Rating------NC17-M/F-Chris/Anne-OFC/OMC
Disclaimer-The Magnificent Seven and the characters belong to Mirisch, MGM and a bunch of other folks, sadly I can claim no such right. No money is made from this fiction, it’s just my way of keeping the boys and their stories alive.
Warnings---Violence, bloodshed, violent consensual sex, graphic murder scene
Characters--Chris, Vin, Nathan, Josiah, Buck, JD, Ezra
H/C----------Chris gets the owies...others are there to comfort.
Comments--This is written for Monica, do-x, Wendy, and Mitzi ..Hope you have a wonderful day and your birthdays are truly magnificent. Thanks to Jackie and Anne, for reading this one for me and letting me know if it made sense and also for advice on the warnings. Thanks to Antoinette, my wonderful Beta reader for helping make this a better fic. The button mentioned in this was in response to a challenge from Kathy B. and I hope she likes it. Thanks as always, to my Pard, Julie. She’s never far from my heart and always a friend I rely on.
The blond had been watching them for some time now and knew the time was almost at hand for him to make his move, but first he needed to get rid of his nemesis. He could not allow this man to remain in his life and keep her from loving him as she should. With a heavy sigh he turned away and walked towards his car. Tonight would be the first warning, and for one man it had better be enough. He opened the door of the silver Jaguar and climbed behind the wheel. Movement to his right told him things were set and he put the key in the ignition and quickly drove away from the building.
‘Soon, very soon, sweetheart,’ he thought as he looked in the mirror and smiled.
Chris smiled at the woman across from him and knew he was falling for her. The times they spent apart were hard on both of them, but they kept in touch and always knew where the other was. Anne Sheridan was a woman he could settle down with if that’s what they decided. She’d been a part of his life ever since the ordeal in Black Rock Desert when he’d been tortured by a man who thought he was fulfilling his ancestor’s destiny. Robert Maguire was dead now and his own injuries were faded into the past. He’d never forget the pain he’d suffered during that time, but the woman seated across from him made it almost worthwhile.
“Chris, are you listening to me?” Anne asked and waved a hand in front of his sea-green eyes.
Larabee shook off the memories and smiled at the auburn haired woman. He knew she’d been talking, but had missed what she said. He wanted so much to make her homecoming pleasant and here he was letting his mind wander back to a time he’d rather forget.
“Sorry, was daydreaming,” he answered.
“I could tell. Something good I hope,” she said as she lifted the glass of Dom Perignon and sipped it slowly.
“Well, some of it was,” he answered as he reached for her hand. His fingers gently touched hers and they both smiled.
“Maguire?” Anne asked softly, knowing the memories were still painful and the emotional scars would always be a part of him.
Larabee nodded once and forced the memories out of his head. He stood up and pushed the empty bowl of strawberries away. The ripe fresh berries had been covered in a chocolate sauce and fresh whipped cream and they’d fed each other across the table, laughing when the sauce and cream smeared each other’s lips and dripped down their chins.
Anne watched as he stepped towards her and eased her from the chair. She felt her senses reeling as he stood before her and pulled her close to his own body. She felt the heat and tension rising in her body as his lean form molded against her. His lips brushed at her neck and she whimpered in delight as the heat continued to rise. She felt his fingers fumble with the buttons on her blouse as his own need raged through his body. Her body tingled in delight as he gave up on the buttons and simply lifted the silken material above her head. His hands reached for the black lace bra covering her breasts and her legs threatened to give out on her as he buried his face in her cleavage.
“Oh, God, Chris,” she gasped as he caught and suckled her nipple. His right hand reached behind her back and undid the button at the top of her black leather skirt. She didn’t feel the material fall from her waist as the heady scent of their lovemaking assaulted her senses. His left hand continued to caress her breasts as his teeth nipped at her nipples and she cried out in her need for more.
Chris lifted his head at her cry and frowned at the thought that he’d hurt her. He quickly realized he hadn’t when her fingers entangled in his hair and pulled his head back to her breasts. He used his tongue and teeth to tantalize her and smiled as a soft mewling sound escaped her throat. His right hand came round and slowly undid the clasp at the front of her bra. His hands ran down her flat stomach and reached into her bikini style underwear. It wasn’t long before they joined the other items on the floor and he quickly removed her stockings and high heeled shoes. He gasped as her hand dropped to his waist and undid the snap on his tight jeans.
