material. A second pair of black slacks covered his lower body. His face was cleanly shaven and every hair on his head was in place. The green eyes were clear, they weren't even bloodshot. How the hell did he do it?
"Now if I told you Mr Larabee, it wouldn't be a secret would it." Ezra smiled and revealed the dimples that didn't really want to be used. His whole head hurt and his body was weak from lack of food. He'd gone days without food before but hadn't suffered from a hangover that was only making it worse. He would eat something later when he was confident that his stomach wouldn't bring it back up again. In the meantime, coffee would do just fine.
Lucy returned with a tray full of cups and a jug of hot coffee. She placed a cup in front of each man and smiled at the two new customers. She had thought the others were handsome but when she laid eyes on the young man with the green eyes she almost thought cheating on her husband would be worth it. She shook the thought out of her mind and concentrated on her job.
"Which one of you has the hangover?"
"That would be me." Ezra smiled at her. Just want he needed. Was the woman going to take pity on him and smother him with concern that he didn't want?
She moved the cup closer to him. "I put something in there to help your headache."
"Thank you kindly Lucy. I do appreciate it."
"You're welcome. Now what would you gentlemen like to eat?"
Eat! Ezra almost groaned out loud. This was just getting worse.
"Bacon and eggs all round," Chris ordered for everyone.
"And fries," JD added.
"Toast too," this was Nathan. He knew Ezra wouldn't eat the greasy food no matter how good he looked. The toast would go down better.
"Sausages, don't forget them," Buck reminded them.
"That it?" Lucy smiled at the men around the table. Her eyes stayed on Ezra for a while longer, she could look, there was nothing wrong with that was there. Maybe he would smile again for her. She blushed as she reminded herself that she was no longer a schoolgirl with a crush.
"Yep, that's it. Unless Ezra wants to add anything to it," the leader winked at Vin.
"Sounds fine to me." Ezra hid his anger, he knew what they were doing and it wasn't kind, not kind at all.
Chris laid his brief case on the table and pulled out three files. The first one he handed to Buck. "This is where most of the sightings have occurred. I want you to take JD and Ezra, set up the area, and while you’re doing that, you can show him the way around the van and the equipment. It should be there by the time you arrive." The second one was handed to Nathan. "Take Josiah and check with the coroner and sheriff on the deaths of two of the 'said' abductees." A third folder was kept to himself. "Vin and I will question the last victim."
Ezra could smell the food before it arrived. His entire body protested against the intrusion. Five minutes later the food was brought out. A large plate was placed before him and he grimaced at the food that was swimming around in the grease. His gaze drifted around the table at the others as they began to eat. He almost gagged when JD covered his food with ketchup and began to mix it up.
"What are you waiting for Ezra?" Buck asked him.
"Something edible," Ezra retorted.
"Here." Nathan pushed the plate of toast towards him. "It'll help."
"I think I'll just stick with the coffee." Ezra grimaced at the plate of food.
"As far as I know, you haven't eaten since I met you. Eat!"
"What are you? My mother," Ezra growled at him. "You don't tell me what to do!"
"Just trying to help, that's all."
"I don't need it."
"That's enough!" Chris' tone caused both men to look at him. "Nathan, ease up on him. Ezra, he's just trying to help, it's his nature. He acts like everyone's mother so get used to it. Now both of you eat and that's an order."
Ezra pushed his plate away and stood up. He moved away without looking at anyone and purposely stormed towards the bathroom. He knew he was going to be sick again but he wasn't going to run. The sight of JD placing a fork full of runny food into his mouth was the final straw. He wanted to glance over his shoulder to make sure that no one was following him but it would be a show of weakness. Ezra Standish never allowed anyone to see any sort of weakness. Again, he reached the toilet basin before his stomach lurched and began to empty itself. But there was nothing there. The muscles went through the normal procedure only to produce nothing that would help ease the burden of the hangover.
He forced himself up onto his shaking legs and walked to the washbasin. The cold water against his face felt good. A wet towel was what he needed. He refused to look up when he heard the door. He didn't know which one of the six men it was. He was yet to find out who the spokesperson was. Maybe it was Jackson coming to apologise. But he didn't think so, people didn't apologise for what they thought of him. Jackson must assume that he was a drunk and that this was a regular event. Let him think that, he didn't care.
Jimmy Morris watched as the man cleansed his face. He had chosen their next victim but this man had changed his mind. Originally, the one with the moustache was going to pay for the way he had looked at Lucy, for the dirty thoughts that he was thinking. Morris silently admired and respected Lucy and she was always nice to him. The man with the dark hair wanted to sleep with her; he was able to see it in his eyes. But then when Lucy saw this one, her body language said that she would do almost anything for him. And the way he had smiled at her, he didn't trust him. His decision had been changed instantly. This man, the one with the smile that had almost melted Lucy's heart was going to be the victim. There was no way that he was going to get close to Lucy, she wasn't that kind of woman. That's what he had always thought until she had gazed upon this man. Maybe she could be next. Or the one with the moustache.
Ezra finally looked up when the silence had become too much. None of the men he had to work with was standing next to him. It was one of the young men who had been seated in one of the other booths. Ezra smiled but the younger man didn't smile back. He shrugged and grabbed a hand towel and dried his face under the scrutiny of the other man. He would have asked him what he wanted but he couldn't be bothered to get into an argument, he would only end up taking his anger out on someone who didn't deserve it. Knowing the way his luck was going at the moment, he would end up in jail anyway. He threw the paper towel away and pushed passed the man who was watching him. He wasn't gentle. He heard him grunt when he hit the wall.
He didn't bother returning to the booth, he didn't want company, he'd always been comfortable being alone. Ezra walked straight past the booth without acknowledging the six men and out into the morning sun. He stopped for a moment and looked up into the sky. It was going to be a beautiful day, such a pity it was going to be ruined by the over bearing men he'd left behind. He pulled out a pair of dark glasses and placed them on his face to keep the sun out of his eyes and to hide any emotions that he may feel. He moved to one of the outside tables and sat down with his back to the window. He would wait for them here. The sound of movement caused him to look up. It was Lucy. He forced himself to smile even though he didn't feel like it.
"Thought you might want this." Lucy placed the coffee in front of him then pulled out some aspirin from her apron's pocket and held them out to him. She just wanted to touch him, to know what his skin felt like. Her body tingled when his fingers brushed against her palm.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." She moved away when there was no longer any reason to stay. Ezra followed her movements with his eyes. They soon rested on the man that had come into the men's room. His features were full of hatred. Ezra turned away wondering why someone could be full of so much hate. Five minutes later the man was forgotten as his thoughts drifted back to his own situation. Why the hell was he still here? He could have left easily enough on more than one occasion. They wouldn't have been able to find him. Why was he staying with a group of people he didn't want to be with? Or in a job he didn't want? He wanted to look over his shoulder at the men who no doubt would be watching him but he wouldn't allow himself to. He had decided to give Larabee a week before escaping from them. Why? Ezra searched his mind for the reason he was staying. There had to be one. He just wished he knew what it was.
________________________________________
Buck drove the hire car while JD played with the radio. They both enjoyed the same type of music - rock 'n' roll and it had to be very loud. Music wasn't good unless it was loud, that's what JD always said. But this time they kept it low in consideration for the man who sat in the back. No matter how he looked, they knew Ezra would be suffering some of the symptoms of a hangover. They didn't want to make an enemy on the first day of the operation.
"Anything you want to listen to Ezra? Classical, Blues, Jazz," Buck checked the rear-view mirror. Standish was relaxing with his head leaning against the back seat. "It'll take at least another twenty minutes to get there."
"Some silence would be nice."
JD took that as to meaning he didn't want the radio on so he turned it off then twisted around his seat.
