Chris sat in the office of Dr. Stacey Midland, waiting for her to finish reading over the chart from Washoe County Medical Center. His shoulder was pretty well healed, his ribs were doing better. His lungs still gave him fits if he overexerted himself, and he had puffers to use as needed. The hip was also finally on the mend and he could soon replace the crutches with a cane. The marks from the caning and the electrical belt were faded and didn’t cause him more than a slight twinge of pain. She lifted her head and looked at one of her most frequent patients and smiled.
“So, Chris, how are you feeling?”
“I’m doing better, Doc,” Larabee answered truthfully.
“Is the pain medication helping at all?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Are you taking them?” Stacey asked disbelievingly.
“When I need them.”
Midland laughed, knowing that meant the stubborn man waited until he really had no choice and the pain got beyond his ability to ‘live with it.’
“So, I guess that means the pain medication will end up thrown out after the date is expired,” she stated and saw the smile on Larabee’s face.
“Probably,” the blond answered honestly.
“Well, you know they were prescribed because Dr. Barrett thought you needed them?”
“Yeah, Doc, and I’ll take them when I need them,” the patient assured her.
“Sure you will,” Midland said and opened another chart. “Anyway, I’ve got your Physio scheduled starting tomorrow at Saint Vincents. You’re to report to James Neilson at the physio department at eleven am.” She handed him a paper with his instructions on it and waited until he read it.
“Thanks, Doc.”
“Chris, you’re going to have to work hard to get that hip back in shape.”
“That’s what Dr. Hastings told me. You know me, Doc, I’m going to do everything I need to.”
“Good, because I’ve also scheduled you for an appointment with Susan...”
“I don’t need to see a psychiatrist, Doc, I seen one in Washoe.”
“I know you did, Chris and Dr. Carlyle said he’d like you to be seen by Susan James. Just to make sure you’re not suffering any residual affects from the PTSD or the LSD.”
“Doc, I’m fine. I talked about what happened with M...Maguire and I haven’t had any flashbacks in weeks now.”
“I know, Chris, but it’s important that we follow up on everything. You know Susan, Chris and she knows what you’ve been through since Sarah and Adam...”
“Doc, I don’t need to see her.”
“Humor me, Chris.”
“Oh, Hell, alright, Doc, I’ll see Susan James.”
“Good,” Midland smiled and passed him a second sheet of paper. “She’s got you penciled in for August 12th at two.”
“Alright, Doc,” Larabee said and picked up the crutches. “Is that it?”
“Not quite. I want to see you in a week. Just tell Monica to schedule an appointment for whatever time is best for you.”
“Shoot, Doc...”
“One week, Chris!”
Standing up and leaning heavily on the crutches, Larabee nodded and walked towards the door. He turned at the last minute and asked.
“How long?”
Midland knew what the blond was asking and she smiled at how easily she could read him.
“I think you can go back to light duties starting Monday...”
“Great!”
“Chris, I said light duties! That means paper work...you know what you boys call being a desk jockey? Not out running around the streets or getting into verbal battles with criminals.”
“I hear ya, Doc,” he said, a cocky grin on his face.
“Ah, Chris, would you like me to change the orders?”
“Hell no, Doc. Light duties starting Monday. See you in a week.”
Midland watched as he maneuvered out the door and closed it behind him. She shook her head and opened the file on her desk. She knew Larabee had been through hell since he’d gone on vacation with Vin Tanner. She knew about his injuries, both mental and physical, and was pleased to see how well he looked after the long trip the day before. His injuries were slowly healing and she’d cursed when she read about the toxin poisoning by Patrice Milliard. Larabee would have to go back and testify against the woman during the trial, but by then he should be well healed. She closed the file and shook her head.
‘If this keeps up I’ll need a full shelf just to hold your file,’ she thought seriously at the thickness of Chris Larabee’s medical record.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buck stood up as Chris came out of the office and held the outer door for Larabee to move through. Once outside in the lobby the ladies man looked seriously at his friend.
“Well?”
“What?”
“What did the doc have to say?”
“The same thing she always does. Take your pain meds. Physio is set for tomorrow, see Susan James on August 12th, see her in a week...and,” a smile covered his face as they stepped into the elevator. “light duties starting on Monday.”
“Hell, sounds like the doc’s got your sche...” The scoundrel stared at his friend as he caught the last part of Larabee’s explanation.
“Light duties? You mean she’s letting you go back to work?”
“Yeah. She said I was doing great...”
“But,” he looked at his friend doubtfully. “Are you sure she said this Monday? I mean couldn’t she have meant next year?”
“No, Buck, this Monday. I can’t wait to get back to work, and you’ve got my permission to slug me if I mention going on vacation anytime in the near future.”
“Hell, Pard, I’d probably have to line up behind the others,” he said as the elevator opened on the first floor. They walked towards Wilmington’s 2001 candy apple red Ford Mustang convertible. He’d bought it a few months before when his old faithful Chevy finally bit the dust.
Chris slid into the comfortable seats and rested his head back, closing his eyes at the bright sunshine. He felt Buck close the door and walk to the opposite side. The blond couldn’t believe how easily he tired. By the time they drove onto the highway leading to his ranch he was sleeping with his head turned to the right.
Buck kept an eye on his friend during the hour long drive to his ranch. The others were already there, making sure everything was ready for the owner’s return. He smiled as he thought of Chris’ reaction when he finally got home, knowing the first place he would go was the barn. Pony and Peso were being cared for by a good man who’d been working for Chris and Vin since they’d bought the adjoining ranches several years before.
Chris felt the change immediately and knew they were pulling into his driveway. He opened excited eyes and smiled contentedly as they stopped in front of his single story ranch house. He pushed the door open and slid out, standing against the side of the car as he surveyed the familiar surroundings.