“Let’s take this to the bedroom shall we?” he asked as lifted his head and picked her up in his arms. Anne reached for the glass of Dom Perignon and held it in her hand.
Anne couldn’t find the strength to answer as his strong arms wrapped her in a cocoon of need and carried her towards the bedroom. He eased her down on the bed and lay down beside her, and again she felt a growing need rising in her body. She placed the glass on the nightstand and reached for him.
“Chris, I want you,” she whispered as she reached for his jeans once more.
“I want you too, Honey,” he whispered. “I just want to make it good for you.”
“You always do...” she gasped as his lips trailed molten fire down her breasts stopping momentarily to lavish them both with the warmth of his mouth.
Chris felt her arch towards him, but refused to be rushed. She’d been gone for six weeks and he wanted to show her just how much he’d missed her, and make up for lost time. He wanted to give her a night neither of them would ever forget. He stopped at her navel and ran his tongue along the edges as his right hand dropped towards her womanhood. His fingers played in the soft curls before dipping between the soft lips. He felt the moisture and heat radiating from her body and knew she would not last much longer.
Anne felt his fingers touch her before one, then two slipped inside her, causing her body to arch upwards, crying out for more.
“Chris, please, I want to feel you inside me,” she bit her lip as he expertly brought her to the brink of orgasm before removing his hands.
“Just a little longer,” he said as he stood up from the bed.
“N...No!” she cried as his fingers left her.
“Oh, God, I’m sorry, Anne...”
“No,” she said as he returned his attention to her heated core. “That’s not w...what I meant. Let me.”
Chris removed his fingers as understanding dawned on him. She wanted to undress him in the same way he’d undressed her. He stood up and lifted her from the bed, standing her before him, worshiping her perfection and gasping as her hands reached for his light blue shirt.
Anne used her fingers, slowly deliberately releasing each button from its imprisoning hole until she could slip her hand inside and played with his taut chest. She tweaked his nipple and smiled at the sharp gasp that escaped his throat. She loved the well muscled arms and eased the shirt from his shoulders and let it drop to the floor. She used her mouth and her eyes to lavish attention on the wonderful gift bestowed on her. This man was perfect in every sense of the word. The soft blond hair, the sea-green eyes, the mouth that could make her body tremble with just a hint of a smile. She loved to listen to his voice and the soft laughter that she’d grown to love. She continued down his body, until she came to the open jeans. She smiled as she slid her hand between the denim and the skin above his penis. She felt him tremble as her fingers wrapped around his already hardened member.
“A...Anne, I n...need you...” he said in a husky whisper as she gently massage him.
“Not yet, Darling, all’s fair,” she whispered seductively in his ear and laughed as a soft growl escaped his clenched teeth. She continued with her manipulation of his body and slowly eased the jeans down over the taut buttocks, laughing as again she heard him growl.
For Chris time seemed to go on forever as her hands made contact with his aching cock and released it as she returned her attention to removing his clothing. He desperately wanted to take her, but at the same time wanted to let her continue exploring his body. He bit his lip again as the Jeans were finally lying beside his shirt. His shoes and socks quickly followed leaving him standing before her in the black silk boxers she’d given him for Christmas. He gasped as she knelt before him and used her teeth to pull the edges down.
“Oh, Shit...Anne...God....please...” he gasped as her mouth and hands pulled the final article of clothing from his body. He reached for her, dropping his hands as she pushed him backwards onto the bed. He quickly found his engorged cock engulfed by her supple lips and he grabbed at the sheets in order to maintain control.
Anne used her tongue to lick the tip of his cock and smiled as he seemed to expand and undulate in her mouth. Over and over she ran her lips down the length of him until a glistening drop of pre-cum shone on the reddish, swollen head.
“I n...need you n...now, Anne,” he growled as he pulled her up on top of him. He heard her soft laughter and knew she was as ready as he was. The scent of their lovemaking aroused him further and he gasped as she eased down on his throbbing member. The warmth of her womanhood made him gasp and he had to fight to stop his cock from releasing his semen deep inside her. Once he had control of his body he began moving in her tight sheath. He felt her meet his thrusts until both bodies glistened with the force of their lovemaking.
“God, Chris...” Anne cried out as her body trembled and shook with the force of her orgasm.
