Resemblance

by SN

"Michael, can you step in here for a moment?" Victor Salvatore called from the library.

"Sure, Dad." God what could the man possibly want at 11:30 at night? He's probably going to tell me again how I'm going to take over the business soon. No wonder Michael needed to go on a vacation.

"Mr.Salvatore, are you sure we should be discussing this with Michael?" Vincent asked.

"Of course we should, Vincent, don't be ridiculous. Michael has always attended business meetings."

Finally, JD thought to himself. Hopefully I can send Agent Sanders something useful.

"Yes, I know that Mr. Salvatore, but don't you think that with his accident and all he would..."

"I said that I want him to be a part of this meeting," Salvatore growled. " If he has forgotten anything, we can fill him in."

"Yes, Sir."

"Son, do you remember that arms shipment we are getting in?"

"I don't remember when it´s coming, but I remember that we're selling it to Carlos Santiago."

"It came in two days ago, and we are going to sell them tomorrow. However, I decided not to go with Santiago, I don't trust that man. I've decided to sell it to Mr. Gambini. You remember him, don't you? He lives in Chicago."

"Not really," JD was glad that Salvatore believed that he had amnesia. It was certainly making his job easier.

"That's OK. Anyway, as I was saying Russell is having some problems where he is, and is willing to pay a thousand extra per gun. He's going to meet us at the warehouse on Depew tomorrow at 2:30."

"That's great Dad," JD couldn't keep his excitement from his voice.

"It's good to see you so excited."

"You know, Mr.Salvatore, since Mr.Gambini is so desperate I think you can get an extra $500 for the guns," Vincent piped in.

"I don't think that would be such a good idea Dad. Mr.Gambini is our friend right? I don't think we should take advantage of him during his time of need. Besides, you never know when he'll return the favor."

"Michael's absolutely right. You're always thinking, son. Now, who do you think I should bring for security?"

"Sonny, Carmine, and Frankie would be my choices."

"I think they would be perfect. What do you think Vincent?"

"Yeah, perfect," Vincent said through gritted teeth.

"Is there something wrong, Vincent?"

"No, Mr. Salvatore, I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."

"I think I'll head to bed too, Dad. We have a big day tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Son."

+ + + + + + +

JD rushed into 'his' room and turned on the computer. Agent Sanders should love this, JD thought as his fingers flew over the board typing in the message. 'With any luck this assignment will be wrapped up tomorrow. Not only that, but we're getting two mob families. The FBI should be happy about that.

The Next Day

"Agent Larabee, Agent Dunne has gotten us something useful. The arms deal is set to go down today at 2:30, between Salvatore, and a mob family that resides in Chicago. Since your team helped us out, how would they like to be a part of the bust?"

Chris was ready to respond when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

"Sorry to interrupt Chris, but I gotta tell you something in private," Vin stated.

"Can't it wait Vin?"

"Nah, it's really, really important."

"Do you mind, Agent Sanders."

"Not at all, I'll just wait outside. But hurry so I can fill you in on the details, we don't have a lot of time," Sanders replied stepping out of the office.

"What's so important that you need to stop the meeting?"

"Sanders lied to us."

"What do you mean he lied to us?" Chris asked getting an uneasy feeling in his stomach.

“Michael wasn´t killed by any rival mob family. It was an inside job."

"What!!!!!!!!!??????" Chris shouted. " How did you find that out?"

"There was something about the man that I didn't trust, so I asked some of my snitches if they knew anything; they asked around and told me what I jus' told you."

"Did Sanders know?"

"Yep."

"Get him in my office. Now!!!!"

"Agent Larabee is there a..." but before he could finish he was thrown up against the wall.

"You son of a bitch, you lied to me!!!!!!!!!" Chris' voice boomed.

"I...I...I... I don't know what you're talking about," Sanders stammered suddenly afraid for his life.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Michael wasn't killed by a rival mob family, it was an inside job." Chris stated, tightening his grip on Sanders' collar.

"How...how did...you find out?"

"So it's true!!!!!!!!"

"Well you wouldn't have let your agent go undercover if I told you the truth, and we needed........"

"You´re damn right I wouldn't have let him go, and now two of my agents are in jeopardy!!!!"

"Two? But only...."

"Unlike you, my agents are competent and thought of a way for someone to go in with JD. If anything happens to either of them, you won't live long enough to regret it," Chris said in a deadly tone, tossing Sanders aside.

"Where are you going?"

"To get my men."

