Reconciliations Part III:
Resolutions

Mallory carefully studied the hospital monitors and felt a frown settle on her face as she took in two white men, dressed in hospital scrubs crouch down in front of what appeared to be the screen leading to a ventilation shaft for the duo heating and air conditioning system. As she pulled out her cell phone to call her husband, since he was actually leading some of the personnel on that floor, she spotted two more men doing something similar on another floor.

She turned to the head of the hospital security." Mr. Smithy, can I borrow your radio please?"

"Sure, Agent Sanchez," Peter Smithy replied, shifting in his chair to hand the radio over to her. "Did you catch sight of your man?"

“No, but I've got a few others dressed in the same garb, with black bags on different floors setting what I believe are explosives. What frequency do you use to radio your people?"

"Channel 12," Smithy said, as he gazed into the monitors and picked out the men that she had seen.

Josiah led the way down one side of the second floor, three of the security personnel beside him as they did a sweep of each room looking for Rhett Myers and his cohort. The radios that all three of the security guards carried squawked to life, followed by the familiar voice of his wife.

"Josiah?”

Hearing his name called broke through his thoughts. "Yes."

"Two of the men are right around the corner from you. Take care of them."

Sanchez smiled. "Oh, I will.”

Justin and Selina were working the third floor, and had heard the communication between Josiah and Mallory.

“Watch for the black bags, they’ll be easier to pick out than the men dressed as orderlies.” Justin instructed Selina and the security officers with them.

Word quickly spread to all the agents that there were more men involved than they originally thought. Buck had a decision to make. Could they chance finding all the men and the explosives, or should he order an evacuation?

“Buck?” Ezra tried to get Wilmington’s attention.

“What?” Buck answered, clearly concerned about making the right call.

"It would seem prudent that the only possible choice you can make is to set an evacuation in motion.” Standish told Wilmington. "We have no idea of the amount of time those dastardly miscreants have set on the explosives, an evacuation post-haste is the only course of action." Ezra knew it would be chaos, and in the process they could lose their suspects, but there were too many lives at stake.

“I Know.” As incident Commander it was his responsibility to make the decision. Buck picked up one of the radios to let security know he was ordering an immediate evacuation of the hospital. Denver Memorial as well as every other hospital had a plan in place for such situations. “Set your evacuation procedure in motion, we do have known explosives on the premises.”

Once the call was made an orderly chaos ensued. The in-patient area supervisor was in charge of implementing a prepared plan for the hospital, and all available law enforcement offices as well as EMS would respond to the call. Ambulatory patients would be escorted out and Ambulances would transport the most critical patients. The biggest problem would be those in surgery and in labor.

Buck headed to Linda’s room to inform Chris.

"That's it, Linda...breathe." Larabee was in the middle of coaxing his pregnant wife through her breathing when Wilmington entered the suite.

Buck closed the door behind him and moved into the adjoining suite, knowing that Chris would join them as soon as he could.

"How are things?" Nathan asked.

"Did you catch them?" Vin queried.

"I've just ordered an emergency evacuation of the hospital." Buck told them.

"Why? How serious is the situation?" Larabee demanded as he entered the room.

"Mallory caught at least four more men on the video screens dressed as orderlies with black bags. They were planting explosives in the hospital's duo heating/air conditioning ventilation system. She signaled the rest of us via radio. We’ve arrested two, but we don’t know how many more there are.”

“Damnit, Linda is too close to delivering to evacuate.” Chris ran his hand through his hair. “She can’t leave.”

“Chris, I have every available agent on this, more local officers are on their way, and the hospital is taking care of the evacuation, but we can’t take the risk of missing anything.” Buck told him. “Mark, Bandit and six other teams are searching for explosives…”

Larabee sighed,” Vin, Nathan, you two get the women and Grace out of here. You’ll have to cover each other, so watch your backs.” He turned to Buck. “Find the bastards!”

"Chrissss...!" Linda screamed out her husband's name as she felt a strong contraction rip across her abdomen. "Chris....the baby's coming!”

The medical staff took control of evacuating the patients, and within ten minutes there were over one hundred police and firemen at the hospital to assist. News crews were on the scene, and a triage tent was set up in the parking lot to house the patients that were unable to be moved to other facilities.

It didn't prevent Tanner from calling ahead to the Larabee 7 and alerting Walter to tighten security measures. ”Walter, put the ranch on lockdown. We’ll be at the front gates in fifteen minutes.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In spite of the fact that Linda believed Cody was ready to arrive, Dr. Ryder told her she not quite ready to deliver. Chris and the doctor had agreed not to tell Linda about the evacuation, she was too far along to move, and there was no reason to risk an elevation in her blood pressure.

“It won’t be long now, Linda,” Dr Ryder said. “I need you to push when I tell you to.”

"I want this baby out now!" Linda cried back, squeezing Chris's hand so tightly Larabee felt it going numb.

"Breathe, Linda..." Chris coaxed her again, mimicking the 'huffing' sounds for her to follow.

"I don't want to breathe! I just want drugs!" Linda cried out as she was hit by another contraction.

"It’s too late for that now." Dr. Ryder told Linda calmly as she positioned herself at the foot of the bed in preparation of checking how far along she was again.

A surprise awaited her. “Nurse, make sure that everything is ready. Chris, you better scrub up now. It looks like your son is about to be born."

Larabee worked to untangle his hand from the grip that Linda held on it and then washed up under the nurse's instructions. He was already dressed in scrubs and immediately returned to his position beside his wife and listened as Dr. Ryder gave Linda instructions to follow.

"Linda, the baby’s head is crowning. I want you to take a deep breath and push hard." The doctor instructed.

Chris supported Linda's back as she did as Dr. Ryder instructed and bore down as hard as she could, her face twisting into a wrinkled mass of pain and concentration.

“That’s it, now relax for a moment. One more contraction and a push is all we need.” Dr. Ryder waited for the next contraction. “Now push.”

Linda did as she was told and screamed out in pain as Cody Christopher Larabee made his loud entrance into the world. Dr. Ryder placed him on Linda’s stomach and the nurse showed Chris where to cut the cord.

