Chris Larabee sat on the deck of the fifty-foot sailboat. If the azure blue skies and the remarkably warm sun were any indication of what the next few days would bring they were in for a pleasant journey.

The sailboat belonged to Josiah Sanchez’s friend and he’d been asked to deliver it to the island of Fiji. Josiah was adept at sailing, and surprisingly so was JD Dunne.

Josiah asked the other six members of The Firm to join him for a five-day outing and they’d readily agreed. They’d just come off a terrifying case that involved kidnapping, prostitution, and murder.

Orrin Travis, director and owner of The Firm jumped at the idea of his men getting some much-needed rest. He told them to take an extra week and enjoy the tiny island and each man looked forward to it.

Chris watched Nathan Jackson as he boarded the large sailboat. The man seemed to stagger as he walked towards the cabin. “What’s the matter, Nate,” Chris asked with a grin.

“Don’t ask,” Nathan groaned as he made his way downstairs.

“What’s wrong with Nathan?” Vin Tanner inquired as he walked up to Chris.

“I don’t think Nathan’s much of a seagoing person. He’s already unsteady and we haven’t even left the dock,” Chris laughed.

“Hope he settles down or this could be the longest five days of his life,” Vin smiled at his friend.

“Hope he remembered to bring some Dramamine for himself.”

“Are you two talking about Nathan?” Buck Wilmington asked as he joined his two friends.

“Yeah, don’t think I’ve ever seen him looking so green and we haven’t even cast off,” Chris said.

“Poor guy, I feel kinda sorry for him,” Buck told them.

“What’s the old saying? Physician heal thyself,” Ezra Standish quipped as he joined the others. He overheard most of the conversation as he walked towards them.

“That’s not nice, Ezra,” Chris scolded, but couldn’t suppress the smile broadening his handsome face.

“Looks like all hands on board,” JD called from the port side of the boat.

“Well then let’s get outta here,” Josiah called a happy grin splitting his face. “Cast off port and aft lines, hoist the mainsails.”

“Oh, God, I think we’re on the Bounty,” Buck Wilmington said, causing laughter to erupt from all present except Nathan who remained below.

“Now, brother Buck, If I’m to be Captain Bligh then you’d better stay on my good side,” Josiah chuckled.

“Aye, aye, Captain Bligh,” Buck laughed again.

Chris sat back and listened to the happy conversation around him. Two weeks ago his men were demoralized and suffered a few minor injuries. Now they were laughing and carrying on and getting past the hardship they endured. He smiled as he watched the others casting off the lines. He was prevented from helping them by the blue fibreglass cast covering his right arm from his wrist to his shoulder. Another reminder of just how close he came to losing it during the last case. The arm was broken just above the elbow and required surgery to fix the protruding bone.

He watched Vin Tanner as he cast off the aft lines. The cut on his head was completely healed and would only leave a tiny scar. He wondered what would have happened if Vin hadn’t stepped in front of the bullet meant for him. They were brothers in every sense of the word now. Their blood mingled when his broken elbow touched Vin’s head wound. Both men were unconscious at the time and remained so after being rescued by the other five members of the group.

His mind replayed the fight that led to his broken arm. He’d watched Vin crumple to the floor as the bullet grazed his head. Manny Templeton, a six foot four inch gorilla of a man, immediately dropped the empty revolver and picked up a two-foot length of two by four. He swung the board at Chris’s head and the blond instinctively lifted his right arm to protect his head. The board connected resoundingly with his arm, just above the elbow and he cried out as he heard and felt the sickening sound of the bone breaking. He felt blood running down his useless arm as he fell beside his friend.

“Hey, Pard, what’s got you looking so serious?”

Chris shook his head at the memory, “Sorry, Buck, just thinking.”

“Don’t do too much of that, Stud, you could hurt yourself.”

“Very funny, Buck,” Chris laughed and stood up. He walked to the Bow of the boat and watched as the docks faded in the distance. He knew the sails were not the only method to drive this boat. Josiah showed them all the heavy-duty engine buried beneath what was supposed to be the forward storage compartment.

“Come on, Chris, lighten up. We’re supposed to be on vacation, you know?”

“I know, Buck, I just keep picturing the bullet striking Vin’s head. He saved my life, Buck, and almost lost his own.”

“But he didn’t and you’re both alive now because he did it. You know, Chris, you really have to get past it or it’s gonna keep eating at you. Are you allowed to have a drink yet?”

“Haven’t taken any painkillers in a few days so yeah a drink would be great. A nice cold brew would go down well right now.”