"But you can't.... The mission."

"I don't give a damn about your mission. I only care about getting my men out of this alive!"

"Boys."

"What's wrong? Where are we going?" Buck asked.

"To bring JD and Ezra home."

The men didn't need to hear anything else, and followed Chris out of the building.

+ + + + + + +

"Chris, ya need to calm down."

"Don't tell me what I have to do, Vin."

"Listen, we can't just go in there guns a blazin'."

"Why not?"

"First off, we'd be shot before we even got to the door. Second, we'd be putting JD and Ez in danger."

"I suppose you have a plan?"

"Of course I do. We wait down the street a little bit and follow Salvatore's car when it leaves for the deal."

"I think that he would notice us following him," Chris said sarcastically.

"That's why we only follow him up to a certain point; then Buck can take over, then Josiah, and then Nathan."

"I hate it when you're right; call the boys and fill them in."

"We'll get to them in time Chris."

I hope so, Vin. If anything happened..." Chris choked on his words.

"I know."

+ + + + + + +

"Pardon me, sir."

"What is it Reginald?"

"A Dr. Ezra Sampson to see Master Michael."

"Michael, do you know this man?"

"Yes, he was the doctor that helped me out when I was injured."

"Show the man in immediately, I want to thank the person who saved my son´s life."

"As you wish, Sir."

"Welcome to my home, Dr.Sampson. It's a privilege to shake the hand of the man that saved my son's life," Salvatore said as he rose from his chair, his hand extended as he reached Ezra.

"Thank you Sir, but the pleasure is all mine. As for saving your son's life, I assure you it was not as dramatic as you make it out to be," Ezra smiled. "It's good to see you again, Michael."

"You too, Dr. Sampson."

"I just came to see how your son was doing, I was so happy when he told me that his memory had come back. "

"Just what kind of Doctor are you?" Came a new voice from behind Ezra.

"A Neurologist."

"Vincent, this is Dr.Sampson, he's the one that took care of Michael."

"What Medical School did you attend?"

"NYU, summa cum laude, if that is of interest to you."

"Why did you start your practice at a ski lodge?"

"Enough Vincent!!!!!!!!! Dr. Sampson is our guest, and you're treating him like some criminal. Apologize to the good doctor at once!!" Salvatore ordered.

"I'm sorry, doctor," Vincent sneered.

"Not like that."

"It's quite alright Sir, besides I came here to see Michael. Have there been any problems?"

"Well..." Vincent started to reply.

"No," came JD's aggravated voice.

"Actually Doctor, he's having some memory problems. I wanted him to see my doctor but he refused. Kids these days can be so stubborn."

"I know exactly what you mean, I have a son that never wants to take the advice that I or his uncles give him. He thinks that 'he' knows what is best, when sometimes it is farthest from the truth," Ezra stated giving JD a toothy grin. "As for the memory problem, it is due to the head trauma. However, to be safe I would like to do a little examination if that is acceptable Mr.Salvatore?"

"Of course, Vincent and I will leave, come along Vincent."

"What in the world are you doing here Ezra?" JD whispered sharply through clenched teeth, after making sure that no one was near the door.

"It's good to see you too, Mr. Dunne."

"Sorry."

"To respond to your question, I came to see how things were coming along."

"Everything's goin' great, the deal is going down today."

"Wonderful, that means that you will be returning back to the office and resume doing the paperwork which I have been forced to undertake."

"Come on Ez, it couldn't have been that bad." JD chuckled.

"Yes Ez, it couldn't have been that bad" the voice from behind JD made him jump.

"Vincent... What do want?" JD stammered wondering just how long the man had been at the door.

"Nothing, Mr. Dunne?"

"You're talking crazy, my name is Michael."

"You can cut the act, I heard everything and now I'm going to tell Mr. Salvatore," Vincent responded and called the man.

Ezra was about to tackle the man until he saw the gun in his hand.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you 'Doctor,'" Victor said sarcastically.

"Why are you yelling Vincent, is there a... Good Lord, why are you holding a gun on my son?"

"He's not your son, Mr.Salvatore, he's a plant by Barrone."

"I don't find this very amusing, Vincent."

"I'm not joking, I over heard the two of them talking about how Barrone planned on killing you, using someone that looked like Michael."

"He's lying Dad, don't believe him."

"Really. Tell me Michael, what is the name of the girl you're dating, or your best friend that you watched die in front of you?"

"I don't remember because of the accident."

"It's convenient the things that you don't remember because of that accident."

