Buck could hear their voices from just outside the bedroom door.

"What in hell are you doing up?"

"I heard Chris," came the raspy reply.

"Chris is fine, Bucks in there. YOU get your scrawny ass back to bed."

"Ah, Nate."

"Move now," there was a pause then. "Where’s your knee brace? Damn it Vin."

"Ah, Nate its jest a little ways……"

Buck smiled as their voices faded going down the hall.

A sleepy voice came from the bed. "He’s in trouble now. Nathan will tie him down if he gets up again."

Buck looked back down at Chris. "He’d try, but Junior is a sneaky one."

"He is that. Is he ok Buck?"

"He’s fine Chris. His knee is painin’ him some and the cracked ribs don’t help." Buck chuckled, "When you rescue someone you don’t hold back."

"I rescued Vin?" Chris asked puzzled.

Buck paused thinking about what to say. "Yeah Chris you threw him out of the blast path. That’s how you got hurt. Remember?" Buck asked casually.

""Not a thing. My heads…I’m having trouble even thinking Buck. It’s like a never-ending headache. I feel as if an army of jack hammers moved in." Chris yawned.

"I’ll bet, but go back to sleep. Maybe it will be better tomorrow." Buck hoped fervently that it would be better tomorrow. Right now Chris was talking like the old Chris. Maybe when he woke tomorrow he’d still be that Chris.

7 7 7 7 7 7

Making sure Chris was asleep Buck walked down the hall and peeked into the room Vin was in. "Hey Junior, you still in one piece?"

Blue eyes twinkled, "I’m a might tender and that’s a fact."

"You should be. Damn Vin that’s not the smartest thing you could do. You want to end up having surgery on that knee?"

"Ah, hell Bucklin, I heard Chris. I didn’t know anyone else was around. I…." Blue eyes searched darker blue, "knew he was in trouble. I needed to get to him." Vin ducked his head plucking at the quilt with one hand and rubbing his sore ribs with the other.

Buck reached over and placed his hand on Vin’s leg. "I know Vin. I feel the same. Its one of the scariest things I’ve ever faced."

Vin looked up. "What is?"

"Chris Larabee not in control. Chris Larabee is always in control. Always knows exactly what’s what. Except right now Chris Larabee doesn’t know squat and that scares the hell out of all of us."

Buck squeezed Vins’ leg, "Chris needs us, all of us. But right now he knows me from before as well as now. For whatever reason right now he’s holding on to me. But we’ll get this crazy, and we’ll get Chris back." **We have to.** Buck added silently

"Sure Buck. You know he’s here," Vin taped his head, "But he’s not. I can feel him; I know when he’s hurting, but it’s like its only going one way. Buck, this whole mental thing with Chris is scary enough, but its even scarier when its not there.

"You know when he’s hurting?"

"Not that, kind…well, yeah that too but mostly when he’s" Vin paused searching for the right word. "When his heart’s hurting." He grinned shyly. "I know this sounds crazy but when he’s acting like it’s the past the hurting is less. Not gone just buried so deep he doesn’t have to notice it any. Ah hell, I can’t explain it right."

Vin studied the landscape hanging on the opposite wall, trying to loose himself in the mountain valley it depicted. Almost to himself he started talking again. "Its’ like Chris always has this bottomless black hole inside him. Waiting to swallow him up when he least expects it. So he’s always fightin’ it, and dodgin’ it, but right now, its like the hole is covered with glass. It’s still there but its not. Hell, this is nuts, it must be the painkillers Nathan keeps shoving down me. It’s makin’ me fanciful."

"Sure it is Vin. Get some sleep. We got lots to do. And Stay off that leg."

"Yes Ma!" Buck threw Vin a birdie as he clicked off the lights.

7 7 7 7 7 7

Nathan opened the bedroom door carefully. "Chris?"

"I’m awake, Nathan."

Nathan entered the room carrying a tray. "It’s time to doctor your eyes."

"Ok."

Nathan set the tray down and sat down beside Chris. "How’s the head?"

"Seems a little better."

Chris just lay passively while Nathan took the bandages off. He washed gently each eyelid and prepared to put drops in Chris’ eyes. "Easy now. First one and then the other."

"Nathan, how long?"

"How long what Chris?"

"How long before I get my sight back?"

Nathan sat back, "We don’t know Chris. The combination of the burn and the concussion makes it hard to tell."

"I’m so tired of just laying around here forever. I…I don’t have any control over my life anymore. I hate this. I feel like I’m wrapped in cotton. Don’t think I don’t know you’re all up to something. You’re not fooling me. I know you too well."

"Getting a little paranoid are we?"

"Yeah, right! Where is every body?"

"Well, Buck’s taking care of the horses. Vin’s still asleep and the rest of the crowd is at work. Now, all finished. Want to get up and go to the living room?"

"Maybe later. Nathan?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

Nathan smiled, "You’re welcome boss. Chris seriously, give yourself some time you got a serious bump on the head and it’s gonna take more then a few days to get to feeling better."

"OK."

7 7 7 7 7

Josiah, Ezra, JD and Vin sat silently at the table, Buck stood looking out the window. Case files were spread over the table along with evidence, and crime scene pictures. Each of the men sitting at the table felt a distinct unease.

Chris Larabee was a very private man. Sharing the details of his past was almost impossible. Having the intimate details of the murder of his wife and son examined again would be unbearable, if he knew. But he didn’t know. At the moment Chris Larabee was blissfully asleep in the bedroom thanks to the painkillers Nathan had given him after lunch. He remained oblivious to the activity under his roof. The one and only advantage to Chris being blind is it made it easier for the others to do what they deemed necessary to protect Chris.

Still looking out the window Buck asked, "JD. Phones?"

"All calls are going threw the van. There have been several unidentified calls but when one of us answers whoever it is hangs up. Not long enough to trace and they never say anything."

"Ezra?’

"I have been in contact with AD Travis, he has approved everything that we have requested. He also put us on special status and I’m to meet with some of the heads of the other teams this afternoon to appraise them on the status of our pending cases and of course this one.

Josiah looked up at Buck, "This isn’t just us. The whole department has taken this very personal and all have expressed their willingness to aid in any way they can."

Buck nodded. He’d seen it before.

"What else Josiah?"

"There is something new. There was a small package in the mail yesterday. Its been checked for finger prints etc."

Buck frowned. "And?"