Chris felt her tighten around him and continued to thrust into her until his own orgasm threatened to leave him insane. With one last thrust he cried out as he joined the woman he loved in climax, gasping for breath as she laid against his chest, her auburn hair sprayed across his torso as she fisted her hands in the sheets. They stayed as they were, their bodies still joined, their energy spent, their love evident in the way they held each other.
Anne felt him ease from inside her and pull the blankets up over their bodies, content to simply hold each other until they had to move. She smiled as his hands pulled her closer and knew she had everything a woman could want or need.
“I love you, Chris,” she whispered.
“I love you too,” he said as he held her close. He knew he’d have to leave soon as he had an early budget meeting with Orrin Travis and she had the late shift at the hospital. They’d known they wouldn’t have a lot of time tonight, but wanted to spend a few hours together. Tomorrow was Friday and they planned on spending the weekend together at his ranch. Chris planned to surprise her with a picnic in the upper pasture of land shared between his and Tanner’s ranch. A creek ran through a small clearing where wildflowers grew in abundance. He sighed as he felt her move and knew it was time to get dressed.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you in?” he asked as she lifted her head from his shoulder.
“I’m a big girl, Chris, besides you need to get home and get some sleep or you’ll miss your meeting with Mr. Travis.”
“Maybe that’s not such a bad thing,” he smiled as her movement pressed against him and he felt his body react to her.
“I don’t think so, Chris. I need to get up, get showered and get to the hospital. I don’t want to be late and end up in the doghouse...Shannon threatened the nurses with weekend hours if they didn’t make it in tonight,” she said.
“Damn, can’t let that happen. Alright, Sweetheart, you go get your shower and I’ll clean up the kitchen.”
“Leave it,” she said as her fingers danced across his chest.
“Hey, you cooked...”
“Chris, I just have to throw them in the dishwasher. You need to get dressed and go or neither one of us will make our meetings.”
“Damn, you’re a hard lady, Anne,” he said and began nibbling at her earlobe.
“C...Chris, stop!” she ordered, laughing as she reached down and tickled the area around his penis that drove him wild.
“Shit! You don’t play fair, Lady,” he hissed and growled again as he felt her pull away. He couldn’t resist a small pat on her backside as she slid off the bed and stood naked before him.
“Oh, you’ll pay for that, Sweetie,” she said and picked up the glass of Dom Perignon and dumped it over his chest. Chris gasped and stood up, chasing the laughing woman across the room. He caught her as she reached the door and pulled her tight against his chest once more. They laughed as the sticky liquid slid down their skin and Anne pulled him into the spacious washroom and finally into the shower stall. She turned on the water, letting the warmth flow down over their heated bodies and reached for the bar of Lever 2000. Slowly she ran it over his body, smiling as her fingers lifted his balls and he sighed with pleasure. She gently massaged the sac until he was leaning into her touch.
Chris felt his cock stand up and take notice as she blew softly on the wet curls.
“Jesus, Woman, you keep that up and I don’t give a damn how late we are!” he said as he pulled her to him again.
“Oh, I think someone needs to take care of the business at hand,” she laughed as her long finger wrapped around his hardening penis once more.
“Damn straight,” Larabee said as he lifted her body and slid his cock deep inside once more.
Anne wrapped her arms around the glistening chest, linking her fingers behind his neck as she felt him begin to thrust inside her once more. She gasped as over and over he pressed inside her, bringing her towards another rapturous climax. She tightened her hold as the water and soap made their bodies slick and added to the desire flowing through them. She felt his thrusts becoming more intense as he brought her over the edge and left her gasping for breath. She felt his cock empty his seed inside her once more as his head dropped down to meet hers. Their foreheads touched and their eyes met as the aftermath of their lovemaking left them weak and trembling.
“Hell, can we...”
“Uhuh, Chris, just think about this weekend,” Anne said with a smile.
“Shoot...”
“I thought you just did,” she said as he slid from her body. She heard his laughter and let it wash over her, a sound she’d missed so much when she was away. She knew they’d have two weeks together before she left on another assignment.
“Yeah, I guess I did at that. Thanks for being a willing target,” he whispered and picked up the soap. He poured it into his hands and slowly began washing her supple curves. He took his time and washed the smooth skin, delving once more between her legs until she pushed his hands away.
