By Brigitta B. Em7 - Stand Alone Next Time Response to the Vin Fanfic and Discussion Group July 2008 Challenge: "Close Call" Part 2Chris placed the rifle bolt on the ground, picked up the rag and ran it over the barrel. His mind refused to settle. Taking out the Shu Nai compound would make a difference. It would release most of the south-west corner of Katinda from Cong control. It wouldn’t be easy but his team was more than able. With Vin covering them, they should be in and out quickly and quietly. The colonel had devised and reviewed the plan a hundred times in the last three days. He knew the talks with the Cong would break down. They always did. So, he’d spent three days planning the mission... planning every detail. He’d thought of nothing else in the last 72 hours. If it hadn’t been for Nathan shoving food in his hand or Buck sending him to bed when it got dark, he wouldn’t have slept or eaten in the last three days. Chris glanced over at Josiah who was mumbling to himself. “Buck?” “Chopper.” Chris snorted. Buck had a set routine before every mission... they all did. Josiah read his Bible. Vin went down to the creek. Buck checked the chopper and Nathan unpacked and repacked his pack over and over again. “Nathan?” “Followed Vin down to the creek,” Josiah murmured, looking up. Chris frowned. “He say why?” “No.” Chris stared down at his rifle. Vin had been distant today. Chris assumed it was because of the impending mission. The sharpshooter’s deadly aim would be the only thing standing between his team and a squad of a hundred Kong. It was a responsibility Vin shouldered easily, but one that weighed on his mind before missions. All of the boys kept their distance when Vin needed time to himself, so why had Nathan gone after the sharpshooter? Chris heard the crackle of distant boots. Josiah continued to read, but his hand moved to rest on his rifle. The sound of the approaching men became clearer, confirming their identities. Josiah released his weapon. Chris looked up, waiting for Vin and Nathan to appear. Vin’s face was down when they did. Evening had arrived and the limited light of the small fire did little to help Chris read the expression on Nathan’s face. However, he sensed something was wrong. Josiah, apparently noting the tension, busied himself tending to the fire. Chris’ brow furrowed and he waited as Jackson and Tanner walked straight across to him. The colonel lowered his rifle to the ground, but remained kneeling on one leg. Vin’s chin came up, but his face remained in shadow. “We have a problem.” Chris eyed his friend carefully, noting the pallor in the flickering light of the fire. Vin was sick? Chris turned to Nathan for an explanation. Nathan opened his mouth to comment but Vin cut him off. “Colonel, call off tomorrow’s mission.” Chris returned his gaze to Vin, straining to see him clearly. “Why? Vin swallowed and looked away. “Just call it off.” Again Chris looked to Nathan. “He’s sick?” It was the only explanation for Nathan following Vin to the creek. Nathan affirmed Chris’ suspicion with nod. Chris returned to trying to make out Vin’s face in the moonless night. “You’ve got a migraine coming on?” Vin exhaled and grunted. “Chris...” Nathan started. “Just call off the damn mission,” Vin growled. Chris shook his head. “You know I can’t. We’ve got one opportunity to do this. It has to be tomorrow.” “They’ll be another opportunity,” Vin argued, his eyes flashing with an emotion Chris had never seen there before. If Vin took his migraine medication now, he should be just about recovered by tomorrow. “What’s the problem?” Nathan shifted from one foot to another. The hair stood up on the back of Chris’ neck. “What the hell is going on?” “It isn’t a migraine. I think he’s developing Jungle Fever.” “WHAT?” Chris rose to his feet, staring at Nathan. His stomach dropped. “How can you tell? I thought the early stages were exactly like...” Unless this wasn’t an early stage? “How long?” he demanded, directing his attention at Vin. “HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SICK?” “Chris, just call...” “HOW LONG?” Vin glared back at him. “Three days.” “Three...” Then the rash had already appeared. Noting the missing buttons from Vin’s shirt, Chris roughly parted the material. He turned Vin toward the light so he could see clearly. He blinked at the purple and red rash and rage amalgamated with horror and concern. “Why the hell didn’t you say something?” Vin pushed his colonel’s hand away. “Because I’m running this mission, Jungle Fever or not.” “No,” Nathan stated firmly. “You’re going to hospital first thing tomorrow morning. You need to be tested to see if this is Type A or B. Regardless, you’ll be hospitalized and put on a drip. Right now, I want you out of this night air.” Chris heard the words but they seemed distant, drowned by the pounding in his chest. “How the hell did you miss this?” he roared at Nathan. By this time the flames in the fire had taken hold, lighting the encampment in a soft but healthy glow. “I... I didn’t. I thought that it may have been a migraine and then when it didn’t eventuate I thought it must have just been a cold.” “You thought? YOU THOUGHT!” “Chris, this isn’t Nathan’s fault. I should...” “SHUT-UP, Lieutenant.” Chris stepped toward Nathan. “How long were you