"You believe in aliens Ezra?"
"Do you believe in Santa Claus Mr Dunne?" Ezra answered without looking at the younger man.
"No," JD told him. "Not since I was nine."
"During your first nine years of life did you ever see him?"
"No."
"Then why did you believe in something you had never seen?"
JD stared at Ezra for a moment before answering. "Because my mother told me he existed."
"Do you believe everything people tell you?"
"Not everything," JD admitted, he had no idea where this conversation was going.
"You don't believe anything anyone tells you unless you have either seen it or have positive proof that it exists. Until then everything you are told is a lie."
"You really believe that?" JD was shocked. How could a person go through life thinking that? If that was the way Ezra thought about it then he mustn't trust anyone.
"I've had to JD."
Both Buck and JD looked at Ezra in surprise, each of them wondering what kind of life the man had been living. Not knowing what to say to that answer they became quiet. JD turned back around to the front. Ezra lifted his head and opened his eyes to look at the two men. He berated himself for giving out too much information. What was it about these men that caused him to give out little bits of information about his life. They were smart, they only needed enough to put two and two together and work out what type of person he was. If they did find out, they wouldn't like what they discovered.
"There it is, just like Chris said it would be." JD nodded towards the equipment van that was parked amongst the trees. "Wonder if Joe brought it this time?"
"Lord I hope so." Buck winked at him. Joe Desom had a way of filling the small fridge with beer cans and peanuts.
Ezra couldn't see it from the back seat of the vehicle, not that he was really interested. He was still too busy trying to find the reason that was hidden in his mind for staying. He was actually becoming confused over the entire situation, he hadn't been confused for years. He was always confident and knew what he wanted and what he was doing. And now he didn't.
Buck brought the car to a stop, then got out and headed towards the van. He was eager to get started, he was a man who loved his work. JD soon joined his side and both hurried towards their destination.
Ezra wasn't in such a hurry, he wanted to scan the area with his experienced eyes. His mother had taught him a lot of things and one of them was to see what other people couldn't or wouldn't see. A campsite lay a hundred metres to the left, a lake to the right and a large clearing separated the two. The north was covered by an area of trees, and he saw the van amongst them. Behind him was the dirt road that led to the camping area. It was a beautiful location and he was sure that plenty of people came here to enjoy the facilities. A peaceful area for a person to suffer a hallucination. There were no aliens, there never were. There was another explanation for what was happening in this town. Even the name Salem would cause people to think the place was full of witches.
"Hey Ezra, you comin' or what?" Buck yelled out to him from the entrance to the van.
"Or what." Ezra muttered then followed the two men to the van.
He stopped outside and surveyed it. A van, it was more like an eighteen-wheeler than a van. It was entirely white, it would stand out anywhere. The aliens won't come around with this thing sitting here. Ezra went through the door and into the van. He was even more impressed than he was at the offices of the SPI headquarters. The equipment again, was expensive. He recognised motion detectors, security devices, video cameras, night vision equipment, surveillance and communication equipment and the large armoury that lined the back wall. He smiled when he saw the explosives, one of his favourite things. He turned and saw a set of bunk beds on the other end of the van. What he wouldn't give to just go and lie down and get some much-needed sleep. A cornered off section told him where the toilet was. He hoped there was a shower in there as well, but it didn't look big enough. Well, there was always the lake if he became desperate. Or he could just leave. To do that he would have to steal a set of keys, but that wouldn't be difficult for him to do.
"I'll show you around Ezra," JD called to him from his position.
"It's all right JD, I recognise most of the equipment."
"You want me to show you how to use them?"
"I know how to use them." Ezra smiled at him.
"And how would you know how to use this stuff," Buck asked him suspiciously.
"In my life you have to know a little bit about everything," Ezra answered. "I've also sold most of this stuff to other people and you have to know about the equipment your selling or you won't make a sale."
Buck threw a carry bag at him. "Then we won't need to show you how to set up the equipment. You do north and the campsite. Set them up 250 metres out and 100 metres apart. JD and I will do the rest."
Ezra gave them an imaginary salute and watched them leave. That was it, he was left to his own devices. Why not, it's what he wanted, to be alone. Now he could think without being interrupted. As he made his way back to the door, he saw the portable fridge. He opened it. There was no alcohol. But it was full of soft drinks, bagels and fresh fruit. He took a diet coke and two bagels, he could eat while he worked. His stomach wasn't so bad now, maybe some food would make him feel better. There was no hurry to set up the equipment, aliens didn't come during the day, only at night when they visited your home to take you on a mystery flight. He placed them in the bag and left the van, closing the door behind him. He could see JD and Buck in the distance, the two men were close friends, and even an idiot could see that. He felt a pang of jealousy. Is that why he was here? Because he wanted friends? He shook his head, that wasn't the reason, it couldn't be, he had lived most of his life without friends, and he didn't need them. He wouldn't know how to be one anyway. He turned his back to them and headed further into the trees.
He didn't realise he was being watched by two men who were going to make his life even worse than he could have imagined. The sunlight began to break up as he went deeper into the woods. The natural noises that surrounded him were like music to his ears. He enjoyed the outdoors, the freedom and the dependency on nature itself. There were no city noises to destroy the natural beauty that lived around him. He admired the beauty of the trees, they were old, at least two hundred years.
Once he had walked the required distance, he stopped and dropped the bag. He sat down on a thick patch of grass where the sun was able to filter down through the trees onto his face. He removed the bagel from the bag and took a small bite, his stomach had to be tested before he devoured it. The food that hit his stomach only caused it to growl in hunger, reminding him that he had been neglecting it for so long. He answered it by taking another bite. He wanted to stay there all day but he couldn't, he was supposed to be doing a job. A job he didn't want. If anything, he was going to prove that he was capable of doing what was asked of him. The sun had moved overhead into the afternoon, causing the light to shift and change along the ground and surrounding trees. Ezra ducked as a bird flew closely over his head. He was beginning to feel hot under his jacket but he left it on, he was nearly finished.
There was only one motion detector left to set and he was 40 metres from its position. The feeling of somebody watching him caused him to stop. His eyes searched unsuccessfully to find the source. Ezra moved on, watching everything that was within his line of vision. He was hunched over as he secured the last of the equipment, making sure that it wouldn't be easily tampered with by the smaller animals that lived in the woods. The second bagel that was half eaten hung from his mouth while he was required to use both hands. For some reason his headache began to worsen. He had thought the fresh air was doing him good. The headache had eased and he was eating food that his stomach was accepting without question. But now it had suddenly come back with a vengeance. He couldn't understand why.
A noise to his right caused his head to jerk up. He would have ignored it but it wasn't the usual sound that an animal would cause. It was larger, more like a human. Ezra removed the bagel from his mouth and placed it carefully on the bag. He removed his sunglasses and after placing them back into the inside pocket of his jacket he slowly stood up, turning as he stretched his body to its full height. He was now positive that he was being watched.
He turned to the right, the direction that would take him even deeper into the woods. Someone was standing there watching him. Someone or was it.....something? A sharp pain shot through his skull causing him to lower his head. His right hand moved quickly to clasp his forehead. The pain eased but only slightly. He looked back to find the creature still staring at him. It looked like the aliens that you saw on the TV and in books. Too much, like it as far as he was concerned. It was just over four foot, with grey skin. The arms were long and the head was an oval shape with large dark eyes. Too much like the pictures, you saw.