“Be right back, Pard. Now get rid of that long face and that’s an order, sailor,” Wilmington laughed as he walked away.

“How’s the arm, Chris?”

The blond turned at the sound of the medic’s voice. He was struck by the man’s drawn features. “I’d say my arm’s not bothering me as much as your stomach’s bothering you. Damn, Nathan, why didn’t you say something?”

“What was I to say, Chris? I can’t go ‘cause I get seasick. There’s no way I’m letting the six of you sail this boat on the ocean without some kind of medical care at hand,” Jackson said as he leaned on the railing.

“Nathan, from the looks of you, you’re the one who needs medical care on this trip,” Chris grinned at the medic.

“It shouldn’t take long for the seasick medication to take effect. I would have started taking it yesterday, but they had to order it in specially for me.”

“How long before you start to feel human again?” Chris asked.

“Shouldn’t be too bad by tomorrow. Now answer my question.”

“It’s not so bad,” Chris lied.

“You taking the pain meds?”

“Here’s your beer, Chris,” Wilmington called as he joined the two at the bow of the boat.

“Beer! Forget it Chris. You’re not drinking beer while taking those painkillers,” Nathan snapped.

“Haven’t taken any painkillers since I left the hospital,” Chris told the medic.

“Are you telling me you’ve been putting up with the pain from that arm and not taking the painkillers the doctor ordered? Why are you always so pig headed, Chris?” Jackson yelled.

“Hey, easy, Nathan, what’s going on?” Vin asked as he joined the three men.

“I suppose you think it’s fine for him to do things without anyone’s help?” Nathan berated and headed back to the cabin.

“What the hell did I do?” Vin asked.

“Not you, Vin. Chris hasn’t been taking his painkillers,” Wilmington answered.

“Is that all? Nathan should be used to Chris by now,” Tanner grinned as he took the unopened beer from Larabee’s hand.

“You’re a fine one to talk, Vin-I’m-fine-Tanner,” Chris quipped as he swiped the beer back and took a long pull on it.

“Well, Chris, fact is I am fine,” Tanner laughed.

“No more headaches?” Chris asked, turning serious again.

“None, Cowboy, everything’s fine. Think I’ll go grab a beer. JD and Josiah have the first shift so they won’t be drinking today. Think Josiah will let me sail her?”

“Not a chance, Pard, not a chance,” Buck laughed as the younger man walked away. He stood beside Chris and watched for any sign of the melancholy mood to return. He was glad to see a smile spread across his friends face. “You sure your arm’s ok?”

“Wish you guys would stop asking me that. Hell it’s been in a cast for two weeks. I haven’t tried to do anything with it and that includes wiping my nose. Damn, Buck, I’m fine.”

“Sure you are. It seems to me that Vin is not the only one with that particular middle name.”

“What are you talking about, Buck?”

“You know Chris-I’m- Fine- Larabee.”

Chris’s eyes turned dark as he glared at his friend. Just as suddenly his face lit up in a grin and he started to laugh. “Thanks for the reminder, Buck,” he chuckled.

“Nathan’s pretty ticked at you, Stud,” Buck told him.

“I know. I guess I’ll have to find some way to make it up to him,” the blond said as he looked at the beer in his hand. Suddenly he didn’t feel so thirsty and he dumped the contents into a tiny bucket. His eyes misted as he remembered the numerous times Nathan Jackson helped them all overcome an illness or injury. “I wonder if he’ll accept my apology?”

“You know he will, Pard, Nathan’s just being Nathan. You know that. Hell, he worries if one of us gets a splinter.”

“That’s true, Buck,” Chris laughed and turned his attention back to the sea, the sky, and the pleasure he sought in the company of his friends.

 

Three days of warm, sunny skies, and calm seas had done the job and the men were relaxed and enjoying themselves.

Chris apologized to Nathan for not heeding his words and finally admitted that his arm still bothered him. He’d declined anything to drink since the admission wanting to show the medic that he did care what the man thought and that he trusted him as well.

Chris watched as Vin steered the sailboat, the wind had picked up earlier in the day and some minor whitecaps were in evidence. He could sense something was bothering the younger man and wanted to know what it was. He placed his arm back in the sling, stood up and walked over to his friend.

“Is there a problem, Cowboy?” Chris asked.

“Not sure, Chris,” Tanner answered softly.

“Uhoh, I hate those words. What are you feeling?”

“The wind’s picking up mighty fast and those clouds on the horizon are not the same puffy white ones we’ve been seeing.”

“Storm?”

