BREAKING FAITH
By Wendy

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I'm just having a lot of fun playin' with them. CBS, Trilogy and MGM own the rights, Lucky ********.

Rating: Violence , eventually, but a whole hurt to the heart.

WARNING: Swearing. Drug use and violence, eventually

Part one

"Have you got through to Vin yet?" Chris asked as he kept his eyes trained on Guido Fabrizio's family compound.

Buck shook his head as he put the cell phone away. "Nope, but you didn't think I would did you? He asked for the day off, and you gave it to him. He's probably out on some dirt road, putting as much distances between him and the city as he can."

"Half his luck," a voice interrupted through the radio. "Hey, Chris, can I ask for the day off starting --now?" JD chuckled down the airwaves.

"Listen Kid," Buck answered for their leader, "You just keep those peepers of yours on the front entrance and wait for further orders, or I will have to come down there and give you a reason for needing a day off. Ya hear me?"

"I hear ya." JD pouted, as he mumbled, "Grouch."

Buck frowned at Chris, "Did I hear him right? Did that little pip squeak just call me a GROUCH over a police radio?"

Chris continued to watch Guido as he sunned himself by the pool, trying to stop himself laughing at his friends small tirade. "I'm sure you misheard him." he jokingly defended the youngest agent.

"Bullshit! I have twenty/twenty hearing just like you Larabee, and we both heard the same thing. That boy is going to pay," Buck smiled as he thought of the many and varied punishments he had in mind. "Call me grouch will he."

"I do believe, JD, that you are going to suffer greatly for that last remark." Ezra smiled as he watched the young man tap his head against the ground in frustration.

"I did say that, didn't I? I called Buck a grouch, and he heard me. Oh, shit! He is going to make me pay for that, isn't Ez?" He whined as he looked to his friend for comfort.

"As I stated before, my friend, yes, you will indeed suffer for that lapse of judgment." Ezra couldn't wait to see what Buck had in store for the young man; they never failed to entertain. The two agents continued their surveillance as they lay side by side on the hill. Standish's attention was soon distracted from the light-hearted conversation by a noise coming from down the road. "I think we are about to have company."

The motorbike roared up the road, its rider obscured by distance and dust.

Ezra caught a glimpse of light brunette hair, and he focused his glasses in closer. The unmistakable imprint of a buckskin jacket seared his eyes. "What in the Hades is going on?" He watched totally confused as their fellow agent waved to the guards as he rode his Harley in through the gateway like he owned the place. "Damn it!" He had thought he was the only one with darkside, more to the point how does he tell their leader.

"Ez? What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost." JD asked. Without the hindsight of binoculars he had no idea what had upset the older agent.

"Maybe I have JD." Taking a deep breath, Ezra switched on the radio. "Chris, Fabrizio has a visitor, he has just entered the front gates."

"Could you see who it was?" Larabee's voice called back. There was silence as his leader waited for an answer then, Ezra closed his eyes as he heard Chris' anguished plea, "It can't be."

Chris watched eagerly as the new player exited the patio doors and made his way down to pool side. His mouth suddenly went dry as he stared in disbelief as his friend and fellow agent, stepped up to the mobster, only to be affectionately enfolded in the older man's arms.

"I'll be gone to hell!" Was all Buck could mutter for a moment, then his lips curled as he snarled. "Shit! That bastard! What do we do now?" He asked, his eyes still glued to the family scene below him him. Hearing no answer, Buck turned away to see his friend's face had paled as the realization of what he had actually seen set in. His friend, the man he trusted most in this world, had lied to him.

"Chris? Chris!"

Gathering his thoughts, Larabee wiped at his lips with the back of his hand as he moved down the hill. "Call them all back." he ordered as he moved as quickly as he could away from the sight of a friends betrayal.

Part Two

The more Chris thought, the more he raged at the world for doing this to him. Was it too much to ask for everything to go right, for just once in his life. He had found a deep friendship in Vin, one not based on time and words. It was born out of deeds and feelings and maybe that was the trouble. He had taken to the younger man too quickly, assumed too much on the guarantee of unspoken words and emotions.

Chris still didn't understand how the names Vin Tanner and Guido Fabrizio had come to be spoken in the sentence. Fabrizio was one of the oldest and still breathing mobsters around and it was a rare thing to mention old and mobster in the same breath. As mobsters went, Guido had always seemed to be one of the less violent and more law abiding of the families, but that appeared to have changed in the last few months. The Fabrizio's controlled streets had become a bleeding ground of white powder and blood. All divisions of law enforcement had been put on alert, especially when raids failed, seemingly to high placed tip-offs and Larabee didn't like the way equation was adding up.

"HOW MANY COPS DO YOU KNOW, TAKE DAYS OFF TO VISIT MOBSTERS?" Buck's voice boomed through the walls of the office.

"Mr.Willmington, if you would like to keep your voice down. It would be nice if we gave Mr. Tanner the benefit of the doubt, at least till we hear his side. " Ezra tried to calm the blustering agent down.

"I'm giving him the benefit of doubt; I doubt the man has told us the truth since we met him." Buck snapped back.

The five men each pondered the ramifications of what they had seen that day.

"There are many truths Buck. We have seen but one of them." Josiah quietly stated. He too was struck by the insurmountable truth of the day, but held firm to the belief that all might not be what it seemed.

"Don't give me that turn the other cheek shit, Josiah. You wouldn't be part of this team if you believed that. We all KNOW what we saw. Our so called friend and fellow agent is in bed with the mob. He was practically kissing Guido's ring for Godsake!"

"The Godfather, Guido isn't." Nathan reasoned. "I happen to agree with Josiah. We should hear both sides before you string him up, Buck." He had to agree; Vin had saved his life more than once. He couldn't; he wouldn't believe that Tanner was a wolf in their midst.

"I can see why you'd think that, but did you ever think, Nathan, that it was all part of Tanner's plan to save you that day in the warehouse? Put him in real good with us, didn't it? We opened up our arms and said welcome without knowing a thing about him." Looking at his fellow agents, Buck jumped up from the desk and began to pace the room wildly. "Why am I the only one that sees the truth here."

"Enough Buck!" Chris commanded as he made his way out of his office to join his team. "You can be heard all over the office with that over jawin' mouth of yours."

"You alright Chris?" Josiah asked, knowing of all the team, Larabee had been hit the hardest, by the revelations of the day.

"I'm fine Josiah. Why shouldn't I be?" Ignoring the sick feeling in his gut, Chris turned his attention back to the group. "I know what you're all thinking, most likely, cause I have thought all the same things myself, and more. But it's unfair to attack Vin, not until we've heard his side of it."

"I don't have to, or I want to hear his side of it. I know what I saw. I need some air." Buck turned away in disgust and stalked down the hallway.

Part Three

Buck's angry departure had left the five remaining men in different positions of uncomfortable silence. J.D sat slouched in his chair, trying to fathom the complexities of life that were now twisting and turning his stomach. "Maybe one of us should go after him."

"Leave him be, kid. I've known Buck a long time. He's going to fester about this no matter what we do." Chris answered as he leaned back against the wall.

"What did you tell Captain Ash about our surveillance?" Nathan asked, suddenly worried how their aborted assignment was going to read on paper.

"What could I tell him, Nathan?" he sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I haven't told him shit, yet. I want to hear Vin's side first."

"You can't hold the captain off forever, brother." Josiah said as he walked up to Chris, placing a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Tell me something I don't know, Josiah." Chris sighed again.

Mario Fabrizio watched as his father and Vin Tanner stepped away from the pool-side and started for their usual walk in the gardens.

"Look at that, always the same. This policeman, comes here greeted like a long lost son. While I, Guido Fabrizio's only son am ignored!" Mario slammed his fist against his chest. "He acts like this scarafaggio!<cockroach> is part of the family, not the enemy." he spat.

Armanno Gasale had watched his employer's son vent his rage at the disappearing figures of Guido and Tanner and tried to suppress the smile. The Fabrizio family had been too long in the wilderness of corporate business and the bank balances were showing the depletion of playing the legal game. Armanno had been nurtured on the stories 'of the generations the Fabrizio family code' and how noone could defy them. He was more than honored to be invited into the fold and become a soldier for the family. But his excitement was short-lived as his job became a gopher career; this was not what his father had brought him up to be.

"Mario," Gasale lowered his voice as he moved in closer to the angry young man. "What we have done and what we are planning to do," He nodded toward the area where the two walking figures had been. "We do these things and we can never go back."

"We can never go back anyway. "the young man shot back. "We have been slowly undermining my father's 'good works' for months now. Every drug deal, every weapons shipment was ordered in my father's name. How long do you think it will be before he pulls his head out of his ass long enough to find out what I have done."

Mario wondered what the policeman and Guido had to talk about for so long. "Do you think Tanner has mentioned anything about the upsurge in movements on the street to the old man."

Moving away from the window, Mario walked over to the liquor cabinet and made himself a drink. "As far as I know they talk about personal business. Tanner has, supposedly, always left his badge at the gate and father-- well, he had nothing to hide, until now." A smile began to curl at corner of his lips "Anyway, I think our policeman friend is going to have a few problems of his own to contend with. I have it on good authority that Agent Tanner's team is watching his meeting with the great Guido as we speak."

Armanno's head jerked to the window, his eyes peering into the hills that surrounded the compound, looking for the eyes that looked backed. "You tipped them off?"

Walking over to join his friend, Mario followed Armanno's eyeline. "Lets say our 'ears and eyes' tipped them off. So, lets see how Tanner explains this and a few other little surprises I have in store."

Shaking his head, Armanno disagreed with the younger man's strategy. "All you've done is point them in our direction!"

The ice clinked as Mario pointed his hand that held the drink toward the garden. "I have pointed them in 'their' direction. By the time I'm finished, the names Vin Tanner and Guido Fabrizio will be nothing but a very bad memory.

Part Four

Guido and Vin started back from their walk. The younger man's less that talkative nature seemed more so today and had not gone unnoticed by the older man. "Vincenzio, speak to me. Tell me what bothers that deep thinking head of yours." Guido asked.

Only Guido was able to get away with calling him Vincenzio, "I ain't Italian, Guido, I'm a Texan. It's Vin remember?" The younger man laughed.

Lightly tapping Vin's cheek, Guido shook his head. "To me you're Vincenzio, what can I say-- and don't change the subject. What heavies your heart on such fine day?"

Vin stopped walking and looked directly in to the eyes of the older man. "You know me so well." a smile faintly curved his mouth before disappearing just as quickly. "Have you ever felt you don't belong?"

Guido laughed out-loud as he slapped the surprised young man on his back. "More than once Vincenzio. Usually at the Chamber Of Commerce meetings. I swear they think if they disagree with me, they will end up in a barrel of acid buried in the desert somewhere. I'm afraid my earlier life, has more than preceded me." Becoming serious, Guido studied his young friend's face. "I have seen that look before, what is that really bothers you? Is it your job, your friends?"

Firing up Vin's eyes blazed. "Did I mention them?"