Ezra took a step towards it. There was no movement in return. He took another step. His movements became quicker and soon turned into a run. He knew it wasn't real, it couldn't be, he didn't believe that aliens existed. As he ran towards it, his headache grew. Movement to his left cause him to slide to a halt. His left hand flew out in front of his body to stop its progress towards the ground. A second one was staring at him. His eyes flickered towards the first, it was still there and it was the closest. He began to run again. A light shone down on the apparition, the brightness causing him to squint. He tripped. He tried to put his arms out in front of him but he twisted as he fell. His left shoulder slammed into a tree, the joint painfully popping out of its socket. His head hit the base of the tree as he landed painfully on the ground. Ezra looked up to find one of them standing over him. There was something about it that wasn't right. He closed his eyes after a final thought entered it. As soon as he woke up, he was leaving, he wasn't going to put up with this shit.
________________________________________
As Chris drove up the dirt road towards the SPI equipment van, he saw Buck and JD heading towards them with an empty bag. He wondered why Ezra wasn't with them. Had they allowed him to work on his own? There was going to be hell to pay if something had happened to the man. He looked sideways at Vin who wore the same expression that he did. He was obviously thinking the same thought. Chris parked the hire car next to the one that Buck had driven up and got out of the vehicle, he looked around the surrounding area but still couldn't see Standish. Maybe he was in the van.
"Hey Chris," JD called out to him. "Vin."
Chris nodded in return. "Where's Standish?"
"He should be back soon, he's setting up the perimeter to the north and west," Buck informed him as he got closer to his two friends.
"He's out there on his own?" Chris frowned at Buck then JD.
"Said he knew what he was doing," Buck shrugged.
"You don't think he took off do you Chris?" JD looked towards the woods. He hadn't thought about Ezra running off, and neither did Buck because they both had allowed him to work alone.
"If he does he'll probably get lost, he is a city man after all. Probably doesn't even know what a tree looks like," Chris growled at them. "Go west and look for him, we'll go north."
Vin winked at JD and Buck, if Standish was lost or even worse, gone, they were going to pay dearly. He jogged off after Chris to try and stabilise his temper. Doesn't know what a tree looks like huh? Vin shook his head as he caught up with his closest friend.
"What are you smiling at?" Chris practically spat at him.
"Being a bit protective aren't you and I'm sure he knows what a tree looks like." Vin couldn't help but smile. On the outside, Chris was a hard man, towards his team and anyone else who got in his way, but underneath he was as soft as a puppy and he protected his men as though they were his family. And as far as he was concerned they were, he just didn't tell them that. No one harmed them and got away with it. Why should it be any different for the new man? He cared but didn't show it unless one of them was hurt. Then all hell broke loose and God help the person who had harmed one of them.
"I don't know Vin." Chris shook his head as he entered the woods. "There's something about him, I know he's good at what he does but there's something inside that's not right."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know, it's . . .
"What?"
"He sort of reminds me of me, after Sarah and Adam died. He's got a chip on his shoulder and I'd like to know what it is."
Vin became silent for a moment. He hadn't been part of the team when Chris' wife and son were murdered. It had been a house fire but they found out later that it had been deliberately lit. Chris had known that he was the intended victim, he was supposed to be home that night but Buck had talked him into going on a fishing trip with him. They had returned to find the house burnt down and Chris' family in the morgue. Buck had explained to them that Chris had died inside and it had taken him a year to bring his friend back to life.
"I don't think he's the type that's going to tell you, think he keeps everything close to his chest."
"That's what I mean."
"Hell Chris, you're like that."
"And what's wrong with being like that?"
Vin held up his arms in surrender. "Nothing, just so you know when he doesn't talk to you. He's been with us one day Chris, he's not going to tell you anything."
"Yeah you're right, it took you a month before you said anything worth listening to."
"Only because it took you guy a month to learn how to have a conversation."
They stopped arguing when they heard muttered curses coming from their left. Chris put out an arm to stop Vin but his security man had already done so. It took him a few seconds to recognise the Southern accent. He nodded to Vin and they walked towards the voice. He didn't like what he found. Standish was walking towards them. His left arm hung at an angle and a thick trail of blood lined the left side of his face. He had a carry bag in his right hand.
"What the hell happened to you?" Chris asked him.
Ezra walked straight past them as though he hadn't seen them. His soft curses continued as he headed back to the van.
"Why me? Why me for fuck's sake? What the hell did I do to deserve this shit? I was only playing cards and now I'm here chasing aliens that don't exist. Must think I'm stupid, that I have nothing better to do. Well I have, I could be . . . I could be sleeping for one thing."
"Standish!" Chris finally got his attention.
"What!" Ezra yelled back at him then winced at the sound of his own voice. His head hurt, his shoulder hurt and he was feeling sick again.
Chris calmed himself down. "What happened?"
"I fell over. Can I go now?" He didn't wait for an answer, he continued walking. He was going to clean himself up, take a car and leave. He wasn't staying, not if this sort of thing was going to happen to him. He could get injuries just as bad in jail.
"Let me take that." Vin took the bag from Ezra and walked beside him. "You're not having a good day are you?"
"That's an understatement if I ever heard one Mr Tanner," Ezra growled at him.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about." Chris patted him on his good shoulder.
"I'm not embarrassed!" Ezra snarled at him as he pushed his arm away.
"Nathan will fix you up." Chris walked on his left side and he could see the condition the shoulder was in. It had been dislocated. Must have fallen off something to do that. Even the head wound looked nasty.
"I don't need Mr Jackson to fix me up, I can do that myself."
"He may want you to go to the hospital," Chris warned him.
"I don't go to hospitals."
"If you're worried about medical insurance, we have that covered," Chris explained.
"I don't go to hospitals," Ezra repeated more firmly.
Chris shrugged, it didn't matter, and if Nathan wanted Ezra to go to the hospital then he would make sure the stubborn Southerner got there. Even he could see that the cut on his forehead was going to need stitches. Standish was steady on his feet and didn't seem to be confused so there was a good chance that he hadn't suffered a concussion.
Ezra didn't like having the two men with him, it would make it harder for him to leave. Would they physically restrain him? In the condition he was in, they would be able to. He might have been able to take one of them with a bad arm but not two. If Wilmington and Dunne were back at the van it was, certain he'd never get away from them.
The van came into sight and he sighed when he saw the two men in question begin to move towards him. He ignored their questions and kept walking. If he could just get into the bathroom - he still hoped that it included a shower - he could lock himself in, then he wouldn't have to deal with them.
He made it to the large vehicle without falling over. His right arm helped him to navigate the stairs. He turned and headed straight for door that was going to lead to his much-needed solitude. He stepped in and shut the door behind him. It did have a lock, which he engaged immediately. Someone tried to follow him in. He looked around and saw the portable shower, it would do. The first thing that he was going to have to do was to put his shoulder back in place. He knew it was going to hurt like hell but the longer he left it the harder it was going to be.
"Ezra will you let me in, I only want to help," Chris' voice came through the door.
"Help me?" Ezra spoke quietly. "Like hell."
He stepped up to the shower stall and gritted his teeth. One, two, three, he slammed his shoulder against the solid object and fell to the floor in agony. It didn't work. His shoulder was still out of place. Damn it! It had worked before. Now it really hurt. He sat on the floor taking deep breaths to try and ease the fear that was beginning to creep into his body. He was under control in a few seconds but it still hurt. He would wait a while before he tried again.
Ezra lifted his head to watch when someone began to force the door open. He shook his head. He didn't understand these men. Why did they want to help him? No one had ever helped him before, mostly because he wouldn't allow anyone to but none had offered help when he was in a difficult situation. It was only a matter of seconds before the door burst open. Chris and Vin came straight towards him.
"What do you think you’re doing?" Chris saw the light sheen of sweat glistening on Ezra's forehead. "Is this how you take care of yourself?" He pulled Ezra to his feet with Vin's help. "Buck, give Nathan a call, find out how long he's going to be."
"I can do this myself," Ezra tried to inform them again but they only ignored him.