Larabee's hand was trembling as he took the scissors that the nurse provided him with and cut the umbilical cord that attached his newborn son with his wife. Tears filled his green eyes and ran unchecked down his face as he gazed in amazement at his son.

"Would you like to hold your baby, Mrs. Larabee?" the nurse asked, having taken the wriggling mass off of her abdomen and cleaned him up while her thoughts were elsewhere.

"No...Let Chris hold him." Linda said, feigning tiredness as her reason for not holding Cody.

The nurse moved around the bed to where Chris stood and gently handed him his son. Larabee took Cody into his arms and felt his heart give a lurch when he noticed familiarities in the infant's facial features that were similar to Adam's when he had been born.

"He's beautiful." Chris said softly, lifting his eyes off of Cody's face and gazed over at Linda. "Thank you for giving me my son. You did a terrific job.”

Tears filled Linda's eyes at the soft accolade given to her by Chris. "We both did."

“Mrs. Larabee, we need to move you now.” Dr. Ryder had finished, and agreed that Linda could be moved. “You and your son will be going downstairs now.”

“No, I’m supposed to be able to stay in this room and I’m damn tired!” Linda protested. “Why in the hell would I be going downstairs?”

“Linda,” Chris tried to take her hand, but she refused. “The hospital is being evacuated and I want you and Cody out of here.”

“The hospital's being evacuated? Why? What happened?”

“I’ll explain on the way down, right now we need to get you downstairs.” Chris stepped back as the nurses prepared Linda to be moved. He knew Linda would be outraged when she found out his work was related to the threat to the hospital, but he would deal with it later. Right now he needed to secure his family, and then join his team.

Josiah Sanchez could be a patient man at times; this was not one of them. He had the two men he had arrested in front of him, and one way or another he planned on making them talk.

"You can't make us do squat. We've got rights, whether you like it or not!" the man spat back in his face.

Josiah leaned into the taller of the two men, invading the hell out of his personal space. “You’ve got exactly five seconds to decide if you're going to help me and my friends find all of the explosives that you creeps planted in the hospital or tell me what you want inscribed on your tombstones because…” He moved closer,” … if this hospital goes up in flames the two of you are going to be riding them straight to hell!"

"Rights?” Sanchez's voice rose as he fought to keep control of his anger." You're rights became null and void the moment that you both stepped into this hospital with the intent on killing several hundred people, including many innocent children!"

The other man had paled at Josiah's words, and was clearly showing his distress at the predicament he was in. "Look man, we don't have to tell you nothing!"

His false bravado wasn't fooling anyone, especially not Josiah. Sanchez turned towards him. "Then you best kiss your ass goodbye.”

He turned to one of the security officers with him. "Do you have some cuffs on you?"

The security officer nodded and removed a pair of cuffs from his belt and handed them to Josiah. Sanchez forced one prisoner, and then the other onto the floor and after looping the cuffs through the lines of the cover for the ventilator shaft; he locked one cuff on each of the men's wrists and started to walk away.

The personnel people glanced at each other, and then followed after the MCAT leader. One of the prisoners yelled after them. "You can't leave us here!" Josiah kept walking until he and the guards were around the corner and out of sight.

"Wait! Come back! You can't leave us here!" Both men were yelling now, panicking at the thought of being left to die by the very explosives that they had helped to plant. Josiah waited for a few more minutes and then returned to where he had left the two men.

"Are you going to help me or are you going to die?” Josiah queried.

"We'll do anything you want. Just don't leave us here!" The two men exclaimed together.

Sanchez smiled. "I thought you'd see things my way." he said as he took the key from the guard who had given him the cuffs and let the two men loose. “Start talking.”

“There are twelve of us, six teams, and we were paid to plant the explosives.” The first man rushed his words nervously.

Josiah threw down a blueprint of the building in front of him. “Show me where.” He turned to the second man and threw him a pen and paper. “I want names of all the men involved, including the one who paid you.”

Within five minutes Sanchez had the locations of the explosives, a description of the type of device they were using, and the names of a dozen men involved in the plan. He broadcast the information on the radio channel the MCAT team was using. It did not take long to locate four of the five remaining devices, and six more men were arrested. The only name missing was the one of the man that paid them because they didn’t know it.

"Freeze, Federal Agent." JD called out, his gun steady on the two men.

The men's heads whipped around, not having heard or seen anyone approaching as they had been concentrating on the job at hand.

"You're a might puny to be a Fed." One of the men told JD laughingly, not in the least bit unnerved to have a gun pointed at him.

His partner laughed outright. "He is at that.”

“Size aside, I am a federal agent and you two are under arrest." JD informed them, stepping closer to them.

The first man's face darkened with anger. "It's going to take a helluva lot more than just you to arrest me."

He stood up suddenly and JD's grip on his gun tightened. "Don't do anything stupid."

"What are you going to do, shoot me? High and mighty federal agent is going to shoot an unarmed man? No, I don't think so. He's too yeller to go against the rules."

"Don’t bet your life on it." JD warned in a lethal tone that would have made any of his brothers proud.

They rushed him at the same time, and suddenly JD found himself in a fight for his life. His gun went off and he saw one of the men flinch as he was struck by the bullet. JD went down in a defensive crouch as the other man tackled him, flinging Dunne backwards into the wall behind him.

JD felt pain explode inside his head as his body made contact with the wall, and his weapon slipped from his hand and fell to the floor. He brought his hands up to defend himself from the flurry of fists that his opponent flung at him. Even though he managed to fight off the brunt of the blows, he still felt one connect with his mouth and almost instantly he tasted blood.

As the man's partner, the one who had been shot, moved forward to join in the fight, JD kicked out with one leg and caught the wounded man in his knee and sent him crumpling to the ground in even more pain.

"One down, one to go." he exclaimed aloud even as he continued to grapple with the other man.

His antagonist grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and slammed him back against the wall again, making white stars dance before his eyes and a sharp pain shoot down his spine. He tried to free the hands from where they were twisted in the collar of his shirt, but couldn't. Instead he kneed the man in the groin and was relieved when the man fell to the ground. JD slumped against the wall for a minute to try and catch his breath, before he leaned down to pick up his fallen weapon. Before his fingers could touch it, the gun was grabbed up by the wounded man who flipped it over and used the butt of it to crack JD over the head.