Guido chuckled as he continued to walk, pulling Vin along with him. "You didn't have to, I know you. Oh, how I remember those same blue eyes glaring at me, while you kicked me in the shins. I still have the bruise." He joked as he pretended to pull at his trouser leg.

"Jeez, Guido. I was only seven for Godsake! Give me a break, you ain't ever going to let me live that down are yah?" Vin drawled.

"A Fabrizio never forgets, you know that." Guido explained as he continued on with the former conversation. "So, you like your friends, and life is good. So, you now wait for the other shoe to drop?"

With a half- hearted smile, Vin nodded. "Yeah, it always does and it usually on my head. I love my job--,"

"And your friends too?" Guido asked. Vin's smiled broadened as he thought of the team; his family. "I trust them, and they trust me and listen to what I have to say. They're the closet thing I have had to a real family in a long time," Seeing the stung look in friend's eyes, Vin nudge at his arm. "You know what I mean."

The older man nudged back. "I know what you mean. Since you chose this life, we are now in two different worlds and can only exist in one time and place for a few short minutes. The price of friendship can be hard Vincenzio." Guido answered sadly, before shrugging it off. "So, what? This is your problem? You are a good boy. Relax and enjoy. Breath in the fresh air and bask in the sunshine. You, Vincenzio, worry far too much."

"And you Guido, don't worry enough, nor can you remember somebody's real name." Vin light-heartedly argued, as they continued to walk back to the house.

Vin felt somehow better after talking to Guido, but then again he always did. He was right, ever since he had become a officer of the law, their time together was relatively cut short. But policeman or no policeman, Vin refused to cut the mobster off completely; he owed him too much for that. As he saw it, it shouldn't matter anyway, Guido had long given up the life of crime for the respectable role of businessman.

Making his way up to his apartment his thoughts were interrupted by running feet. A mop of long black hair was tossed about as the little body flung herself into her hero's waiting arms. "You're back!" she squealed as she buried herself in the safety of his arms.

Vin smiled as he hugged her tightly to his chest. "Of course I am back. Where else would I be, than with my little Spanish flower. Beso<kiss>?"

Planting a kiss on Vin's cheek, she pulled herself away so she looked into his eyes.

For the first time, Vin noticed that she had been crying, "What are these Lora, tears?" He asked as he wiped gently at them with his thumb. "Why would such a pretty little thing like you need to cry?"

"Eneas is gone." she sobbed, as her small fist rubbed at her eyes.

"Gone? How long has he been gone sweetheart?" Vin asked as rubbed her back, trying to soothe her.

A hiccup was released at the same time as she wiped at her nose with the back of her hand. Then holding three fingers down she held up two fingers in triumph.

Vin smiled, "You are becoming a clever little girl. Eneas has not been home for Dos domirs<two sleeps>?"

"Uhuh." she agreed as she clung to Vin again. "Mama cries all the time. She is so sad. Will you find my brother for me Mr.Vin?" she cried into his neck.

Feeling the tiny body shaking in his arms, he ran his had through her long hair. "I will, my little Spanish flower. I will."

Pulling herself back, Lora placed her tiny hands on each side of Vin's face and searching his eyes she asked solemnly. "You promise?"

Vin looked back at the dark brown eyes, rimmed with the longest lashes he'd ever seen and he could refuse her nothing. "I promise, my Lora."

A smile lit up her face as she grabbed his neck and kissed him on the cheek again. "Put me down, Mr.Vin. I have to tell Momma that you will find Eneas for us." she giggled as she wriggled from his arms. Starting to run down the hallway she suddenly stopped and whirled around. "Oops, forgot. There's a man in your room. Bye Mr.Vin." she waved happily.

"Chris." Vin smiled. It had to be him, the kids wouldn't let anyone else into his room. Watching Lora skip away, he sighed, the magnitude of the promise he had made the child, just hitting home.

Part Five

Eneas was still close to Vin's thoughts as he opened the door to his room, but scanning the room and finding Chris, he put his worries aside for the moment.

"Hey Cowboy. What brings you to this neck of the ghetto?" he smiled as he took off his coat and threw it on the coffee table. "Want somethin', or have you already made yourself at home?" he asked as he walked over to the fridge to get a drink.

A slight shake of the head was the only answer that the younger man received, and Vin was suddenly very worried. "Chris? Did somethin' happen today? Is everyone alright?" Vin tried to keep the rising panic from his voice.

Larabee had been waiting in his friend's apartment for over half an hour. He had practiced his words, what he was going to say and how to say it, but now, when it was time to say them out- loud, they seemed too much like accusations. "No, everyone's fine." Chris whispered.

"What then," Vin frowned as he walked toward his friend. "Come on Cowboy, you're scarin' me, and you know I don't scare that easy." Everything had been fine yesterday. What could have happened in such a short space of time to cause so much the pain on his friend's face?

Chris bailed for the first time in his life; he ran. "Sorry Vin, just tired that's all. Had a hard day." He forced a smile as he turned and stared into the face of-- innocence? "So, I hope you put your day off to good use." he casually bantered, his stomach rolling at his deceit.

For the first time since he had met Larabee, the younger man couldn't read what was going on in his friend's head, and it scared him a little. Thinking maybe his boss needed some time, Vin answered while he continued to try and read between the lines. "You know me Cowboy, I went to where I could see the sky without having to peer through smog and apartment buildings. I swear in another life it was just me, my horse and stars; but no guitar." he cautiously grinned as he eyed Chris's reactions.

"Makes for a lonely day."

"I did some visitin' as well. Didn't know when I'd be getting another chance."

"I thought, apart from the kids and the team, you didn't have anyone else."

<Whoa! Where did they come from?> Vin was taken aback. That was not casual question. Chris was getting at something, but he was just taking the long way about getting there. "What?" Vin retorted a bit more harsher than he meant to, "I can't have other friends? Or is it that you think I don't warrant any?"

"No, that's not want I meant." <Shit! It was going all wrong>Chris sighed as he tried to say what he had to without putting his other foot in his mouth. "Vin, I--"

"I find it easy just to say it. Never been any secrets between us Chris; I sure as hell don't want you to start now." He sounded so sure of himself, yet the younger man was shaking in his boots, waiting to hear what his friend had to say.

"You're right, I owe you the truth, as you do me. We were on a stakeout today. One that had been on the board for a long time, but the order only came down this morning, so you hadn't heard about it, anyway, it was your day off."

Vin's heart began to beat a little faster. "I was right, something went down, and it's one of the guys."

"No, I said they were fine, Vin." Chris repeated.

The younger man's patience was running out. "For Christ sake Chris! Shoot me or tell me. Either way, I can't take much more of this!"

"The Fabrizio's compound," Chris said quietly. "that was our stake out. By all rights I shouldn't even be telling you this, but I needed to see you."

Vin's face paled, not because his relationship with Guido been revealed, but the realization of what Chris had been asking him. All the defenses he had let down went up as he glared at the person he considered his friend. "Why? Am I under investigation?" he snapped.

Suddenly faced with the younger man's growing fury, Chris tried to lessen the impact of his words. "Of course not, Vin. No one even knows you were there except the team, and we haven't said anything."

"I see," Vin nodded, " you wanna know what I was doing there," he asked as he stepped closer to Chris. "I was taking a bribe. I was selling my soul and all my 'friends' for seven pieces of silver."

"Damn it Vin! I'm only looking out for you." Chris shot back.

Vin's eyes were cold as he started to see his new life slipping from his grasp. <What could you expect Tanner. You know what you have been and what you will always be> his inner voice spoke to him. Vin opened up his fingers and let his new life slip away. "I don't need anyone to look out for me, Larabee, certainty not my so called FRIENDS. I have done fine on my own all my life and I can do it again. Now if you wouldn't mind gettin' the FUCK OUT of my apartment."

"Vin please, we have to talk." Chris argued.

"I WON'T ASK A SECOND TIME LARABEE. GET THE FUCK OUT NOW!!" Vin demanded as he turned away.

Part Six

"Damn them!" Vin fumed as he threw his drink against the wall. "Damn them," he voice becoming distant as his world collapsed around him. He had gotten Chris to leave after threatening to get his gun shoot either one of them to get some peace. Larabee had begrudgingly left, but had promised he would be back to work this problem out and that he wasn't giving up on their friendship without a fight.

"Too late Larabee, you just gave it away." the despondent man spoke to the silent room.

Chris hadn't come right out and accused him, he wouldn't do that, but Vin knew he must have been thinking it to come to his apartment and stumble over his words like he did. And if Chris had doubts, the other five must be ready to lynch him. <The price of friendship can be hard Vincenzio> Guido voice came back to haunt him. "Tell me something I don't know." Vin whispered as he ran his hand through his hair.

His thoughts were interrupted by the trill ring of his phone. Wanting nothing more to yank it from the wall, Vin instead gave in and answered it. "Tanner!" he said coldly.

"Vin?"

"Yeah, this is Vin Tanner, who's this?"

"Vin?"

"Eneas? Is that you?" Vin called a little more urgently down the phone. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Need help Vin."

"Where are you? I'll be right there?"

"Help me Vin?"

"I will, just tell me where?"

The phone call had ended abruptly, but not before Vin had gotten the address. Moving quickly through the back alley's of the streets he had grown up in, he was soon at his destination. Parking his bike one street down, Vin made his way toward the derelict house. The hair on his back of his neck was rising, but as he looked around the streets he could see nothing what would cause his apprehension. Deciding the back way was the best way to assault the building, Vin vaulted the back fence and crept silently toward the house.

Pressing his back against the weather beaten boards, he pulled his gun from his belt, as he slipped a finger into the screen door handle. Inching the first door open, he was relieved that no squeaks gave away his entry. Taking a deep breath, he pushed at the inner door and slowly made his entrance into the house. With the day starting to draw to a close, the light in the rooms was dimming, making Vin's steps even more cautious as he made his way carefully through the decrepit kitchen, into the hallway.

Vin carefully stepped up to each room, holding his gun ready as his eyes would search each darkened space. "Eneas, where the hell are you?" he whispered, as he continued to look.

At the last room on the bottom floor, Vin found what he was searching for, a bloodied teenager lay sprawled among the paper and debris in the middle of the room. Vin's breath caught in his throat, as he quickly scanned the room, and pushing his gun back into his belt, he rushed to the seventeen year old boys side.

"Eneas?" Vin called into the unfocused eyes of the young boy. "You're going to be all right, you hear me?" <Too much blood> he thought as, the red liquid bubbled and flowed freely from the wound in the kid's stomach. "Don't die on me Eneas!" the agent demanded, as he put applied pressure to the dark red wound.

Pained eyes begged for help, as Eneas' moaned and convulsed, spraying blood from opened mouth.

"Damn it Eneas! I promised Lora. I promised I would bring you home. DAMN IT! DON"T DO THIS" he pleaded. <Got to get help> Reaching for his mobile, he remembered it was on the bike saddles. <Shit!> Gently taking the boys chin in his hand he made eye contact. "I'm going to get help, you hold on. You hear Eneas? YOU HOLD ON!"