Chris carefully pushed him out of the room and down onto the bottom bunk then stepped back from him.
"Lie down and stay there, as soon as Nathan gets back he's going to check you over."
"Then I'm leaving." Ezra stared into the blue eyes that looked back at him.
"Why?"
"I don't need to give a reason."
"You don't leave unless you give me a reason to allow you to leave." Chris waited. "Just because you tripped over something . . . that's no reason to leave."
Ezra diverted his eyes, he suddenly needed to look somewhere else. He wasn't willing to trust his poker face with the pain he was in. "This isn't for me."
"How would you know? You've only been at it one day."
"I didn't want this job, you didn't give me much of a choice remember." Ezra glared back at Chris.
"That's right and you chose this job instead of jail." Chris knelt down in front of Ezra. "Don't you ever run out on me!"
Ezra was momentarily stunned. This man wanted him to stay on his team, he was even threatening him. It didn't matter, if he wanted to leave he would leave, Larabee wouldn't be able to stop him.
"Buck!" Chris stood up and walked away from Ezra leaving Vin with the Southerner.
"Said he'd be here in about thirty minutes, suggested we take him to the hospital but I told him that he didn't want to go," Buck informed him.
Thirty minutes. Chris shifted his position so he could see Ezra. There was pain written all over the man's face. The pain hadn't been there before, the idiot probably tried to put his shoulder back in place on his own. Why was he so independent, or stubborn, which was actually a better description for him. He walked purposely back to him.
"You're going to the hospital whether you like it or not," Chris ordered him.
"No I'm not." Ezra pushed himself further back onto the bunk with his good arm.
"Why not?"
"I don't like hospitals," Ezra admitted to him.
Chris saw the fear that flickered across the handsome features. "Okay." He knew there was nothing else he could do but physically drag the man to the hospital but he wasn't prepared to do that right then. Ezra was ready to run and he didn't want to give him another reason. "But if Nathan says that you have no choice, you’re going to have to go."
Ezra didn't answer him, instead he struggled to lie down. He glared at Vin when the security man reached out to help him. After he finally found a comfortable position on his right side, facing the wall, he closed his eyes. His headache was even worse than it had been. He felt the bunk shift beneath him when someone sat down, he ignored them. A presence leant over him, he hoped it was one of the men in the van and not what he had seen in the woods. He refused to open his eyes to find out. A damp cloth began to wipe the blood from his face, he didn't like the intrusion so he swatted it away but it came back like an annoying fly.
"You need anything?" Vin asked as he looked over Ezra's shoulder.
"No, want to sleep." He pushed his head away from the annoying cloth and further into the pillow.
"Might have a concussion after all," Chris observed.
"Ezra. Does your head hurt?" Vin asked again.
"Leave me alone will you," was his answer.
Of course his head hurt, he'd drunk too much the night before, and for some reason it had decided to hurt even more when he saw what people were calling 'aliens', and then of all things he had to trip over and hit his head against a tree. Does your head hurt? What a stupid question.
"Yes or no," Chris growled at him.
"I hit my head, of course it hurts," Ezra retorted. "Now would you please stop asking me such stupid questions and let me sleep!"
"No, if you have a concussion, the worst thing you can do is sleep." Chris went to grab the prone man but didn't know where, it was the injured shoulder that stared back at him. He couldn't use that to lift him up. Under the right shoulder, that was the way to go. He nodded to Vin who would know what he was thinking; he always did, it was uncanny. Vin grabbed the lapels of the leather jacket and began to pull him up, as he did, Chris slipped an arm around Ezra's back and pushed him forward. They both twisted him until his legs were off the bunk and his back was against the wall. Chris pushed the pillow behind Ezra's back so he would be more comfortable.
"Stay awake, that's an order."
He was too tired to argue, he'll say something later when he was feeling better. He allowed his head to fall back against the wall and closed his eyes. He just wanted to sleep. Someone slapped his face and his eyes flew open. Chris was smiling at him. Jeez, when he gave an order he meant it. He lifted his right leg and sat it on the bunk and shifted towards it to take some of the weight off his shoulder. The thirty minutes passed slowly but Nathan finally arrived. He seemed to rush through the door into the van then straight towards the bunk. Ezra watched as he shoved Chris and Vin out of the way. He tried to move away from the threat before him but there was nowhere to escape.
"What happened?" Nathan lifted an eyelid to search for a concussion.
"I tripped." Ezra moved his head away.
"Shift forward so I can check your shoulder."
"It's out," Ezra replied sarcastically.
"I can see that," Nathan replied with the same tone. "I'm going to take you're jacket and shirt off so I can see if I can put it back or if you'll have to have it done at the hospital."
"I'm not going to the hospital."
"So you keep saying," Chris chuckled from his position next to the bunk.
Ezra gritted his teeth as Nathan pulled the expensive jacket from his right then left arm. His shirt followed it. The bruising had travelled to the upper part of his chest. Nathan began to prod and poke the shoulder. The next thing Ezra felt was intense pain as the shoulder was expertly put back into place. He tried not to cry out, he did his best not to show his weakness but it escaped anyway. The pain caused him to double over, his head falling against Nathan's shoulder. Nathan pushed him back against the wall and used the wet cloth that
Vin gave him to start cleaning the head wound. It was small but deep.
"It's going to need stitches. You're going to the hospital."
"No." Ezra was insistent that he didn't go.
"You need stitches Ezra." Nathan tried but saw the determination on the man's face. Why won't he go?
"They won't keep you in, just the stitches then we'll bring you back."
"What if they do?"
"They won't." Chris came forward. "You have my word they won't admit you."
Ezra saw that Chris wasn't lying to him, he read the truth in the blue eyes. He nodded and allowed them to pull him off the bunk then dress him. For the first time since he was seven, he was going to trust someone.
Part One | Part Two | Part Three
Master Fan Fiction List
Rating: PG
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
AU: Scientific Paranormal Investigations
Main Characters: All Seven.
Summary: When reports of alien sightings and abductions are made, SPIT7 head an investigation with the help of their new team member.
Disclaimers: The guys are owned by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp.
Spoilers: None
Status: Complete
Total Word Count: 32,663
Chris Larabee entered the restaurant first, the brief case that he carried softly bumped against his leg as it moved along side of him. He looked sideways and saw the two young men watching him. He smiled a greeting, which they returned, then continued on to one of the larger booths. JD actually waved to the two men who he thought was of similar age to him. Josiah winked, he always enjoyed the early mornings the best, he loved to watch the sunrise, and it put him in an extremely good mood. Vin saluted, it was his way. Buck smiled then nodded towards the blonde waitress, he winked at the two men who nodded in agreement.
They sat around the booth leaving the end seats for Nathan and Ezra. Chris trusted Nathan to bring the new man in on time for the meeting. He knew what condition Standish would be in. The man needed to be taught a lesson and an early morning meeting while eating was just the thing to do it. He wondered if the drinking was a regular occurrence, he hoped not. Standish was good, very good, he knew that already and he didn't want the talent he had to be wasted in a jail cell.
"Why don't we order some coffee to start with, then breakfast when they get here," he suggested.
The waitress moved gracefully towards the booth. The handsome man with the moustache was already smiling widely at her. In fact, they were all handsome in their own way. What a group of men. She sighed inwardly at the waste. Pity she was married. She lifted her left hand to show him that she was already attached but he just smiled even more, as though the ring meant that it was just going to be a bit more of a challenge to win her. Ralph's smile pushed any thought of adultery from her mind. She loved her husband and would never cheat on him.
"What can I get you gentlemen?"
"Lucy," Buck had leaned forward to look at her nametag and then up into her bright, clear blue eyes,
"we'll have coffee for seven."