JD fell to the ground and lay unconscious as the wounded second man slowly rose to his feet onto his feet, while his partner set the timer on the explosives. "Let's get the hell out of here."

The man holding the gun wavered for a moment as he pointed it at the young MCAT agent, but finally seemed to agree with his partner that their best course of action was to get out of the hospital before the fireworks began.

“Damnit, JD is still not answering!” Buck growled at the radio as he waited for the elevator. “The hell with this, I’m taking the stairs.” Wilmington was on the tenth floor; he opened the stairwell door and began his decent. Mark and Bandit followed him.

It did not take long for them to reach the fifth floor; as soon as they entered the radio came alive. Justin reported, “Captain, we’ve apprehended two men exiting down the back stairs. One of them was covered in blood, and collapsed; the other one tripped over him and took a header down a flight of stairs. They had a black bag, but no explosives were found.”

“Mark, turn that dog loose and find those explosives.” Buck ordered.

Bandit took off with his nose to the floor, and led them to the supply area. Opening the door, the first thing Buck saw was JD’s body. “Oh God, no!” He knelt down beside his brother and was relieved to find a pulse. “Officer down, we need medical help ASAP.” He shouted into the radio. “Hang on JD.”

“Buck? We have a bigger problem here. I found our explosives, and the timer reads two minutes thirty seconds.” Mark pulled Bandit away from the device.

"Damn it!" Buck exclaimed, scrambling away from JD's side over to where Mark was crouched down beside Bandit in front of an open ventilation shaft.

"We've got no choice but to try to disarm it before it goes off." Wilmington told Westin.

Westin nodded and began taking out the disarming tools he carried with him.

"Thirty seconds." Mark said tensely.

"I know.” Buck replied. He took the set of mini scissors that Westin handed to him and taking a deep breath he set them in place to cut the yellow wire. He closed his eyes and snipped. After waiting for the explosion to come, he opened his eyes and glanced at the timer. It read two seconds. He had done it! He sank back with relief as Mark let out a joyful cheer as their radio squawked to life.

Slightly shaking fingers clasped around the radio as Buck answered the call." The last bomb has been disarmed." He moved over beside JD and grinned when he saw his eyes open. “Hey, you back with us?”

JD was having difficulty focusing, but he knew that voice. “Buck?”

“Yep, it’s me. Doc is on his way and you’re gonna be just fine. “He pushed JD’s hair back to see how badly he was hurt. “If it wasn’t for you kid, a lot of people could have died today. You recognized Rhett Myers, thwarting their plans to kill many innocent people. Also, unless I miss my guess, you’re the one that took out one of the two we just found on the back stairs.”

“My head hurts.”

“I bet it does.” Buck heard movement in the hallway. “Hang on JD, the doc is on his way,” As soon as he said it the doctor was entering the room behind him with a real orderly. Buck moved aside and let the doctor examine his young brother

“We’ll take him from here.” After a brief examination, the doctor had JD moved onto the gurney in the hallway. “We’re going to take him down to the ER for a thorough exam, but his vitals and reflexes are good.”

“I’m going with you.” Wilmington followed the gurney as they moved JD downstairs.

The Wild Bunch waited for news, the only thing keeping Vin and Nathan in check was the presence of the children. Otherwise they would be ranting, cursing, and pacing. It was difficult to sit on the sidelines, when their brothers were out there in the danger zone.

“Damnit, somebody had better call soon.” Vin was on edge and jumped when the phone finally did ring. “Tanner!” He listened as Chris gave him a rundown on what was going on. “”Yeah, congratulations Cowboy, See you tomorrow,”

Nathan was on his feet. “Well, is it over?”

“Yep, eight arrested, two dead, six explosive devices were found and neutralized.” He looked toward the women. “Casey, JD has a slight concussion, but he’ll be fine, he’s on his way home now with Buck. They’re also allowing everyone back into the hospital as we speak.”

“What about the baby?” Kelli asked anxiously.

Tanner grinned.” Your baby brother is fine. Seven pounds, eight ounces, twenty one inches, and both Cody and Linda are okay.”

“Thank God!”

“Do we know who hired these men?” Nathan asked.

“No, not even a description, but all the men are members of either the RMR or the Ledger militants.” Vin looked at Kelli. “It appears that Nathan and I are not their only targets. It’s become a vendetta against anyone associated with MCAT.” He was beginning to doubt if the risks to his family were worth staying the course to convict Chambers.

“Karl is behind all of it Vin. You have to testify to make certain he loses his power to hurt anyone. ‘Kelli recognized the shadow of doubt in his eyes, and walked over to hug her husband. “We will be okay and you...” She hugged him tighter.” …will do what’s right Tanner.”

Vin held her close, he knew he could not back down, but he worried that Karl was not through with his reign of terror against them. The fact that he was willing to kill hundreds of innocent people in that hospital for a chance to reach his family proved that even behind bars, Chambers was still a dangerous man. Tanner knew that somehow they had to find a way to keep their families safe, and stop Karl Chambers.

Chris could not get enough of holding Cody. Earlier today Buck had brought Grace up to meet her brother and seeing the two of them together was one of the best moments of his life. He regretted that Vin and Kelli could not be here, but he decided not to tempt fate. They would have to wait until he brought Cody home tomorrow to see him. The hospital was running almost back to normal, but the new security measures were not completely in place. Chris had made several suggestions as to how they could avoid a repeat of yesterdays near disaster. Fortunately the administrator was listening and promised to follow through with implementing each one. At least by the time Kelli was due to deliver they would not have to worry about the militia getting in with bombs. For now though he did not want her or Vin anywhere near this place.

Linda roused from her nap and gingerly moved. She had minor surgery this morning to have her tubes tied, and was still sore from yesterday’s delivery. The doctor assured her she would be feeling much better by morning, but for now she was taking it easy. “Chris?”

“Hey, how are you feeling?”

“Okay, I guess, considering.” Linda managed to sit up with the help of some pillows. “I still can’t believe my delivery was upstaged by a stupid bomb threat.”

Chris smiled. This was the Linda he knew, after all that had happened she was miffed about not being the center of attention when Cody was born. “You want to hold Cody?”