Lost in the desperate battle to save the young boys life, Vin jumped up, just in time to met with a body tackle. The sudden attack sent him tripping over Eneas' body, causing him to land awkwardly on the floor with the assailants weight still holding him down.

Having already lost the advantage, Vin was attempting to reach for his gun, when a pain hit in the side of the head, stunning him.

Dazed, Vin suddenly realized the weight was gone and as he swung his arms about he realized he was alone. Still stunned, Vin shakingly crawled over to Eneas. "Still with me?" he croaked as his bloody fingers felt for a pulse. Feeling the faint vibration under the sticky liquid, he smiled. "Good, now stay that way." he ordered as he struggled to his feet.

Taking a second his breath, he stumbled through the now spinning house. Supporting himself against frame of the doorway, he tried to focus his blurred vision on the front door, but his head hurt and his body parts refused to obey him.

A sound suddenly broke through his haze of pain and he smiled as he recognized a police siren. "You'll be all right no--" Vin never finished as he slid down the wall and let darkness claim him.

Part Seven

Waking from the darkness that had enveloped him, Vin's first thought was of Eneas and the second was not to move his head so fast next time. Forcing his eyes open, he squinted at the bright lights that attacked his sight. His first attempt to sit up was thwarted, when his head rebelled sending waves of dizziness and nausea through his body. Through blurred sight he could see he was he was in a hospital. <Damn it, not again.> Though it was some relief that if he was here then Eneas was being seen to as well.

"I wouldn't try that again, if I was you." a voice called from somewhere in the room.

"Eneas? I need to find out--" Vin groaned, as he again tried to sit up before breathlessly falling back to the pillow.

"I warned you. Anyway Lopez isn't going anywhere and either are you." the voice laughed. "I have been waiting a long time for this, Tanner."

Pain and confusion were making Vin's head spin as he tried to focus and find the face to the voice. "Who are you?"

"I wanted to be the first thing you saw when you woke up," the voice answered. "patience is a virtue so I was told and now, I am living proof of it."

Through the pounding in his head, Vin could hear the voice becoming louder as the footsteps tapping on the linoleum floor came closer. Trying to clear his vision, the agent, squinted a few more times and as he eyes opened again the face came into view. "Michaels!" Vin spat the name.

"Nice to see you too, Tanner. Long time no see, but then again I don't suppose you spent much time down in Los Almos," he frowned as he grabbed a chair and took a seat.

"What are you doing here?" Vin asked coldly.

The smiling man placed a briefcase down on the floor beside him as he pulled a tape recorder from his jacket and placed it in the bedside table. "Oh we are going to see a lot of each other, Tanner. You see I am with IA now." Noting Vin's shocked expression, Michaels smiled as he went on to explain. "Your buddy Larabee thought he got rid of me, well he thought wrong. My father did serve another term and was owed some favors, which he called on to get me reinstated. Oh, your boss, got me locked out all right, but not out of everywhere. Now, I'm not making this personal Vin. May I call you Vin?"

"When hell freezes over." Vin sneered.

"Okay, Tanner, as you wish. As I said, I'm not making this investigation personal, after all, I am a professional."

"Yeah, professional asshole." Vin glared. "What does IA want with me anyway?" his eyes narrowed in contempt of his company.

"We have some questions. Understand you are not under arrest at this time and you can refuse and ask for a lawyer to be present." Michaels asked.

"A lawyer? What is this about, Michaels?" Vin snarled.

Reaching into his suitcase, Michaels retrieved a file, a small grin of satisfaction spreading on his face as he opened it and threw its contents on the hospital bed. "It's about these. Explain."

As Vin reached for the pictures that littered his bed, he grimaced as his head reminded him why he was here.

"Here let me help you." Michaels offered his voice dripping with spite as he held one of the pictures up for Vin to see.

Vin looked at the picture of he and Guido walking in the garden at the Fabrizio compound and snatched from the gloating Michaels.

"Where'd you get this?" Vin demanded.

"Don't recognize the work? Then maybe this will give you a clue." Michaels' eyes glowed with gratification as he handed over the envelope the photos had been sent in.

Vin read the return address and closed his eyes.

"That's right, one of your friends thought that much of you but you know that is the least of your problems Tanner. When the ballistics get back on the gun that murdered the Lopez boy,"

Vin's eyes flew open, "Eneas is dead?"

"Oops! Did I forget to mention that little detail."

The first and last thing Vin would remember would be lunging for the smiling bastard's neck.

Part Eight

"What the HELL is going on here?" the furious doctor demanded. He had come to check his patient, only to find him seemingly unconscious on the floor with a well dressed man pinned beneath him. Spotting an hospital attendant passing the doorway, the doctor called out. "Orderly! In here. Help me get the patient back into the bed."

"Who the hell are you? And what do you think you are doing in here?" the doctor grunted at the stranger, as he and the orderly lifted his unaware patient on to the bed.

Michaels picked himself up from the floor and dusted himself off as he looked disdainfully at the man in the bed. Reaching into his jacket he pulled out his badge, proudly waving it at the two hospital personal. "I am Agent Emerson Michaels, Internal affairs and I am here to interview the patient."

The doctor ignored the badge as he turned back to his patient. "Unless your god himself --Agent Michaels? You don't come into my patient's room without my permission. So, pick up this mess and take your handy dandy little recorder there and shove it," the doctor appeared about to say something, but changed his mind," in your briefcase and get out of this room, NOW!" he ordered. Checking Vin over, the doctor was relieved to find no further damage to his patient, but his concussion was a severe one and the patient could ill afford anymore upsets. Having been dismissed from the room, Michaels hurriedly picked up the papers and grabbed his recorder and briefcase and scooting out the doorway. Still mumbling to himself, he wasn't watching where he was going, as he crashed into his Senior partner, sending everything he had been holding crashing to the floor.

"What the hell?" Davis growled, as he looked from his now stooped and flustered partner to the inside of Vin's room. "What were you doing in Tanner's room?" the older man demanded of his new agent.

Looking up, as he tried to gather everything together, Michaels tried to find an excuse. "I...I,"

"You idiot! What are trying to do? This investigation will be run by the book. Do you hear me? I know all about you and your history with Tanner and ATF boys, I don't think there is anyone on the force that hasn't heard the story and agreed with what Larabee did to you." Bending down to help Michaels pick up the last of the papers, Davis held onto the last photo making the younger agent look him in the face. "And like Larabee, I don't give a rat's ass who your father is. What I do care about, is the law and that no one is above it, including one of his boys. Now, have I made myself clear or would you like to patrol border in Alaska for your next assignment?" "YES SIR!" Michaels huffed.

Standing up, Davis shook his head. "Davis will do, Micheals, we're not in the army." <Why me?> he asked himself. Stepping to the doorway of Tanner's room, the elder agent cleared his throat to get the doctors attention. "Doctor, I'm Agent Davis, I was wondering if we would be able to talk to the patient now?"

Clipping his stethoscope around his neck, the doctor walked over to join the agents' at the doorway. "I'm sorry, no." Holding his hands up to bar their way. "Mr. Tanner has severe a concussion." he glared. " Now, I don't know what your 'friend' was attempting to do in here, but my patient will not be answering any questions until I say so. Turning his head to scowl at Michaels, Davis turned back to the doctor and nodded. "I understand. thank you doctor," Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a card and handed it to the physician. "I apologize for my inexperienced partner. Please call me when he is well enough to be interviewed, and please remember it's for his benefit as well that we get to talk to him as soon as possible."

Armanno knocked at Mario's office door. No answer. Knocking louder, he didn't wait for permission, instead he pushed open the door and walked in. <Damn it!>

The younger Fabrizio was hunched over his desk, holding one side of his nose, while he snorted the fine white powder up the other through a gold straw.

"And you wonder why your father does not listen to you?" Armanno spat with disgust. "A man who risks millions and plays with life, cannot be ruled by another."

Wiping the the fine traces of powder from his nose, Mario sniffed as he took offence at his employees attitude. "I am ruled by no one, nor am I controlled by anything or anyone, including you," he contested as he put the evidence of his habit away in the draw. "So, what news?" he asked dismissing the last subject.

Knowing his was never going to win the arguement, especially with Mario wasted, Armanno decided to do what he always did and ignore it and got on with business. "We lost a valued employee today." he smiled.

"Everything went as planned?" Mario sniffed.

"It did. So with that and the photographic evidence that, just happened to find its way into Internal Affairs hands. Mr. Tanner should be finding himself a little crowded at this very moment."

"Good. I want Tanner's last days to be the most miserable of his life." Mario crowed.

Part Nine

Chris wasn't surprised to find Vin's desk empty; disappointed yes, but he was not surprised. The only thing that had surprised him was that there was no request for transfer or resignation lying on his desk.

"Chris?"

Leaning back in his chair, Chris closed his eyes, as the spent man shook his head. "Not now Buck, I don't want to hear it."

Buck hated seeing his old friend like this, and he wasn't about to stand by and let Tanner get away with it. "What am I supposed to do, huh? Do you really think I'm going stand by and watch him do this to you--to the team?" Chris jumped up from his seat, his chair rolling violently back against the wall as he failed to hold his temper any longer. "He IS one of the team. Damn it, Buck!" he seethed. "Would you expect me to turn on you so easy?"

"If I was guilty," Buck's eyes darkened. " you betcha I would."

"You said it Buck, IF you were guilty. " Chris threw his friend's words back at him, "I want to know what the hell is going on, just like you and the others, but we have to trust each other."

"Your word," Buck volleyed back. "Trust! And I want proof before I let Tanner stand behind me again."

"I'm not going to do this Buck. I refuse to stand and trade shots with you."

A discreet cough interrupted the two friends verbal parries.

Looking somewhat embarrassed to intrude, J.D stood at the doorway. "Sorry Chris. Josiah sent me to get you. You better get out here." he frowned.

"This isn't over Buck!" Chris whispered through clenched teeth, as he headed to the doorway.

"Not by a long shot, it ain't. " Buck answered, as he followed Chris from the office.

Buck arrived to see the others standing around watching as two men seemingly ransacking Vin's desk. "What the hell is going on here?" Chris demanded, his glare sharpening as his gaze fell on the suited figure of Michaels going through Vin's things. "And what the F**k are you doing here?" he hissed as he took a step toward.

Josiah quickly had his hand pressed to Chris' chest, restraining him as he waved a paper in front of the leader. "They have a warrant brother."

Chris' green eyes shot fire at Michaels, as he watched the simpering agent puffed up with his own self importance. Forcing himself to look away, he snatched the paper from Josiah's hand. Scanning the form, Chris' frowned deepened as he nodded a silent thank you to Josiah who knew it was now safe to step back. Ignoring Michaels, the leader turned and spoke to instead to the agent with him. "So you have a warrant, what's this all about?"

"Davis, Agent Davis." The agent offered his hand.

Chris disregarded the extended hand as his eyes narrowed in contempt. "Agent Davis, I did ask you a question."