Josiah set the small box on the table and pushed it toward Buck.

Puzzled he opened the small box. Buck slowly poured the contents into his hand, the gold chain hanging between his fingers. Buck paled "Dear God."

Alarmed JD started to get up. Bucks horrified gaze stopped him.

"This was all?"

"Just the locket and chain. Silly question, but do you recognize it?"

Buck took several deep breaths "Yeah, it’s Sarah’s. We….we never could find it. Sarah wore it all the time. But she though she lost it a few days before she died." Buck stopped, and licked his dry lips. "There was a lock of Adam’s hair in it." He carefully opened it. There was nothing.

Josiah held up a small vile. "There were ashes in the locket. The lab is trying to see if they can tell what they were."

Buck rubbed his finger over the base relief design, "Chris bought this for Sarah when Adam was born. She wore it always. When Adam got his first haircut she took a lock of his hair and placed it inside."

"We looked and looked for it. Chris wanted it to be buried with her. When we couldn’t find it we just assumed she’d found it and was wearing it. That it was destroyed in the heat of the fire."

Buck gently placed the locket back into the box closing the lid and setting it on the table.

"I stopped by the office on my way out. There was another package this morning. The lab said they should be finished with it late this afternoon. I’ll pick it up on my way back."

Buck looked at JD, "ok, just be real careful. Keep it up boys, the bastard is bound to slip up and then we’ll have him."

7 7 7 7 7

Chris stumbled, hands out stretched, trying to find the kitchen. He was hungry and he’d kill for a cup of coffee. If only he could remember where the damn kitchen was. He walked slowly one hand brushing the wall lightly while the other felt through empty air for possible stumbling blocks. He reached the end where the hall opened into a room.

Chris stopped trying to decide where to go from there. Sniffing he thought he smelled coffee. He could hear no one, and wondered if they had all gone somewhere. If he could just get to the coffee his head would feel better.

He was about to take his first step into the room when a raspy voice came from his left.

"Goin’ some where Cowboy?"

Chris started. "Vin?"

"Yep, need somethin’?"

"Coffee."

Vin watched Chris stand uncertainly as to where to go. "Ya got maybe six to eight steps straight ahead an’ ya’ll be by the counter starting into the kitchen. Once there turn right an’ follow the counter maybe four or five steps then at the corner is the coffee maker."

Chris mentally squared his shoulders and followed Vin’s directions. Surprisingly he made it and reaching up into the cabinet he found the mugs. With the other hand he found the coffee pot and carefully taking the pot he began to pour. Feeling the weigh of the mug grow he managed to stop before he spilled any. Chris sat the pot down turned and walked carefully toward the entrance.

"Vin?"

"Here Cowboy. Four steps right turn left and a couple more steps and your beside your chair…Now reach out on your right. There."

Vin watched as Chris carefully made his way to the front of the chair and sat. Chris took a sip of coffee.

"Well, at least you didn’t make it." He heard Vin snort. "Where is everybody."

Vin glanced out the window where the van was in plain sight. "Oh, they’re around at least Buck and Nathan are. The rest went to the office."

"Ummmm, I guess Buck the keeper had to stay and Nathan hangs around to torture us."

"Don’t let him hear you say that."

Chris smiled, "which one?"

Vin snorted again. "Either one. How’s the head?"

"A little better. Its not gonna fall off right now." Chris rubbed his thumb up around the rim of the mug. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"For letting me do it myself. For not jumping up and leading me around."

"Hell, Chris, can’t do much jumping with this knee."

"Smart assed Texan."

7 7 7 7

Buck was waiting when JD drove up. He walked out to the drive. "Well?"

JD took off his backpack and helmet. "It don’t make any sense. It was just like the other one except it’s a horse."

"What?"

"It’s a horse! A brass horse about two inches high."

"You got it?"

"Yeah, here." JD handed the box to Buck. With trembling hands he opened it up. Inside was a small prancing brass horse. All the air seemed to go out of him. "Damn, damn! Damn!" He had the horse in his hand squeezing it.

JD watched with his mouth open until he saw blood dripping from between Bucks fingers. Reaching out he tried to unclench Bucks fist. "Buck, let go Buck! BUCK!"

Buck looked dazed at JD. "Huh?"

"Let go. Open your hand!"

Buck looked down at his clinched fist and slowly opened it. There were four tiny puncture marks on his palm, where the hoofs had cut into him. He just stood watching the blood weld up. "What the hell?"

"Yeah, that’s what I’d like to know."

Buck looked back up at JD, "I…..I’m sorry. I…." Very carefully as if the little horse were fine china Buck placed it in the box and handed the box to JD.

"Buck?"

"Not now kid," Buck said as he walked back toward the house.

Josiah met JD at the door. "JD?"

"It’s the second package. It has a little toy horse in it."

"One would assume it was a favorite of Adam. If a pattern is to be detected." Ezra added sadly.

Buck went straight to the back bedroom. The one no one used. There on the book shelves in front of the books sat a small collection of toys. Little cars, a mini teddy bear and several small brass horses. The horses were arranged so that it was obvious that one was missing.

Buck ducked his head and leaned against the shelves. "He was here."

"Who?" JD asked.

"The Stalker. Adam had a set of seven horses, there’s only six here."

"Are you sure, perhaps one has just been misplaced." Ezra looked around for another explanation.

"No, you don’t understand. These were Adams’ favorites. No one touches them. Not even the cleaning lady."

Buck looked around at the others. "He was here. He’s laughing at us, telling us we can’t stop him."

"You don’t know that Brother."

"Josiah you’re the profiler you tell us. Go on work your magic."

Josiah sighed. "You know it doesn’t work that way for me. I’m not psychic but I will work my own brand of ‘magic’ if you like."

"Fine, mean while we gotta keep Chris safe, away from phones and the mail and" Buck sighed rubbing his face. "We gotta keep Chris in the present."

7 7 7 7 7

Lunchtime came and went, case files were stashed away out of sight, the two small boxes hidden away in a hopefully safe place.

Chris sat in front of the window. Not that he could see much more then smeary colors in the bright outside light. Nothing looked right to him, and it wasn’t just his eyes. Nothing was in the right place. There was no traffic outside. There should be traffic he and Sarah had worried about it a bit because Adam was getting so big.

But there was no one to ask, no one around. After four days he was alone. Oh, no doubt Nathan was around somewhere and Vin he knew was outside with Buck. So many watchers, all watching him and keeping secrets, he could feel it.