"Head traumas can be tricky like that," Ezra responded not even bothering to fluff up his words. He knew that he and JD were in trouble and had to think of a way to get them out of this dire predicament.

"Ah yes, I almost forgot about you good Doctor. Mr.Salvatore, you have friends in the AMA, why don't you have them check their listings for a Dr. Sampson, if there is one then I apologize for starting this mess, and will leave the organization immediately, if I'm right, I just saved your life."

"I don't like this, Vincent, but to prove how wrong you are I'll call," Salvatore stated picking up the phone. " Hello, Dick, Victor Salvatore here. Good, and you? Listen, I was wondering if you could do me a favor, is there an Ezra Sampson in your organization? Yes I'll wait... Yes. Thank you Dick I really appreciate it." Salvatore turned to JD and Ezra with a deep look of hatred and fire in his eyes. "Who are you, and what have you done with my son!!!!!!!!!" Salvatore's voice boomed.

"We're ATF agents and........"

"Lies!!!!!!!! All lies!!!!!!!!! Call Barrone and tell him to meet me at the Marina now!!!!!! As for you two," Salvatore said taking out his gun. "You are going to rue the day that you crossed Victor Salvatore."

"It's all set boss."

"Thank you, Vincent. Tell Frankie and Carmine to meet Gambani for the arms deal, and get Sonny to come with us."

"You got it."

"Move," Salvatore motioned with his arm.

"Hey Ez, how are we going to get out of this? Chris and the others are probably going to be at the arms deal?" JD asked while walking toward the limo outside.

"I have no idea, Mr. Dunne, we will need a..."

"Silence," Victor shouted as he and Vincent climbed into the limo with JD and Ezra.

+ + + + + + +

"Look, there they are," Vin said.

"Looks like their cover was blown."

Chris and Vin followed the car for a few blocks before calling Josiah to take over.

"I got them," came Josiah's voice, " They're turning down Main Street. Looks like they're heading for Humbold.

"I'll take over for you Josiah, they're coming into my view," Nathan responded. "Buck, the car is headed for Maple, do you have them?"

"Yeah, I got them....Damn!!!"

"What's the matter Buck?" Chris' voice came over the radio.

"I lost them."

"How?!!!"

"I got stuck at a light."

"Why did you stop?!!!!!!!!!"

"If I raced through the light they would have suspected something."

"Calm down the both of you," Josiah said. "We need to think clearly if we're going to help Ezra and JD."

"Josiah's right," came Nathan's voice.

"Hey, I think I know where they are," Vin said.

“The Marina is close by and nobody's there at this time of year."

"Everybody meet there." Chris prayed that they would get there before anything happened.

+ + + + + + +

"Out!! Sonny, go cover the outside in case Barrone is planning anything."

"Yes, boss."

"Listen, Mr. Salvatore, we're ATF agents and we didn't kill your son," JD stated hoping to get through to the man.

"Liar!"

"Actually he's telling the truth Mr.Salvatore," Vincent stated pointing his gun at the man.

"Now please, drop your weapon."

"Vincent... I ... I don't understand..."

"Don't you? It was always ‘Michael this´, and ‘Michael that´ with you. You never gave me credit for anything that I did for you."

"Why?"

"Isn't it obvious? I want to take over the business. You see when Michael was 'missing,' you were supposed to start a war with Barrone, and after it was over I was going to take over."

"How could you kill Michael, he was like a brother to you."

"It was easy, all I had to do was this," Vincent said pointing the gun at JD, and then fired twice.

"Nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ezra cried, catching JD as he fell into his arms. "JD...JD, can you hear me? JD?"

"Ez...ra...I'll be fine," JD said in between gasps.

"Of course you will," Ezra said taking off his jacket and pressing it against JD's chest and side.

"You heartless son of a bitch!" Ezra yelled, not keeping the venom from his voice.

"So these boys were telling the truth, Vincent? Why this, why Michael?" Salvatore questioned, sweeping his hands toward the two ATF agents.

"It's all a part of my plan. You see 'we' meet Barrone, and 'he' ambushes us, and kills the two of them before they could confess the truth about being 'plants.' You try to stop him and get killed in the process. I, of course, am going to survive the nasty wound I received from trying to 'save' the life of my boss."

"Barrone will deny it," came Salvatore's voice, that was clearly full of hatred for the man in front of him.