“I think so and a big one.”

“Should I wake Josiah?” Sanchez and Dunne had gone to bed so they’d be rested for the night sailing shift.

“I think that’s a good idea. This things gonna be one helluva blow, Cowboy, and it’s gaining on us fast,” Tanner explained as the wind gusted across the bow.

“Be right back,” Chris assured him and hurried towards the cabin to wake Sanchez. He stepped into the darkened interior and gently shook the older man’s shoulder. “Josiah,” he called softly.

“Huh, Chris, what’s wrong?” Sanchez asked, quickly coming to his feet and rubbing his sleep-swollen eyes.

“Vin thinks there’s a storm coming,” the blond informed him.

“I’ll be right there,” Sanchez said.

“What’s going on?” Jackson asked from his bunk. The seasick medication continued to make him drowsy even though he’d cut the amount he was taking in half.

“Storm coming,” Sanchez said as he watched Chris make his way topside.

“Oh, God, that’s just what I need,” Jackson said as his stomach rebelled at the thought of stormy seas.

“Stay here, Brother Nathan, we’ll handle things up top.”

“Thanks, Josiah,” Nathan said as he lay back down. “Oh, make sure Chris doesn’t use his arm.”

“Have no fear, Brother, Chris will not be allowed to lift a finger of his injured arm,” Sanchez assured the medic before hurrying topside.

 

 

“Make sure the sails are tied down securely,” Sanchez yelled over the gale force winds. The six men had each dawned bright yellow slickers as the first of the rains began to fall. Nathan Jackson remained below unable to move as the storm caused his seasick stomach to heave its contents.

Of the five men topside, one stood on his own unable to help with bringing the sails down. He helped as much as he could, passing ropes, holding the sails in place with his good arm, while the other throbbed painfully.

“Maybe you should go below, Chris,” Vin shouted in order to be heard over the storm.

“I think that would be a wise course, Mr. Larabee,” Standish yelled.

“I’m alright!” Larabee answered. He continued to hold the sail in place as Tanner and Wilmington tied it down.

“That’s all we can do for now,” Sanchez screamed as lightening streaked across the sky and thunder rolled in the distance until it created a cacophony of harsh reverberations overhead. “I’ll stay here and try to keep her on course! The rest of you get below and for Gods sake put on lifejackets!”

“You’ll need help!” Tanner yelled.

“I’ll stay,” Dunne shouted as once again the wind picked up. Anything that hadn’t been tied down had flown off the deck hours ago.

“NO!” Buck screamed emphatically.

“JD knows what he’s doing, Buck, I’ll need him if we’re going to keep her afloat! Sanchez shouted.

“But he’s a kid!” Wilmington yelled back.

“He may be a kid but he knows his way around a boat! Get below, Buck, let JD and me concentrate on keeping you all safe!”

“Alright, but shouldn’t you two be tied on in case something happens?” Wilmington asked.

“Grab some ropes, Buck,” Sanchez shouted. “Chris get below! You won’t be able to hold onto anything with that arm!”

“Go, Chris!” Tanner yelled as his friend remained frozen in place. “I don’t want to have to watch your back right now!”

Chris knew Vin was right. With his arm in the cast he was a liability to the others during this storm. “I’m going!” he snarled in frustration.

The others watched him go as they tied ropes around the two men who would valiantly stay topside and face the angry force of nature.

Josiah and JD held frantically to the wheel as waves rolled over the deck of the sailboat. They were fast becoming exhausted as the night wore on and the storm showed no sign of abating.

JD’s arms were leaden as he pulled against the wheel. The lightening was a continual presence as it lit up the night sky, turning night into day for precious minutes at a time. His hair was plastered to his face as he watched Sanchez make his way to the cabin. The ex-preacher had spotted an Island and they were trying to head the boat in that direction. The older man was going to tell the others of his plans. JD closed his mouth as another wave threatened to swamp the boat.

Sanchez stumbled to the cabin and hurried inside. He looked from one man to the other and wondered if this was the last time they’d be together. “There’s an island just off the port side! We’re aiming for it before this boat falls apart!” he shouted as water followed him into the cabin and swept him off his feet.

“Josiah!” Tanner yelled as he helped the man stand.

“I’m alright!” Sanchez said as he wiped the blood from a cut over his right eye.

“Where’s JD?” Wilmington asked as more water poured into the cabin.

“He’s steering the boat!” Sanchez answered

“He’s up there by himself!” Wilmington hissed as he slugged through the water gathering in the cabin.