He was thirsty. Perhaps he could get up and get him self a drink. That would be new. Chris carefully got out of the chair, carefully because for once his headache was just a dull throb. Almost manageable so he diffidently didn’t want to do anything to stir it up again. He stood orientating himself and then heading slowly toward the kitchen.

He fumbled along the counter top to the sink. Once there he reached up to his left to the cabinet where the glasses were. Fumbling for a glass his hand brushed something knocking it down.

"Shit!" Chris reached down squatting and feeling for what ever it was. His hand brushed across a small box, tipping it over he heard a rattle. "What?" Chris frowned. Picking up the box and standing looking for a brighter light he leaned toward the window over the sink. Opening the box he emptied the contents into his hand. Frowning he fingered the locket and chain. He ran his fingers over it, feeling the cut pattern in the gold.

His breath caught and his heart hammered, "No, no, Oh God! Sarah!!!" Chris fell to his knees holding the locket tightly to his chest rocking back and forth. "No, OH God!" Over and over Chris repeated this while flashes of the last four years bombarded him. The original bomb blending with the latest one, until Chris let out one last agonized howl, "Sarah!! VIN!!" and collapsed on the floor.

Vin ran for the house heedless to the pain in his side or knee. Something was wrong. Chris was in trouble.

Vin crashed threw the back door stumbling over Chris’ legs blocking the doorway.

He dropped down and reached out. "Chris?" He felt for a pulse and was relieved to find one. He tried to turn Chris over and when he did he saw the gold chain wrapped around Chris’ fist.

"Damn! Chris come on, please wake up. Chris?" Vin tapped Chris’ cheek.

After what seemed like hours but was only a minute or two Chris’ head rolled and he moaned. Then he gasped for breath, "Vin!"

"I’m here Cowboy.""

Chris reached up touching Vins arm then shoulder trying to force Vin into releasing him. "Don’t call me that. Sarah calls…..called me that. Let go. Get away from me," he growled.

"Come on Chris let me help you up." Vin tried to shift around so he could help lift him, but Chris feeling him shift pushed him away. "No, get away! Don’t need your help! Don’t want it!" He started reaching up for the top of the counter.

"Chris?"

"No, stay away. I…I…"

Buck roared into the house. "What the hell?"

Chris was standing leaning on the counter. Buck brushed past Vin. "Chris?" He stopped right behind his friend.

With lightening speed Chris turned and swung at Buck connecting on the jaw knocking him back against Vin. "You Bastard. Where’d you get this?" He demanded holding the locket up in his left hand.

"Chris, calm down."

"Where, Buck, its Sarah’s locket the one…one we couldn’t find. Where’d it come from?" Chris glared, trying to see Buck clearly.

Buck rubbed his sore jaw. "It came in the mail two days ago. We haven’t told you ‘cause you haven’t been quite right in the head since the bomb. You wouldn’t have been able to handle it."

Chris looked around confused. "Two days? No it’s been years. I…" He squeezed his eyes closed, trying to remember. "Vin’s jeep….I got a phone call….Vin?"

"Here Cowboy."

"You ok?"

"More or less."

Chris’ head turned to the shadowy form he knew was Buck. With a strangled voice, "It was him Buck. OH GOD! He’s still alive." Saying that Chris collapsed.

Buck caught his friend and picking him up carried him to the bedroom. A worried Vin followed, limping, but ignoring the pain of each step.

As they passed the living room Vin headed toward the study. "Nathan." He shouted.

Nathan stuck his head out the door, "What?" But one glance at the sharpshooters face and he was moving past him and down the hall muttering "can’t leave you alone for a minute without something happening." He stopped at the door of the bedroom watching Buck carefully lay the unconscious Chris down.

"Ok, what happened?" He asked briskly as he walked over to the bed. Buck backed away as Nathan reached down to take Chris’ pulse.

Nathan sat quietly beside Chris counting beats while both Vin and Buck tried to explain what had happened. Nathan reached for Chris’ left hand seeing the gold chain and tried to open the fingers.

Chris fought him, clinching the precious locket even tighter. "NO!" His head tossing "NO!" His green eyes flew open. His right hand pulling back in a fist, "Leave it."

"Easy Chris it’s just me."

"Nathan?"

"Yeah? How you feeling?"

Tears welled up as green eyes searched in the dimness of the room. "Head hurts…I remember Nate. I remember it all." Chris offered his statement as a gift.

"I know, Buck and Vin told me."

Chris brought the locket to his lips. Closing his eyes causing the tears to run back into his hair.

Nathan patted his hand. "I’m gonna get you something for the headache." He got up leaving the mourning man.

Vin limped over taking Nathan’s place. Without saying a word Chris reached out and they clasped arms. **I’m here Cowboy.**

**I know.**

Buck watched the silent exchange and turned to go.

‘Buck?"

"Yeah Chris?"

"Don’t go. Sorry I slugged ya."

"Aw hell Stud. Ya hit like a girl when you’re sick."

Vin smiled at the silent exchange.

7 7 7 7 7

Chris Larabee was back. The briefing hummed along around the kitchen table as they discussed the case. Supper dishes and containers stacked in the sink. Coffee mugs around the table were half full.

JD looked uncomfortable. "Chris, another package came this morning?"

Everyone looked at JD. "Spill it kid."

JD sat the small box on the table with it’s content in sight.

Chris waited, "Ok is someone going to tell me what’s in the box?"

Vin snickered, "It’s a toy jeep. A burnt toy jeep."

"Damn he’s playing with us."

"Josiah what do we know."

Josiah took a breath. "He, or that could be she, is intelligent and resourceful. He’s dedicated and determined. Chris we don’t even know if this person was stalking you or if ‘he’ was stalking Sarah. Was he after her or did she get in the way? I know this is hard to hear, but it must be said. This person not only murdered your wife and child but he also set up a ‘classic’ stalker apartment with a plausible substitute as a stand in for him self.

"Then for reasons unknown our killer went underground. What brought ‘him’ back?

Why was Vin his first target when, sorry Buck, Buck would be the most logical choice? Buck being your oldest friend and all."

"And lastly who will ‘he’ go after next. It could be any one of us."

They sat quietly. Then Chris said. "Ok, those are the facts, or lack of them. What does your gut say."

