Rating-----NC17

Author-----Winnie

Characters----Chris, Vin, Buck, and Ezra, but the others do show up as well.

Pairings------Chris and OFC-established relationship

Comments------This story was written to celebrate the birthdays during the month of June. It contains graphic love scenes between male and female characters and is a sequel to Royal Deceptions. It is a Christastrophe. I hope you enjoy the story. Thanks go to Marti and Antoinette for the wonderful beta on this one.

Disclaimer--------They keep telling me I don't own the guys, but I'm hoping no one will notice if I abscond with a certain green eyed, blond and his TBJs. The story is for enjoyment only and no money passed hands so I'm still so broke I can't even pay attention.

“Chris, ya in here?”

“In the kitchen, Vin,” Larabee called and relaxed when the Texan joined him.

“You okay?”

“I'm fine…why?”

“Heard ya had a bit of a blow out with Mark.”

“Word certainly gets around,” the blond said and reached for the cup of coffee he'd just poured.

“Well, Buck said ya could hear the two of ya across the street,” Tanner said. “Any more of that watered down coffee?'

“Plenty…but what's the point if you're just going to insult it,” Larabee said with a grin.

“Well, see I figure if'n I insult ya enough ya might just make it stronger…a real man's brew.”

“Thanks, but I'd rather drink my coffee and not have to use a knife and spoon. Where is everyone?”

“At the office. Where's Anne…figured she'd be here,” the Texan said.

“She's working days this week,” Larabee said of the woman he'd grown to love. He'd tried to push her away when he came home from St. Dominique, but the feisty woman would hear nothing of it. She'd told him his eyes were not the only thing she loved about him and that just because he was blind did not mean he was any less a man than the one she'd fallen in love with.

“So, what happened with Mark?”

“The sonofabitch wouldn't listen to reason.”

“And you do?”

“To a certain extent,” Larabee said with a grin.

“What did he want you to do?”

“Wanted me to think about going into a home where they could teach me how to live with my blindness. I told him I didn't need that.”

“I think you more than told him…did you actually try to hit him?”

“Once or twice,” the blond answered.

“Chris, he's only tryin'…”

“To make me do something I don't want to, Vin. This ranch is my home…I don't need to…”

“It wouldn't be forever, Chris, just until ya learned ta…”

“Don't fucking start with me, Vin. I know I'm blind…I know I can't do what I want to do, but I'm not going to roll over an die! Not now!”

“Problems, boys?”

“What the fuck are you doing here, Josiah? Come to check up on the blind man? Well, hell, where are the rest of the boys? Tell them to come in and see the blind man…”

“Jesus, Josiah, I know you said he was a good man, but he sure sounds like someone who's feeling sorry for himself.”

“Who's that?” Larabee asked angrily.

“He's a friend of mine, Chris. His name's Bernard Wallace and I asked him to come see…”

“The blind man! Well go ahead and look and then get the fuck out of my home!”

“Well don't that just beat all,” Wallace said. “You're one sorry sonofabitch!”

“I didn't ask you to come out here!” Larabee snapped and shoved the cup of coffee away from him.

“Chris, Bernie's here to help,” Sanchez tried.

“I don't need his fucking help, Josiah. I don't need anyone's help!” With those words, the irate man stood and stumbled out of the room, leaving three men standing in his kitchen.

“I'm sorry, Bernie,” the ex-preacher said.

“Don't be, Josiah,” Wallace said and reached out to find a chair. Pulling it out he sat down and began to speak. “How long did you say Chris has been blind?”

“Guess it's been close to four months now,” Sanchez answered.

“How many times has he blown up like this?” the newcomer asked.

“A lot,” Tanner answered. The man seated across from him was blind, there was no doubt about that, but it seemed to Vin he could see more than most sighted people. “He had a run in with the man who was s'posed ta come out here and help him…don't ‘spect we'll be seein' Mark.”

“Expect to see more. I've seen men react like this before and I can tell you it's normal. Chris probably hasn't shown any of you just how angry he is about being blind.”

“How long have ya been blind?” the Texan asked curiously.

“Bernie was born without the gift of sight, Vin, but he more than makes up for that one…”

“Flaw,” Wallace chuckled softly. “Is there any more coffee?”

“Sure,” Tanner answered and quickly grabbed two more cups from the center of the table. He filled them both and slid one to Josiah and the other to Wallace. “So, ya gonna tell me why yer here?”

“Bernie works with people with vision loss, Vin. We met through Father O'Neill…”

“Josiah helps out at the institute when he's not doing penance at the church,” Wallace explained. “He told me about Chris and how he lost his sight. It's harder for him to deal with than someone like me who's never been able to see, but if you boys are willing to help I think we can help Chris work through his anger and resentment.”

“Resentment?” Tanner asked.

“Yep, it's natural for Chris to resent you boys because you can see…especially Standish since he was with Chris through all this. How are they getting along?”