going to just ‘think’ about it and do nothing?” Nathan held Chris’ glare. “I did the wrong thing. I’m sorry. I should have examined him properly two days ago and reported it to you, Colonel.” “YOU THINK!” Chris roared. “Chris!” Vin stepped between the two men. “Nathan isn’t the one who kept this from you. I did and I did it because I knew you’d still run the mission without me. I can’t let that happen.” Chris continued to glare at Nathan over Vin’s shoulder and then peeled his attention to Vin. “What game did you think you were playing, Lieutenant?” Vin snorted. “You think I see this as a game, Chris?” Chris saw red. “YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO TELL ME EVERTHING. You knew that when you signed on. No secrets.” “I...” Vin sighed. “Chris, I’m sorry, but I didn’t want you to... I thought you’d understand that...” “UNDERSTAND?” Chris stepped closer to Vin and rammed his finger into his lieutenant’s chest. Vin stumbled backwards, bounced off Nathan and landed on his backside. Nathan swooped by his side. Chris blinked. He’d hardly touched Vin... yet Vin had been knocked over? Vin scrambled to his feet with difficulty. Nathan tried to help him, but Vin shoved him away. Once Vin was upright, Chris stepped closer. Nathan dived between them, holding up his hand. “Back off, Chris. He can barely stand. He isn’t up to a pissing contest with you. You’re angry. I get that. You can belt the crap out him and me after we’ve got him to a hospital. Right now, I need to get him to bed.” Vin attempted to remove Nathan to get to Chris but failed. So he walked around the medic. “I’m okay. Just stumbled. Larabee, I should have said something. And I would have if I didn’t think you were a pig-headed bastard who’d run this mission without me.” Chris swallowed, the anger drowning as he stared at his friend who was too weak to fend off Nathan. The medic started dragging Vin toward the tents. “Nathan! Nathan, piss off and leave me alone.” Nathan ignored Vin’s weak struggles and passionate appeals and continued to hustle the sharpshooter into the tent. With a soft curse, Chris followed, watching as Nathan manhandled Vin onto a cot. “Nathan!” A string of obscenities followed as Vin struggled valiantly, but uselessly against the medic. Kneeling beside Nathan who was trying to force Vin to lie back, Chris placed his hand on Vin’s shoulder. Vin stopped struggling. His wild eyes met Chris’ calm ones. “Lie back.” Vin swallowed. Chris... “Lie back.” The rigidity left Vin’s body and he allowed Nathan to force his shoulders to the cot. Tanner’s face set like concrete. In a hushed and scratchy voice he declared with total conviction, “Call off the mission or I’m going with you.” Nathan turned up the small kerosene lamp in the tent so he could examine the rash. “It’s spread in just the last hour.” Vin shut his eyes in pure frustration, his grey lips pressed into a frown. Chris could feel the heat radiating from his friend’s body. “He’s burning up.” “Yeah,” Nathan acknowledged. “I didn’t realize it had progressed this far. He did a pretty good job of keeping it from me.” “From both of us,” Chris murmured, flashing Nathan a silent apology. The medic paused and nodded. “Yeah.” Vin rolled his eyes. “He has two ears and can hear you. Chris, either call off the mission or...” “You’ll do as you’re told, Lieutenant,” Chris stated without volume or emotion. Vin stared at him. Fire and brimstone flashed from his eyes. “You’re not leaving me behind. I’m coming, even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees.” “We need to get him out of these damp clothes,” Nathan ordered. “Chris, I mean it. You’re not going without me. YOU’RE NOT!” ******** Josiah glanced at Buck as he appeared out of the jungle, rifle in one hand, flashlight in the other. Vin’s raised voice wafted out of the tent. “ You’re not going without me. YOU’RE NOT!“Buck frowned and inclined his head toward the tent. “What’s going on?” “Vin’s sick. Nathan thinks it’s Jungle Fever.” Buck’s eyes widened. “What… but…” Josiah rubbed his stubbled chin. “Rash has already appeared. We’re taking him to the hospital tomorrow morning for tests….Chris hit the roof.” Buck shook his head slowly. “Vin alright?“ “Pretty weak by the look of it, but Nathan has it in hand.“ Buck nodded, his frown deepening. “The mission?” Josiah shrugged. Ten minutes later, Chris appeared out of the tent, the light from the fire flickering off the deep lines feathered around his mouth. Josiah and Buck rose to their feet. “Chris?” Larabee shot the pair a look that had sent lesser men running for their lives. “Buck, if I have Nathan cover the south-west of the Shu Nai compound, can you handle the rest of the sharpshooting duties?” Buck blinked. “I… hell, Chris. I’m not Vin.“ “If I get Olli to fly us in, pull Nathan completely from offence and allocate him defense of the entire south section of the compound, can you handle the rest of the defense role?