"My gut is giving me hell. My gut says this guy got exactly who he wanted. The locket and horse say that. The set up apartment, the disappearing act. The call that warned you in time for you to get to Vin." Josiah observed. "My gut says he’ll come soon and he’ll come for Chris. He’s through playing games. The next time he strikes it’ll be the last."

Chris drummed his fingers on the table. "Ok, lets give him what he wants."

"NO!" Vin snapped.

"No way." Buck hissed.

"Are you crazy?" Nathan asked.

"No, I’m not crazy. But if we’re ever going to get this guy we’ve got to flush him out into the open."

"No. It’s too dangerous. You’re still suffering from the after effects of a serious concussion. You still can’t see worth a damn. No, nada," Nathan was the first to object.

Chris let their objection flow around him. He finally stood, "I’m going to bed, when you ladies get through arguing let me know." He walked away leaving them in a stunned silence.

7 7 7 7 7

JD put the phone down. "Josiah something is wrong. I’ve been trying to get a Buck or someone on the phone for almost 30 minutes, no luck, I’ve tried his, Vin’s, and Nate’s cell phone, and the land line and no luck."

Josiah whistled loudly "Lets go."

Ezra came out of the conference room. "Mr. Sanchez? I, Sir am not a dog you can whistle for:"

"No ones answering the phones Ezra." JD explained.

The three members of Team 7 rushed to the car. Josiah drove while JD called the Sheriff’s dept. "This is ATF Agent JD Dunne, we may have ATF agents down at Chris Larabee’s ranch. "

It took an eternal forty minutes for them to reach the road to Chris’ house. They pulled up in front and left the car with weapons drawn.

The front door was open as they carefully approached the porch Nathan’s body came into view. Laying face down with the red feathers of a dart sticking out of his back. Josiah bent down feeling for a pulse and nodded to the others who had positioned themselves on either side of the door. Ezra looked at JD and nodded.

JD turned and went inside low sweeping the room, "Clear." Walking further into the house he looked behind the couch and spotted Vin.

Vin was laying face down arm-outstretched the SIG lying beside it. JD seeing a dart in Vin’s shoulder placed fingers on his throat feeling for a pulse. He looked up and nodded at Ezra who was already on the phone.

Leaving JD with Vin, Ezra went through the rest of the house room by room. When he returned JD looked up. "Ez?’

"There is no sign of Mr. Larabee or Mr. Wilmington. They seem to have disappeared."

"Did you check the barn?"

"No, only the house."

"You stay with Vin, I’m going to the barn."

JD approached the small barn with care. Fearing he’d not find Buck as much as he feared finding him. Standing back to the wall JD peered around the corner. There lying face down was Buck, the now familiar dart sticking out of his back.

Sheriff’s deputies showed up just seconds before the ambulances. There was a flurry of activity as the darts were extracted and placed in evidence bags and the three men loaded into the ambulances.

Statements were given, and suddenly there was only Josiah, JD, and Ezra standing on the porch. The three looking very lonely indeed, JD looked at the other two, "Now What?

Ezra glanced around. "We must check the van of course and then to the hospital. Although I doubt there will be any thing usable left for us to find." Saying that he headed toward the surveillance van.

Josiah turned back to the house closing doors and making sure it was secure. It would be a long quite ride back to town and the hospital. The silence interrupted only by the terse conversation with A D Travis

7 7 7 7 7

Vin lay very still. The aftereffects of the drug making his stomach rebel and his head pound at the slightest movement. At the slight sound of movement beside him he cracked one eye carefully.

"Easy Mr. Tanner. You’re once again are in the hospital"

Vin moaned mentally. "How long?" He finally got out.

Ezra reached over and retrieved a glass of ice chips. Holding a spoon up to Vin’s mouth. "Here, Mr. Tanner, ice chips and to answer your question it’s been almost six hours since we found you and the others at the ranch."

Vin let the ice melt, cooling his dry mouth. "The others?"

"The same as you. They should be waking anytime."

"Ummm." Vin shot up, "Chris? Ez where’s Chris?" Vin’s eyes fully open, looked around desperately trying to find the one friend he knew wasn’t there.

Ezra carefully put a restraining hand on Vins shoulder trying to gently push him back down. "The where abouts of Mr. Larabee are unknown at this time."

Vin groaned.

"Perhaps you could tell me what transpired?"

"I…I heard Nathan on the porch. The thump of him falling I guess. I grabbed my gun and told Chris to get down. Was headin’ for the door, felt a sting on my shoulder and waking up here. Ez it was HIM took Chris." There was such agony and guilt in Vin’s voice that Ezra wrenched at the pain of it.

"Please Mr…Vin it was most definitely not your fault. The three of you were rendered helpless in a matter of seconds and could do nothing. Did you happen to see the culprit?’

"No….his boots when he walked by me.. I saw his boots. I…I heard Chris, he was hollerin’ for us, for me. I couldn’t move," Vins voice hitched, "I couldn’t move, I couldn’t help him. He…he was screaming for…for me.."

Ezra carefully laid his hand on Vin’s arm. "Vin, I repeat, it was not you fault. Mr. Larabee could not know you had been incapacitated. You must get past this in order for us to find and liberate our Mr. Larabee."

"Y’er right Ez. I gotta get it outta my head. There’s too much to do." Vin started to sit up. But when he moved the room spun and his stomach churned. "Oh God."

"Easy Mr. Tanner. The effects of the drug have not entirely left your system."

Vin gulped convulsively. "Y’er right about that." He laid very still eyes closed trying to settle his rebellious stomach.

"Buck and Nathan, how are they?" He asked again.

"I dare say in much the same shape as yourself. Josiah is with Nathan, and JD is of course with Buck. In anticipation of your next question the three of you will be released as soon as the toxin is out of your systems."

‘Ez?" Vin’s hand reached blindly for Ezra’s. "We gotta find Chris soon. Something bad is coming. Something real bad."

7 7 7 7 7 7 7

His feet were cold and the cement radiated a chill that reached into his bones. His arms hurt. By trying to twist free he’d discovered his arms were stretched out straight from his shoulders. The small braided nylon rope digging into the skin of his wrists when he moved.

He was neither hot nor cold and could feel no air movement. He could see nothing, hear nothing but his own breathing and heartbeat. Unable to stand the cold penetrating his feet he lifted one foot off the floor. Immediately he was rewarded with a lash across his knee.