“I don’t think I can handle you again, least not right now. Come on. Let me finish you before we both do somethin we’ll regret.
“ I won’t regret it...”
“Not even if I have to work all weekend and cancel our plans?”
“Damn, guess some things are worth waiting for,” the blond said and sighed as her hands lathered the soap over him once more.
Forty minutes later Chris Larabee stood smiling contentedly at the woman standing before him. She wore a white nurse’s uniform and had her hair pulled back in a tight braid. He looked at the clock and knew she’d be leaving with him, her shift started at eleven and she had half an hour to make the ten minute drive.
“I’ll walk you to your car,” he said as he held the door open for her.
“I’m a big girl, Chris.”
“I know, boy do I know,” he said and smiled innocently at her. He watched her lock the door and wrapped his arms around her as they walked to the elevator. Her apartment was on the sixth floor, three stories above Buck and JD’s place. They entered and Chris punched the button for the parking garage. He pulled her to him again and nuzzled her neck, inhaling the scent that was hers alone.
Anne loved the tenderness this man treated her with. She snuggled close, feeling the lean body that fit so well to hers. She felt the elevator pull to a stop and was forced to pull away from his embrace.
“I’ve got to get going, Chris.”
“Yeah, but tomorrow night you’re mine...”
“And you, Sir, are at my mercy. It seems to me I owe you a few,” she said as she walked towards her candy apple red Ford Escort LX. She unlocked the door and turned to the gorgeous man standing behind her. She kissed him once more and regretfully pulled away.
Chris smiled and held the door until she was seated in the driver’s seat. “I’ll pick you up around five tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll be waiting,” Anne answered.
“Bring that red Teddy,” he said, winking as she blushed.
“Only if you wear that G-String I brought you back from Vegas,” she told him, smiling as a hint of color came to his cheeks.
“Deal!” he said and closed the door, mouthing the words I love you as she drove away. He smiled as he walked towards the exit that would take him out to the visitor’s parking lot. Life was good, and his love life had certainly improved since he’d met this woman. He whistled softly as he exited the parking lot and strode quickly towards his truck.
He smiled as the soft scent of her perfume lingered on his clothing and was glad Wilmington wasn’t around. Buck was a close friend, but the man tended to tease him when it came to his love life. He reached the truck, smiling as he realized he finally had a love life again. For that’s what he felt for Anne Sheridan, and it felt good to unconditionally love someone again. He took his keys from his pocket and inserted one into the door.
“Thash yer truck, Mishter?”
Chris turned to see an old bum pushing a cart from behind the car parked next to him. He relaxed his stance as it became apparent that the man was looking for a handout. He reached into his pocket for the spare change he knew was there and was surprised when he heard the distinct sound of a pistol cocking.
“What the hell’s going on?” he hissed, angered that he’d let his guard down and allowed this man to get the drop on him.
The bum suddenly stood up straight, a gun gripped tightly in his left hand.
“Turn around and assume the position!” he ordered in a perfect imitation of a TV rookie cop.
Chris did as he was told, spotting two men coming towards him from a dark PT Cruiser two spots over. ‘Shit, Larabee what now?’ he thought as he heard the first man come up behind him. He saw the shadow of the gun and knew he had to do something before the bum got any closer. His training kicked in and he swung around, using the truck’s side mirror as a counter balance and kicking the gun from the other man’s hand. The gun skittered across the pavement and slid into the storm drain. He smiled as the muted curse left the first man’s mouth, but was forced to turn his attention to the two newcomers. He braced himself against the attackers, lashing out with his fist and connecting with a bearded face.
“Sonofabitch!”
Larabee smiled at the muffled curse, but couldn’t take the time to enjoy it as the second of the trio moved towards him, a switchblade suddenly appearing in his hand. Chris jumped back as the blade brushed past his arm, cutting the material of his shirt, but missing the flesh underneath. He heard movement on his left at the same time the man with the knife moved in for a second attempt. He knew his priority was to get rid of the knife, and kicked upwards just as a fist was driven into his lower back. He grunted, but didn’t go down as his foot connected with the hand holding the blade, but the attacker managed to keep it between his fingers.
“Get the bastard!”