“No, you’re doing fine with him.” Linda looked at the flowers in the room, noting some new deliveries. ”Oh they’re beautiful and so many! Hand me the cards, will you?”

Moving a sleeping Cody back into his bassinette and then took the stack of cards from the dresser. “Three new one came in while you slept. From Ezra and Barbara, Travis, and one from Louisiana sighed only with the initial V.”

Linda took the card from him, she knew who the last one was from, but she was not sharing that information with Chris. “I have some thank you notes and stamps in my bag, if you’ll dig them out, I’ll start writing.”

“Cody can leave tomorrow, and unless you have any complication from the surgery so can you. You can do that at home can’t you?” The look on her face clearly said no, and he proceeded to dig out the thank you notes.

“Thank you.” Linda said as he gave the notes to her. She looked at him thoughtfully while she gathered her words.” We had some good times together, didn’t we, Chris?”

“Yes we did.” Chris answered honestly.” We needed what we had at that particular turn in our lives, and I don’t regret the time we had together. “He grinned. “I probably should say not most of it anyway.”

“Grace and Cody are lucky to have you.” Linda sighed. “I want you to go home tonight Chris, rest, and don’t come back before tomorrow afternoon to pick up Cody.”

“Linda, I can stay.”

She was already shaking her head. “I need some time to myself. Have the nurse take Cody to the nursery, Chris. I need my space.”

“All right, I’ll wait til tomorrow afternoon to come back if that’s what you want. As soon as Cody is moved, I’ll leave.” He rang for the nurse and she immediately came for the baby. Chris leaned down and kissed Linda on the forehead.” See you tomorrow.”

Linda grabbed his hand and squeezed hard. “I do care about you Larabee, and I want you to have a good life with our children.”

Chris had the feeling that Linda was mentally letting go. “We’ll be fine Linda, and so will you.” He gently laid her hand on the bed. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight Chris.” She watched him leave, and was surprised to find that only a single tear fell as the door closed.

Chris had decided that today would be the best time to call a meeting of the brothers to discuss ranch business. He knew once he brought Cody home that his time would be limited and they had some decisions to make. They had agreed to meet at Vin's house because he did not want to be too far away from Kelli. She still had six weeks to go before the twins were due to arrive, but the doctor had warned them that with multiples an early delivery was always a possibility. Chris walked with Grace over to the Tanner's.

Max met him at the door to take Grace. "There's our girl." She smiled when the baby came to her willingly. "The men are in the front room waiting for you. Grace and I will stay busy while you have your meeting."

Chris kissed Grace on the cheek. "Thanks Max." He proceeded into the living room to join his brothers.

"There's the new Dad now." Buck grinned. "How's our boy Cody doing?"

"Great." Chris answered proudly, placing a hand on JD's shoulder. "" How are you feeling?"

"Headache is gone and I'm fine." JD responded reluctant to admit that his back was still sore from his battle with the RMR/ Ledger Militia members the day before.

"You did a good job at the hospital JD. If you hadn't recognized Rhett Meyers, Friday could have ended in disaster." Chris moved on to sit down after JD acknowledged his words with a nod of his head.

Settling in Larabee wasted no time starting their discussion. "I know it was short notice to meet this morning, but I wasn't sure when we would have another opportunity for a while. We need to make a few decisions concerning ranch business and I wanted us all to have a chance to hear Ezra's latest financial report." He nodded to Standish to take over.

"I won't bore y'all with mundane fact and figures, your printout will show you that, but you should know that the Larabee 7 is in sound shape…financially that is. Even with all our extra expenses for security, we have are having a good year. The reason I asked Chris to call this meeting is for us to decide the direction we wish to pursue for the future. Our quarter horse business is now equal to, if not more lucrative than our thoroughbred business. We can continue to add to both; however I recommend that we concentrate on one or the other." Ezra waited for some reactions.

"Before you say anything, I want you all to know that while I was the one that pushed for breeding thoroughbreds and hopefully racing some winners, it is not my priority now. At the time we began I never expected to have more children to keep me busy, and I thought that horseracing would fill in some empty spaces for me." Chris leaned forward. "Now though, I have Grace and Cody in my life, as well as Kelli and two grandchildren on the way. With them, and work, I'm positive my days will be full of enough excitement to keep me going."

Josiah smiled. "It's funny how our plans and expectations change without us lifting a finger to redirect them."

Nathan nodded thinking about Ronesha and how suddenly their life had changed. "I agree. We always thought Terrell would be our only child, not we have Ronesha and I cannot imagine our life without her."

"All of our lives have changed over the last two years at home and at work." JD reflected on the events he had experienced in his own life.

Buck had watched the silent exchange between Chris and Vin and he knew a decision had been made. "So, how do we work this changeover?"

"We can keep Bounty Hunter for stud and a few selected mares with the best bloodlines to breed. I'd also like to donate five mares to the Reins of Change program." Chris looked at Vin. "I propose we sell the rest along with Texas Lady. Since she was originally a wedding gift for Vin and Kelli, we should split her sale price between the Larabee 7 and them."

"Chris, that's not necessary, we gave her to you…" Vin began to protest. He knew Chris would just as soon have Texas Lady gone due to her connection with Linda, but he was not comfortable with making any financial gain on it.

"I say we vote. All in favor of Chris's proposal raise your hand." Ezra quickly interceded and was not surprised to see six hands go up. "We are agreed by majority. What else?"

*Get over it Vin, it's a done deal.* Chris was well aware that Tanner was not happy about this turn of events, but that was just too bad as far as he was concerned. Larabee had wanted them to keep the horse in the first place.

Vin shook his head and sighed. "George and Angelo have done a good job with the quarter horses. I say we give them the go ahead to expand the operation."

"Buck agreed."That sounds like a plan to me."

"I'll defer to your and Chris's knowledge of horse and agree too." Nathan nodded his agreement. That was followed by the same response from Josiah, JD, and Ezra.

Chris stood up. "I think were done here. If you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a play date with a little blonde whirlwind named Grace."

Buck grinned. "You two play nice."

Laughter from his other brothers elicited a smile from Chris as he headed out of the room to collect his baby daughter.