"Of course he will, but everyone knows how much you two hated one another, I'm sure they'll believe me. Besides everyone knows that I'm your right-hand man and would never do anything to hurt 'our' family. Yes, I'm sure they'll believe my story. Of course this is going to start a big war, and once the dust settles I'll take over," Vincent said in a cocky tone.

"What... what ...a...about the... ATF?" JD asked struggling to breathe.

"Are you still alive? Well, my dear boy to answer your question, I'll simply say that you were on the take."

"No...no...one will... believe... you," JD replied struggling to get up.

"JD, you need to stay down, you're not helping," the seasoned agent ordered.

"It's not like it matters 'Doctor,' maybe I'll finish him off now," Vincent said pointing the gun at JD again.

"No. I won't let you kill him," Ezra said standing up in front of JD."

"You will once I kill you," Vincent responded now pointing the gun at Ezra.

Ezra closed his eyes and heard the sounds of bullets and grunts.

Something's wrong, I'm not hit.

"Ezra... Ezra you OK?" Came Chris' voice.

"Mr. Larabee...Vincent...Salvatore?"

"Vincent is dead and Josiah is taking Salvatore and his bodyguard downtown to be booked."

"We have more important matters to attend to," Ezra said bending back down to JD.

"Where's Nathan?"

"Right here," Nathan rushed to JD's side.

"Nathan?" Chris asked in a worried voice.

"Let me check him out Chris, call 911."

"I already did," came Vin's voice.

"JD, how ya doing son?"

"Nate...it's hard to...br...eathe."

"I know," Nate replied checking the injuries and not liking what he saw.

"KID!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Buck cried out rushing to JD's side, but was stopped by Chris.

"Let go of me Chris!!! Dammit, I need to see how JD is!" Buck said in a low growl as his eyes burned through Chris.

"Not now Buck, Nathan is checking him out, he was shot." Chris replied, ignoring the look that Buck was giving him and remaining calm.

"Oh God!!! JD... JD you hang on, you hear me? Hang on," Buck cried over Chris' shoulder.

"This is all your fault!!" Buck shouted at Chris.

"Mine??!!!!!"

"Yes, yours Chris. You're the one that sent him into that situation!!! What were you thinking, if you were thinking at all???!!!!" Buck shouted. "I was thinking that JD is an adult and an ATF agent, who was given a job to do. Besides, you were the one that lost them while we were following them!!! Why did you stop for that light??"

"I told you that they would have..."

"Yeah, I know they have suspected something," Chris replied sarcastically. "At least with us following them, JD wouldn't have been able to get hurt."

"Damn you Chris!!! Don't you go blaming me for this!!" Buck shouted jabbing his finger into Chris' chest.

"Why not?" Chris said shoving Buck away.

"Stop, ya two," Vin said grabbing Chris while Ezra grabbed Buck. "We need to worry about JD, and not you two killing each other."

"Bu...ck?" Came JD's soft voice.

"What is it Kid?" Buck asked breaking free from Ezra's grasp and bending down to JD.

"Don't...fight...M...fine."

Accusations were cast aside as sirens grew louder with the approaching ambulance announcing the arrival of the much needed medical help. The EMTs rushed toward the group of men, and Nathan stood back from his spot when he recognized the first EMT as Jack Hein.

"What do we have Nathan?" Jack questioned.

"That guy over there is DOA, our guy has two gunshot wounds, one in his left chest, and the other in his lower side."

"Pulse is 54, BP is 78/54, breaths are shallow and labored. JD, I'm going to put this oxygen mask over you OK? JD? Damn he's out. We need to get him to the hospital now!"

"I'm riding with you," Buck stated.

"We don't have enough room," Carol responded as the two EMTs loaded JD into the ambulance.

"We'll meet you there," Chris answered.

The men started to move to their cars when Vin noticed that Ezra was just standing there.

"Ez... Hey Ez you OK? You didn't get shot did ya?"

Vin asked noticing the blood on Ezra's clothes. "This isn't my mine...It's JD's," Ezra croaked shaking his head.

"He's going to be OK Ez..."

"He lost so much of it. He could hardly breathe before you got here. How??" Ezra said softly through a sob.

"Cause he's a fighter. JD´s stubborn and won't let nothin' stop him."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Now let's git to the hospital so we can see how he's doing."

"OK."

"You know something? I wish I never heard of Victor Salvatore or his son Michael."

"I know Ez. I know."

+ + + + + + +

The six men sat in the hospital lobby waiting for news on their youngest. All wishing that they had somehow got there sooner.

"Gentlemen," came Dr. Lassiter's voice.