Chris recognized the voice of the bum and spun to his right in time to see a piece of two by four swing towards his head. He ducked and heard it clang off the side of his truck at the same time his mind registered a sharp burning sensation along his left side. He ignored the pain as the bearded attacker moved towards him, the man was huge and Chris knew he had to stay away from his tree trunk size arms. He knew the bum was behind him, the bearded one to his left and the man with the knife was on his right. He tried to keep them in sight, as they moved towards him. The light glinted off the blade and Chris knew the dark fluid that dripped from the glistening point was his own blood. The blade was drawn back and Chris readied himself to move. He jumped to the left, gripping his left hand in his right as he drove his elbow into the bearded man’s ribs. He heard a gasp of pain, before returning his attention to the two attackers closing in on him. He knew the other man wasn’t down, but he could hear him trying to get his breath back.
“Come on, Linc, slice the prick to ribbons,” the bum ordered and lunged at the blond once more.
Chris saw him coming and sidestepped, using his hands to slam the man headfirst into the truck. He didn’t have time to enjoy the grunt of pain his move elicited as the bearded man and the man with the switchblade were on him before he could get his balance. A massive fist caught him on the right cheek just as the blade sliced deep into his left arm. He knew he had to stay on his feet or he was finished and he turned to meet the slashing blade once more. He grabbed the man’s wrist, slamming it down on the mirror of the truck just as a set of well muscled arms wrapped around his chest. His arms were pulled up as the large bearded gorilla wrapped his beefy arms around his neck and held him in a tight hold. He struggled and snapped his head back, striking his foe’s nose just as the bum managed to stand up and move in front of him. He tried to use his hands to pull free, swearing as his fingers grabbed onto the sleeve and it ripped in his hand.
“Hold him right there. I’m gonna mess up that pretty face of his.”
Chris heard the three men laugh as his world blurred and a flurry of hard-knuckled blows connected with his body. He continued to fight as a fist struck his chin, rocking his head back and splitting his lip. He tasted blood on the inside of his mouth and fought to stay conscious. He couldn’t see the man with the knife, but Larabee knew the bum was the one delivering the blows that were devastating his body. He realized the man was closer than when he first started and used the last of his strength to deliver a forceful kick to the unprotected groin. The blows stopped immediately as the man grabbed his privates and sank to the ground. A soft mewling noise escaping his clenched teeth
“Shit, he got ya good,” the bearded man hissed as he continued to hold the blond upright.
Chris tried to break the vicelike grip on his arms, but the bonds of steel seemed to be locked in place.
“Ya want me to cut him up for ya?” the man with the blade asked the one on the ground.
“N...no...bastard’s m...mine...g....gonna k....kill...him...”
Chris felt the arms around him give a little and made one more effort to get free. He dropped his head to his chest and relaxed his limbs as if he’d lost consciousness. The man holding him seemed to loosen his grip and Chris knew it had to be done quickly. He snapped his head back at the same time he brought his heeled boot back into the man’s right knee. His own battered body hit the ground hard before he realized he was free. He groaned and tried to stand up as the bum regained his feet. Chris could see the man’s hand was still held protectively in front of his injured manhood. He got his knees under him and tried to stand up.
“You’ll pay for that,” the bum hissed as he kicked the blond in the ribs.
Chris felt the glancing blow but continued to struggle up to his feet. Blood ran into his eyes as he shook his head to clear his vision once more. The three men had grown to six now as his eyes refused to focus and he lashed out at anything within reach. More blows connected with his bruised flesh, even as his own fists found unyielding flesh and bone. He moved backwards, trying to stay on his feet by grabbing the back of his truck.
“Don’t kill him, Kyle,” the bearded man said as they closed in on the bloodied man who shocked them with his strength and resolve.
Chris blocked several blows, until something slammed into his right wrist and he felt the bone snap. Unable to hold onto the truck for balance he dropped to his knees. A blow to his lower back sent him to the ground and his last vision was of a pointy toed boot aimed at his head. He sank into the pit of darkness as a gash opened above his right eye. He heard the man who’d held the knife warning the others that they were not being paid to kill him, and knew this was not a random act of violence. That this would serve as a warning when the time was right.
The bum looked down at the man he’d been paid a thousand dollars to beat and smiled as he thought of the bonuses that could lie ahead for them.
“He must really hate this bastard,” he mumbled as they turned away from the unconscious, bloodied blond and hurried to their car.