Chris waited until afternoon to return to the hospital. He was anxious to see Cody again, but he took a good part of the day to spend some alone time with Grace before going back to Denver Memorial. His first stop was Linda’s room, and she was not there. He started to turn back to the door when he caught sight of something on the table. It was a note that had his name scrawled across the front of it. Picking it up, he read:

It took a minute for Linda’s words to sink in, but when they did Chris began to laugh. It was so much in character for her to leave this way, and she had warned him to expect the unexpected. He should have seen this coming, but had been too distracted by Karl Chambers and the RMR. Sticking the note in his pocket he sighed. It was time for a new chapter of his life to begin, and a big part of it was waiting down the hall in the hospital nursery.

Chris Larabee was taking his son home.

This is the first opportunity I have had to sit down and write since Cody was born. Not that I am complaining, but it has been a hectic week of adjustments around here. Linda has been gone seven days and no one has heard a word from her, not even Matt. I know I could probably track her down if I wanted to, but I am going to respect her decision as to how she handled her departure. In retrospect, I can see where she had her disappearance planned down to the last detail. I supposed I should not have been surprised, no matter how good the last few months have been for us, Linda was still Linda. She made her exit her way, and I should have seen it coming.

Expect the unexpected. She warned me when we meet, but I thought it was all about being spontaneous and found it endearing…at first. There is nothing wrong with being impulsive, but there are limits, and unfortunately Linda never found those boundaries. While I could never do what she has done, she made her choice freely, and I wish her well. Ezra has filed our divorce petition, and now all that is left for me to do, is to wait for it to become final.

Uncle Matt has been here every day, getting to know his nephew, and letting Grace know he plans to be a big part of her life. I honestly have no problem with him being here for the children, and I am making room for him in their lives. Finding Dottie Morris as a caregiver for the kids has been a godsend for me, too. She is great with the children. Grace already loves her, and Cody will as he gets older

They had been through cake, ice cream, and presents. The rocking horse from her father was Grace's favorite gift, followed by the stuffed pony Kelli had given her. Grace was running across the yard as fast as her little legs would carry her, giggling in delight as he daddy pretended to chase her. "Got you, imp!" Chris grinned as he caught her, and then swept her into his arms.

"She's faster than you are Chris." JD laughed. "I hate to interrupt playtime between father and daughter, but I believe you are being paged on the deck by your other offspring. "Go on, Grace can play with Lilah and Daisy, and I won't take my eyes off her." He grinned as he reached out to take the birthday girl.

Chris looked over and saw that Dottie had brought Cody out. That meant it was feeding time. He knew she was capable of taking good care of his son, but he insisted on handling his son's feeding as often as possible. "Thanks, JD." He let go of a giggling Grace and went to take care of his youngest.

Ten minutes later Vin joined Chris on the deck. “Hey Chris, how’s our little cowboy doin’?” He peered over the top of Cody’s blanket to see his new godson.

"He's doing just fine." Larabee said, gazing down at his son. "This is what it's all about, Vin, children, and family. Everything else is just secondary."

"Don't I know it?" Tanner told him. "Kelli and the kids have changed my life in ways I can't even begin to tell you about.”

"We're lucky bastards." Chris told him.

"She's not going to disappear, Vin." Chris chuckled. "Besides at this stage she's doing good to make it ten feet without assistance. Is the doctor concerned at all about how big she is?"

"No... And don't let Kel here you say that, she's a mite sensitive about the size issue. Actually she's within the weight that’s normal for twins; they’re just big healthy boys. Her blood pressure has stayed pretty even, considerin' all the stress we've had around here." Tanner told him. "It's just that we're so close to havin' what we've wanted for so long that I'm almost afraid that somethin' is goin' to happen to ruin it."

Chris reached out a hand and placed it on Vin's shoulder. "It's understandable that you’re apprehensive. Hell, it's even expected with everything we've gone through lately, but don't let those thoughts take hold. Everything is going to be just fine, and in just a short month you are going to be holding your boys in your arms, just like I'm holding Cody now."

“Thanks Chris, I hope you’re right. It’s like waitin' for the other shoe to drop, and even with all the arrests y’all have made we’re no closer to ending this nightmare.” Vin was unconvinced.

“Maybe this will help.” Buck sat down, having heard Vin’s statement. He held a file in his hands.” According to jail records, Karl has not had any visitors other than his lawyer, and no phone calls. That means he is not directin' shit. Someone on the outside is helpin' him big-time.”

Chris handed Cody to Vin, and began to read the file. “Unless his lawyer is passing messages for him, and with his reputation, that’s highly unlikely. Who have we missed in his organization that could have enough power to keep these attacks going?”

“Not sure, but I think we might need to back up and look at this from another angle. We have been thinking Karl is behind all this mess. Vin, can you think of anyone else?” Buck asked.

“No, whoever it is, he or she has been keepin' under the radar.”

Inez came up the stairs and put her hands on her hips. “You three should be ashamed of yourselves. It’s Grace’s birthday and you’re hiding up here looking at work.” She walked over to Vin. “Hand over that sweet baby, and all of you get out there with the other kids.”

Buck grinned. “Yes ma’am.” He stood up and kissed his wife. “Next weekend we celebrate your birthday lady, so don’t get too bossy.”

Inez cocked an eyebrow at her husband." You love me anyway you can get me, and you know it. "

"She's got you there, Buck." Vin said with as smile.

"Too true," Buck admitted readily. “Half the fun of getting her all riled up is knowing just how much I'm going to enjoy cooling her off again."

Chris and Vin burst out laughing.

"You're impossible. I don't know why I even put up with you sometimes.” Inez said in mock anger.

Kelli settled herself into a chair and let out a sigh." You okay, Kelli?" Barbara asked with concern

"I'm fine. The boys are just actin' up, and wearin’ me out." Kelli assured her. "What kind of plans have you made for Ezra's birthday?"

"We are spending it working with Caitlyn on Reins of Change, his choice."

"How are things comin' with the construction over there?"

"There was a temporary setback due to some of the lumber being used for the construction not being the right measurements that Caitlyn specified, but other than that things seem to be moving right along."

"Good. I'm lookin' forward to seein' how things turn out once everythin' is done." Kelli told her.