"How is he, Doc?" Buck asked.

"Holding his own. He's lost a lot of blood from the injuries. As for the injuries themselves, his left lung has collapsed, and the second bullet nicked his kidney. We're prepping the OR now."

"But he's going to be OK, right?"

"I don't know, Josiah. I honestly don't know. But I know that JD is as stubborn as all of you are, and that he'll put up a good fight, just as he's done before."

"Can we see him?" Buck asked.

"Only for a little while. We need to get him to surgery very soon, and only two of you."

"I'm going," Chris and Buck said at the same time.

"Of course. Right this way. Remember you don't have long."

+ + + + + + +

JD looked so young and vulnerable lying there in the hospital bed with various monitors hooked up to him, and the oxygen mask placed over his face. He was so unnaturally still that no one would have ever guessed that he was normally so full of life and energy.

"I hope you're satisfied?" Buck asked in a harsh whisper.

"You can't possibly think that I wanted to see JD get hurt?" Chris whispered back equally as harsh.

"Then why did you..."

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

"What in the world is....CODE BLUE get the crash cart in here now!!!!" Dr. Lassiter began to yell as he walked into the room; his voice adding to the urgency of the situation.

"JD!!!!!!" Buck cried.

"Get him out of here," Dr. Lassiter as he began injecting some kind of drug into JD's IV.

"No, I'm not leaving him."

"Buck, we need to let them do their job," Chris said calmly, guiding Buck out of the room.

The shouts and alarms had alerted the other men, and they all gathered outside the window to watch the outcome unfold, praying it was the outcome they desired.

"Charge to 200...Clear...Damn…250..." Came the shouts from inside.

"This can't be happening, this can't be happening," Buck repeated under his breath, trying not to wince as he watched JD's body jerk on the bed.

"Charge to 255...Clear... Still nothing... Charge to 300... Clear... We have a pulse!!!!!!"

A collective group of sighs was heard, and the group of men turned to face Dr. Lassiter as he stepped out of the room.

"Doc?"

"We revived him, but he's not out of the woods yet, I'll let you know what happens after the surgery."

They just stood there as they watched the bed carrying JD move through the hallway, and then through the doors, which lead to the OR. Each of them wanting to comfort the other, but not daring to, for fear that the words could just be an empty promise.

"If anyone can get JD through the surgery, Dr. Lassiter can," Nathan said finally breaking the silence.

"How long do ya think he'll be in surgery Nate?" Vin asked.

"Judging by the injuries, probably 5 to 6 hours."

"Well then brothers, I'm going to get us some coffee, we have a long wait ahead of us. Ezra, I'll see if I can get some scrubs for you to change into."

"That would be most appreciated Mr. Sanchez."

"No problem Ezra," Josiah replied leaving the group.

"I'll be right back."

"Where ya going Chris?" Vin asked.

"I just need to be alone right now. Have me paged if anything happens."

"OK."

+ + + + + + +

Chris sat down in the dimly lit chapel. It had been a long time since he had been in church, he felt like a foreigner.

"I know that you and I aren't on speaking terms, and that's my fault. After Sara and Adam died I hated you so much, and I wondered how could you just take my family away like that? I didn't understand it at first, maybe I still don't. But Josiah is always saying that things happen for a reason. Maybe the reason why they died, is if they didn't, I wouldn't be working with the men that I do now. They're a great group of men. Honest, loyal, hard working, a person couldn't ask for a better group of men." Chris choked on his words as tears streamed down his face. "They've become like a family to me, and I...I...I don't know what I would do if I lost one of them. I don't...I don't think that I could go through that kind of pain again. JD's hurt real bad, he might not... He might not make it. I'm asking... No I'm begging you, please don't take him. He's too young to die, and there are so many things that he still has to do. You can't take him, you just can't. You know he reminds me a lot of my own Adam. Do you know him? Well if you do, then you would know that he is a kind, warm, decent, honest, and intelligent person. That's what JD's like. That's why you don't want him, because you need people like him down here where he could do some good. Please just let him be OK."

"Chris."

"Buck...How long have you been here?... What are you doing here?"

"I've been here for about five minutes, as to why, well I figured you'd be here and I wanted to say I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize, Buck. You were right. I should have never sent JD undercover."

"No Chris, you were right. JD's an adult and capable of doing things on his own, as much as I hate to admit it. He's knows what he's doing, and he's good at his job. Course if you tell him that, I'll deny it. I also know that you care about JD a lot, and you'd never do anything to hurt him. So are we friends again?" Buck asked holding out his hand.