JD pulled into the underground parking lot and removed his helmet. He locked the motorcycle up and made his way towards the exit that lead out to the visitor’s parking lot. Since moving in with the ladies man they’d come up with a few signals to make sure neither one of them was caught in an embarrassing position. JD’s cheeks turned a slight shade of pink as he remembered catching Buck and his most recent lady enjoying a tryst on the dining room table. They’d come up with the idea of the lamp in the window, and a quick phone call the next day and things had gone well since then. Their apartment faced the front of the building and from the visitor’s parking lot the third floor window was easily visible. He stuffed his hands in his pocket as he walked to the vantage point and looked up, smiling as he noted the lamp was not lit. He turned to walk to the main entrance, but a familiar truck caught his eye.
‘Chris must still be with Anne,’ he thought as he moved towards the main entrance. He smiled as he thought of the change in Larabee’ since Anne Sheridan moved to Billings. The two spent a lot of time together, but Chris never forgot who his friends were and for that JD Dunne was grateful.
Pain...burning through his body, rippling through his battered flesh until he had little choice but to open his eyes and move. He’d never been a man to turn away from pain, but the reality of the beating slammed into him as he turn from his back onto his side. His vision was blurry, and his eyelids felt as if they’d been glued together, but he forced them open. Through pain distorted vision he could see someone standing approximately twenty feet in front of him.
“...he...lp...” he tried to form the word, but moving his mouth caused his split lip to bleed again and the coppery taste of blood sent a wave of nausea racing through him. He quickly realized whoever was standing in the light emanating from the doors would not see him because he was lying in the shadow of his truck. He grit his teeth and tried to move, but quickly realized it was a lesson in defeat. He watched as the figure began moving away and tried to reach out for him, his bloodied fingers landing on a piece of wood beside his head. He knew he needed to hurry or the retreating figure would be inside. Using what little strength he had, the blond picked up the small piece of wood and threw it towards the light.
<img src="bar4.jpg" width="309" height="11">
JD reached for the handle of the door and pulled it open. A sound from visitor’s parking caught his attention and he looked toward the darkened area once more.
“Is someone there?” he called, eyes squinting as he searched between the cars. He waited a few minutes before shrugging his shoulders and turning back to the door.
Chris tried to call for help, but pain and nausea made it an impossible task as he dropped his forehead onto his left arm. He knew there wasn’t anything else he could do, but he wouldn’t quit. Using his left hand he tried dragging his injury ridden body into the light, but bruised ribs protested being pulled over the rough tarmac. He lifted his head again and his vision focused long enough for him to recognize the figure entering the building.
“...J...D...” he gasped, knowing the words were too low to cover the distance between them.
The young Bostonian stepped through the door, but stopped before slipping his key into the second locking mechanism. A tingle ran down his spine and he couldn’t ignore the creeping sensation that something wasn’t right. He turned back to the door and stepped outside, his gaze once more going to the parked cars, before finally coming to rest on the lone black truck parked next to the fence.
“Is someone there?” he called again, but his query was met with silence. Something moved in the shadows by Larabee’s truck and Dunne felt the bottom drop out of his stomach as something white and red dropped into the light.
“Oh, Jesus!” he swore as he raced forward.
Chris heard the familiar voice and again reached out for help. This time his left hand landed in the light supplied by the single white globe and he tried to call to the young man. The sound of running footsteps made him tremble as he realized the kid was coming his way. He turned onto his back, blinking the blood from his eyes as the young man dropped down beside him.
JD was shocked by the damage he could see with his naked eye. He had his cell phone out and was quickly dialing 911,even as he tried to reassure the blond that everything was okay.
“Help’ll be here soon, Chris...Jesus...who did this to you...Yeah, I need help...”
Chris listened while JD gave the address to the 911 operator in a voice filled with fear. He wanted to assure the kid that everything was okay now, but couldn’t find the strength. He watched as JD propped the phone between his head and shoulder and pulled a piece of cloth from his t-shirt to staunch the flow of blood from the gash on Larabee’s forehead. He groaned as the kid put pressure on the bloodied wound and felt consciousness slipping away.
“Yeah, he’s conscious, but he’s hurt bad. He’s got bruises everywhere I can see and he’s got at least two knife wounds....Chris, stay with me, okay? I need you to stay awake!”
“...okay....try...” the blond moaned as the youth turned his attention to the knife wound on his left arm.