"Okay, that's fine with me, I'm not here to be your friend Larabee. We are here to gather any evidence that may throw some light on Agent Tanner's activity's, or relationship with one Guido Frabizio."

Snapping his head around, Chris scowled at Buck to keep quiet, before turning back to Davis. "Well, why don't you just ask, Agent Tanner yourself?" Chris' voiced dripped with spite.

"I will, when he wakes up. In fact I thought as part of his team you would be at his side, or don't you trust him either." Davis smirked.

"What the hell are you talking about Davis?" Chris demanded, as the hairs on the back of neck began to stir.

"I thought you would have heard by now. Your office grapevine is slipping. "So will my hands around your throat." he threatened.

Davis flashed a superior grin, "Tanner was found unconscious near the body of a young Latino gang member. We are just waiting on ballistics, but your friend might be in more trouble than we first thought."

Chris wanted to punch that sneer of Davis' face, but he needed to see Vin first. "Where?"

"An old house over..."

"The hospital asshole!" Chris spat.

"County General." Davis demised the subject as he went back to searching Vin's desk.

Chris was stalking to the doorway when Josiah called after him; knowing their leader was in no condition to drive. "Wait for me brother. I'll do the honors." he pulled his keys from his pocket.

"Well Hurry!" Chris' voice strained.

"Wait up, I'm coming too," Nathan turned to Ezra, who had Michaels in his frigid gaze. "Ezra?"

"Thank you Nathan, but I believe I will remain and ensure that Agent Tanner gets quittance for everything that is removed from his office." Ezra nodded, his eyes never faltering from there focus.

"Buck, J.D?" Nathan asked.

The youngest member watched as Buck turned away, mumbling something about work he had to catch up on. J.D was in two minds, he wanted to make sure,Vin was all right, but Buck was making his opinion clear. He didn't want to choose sides not between friends.

"J.D?" Nathan called imaptiently.

Buck turned back to J.D and nodded to the door. "Go, I know your worried about him." Smiling, he nodded to the two IA agents. "I'll help Ez keep an eye on these two fella's. Go boy!"

"Hey Kid," Michaels called after the now running young agent, his voice taking an air superiority. "tell Tanner to get his answers straight, I don't like riddles."

"And I abhor asinine buttock inhalers." Ezra scowled.

Part Ten

No one in the car had said a word as Josiah zigged in and out of traffic on the way to the hospital. Each man in the car was at a loss as what to say that would make any of them feel better about the whole situation. Their worry for Vin's health was only equaled to the questions that still shadowed their thoughts. Chris' aggravation at seeing Michaels again was overshadowed by the rage he felt as he watched the ass-sucking weasel going through Vin's desk.

Michaels had nearly gotten Vin killed when he jumped the gun on the ATF's operation; now he was back to bury the sharpshooter for good, and no matter what was going on with Vin, Chris wasn't about to let that happen. //Damn, I thought I buried him so deep he would need to dig for ten years to get out. I'll just have make sure the hole's a lot deeper next time//

Arriving at the hospital, they quickly made their way through the familiar corridors, so familiar it was scary. At one time or another, each of the seven had partaken of the hospital's hospitality, but Vin more so. He had an annoying habit of trying to be everyone's savior and had more than once thrown himself in the line of fire to protect one of them. That's why this situation hurt like nothing they had felt before. Vin that had risked so much for them, now he seemed to have risked their faith, and they had failed the test.

Having already ascertained Vin's room number, they were surprised to find the doctor and a security guard talking in his empty room.

"What do you mean? He just walked right passed you and you didn't see him?"

"I never saw him, honest Doc."

"Are you talking about Vin Tanner?" Chris interrupted.

The doctor turned to see four men crowding the doorway. "And you are?" Chris stepped forward his arm outstretched, "Sorry Doctor, I'm Agent Chris Larabee, " nodding back to his friends, he introduced them as a group, "These are some of my team, and Vin Tanner is another."

The doctor shook Chris' hand and nodded to the men standing behind him. "Well, I'm Mr. Tanner's doctor, Miles Sanders, and your agent has gone, Mr. Larabee."

Slipping past the security guard had been easy; he could do that in sleep, but getting back to Purgatorio was a different matter all together. He had been lucky to find his clothes and money still hidden in his boots, but moving about was like shaking his brain. Vin was sure his head was going to spilt open every time he had a thought.

"You all right buddy?" the taxi driver asked as he pulled up at the address his passenger had given him. "You don't look too good." he offered his personal, medical opinion.

Handing over the money, Vin wiped at the sweat that beaded his forehead. "I'm fine. Thanks for askin' anyway." he answered as he stumbled from the cab.

"No skin of my nose fella," he snorted as he drove off.

//Please let the lift be workin'// Vin silently prayed as he slowly made his way to the building.

Short of breath, Vin closed his aching eyes as he leaned his head against wall of his destination. Stretching his fingers along the rough surface of the wall, he felt for the elevator button. He expelled a relieved sigh as he heard the clank of the lift machinery going into motion. So intent on the trying to block out the pain that threatened to send him crashing to his knees, Vin didn't feel the menace until it was too late.

Strong hands gripped at his arms and swung him around so that the back of his head slammed hard against the wall. Fighting to see through the spots that were dancing erratically in his field of vision, Vin struggled to stay standing.

"You dare to come back here--*amigo* or should I say enemigo?" a voice snarled, as spit hit his face.

Part Eleven

The force of the blow to the back of his head had weakened the agent, and if it wasn't for the hands that held him firmly to the wall, he would have fallen. As his vision started to clear, Vin was able to confirm the faces that went with the voices. It was three of Eneas's friends, and the hatred that stared back at the injured man was proof they believed they had found the person to blame for their friend's death.

"We know you were there." Tajo Ramirez snarled, tightening his grip on Vin's right arm.

"We trusted you, ATF man!" Alano Garcia spat as he held firmly to Vin's other arm.

"More than that, you were one of us, *cerdo*<pig> You betrayed us; you betrayed Eneas." Rafael, Alano's elder brother, menaced. "De sangre venirs sangre<From blood comes blood>," Rafael vowed as he produced a flick knife from behind his back and lunged at Vin.

Vin tried to get his body to move, to defend itself in some way, but all he could manage was to allow the knife's entry into his side and not his stomach as was its primary aim. "Por que?<why>" Vin panted breathlessly. "De sangre venirs sangre<From blood comes blood>," Rafael repeated with venom. He watched with some surprise as a head wound left a bloody trail down the wall of the building as Vin slumped to the floor.

"Dios!<God>" A voice called out. "What have you done?" Father Chavez demanded as stalked toward them.

"For Eneas!" Rafael announced proudly as he pointed the bloody knife toward the now slumped and groaning agent.

"Eneas was a junkie and fool!" The six foot priest growled, "And you more so for taking your pain out on a innocent friend. IR!<Go>"

"We heard, he was there. Even his own people believe--"

Moving to stand in front of Vin's fallen form, the priest glared at the three men. "*We are his people* What went down last night, Eneas has only himself to blame and will answer to God for it. Now if you intend to use that again," Father Chavez focused on Rafael and the knife, "get to it or leave."

Rafael pulled his bandanna from his belt and wiped at the knife before flicking it and putting it in his pocket. Taking one more look at Vin, he spat defiantly at the injured man. "He is not worth it."

Watching to make sure that they had given up, the priest stooped down to his injured friend. "How is it?" he asked trying to pry Vin's bloody hand from the wound.

"H-hurts," Vin managed to gasp.

Noticing the bloody trail down the wall, Father Chavez reached for Vin's head.

"Oh God, don't!" Vin begged as he tried to push the priest's hand away from the agony that hammered at his head "Damn them!" The priest cursed, before crossing himself. "I am going to have to call the paramedics, amigo. I cannot look after these wounds."

"I can." a voice spoke up behind him.

The Priest leapt to his feet, standing protectively in front of Vin. "Why should I trust him to you? It is your fault this has happened." he demanded.

Guido had been worried about his young friend and when he had heard about the attack, he had tracked the young agent down. "My fault?" he asked.

"It is your drugs and guns on streets. Eneas was working for you and that is why Vin got hurt," he scowled as he stepped closer to Fabrizio.

Two of Guido's guards stepped forward at the same time, but Fabrizio waved them off and re-focused on the defiant priest; he liked him. "I do not know this Eneas you speak of, nor do I any longer deal in drugs or weapons. But if you say that someone is dealing under my name, I will find them and deal with it. I promise you. But at the moment our young friend could be bleeding to death."

"G-Guido?" Vin struggled to get up.

Concerned, both the priest and Guido moved quickly do his side.

"Vin, Fabrizio wants to take you with him. If I let this happen, you know what people will think?" Father Chavez argued. "They will believe the lie."

Holding tightly to his side, Vin used the two men to push himself to his knees. "T-they already--do," He paused to catch his breath, "I can't change-- what they believe-- I can-- find out who did this and why."

Searching Vin's eyes, the priest sighed and nodded to Guido. "You trust this man?"

"With my life, Father." Vin vowed.

"I hope your faith is not misplaced, Vin. Go with God my friend, and I hope you find the answers you seek," He said making the sign of the cross before gently touching the wounded man's shoulder. Slipping a glance at Fabrizio, he frowned. "You look after my friend and you put a stop to the blood on our streets. If not, may God never give you a night's peace."

Guido waved to his men to come and help Vin. "Father, I can never atone for my past, but I promise you this, I'd give my life before for this boy, and I'll do what I have to find out who is using my name to kill your streets," he pledged.

"Then God go with you." Father Chavez signed.

"Father?" Vin moaned as Guido's men tried to gently lift him up.

"What is it Vin?" The Father asked.

Vin couldn't believe he was going to ask. "If you-- see-- Chris-- tell him -- faith was all I asked."

"Faith, Vin?" The priest frowned.

"In --me." Vin whispered.

Part Twelve

Leaning heavily on Guido's bodyguards, Vin allowed himself to be lead out into the streets of Purgtorio. He could feel the eyes of its people boring into him as they watched him leave with a man none of them understood.

Leading the way, Guido glanced back, concerned by the pale features of his young friend, "Vincenzo?"

Suddenly attacked from behind, Vin closed his eyes as a small voice yelled at him, "YOU PROMISED! I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU. YOU PROMISED!" He heard Lora sob behind him as her small fists flailed at his back. Faltering, Vin's chin quivered as he restrained himself and without looking back allowed himself to be led away.

"I'm alright," Vin nodded, "Just get me outta here Guido-- please," he pleaded as he struggled to control his emotions.

Opening the door to his converted Lincoln, Guido helped Roberto make Vin comfortable, "Tito, call Doctor Hanson. Have him met us at the compound."

"I'll call him, Mr. Fabrizio," Roberto offered as he pulled out his mobile phone.

More concerned with Vin than who made the phone call, Guido nodded as he waved him his man off. "Whatever," then remembering what Father Chavez had told him, he called after his bodyguard. "Roberto, call my son and tell Mario I would meet with him in an hour." the old man ordered.

"As you wish, sir." Roberto answered as he closed the door.