“Have you heard from Linda?" Barbara asked. “I haven’t heard Chris even mention her name.”

“No, and I don’t expect to.” Kelli thought about the letter Linda had left for her. “She’s moved on, and I think Dad is workin' to do the same thing.” She watched Chris, and the other men with the kids. She and Vin had struggled trying to decide if they should tell Chris about the contents of the letter. Eventually they had both agreed that nothing would be gained from him knowing that Linda had taken off to Europe with Marshall Vanderson to join the 'beautiful elite ' of the jet set world.

Barbara nodded in agreement. “I suppose so. From what I can see he’s doing just fine with Cody and Grace.”

“He is.” Kelli smiled as she watched her Dad and remembered what Max had told her not long ago.

Vin felt as if he was the prisoner, not Karl Chambers. Chris had insisted that he, Josiah, Buck, and Ezra accompany the Texan to court. After pushing their way through a mob of Chamber’s followers outside this morning, they had finally made their way into the building. It was unlikely that Vin would be called to testify today; however, his presence was required. If they did not get to him today, then tomorrow for sure, at least that’s what the prosecutor planned. Tanner needed to tell his story to the judge in order to keep important evidence in play.

Chambers's attorney was making every effort to have as much evidence thrown out as possible. Tanner could put the man on death row and Karl knew it. He also knew that the Texan was the only link between himself and the incriminating evidence. Without Vin’s testimony most of the damning proof would have to be thrown out. Karl was getting desperate, and new rumors were spreading that he had upped the price to a million dollars to make certain that Vin did not testify. The money was only payable upon Karl’s release, in order to insure that he walked out of jail a free man.

The security for Vin and his family had been increased after the failed attempt to kill Tanner the last time they were here, and Chris was taking no chances. There were a million reasons for Larabee to worry. He knew that all the delaying tactics and postponements used by Chamber’s attorneys were wearing on Vin’s nerves, especially now. In a world where everything was fair, this mess would already have been over with, and Tanner would be home with his wife waiting on the imminent birth of their twins. Instead he was stuck all day in a federal courthouse with a bounty on his head, while the wheels of justice turned ever so slowly.

Court had been recessed for fifteen minutes, and the agents waited in the hallway for it to reconvene. The vest Tanner was wearing under his suit was uncomfortable as hell, but he had promised Kelli he would not take it off. She was into her ninth month, and the Texan wanted to be with her, not sitting around in a crowded courthouse waiting for the opposing attorneys to drag things out. Tanner looked at his watch for the umpteenth time.

“Vin, it’s only been five minutes since the last time you looked at your watch.” Chris noted. “I know you don’t want to be here, but it’s…”

“Bullshit, that’s what it is Chris.” Tanner said with disgust. “Five weeks to trial and they’re playing lawyer games that won’t change a damn thing.”

“Regardless of what his attorney tries, your testimony will put the man away Vin.” Buck addressed the Texan. “All the game playing in the world won’t change the truth.”

“Did y’all see the sadistic smile that bastard wore? I don’t like this.” Vin began to pace as he thought about the cocky assuredness of Karl Chambers in the courtroom. “If Karl has raised the price on my head to insure his freedom, we need to tighten the security on Kel and the kids. He’ll try to use them to get to me.” He stopped in front of Chris. “Get us the hell out of here.”

“Shelly Turner made a plea bargain and got three to five. Gary Hough is looking at twenty-five to life, and eleven of Karl’s followers have already had their trials and been found guilty under the RICCO act. You know Chambers has to be getting worried Vin. That’s all you’re seeing.” Chris held up his hands when Vin glared his way.” Alright, I’ll talk to the prosecutor and see what he can tell me.” He walked down the hall to find the U.S. Attorney.

“The money is only payable if Mr. Chambers walks out of jail a free man, and that brother is not going to happen.” Although Standish could not envision how Vin actually felt, his time with Barbara had taught him how vulnerable his own feelings had become when he dared to share his life with someone special. Ezra could not even imagine how those feeling increased when your wife and children were threatened. Knowing that a madman wanted to harm his family had to have Vin trapped in a personal hell. “Mark is with Kel, and Barbara will be checking on her later this afternoon. I am confident that your concern is unwarranted.”

The bailiff stepped into the corridor and announced that court would be back in sessions in five minutes.

Tanner reached for his cell phone before he remembered he had to leave it with the bailiff. It seemed that Judge Langley did not allow them in his courtroom. “Damn, I need to call home.” He started to exit through the front doors.

“Hold on Vin.” Buck stopped him. “You are not going out there.”

“It don’t feel right Bucklin, I need to make sure Kel is okay.” Vin pulled away from Wilmington and moved toward the double doors.

“Tanner, stop!” Chris yelled as he walked up. “Where in the hell do you think you are going? You have to be in that courtroom in less than two minutes.”

“Chris, the trial is five weeks off! Why in the hell are we here?” Vin replied angrily.

Larabee sighed. “Chambers’s attorney is trying to get the judge to dismiss you as a witness, and If he does that his client walks. The federal prosecutors might need you to answer some questions for the Judge so he won’t exclude your testimony.”

“That is highly unusual. “Ezra commented. “Unquestionably this is just another delaying tactic.”

“Yes it is, but the defense made a motion. The Judge is bound by law to hear it, and that means you have to be available to answer his questions if need be.” Chris explained. “It’s all bullshit, but the Judge insists you be present.”

“Vin, go on in, we’ve come too far to lose this guy now.’ Buck offered.” I’ll call and check on Kel for you.”

“Don’t upset her, but make sure…hell, just tell her I’ll be home as soon as I can." Vin swore softly. “Damnit, make certain Buck.”

“I will.”

“Mark is there, and so is Walter. She’ll be fine.” Chris placed his hand on Vin’s back. “Let’s go nail that bastard, and shut his lawyer up.”

Vin hesitated and then nodded. “Maybe, ’m overreactin’, but they better damn well get this over with soon. I should be with my wife, not here watchin’ Karl play the system.” He pushed open the door to enter the courtroom, followed by Chris and Ezra.

Buck headed outside, opened his cell, and dialed the Tanner’s number receiving only a busy signal. He tried three more times and it was still busy. Finally he called Inez, and when he found out she had talked to Kelli not long ago he was satisfied all was well. He closed his cell phone and headed into the courtroom, they would break for lunch soon, and he would try again.