"You expecting company?"
"Yep, they should be here any moment. Oh and make one of them strong. One of the guys has a bit of a hangover." The ladies man winked and she smiled in embarrassment.
"Sure, I'll be right back."
"Leave her be Buck, we have a job to do," Chris ordered.
It was the same everywhere they went. The woman didn't even have to be beautiful, just pretty, or even cute. Buck loved all women, especially the ones that fell into his open embrace. But that wasn't many, not all women loved him back. But that didn't stop him from attempting to seduce almost every woman he met.
"Speak of the devil." Josiah nodded towards the window.
Everyone stared, they couldn't help it. They saw Nathan throw up his arms as he walked behind the new guy, he obviously wasn't going to be able to explain why Standish looked so healthy. Chris frowned and then looked across at Vin, the man shrugged in return. They continued to stare as Standish entered the restaurant without acknowledging the two men that sat close to the door. He moved easily to the booth and sat down beside JD.
"Uh, morning Ez." JD's expression held a touch of respect.
"Morning JD, and it's Ezra, not Ez." Ezra nodded at him.
"Sorry."
"So, how's the hangover?" Buck spoke a little too loudly and was disappointed when Standish didn't wince at the volume. Everyone else always did. What was with this guy? He wasn't going to be any fun, he knew it.
"Clearing up nicely thank you," Ezra lied.
He still felt like hell but he wasn't going to allow these people to see it. He'd been taught the tricks of the trade; he knew how to look extremely healthy when on the inside he felt like he was dying. Standish had learnt from a young age to hide an illness. His mother didn't take too kindly to a sickly child, she didn't have time for them, and she never really had time for him when he was healthy either.
"What's your secret?" Chris asked him.
He was secretly amazed. Ezra looked better than any of them. He wore his black leather jacket over a light blue shirt that wasn't tucked in; it seemed that the shirt was made to be worn that way. There were no wrinkles in the material. A second pair of black slacks covered his lower body. His face was cleanly shaven and every hair on his head was in place. The green eyes were clear, they weren't even bloodshot. How the hell did he do it?
"Now if I told you Mr Larabee, it wouldn't be a secret would it." Ezra smiled and revealed the dimples that didn't really want to be used. His whole head hurt and his body was weak from lack of food. He'd gone days without food before but hadn't suffered from a hangover that was only making it worse. He would eat something later when he was confident that his stomach wouldn't bring it back up again. In the meantime, coffee would do just fine.
Lucy returned with a tray full of cups and a jug of hot coffee. She placed a cup in front of each man and smiled at the two new customers. She had thought the others were handsome but when she laid eyes on the young man with the green eyes she almost thought cheating on her husband would be worth it. She shook the thought out of her mind and concentrated on her job.
"Which one of you has the hangover?"
"That would be me." Ezra smiled at her. Just want he needed. Was the woman going to take pity on him and smother him with concern that he didn't want?
She moved the cup closer to him. "I put something in there to help your headache."
"Thank you kindly Lucy. I do appreciate it."
"You're welcome. Now what would you gentlemen like to eat?"
Eat! Ezra almost groaned out loud. This was just getting worse.
"Bacon and eggs all round," Chris ordered for everyone.
"And fries," JD added.
"Toast too," this was Nathan. He knew Ezra wouldn't eat the greasy food no matter how good he looked. The toast would go down better.
"Sausages, don't forget them," Buck reminded them.
"That it?" Lucy smiled at the men around the table. Her eyes stayed on Ezra for a while longer, she could look, there was nothing wrong with that was there. Maybe he would smile again for her. She blushed as she reminded herself that she was no longer a schoolgirl with a crush.
"Yep, that's it. Unless Ezra wants to add anything to it," the leader winked at Vin.
"Sounds fine to me." Ezra hid his anger, he knew what they were doing and it wasn't kind, not kind at all.
Chris laid his brief case on the table and pulled out three files. The first one he handed to Buck. "This is where most of the sightings have occurred. I want you to take JD and Ezra, set up the area, and while you’re doing that, you can show him the way around the van and the equipment. It should be there by the time you arrive." The second one was handed to Nathan. "Take Josiah and check with the coroner and sheriff on the deaths of two of the 'said' abductees." A third folder was kept to himself. "Vin and I will question the last victim."
Ezra could smell the food before it arrived. His entire body protested against the intrusion. Five minutes later the food was brought out. A large plate was placed before him and he grimaced at the food that was swimming around in the grease. His gaze drifted around the table at the others as they began to eat. He almost gagged when JD covered his food with ketchup and began to mix it up.
"What are you waiting for Ezra?" Buck asked him.
"Something edible," Ezra retorted.
"Here." Nathan pushed the plate of toast towards him. "It'll help."
"I think I'll just stick with the coffee." Ezra grimaced at the plate of food.
"As far as I know, you haven't eaten since I met you. Eat!"
"What are you? My mother," Ezra growled at him. "You don't tell me what to do!"
"Just trying to help, that's all."
"I don't need it."
"That's enough!" Chris' tone caused both men to look at him. "Nathan, ease up on him. Ezra, he's just trying to help, it's his nature. He acts like everyone's mother so get used to it. Now both of you eat and that's an order."
Ezra pushed his plate away and stood up. He moved away without looking at anyone and purposely stormed towards the bathroom. He knew he was going to be sick again but he wasn't going to run. The sight of JD placing a fork full of runny food into his mouth was the final straw. He wanted to glance over his shoulder to make sure that no one was following him but it would be a show of weakness. Ezra Standish never allowed anyone to see any sort of weakness. Again, he reached the toilet basin before his stomach lurched and began to empty itself. But there was nothing there. The muscles went through the normal procedure only to produce nothing that would help ease the burden of the hangover.
He forced himself up onto his shaking legs and walked to the washbasin. The cold water against his face felt good. A wet towel was what he needed. He refused to look up when he heard the door. He didn't know which one of the six men it was. He was yet to find out who the spokesperson was. Maybe it was Jackson coming to apologise. But he didn't think so, people didn't apologise for what they thought of him. Jackson must assume that he was a drunk and that this was a regular event. Let him think that, he didn't care.
Jimmy Morris watched as the man cleansed his face. He had chosen their next victim but this man had changed his mind. Originally, the one with the moustache was going to pay for the way he had looked at Lucy, for the dirty thoughts that he was thinking. Morris silently admired and respected Lucy and she was always nice to him. The man with the dark hair wanted to sleep with her; he was able to see it in his eyes. But then when Lucy saw this one, her body language said that she would do almost anything for him. And the way he had smiled at her, he didn't trust him. His decision had been changed instantly. This man, the one with the smile that had almost melted Lucy's heart was going to be the victim. There was no way that he was going to get close to Lucy, she wasn't that kind of woman. That's what he had always thought until she had gazed upon this man. Maybe she could be next. Or the one with the moustache.
Ezra finally looked up when the silence had become too much. None of the men he had to work with was standing next to him. It was one of the young men who had been seated in one of the other booths. Ezra smiled but the younger man didn't smile back. He shrugged and grabbed a hand towel and dried his face under the scrutiny of the other man. He would have asked him what he wanted but he couldn't be bothered to get into an argument, he would only end up taking his anger out on someone who didn't deserve it. Knowing the way his luck was going at the moment, he would end up in jail anyway. He threw the paper towel away and pushed passed the man who was watching him. He wasn't gentle. He heard him grunt when he hit the wall.