Guido turned his attention back to Vin, watching as the young man looked sadly out the window at the little girl who was now being held in her mother's arms.

"I'm sorry Vincenzo. I know that hurt. She does not understand. She is only a child." Guido offered his sympathy.

"And them," he barely nodded as his fell back against the leather head rest. "what's their excuse? Why are they so quick to believe? I grew up here Guido. I thought they knew me."

"Is it those out there that worry you, or is it your team, and what they believe that stabs at your heart?"

"Aw hell, Guido, I expected them, of all people--,"

"What, to be perfect? Infallible to the insecurities that makes us human?" he disputed as he pulled a clean cloth from his pocket. Grimacing, he pulled Vin's hand away and pressed the cloth on to the bloody hole in the young man's side. "Vincenzo, they are your friends. What you see as their lack of faith could just be another way for them to show you that they are worried for you."

Hissing as Guido applied pressure on his wound, Vin closed his eyes. "Gotta a funny way of showin' it." he sighed.

Guido smiled. "Families are like that."

Michaels was enjoying the power of being able to rifle Tanner's desk, while Standish and Wilmington could nothing but watch. Larabee getting him kicked out, was the best thing that ever happened to him. Internal affairs was the perfect place for him. Everyone feared him, even when they had nothing to hide they feared IA. It was just were he belonged.

"So Wilmington, I noticed you weren't to eager to jump on the bandwagon and go rushing to your fallen team mate's side. A little conflict in the squad is there?" Micheals harassed as he continued his search.

Ezra watched as Buck's eyes darkened. He swore he even saw the hairs on Wilmington's mustache rise as he glared at the self absorbed IA agent, but he said nothing.

"Do either of you know anything about these? " Davis asked as he stepped forward to show them the envelope and pictures of Vin with Fabrizio to the two agents.

Ezra noted the envelopes inner memo stamp and knew that it had only come from their office, but none of them had been taking photos that day. "I do not, nor do I believe that they came from our office. Mr Wilmington?" Ezra asked as he passed the pictures on.

Buck flinched when he saw the photos, a action that had not gone unnoticed. Shaking his head, Wilmington passed them back. "Nothin' to do with us."

"That is your group's inner memo stamp is it not?" Davis pushed, as he pointed out the insignia on the envelope.

"Has our Mr. Tanner seen these?" Ezra asked, ignoring agent Davis' question.

"Yes he has," Micheals smirked. "and I must say he wasn't too happy that one of his so called friends, thought so little of him. Was it you Wilmington? I mean he's a dirty cop. There is no disgrace in owing up to wanting to get rid of a rotten apple."

That was all Buck could stand. "Why you contemptuous little weasel!!" Buck flew at Michaels, grabbing him by the shirt and shoving him hard against the wall. "Vin Tanner is ten times the man you'll ever be, and I would trust him with my life. I wouldn't trust you to walk my dog's fleas, you little pissant!"

"AGENT WILMINGTON! Put my agent down!" Davis ordered.

Letting Michaels slide down the wall, Buck leaned into the terrified man's face. "Don't get in my face again Michaels!" he warned as he let the man go.

"Did you see that?" Michaels whined as he straightened his jacket. "I want charges--"

"You'll get nothing," Davis ordered.

"But, you saw,"

"I saw nothing." Davis snarled for silence before turning his attention back to Buck, "I don't condone your actions Agent Wilmington, but this man would try the patience of a saint." he sighed. "Look I have a job to do, if that means bringing your friend down, make no mistakes, I will do it. But if there is something else going on here, unlike my little 'gonad' there, I want to find out that too. Now, if you say none of you sent these pictures, I suggest you find out who had access and let me know. Fair enough?"

Ezra stepped forward to shake agent Davis' hand. "Indeed sir, more than equitable. I believe that at the end of this ordeal, you will find *our* friend, " he glanced at Buck, "to be the most virtuous and indeed the finest man to have watching your back."

"I hope you're right agent Standish-- I hope you're right." he said as he walked back to have a word with his speechless partner. "You're right," Buck agreed, "Sometimes I just need to be reminded." Moving closer to Ezra, Buck whispered behind his hand. "Can't believe I have that little ass-crack to thank for joltin' my senses."

"Well, Mr. Wilmington, sometimes it takes a dead piece of lumber to get through to that dense gray matter, you call a brain," Ezra joked. "and 'agent' Michaels is a dead as they come. Now I suggest we take agent Davis' advice and attempt to help clear our friend of this unfortunate situation he finds himself in."

"I still want an explanation from Vin." Buck added.

"And if Mr. Tanner is willing to give us his side of the story," Ezra agreed, "we shall listen, and if he is not, it will not change my conception of him. We are still a team."

"Well team mate," Buck said swinging arm over Ezra's shoulder, "Let's go and ask a few questions around the office. I'll take the women."

"Of course, you will," Ez smiled, "but adhere to business, Mr. Wilmington."

Part Thirteen

The four men made their way into Vin's apartment building, full aware that they were under the gaze of many uneasy eyes.

"Can you feel it?" JD asked as his eyes darted around nervously.

"Feel what, JD?" Nathan asked.

Moving closer to his three friends, JD continued to scan the area, looking back at their vehicle as he wondered if it would be still here when they got out. "The hate. They don't want us here."

"It is not hate, son," Josiah offered, "It is mistrust."

"Yeah, seems to be a lot of that goin' around lately." Chris chided himself with his observation.

Looking around the graffiti covered entry, Chris moved quickly to the elevator.

"Chris!" Nathan drew the leader's attention to the blood that painted a trail down the wall. Stooping to touch the drops that flecked the floor, he stood pulling out a handkerchief and wiping his hand. "It's fresh."

"Doesn't mean anything, does it Chris?" JD asked concerned at the coincidence. "I mean, it could be anybody's, right?"

"But it's not I'm afraid."

The four men turned to find Father Chavez walking toward them. "I was going to call you, but I had a feeling I would not have to."

Having been introduced to the priest on more than one occasion, Chris walked up to shake the priest's offered hand. "Father, are you saying this is Vin's blood?" he asked ignoring the formalities of conversation. "What happened?" he asked more urgently.

Spreading his arms with his hands palms up, the priest sighed. "This place is a small world, Chris. These people are forced to exist here, and that is all it is, an existence. So, when someone appears to threaten someone in this *small* world, the punishment is usually swift and harsh, and I'm afraid sometimes without justification. The boys that attacked Vin, did so out of misguided revenge and frustration. They wrongly believed that he had something to do with the death of their friend, Eneas Lopez."

Chris ignored all the other questions and the rage he felt at himself and at the boys who had perpetrated the act, to get to the most important issue, Vin's life. "How bad was he hurt?"

"I cannot be sure," Father Chavez answered sadly. He remembered Vin telling him about his friend Nathan's knowledge of medicine, so he turned his attention to him. "There was blood here, Nathan" he gestured to the his left side of abdomen, "and here," he continued touching the back of his head."

"Well, Nathan?" Chris asked too sharply. Feeling Josiah's restraining hand on his should, Chris took a deep breath, "Sorry, Nathan, what do you think?" he asked more calmly.

Nathan ignored Chris's outburst, realizing he was just concerned for Vin's welfare, as he was himself. Things seemed to be going from bad to worse for their friend. "Can't be sure. Was there much blood?" he asked the priest.

"What is too much blood?" the priest shrugged, "There was enough that I wanted to get him to a hospital, if that helps."

"So where did you send him?" Chris asked impatiently.

The priest had been dreading relating this piece of information. "I didn't. Vin chose to put his faith in another's hands."

There was that word again. Chris felt the word branding him, accusing him of him of his crime; the basis of any friendship; trust.

"What do you mean Father?" Josiah asked before Chris could speak.

"Guido Fabrizio arrived. Vin left with him, Chris."

Chris suddenly became animated, "And you let him go! This is all Fabrizio's fault. Everything that has happened is because of that man and you let him take Vin!"

"Brother, please don't," Josiah gently admonished his friend.

Father Chavez looked sympathetically at the four men's anguish, "It is all right Josiah. No one shoulders the blame completely, Chris, and we can't always let others shoulder our own guilt."

Chris flinched under the priest's words. He knew the priest wasn't talking directly to him, but his words hit home to Larabee all the same.

"Guido said he would protect Vin with his life. I believe him," Father Chavez added.

"He'd better," Chris vowed.

"What do we do now, Chris?" Nathan asked. "Vin needs medical attention, as well as a big damn." Glancing at the priest, Nathan apologized, "pardon me father, spade to get him out of this hole he has found himself in."

"We have no choice, " Chris said, running his hand through his hair. " We will have to see if Guido will allow us an audience. If Guido is clean, then something stinks and he and Vin are caught right in the middle of this." Returning his attention back to Father Chavez, Chris held out his hand, "Sorry Father if I said anything to offend you. I was worried about Vin." "Please, I understand," the priest acknowledged, cupping this hands around Chris' hand. "Vin wanted me to give you a message if I saw you. He said 'faith was all I asked--faith in me'."

Shaking the father's hand again, Chris nodded at acknowledging the words. "He has it Father. I just hope it's not too late."

The priest smiled. "It is never too late for faith. Is it Josiah?"

"Amen Father." Josiah agreed.

Part Fourteen

As the Lincoln drove through the guarded gates of the Fabrizio compound, Guido couldn't help but notice the increase of fire power now protecting his estates entryway.

Leaning forward in attempt to not disturb his exhausted friend, Guido lowered his voice to Roberto, "Who ordered this?"

Twisting around, Roberto looked at his boss. "Mario felt it was necessary, sir." he answered before turning his back to Guido.

Guido frowned as he face clouded over, "Since when does my son give the orders in *my* house?" his voice rising at his son's affront.

"G-Guido?" Vin stirred at the change of his friend's tone. Moving without thought, the sharpshooter hissed as attempted to sit up. "W-What's wrong?" he asked through clenched teeth.

Concerned at the pale features of his young friend, Guido tapped Vin's arm lightly. "Nothing Vincenzo. Nothing for you to worry about." "S-somethin's wrong." Vin pressed, his blues searching his friend's face for answers

"You bet there is something wrong," Guido agreed as the car pulled to a stop at the front door. "I have a young friend who refuses to stay still."

"G-Guido," Vin attempted a stern look. He always knew when his friend was dodging an issue with him. "If I am a problem--"

"My only problem, Vincenzo is with you. You don't know when to keep quiet." he lightheartedly bantered. "Roberto, take Vincenzo inside. I have a phone call to make." he ordered.

"I can do it," Vin protested as he weakly struggled against the hands that tried to help ease him from the car. Barely able to make his legs move and left breathless with the effort of trying, the sharpshooter eventually gave in and allowed Roberto to help him.

Permitting himself to be supported into the house, Vin continued to hold the now soaked cloth to his wound. Once they appeared to be out of Guido's vision, the moderate handling he had been receiving from Robert suddenly changed, "Move your ass Tanner." Roberto growled as he pulled at Vin's arm that was hooked around his neck .