“Yeah, he’s bleeding pretty heavily from the arm and there’s a lot of blood on his right side...no...there’s no one here but me...I’m trying to stop the bleeding lady...Sorry...didn’t mean to sound angry...I don’t know how long ago it happened. It looks like someone beat the hell out of him and used a knife on him...yeah...His name’s Chris Larabee...yeah, that’s the one...” Dunne answered and realized this woman had taken other calls about his leader.
Larabee let his eyes slide closed, but opened again as a dry cough issued from his throat.
“Easy, Chris, I got you,” Dunne said, placing a hand on his mentor’s arm.
“JD, is that you?”
Dunne heard the familiar voice and looked up at his apartment, relieved when he saw Buck Wilmington standing on their balcony.
“Buck... Bring down the first aid kit and something we can use for bandages...”
“What’s wrong?”
“Chris’ hurt, Buck, just get down here,” the young man ordered. He turned his head back to the phone as the 911 operator asked him another question. Before he could answer he heard Wilmington’s voice again.
“Chris...but he’s...”
“Just get down here, Buck, he’s bleeding pretty bad!” The woman on the other end of the line repeated her question and the kid shook off his worries as he tried to remain calm in the wake of the blond’s injuries.
“What? Oh, sorry...is an ambulance on the way?” Dunne asked, forgetting that she’d already told him she’d dispatched police and ambulance. He’d seen the pain written on the bruised face and prayed help would arrive soon.
Chris smiled weakly as he realized just how much JD Dunne had proven himself again and again. The young man was showing a strength he seldom displayed and he reached out and touched the easterner’s right arm with his right hand. His eyes sent the message his throat couldn’t as he heard the sound of running feet.
“JD...what happened. Ah, hell, Chris, what the hell happened to you?”
“...g....got...jumped...”
“Hell, Stud, I’d say ya got stomped by a stampede...JD, is an ambulance on the way?” The ladies man opened the first aid kit and grabbed a couple of pressure bandages. He vowed to make sure Nathan Jackson knew just how grateful he was that the medic insisted they keep a fully stocked first aid kit at their homes. He winced as he pressed down on the long laceration running along Larabee’s ribcage.
“Yeah...” the kid answered and returned his attention to the woman on the other end of the line. “Yes, Ma’am, we’re trying to stop the bleeding...he’s still conscious...I think I hear the ambulance...”
Wilmington continued to let his gaze run over the injured man. He knew the beating had been a bad one, and finally met the green eyes of his long time friend.
“Who’d ya piss off this time, Chris?” he asked, smiling in an effort to ease the tension.
“....don’t know...Buck...S...shit...” Larabee cried as the ladies man turned his attention to the wound on his arm.
“Sorry, Pard! JD, what’s the ETA on that ambulance?”
“I hear the sirens, Buck, They can’t be far,” the kid answered. “Yes, Ma’am, he’s trying to stop the bleeding...Buck...how bad?”
“He’s got a six inch gash on his left side, runs along his ribs...Don’t appear to be too deep. There’s a deep wound on his left arm though.”
“Yes, Ma’am, he’s still conscious,” JD answered the operator’s question as a police car entered the parking lot. An ambulance pulled in behind it and he waved his arms at them as he told the 911 operator that help had arrived. He turned off the cell phone and watched Bob Miller and another officer hurrying towards them
“What happened?” Miller asked as the two paramedics hurried towards Larabee.
“I found him like this about fifteen minutes ago,” Dunne answered, watching the newcomers work on The Firm’s leader.
Chris tried to breathe past the pain and nausea as a man and a woman knelt beside him. He bit his lip in an effort to stop from crying out as they touched his arm.
“Can you tell me your name?” the woman asked, expertly taking his vitals and logging them.
“Chris...Lara...bee,” the blond ground out.
“Are you allergic to anything?” the male paramedic asked.
“N...no,” he answered and turned his head as bile rose up in his stomach.
“Just lie still, Chris. My name is Cindy and my partner over there is Scott,” the woman said as she quickly assessed his injuries. “Scott is going to start an IV in your arm and we’ll see about getting you to the hospital. Okay?”
“...okay...” Larabee winced as she removed the pressure bandage from his arm.
“Sorry, I just need to change this,” she told him. “We’re gonna need a C-collar and the backboard.”
