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DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters. "The Magnificent Seven" belong to MGM and Trilogy Entertainment. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’d be a happy woman if Vin belonged to me.....but no such luck. I have not made any profit out of writing this, so please don’t sue me. It would not be worth your while.

AUTHOR NOTE:
1. This is a stand along story. It has no place in the Em7 Chronology.

2. I have no medical knowledge and know little about military and security organizations, so there are likely to be inaccuracies. I invite you to enjoy my story for what it is... a rumble about six hunks and one drop dead gorgeous, handsome, strong, cute guy - you pick which of the seven fits that description! (g)

3.This story is a fantasy! If you are looking for a realistic story that is based on facts, this is not it. I have made everything up.

4. I am not a professional writer - I'm just someone who loves the boys. My beta readers are volunteers who have willingly given their time to help me and I will always be in their debt. Any errors are mine alone. There are a number of spelling, grammar and punctuation differences between Australia and the USA... please forgive me for writing with an accent. (g)

5. Yes, I love feedback! Drop me a note so we can chat about the boys. I love to hear others views and it means a lot to me when friends (new and old) take the time to send feedback, encouragement and constructive criticism. Please don't bother to send flames. I've lived that hell once and I won't be allowing it to affect me again.

Special thanks to my pards on the Vin Fanfic and Discussion Group and all of the people who have sent me feedback, encouragement and support in the past. Very special thanks to my wonderful friend and beta, Teri and to Kathy for helping to spot the errors.

THIS UNIVERSE IS CLOSED I hope you will respect this. I encourage you to create your own modern universe to play in. Thank you.

Em7 Stand Alone Story

The Pit

(Dec 2007)

Chris stared down at the simple notebook, the cover worn from mistreatment. It had been thrown across the room more than once. Even ended up in the trash once or twice, only to be retrieved when he’d calmed down.

It had been two years to the day since Josiah had forcefully given it to him. He remembered that moment clearly.

“Chris, the war’s over, we’ve been cleared of all charges brought against us and you’ve nothing to focus on except that pit in your gut. You need to find some way to bring those bottled-up emotions to the surface… fill in the damn pit… and beating on a punching bag in the gym only helps with the frustration and anger. I’m talking about the hurt. Take this book and write in it. Write whatever comes to mind. Doesn’t have to be sentences or even make sense. You don’t have to read it. Just write. Do it every day. It will help. I promise.”

“I don’t need your damn advice.”

“No? Larabee, I’m saying this for your own good because I care. You lost the love of your life and your child in that fire bomb and you left the other half of your soul in Katinda. Brother, I know it’s hard, but call me selfish, I don’t want to lose you to the darkness in what’s left of your soul.”

The words had hurt because it was a truth burning a hole in his heart. He’d thrown the book back at Josiah and yelled profanities. As Josiah had closed the door he’d picked up the closest thing and hurled it at the wall. It struck the photo of his wife and child that hung there, sending it flying, the glass shattering as it hit the floor.

His life had been just as shattered. As he had picked up the frame and stared through the tears of rage into his wife’s smiling face, he’d sworn on her memory he’d do something about the ‘pit’ Josiah had spoken of. He’d collected the notebook, went directly to his desk and had started writing.

Larabee flipped to that first page.

Chris shook his head, scanning the first few entries. Had he ever been so dark? He must have been. Here it was... his thoughts and feelings only two years earlier. Hate was a word that appeared frequently. Hate of himself. Hate of life. Hate of the war. Hate of what he was responsible for – specifically, the loss of the three people who meant more to him than breathing.

Anger, aggression and hurt were in every syllable. However, gradually the tone changed over time, expressing more fears and concerns than anger. It had changed because of the boys. Because of Buck. Because of Josiah and Nathan. Because of J.D. and Ezra.

He hadn’t written in the book for several months -- not since they’d found Vin. There hadn’t been a single moment to spare and to be honest, he hadn’t given the book a thought.

Picking up the pen on his desk, he stared at the empty page and… nothing came to mind. What was there to say? Everything in his life was perfect… well, almost so. If Sarah and Adam… but he knew that wasn’t going to happen and he accepted it. However…

Vin’s alive. I’m not sure how to express what I feel about that. It is like…

Chris stopped writing and frowned. What was it like?

God, I love him. Wouldn’t know how to tell him to his face, but he knows. They all do. Buck has been there every step of the way. So has Josiah. I owe him for this book and for the ‘chat’ that day. Not sure I would have climbed out of the pit without him. Nathan is the thing that keeps me sane, though. I can always count on Nathan to be normal.

Chris smiled. Normal. That actually made Nathan the odd man out. Well, Vin was normal too, but the others!

Ezra booked a flight for us to go to the World Series Baseball match in Japan. Really looking forward to it.

He was supposed to be packing for the trip, but had found the notebook in his top drawer.