“I came down to tell you all to get topside! The water is coming in over the boat and I don’t know how long she’ll stay afloat! Make sure you’re all wearing lifejackets!”

Nathan Jackson looked at each man, worry and fear evident on his face, his eyes coming to rest on the blue cast and the sling on their leaders arm. “Chris!” he shouted as he took the man’s uninjured arm in his hand.

“Nothing you can do, Nathan!” Chris said as he watched the others make their way on deck. He heard Buck Wilmington’s shout as he made his way topside. He watched in horror as the others ran towards the fallen form of JD Dunne.

‘Thank God he was tied on,’ he thought. He rushed forward to join them as a streak of lightening connected with the high mast overhead. It swung towards him and he tried to duck out of the way. The mast connected with his right side and carried him with it out over the side and into the raging sea.

Chris was sucked under as the waves washed over him, his screams lost to the blustering winds. His mouth filled with salt water. He coughed as he fought his way to the surface only to be pulled under again as his body rolled with the turbulent seas.

 

 

“I’m ok!” JD shouted as Buck helped him to his feet. “Just got knocked off my feet by the wave!”

“You sure, JD?” Jackson asked.

JD nodded his soaked head and the others breathed a short-lived sigh of relief as another wave broke over the boat.

“I don’t think she’s gonna stay afloat much longer!” Sanchez yelled as he tried to keep the struggling sailboat pointed to the island. “I’ll keep her on course as long as I can but we’re going to have to abandon ship any minute!”

“Then we’d better try to stay together!” Wilmington suggested.

“I’ll stay with Chris,” Tanner said as he searched the deck. “Oh my God! Where’s Chris?” he shouted above the wind and rain.

“He was right behind me!” Jackson yelled.

“Maybe he’s still in the cabin!” Standish suggested.

“I’ll check!” Tanner said as he stumbled to the open door. “Chris!” he called but the only answer was a loud ominous clap of thunder. He slid down the slippery stairs and landed in the waist high water.

“Is he down there?” Wilmington asked as he entered the cabin and helped the younger man to his feet.

“I can’t, I don’t see him anywhere! Oh, God, Buck, what if he...”

“We can’t think about that, Vin. Josiah says we have to abandon ship. Maybe Chris just fell overboard and he’s already swimming to the island! Now let’s go!”

“How can he swim, Buck? His arm!”

“There’s nothing we can do, Vin, we have to go, Now!” the ladies man ordered as he grabbed the younger man and pulled him up on deck just as lightening struck the boat causing sparks to flash from the remaining sails. “He’s not here!” Buck told the others as they stumbled towards them.

“We swim for the island!” Sanchez screamed as he made for the side of the floundering vessel. “God Speed!” he told them as another wave swamped the deck. The sailboat smashed into a coral reef surrounding the island. The six agents of The Firm were thrown into the stormy water and sucked under just as their missing member had done a short time ago.

 

 

Chris surfaced again and watched as the boat moved away from him. His lifejacket kept him afloat and he knew he was alone on the seas. His right arm was useless and he hoped the tide would take him into the island. A streak of lightening illuminated the land and he was certain it was closer than it had been before. Using his left hand and his legs he tried to aim in that direction. ‘Please, God, keep them all safe,’ he thought as fatigue quickly took over. The strokes he took with his arm continued to get smaller as the salt water washed over him. Alone, cold, tired, and hurting, he wanted to give up, but knew he had to stay alive in case the others needed him.

 

 

The sun baked down on the two bodies laying half in, half out of the water. The clothes on the two men were tattered and hung in pieces barely concealing the muscles below. Green eyes opened and gazed into blue ones.

“Nice to see you made it, Mr. Tanner,” Standish’s raspy voice cracked.

“You too, Ez, any sign of the others?” Tanner asked in a tortured Texan drawl.

“I haven’t had a chance to search the surrounding area for our comrades as yet. Are you hurt?”

“Nothing serious, just some scrapes and bruises. You?”

“Same, although I could use some help putting my shoulder back in place,” Standish hissed as he tried to sit up.

“Shoot, Ez, this is gonna hurt,” Tanner said as he placed his hands on the man’s shoulder and arm.

“Just do it, Mr. Tanner,” Standish said and screamed as the shoulder snapped into place. He rotated the painful arm and grinned at the other man. “Thanks,” he muttered.

“No problem,” the sharpshooter assured him as he tore the bottom of his shirt. He used it to make a makeshift sling for the other mans arm. He tied it around Standish’s neck and helped him place the injured limb inside it. “I’m going to search for the others, you wait here,” Tanner suggested as he watched a piece of the wreckage float in on another wave.