He didn't bother returning to the booth, he didn't want company, he'd always been comfortable being alone. Ezra walked straight past the booth without acknowledging the six men and out into the morning sun. He stopped for a moment and looked up into the sky. It was going to be a beautiful day, such a pity it was going to be ruined by the over bearing men he'd left behind. He pulled out a pair of dark glasses and placed them on his face to keep the sun out of his eyes and to hide any emotions that he may feel. He moved to one of the outside tables and sat down with his back to the window. He would wait for them here. The sound of movement caused him to look up. It was Lucy. He forced himself to smile even though he didn't feel like it.
"Thought you might want this." Lucy placed the coffee in front of him then pulled out some aspirin from her apron's pocket and held them out to him. She just wanted to touch him, to know what his skin felt like. Her body tingled when his fingers brushed against her palm.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." She moved away when there was no longer any reason to stay. Ezra followed her movements with his eyes. They soon rested on the man that had come into the men's room. His features were full of hatred. Ezra turned away wondering why someone could be full of so much hate. Five minutes later the man was forgotten as his thoughts drifted back to his own situation. Why the hell was he still here? He could have left easily enough on more than one occasion. They wouldn't have been able to find him. Why was he staying with a group of people he didn't want to be with? Or in a job he didn't want? He wanted to look over his shoulder at the men who no doubt would be watching him but he wouldn't allow himself to. He had decided to give Larabee a week before escaping from them. Why? Ezra searched his mind for the reason he was staying. There had to be one. He just wished he knew what it was.
________________________________________
Buck drove the hire car while JD played with the radio. They both enjoyed the same type of music - rock 'n' roll and it had to be very loud. Music wasn't good unless it was loud, that's what JD always said. But this time they kept it low in consideration for the man who sat in the back. No matter how he looked, they knew Ezra would be suffering some of the symptoms of a hangover. They didn't want to make an enemy on the first day of the operation.
"Anything you want to listen to Ezra? Classical, Blues, Jazz," Buck checked the rear-view mirror. Standish was relaxing with his head leaning against the back seat. "It'll take at least another twenty minutes to get there."
"Some silence would be nice."
JD took that as to meaning he didn't want the radio on so he turned it off then twisted around his seat.
"You believe in aliens Ezra?"
"Do you believe in Santa Claus Mr Dunne?" Ezra answered without looking at the younger man.
"No," JD told him. "Not since I was nine."
"During your first nine years of life did you ever see him?"
"No."
"Then why did you believe in something you had never seen?"
JD stared at Ezra for a moment before answering. "Because my mother told me he existed."
"Do you believe everything people tell you?"
"Not everything," JD admitted, he had no idea where this conversation was going.
"You don't believe anything anyone tells you unless you have either seen it or have positive proof that it exists. Until then everything you are told is a lie."
"You really believe that?" JD was shocked. How could a person go through life thinking that? If that was the way Ezra thought about it then he mustn't trust anyone.
"I've had to JD."
Both Buck and JD looked at Ezra in surprise, each of them wondering what kind of life the man had been living. Not knowing what to say to that answer they became quiet. JD turned back around to the front. Ezra lifted his head and opened his eyes to look at the two men. He berated himself for giving out too much information. What was it about these men that caused him to give out little bits of information about his life. They were smart, they only needed enough to put two and two together and work out what type of person he was. If they did find out, they wouldn't like what they discovered.
"There it is, just like Chris said it would be." JD nodded towards the equipment van that was parked amongst the trees. "Wonder if Joe brought it this time?"
"Lord I hope so." Buck winked at him. Joe Desom had a way of filling the small fridge with beer cans and peanuts.
Ezra couldn't see it from the back seat of the vehicle, not that he was really interested. He was still too busy trying to find the reason that was hidden in his mind for staying. He was actually becoming confused over the entire situation, he hadn't been confused for years. He was always confident and knew what he wanted and what he was doing. And now he didn't.
Buck brought the car to a stop, then got out and headed towards the van. He was eager to get started, he was a man who loved his work. JD soon joined his side and both hurried towards their destination.
Ezra wasn't in such a hurry, he wanted to scan the area with his experienced eyes. His mother had taught him a lot of things and one of them was to see what other people couldn't or wouldn't see. A campsite lay a hundred metres to the left, a lake to the right and a large clearing separated the two. The north was covered by an area of trees, and he saw the van amongst them. Behind him was the dirt road that led to the camping area. It was a beautiful location and he was sure that plenty of people came here to enjoy the facilities. A peaceful area for a person to suffer a hallucination. There were no aliens, there never were. There was another explanation for what was happening in this town. Even the name Salem would cause people to think the place was full of witches.
"Hey Ezra, you comin' or what?" Buck yelled out to him from the entrance to the van.
"Or what." Ezra muttered then followed the two men to the van.
He stopped outside and surveyed it. A van, it was more like an eighteen-wheeler than a van. It was entirely white, it would stand out anywhere. The aliens won't come around with this thing sitting here. Ezra went through the door and into the van. He was even more impressed than he was at the offices of the SPI headquarters. The equipment again, was expensive. He recognised motion detectors, security devices, video cameras, night vision equipment, surveillance and communication equipment and the large armoury that lined the back wall. He smiled when he saw the explosives, one of his favourite things. He turned and saw a set of bunk beds on the other end of the van. What he wouldn't give to just go and lie down and get some much-needed sleep. A cornered off section told him where the toilet was. He hoped there was a shower in there as well, but it didn't look big enough. Well, there was always the lake if he became desperate. Or he could just leave. To do that he would have to steal a set of keys, but that wouldn't be difficult for him to do.
"I'll show you around Ezra," JD called to him from his position.
"It's all right JD, I recognise most of the equipment."
"You want me to show you how to use them?"
"I know how to use them." Ezra smiled at him.
"And how would you know how to use this stuff," Buck asked him suspiciously.
"In my life you have to know a little bit about everything," Ezra answered. "I've also sold most of this stuff to other people and you have to know about the equipment your selling or you won't make a sale."
Buck threw a carry bag at him. "Then we won't need to show you how to set up the equipment. You do north and the campsite. Set them up 250 metres out and 100 metres apart. JD and I will do the rest."
Ezra gave them an imaginary salute and watched them leave. That was it, he was left to his own devices. Why not, it's what he wanted, to be alone. Now he could think without being interrupted. As he made his way back to the door, he saw the portable fridge. He opened it. There was no alcohol. But it was full of soft drinks, bagels and fresh fruit. He took a diet coke and two bagels, he could eat while he worked. His stomach wasn't so bad now, maybe some food would make him feel better. There was no hurry to set up the equipment, aliens didn't come during the day, only at night when they visited your home to take you on a mystery flight. He placed them in the bag and left the van, closing the door behind him. He could see JD and Buck in the distance, the two men were close friends, and even an idiot could see that. He felt a pang of jealousy. Is that why he was here? Because he wanted friends? He shook his head, that wasn't the reason, it couldn't be, he had lived most of his life without friends, and he didn't need them. He wouldn't know how to be one anyway. He turned his back to them and headed further into the trees.
He didn't realise he was being watched by two men who were going to make his life even worse than he could have imagined. The sunlight began to break up as he went deeper into the woods. The natural noises that surrounded him were like music to his ears. He enjoyed the outdoors, the freedom and the dependency on nature itself. There were no city noises to destroy the natural beauty that lived around him. He admired the beauty of the trees, they were old, at least two hundred years.
Once he had walked the required distance, he stopped and dropped the bag. He sat down on a thick patch of grass where the sun was able to filter down through the trees onto his face. He removed the bagel from the bag and took a small bite, his stomach had to be tested before he devoured it. The food that hit his stomach only caused it to growl in hunger, reminding him that he had been neglecting it for so long. He answered it by taking another bite. He wanted to stay there all day but he couldn't, he was supposed to be doing a job. A job he didn't want. If anything, he was going to prove that he was capable of doing what was asked of him. The sun had moved overhead into the afternoon, causing the light to shift and change along the ground and surrounding trees. Ezra ducked as a bird flew closely over his head. He was beginning to feel hot under his jacket but he left it on, he was nearly finished.