“Damn it’s good to be home,” Larabee said and stood away from the door as four men came out of the house. He didn’t need to ask where Vin Tanner was and smiled knowing he’d be heading for the same place before going into his home.
“You forgetting something, Pard?” Wilmington asked.
“What?” Larabee asked.
“These!”
“Damn!” the blond swore, but begrudgingly took the crutches. He greeted the others but bypassed the door to the house and headed around back towards the large stable. He could hear the others following him, and smiled knowing they knew where he was headed. He made it across the yard and smiled as he spotted Vin leading Peso into the corral. Pony was already there and Chris Larabee smiled as the horse’s head came up and looked towards him. The gelding whinnied and the blond laughed as he hurried towards the beautiful animal.
“Hey, Boy,” he said as he slipped through the gate and reached for Pony. He propped one of the crutches against the fence and used his hands to pat the gelding. He laughed as the horse nuzzled him, feeling the others close by, and knowing they were letting him have this. For Chris Larabee this was freedom, and he was ready to jump on Pony’s back and ride with the wind.
“Don’t even think about it, Pard, Nathan would shoot ya before ya got a leg up,” Tanner said from beside him. The arm was still immobilized, but he was due to have the bandages removed for good the following week. He’d just have to continue with physio for a couple of weeks, but the arm was healing just fine.
“Yes, I would!” Jackson said from the opposite side of the fence.
“Shoot, Nathan, I’m not gonna...”
“I know you’re not, Chris,” the medic interrupted with a grin. “I’d have to do what Vin said.”
“Shoot me!” Larabee said, frowning as the Texan drawl repeated the words from his dreams. “Shoot me...”
“Chris, are you alright?” Sanchez asked.
“Y...yeah...I think so, Josiah....Buck, where did you put the Colt?”
“The one we gave you for your birthday?” the scoundrel asked.
“Yeah!”
“It’s in the house. I put it in your bedroom,” Wilmington answered.
Larabee looked at him and asked. “Can you get it?”
“Sure....Why?”
“I’m not sure...Something Vin said.”
“Me?”
“No...not you. The other Vin,” Larabee answered, smiling at his best friend.
“Oh,” the tracker said simply.
They were silent as each man thought about what Larabee said. The seven men from the past were still influencing their lives. Buck returned with the case a few minutes later, curiosity evident on his face.
“So what now?” the scoundrel asked.
“Give me the gun,” Larabee ordered and waited for Buck to open the case. He took the Colt 45 from the ladies man and looked at the handle. He ran his fingers over the bottom and smiled as he felt something in the right hand corner. A small smile lit up his handsome face as he found the two letters, leaving no doubt in his mind that the gun had come full circle once more.
“Chris, what is it?” Wilmington asked curiously.
“It’s my great, great grandfather’s gun,” the blond answered.
“What? How do you know?” Dunne asked.
“There are two letters carved into the handle. I can barely make them out, but I’m sure what they are.”
“What letters, Mr. Larabee?” Standish asked.
“CL,” Tanner answered before the blond could.
“Yeah,” Larabee answered.
“Life always seems to come full circle, Chris, and I’d guess that gun was destined to come back into your hands,” Sanchez explained as the gun was passed from one man to another and back into the hands of its rightful owner.
Chris ran his hands over the initials once more and smiled. ‘Thanks, Boys,’he thought as they walked out of the corral and headed for the house.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The days dragged for Chris, as he waited for the day he’d head back to the office. Vin was staying with him at night to help out when needed, but the blond was alone during the day. He lost count of how many times he walked out to the barn, rub Pony and Peso down and lead them into the corral. Today was no different than the three preceding days as he had to fight the urge to saddle Pony and head out on the ranch land. He sighed heavily, patted Pony and Peso’s neck and headed into the house once more. The shrill ringing of the phone caught his attention and he hurried to pick it up, wincing as he forgot the healing hip.
“Damn!” he swore as he placed the phone to his ear and hissed. “Larabee!”
“Hi, Chris.”
“Anne,” his tone changed as he heard her soft voice.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, just have to remember not to run to...”
“Run to answer the phone,” Sheridan finished, a whimsical hint to her voice.
“Yeah,” the blond answered. “How are you doing, Anne?”
“I’m okay, but I miss you.”
“I miss you too. Buck’s been checking into the apartments and it looks like there’s one available in his building the end of August. I’m going to check it out for you next week.”
“Chris, you don’t have to do that. I’ll be able to search for an apartment when I come up there.”
“I know, Anne. I’m just putting out a few feelers. The choice will be up to you. I’m having JD take pictures of the prospective apartments with the digital camera. Least that way you’ve got a starting point.”
“That’ll be great,” Anne told him. “You have my e mail address?”
“Already programmed into the computer. Any idea when you’ll be making the move?”
“I should be ready to move in three and a half weeks. My furniture and other items will be shipped within a week of my leaving. I’ve booked into a hotel...”
“Why don’t you just stay here with me? I’ve got spare rooms and...”
“I’d rather not, Chris. At least not right now. I...well I want to know I can do things there on my own if things don’t work out between us.”
“I understand...don’t mean to be pushy...”
“No...No you’re not being pushy and I think it’s sweet that you offered the room. I just don’t want to go too fast and...well...you know? Please tell me you understand.”
“Of course I do...besides Josiah keeps saying absence makes the heart grow fonder...”
“Yes, it does do that. I miss you so much.”
“Miss you too.”
“I have to go get ready for work. Call me?”
“Of course,” he answered softly.
“Bye, Chris.”
“Bye, Anne,” he answered and hung up the phone. He sank back against the soft cushions on the couch and drifted off to sleep. His dreams were filled with visions of an auburn haired beauty and a second chance at loving someone special.
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