Roberto's action pulled at Vin's side, illiciting a curse from the injured man, as he tried to pull himself away from the callous provocation.

Stopping suddenly, Roberto pushed Vin away, only to grab him by the shirt collar with one hand as the other hand pressed on his wound. "I'd sooner kill you here and now cop, but I have my orders. So pick up your damn feet up, or I'll shoot 'em off." He snarled.

"Thank you." Guido said as pressed the button on the mobile. Stepping from the car, Frabrizio quickly scanned around the compound and was more than surprised not to see Doctor Hanson's car parked anywhere nearby.

Rushing into the house, Guido took of his coat and passed it to Tito. "Where did Roberto take Vincenzo?" He asked his valet.

"The sitting room I believe, Mr. Fabrizio." Tito asnwered.

"And Doctor Hanson?"

Tito appeared puzzled, "Doctor Hanson, sir?"

Pacing the vast foyer of the house, an edge of impatience crept into Guido's voice. "I called for Doctor Hanson to meet us here, you're telling me he hasn't arrived?"

"No sir, he has not. Should I call him and find out what is keeping him sir?" Tito asked.

"Yes Tito, call him and ask him to--,"

"No Tito. I don't think so." Mario said as he entered the room gun in hand.

Part Fifteen

Guido stared down the barrel of the gun that was pointed at him with such deadly intent by his own son. "Mario! What the hell do you think you are doing?!" he demanded of his only child.

Mario eyed his father with contempt, "I am doing what I should have done years ago, Papa. I am giving the Fabrizio name back its honor."

'This is how you define honor, by betraying you father; by betraying your family?!" Guido challenged, his voice full of bitterness.

"You are the traitor Papa." Mario retaliated. "You who gave up the life you were born too, giving me no choice but to become a nobody. Well, I am not a nobody anymore. *I am Mr. Mario Fabrizrio*."

"Well, *Mr. Mario Fabrizio*, waving a gun in your father's face does not make you a man. It makes you stupid." Exasperated with his son, Guido walked past Mario pushing his gun hand out of his way. "Where is Vincenzio?" he demanded as he ignored his son's threat.

Mario glared at his father as an embittered laugh escaped. "Oh yes, let us not forget the precious Mr. Tanner; the son you wish you had."

"Is that what you think?" Guido asked shaking head as he made his way toward the sitting room.

"It doesn't matter what I think anymore. There is no turning back for me now."

Guido's heart sank as he took in the seriousness of his son's words and actions. "What are you going to do, Mario?" he asked, stopping to turn to look with despair at his son.

"I will do what I have to do Papa," Mario answered, for the first time unable to meet his father's gaze. "and *I will* finish this."

"Mario please. I know some of what you have done; we can fix it." Guido pleaded, trying to bring his son to his senses. His first phone call had been more than luminous on his son's supposed activities. Guido still had some old contacts in the underworld and Johnny Martino had been more than honest about his son's underhand dealings. The ex-mobster was stunned, that in his rush to be a civil, legit business man, he had missed the signs if his son's yearnings to follow in his former footsteps. The streets were awash with drugs and blood and again it was attached to Guido Fabrizio's name.

"You can fix murder Papa?" Mario snorted as he irritably pinched at his nose. "No, I told you I can't go back. More to the point, I don't want to. Shall we go and visit my little *brother*?"

"Please Mario, I don't know what you are going to do, but please leave Vincenzio out this. This is our problem; it's family." Guido entreated his son.

Prodding his father with his weapon, they continued to walk to the sitting room. "But you see, I can't leave him out of it Papa. Tanner was my motivation. He made me see just how little I meant to you. He has to be rewarded for that alone."

Part Sixteen

Guido entered the sitting room and was some what relieved to find Armanno standing over a pale and sweating, but alive agent. Making eye contact, the older man was grateful that his young friend made no attempt at movement. Whether it was the threat of Gasale's gun aimed at him or the weakness from his injuries, Guido wasn't unsure; either way his stillness worried him. "Your father would be ashamed at your treachery!" Guido said bitterly as he shot his late friend's son a scorching look.

"My father would say 'business is business' just like you taught him, Mr. Fabrizio," Armanno disputed with a smile. "After all, it's nothing personal."

"I see, business." the older man nodded his understanding as he looked from Armanno back to his son, "For you, your motivations are money and prestige. For my son, well, his rationalism is revenge in perception of some wrong I have done him; both are very poor excuses for the murder of an innocent young man."

If Mario was surprised that his father had found out about Eneas Lopez's death, his face didn't show it. If anything, he seemed more antagonized with his father's pious attitude. "You have done the same, and worse," the younger Fabrizio spat back as he began to circle his father. "So don't give me that 'holier than thou' crap, Papa. Anyway, Lopez was dispensable." "Eneas was a friend of mine." Vin glared at Mario's casual banter.

"Why do you think he's dead?" Mario smiled. "Thought that might get the peanut gallery to speak up." Sniffing, the self-satisfied man shrugged. "So I had Lopez killed; he was no loss, but he did help me add doubt on your already dubious reputation. I hear your friends fled your sinking ship at break neck speed; shame about that." he gloated.

Vin wanted to jumped up and pound his fists into Mario's face, but lack of energy and concern for Guido stopped him from making a move.

"Enough Mario." Guido sighed as he suddenly felt very old. "What do you want?" he asked.

Sniffing, Mario pointed to the living room table. "I have papers. You will sign them. Armanno and Roberto will witness them."

Stepping to the table, Guido wearily picked up the papers and scanned them for their contents. An incredulous look passed over the old man's face as he read the documents before a bitter laughter passed his lips as he waved the papers at his son. "This gives you power of attorney over everything I own. You think that I will sign this?"

"I don't see where you have much choice, old man," Mario gloated.

"Why should I do this?" Guido asked, his voice rising. "Why should I allow you to add misery to the Fabrizio name?"

"Because if you don't, " he said with a fanatical gleam at Vin, "your friend, who I might say is not looking to well, is going to be feeling a whole lot worse."

Part Seventeen

"Damn convenient for Wilmington and Standish to find this-- 'Ms Walters'," Michaels' eyes narrowed with contempt as he read the statement from the folder that his senior partner had just handed him. "But I don't see how it helps Tanner anyway."

"You wouldn't," Davis murmured with a slight shake of his head. "The point "Eliot Ness' is that, that records officer, Ms Walters, was working for one Armanno Gazales, who in turn works for the Fabrizio family. She used the team's surveillance photos and inner correspondence to let us now of Tanner's meeting with the old man."

Michaels appeared to ignore his partner's snide remark, but he had already added Davis to the people he was going to make pay for underestimating him. "So," he sniff arrogantly, "It just makes our case all the more powerful on Tanner."

Davis stopped and spun around to face his subordinate, "Listen here Junior and note I will not repeat myself again. This is not your own personal inquisition and if you can't separate yourself from it, I will give you the job of counting how many men use the office lavatory. You will garner the facts and find the truth and only the truth. Do I make myself clear?" he scowled at his flinching partner.

"Yes Sir," Michaels answered as he glanced up and down the hallway, checking for any eavesdroppers. "You asked me to look at the truth; I'm looking. Tanner was meeting with a well-known crime boss and no matter how we got the photos, the proof is right there in black and white," he said confidently

"And If you can use the feeble minded brain of yours for some arithmetic, you'd see that something doesn't add up here. For a start if Tanner was working for Fabrizio, the old man would do anything to protect his man on the inside and he would not have had the photos sent to us; not only do they incriminate Tanner, they incriminate the old man himself." Davis argued. "No, someone has gone to a lot of trouble to set up not only Vin Tanner, but the old man as well. Fabrizio has been playing by the rules for fifteen years now. He has become quite wealthy towing the legal line. I don't see him rocking the boat at his age."

"Well, what about the initial investigation that started all this?" Michaels asked indignantly

"Your I.A. remember Michaels? That doesn't come with our territory, so stay in your own backyard."

Their conversation was interrupted with the ringing of Davis' mobile phone. He was pleased to hear David from ballistics on the other end of the line. The agent had been waiting for the results on Eneas Lopez. "Yeah, Dave. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Uhuh," Davis nodded somewhat relieved, "I was hoping on this one. Can you send the report over to my office? Thanks again, I owe you a beer."

"Well, does the junior partner get to know the results, or does he just go and make himself comfortable beside the men's room door?" Michaels asked sarcastically.

Ignoring Michaels' caustic remark, Davis answered watching the man's face as he revealed what he learned, "That was ballistics--it would seem that Agent Tanner has been cleared of any guilt in the Lopez shooting. Coupled with his clean record and nothing more than the photos, we haven't much to go after him with. Disappointed?"

A spasm crossed over Michaels' face as his brow furrowed. "I still believe that there needs to be a thorough investigation into Tanner and his relationship with Fabrizio."

"Well, that isn't up to you. Tanner has not been, and is not under arrest. He will still have to be interviewed, but as it stands he does not have much to answer for."

"That bodes to question. Why did he run, if has nothing to hide?"

"Maybe for the same reason we were chasing him, because he wants to find the truth."

Part Eighteen

Being a valet for the family since his early twenties, Tito was loyal to only one man and that man was Guido Fabrizio. Watching the younger Fabrizio growing up, the valet saw a troubled child and noticed he had grown into a harsh and unforgiving young man. Now that menace that he had seen maturing all these years had exploded in a blast of greed and power.

After Mario had taken Guido into the other room, the valet seemed to have been forgotten. He tried to stay unobtrusive as possible as he tried to form an opinion on who he could trust. It hadn't taken him long to find out that all the men seemed to be taking their orders from the younger Fabrizio now, and he was not going to get any help to save Guido from them. Fearing for his boss and friend, Tito made his way to his room and the mobile that he kept there.

Checking the hallway, Tito carefully crept down the corridor to his room. Frowning, he tried to open and close the door as quietly as possible. Hurrying to his bedside draw, he silently thanked Guido for the Christmas present of the mobile. He never liked the silly things himself, but he could see now that they had their uses after all.

Dialing the emergency number, he paced the length of his bed as he waited for an answer. Thankful when he heard a voice on the other end, Tito stopped his apprehensive movements and began to explain his problem to the officer in a hush whisper.

With his back to his bedroom door Tito was oblivious to the door opening behind him.

"Yes," he whispered. "that' right, I believe that both men are in danger, please hurry," the valet pleaded

Mario stalked over to his father, his movements becoming more aggressive as he grabbed at Guido's shirt. "Damn it Papa, sign the damn papers." He was becoming more agitated at his father's unwillingness to give in to his ultimatum; more agitated and edgy as his body began to crave its usual buzz. Rubbing the back of his trembling hand under his nose, Mario's eyes narrowed as he released his father and walked back toward Vin.

Roughly pushing Armanno aside, Mario grabbed Vin by the hair, yanking his head back as he jammed the gun under the wounded man's chin. "Do it Papa, or I will let you watch as I blow Tanner's brains all over this room." he threatened.