There was only one motion detector left to set and he was 40 metres from its position. The feeling of somebody watching him caused him to stop. His eyes searched unsuccessfully to find the source. Ezra moved on, watching everything that was within his line of vision. He was hunched over as he secured the last of the equipment, making sure that it wouldn't be easily tampered with by the smaller animals that lived in the woods. The second bagel that was half eaten hung from his mouth while he was required to use both hands. For some reason his headache began to worsen. He had thought the fresh air was doing him good. The headache had eased and he was eating food that his stomach was accepting without question. But now it had suddenly come back with a vengeance. He couldn't understand why.
A noise to his right caused his head to jerk up. He would have ignored it but it wasn't the usual sound that an animal would cause. It was larger, more like a human. Ezra removed the bagel from his mouth and placed it carefully on the bag. He removed his sunglasses and after placing them back into the inside pocket of his jacket he slowly stood up, turning as he stretched his body to its full height. He was now positive that he was being watched.
He turned to the right, the direction that would take him even deeper into the woods. Someone was standing there watching him. Someone or was it.....something? A sharp pain shot through his skull causing him to lower his head. His right hand moved quickly to clasp his forehead. The pain eased but only slightly. He looked back to find the creature still staring at him. It looked like the aliens that you saw on the TV and in books. Too much, like it as far as he was concerned. It was just over four foot, with grey skin. The arms were long and the head was an oval shape with large dark eyes. Too much like the pictures, you saw.
Ezra took a step towards it. There was no movement in return. He took another step. His movements became quicker and soon turned into a run. He knew it wasn't real, it couldn't be, he didn't believe that aliens existed. As he ran towards it, his headache grew. Movement to his left cause him to slide to a halt. His left hand flew out in front of his body to stop its progress towards the ground. A second one was staring at him. His eyes flickered towards the first, it was still there and it was the closest. He began to run again. A light shone down on the apparition, the brightness causing him to squint. He tripped. He tried to put his arms out in front of him but he twisted as he fell. His left shoulder slammed into a tree, the joint painfully popping out of its socket. His head hit the base of the tree as he landed painfully on the ground. Ezra looked up to find one of them standing over him. There was something about it that wasn't right. He closed his eyes after a final thought entered it. As soon as he woke up, he was leaving, he wasn't going to put up with this shit.
________________________________________
As Chris drove up the dirt road towards the SPI equipment van, he saw Buck and JD heading towards them with an empty bag. He wondered why Ezra wasn't with them. Had they allowed him to work on his own? There was going to be hell to pay if something had happened to the man. He looked sideways at Vin who wore the same expression that he did. He was obviously thinking the same thought. Chris parked the hire car next to the one that Buck had driven up and got out of the vehicle, he looked around the surrounding area but still couldn't see Standish. Maybe he was in the van.
"Hey Chris," JD called out to him. "Vin."
Chris nodded in return. "Where's Standish?"
"He should be back soon, he's setting up the perimeter to the north and west," Buck informed him as he got closer to his two friends.
"He's out there on his own?" Chris frowned at Buck then JD.
"Said he knew what he was doing," Buck shrugged.
"You don't think he took off do you Chris?" JD looked towards the woods. He hadn't thought about Ezra running off, and neither did Buck because they both had allowed him to work alone.
"If he does he'll probably get lost, he is a city man after all. Probably doesn't even know what a tree looks like," Chris growled at them. "Go west and look for him, we'll go north."
Vin winked at JD and Buck, if Standish was lost or even worse, gone, they were going to pay dearly. He jogged off after Chris to try and stabilise his temper. Doesn't know what a tree looks like huh? Vin shook his head as he caught up with his closest friend.
"What are you smiling at?" Chris practically spat at him.
"Being a bit protective aren't you and I'm sure he knows what a tree looks like." Vin couldn't help but smile. On the outside, Chris was a hard man, towards his team and anyone else who got in his way, but underneath he was as soft as a puppy and he protected his men as though they were his family. And as far as he was concerned they were, he just didn't tell them that. No one harmed them and got away with it. Why should it be any different for the new man? He cared but didn't show it unless one of them was hurt. Then all hell broke loose and God help the person who had harmed one of them.
"I don't know Vin." Chris shook his head as he entered the woods. "There's something about him, I know he's good at what he does but there's something inside that's not right."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know, it's . . .
"What?"
"He sort of reminds me of me, after Sarah and Adam died. He's got a chip on his shoulder and I'd like to know what it is."
Vin became silent for a moment. He hadn't been part of the team when Chris' wife and son were murdered. It had been a house fire but they found out later that it had been deliberately lit. Chris had known that he was the intended victim, he was supposed to be home that night but Buck had talked him into going on a fishing trip with him. They had returned to find the house burnt down and Chris' family in the morgue. Buck had explained to them that Chris had died inside and it had taken him a year to bring his friend back to life.
"I don't think he's the type that's going to tell you, think he keeps everything close to his chest."
"That's what I mean."
"Hell Chris, you're like that."
"And what's wrong with being like that?"
Vin held up his arms in surrender. "Nothing, just so you know when he doesn't talk to you. He's been with us one day Chris, he's not going to tell you anything."
"Yeah you're right, it took you a month before you said anything worth listening to."
"Only because it took you guy a month to learn how to have a conversation."
They stopped arguing when they heard muttered curses coming from their left. Chris put out an arm to stop Vin but his security man had already done so. It took him a few seconds to recognise the Southern accent. He nodded to Vin and they walked towards the voice. He didn't like what he found. Standish was walking towards them. His left arm hung at an angle and a thick trail of blood lined the left side of his face. He had a carry bag in his right hand.
"What the hell happened to you?" Chris asked him.
Ezra walked straight past them as though he hadn't seen them. His soft curses continued as he headed back to the van.
"Why me? Why me for fuck's sake? What the hell did I do to deserve this shit? I was only playing cards and now I'm here chasing aliens that don't exist. Must think I'm stupid, that I have nothing better to do. Well I have, I could be . . . I could be sleeping for one thing."
"Standish!" Chris finally got his attention.
"What!" Ezra yelled back at him then winced at the sound of his own voice. His head hurt, his shoulder hurt and he was feeling sick again.
Chris calmed himself down. "What happened?"
"I fell over. Can I go now?" He didn't wait for an answer, he continued walking. He was going to clean himself up, take a car and leave. He wasn't staying, not if this sort of thing was going to happen to him. He could get injuries just as bad in jail.
"Let me take that." Vin took the bag from Ezra and walked beside him. "You're not having a good day are you?"
"That's an understatement if I ever heard one Mr Tanner," Ezra growled at him.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about." Chris patted him on his good shoulder.
"I'm not embarrassed!" Ezra snarled at him as he pushed his arm away.
"Nathan will fix you up." Chris walked on his left side and he could see the condition the shoulder was in. It had been dislocated. Must have fallen off something to do that. Even the head wound looked nasty.
"I don't need Mr Jackson to fix me up, I can do that myself."
"He may want you to go to the hospital," Chris warned him.
"I don't go to hospitals."
"If you're worried about medical insurance, we have that covered," Chris explained.
"I don't go to hospitals," Ezra repeated more firmly.
Chris shrugged, it didn't matter, and if Nathan wanted Ezra to go to the hospital then he would make sure the stubborn Southerner got there. Even he could see that the cut on his forehead was going to need stitches. Standish was steady on his feet and didn't seem to be confused so there was a good chance that he hadn't suffered a concussion.