"We never stopped," Chris replied shaking it, and then pulled Buck into a warm embrace.

"Come on, let's get back to the others."

+ + + + + + +

The men sat in the waiting room for what seemed like days. They were at least comforted by the fact that Buck and Chris were no longer at each other's throats.

However, with everything that had happened in the ER, the men couldn't help but wonder if JD was going to live through the surgery.

"Excuse me, which one of you is Agent Larabee?" Asked an unfamiliar voice.

"Who wants to know?" Vin asked irritated at the person who dared bother them while they kept their vigil.

"My name is Agent Rick Thomson. I'm Agent Sanders' supervisor," the man replied completely unnerved by the men before for him.

"I don't think you want to be here right now, Brother," came Josiah's calm, yet slightly angered, voice.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, I heard what happened to your man. We didn't know that Sanders didn't tell you about the whole situation."

"How did you happen to discover that your colleague was deceiving us?" Ezra asked with an air of sarcasm.

"Well, when Salvatore didn't show up for the weapons exchange we started to get worried. After waiting for about a half hour we were informed that he was in custody. Rest assured that Sanders is being reprimanded."

"Well that's mighty comforting. JD might die and your man will get a slap on the wrist," came Vin's cold voice.

"I don't know what you want me to say."

"There ain't nothin' you can say," Buck replied.

"I'm afraid I have some more bad news."

"What is it?" Chris said, becoming irritated at the man before him.

"We had to let Salvatore go."

"What??!!!!!! JD gave you all the information that you needed." Chris shouted, slamming the man against the wall.

"Yes...Well. You see..."

"No, I don't see."

"Salvatore wasn't at the exchange."

"That's because he was getting ready to kill my men."

"I'm sorry."

"Save your apologies and get the hell out of here. I don't want to see or hear from you or Agent Sanders ever again. Understood?... I said understood!!!!????"

Chris asked before tossing the man aside and turning his back on him.

"Yes," Thomson replied trying to get as far away from the group of men as possible.

"I can't believe it, I just can't believe it," Buck shouted. "All that work JD did was for nothin'!!"

Buck was about to continue when he and the rest of the Seven saw Dr. Lassiter approach them. You could have heard a pin drop as the men watched the Doctor come toward them. All of them were trying to figure out what had happened by his posture, but none of them were able to.

"Doc...Is he...He's not... Did..."

"He's fine, Vin. Made it through the surgery with flying colors, although I hardly thought that he would do otherwise. He will need to stay here for a week, which I know he won't be happy about. His injuries were severe and he needs to recover from them."

"Can we see him?"

"Not for another hour at least. He's still very weak, and we still have him on oxygen."

"But Doc..."

"Don't any of you 'but Doc' me. Besides he's not even awake, we had to give him a pretty strong anesthetic."

"Fine," Buck said pouting.

Although they weren't happy about the wait, the group of men were able to relax knowing that their youngest was going to be alright.

"Well, fellas, what say we go down to the cafeteria and get us some grub?" Josiah asked.

"Surely there is a more suitable establishment we can get refreshments from. Can we not order from somewhere else?"

"We can if you're willing to pay Ez," Vin joked.

"The cafeteria will be just fine. Please lead the way, won't you, Mr. Sanchez?"

+ + + + + + +

It was actually close to two hours before anyone was allowed to see JD. It was still very difficult to see all the tubes hooked up to JD, but the most important thing was that he was alive, and would be staying that way.

"Hey guys," JD said lifting the oxygen mask up. "I don't think you should be doing that."

"It's OK, Nate."

"Of course it is, and you went to medical school when?"

"Don't mind him none, Kid. He's just a little cranky from having to wait to see how you were doing. So just how are you doing?" Buck asked.

"I'm fine."

"Why do you always say that?"

"Why do you always ask?"

"The Kid's got a point, Buck."

"Shut up, Vin."

"So did we get them?"

"It's a long story, I'll tell you later, once you're better."

"But I'm OK now."

"I said later, JD."

"Fine. Hey, you two ain't fightin' no more?"

"You sound disappointed. Do you want us to be?" Buck chuckled.

"No. Of course not. Why would I want my family to fight?" JD asked yawning.

"You wouldn't, Kid, you wouldn't. Listen why don't you get some sleep?"

"Ok, Buck," JD said closing his eyes, knowing that when he woke up his family would be there.

The End

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