"Ow! Son of a Bitch!" The sound of his own voice was loud and echoing. Instantly he dropped his foot and shifting his weight started to lift the other one. Again the lash fell.

"Who are you?"

No answer.

Minutes passed. Nothing happened. Then he felt it, something, feather light, slick, sliding down his arm from wrist to elbow. Then just as suddenly as it started it was gone.

Then again this time along his ribs down the side to his hip. Then again it was gone. He’d discovered something he hadn’t noticed before, he wasn’t just barefoot, and he was naked. The next feather touch started at his knee inside his thigh, but when he tried to pull away the stinging lash hit again.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

Silence.

Chris’ heart started to beat faster not knowing where or what came next. He waited trying desperately to determine where his tormentor was. Chris gasped as fingers ran down his spine from neck to tale bone, still the feather light strokes that barely touched his skin, then the other arm, then the back of a leg. On and on with no pattern until in desperation Chris started fighting the ropes as he tried kicking.

His screams of frustration and struggles were rewarded with lash after lash falling on tender flesh. Over and over the switch stung him until he couldn’t find the strength to keep fighting. He stood there, his whole body quavering, the ropes holding him up right.

There was nothing, no sound and then the feather light touch started again.

"No." Chris snarled. "Don’t." But the strokes wouldn’t stop. They kept coming at random, barely there touching anywhere, everywhere just for the briefest second then gone. Involuntary shudders started with each touch and continued long past. He couldn’t stop shuddering had no control over his own body. Muscles twitched and started to cramp.

Shudder after shudder racked his lean body until he slowly sank into unconsciousness. Jerking awake his chest muscles screaming for relief he gasped for air. His only relief was to stand up straight taking his weight off his arms and chest. **Help me, Vin, where are you?"

Miles away Vin Tanner stared out the window of his hospital room, **We’ll find you cowboy, some how we’ll find you.**

Buck glanced up from his own pondering. "Vin?"

"He’s scared Buck. He’s never been so scared."

7 7 7 7 7 7

The next morning the six members of Team 7 stood in their office. Each man looking at his own desk, not quite prepared to separate and face the reality of a missing Chris Larabee and no clues as to where he might be.

"Hey kid, your lab friends find anything usable in the van?" Buck’s eyes finally left the door of Chris’ darkened office.

"No, Buck everything was destroyed. All the tapes were gone. No prints. Nothing."

"None of it was recoverable?"

"No." JD looked at the others, "Sorry."

Vin walked past JD, placing a hand on his shoulder "Ain’t your fault kid." Vin avoided looking at the empty office. He made a conscious effort not to limp. He did not want Nathan picking at him, not now.

JD sat down and started checking his e-mail just to have something to do.

Each of the six tried to find something to occupy them that made some kind of sense. Out of the quiet JD hollered. "Damn!!!!" Slapping his forehead as as as as he jumped up.

Buck looked up "JD?"

"Um, I’ll be right back, I gotta check on something." He raced out of the office and down the stairs.Bursting though one of the lab offices he shouted "Gary!!!"

"Hey JD."

"Gary, the back up tape from yesterday. Do you have it? Is it any good?"

"Huh? Oh yeah," Gary dug through a pile of tapes. "Here it is. Don’t know what’s on it though, haven’t checked it yet."

An hour later JD called Buck, "All of you get down here. I’m in Lab 5C."

"JD?"

"Now Buck, it’s important. I think I got something."

By the time the five men were settled around the screen JD was bouncing on his toes.

"Ok JD we’re here, what now."

"When we left Chris’ yesterday I started the surveillance tapes like I been doing."

"We know that JD. And???"

"Well, Gary here is a friend of mine and he’s been running a backup tape for me."

"What do you mean a back up tape?" Vin asked afraid to hope for a break that seemed so easy.

"Gary’s tape shows what happened."

"Play it!" Buck said through gritted teeth."

The tape paned the front of the house and road showing Nathan coming out on the large front porch and then fall. A shadowy figure walked past the fallen Nathan and went into the house.

After a few minutes he came back carrying Chris over one shoulder. He dropped Chris at the bottom of the steps. Several minutes later a small blue camry drove up and Chris was stuffed into the trunk.

Then the figure walked toward the camera and van. The picture turned to static.

JD stopped the video, "Well?"

Buck reached over and swatted at his head. "You done good kid." Then he looked at the rest. "You see it?"

Vin nodded. "Yep, license plate."

Josiah turned, "Gary, my lad, we shall need you to enhance one little piece of the film please."

Gary looked around his room full of legends. "Uh, sure."

It took some time and fast finger work on Gary’s part but they got it. A clear Colorado license plate, JD called it in to the DMV with instructions that the information was to be faxed directly to their office.

They had their stalker, soon they hoped to have Chris.

7 7 7 7 7

The house was surrounded. Neighbors watering, mail men, strollers all undercover all ready to pounce. Warrants were ready. Most of Team 7 stood in the back waiting.

An UPS van drove up and stopped in front of the house. The driver got out and with package and clipboard walked up to the door and knocked. Waited and then knocked again.

Nothing. Silence. He knocked again. "Hello UPS. I need someone to sign for this package. Hello." He carefully reached and tried the door. "Ok guys, there doesn’t seem to be anyone here and the door is locked." He spoke into the hidden mike.

He was joined be two uniformed officers. They swiftly forced the door and went inside. Sweeping the small house in a matter of minutes the "All Clear" signal came.

Then began the slow meticulous work of going through the house gathering evidence.

Team 7 walked threw, looking around, but touching nothing, from the front porch to the back. Standing outside in the back yard Vin looked out at the much too long grass. "Chris was never here."

"How do you know Junior." Buck asked.

"Don’t know how, just know." Vin began rubbing his wrists. He’s some where big, empty, dark…"

Josiah watching Vin asked "Vin, what’s wrong with your wrists?"

Vin stopped, looked down at his hands and wrists, "Nothing, why?"

"You were rubbing them."

"I was?’ Vin sounded surprised. He looked back down at his hands "I..don’t remember.." He opened and closed his fingers several times. "Hurts."

Josiah stepped closer. "What hurts, Vin?’

Shaking his head back and forth, still watching his hands open and close. "The ropes are cuttin’ me. My fingers are numb. Can’t feel them move." Vin looked up at Josiah. "Ain’t me, its Chris. Why am I feeling this Josiah?"