“Not very well,” Sanchez explained. “Ezra's been trying too hard and Chris just doesn't give him a chance right now.”

“Chris can be a miserable sonofabitch sometimes, but lately he's been making Ezra feel like he's dirt,” the tracker told him.

“Ezra was with him when he was blinded?” Wallace asked.

“They were attending Ezra's mother's wedding. Ezra asked Chris to go with him and Chris agreed,” Sanchez said.

“Chris lost a bet a long time ago and Ezra called him on it,” the Texan corrected the older man. “While they were on St Dominique they found out some damning things about Reginald Thibideu. Chris and Ezra were in bad shape by the time we got there.”

“Then Chris' anger is probably aimed at Ezra because he came out of it relatively unscathed,” Wallace explained.

“Chris don't…”

“Don't tell me he doesn't resent Ezra, because I can tell you right now he may not say it, but it's there…deep down, probably buried beneath the layers of pain, but it's there. Hell Chris is human and it's a natural human reaction.”

“So how do we help him?” Tanner asked.

“Be there for him…don't treat him like an invalid and don't let him drown in despair and self pity because that's not what he needs. I have a friend…a man who's been with me for more years than I care to remember, told me off more than once too when I needed it.”

“Can ya help Chris?” the worried Texan asked.

“Don't see why not,” Wallace said. “I'll call Rick and see if he's available to blind proof this place. That hasn't been done yet, has it?”

“No, Chris hasn't really let anyone help him, except Anne Sheridan,” Sanchez explained.

“Who is she and how close are they?” the blind man asked.

“Chris has been seeing her for quite some time now and they are very close,” the ex-preacher answered.

“Any change since he's been blind?”

“Ya might say that, but Anne wouldn't let him away with it,” Tanner said with a grin, standing when he heard a crash coming from the back of the house. Leaving Wallace sitting where he was, the two members of The Firm raced toward the sound.

Without bothering to knock, Vin shoved open the door to find Chris sitting on the floor amidst a jumble of broken glass. He hurried toward his friend and could see the raw emotion on the man's face.

“What happened, Chris?” Tanner said moving the larger pieces of glass aside. It was obvious the man was no longer angry, instead there seemed to be an aura of loss surrounding him.

“I broke it, Vin…Sarah's crystal vase. I was angry and I…I grabbed it and threw it at the floor…God I hate feeling like this. Hate being helpless.”

“I know ya do, Cowboy, but it ain't gonna be this way forever. Why don't we get you out of this and I'll clean it up.”

“Sarah'd kill me…”

“No, she wouldn't,” Sanchez said. “She might kick your ass for breaking it, but then she'd tell you it's just a vase and not worth being upset over.”

Between the two men they helped Larabee out of the glass and sat him on the edge of his bed. Vin looked at Sanchez and motioned for him to leave them alone and was grateful when the older man immediately understood and left the room.

“You still here, Vin?”

“Right here,” Tanner answered and sat next to his friend.

“What about Josiah and his friend?”

“In the kitchen.”

“Guess I should apologize for being such an ass.”

“Might be a good idea,” the Texan told him and saw a growing red stain on Larabee's leg. “Chris, ya cut yerself.”

“I did? Where?”

“Yer leg. I'm jest gonna take a look.”

“It doesn't hurt,” Larabee said. He sat back while Vin touched his left leg, wincing when the Texan shifted the material of his jeans.

“Come on inta the bathroom and I'll clean it up. Might need stitches…”

“I'm not going to the hospital,” Larabee stated when the other man helped him to his feet.

“Might not have a choice, Chris, unless ya want me diggin' in there,” the Texan said and chuckled at the look on Larabee's face. Once in the bathroom Vin helped Chris with his pants and settled him on the closed toilet seat. He winced when he caught site of the gash and grabbed one of the clean towels and pressed it against the wound to slow the steady stream of blood.

“How's it look?”

“Well…that trip to the hospital is a definite possibility right now. Ya need stitches,” Tanner explained.

“Damn it!”

“And then some.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“How is he, Josiah?” Wallace asked when the ex-preacher rejoined him.

“He's calmed down some,” Sanchez answered.

“You know this is normal for someone who's going through what Chris is?”

“I know, don't make it any easier though.”

“Never does. Look the faster we get to work on making this place safe for Chris the better he'll feel. Being blind doesn't mean you can't live a normal life, just means you have to do it a little differently.”

“Are you going to help us teach him, Bernie?”

“That's why you brought me out here isn't it?” the man asked with a cocky grin. “I'll call Rick tonight. You just clear it with your friend before I make final arrangements. You know I'll want to stay here until we're sure Chris is ready to make the adjustments himself?”

“I know. I don't see there being any real problem. Chris may be stubborn, but he's not stupid and once he thinks about it he'll see that you being here is for the best.”