Kelli hung up the phone and smiled. Inez was the fifth person to call today to check on her. Dr. Weeks had told them that the babies were ready, and could arrive anytime now. Her only concern was about the size of the boys, she estimated that both of them weighed at least seven pounds. Their twins were not in the percentage of multiples that arrived early, so far they were right on schedule, and as long as Kelli delivered soon, all should be fine. Dr Weeks was concerned about the possibility of a hard delivery if the babies grew much more, so she had advised Kelli to walk as much as possible. Andi was staying with the Wilmington's until lunchtime, but Jason was concerned, and had been shadowing his mother all morning.

“Missy, you need to light somewhere.” Max had watched Kelli flit around all morning. She had packed, unpacked, and repacked her bag to take to the hospital twice. The nursery had been inspected from top to bottom, making certain that nothing had been forgotten, between the baby shower the women had for her last week, and what she and Vin had added, Max was fairly sure they had all they needed.

“I’m fine Max. Dr Weeks told me to stay as active as possible, and that’s what ‘m doin’.” Kelli stopped to touch the cradles Vin had made for the boys gently setting them into motion. “Oh Max, it won’t be long and until those cradles will be full of Tanner babies.” She smiled. “You know, I think ‘m gonna miss being pregnant though.”

Max burst out laughing. “You, Missy, are in a nesting mode. When those boys get here you won’t have time to miss being pregnant.”

“Maybe,” Kelli sighed. “I promised Jason I’d walk down to the barn with him after lunch to spend time with his horses. If I lay down for a while will you make certain ‘m up by twelve-thirty?”

“I promise.” Max turned down the covers for her. “Now rest, I’ll keep Jason busy, and Mila will have lunch ready when you get up.”

Vin was the first one out of the courtroom when they broke for lunch. They were not required to return until two o’clock and he planned on making a trip home in the meantime. Something had been nagging at him all day, and one thing he learned long ago was not to ignore his instincts.

“Look Vin, I understand your anxiety, but you are overreacting.” Chris pulled Tanner aside. “The ranch is as secure as we can make it, and if Kelli began having labor pains, you know Max would reach us.”

“Chris, we have to leave…NOW!”

Larabee studied his brother’s face. What he saw was more than an anxious husband, and father-to-be. He recognized the look of a man set on a clear-cut course of action. Chris had learned not to ignore Tanner in this state of mind, and he knew that no amount of talking would persuade him to change his decision. “Okay, just let me tell the attorney we’re leaving.”

Buck and Ezra had watched the exchange between Tanner and Larabee, and neither man was surprised at the outcome. Vin had made up his mind to leave, with or without them. Larabee would not even consider letting him walk out of here alone.

Lunch was well underway at the Tanner household. Walter had already finished the bowl of soup and the sandwich that his wife had prepared for him. He was enjoying his second cup of coffee and the lively conversation going on around him, when the radio he carried on his belt came to life.

"Boss, are you there?"

"Excuse me." Walter said, rising from the table and stepping outside onto the porch to take the report from one his men. "Go ahead Bill."

"Don and I found a suspicious looking black bag nestled down in a pile of the leaves close to Camp Larabee."

Walter swore softly. "Stay with it. Be on alert and I'll be there in a few minutes with Agent Westin to check it out."

"Copy that, boss."

Walter walked back inside. "Mark, could I trouble you for a moment?"

Westin looked up from the stacked sandwich that he had just finished building with surprise. "Sure.”

"I'll be back to eat that." He told Max as he got up from the table to join Walter.

"Something wrong, Walter?" Mark asked, once he stepped out onto the porch.

"Some of my men found a suspicious black bag that I think you, Bandit, and I should go check out.” Walter told him and then filled him in on the description of the bag and the location where it had been found.

Westin made a quick decision. He didn't like leaving his post as Kelli's bodyguard, but if the RMR had gone to the trouble again to plant more explosives on the ranch they needed to know. "All right, just let me go talk to Kelli for a minute." Mark told the older man.

He went back inside. "Kelli, Walter has asked me to go take a look at something. Will you be all right until I get back?"

"Sure." Kelli told him, "Go on ahead." She laughed as she considered her oversized condition. “It’s not like ‘m goin' to go very far from here anytime soon.”

Ten minutes after Mark and Walter had left; Jason was done with his lunch and was chopping at the bit to go down to the barn as Kelli had told them they would do.

"Can we go now?" Jason asked. "Do we have to wait until Mark comes back?"

Kelli considered his question carefully. She knew she should wait until Mark had come back from wherever he had gone to with Walter, but she didn't want to disappoint Jason. "All right, go get your boots on." She told her son finally, spending time with Jason was important. He was more worried about something going wrong with the babies than Andi, and Kelli wanted to make things as normal as possible for him.

"If Mark comes to the house before Jason and I come back, will you send him on down to the barn?" Kelli asked Max.

"Sure...Andi and I are going to tackle making dessert for after dinner tonight." Max said as she noticed Andi's crestfallen face at having not been included in going to the barn with her mom and brother. Andi beamed at Max's words.

Jason was determined to take care of his mom, and he filled Kelli's water bottle to take with them. Dad said it was important for her to drink plenty of water. He handed Kelli her sunglasses before the two of them headed outside.

Normally Jason would run ahead and be waiting on her in front of Thor’s stall, but today he walked by his mom’s side. Kelli moved slow and awkward. The babies were not as active as they had been, but the doctor said it was because they were running out of room to move around. She believed it, and it felt like she had gained a lot more than forty three pounds. Reaching the entrance to the barn was a personal triumph for her.

“Okay, let’s start with Dreamer, and we’ll work our way up to Peso.” Honestly she found grooming the horses relaxing, and soon forgot her discomfort, and the time.

When they had groomed Dreamer, and Thor, they started on Dancer. Kelli found that she had already emptied the water bottle that Jason had filled for her before they had left the house.

"Jason, will you go and get me some more cold water?" Kelli asked her son.

"Sure." Jason said and started out of the barn. “Are you going to be okay here all by yourself?"

