Chris stretched his back. It cracked in a dozen places. He didn’t remember it doing that when he was in his twenties. He felt old… or at least, his body was doing its best to convince him of that fact.

Wearily, the Em7 colonel rubbed his neck and then dropped stiffly into the leather chair at his desk. His aching eyes closed briefly, before opening to scan the growing number of files scattered from one end of the table to the other.

Paperwork. No one had told him being a colonel in the American Army would involve spending hours filling in forms. When he’d joined, he’d been under the delusion that army life would provide the active and exciting existence shown in recruiting advertisements. To be fair, paperwork hadn’t become an issue until he‘d been assigned to lead Em7... and he wouldn’t change that for anything, though today hadn't been the easiest in the team's existence.

Larabee glanced into the main office through the two-way window. Ezra was typing at his computer at a speed Chris could only dream of. J.D. was clearing a paper jam from the printer, his mouth at full throttle. Nathan was waiting patiently for whatever had been chewed up by the printer. Buck was on the phone. Why was Buck always on the phone? From the lewd grin on his face it had nothing to do with following up on their latest mission in South America.

“Buck,” Chris called sternly. Wilmington’s boots left the top of his desk and with less than ten words he ended the conversation, replaced the phone and stared thoughtfully at his computer screen in an obvious, but unsuccessful attempt to look busy.

Chris shook his head with mild annoyance and for the hundredth time in the last hour, shifted his gaze to the open door of his office. Across the hall, the door to the conference room was shut. Chris massaged his temples, praying all was going well within. Josiah was conducting an ‘assessment’ of Vin. Something had triggered a rush of memories in the past few days, so Chris had ordered an appraisement of his lieutenant’s emotional state. The bags under Vin’s eyes had been growing since the relentless onslaught of recollections from his past had begun three days earlier and today the dark rings had reached Grand Canyon proportions. Nathan’s furtive glances that morning was all the incentive Chris needed to order a complete psychological assessment.

At 11:30 a.m. the colonel had informed his lieutenant he would be undertaking the assessment, explaining that the purpose of the review was to provide Travis with concrete evidence the Em7 sharpshooter was coping with his duties, despite his ‘condition’. It was at that point the unhappy scowl on Vin’s face had dissolved.

It had taken Chris some time to calm his friend. In the end, Vin had conceded to the tests, stomping off to the conference room and slamming the door. That had been four hours earlier.

Chris was more than a little nervous about what Josiah may uncover. Vin’s returning memories were taking their toll, not only on Tanner, but on his partners, too. Tehy were doing their best to support him, but it was difficult. Vin was experiencing the same trauma the other soldiers had when they'd first returned from the war. They understood the confusion, anger and waves of depression that were a part of the healing process, but that didn’t make it easier on anyone. J.D. was at a loss to understand, though Ezra, despite not being a veteran, appeared to have an insight into what Vin was going through.

Sighing deeply, Chris dropped his gaze to the file in front of him. He'd been working on the same page for the last forty minutes. Unfortunately, he couldn't focus. “Can’t think why,” he muttered sarcastically. He rose from his chair and returned to pacing around the room. Vin had been through so much since he’d stepped back into their lives. Chris wanted to protect him, but he couldn’t when it came to this and it was that feeling of helplessness that was tearing Larabee apart.

The colonel returned to his desk and sank down into the chair.

Without warning, Vin shot out of the conference room, Josiah hot on his heels.

“Vin, just a couple more…”

“No.”

Josiah looked to his colonel for assistance. Chris frowned. Vin wasn't happy and by the look of it, he’d had enough. “Vin…”

“No,” Tanner shouted, disappearing down the short hall that led to the rifle range and kitchen.

“Twelve more questions and the assessment is finished,” Josiah promised.

Chris could hear things being tossed around in the kitchen as his best friend took out his frustration on inanimate objects. “Vin, just answer the final questions,” he called.

“You answer the damn questions, Larabee,” Tanner’s disembodied voice suggested.

Chris eyed Josiah.

“I’m almost done. One final piece of assessment,” the sergeant explained in a hushed voice. It had been a long day for both of them. Vin hadn't been in a good mood from the beginning, though he had done his best to be cooperative. During the assessments, he'd battled returning memories - most prompted by Josiah's in-depth questioning. “Take about five minutes."

Chris nodded and called, “Vin, five more minutes.”

Vin strode passed Chris’ door with a can of beer in his hand.

“Vin,” Chris repeated.

Tanner’s fist appeared in the opening. He raised his middle finger with gusto and bounced it before withdrawing his arm and heading for the elevator.