Vin groaned as he held tight to his side as Mario's attack pulled at the stab wound in his side. "Sonofabitch!" the sharpshooter hissed as his blue eyes locked eyes with his captor. "Don't sign it Guido!" he dared the younger Fabrizio. "I'm going to enjoy killing you," Mario promised as he pulled harder on Vin's long hair. Ignoring the pain the young Fabrizio's attack caused on his already injured head, Vin smiled. "Yeh, I know ya are, that's why I told him not to sign it. Don't ya see, ya have nothing to bargin with. I know what ya goin' to do and so does Guido; he loses nothing in not signing. Whereas, ya lose eveythin', you'll have no money to pay for that shit that ya sniff up that snow lined nose of yours." Vin had recognized the symptoms of Mario's drug abuse almost straight away and knew that it not only made him dangerous to himself, but dangerous to his father.

Vin noted the brown eyes darken, as Mario pulled the pistol back and brought it hard across the side of his head. It seemed to be the final abuse his head was going to bear as spots danced in front of his eyes threatening send him into darkness.

Watching with some satisfaction as blood dripped down the side of the stunned agent's face, Mario turned a cold eye to his father, "That's right Papa, don't sign. You won't lose anything, but he will." The son's voice ascended to a murderous falsetto as he unlocked the safety on his Berretta.

"Shit!" Chris cursed as he threw the phone to the floor of the car in frustration.

"What?" Josiah asked, glancing from the rode as he drove them toward the Fabrizio compound.

Chris shook his head as he stared out the window, "It was the Captain," he sighed. "There was a 911 call from the compound. It seems that Mario is the germ behind all this shit." Pausing, Chris tried to keep his emotions under control as he thought of the rest of Ash's message. "Someone put a call out from the compound. It appears that Mario is holding Vin and his father at gunpoint."

"Damn!" Nathan swore from the back seat as he and JD moved closer to the front so they could hear it all. "So what does the captain want us to do? If old Fabrizio is no longer in control of the compound, they aren't going to open the gates and let us in."

"Buck and Ez are on there way with a warrant signed by the Judge and our equipment. The captain's words ' do what you have to do to eventuate the release of Agent Tanner."

"How did Ash sound?" Josiah asked.

"In a word 'pissed'. I ordered us back from the assignment and failed to give him a report. Then IA turned up investigating one of his agents. The said agent was found at a murder site and then preceded to go missing from the hospital. Now *his* agent is caught in the middle of a hostage situation. How do you think he sounds? One good thing though, it seems Davis is one of the good guys. I.A. still wants to talk to Vin, but Ash says that Vin is as good as off the hook with them, but I'm afraid not with our captain." Closing his eyes Chris let his head drop back against the seat. "How could I have been so stupid. I have handled this badly from the start. If I had just -- said the right things to Vin If--"

"We all have ifs in our lives Brother. You're not the only one who could of handled this situation with our friend better." Josiah knew that Chris was trying to blame himself when they all had to shoulder the blame equally. They all had in some way doubted their friend and it was time to make amends. The first step was going to be getting Vin out of the compound alive.

Part Nineteen

Chris had stood in anxious silence on the hill overlooking the compound. That he was so close to Vin and yet there was nothing he could do was tearing him apart.

"Where the hell are they?" Chris snapped as he paced the ground, his hands folded into white-knuckled fists. It was seemingly taking the others forever to get there even though in reality it had only been minutes since he had spoken to Buck.

"Patience brother. They will get here." Josiah tried to soothe his friends growing panic even though he was trying to quell the same fear inside himself.

Chris' head whipped around at the sound of the oncoming vehicle, "It's about time!" he fumed as he broke into a sprint toward the vehicle.

"What the hell took you so long? We haven't got time to be standin' around twiddling out God damn thumbs waiting for you." Chris glared into the driver's window at Buck.

"Damn it Chris, it wasn't my fault and gettin' angry at me isn't goin' to help Vin," Buck shot back as he flew from the truck to join Chris at the back as his friend began to start unloading and handing out the vests and weapons.

Chris knew he was being unfair, but he couldn't let go of his anger, not yet, not until he had Vin back. "I'm sorry Buck," he whispered. It was all he could manage as he concentrated on checking the weapons.

Nodding, Buck looked around for the rest of the team. His eyes came to rest on JD who stood looking over the compound. He walked over to the young agent, his hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

"Something bothering ya son?"

JD nodded toward the compound nervously, "A lot of men down there Buck. I mean there must be at least two of them, for each one of us."

Cocking his head to one side, Buck asked, "You suggestin' we leave Vin in there kid?"

JD, straightened, distressed that his friend would actually believe he thought that way. "Of course not Buck, you know better than to think that."

Buck patted the back of the young agent's back. "Hell, I do know that kid. I'm just glad for once you ain't flyin' down there with guns blazin', you're learnin'. And you're right about there bein' more of them than us, but you're gotta remember son, they're on a payroll that don't include medical benefits, or get out of jail free cards. They ain't gonna be stupid."

The young agent stole a quick glance at their leader, noting the grim determination on Chris' face. "What about Chris, Buck, what if Vin...??

"Don't even go there kid," Buck said shaking his head as he followed JD's line of sight to their friend. "We won't let that happen. Chris ain't never goin' to feel that way again." Buck promised. "I won't let that happen."

Part Twenty His head was killing him, Vin was past knowing which injury hurt the most. Each pain had flowed and melded into the other till his physical pain was indistinguishable from the pain in his heart. He had kept the darkness at bay for the moment, but he couldn't say for how long. His hand that held the bandage to his knife wound was slick with blood. He didn't think the injury it was too bad, the bleeding had slowed some, but the successive blows to his head worried him. He would be of no use to Guido if the blurred vision and dizziness continued, or got any worse.

He couldn't help himself and his mind drifted to Chris and the other five men that he had had the honor of calling friends. He wondered if Chris or the any of the others had come looking for him, or if they even cared anymore. He had been hurt, not by the accusations, he had been blamed for a lot worse, but that Chris had felt he had to ask. He hadn't had much time to think over the last short but incident full hours, but putting himself in Chris' shoes for a moment, Vin wondered would he have asked the same thing in the same situation?

He looked over at his friend Guido and realized that noone knew him like he did, so how could they be expected to understand the innocent friendship that had grown from a chance meeting of a mob boss and child.

Excuse me, Mr. Fabrizio, I think we have a problem." a voice called from the doorway.

All eyes turned to the entryway, Vin forgot everything and move to stand, but felt hard fingers embedding themselves in his shoulder as they pushed him back down to the seat.

"You've got you own problems," Roberto's voice whispered behind him.

Vin kept his sight on the scene in front of him as he shrugged out from under the henchman's grasp. "So have you. You're first on my list asshole." he vowed. "Tito!" the senior Fabrizio called as he saw his old friend standing in the doorway, blood flowing from his nose. Guido stepped forward to help his valet, but found himself blocked as Amanno stepped in his way.

"Sir, if you wouldn't mind." Amanno politely, but firmly, gestured with his gun for the older man not to step any further. Gasale knew the situation had gone way past the sublime to the ridiculous but he also knew there was no turning back now. If they actually pulled this insane stunt off, it wouldn't take long, with Mario strung out as much as he was, for him to turn the tables on the young Fabrizio and end up in control of everything. So he stood his ground; for now.

"So!" Mario scowled impatiently. His skin felt like it was alive as it itched and screamed at him to relieve its growing hunger. "What do you want?" he barked at the man at the doorway.

"Mario," the man explained as he pushed the bleeding valet into the room, "I caught Tito making a phone call. I believe he was in contact with the police at the time."

<Police?> Vin couldn't help hoping that meant that Chris and the others were on their way. <Wishful thinkin' Tanner. That bridge is well and truly burnt.>

"Mario?" the younger Fabrizio snarled as he stretched his neck and stalked toward the interruption. "It's MR. FABRIZIO to you. It will be me paying your wages from now on, so show some respect." he ranted.

"Sorry sir," The guard apologized. "What do you want me to do about Tito here, *Mr.Fabrizio, Sir* ?"

Just as quickly as he had angered, Mario's frowned disappeared to be replaced with an disturbing smile, "What to do about Tito," Mario sighed as he walked over to the valet and wrapped his arm tightly around the older man's neck pulling him in close. "What do you think we should about this Tito?" he whispered into the servant's ear. "I mean," he said looking toward his father, "what would the Great Guido have done to traitors back in the good ol' days hmmm?" Part Twenty One

"Gentlemen, if you would be so kind?" Ezra smiled as he pointed his weapon at the two surprised guards and gestured for them to drop their weapons.

Both men looked at each other and then at the polite vested stranger as if deciding not only where this man had come from, but what do they do now.

"So far you are just mere body guards, but if you are feeling the need to meet new and exciting friends in the comfort of the communal showers of our correctional facilities, please to pursue another train of thought," Ezra offered with a polite nod.

Both men dropped their weapons and radio as if they had burned them and put their hands behind their heads.

"Much obliged, gentlemen," the southerner acknowledged. Without taking his eyes off the two men, Ezra bent down to retrieve the arms before motioning the men toward the house.

Buck was making his way silently through the gardens when he was unexpectantly snagged by thorned creeper, its claw like spines entangling themselves into his clothes. "Oh just great!" Wilmington hissed to himself as he tried to pry the vine off himself. "All hell's about to break loose and I'm battlin' damn Triffids."

"Need some help there buddy?"

<Shit!> Buck cursed as he looked up to see one of the ground guards with his gun trained on him, an amused smile plastered on the man's face.

"Well, ya wouldn't happen to have a weed whacker in your back pocket, now would ya?" Buck joked.

The smile dropped away from the guard's face as he frowned at the intruder. "Why don't you just drop your weapon, disengage yourself from the plant life there, Jungle Jim and move yourself toward the house."

"Hey Biff, what do ya think I have been trying to do?" Buck replied as he dropped his gun and feigned complete helplessness to the broadly-built man.

"Jeez," the guard said in stunned disbelief. "What do those initials stand for?" He nodded to the ATF vest, "Awkward Total Fuckwits!" he chuckled as he stepped closer to help release the trapped man.

"Hell no," Buck disarmingly smiled as he suddenly freed himself and grabbed at the armed man. "It stands for Asshole Terminating Fubar-your-ass, Einstien." he grunted as he bent the guards wrist back until the weapon dropped from his fingers. Dodging a kick to his legs, Buck's right arm blocked an oncoming fist before he elbowed the startled man in the face, shattering the man's nose.

The guard dropped to his knees clasping his hands to his face, but he still didn't give up as he made a grab for his discarded weapon. Just as his fingers grasped the gun, his hand was crushed under the pressure of Buck's boot.

Stooping down, the breathless agent grabbed the guard by the shirt. "And the names not Jungle Jim asshole, its Buck, remember it!" he smiled as he slammed his fist into the man's face knocking him out.

Shaking his fist, Buck hissed as he picked up the weapons and started toward the house, this time dodging most of the plant life.

Having heard the pleasing chimes of two guard's heads banging together as he played cymbals with their bodies, Josiah was close to the house as he waited for the others to arrive.

