The Magnificent Seven Plot Bunny #2

ATF Little Ezra AU

Characters used: Chris, Ezra, Nettie Wells, JD

Warnings: child abuse

Submitted by knoteach

 

<<<~7~>>><<<~7~>>>

 

Miss Nettie Wells was not looking forward to this interview.  This was a bad situation all around, and from what she had been able to find out about the man she was here to see, it was probably going to get worse.  Squaring her shoulders, she pushed through the doors mark “ATF Team 7” and looked around for the man she had come to talk to. 

 

Spotting a door with the man’s name on it, she headed towards it, but was stopped by a voice to her right.

 

“Can I help you, ma’am?”  The young man that spoke looked to be just out of high school, but Nettie knew he was actually in his twenties.  JD Dunne, electronics and surveillance specialist, the youngest of the team.  Well, at least, he’s polite, she mused.

 

“I have an appointment to speak with Mr. Chris Larabee,” she calmly informed him.

 

Nodding, he led her to the door and knocked.  At the terse, “Come in,” that came from inside he opened the door and waved for her to go in.

 

Never one to waste time, Nettie spoke right away.  “Mr. Larabee, my name is Nettie Wells.  I spoke to you last night about meeting with you today.”

 

Chris put down the papers he had been reading and sat back in his chair.  “Yes, I remember, however I have no idea what Social Services could want with me.”  Chris crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

 

Pulling out her folder on this case, Nettie started to explain.  “Do you remember your wife’s youngest sister?  I believe her name was Abigail.”

 

Chris stiffened slightly and nodded tensely, “Yes, she ran away from home.  I remember Sarah talking about them looking for her, but never being able to find her.”

 

Nettie nodded in confirmation.  “They most likely had problems because she changed her name almost immediately after leaving.  She called herself Maude Standish.  About two and a half weeks ago, she was killed in a car accident.  It was her last request, and in absence of a will, that will have to do, that her son be placed in the care of her sister Sarah.  If you are willing to accept the responsibility, Ezra would be placed in your care immediately.”

 

Chris had sat straight up in shock, when Nettie explained what his sister-in-law had requested.  “Son?”  Chris croaked. 

 

“That is correct, sir.”  Nettie agreed, she figured it would be better to get Larabee asking questions, than to just trying to stuff information down the man’s throat.

 

Chris blinked a few times in shock.  A boy had been left in his care by a woman he had never met in his life.  No, left in Sarah’s care by her estranged younger sister.  Well, thinking of it that way did make a little more sense at least.  Clearing his throat, Chris prepared to get as much information as he could, “What’s his name?  How old is he?”

 

‘Good, at least he’s interested,’ Nettie cheered silently.  “His full name is Ezra Philip Standish, and he is twelve years old.”

 

“Twelve,” Chris thought a moment, “So he just finished sixth grade,” he muttered.  School had let out a few weeks ago, and he was saddened to think that the two had probably been head out on a vacation when the accident occurred. 

 

“Actually he has just completed seventh grade.  Ezra is an extremely bright boy, and has been enrolled in accelerated programs from the last two years.”  Nettie informed the blond man sitting in front of her. 

 

Chris looked impressed with Ezra’s accomplishments, but something she had said early was starting to bug him.  “You said that she was killed over two weeks ago, why are you just contacting me now and where has Ezra been all this time?

 

Nettie smiled internally, Larabee was already trying to defend the boy and he had yet to meet him, this was great.  “Ezra was in the accident with his mother.  He was badly hurt, but survived.  He’s been in the hospital in Florida since then.  As to why it took so long to contact you, well, I am told there was some confusion.  When she made her request, she used only the first name Sarah, they had to hunt down her maiden name, then they tried to find Sarah Standish…”

 

Chris calmly interrupted her, “Except that she had changed her name and Sarah’s maiden name was Connelly not Standish.”

 

Nettie smiled for real this time.  “Exactly, they eventually connected the two, and contacted me to talk to you.  Would you be willing to at least meet the boy?”

 

“Yes, I would.  I don’t know if it would be a good idea for the boy to live with me, but I would like to meet him.”  Chris noticed the saddened expression that passed over Nettie face and asked, “What?  You must admit that my job is not the safest.  Ezra would be running a more than even chance of being orphaned twice.  It would be better for him to be placed with a family that could take care of him.”  At least that was what Chris was trying to tell himself.

 

Biting her lip, Nettie decided to tell Chris the rest of the story, even if the higher up didn’t want her too.  They thought it would keep Chris from seeing the boy at all, but from what she had seen here and what she had read about the man, it might do just the opposite.

 

“I’m going to be blunt, Mr. Larabee.  Maude Standish was not a good woman and she was an even worse mother.  She was basically a conwoman with no time to deal with a child.  The boy has lived at boarding schools since he was five. Before that he lived with whomever she could dump the boy with.  In the last seven years, he has attended eight different schools.  During the breaks between sessions, she left the boy with friends or acquaintances to use as they pleased.  The doctors have found evidence of physical abuse, and there is a strong possibility of emotion and mental abuse.  The chances of Ezra being adopted are so small as to be absolutely zero.  He’s small for his age so he wouldn’t do well in a group home or orphanage either.  Mr. Larabee, the one thing this boy needs above all else right now is stability and affection.”  Nettie watched the storm build as she spoke. 

 

“She did what?”  Chris growled.  Nettie didn’t bother repeating herself, he had obviously heard her the first time, and waited for his answer.  “Alright, Ms. Wells, I’ll give it serious consideration.  Where in Florida is he?”

 

“Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach,” she replied.

 

Chris nodded, “Alright.  I’ll see how soon I can get a flight, and I should be on my way tomorrow.  Do you have a number I can call them at when I get there?”

 

“Certainly, here,” Nettie pulled out one of her cards and wrote the number on the back.   “This is the number for their office, if you want to call them before you leave, they’ll meet you at the airport and take to meet Ezra.”

 

Standing, Chris took the card and held his hand out to the older woman.  “Thank you for coming here and talking to me personally.  This is a conversation that wouldn’t have gone well over a phone.”

 

Nettie stood as well and took the offered hand.  “I understand that, Mr. Larabee. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”  Gathering her purse and folder, Nettie left, praying that the seeds were firmly planted.