“Yeah, looks like he’s lost a fair bit of blood too,” Scott said as he cleaned an area on Larabee’s left hand. “Chris, I’m inserting the needle now.”
“...hmm...” the injured man groaned as he felt the needle being inserted into his hand.
“Looks like his right wrist is broken, and from the looks of the bruises on his rib area there’s probably some damage there as well,” Cindy explained as she ran her hands expertly over his body. She turned her attention to the wound on his head and knew the gash over his right eye would require stitches. She replaced the blood soaked bandage with a new one and taped it in place before moving to the one on his left side. She winced in sympathy as the blond groaned and tried to turn on his side.
“I’m sorry, Chris. I know this hurts, but we need to get you ready for transport.”
“The IV is in,” Scott said as he began running the fluids into the patient.
”Good, I’ll grab the collar and back board,” Cindy told her partner.
“Okay,” Scott agreed as he held the IV bag over Larabee’s head.
“I can hold it,” Wilmington said as he worriedly watched his friend.
“Just keep it above his head,” Scott said as his partner returned and he finished immobilizing the left arm.
“Chris, we’re going to put a collar on you, okay?” Cindy asked.
“...yeah...” Larabee mumbled and turned to see the scoundrel hovering over him. “B...Buck...Anne...”
“Don’t you worry about Anne, Chris. I’ll find her and let her know.”
“...thanks...” Larabee hissed as the collar was wrapped around his neck and secured in place.
“Okay, Bob, give us a hand here!” Scott ordered as the police captain dropped down beside them.
“What do you want me to do?” Miller asked.
“We’re gonna need to log roll him onto the backboard. I need you to handle his legs. What’s your name?” Cindy asked the young man watching them worriedly.
“JD...”
“JD, get ready to slide the board underneath him!” the female paramedic ordered.
“Yes, ma’am,” Dunne said as he dropped down and grabbed onto the board.
“Okay, Chris, we’re ready to do this. Just relax and let us do all the work,” Scott ordered.
“N...no choice...” the blond winced as the three people took control of his body and turned him on his side. He cried out as his lower back muscles protested the move. He held his breath as they maneuvered him onto the board and laid him flat against it.
Buck watched as the pain seemed to wash over his friend, draining the last of the color from the already too pale face.
“Can’t you give him something for pain?” Wilmington asked.
“Cindy is administering Morphine right now. Chris, we can’t give you too much with that head wound.”
“...hmm...” Larabee mumbled, gasping as the backboard was lifted and he was placed on the stretcher, and the head was slightly raised. A blanket was eased up over his partially nude body and the Velcro straps were quickly placed over him.
“JD, I’m going with him. You call the others and let them know!”
“Okay, Buck,” the kid said as Larabee was loaded into the ambulance. He watched as the ladies’ man and the female paramedic hopped in the back and Scott closed the door.
“JD, can you tell us anything about who did this to Chris?” Miller asked as his officers examined the area around Larabee’s black truck.
The young Bostonian turned back to the crime scene and shook his head. He rubbed his eyes and took is phone from his pocket once more.
“I didn’t see anyone, Captain. I was just coming home and checking to see if...” his cheeks reddened as he realized he was about to reveal the signal he had worked out with Buck.
“Don’t worry, Kid, I know all about Buck and the lamp,” Miller said, smiling as the color of the youth’s cheeks deepened.
“Oh, Hell, he told you?”
“Yeah, a few months after you moved in with him. Anyway, what happened after you checked for the lamp?”
“I knew it was okay to, ah...go inside and I opened the door. Thought I heard something and asked if anyone was there, but nobody answered. I waited a few more minutes, but the sound wasn’t repeated and I opened the door and stepped inside. Heard something again and came back out.”
“That when you spotted Chris?”
“Yeah, didn’t know for sure it was him, but I knew it was his truck and when I saw the hand come out of the shadows I knew it was Chris.”
“You didn’t touch anything?”
“I may be the youngest of the team, Captain, but I know how to treat a crime scene....”
“I didn’t mean it that way, Ki...JD.”
Dunne heard the older man correct himself and couldn’t help but smile. “The only thing I did was try to help Chris.”
“You did a good job, JD. Chris’ll be fine. Why don’t you go ahead and call the others and have one of them pick you up here?”
The youth nodded and moved out of the way as he dialed Vin Tanner’s ranch. He paced in front of the building as he waited for the tracker to answer the phone.
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