Nathan was not so lucky as a bullet missed his head by inches. Spinning around, one of his knifes was flying through the air and embedded itself in the targets arm.

Hearing the shot, Chris knew it was now too late to be slow and cautious and ordered the team to move in.

Guido watched in despair as his son ceased to exist and instead a power mad monster took his place. Knowing he was probably looking at the last moments of Tito's life, Guido pushed past Armanno, shouting at Mario just as the sound of gunshot went off outside the house.

Vin took the chance, and using up the last of his energy, he leapt up from his seat. Spinning around, he drew back his arm and sent a fist into Roberto's throat. The stunned man didn't know what hit him as he dropped his weapon, clawing at his shattered throat as he tried to get air into his fractured larynx.

Armanno heard more shots outside and knew it was too late. "I'm sorry Mario, it's over," Gasale said as he cut his loses and ran past the stunned Mario as he attempted to make his escape.

"Damn you!" Mario yelled after him as he fired a bullet into the fleeing man's back, before turning back to the object at the center of his hatred. The sudden movement had cost Vin dearly and he fell to his knees grasping his hands to his now freely bleeding side. With the room spinning and his vision becoming more hazy, Vin was attempting to weakly push himself up from the floor and didn't see Mario fling Tito away from him and renew his aim at him.

Part Twenty Two

Guido was past thinking of anything, but saving his son from making the worst mistake of his life. Ignoring the sporadic sound of gunfire he kept calling to his son, hoping he would eventually see reason. It was a vain hope as the old man watched Mario shoot his friend and then as he tossed Tito aside, take aim at the struggling man on the floor.

With mobility faster than his years, Guido quickly covered ground and threw himself between Mario and the partially standing agent. It was a selfless and fatal action as Mario's bullet left his gun and impacted into Guido's chest. The force sent the old man reeling back against Vin, tossing both men like ragdolls to the floor.

"NO!!!!!!" Mario screamed. "No, no, NO! This isn't the way it's supposed to happen" he continued to yell at the helpless men. "This is your fault," he yelled at Vin, who was struggling to get out from under the barely breathing form. "You love my father so much," Mario gestured to his father. "Join him in Hell," he snarled as he reset his gun.

Giving into the inevitable, Vin gave into the darkness just as the sound of gunfire reached his ears.

Nurse Lancaster's patience were running thin; she had really had enough of these men. She had tried to get them to leave and give the patient some time alone, but was again ignored.

Cornering the doctor in charge of the patients case, she voiced her stream of complaints. "Doctor Sanders, not only do the six men inside Mr. Tanner's room refuse to leave the patient's side, but we are being accosted by all manner of undesirables wandering the halls waiting to see the patient." Nurse Lancaster's voice lowered at the latter part of her sentence as she nodded toward the three young men who waited on the chairs in the hallway.

"Are the young men causing any problems, other than sitting here peacefully in the hallway?" Doctor Sanders asked of three somber looking men.

"Well no," Nurse Lancaster begrudgingly admitted, "but its like the subway at peak hour here. It can't be good for the patient," she added.

"I for one am just glad to have the young man back in hospital where he belongs. If that means putting up with concerned and overly attentive friends so be it. From what I have heard about what this young man has been through, he needs a little TLC from *everyone*. Let me know if anyone causes a disturbance. Until then leave them all where they are," he instructed the nurse.

"As you wish doctor, " the nurse replied as she rushed off the locate the charge nurse too find out if she could change floors for a few shifts.

The doctor had to admit he hadn't seen a room like it. Six men sprawled in all different positions around the room. He figured they had to have backs made of steel to sleep in the chairs the way they did, but nothing would shift them. He noticed the one called Larabee was awake as usual. He couldn't help wondering if that man ever slept.

"How is he?"

How many times had one of the six asked him that? He had lost count, but he didn't mind and smiled at the depth of caring that it showed. "As I have said Mr--sorry, Chris, he is lucky he has a hard head." The doctor watched as the leader of this strange band of men reached out affectionately touch the Vin's exposed arm.

"No, we are,"

Doctor Sanders had found Chris to be a man of few words, but what he said had meaning and depth and though when pushed Larabee could scare the pants off him with his glares. The doctor couldn't help liking the man. "Nurse Lancaster was just asking me about your three friends out there," he nodded to the hallway. "I am taking your word that they are all right to stay here."

Chris frowned slightly at the mention of the boys. He knew how much effort it had taken for the boys to come to see him, admitting to what they had done to Vin that day. When Father Chavez explained Vin's innocence in everything and they had leaned the truth, they had come to see him, wanting to make amends for what they had done. At first Chris had wanted to kill them with his bare hands, but Josiah reasoned that the hurt that they themselves had caused their friend would scar far worse. "They're all right; I wouldn't let them stay here otherwise. They're here for the same reason we are; they care."

"And like us, they need to ask our friends forgiveness," Josiah spoke as he rearranged his lengthy frame.

Doctor Sanders looked around at the six men, slightly perplexed at the statement. "I don't understand, you look like you care for your friend a great deal."

"That we do, my good Doctor," Ezra joined in as he stood up and stretched, "but even family can err in judgment and cause pain and suffering to those they love."

"That they can and that we did Ezra," Nathan chimed in.

"Hell, we all know who really blew it," Buck frowned as he kicked the cahir JD was sleeping in, "Don't have to beat around the bush on my account,"

"Wha-? Vin? What?" JD suddenly came to life, "Buck!" he chastised when he realized what that Buck had done it again. "You're all very strange, you know that don't you?" the doctor smiled.

"Ya don't have to work with 'em," a weak voice spoke up from the bed.

Conclusion

As consciousness came back to Vin, the dull and indiscriminate noises clarified until the recognizable voices of his friends became clear. He didn't know if it was the fear of finding out how much things had changed, or the fear of the hell he would be waking up to; but he stayed still. He listened as his friends battled each other to take the blame for their lack of faith, each voicing their apologies in their own particular way. He would've stayed quiet for a while longer, but the pounding in his head refused to give him any peace.

"You're all very strange, you know that don't you?" an unknown voice said.

"Ya don't have to work with 'em," Vin groaned as he opened his eyes, the glare of the hospital lights forcing him to shut them again.

The six men moved quickly to surrounded the bed, before the doctor moved to thin them out. "Gentleman, if you please. This time I am going have to insist that you wait outside while I check over your friend here." Noting the various frowns, Sanders smiled. "I'm sure your friend will be happier to see you after I have given him something for the 5.0 Richter scale size headache he will be experiencing."

With no disagreement coming from the sharpshooter, the team agreed and moved quietly from the room.

Checking his patient's vitals, Doctor Sanders smiled reassuring into the clear blue eyes of his patient. "Your friends are concerned for you,"

"Yeah, I reckon they are," Vin agreed, sucking in his breath as the doctor felt around his knife wound.

"Don't worry," the doctor said as he pulled the blanket back over his patient. "you lost some blood but the knife struck nothing vital, you're going to be up and around in no time. I'll just give you something for that headache,"

"Ain't got one," Vin lied.

"Sure," the doctor said, "if I got repeatedly hit over the head, it wouldn't have any effect on me either. Chris told me you would be stubborn about this."

"Larabee's got a big mouth," Vin huffed.

"Maybe, but he cares about you." Doctor Sanders replied as he looked down at his patient. "I can't make you take something if you refuse, but if it gets any worse let me know, okay?" Accepting the slight nod as agreement. "Look, I really wanted to give you some time alone. I don't know exactly what has gone on between you all, but if this is too much for you, I can have them banned from your room until you're more comfortable."

A small chuckle escaped as Vin pictured the scene, "You and what army?" The faint smile faded as he looked at the doorway, "No, it's okay Doc, we need to talk."

"Okay," Sanders said as he tapped at the bed and walked over to the door, "I'll send them in, but," he said stopping to pointing his patient, "take it easy and remember, call me if you need me."

"Okay, Doc." Vin agreed, before calling to the retreating physician, "Hey Doc, could ya send Chris in first?" "Sure, just remember what I said," he reminded Vin again as he left.

Waiting for Chris to come in, Vin closed his eyes hopeful that the pounding in his head would ease off. Visions of the last couple of days assaulted him. He could see Lora's wide trusting eyes as he promised to return her brother and the pain wracked body of that brother's last breaths. He remembered--Guido!

"Oh, Guido. I'm sorry," Vin whispered, knowing in his heart that his old friend was gone.

"I'm sorry about your friend, Vin. I know he meant a lot to you."

"He saved my life ya know," Vin explained, his voice hitching in his throat with emotion. "I owe him everythin'." Opening his eyes the sharpshooter took in for the first time the drawn and haunted look on his friends face. "Yer look terrible, ya better sit down before ya fall down," he nodded carefully to the chair.

Both men looked at each other, their silent communication speaking the words that the voice wouldn't speak.

"Vin,"

"No need to say it I reckon." Vin interrupted, knowing what Chris wanted to say.

Chris wasn't about to let himself off that easy, "I couldn't have handled it any worse." he chastised himself.

"Hell Cowboy, friendships are hard enough, with addin' extra guilt which don't need to be there. I should of explained about Guido instead of gettin' riled like I did. Guido--," he said getting a far away look on his face, "we knew one day my job and his old life would get in the way." Sighing he brought himself back to the present. "Mario?"

"Dead," Chris answered.

"Good," Vin grimaced as he moved in the bed.

Becoming concerned, Chris moved forward, "You did it again, didn't you?"

"What?" Vin widened in innocence.

"Yeah right." Chris smiled as he shook his head, "I'm going to get the doctor."

"Chris?" Vin called him to him as his friend moved toward the doorway, "What about I.A.? Michaels told me--,"

Chris' face clouded over at the mention of the agents name. "Michaels is wasted space and hasn't done himself any favors in how he handled your case. His partner has some plans for that *so called agent* that include a lot of paperwork and I doubt he will be allowed near a real case for a long time. As for you, we were a team of seven and I don't see how anything's changed, especially a stubborn sharpshooter who won't do what he is told and take his medicine."

"Aw Hell," Vin couldn't helping smiling, it felt good to be back.

Epilogue

Chris pushed gently at the door, taking a peek in. He smiled at seeing the sleeping sharpshooter in the hospital bed. Pressing his finger to his lips, he asked for silence as they crept into the room. Placing his gift on the chair beside the bed, he winked and moved back out of the room as quietly as he had come in.

Turning his head as he began to wake from his sleep, Vin was startled as he opened his eyes to see a set of brown eyes looking intently at him from the chair.

"Hello Mr. Vin."

The stunned sharpshooter pulled himself up to a sitting position as he looked around for the reason that his visitor would be sitting in the chair. Finding noone, he looked back at the small child that sat quietly a small bunch of flowers clasped tightly in her hand.

"Lora," His guilt threatened to overwhelm him as he remembered the last time he saw the child and the pain he had caused her. "how'd ya get here?"

"Mr. Chris brought me," she explained. "He said I was a surprise. Were you surprised?"