Josiah shook his head, "It’s your bond with Chris, Vin. It’s growing stronger somehow."

"Don’t help us find him."

"No but it tells us he’s still alive."

7 7 7 7 7 7

Chris was so tried. His feet were numb and he was starting to loose feeling in his upper legs. But if his knees gave out the pull on his arms and chest would cause his chest muscles to constrict. He wouldn’t be able to breath. He’d pulled and twisted on the ropes that held him so much that his wrists were raw and bleeding.

His tormentor hadn’t been back. Chris almost wished he would come back. The silence was oppressive. He couldn’t tell how long he’d been here. He was thirsty.

Then suddenly Chris knew he was back. His body tensed waiting. The longer he waited in the silence the faster his heart beat. "What do you want from me?"

Fingers gently touched his mouth. He jerked away from the slimy touch. "Why won’t you talk to me? Say something damn you." The fingers traced down his throat stopping briefly at the pulse point, then down, lightly tracing his collarbone just the tips if the fingers lightly touching his skin. He shivered as the hand began its weird dance over his body again. If he moved or in anyway tried to pull away or avoid the light touch he was punished with the stinging lash. It came to the point where it didn’t matter which touched him he convulsed in agony from either one. The fire on his skin from the lash was consuming him. Turning his dark world into fire.

Chris started screaming curses at his silent tormentor until the switch slashed across his lips. He felt them split and swell. Again and again he fought until all he could do was stand quivering and gasping at each silent touch. He couldn’t fight not any more, he just wanted it to stop.

He felt the fingers on his face once more and he fought the urge to pull away. Using all his will power he stood perfectly still. He felt a bottle top press against his lips lightly. Chris opened his mouth and pure cold water was poured down his throat. Then it was gone. His mouth worked trying to find more. "Please, more?" There was a light caress but no more water. Then he was alone in his dark silent world again.

7 7 7 7 7 7

Five members of the magnificent seven stood around the table looking over the maps planning what to do next. The sixth stood apart looking out the window but seeing nothing. It had been 48 hours since Chris Larabee was taken from the ranch.

**Hold on Cowboy. We will find you.**

Without warning Vin Tanner gasped as if in great pain, falling to his knees holding his arms out in front of him, his hands curled into claws. The tendons in his neck and arms standing out, "Oh, God." He rasped out between clinched teeth.

The others turned to Vin startled by the sudden collapse. Buck and Nathan jumped forward to grab him but Josiah stopped them

"No, don’t touch him! Vin? What’s going on?"

Unseeing blue eyes stared straight ahead. " It hurts. Sh…sharp pain, up and down …arms. Can’t move my hands, can’t feel them. Thirsty, so thirsty. Cold, it’s so cold."

Vin raised his face and opened his mouth like a baby bird waiting to be fed. "Water…please…" He swallowed once. "No…more.. NO don’t!" His eyes moved frantically from side to side. He was sniffing repeatedly as if trying to catch an elusive scent. He reached out and down trying to crawl on his elbows pushing with his feet. Grunting with effort until he reached his goal.

The others stood mesmerized as Vin reached his invisible goal. He grasped it between the heels of his hands pulling it closer to him. Almost crying from his effort.

Josiah knelt down beside Vin. "Vin? Can you hear me? What is going on Vin?"

Vin looked up his hands still clinching at something. " ‘siah? It’s Chris. He’s so thirsty. He’s got a bottle of water but he…he can’t make his fingers work." Vin looked back down he has the heels of his hands pressed against nothing. He lifted them toward his mouth. Turning his mouth as if to hold it in his teeth. He twisted his hands gasping at the painful effort. After many tries he spits and raises his wrists, tilting back his head and swallowing. When he finishes his breath is coming in gasps.

"Vin, where is Chris?"

"Don’t know, can’t see anything. The floor is cold so cold. Hurts to move. Where are you Cowboy? I’m so cold, my skin burns." Vin was looking down and reaching out toward something. Lost blue eyes looked up, " ‘siah?"

"I’m here,Vin."

Vin blinked slowly, " Josiah, what the hell just happened?" Vin sat up straighter, "What the hell are y’all lookin’ at?"

Nathan kneeled down beside Vin and reached out to touch him.

"Leave me be Nathan. I’m fine. Josiah I asked you something."

"I know Vin. If I could.. ok, this is going to sound strange. Your bond with Chris was somehow activated earlier. Just now you were truly with Chris for a brief time. Mirroring what he was doing, feeling."

"Yeah? You think he could feel me?"

Josiah shook his head. "I don’t know."

"He’s hurt Josiah, he’s scared and in some dark cold place. He can’t make his hands work. They are all tingly and numb at the same time. We gotta find him soon cause I’m not sure he’s gonna last much longer. He’s so alone."

Vin leaned his head onto his hands ** Hang on Cowboy. We’ll find you, somehow.**

Miles away in the cold and dark Chris tossed in a nightmare. "Vin? Help me Vin."

7 7 7 7 7

Chris lay curled in on himself. Holding the now empty water bottle as if it would refill itself. His head throbbed, keeping time with the fire in his skin from the flogging. Even though the cement he was laying on was ice cold it felt good to his fevered flesh.

He opened his eyes carefully. He could see, kind of. See well enough to tell he was in a small cage of some kind. There were bars and a blocked off small exit. He tried to move but it only hurt more, and he discovered his hands were tied together with about a foot of rope between them.

Then he felt the hobbles on his ankles. Again the small braided nylon rope, threaded in on itself so that he could move his feet apart only a few inches. He carefully moved his head looking around more. It looked like he was in a kennel, smelled like it to.

Suddenly there was sound. "Hi this is Chris, and Sarah, and Adam we can’t come to the phone right now but leave a message." Then laughter. Chris moaned, first his voice, then Sarah’s then Adams baby voice speaking and laughing. The tape stopped and then started over again.

Chris tried to sit up, "no, don’t. How the hell did you get that? Nooooo!"

Then he wasn’t alone. There was a dark figure standing in front of him. He heard the swish of the whip like switch. "Stop it. Make it stop." He cried barely able to get the words out his mouth and throat was so dry.

The dark figure said nothing just watched. Chris couldn’t stand it anymore, Sarah’s voice, Adam’s. It was too much. He tried to cover his ears but each time he tried his hands were slapped away. He tried once to grab the punishing lash but it was so thin and limber it slipped through the numb fingers..