“Now, Lieutenant,” Chris ordered.

To their credit, Ezra, Nathan, J.D. and Buck completely ignored the building situation, continuing with their assigned duties. Vin weaved his way across the room, stopped in front of the elevator and slammed his open palm against the console, summoning the car.

“Vin, I want the assessment finished today,” Chris instructed.

Vin’s chin toppled down onto his chest. His body was heaving with rage. For a handful of heartbeats he stood frozen. The elevator door opened in front of him. One by one, his partners’ heads came up. They waited. Would Vin defy Chris?

With a barrage of curses, Vin stepped into the elevator and the door closed. The chime indicting the elevator was about to depart resounded in the stunned silence.

J.D.’s eyes were wide.

Ezra and Nathan exchanged a glance.

Josiah sighed.

Buck shook his head and quietly started counting down. “Five… four… three… two…”

The elevator doors reopened, Vin stepped out and marched back across the workroom. His anger was visible both in his ruddy cheeks and his balled fist. Josiah stepped out of his path.

Stabbing a finger in his colonel‘s direction as he stormed into the office, Vin growled with considerable volume, “No more. I’ve answered dozens of questions about things that ain’t no one’s business but mine.”

Chris pointed to the chair. “Sit.”

“I ain’t a damn spaniel!” Tanner exploded. His brilliant blue eyes flashed with frustration.

“Sit.” Larabee’s voice was firm, but there was no anger or aggression. Vin swore and his chest heaved. Chris inclined his head toward the chair. Tanner released a very slow, controlled breath, licked his lips and then walked to the chair and dropped into it with a loud thud. “Sergeant Sanchez, complete the assessment."

Josiah’s huge frame filled the doorway, his face apprehensive. “Here?”

“Here.”

“Sir, it might be better if…”

“Here,” Chris repeated.

Sanchez nodded. “Yes, Sir. I just need to get my papers.”

Vin watched the sergeant go, then settled his steely gaze on his leader, who returned to filling out his reports. “Just a couple more questions,” Larabee stated, without looking up.

Tanner snorted.

“You’re doing well, Vin,” Sanchez encouraged as he returned. “The final part of the assessment is the simplest. Just a quick questionnaire that allows me to assess your perceived support structures.”

“Great,” Vin muttered. He slumped further into the chair, his body moulding to its contours. Josiah watched in sympathy as his friend shut his eyes. Vin was emotionally exhausted.

“Only a couple of questions, Kid. All you have to do is answer each question honestly.”

“Yeah, yeah, get on with it,” Vin grumbled, blinking his eyes to help focus.

“I want you to identify one person whom you think you can depend on… your best friend.“

“Huh?“

“I am going to give you the beginning of a statement and you have to finish it with your best friend in mind. Easy.”

Vin’s eyes narrowed to slithers and he squinted at Chris. “May not be as easy as you make out.”

Larabee gave no indication he was taking any notice, the pen in his hand gliding across the page.

“Let me give you an example. ‘When I am sad he…’ You might respond with, ‘when I’m sad he is there to cheer me up’. Or maybe, ‘when I am sad, he makes me laugh.’ Understand?”

Vin snorted loudly. “You got to be kiddin’.”

“Just be honest. It’s important. Question One: When I am sad he…?”

“When I am sad he helps me get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made me sad.”

Chris’ pen stilled on the paper.

Josiah’s eyebrows drew down.

“What?” Vin asked innocently. “You said you wanted me to be honest. That’s honest.” Tanner sipped his beer.

Josiah shrugged. “Fair enough. Question two: When I am blue…?”

Vin pursed his lips thoughtfully. “If I was blue he’d try to dislodge whatever was choking me… probably his hands around my throat.”

Chris’ narrowed gaze lifted and settled on Vin‘s stubbled face.

Josiah shook his head, slowly. Perhaps he shouldn’t have said to be honest?

“Question three?” Vin prompted.

“When I smile…?”

Vin smirked. “When I smile he knows I’m up to no good.”

Chris lifted his head and Vin bounced his eyebrows.

“When I am scared…?”

“When I’m scared, he’ll rag me about it every chance he gets.”

“A.N.T.S.?” Josiah chuckled, recalling the incident from the week before.

Chris sat back in his chair and attempted to look stern.

Vin flicked his gaze to his leader. “When you least expect it, Larabee. You better be sleepin' with your eyes open.”

“When I’m worried…?” Josiah pressed, relaxing.

Vin paused to think about the statement. “When I’m worried he tells me how much worse it will be if I don’t quit whining.”