Kelli smiled at his thoughtfulness. “I’ll be fine. I'm going to go over here and sit down on one of these bales of hay to rest until you come back."

Jason had not been gone but two minutes when Kelli realized he had forgotten to take the water bottle. Shaking her head, she smiled, and decided to try and yell loud enough for him to hear her. She moved to the barn door with Tracker on her heels.

Suddenly the light was block out by an imposing shadow that moved steadily towards her. “Hello Blaze.” Kelli felt a blow to her head before she saw who was there. Reeling backwards she fell against the side of Peso’s stall. Tracker lunged at her attacker.

Tracker took the man by surprise, but the large man recovered quickly and violently threw the dog off him. Kelli heard the Aussie whimper as he hit the ground. “God damn dog,” the intruder yelled.

Kelli managed to take a deep breath and tried to pull herself upright by grasping the railing of the stall. “Who are you, and what do you want?” She demanded.

The shadow laughed and moved into the light. “I’m hurt darlin'. You don’t remember me…Mrs. Tanner? Or should I say Blaze?”

“Bubba?" Kelli recognized the imposing figure that approached her.

"That's right...Bubba, just the dumb hick bartender you played for a fool in Rocky Meadows, or so you think. I am also the man who is going to use you to send your bastard of a husband to hell for his double-crossing ways." He brandished a twelve inch blade in front of her. First though, I’m going to give him a present.”

“Karl sent you to do his dirty work didn’t he?” Kelli’s mind raced, trying to think of a way to get rid of this man before Jason returned.

“Bubba laughed. “Karl didn’t need to send me. I am his protector, and have been all my life. Not that it matters, but you won’t be telling anyone anyway, so I’ll explain. Karl and I are brothers, I was born on the wrong side of the blanket as they say, but it never made a difference to Karl. We are brothers in every way that counts, and partners. All these years, as Karl worked to fight the enforcers and purify the white race; I covered his back, and still do. It all comes down to family and loyalty. Your traitorous husband tried to destroy my family, and I have spent the last seven months stalking his. It was all me; the letters, the attacks, and the bombs. It was only due to the incompetence of the men I hired that Tanner is still alive.”

Kelli slid along the wall closer to the latch of the gate of Peso’s stall. “Y’all didn’t kill for a cause. Y’all killed to protect your money. I bet Agent Abbott found out about you and Karl didn't he? That’s why he died.”

“Abbott was going to expose us, and that was simply not acceptable, anymore than what Dusty Slater did.” He grinned wickedly. “Now he’ll pay, because I plan to finish this personally. Too bad he’ll miss the delivery of his baby, but at least he’ll see the results of my work. Once I deliver your whelp, I'll deal with your son when he returns.” Bubba raised the knife menacingly over Kelli’s abdomen.

“Go to hell!” With one hand Kelli struck out to ward off Bubba’s attack with the knife while the fingers of her other hand tripped the latch on the stall gate. An agitated Peso ran out of the stall and into the man that had invaded his territory and was attacking his master’s mate.

Jason was just running out of the house with another bottle of water for his mom when his Dad and Uncles arrived back at the ranch.

"Jason, where are you off to in such a hurry?" Vin asked as he got out of the truck.

"Down to the barn, Mom's waitin' for me." Jason replied as he continued toward the Tanner stable.

It was just about that time when they heard a scream pierce the air. "That's Kelli!" Vin exclaimed and took off running ahead of his son.

Chris and Vin were the first to enter through the door, Buck, Josiah and Ezra only seconds behind them. Sanchez grabbed Jason to hold him back as Tanner’s eyes scanned the barn and found Kelli sitting on the ground with her back against Peso’s stall. He raced over to her while Buck and Chris approached the man Peso had pinned against the opposite wall intent on doing some serious damage to.

“Get him away from me!” Bubba yelled as the horse’s hooves struck close to his head.

Buck shook his head, “I don’t know Chris. I say we should let Peso finish the bastard off.”

Tanner yelled. “Kill the sonofabitch for all I care, get Rain over here ASAP.” Vin knelt down in front of Kelli to access how badly she was injured.

“Vin, I’ll be okay. Call Matt, Tracker is hurt.” Kelli protested his attention.

“We’ll take care of Tracker, but you’re first.” He saw the bruise forming on her temple and the blood on her hand. “Tell me where you’re hurt baby.”

“Nowhere...maybe my head…Hell, I don’t know. He was goin' to…” Kelli began to shake when she realized how close they had come to losing their babies. “Vin, it was Bubba… he… he was going to cut the babies out of me and then kill Jason.”

"You're gonna be alright..." Vin told her softly as he withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket and bound Kelli's bleeding hand with it until they could get it checked out.

He helped her slowly to her feet, slipping an arm around her waist to support her as they made their way to the door. Kelli's legs buckled under her and only quick thinking on his part kept her from tumbling to the ground again. He swept her up into his arms as Jason broke away from Ezra, and ran forward.

"Mom! Dad, is she okay?" Jason's eyes were wide as he took in the blood soaked makeshift bandage on Kelli's hand and the bruise on her face.

"She's goin' to be just fine." Vin assured him as he started toward the house with his wife.

"Rain and Nathan are on their way over." Ezra said as he, Josiah, and Jason followed after Tanner to the house

"Good.” Tanner replied. "We need to put a call in to Dr. Weeks too and let her know what's happened."

"I'm on it." Standish assured him.

It was just at that moment that Mark and Walter returned to the house, with Bandit on their heels. "What happened?" Westin asked.

"My wife was attacked in the barn by one of the RMR men." Tanner's eyes were laced with fury as he gazed at the MCAT agent. "Where the hell were you? You were supposed to be guardin' her and my kids?"

Mark paled as Tanner’s words sunk in. “She said she would be okay.”

“Does she look okay to you?” Tanner shouted.

Walter stepped forward. “Vin my men found what looked like a bag of explosives up by Camp Larabee. I asked Mark to bring Bandit and check it out. “He looked over at Kelli. “I’m sorry. What happened to the man who attacked her?”

“Chris is dealin’ with him.” Vin trusted his brother to see to Bubba. He turned his attention back to Kelli, while they waited for the Jacksons and a return call from Dr. Weeks.