Ezra has a pit too and I’ve seen him fall into it more than once. His pit isn’t one of hate, but of self-confidence and distrust. The boys don’t allow him to doubt any more. Ez has come a long way in the past two years. He’s one of us. I wasn’t sure when I first met him but...

Chris paused. He couldn’t think of his team without Ezra. Hell, he couldn’t think of his life without Ezra causing problems for him. A smile of affection touched his eyes.

…but I wouldn’t change him.   J.D. … is just a pest

Chris smiled.

Kid never stands still and uses up oxygen faster than a bicycle pump. I don’t know what Buck would do without him these days. Or what our team would do without him. J.D. gives us an edge other teams simply don’t have. In him, I see Adam.


Chris sighed. He hoped Adam would have grown up with J.D.’s enthusiasm and determination. J.D. was no kid, he had proved that time and time again, but he was young and the way he looked for good in people was a constant reminder to Chris he should do the same.

Josiah. Would have gone out of mind without you, Preacher. When I need you the most, you’re there. Don’t even know how you know. Nathan’s the same. Always shoving things in my hand to eat or drink. We might complain about your mothering, but we’d be lost without you.


Chris’ gaze lifted to the frame on his desk. It was a photo of him with his arms over Buck’s and Vin’s shoulders. His brothers. Not that the others weren’t, but these two men...

Buck is a pest too. Probably why he and J.D. get along the way they do. Doesn’t matter what I do, Buck is in my face, thank God. He’s never let me down. Always been there, even in my darkest times. Even when I don’t want him to be.

Vin is…

Chris drew in a deep breath and exhaled. This is where he’d begun. His rambling thoughts had taken him in other directions but he’d finally come back to where he’d started.

Vin is…

He frowned in frustration and wrote again,

Vin is…

What? What is he?

I take his friendship for granted. Do with Buck too. All of them, I suppose. They really know how to push my buttons, every one of them. Sometimes I feel like a parent who has to keep them in check and I guess that is what they see and want from me. Other times I feel like a pupil watching these incredible people and learning from them. They put up with me and I know I’m not always the easiest person to get along with. When I’m tired, I take it out on them and they let me.

Boys, if it wasn’t for all of you, I’d have stayed in that pit for the rest of my life… which may not have been long all things considered. I wanted to die. I know that now.

Chris closed the book. He never read over what he wrote. That wasn’t the point.

As he rose to start his packing, the phone rang.

Larabee scooped it up. “Hey, Vin.”

“Think you’re real smart don’t you.”

Chris sank into the chair. “Knew it would be you.”

“What the hell do I pack to take to Japan? What’s the weather like over there this time of year?”

“You won’t need that damn buckskin coat.”

“In your ass, Chris.”

“Vin…” Chris shut his eyes and his voice become hushed with emotion. “Thanks for helping me fill in the pit.” There was silence. Chris realized Vin had no idea what he meant. “I mean…”

“I know what you mean, Cowboy. You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m good. Real good.” The best he’d been for many years.

“We got time for a ride out at Four Corners?”

Chris’ test tightened with gratitude. “Reckon so.”

“I’ll meet you at the chopper.”

Chris smiled. “I’m okay, really, but a ride sounds great. Vin…”

“I hear you. Feel the same way. See you soon, Cowboy.”

Chris waited for the click to signal Vin was gone… well, not gone. Never gone.

Josiah’s words of two years earlier returned answering the question Chris hadn’t been able to put into words… you left the other half of your soul in Katinda. Chris flicked open the notebook.

That’s what Vin is. I could never admit it before. The day we met I had a sense of you I’ve never been able to describe and I’ve felt it every day since. Even when I thought… well, I didn’t think you were dead, Vin. God only knows that is the only reason I was able to go on.

The others helped me claw my way to the top of the pit… Buck pulled me out of it and Vin… Vin filled it in so there is no pit left.


Chris stared down at what he’d written. Slowly he closed the book. He’d sworn on his wife’s memory he’d do something about the pit so he’d used the book as Josiah had suggested.

Chris inhaled long and deep, took one last look at what was effectively his journey back to living… and tossed it into the trash.

He wouldn’t be retrieving it this time.

There wasn’t any need.

Thanks to the love of four friends who’d supported him, one brother who’d never given up on him, and a man with whom he shared a soul, the pit was no more.
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© Dec 2007 Aussie Lass. : This relates only to the creative property in this story. The distinctive way the story unfolds, the specific dialogue and unique situations are mine. I acknowledge that some of the characters and settings belong to the owners of "The Magnificent Seven" and I thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while.

This page is for fan enjoyment and review. I do not own any of the pictures. They remain the property of their original owners. No infringement of copyright is intended. I am making no money from this site... I wish! If you see anything on this page (or any other page on my site) that you believe belongs to you and you would like me to remove it, please just let me know and I will take it down immediately or, if you prefer, acknowledge you in full. (g)