Over and over the tape played. Chris tried but couldn’t ignore the loved voices. Finally in desperation he started screaming curses as loud as he could to block out the sound. The stinging lash fell cutting into his tender skin but he screamed on and on.

Chris knew if he stopped screaming the beating would stop. But then he’d have to listen to the tape. The beating was preferable to the agony of listening to the tape. Chris curled into himself until he felt and heard nothing.

7 7 7 7 7 7

The messenger knocked on the door to the offices of Team 7. He dreaded going inside. Treading on Team 7’s territory in the best of times was scary and this was NOT the best of times. But taking a deep breath he went in.

"Mr. Wilmington?"

"Yo kid." Buck waved from behind his desk.

"These files were sent ASAP.’

"Thanks kid," Buck said, almost grabbing them away from the kid. Dealing the files out like a deck of cards each member of the team opened their file and began to read.

Ezra finished first throwing down the file in disgust. Followed by Josiah, JD, Buck and finally Vin. Ezra shook his head, "There’s nothing of use there. He’s the most innocuous little man I’ve ever read about."

"Ok, what does it say."

"Jeff Holms, 26 years old. Born, raised and still lives in the Denver area. A high school graduate, he took some night courses at the local junior college, worked the last eight years for Animal Control. Josiah?"

"What courses did he take?"

JD looked through the file again. "Umm, metal craft, Gothic Lit. Some art classes."

Buck looked up. "What art classes? When?"

"Ummm, sketching one and two, watercolor, and sculpting all around seven years ago."

"Who taught the classes?"

JD looked again. Charleen Vopel, Ned Armijo, and Sarah Connelly." JD frowned, "Hey, isn’t that…..?"

"Yeah. Chris’ wife, Connelly was her maiden name."

Josiah sighed, "Our connection."

"Yeah!"

7 7 7 7 7

The high window in the wall out side the little cell slowly became lighter. Chris Larabee lay curled up to conserve warmth watching it get brighter. The outline of the window was almost clear this morning. He blinked slowly his thoughts slow and muggy. This was the second day he was aware of but he knew there had been more. Chris moved his head slightly and saw a new water bottle sitting on the ledge just out of reach. To reach it he had to move.

Chris moved his dry tongue, but couldn’t get it past his teeth. Was it worth the effort to move? He wasn’t sure. But his bodys’ need for water insisted and he groaned as he sat up pushing himself forward reaching too far and falling when the rope hobble suddenly stopped the forward movement of his right hand. He landed hard on his shoulder grunting as he hit the hard floor.

He held both hands up looking at the rope. The once bright yellow color was dulled where it circled his wrists and he’d bled on it. The smooth nylon bit into his raw wrists with every move. At least the fingers were not as swollen. Chris raised his head and turned and looked again at the water bottle.

Again he got up on his hands and knees, this time remembering there wasn’t enough tether to move more then inches at a time. After what seemed like hours he reached the bottle and grasped it in his hands. Today his fingers worked. Now the trick was to see if he had the strength to twist off the top. After several tries he managed to get it off and took his first drink since yesterday. He sipped slowly trying to avoid being sick again.

He leaned back against the wall holding the water bottle with both hands, and feeling dizzy with the energy he’d just expended. He closed his eyes, drifting in and out of sleep unaware of the passage of time. Hunger had long ago left him only his thirst remained the small bottles being left while he slept never quite satisfying him.

He knew he would die soon unless the others found him. He could sometimes could feel Vin, feel his despair and some how him reaching out for Chris. He smiled at the thought of Vin, sorry that he wouldn’t see him again…

"Stop that Cowboy."

Chris looked up. There out side the bars stood his best firend. "Vin?"

"You gotta keep fightin’. You can’t give up. We’ll find you."

Chris shook his head, the shadow of a smile pulled at his swollen lips. "No, there’s no time, I’m tired, just want to rest. It’s so cold, ca…can’t remember being warm."

"Don’t you give up on me Chris Larabee. We’re coming for you soon. Larabee? You hear me? Don’t you quit on me."

"T..tired, Vin want to rest." Chris drifted his hands relaxing their hold on the bottle. As he slept his body was shaken by little involuntary tremors from the cold.

7 7 7 7 7 7

Vin sat on his desk his back to the rest of the room. He popped out and slapped in the clip to his SIG over and over.

"Mr. Tanner, if you do not cease that infernal noise I shall be driven to doing something desperate." Ezra couldn’t stand it another minute and an altercation with Vin was preferable to listening to the infernal clicking any longer.

Vin looked up confused. "What?"

"The gun Mr. Tanner please put it down."

Vin looked down at the gun in his hand seeming surprised it was there. "Sure Ezra sorry."

Josiah was staring at the file on his desk, humming tunelessly to himself. "JD?"

"Yeah?"

"How long has our boy worked for Animal Control?"

"Uh, eight years."

"Hummmm." Josiah tilted his head. He started humming again. Just before Ezra shot him, he stopped. "Vin?"

"Hum?"

"Describe the building where Chris is please."

"Can’t describe it, can tell you how it felt. Big, empty, sound was weird, the floor was cold, cement bare, slick, like it’d been washed and washed." Vin ducked his head, "an’ it was dark. Chris couldn’t tell if it was just dark or if he was blind."

Josiah started humming again.

"MR. SANCHEZ!!!! Please."

Josiah looked at Ezra, "What?"

"The humming, Sir. Are we not tense enough without all these little annoying habits surfacing."

Josiah shook his head. "JD call Animal Control and find out what happened to the old animal shelter when they opened the new one a couple of months ago."

Vin looked hopefully at Josiah, who held his hand up "Wait."

JD hung up the phone and looked around the room. " The old shelter is abandoned. The city has been trying to sell it but no luck. When they opened the new one they just locked the door and left it. Some of the older employees were allowed to keep their keys incase they needed someone to show the building to a prospective buyer."

Vin slapped the clip in once more and hopped off the desk one legged and growled, "Lets go."

7 7 7 7 7 7

Chris slowly opened his eyes. He was here again, his tormentor. This time he could almost see him. But in the dim light he appeared to be dressed all in black. To weak to do anything else Chris just stared at him.

The man took a step closer and squatted down. "They found my house. Don’t know how, I was so careful. I’d thought of everything."

"Who are you?"

The young man smiled, "no one you know. I took some art classes once. Sarah taught them."

Chris tried to shake the cobwebs from his mind. "Sarah?"