“Josiah, that damn pedestal you're putting me on is a might high for a blind man,” Wallace said.

“Never, My friend…”

“Josiah, need your help in here!” Tanner's voice reached them from the bedroom.

“Go!” Wallace ordered.

“I'll be back,” Sanchez said and hurried to the back of the house. “What's wrong, Vin?”

“Chris cut his leg on the glass…he's gonna need stitches. Can you get the first aid kit?”

“It's in the kitchen, Josiah,” Larabee said.

“Be right back,” the older man said and hurried to retrieve the requested item. He quickly updated Wallace even as he hurried back to the bathroom.

“Damn it, Vin, I'm not going!”

“Yes, you are, Chris!”

“Problems, Brothers?” Sanchez asked.

“Stubborn sonofabitch says he's not goin'!”

“I guess we could just leave him here until he passes out from blood loss…then we'll put him in the car…”

“Nah, call an ambulance and have them waitin'. Ya know how much Chris loves ridin'…”

“Chris is sitting right here!” Larabee snapped.

“For now,” Sanchez said. “Won't be for long. Are you feeling light headed yet?”

“No! Damn it!” the blond spat. “It's not bleeding that much!”

“How many towels is that, Vin?”

“Third one. Josiah, think we should call Anne so she's not shocked when we bring him in by ambulance…”

“Jesus!” Chris cursed and shook his head. “All right.”

“All right what?” Tanner asked innocently, and used a pressure bandage to stem the flow of blood.

“Take me to the fucking hospital!”

“Now that's the best thing you've said all day,” Sanchez said. “Vin?”

“Yes, Josiah?”

“Think I should carry him…”

“Try it and you'll be the one needing stitches,” Larabee warned.

“I'll get you a pair of shorts,” Sanchez said through hearty laughter. It wasn't long before they had the injured man dressed and ready to go. The bleeding had slowed down and they'd wrapped the wound tightly before helping Chris out to Tanner's jeep.

“Call me if there are any problems, Vin,” Sanchez said.

“I will,” the Texan answered.

“Josiah, tell your friend I'm sorry for being such a jerk,” Larabee said.

“Apology accepted, Mr. Larabee,” Wallace said. “Any chance you'd let me talk to you about some improvements we could make to your lifestyle?”

“Guess so,” the blond answered.

“When?”

“How about we meet at the office once Chris is finished at the hospital?” Sanchez offered. “I could make a run to Delvecchio's and grab some sandwiches and coffee.”

“Chris?” Tanner asked.

“Sounds like a plan,” the blond answered. He hadn't spent much time at the office since returning from St. Dominique, but there was a man there he owed an apology to and today seemed like as good a day as any. He leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes, wishing he'd thought to bring his dark glasses with him.

“Here ya go, Cowboy,” Tanner said and placed a pair of Ray Bans in the blond's left hand before driving away from the house.

“Thanks, Vin,” Larabee said with a grin as he slipped the glasses on. It wasn't that they made a difference to his sight, but it made him feel better knowing people couldn't see his eyes. His leg had begun to sting, but it was nothing serious and he relaxed against the seat as the Texan drove out onto the road.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chris opened his eyes when the jeep came to a stop. “Vin, it's not an emergency…park in visitors.”

“I will, but I figured it'd be best if'n I dropped ya here first.”

“For a damn scratch?” Larabee asked impatiently.

“Damn scratch is still leakin' blood all over my jeep,” Tanner said and pointedly unsnapped his friend's seatbelt. “I'll park and meet ya in there!”

“Sonofabitch!” the blond spat, and knew there'd be no arguing with the Texan. He opened the door and stepped outside and found the Texan guiding him to a seat.

“See ya in a few.”

“Wait! Vin, I don't need a damn wheelchair!”

“Stay put, Larabee or so help me I'll strap ya in it!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anne Sheridan loved her job, loved helping the patients and talking to them about their families. She'd taken the job at Saint Vincents in order to be close to the man she'd fallen head over heels in love with. Chris' anger at being blind was normal, and she knew it would be some time before he came to terms with it. She'd spoken with Josiah about getting his friend involved and knew the two men were at Larabee's ranch and hopefully they'd be able to get through to him.

Taking her salad and coffee, Anne headed for the exit sign, intent on enjoying lunch at the park across the street. Once there she was greeted by several nurses and joined them near the water fountain.

“Hi, Anne, how's that man of yours?” Tammy Weston asked.

“You know, Chris, he's being his usually stubborn self,” Sheridan answered and lifted the lid from the romaine lettuce and adding the Caesar salad dressing.

“Chris Larabee? Stubborn? Since when?” Rhonda Martin teased.

“Since the day I met him,” Anne told them.

“Isn't that Chris over there?” Tammy asked.

“Where?” Sheridan asked and turned toward the hospital.

“In the wheel…that is Chris,” Weston said, but Anne had already spotted the man even as Vin Tanner joined him.