Ezra didn't like having the two men with him, it would make it harder for him to leave. Would they physically restrain him? In the condition he was in, they would be able to. He might have been able to take one of them with a bad arm but not two. If Wilmington and Dunne were back at the van it was, certain he'd never get away from them.
The van came into sight and he sighed when he saw the two men in question begin to move towards him. He ignored their questions and kept walking. If he could just get into the bathroom - he still hoped that it included a shower - he could lock himself in, then he wouldn't have to deal with them.
He made it to the large vehicle without falling over. His right arm helped him to navigate the stairs. He turned and headed straight for door that was going to lead to his much-needed solitude. He stepped in and shut the door behind him. It did have a lock, which he engaged immediately. Someone tried to follow him in. He looked around and saw the portable shower, it would do. The first thing that he was going to have to do was to put his shoulder back in place. He knew it was going to hurt like hell but the longer he left it the harder it was going to be.
"Ezra will you let me in, I only want to help," Chris' voice came through the door.
"Help me?" Ezra spoke quietly. "Like hell."
He stepped up to the shower stall and gritted his teeth. One, two, three, he slammed his shoulder against the solid object and fell to the floor in agony. It didn't work. His shoulder was still out of place. Damn it! It had worked before. Now it really hurt. He sat on the floor taking deep breaths to try and ease the fear that was beginning to creep into his body. He was under control in a few seconds but it still hurt. He would wait a while before he tried again.
Ezra lifted his head to watch when someone began to force the door open. He shook his head. He didn't understand these men. Why did they want to help him? No one had ever helped him before, mostly because he wouldn't allow anyone to but none had offered help when he was in a difficult situation. It was only a matter of seconds before the door burst open. Chris and Vin came straight towards him.
"What do you think you’re doing?" Chris saw the light sheen of sweat glistening on Ezra's forehead. "Is this how you take care of yourself?" He pulled Ezra to his feet with Vin's help. "Buck, give Nathan a call, find out how long he's going to be."
"I can do this myself," Ezra tried to inform them again but they only ignored him.
Chris carefully pushed him out of the room and down onto the bottom bunk then stepped back from him.
"Lie down and stay there, as soon as Nathan gets back he's going to check you over."
"Then I'm leaving." Ezra stared into the blue eyes that looked back at him.
"Why?"
"I don't need to give a reason."
"You don't leave unless you give me a reason to allow you to leave." Chris waited. "Just because you tripped over something . . . that's no reason to leave."
Ezra diverted his eyes, he suddenly needed to look somewhere else. He wasn't willing to trust his poker face with the pain he was in. "This isn't for me."
"How would you know? You've only been at it one day."
"I didn't want this job, you didn't give me much of a choice remember." Ezra glared back at Chris.
"That's right and you chose this job instead of jail." Chris knelt down in front of Ezra. "Don't you ever run out on me!"
Ezra was momentarily stunned. This man wanted him to stay on his team, he was even threatening him. It didn't matter, if he wanted to leave he would leave, Larabee wouldn't be able to stop him.
"Buck!" Chris stood up and walked away from Ezra leaving Vin with the Southerner.
"Said he'd be here in about thirty minutes, suggested we take him to the hospital but I told him that he didn't want to go," Buck informed him.
Thirty minutes. Chris shifted his position so he could see Ezra. There was pain written all over the man's face. The pain hadn't been there before, the idiot probably tried to put his shoulder back in place on his own. Why was he so independent, or stubborn, which was actually a better description for him. He walked purposely back to him.
"You're going to the hospital whether you like it or not," Chris ordered him.
"No I'm not." Ezra pushed himself further back onto the bunk with his good arm.
"Why not?"
"I don't like hospitals," Ezra admitted to him.
Chris saw the fear that flickered across the handsome features. "Okay." He knew there was nothing else he could do but physically drag the man to the hospital but he wasn't prepared to do that right then. Ezra was ready to run and he didn't want to give him another reason. "But if Nathan says that you have no choice, you’re going to have to go."
Ezra didn't answer him, instead he struggled to lie down. He glared at Vin when the security man reached out to help him. After he finally found a comfortable position on his right side, facing the wall, he closed his eyes. His headache was even worse than it had been. He felt the bunk shift beneath him when someone sat down, he ignored them. A presence leant over him, he hoped it was one of the men in the van and not what he had seen in the woods. He refused to open his eyes to find out. A damp cloth began to wipe the blood from his face, he didn't like the intrusion so he swatted it away but it came back like an annoying fly.
"You need anything?" Vin asked as he looked over Ezra's shoulder.
"No, want to sleep." He pushed his head away from the annoying cloth and further into the pillow.
"Might have a concussion after all," Chris observed.
"Ezra. Does your head hurt?" Vin asked again.
"Leave me alone will you," was his answer.
Of course his head hurt, he'd drunk too much the night before, and for some reason it had decided to hurt even more when he saw what people were calling 'aliens', and then of all things he had to trip over and hit his head against a tree. Does your head hurt? What a stupid question.
"Yes or no," Chris growled at him.
"I hit my head, of course it hurts," Ezra retorted. "Now would you please stop asking me such stupid questions and let me sleep!"
"No, if you have a concussion, the worst thing you can do is sleep." Chris went to grab the prone man but didn't know where, it was the injured shoulder that stared back at him. He couldn't use that to lift him up. Under the right shoulder, that was the way to go. He nodded to Vin who would know what he was thinking; he always did, it was uncanny. Vin grabbed the lapels of the leather jacket and began to pull him up, as he did, Chris slipped an arm around Ezra's back and pushed him forward. They both twisted him until his legs were off the bunk and his back was against the wall. Chris pushed the pillow behind Ezra's back so he would be more comfortable.
"Stay awake, that's an order."
He was too tired to argue, he'll say something later when he was feeling better. He allowed his head to fall back against the wall and closed his eyes. He just wanted to sleep. Someone slapped his face and his eyes flew open. Chris was smiling at him. Jeez, when he gave an order he meant it. He lifted his right leg and sat it on the bunk and shifted towards it to take some of the weight off his shoulder. The thirty minutes passed slowly but Nathan finally arrived. He seemed to rush through the door into the van then straight towards the bunk. Ezra watched as he shoved Chris and Vin out of the way. He tried to move away from the threat before him but there was nowhere to escape.
"What happened?" Nathan lifted an eyelid to search for a concussion.
"I tripped." Ezra moved his head away.
"Shift forward so I can check your shoulder."
"It's out," Ezra replied sarcastically.
"I can see that," Nathan replied with the same tone. "I'm going to take you're jacket and shirt off so I can see if I can put it back or if you'll have to have it done at the hospital."
"I'm not going to the hospital."
"So you keep saying," Chris chuckled from his position next to the bunk.
Ezra gritted his teeth as Nathan pulled the expensive jacket from his right then left arm. His shirt followed it. The bruising had travelled to the upper part of his chest. Nathan began to prod and poke the shoulder. The next thing Ezra felt was intense pain as the shoulder was expertly put back into place. He tried not to cry out, he did his best not to show his weakness but it escaped anyway. The pain caused him to double over, his head falling against Nathan's shoulder. Nathan pushed him back against the wall and used the wet cloth that
Vin gave him to start cleaning the head wound. It was small but deep.
"It's going to need stitches. You're going to the hospital."
"No." Ezra was insistent that he didn't go.
"You need stitches Ezra." Nathan tried but saw the determination on the man's face. Why won't he go?
"They won't keep you in, just the stitches then we'll bring you back."
"What if they do?"
"They won't." Chris came forward. "You have my word they won't admit you."
Ezra saw that Chris wasn't lying to him, he read the truth in the blue eyes. He nodded and allowed them to pull him off the bunk then dress him. For the first time since he was seven, he was going to trust someone.
Part One | Part Two | Part Three
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