“ Chris growled. Buck exhaled slowly. “Yeah, I guess, but…” “We don’t have a choice. This has to happen tomorrow, before those five squads of Cong arrive. I‘ll contact Olli‘s CO tonight.” “Vin?” Buck asked, walking around the fire to stand face to face with Chris. Chris glanced back toward the tent. “I should belt the crap out of him and Nathan both. Nathan’s certain it’s Jungle Fever.” “Type A or B?” Josiah asked. “Won’t know until he has a blood test tomorrow,” Chris murmured. “@$%#!” The passionate explosion echoed in the night. Josiah and Buck exchanged a glance. “If it’s Type B, they’ll send him home,” Josiah stated carefully. “I know,” Chris acknowledged quietly, the anger passed. Buck ran his hand through his hair. “Vin doesn’t have anyone back home. No one to look after him and he’ll need someone to take care of him. Jungle Fever really knocks the hell out of you.” “My parents,” Nathan stated, emerging from the tent. “I’ll call them. They’ll look after him.” Chris turned to Nathan. The two men looked at each for several seconds and then Chris offered his hand. Nathan took it, the grip firm. “I’ve knocked him out. He’s beside himself about the mission tomorrow. “ “I understand how he feels,” Chris whispered emotionally, releasing Nathan’s fist. “Not being there when you’re needed is a hell all its own.” Buck patted Chris’ back, knowing his friend was referring to the death of Sarah and Adam. “Nathan, how far through the Jungle Fever stages is Vin?” “I’m guessing he’s just started the third day so about halfway through tomorrow, he’s going to feel like he’s fine. Fourth day all symptoms but the rash disappear. You’ll need to order him to stay in that hospital bed, Colonel. He’s desperate enough to follow us.” Chris nodded. “I’ll make it an order.” ********** Chris re-entered the tent, staring down at Vin in the limited light of the kerosene lamp. He paused for a moment, his emotions bubbling, and then made preparations to bed down. Vin moved restlessly. Chris bent over his friend, his touch and calming words proving effective. Vin’s face twitched and he became still. Chris sighed and rocked back on his heels. “I’m sorry, Vin. I wish I could call it off but…” He swallowed. He was willing to admit the mission wouldn’t be easy, but he had confidence his team would handle it. He wouldn’t risk his boys if I didn’t believe that. Absentmindedly, Chris adjusted the blanket around Vin. The Colonel was worried, he was willing to admit that too… at least to himself. Jungle Fever could be serious, but tomorrow Vin would be safely in the hospital and if it was a worst case scenario, Vin would go home to Nathan’s family. Nathan had spoken about them many times and Chris was confident Vin would be well cared for. The tension he felt eased a little. Olli had been released to assist them so the mission would be okay and so would Vin. As Chris started to rise, Vin stirred, drawing in a deeper breath, his eyes fluttering open. Chris smiled, crouched, his hand resting in the middle of his friend’s chest. Vin blinked in an obvious attempt to clear some of the drug induced fog. “Chris?… ahh hell. Nathan’s drugged me.““Yeah. Sorry about that. You were getting worked up. We need you to rest.“ “Colonel…“ “Don’t,” Chris stated resolutely, the tone changing from personal to official. Vin ‘s eyes hardened with determination. “The decision’s made, Lieutenant” “ Colonel… Chris, please.”“Vin.” They stared at each other. “Everything will be okay… trust me.” Vin blinked and sighed. Chris shifted his hand to his friend’s shoulder and squeezed firmly. The concern and despair reflected in Vin’s blue eyes gave way to acceptance and unquestioned faith. Chris reapplied pressure and repeated, “Trust me.” Vin’s chin bobbed and his eyes slid closed.
********* “Trust me,” Chris murmured, his voice reverberating with disgust. “I asked him to trust me and…” “Chris,” Vin interrupted. Their eyes came together… no doubt, just as they had all those years before. “No way you could have known what was going to happen.” Chris grunted. “But exactly what did happen the next morning?” J.D. asked, desperate to know more. Vin yawned, removing his cowboy hat. “Reckon that’s a story for another night, kid.” Silence blanketed the camp. Nathan stoked the fire. “Guess it’s my turn to admit something.” J.D. laid back, the tension in his body easing. He hadn’t realized how wound up in the story he’d become. “Go on, Nathan,” Buck prompted. “Okay, this isn’t something I’ve admitted before,” Nathan stated, “but I guess I’m willing to concede that just maybe… on the odd occasion… my health shakes aren’t always the tastiest drinks in the world.” Josiah tackled Nathan. They wrestled for a couple of seconds like two kids and then sat up grinning. “Our brother has finally seen the light,” Josiah boomed happily. “I’ll bet Ezra would have had something really interesting to admit,” J.D. commented wistfully. The bundle that constituted Ezra moved. “If I had been awake, trust me, I would have pretended to be asleep.” Laughter echoed in the night as it often did when the hard, tough men of Em7 collected around the campfire to enjoy the simple pleasure of friendship. While none of them would admit it, admission into their unusual and unique ‘group’ was something they treasured and appreciated more with each passing day… but then, that is the way of family.
You can drop me a note here.  © June 2008 Brigitta B. : 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 the characters and settings belong to MGM and Trilogy Entertainment and 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. |
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