“A.N.T.S.,” Josiah agreed again.

Chris crossed his arms over his chest and grunted, apparently unamused.

“When I’m sick…?”

“When I’m sick he tells me to stay the hell away from him so he doesn’t catch what I’ve got.”

Chris’ lips began to tremble.

Sanchez deliberately softened his voice. “When I fall…?” This particular question would show if Vin believed he would ‘hit the ground’ or ‘be caught’ by those around him. The fact that Vin was using humour to make it through the final part of the assessment told Josiah a great deal in itself. “When I fall…?” the sergeant prompted, when an answer wasn‘t forthcoming.

Tanner‘s eyes locked on Larabee‘s. For a split second the mirth left his face, revealing the vulnerability that both Chris and Josiah knew was there. If I fall, he’ll be there to help me back on my feet.

“Vin?” Josiah asked quietly. He could tell a silent conversation was taking place between his two friends. He’d seen it many times. “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

“When I fall…?”

Tanner smiled. “You want the honest answer?“

“Yes,“ Josiah replied, cautiously.

“When I fall he points and laughs at my clumsy ass.”

Chris grinned.

Josiah jotted something down in his notebook. “Only three to go. A good friend…?”

“Will help you move,” Vin stated immediately.

“A very good friend…?”

“Will help you move a body.”

“Family…?”

“Will bring the shovel. Is that it? Good.” Vin tipped the can of beer to his mouth and drained it. Crushing it in his fist, he tossed it into the waste paper basket, rose and strode for the door.

“Vin…” Larabee called after him.

“In your ass, Chris.”

“I’ve got the shovel,” the older man assured softly.

Vin glanced back over his shoulder and his chin bobbed. “Yeah, I know. Come on, you can buy me a beer at the saloon and we‘ll discuss knocking off Josiah.”

Chris grinned, relief radiating from him. “I don't want to miss that. Give me a minute.” He watched Vin leave and turned to Sanchez, his intense green eyes demanding an immediate answer.

“Do you want my technical diagnosis?“ Larabee’s expression provided all the answer Sanchez needed. With a smirk, Josiah translated into layman terms. “He’s dog tired. He’s drowning in emotion. He’s too stubborn to admit there’s a problem, but he’s still got a sense of humour which means he's dealing with it.”

Chris nodded slowly. “Tell me something I don’t know.“

“He’s doing okay. He knows he has support from all of us. Most importantly, he seems to believe that you'll let him fall if he has to, but that you'll be there right beside him. He knows he doesn’t have to deal with the trauma on his own. That's the key.”

“Your advice regarding keeping him in the field?”

Josiah closed his notebook. “He needs to be active and keep his mind occupied. And he needs all of us around him… especially you. I’ll type up the report tomorrow, but tonight, I intend going to the saloon, getting drunk and having someone I trust get me home."

Chris nodded. “Sounds like a plan. Thanks, Josiah."

"It‘s been a hell of a day. I really...”

“WHEN I‘M IMPATIENT, HE KEEPS ME WAITING” Vin’ yelled as the elevator opened.

Chris winked at Josiah. “I guess that’s our cue.” Larabee strode out of the office and announced, “Boys, saloon.”

There was a collective whoop of joy as the men downed tools.

As Vin stepped into the elevator, the toe of his boot snagged on the mat. He plunged headlong into the open car and ended sprawled on the floor in front of his six friends. Their reaction was immediate and predictable. All but Chris pointed, laughed and began to make jokes at his expense. With Larabee's help, Tanner untangled his arms and legs and got to his feet.

Mumbling under his breath as the others stepped into the elevator laughing, Vin shot a questioning glare to his poker-faced colonel.

“I didn’t say a word, Vin,” Chris stated, sliding his arm across the younger man’s shoulders and keeping his face particularly blank. “Not a single word.”

The door slid closed. The laughter died away and silence filled the small cabin on its journey to the underground parking lot.

Chris glanced out of the corner of his eye and grinned mischievously. “Or course, the night is still young, sure-foot.”

The others erupted again.

Vin sighed, shook his head and muttered, “It’s gonna be a long night.”

"First round is on, sure-foot," Buck boomed, slapping Vin on the back.

"A hell of a long night," Vin repeated, a gentle and grateful smile forming on his lips. He knew he had a long night of teasing and ribbing ahead... in other words, a night filled with the support he needed to take his mind off his pain. And should he fall at any point, Chris would be there to get him back on his feet. Vin didn't doubt that for a single moment.

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© November 2005 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 some of the characters and settings belong to DC comics and I thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while.