"Yeah, she’d talk while we drew. ‘Bout you and the kid, ‘bout how great you were. Big tough cop, how wonderful you were, how smart. Your not so tough now are you smart guy? Too bad she can’t see you now." He brought up the switch he had in his hand and tickled the tip of it along the length of Chris’ arm.

The muscles in Chris’ arm convulsed but he didn’t move other wise. He just stared shooting out green fire with the last of his strength.

"They won’t find us you know. You’ll die here, alone ‘cause man I’m outta here." He stood swiftly raising his arm bring down the whip like branch in one last vicious slash across Chris’ face. Laughing he turned away and clanging the door shut locked it and disappeared down the hallway.

Chris watched him walk away not moving, not thinking. Then he doubled over vomiting what little water was still in his stomach, when that was all gone his muscles still continued to contract, over and over, until he was gasping for air curled up into a ball against the pain.

7 7 7 7 7

Team 7 raced down the interstate looking for the county road exit they needed. Vin, Buck, and JD in the lead car and Josiah, Nathan and Ezra following. As Josiah turned off onto the frontage road Ezra grabbed his cell phone. "This is ATF agent Ezra Standish at interstate 25 exit 343. A blue 1986 Toyota Camry license number Sam, William, Zebra, 842 is heading north. This vehicle is wanted in the kidnapping of a federal agent."

A pause then the voice came back over the phone. "Roger, Agent Standish a state police car has the suspect in sight."

The chase was forgotten as the cars pulled up to the abandoned animal shelter. The men approached the locked gate with caution. Vin jerked at the locked gate and in frustration shot the lock. Kicking the gate open he ran toward the building. Again there was a padlock on the door and again Vin shot it open.

"Oh, very good Mr. Tanner."

"Shut up, Ez." Vin stepped inside the dark building. Taking a shaky breath and closing his eyes he concentrated on the direction he needed to go. He opened his eyes and with confident steps headed down the hall to the large dog kennel.

He kicked the door in and walked down the path looking into each cage. At the last one he stopped, giving a strangled cry. "Chris?"

They saw him lying on the filthy floor curled into a fetal position not moving. Vin grabbed the lock jerking it and then preparing to shoot it also.

"Please Mr. Tanner allow me." Ezra took his lock pick and snapped the lock and the door opened.

Vin rushed in, bending down beside his friend. "Chris?" He whispered, gently touching a shoulder. He felt the muscles tremble at his touch. "Chris?"

Nathan pushed past the others his nose curling at the smell. Without looking up he started issuing orders. "JD call for an ambulance. Ezra go out to my car, bring blankets, and my kit." Nathan gently reached out and felt for a pulse. Sighing when he found one. "He’s alive." He then tried gently to straighten Chris out so he could better see what damage had been done.

Ezra ran back in with the blankets. Josiah stepped in. "Here brother let me carry him out of here into a better lit room at least."

Nathan nodded. "Ok, gently though. Ezra go spread the blankets out to lay him on."

Once laid more or less flat the injuries were more evident. Growling Buck took his pocketknife and quickly cut the ropes from Chris’ wrists and ankles noting the raw and bleeding circles left behind.

Nathan ran his hands down arms and legs, "nothing broken that I can tell. He’s covered with welts from something. All over, even his face." Nathan reached up and tapped Chris lightly on the cheek, "Chris, come on Chris wake up a minute." There was no response.

JD came in stopped and stared at Chris swallowing "Ambulance will be here in about fifteen." He stopped and looked around at the others. "Guys?"

They all looked at him. "The Camry tried to run, it rolled about 10 miles down the interstate. Just the driver inside, dead."

The news was met with stoic silence. JD looked around the room they were in. Off to one corner was a pile of what looked like tree limbs. "What are those?"

Buck looked over to where JD was pointing. "Damn," He swore, walking over to the pile and picking up one of the pencil lead thin branches. All the fine leaves had been rubbed off so that all was left was the knobby reddish branch. Buck swished it through the air. "These kid are your worst nightmare if you’re in trouble with you ma. Salt Cedar switches. Mamma used to make me pick my own for a whipping and being the smart-ass I was I’d get the littlest thinnest one I could find. Figured it’d hurt less I guess. Only boy, did it sting." Buck smiled at the memory and swished the branch through the air making a louder sound.

"No, don’t, no more…" Came the weak voice riveting everyone’s attention to Chris.

"Easy Cowboy."

"Vin?" Chris shakily reached up and touched Vin’s face. "You real? You here?"

"Yeah, I’m real and we’re all here."

"I didn’t die?"

"Nope. Your gonna be fine. Ambulance is on the way. We got your back."

Chris nodded closing his eyes. "Thirsty."

Nathan got a small bottle of water. "Here, Chris, sip only."

Chris nodded, grateful for the moisture. He moved his tongue around his mouth and then said, "Thanks." He looked around the room at his friends, "you found me. He was wrong I won’t die here." His eyes drifted closed as he reached for and found Vin’s arm. "Not alone." He whispered.

Buck looked at his friends battered body and down at the switch in his hand. "Damn," and slowly methodically he started breaking the branch into tiny pieces.

7 7 7 7 7 7

Twenty-four hours later found everyone in the hospital room each man trying to get Chris to eat more of the wonderful Jell-O sitting before him. Chris was slathered from head to toe with ointment for the welts and an IV in his arm was pushing fluids. He looked around at his friends seeing them clearly at last.

"You ok, Cowboy?" Vin’s hand rested lightly on Chris’ arm.

"Yeah I am now." Looking at Buck, he nodded. "Tell me."

"There’s nothing Chris. His whole life doesn’t fill a page of paper. The PD has been through everything in his house with a fine-toothed comb. No journal, no letters, no family, no friends, nothing. Some really weird stuff he might have made in a metal class and some very bad paintings. One we think is Sarah. But it’s hard to tell. His closet was full of black clothes, no offence Stud, and there were some tickets to a gothic nightclub in Denver. Other then that, they found nothing. He died when his car rolled, we’ll never know now."

"You sure it was him?"

"Oh yeah. We made sure this time. Chris?"

"It’s ok Buck, it’s over." Chris looked down at his hands and the bandages on each wrist. "This time it’s finally over." He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

Vin’s grip tightened on Chris’ arm. **Its ok now, we got your back.**

Chris Larabee smiled as he drifted off to sleep.