“I assure you I’m fine, Mr. Tanner, let’s go find our missing comrades,” Standish said.

“You sure, Ez?”

“Positive.”

“Guess we’d better go north. Looks like the south end of the island is too rocky to get around for the moment,” Tanner suggested.

“Whatever you say, Mr. Tanner.”

“Come on then.”

The two men struggled through the wet sand leaving behind two distinct sets of tracks, easily visible from the hills that lined the beach. Gulls squawked overhead as the sun continued its journey across the clear blue sky.

“There’s something up ahead,” Tanner said as he urged his aching legs to move faster. “It’s JD,” he yelled over his shoulder.

“Is he alive?”

“Think so,” Vin said as he knelt beside the youngest member of The Firm. “JD, come on kid wake up,” he said as he moved his hand over the body searching for broken bones. As his hands touched JD’s right side he heard a hiss escape from his mouth.

“How is he?” Standish asked as he dropped to his knees beside the two men.

“Looks like he’s got a couple of bruised or cracked ribs. I don’t think they’re broken, but I wish Nathan was here.”

“I do too,” Standish readily agreed.

“Let’s move JD out of the sun,” Tanner suggested, noting the red skin under the torn clothing and useless lifejacket. They lifted the unconscious man and carried him to the trees that lined this area of the beach. They gently settled him on the ground. “You stay here with JD. I’ll search for the others,” the sharpshooter ordered.

“All right, Mr. Tanner,” Standish said rubbing his throbbing shoulder.

“Vin!”

Tanner looked to the north as three men came around the bend towards them. A smile covered his face till he realized there was one that he might never see again. The other half of his soul was lost to the raging sea during the storm the night before. Shaking his head to clear the thoughts he walked towards the newcomers.

“You boys alright?” Wilmington asked as Vin stopped in front of him.

“Anybody injured?” Jackson inquired, taking stock of the longhaired man before him.

“I had to put Ezra’s shoulder back in place and I think JD’s got some damage to his ribs,” Tanner answered and fell into step beside Jackson.

“Vin.”

“What, Buck?”

“Did you see any sign of Chris?”

“No. I was just starting to look for you guys. Now that you’re all here I’m going to search for him.”

“Not yet, Vin. First we have to find fresh water and make some kind of shelter,” the ladies man suggested.

“You guys can do that,” Tanner said quietly.

“We could but it would take us a lot longer than it would you,” Wilmington told him as he watched Jackson and Sanchez working on Dunne. “We need you.”

“What about Chris?”

“I want to find Chris just as much as you do, Vin. That man’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember and I don’t know how I’ll live without his friendship, but we need your help right now. I hate to say it, but right now there are six of us who’re very much alive and Chris would never forgive any of us if we went off on a wild goose chase. Let’s get a base set up and tomorrow we’ll search for C...Chris,” Buck choked on the last word.

“Tomorrow may be too late, Buck,” Tanner drawled softly, his voice heavy with fatigue and worry.

“No it won’t, Pard, if he made it to this island we’ll find him.”

“I hope you’re right, Buck, ‘cause I can’t lose em,” Tanner admitted as he turned his eyes towards the sea. “You hear that! You can’t have him! I won’t let you!”

“Easy, Pard,” Wilmington soothed and placed a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “We need you to stay focused.”

“I’m cool, Buck,” Tanner said as he turned towards the four men sitting in the shade. He was relieved to see JD sitting up. “Let’s go tell the others what we’re going to do.”

“Good plan,” the older man said as he led the younger one to the group. “How are they, Nate?” Wilmington asked.

“Ezra’s shoulder will be sore for awhile. JD’s got some bruised ribs. Josiah’s ankle is sprained. Seems like we got off real lucky,” Jackson answered.

“Except for Chris,” JD said, voicing the thought on the other men’s minds. “Sorry,” he apologized as he watched the men turn towards the sea that seemed to have claimed one of their own.

“It’s ok, Mr. Dunne,” Standish said as he swiped at his watery eyes.

“Vin and I are gonna try find some fresh water. Nathan, can you see if you can find anything salvageable from the boat?”

“I’ll help,” JD said.

“No way. You sit here with Josiah. Ezra, you feel up to helping me?” Jackson asked.

“I’ll certainly do my best,” Standish assured him.

“We’ll meet back here in two hours. That should give you guys time to comb the beach and hopefully we’ll find some drinkable water,” Wilmington said as he followed the younger man into the thick foliage.