ATF Universe
SEVEN
Chris woke the next morning to the damned birds making a racket outside the window. He was glad the noise had no effect on his sleeping partner. Vin was still sound asleep with his head on Chris's chest. Chris reached over with his left hand and felt Vin's forehead. Chris could swear he didn't feel as hot and he sighed in relief. He began to run his fingers through Vin's hair. It was in desperate need of washing as Chris discovered as his finger kept getting stuck in knots. Vin began to stir and Chris stopped so he wouldn't wake him. He moved his hand to Vin's back and lightly ran his hands along Vin's shoulders. When he felt Vin sighed and settle again Chris carefully slid out from under him. He placed a pillow under Vin's shoulder and he smiled as Vin hugged it closer. He tucked the blankets around Vin and added another. Chris knew Vin would be cold without the warmth of his body. When he was satisfied Vin would be all right he left the bedroom.Vin didn't want to wake up. He was nice and warm where he was and he didn't want to move. He knew the nurses were just coming to take blood and they could damn well wait until later. The hand on his shoulder shook him gently and he grumbled. He would've pulled away but he knew that wouldn't do any good. Vin snuggled deeper under the covers and tried to ignore whoever was trying to wake him.
"Come on Vin wake up."
Vin's foggy mind registered it was Chris as he felt his shoulder being shaken again. "Go away," he said.
Can't do that," Chris insisted. "You need to take your medication."
"Don't need it," Vin complained and burrowed deeper.
"Oh no you don't," Chris said and pulled back the covers. "Don't go back to sleep."
Vin was confused why was Chris at the hospital so early? He reluctantly opened his eyes to see Chris standing next to the bed.
"Hey, cowboy," Chris said with a smile.
"Chris, what are ya doing here?" Vin asked confused.
"We're at the ranch, don't you remember?" Chris asked.
Vin raised his head off the pillow and looked around. Sure enough he was in the master bedroom. Then he remembered the hospital discharged him and they brought him out to Chris's last night.
"Damn my head feels like it's stuffed with cotton," Vin complained.
"Come on let me help you sit up," Chris said. "I've got some eggs for you."
"Who made 'em?" Vin asked as Chris piled pillows against the headboard.
"I did," Chris said and Vin raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"And you didn't burn them?" Vin asked and gasped as the incision pulled as he sat up. "Aw hell!"
"Easy," Chris said as he helped Vin lean back against the pillows. "And no I didn't burn them."
Chris picked up the tray and placed it over Vin's legs. He pulled the napkin off the plate and Vin was surprised to see two eggs over easy. At first the thought of food sounded good but when he smelled the eggs he wasn't so sure. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back.
"Stomach doing flips?" Chris asked in sympathy.
"Yeah," Vin admitted and opened his eyes.
"Why don't you start with the toast," Chris suggested.
Vin picked up the toast and began to nipple it. Next thing he knew he'd finished the toast and was starting on the eggs. Chris made him take the medication before he finished. Vin only ate the whites of the eggs and that was fine with Chris. When Vin said he was finished Chris took the tray off his legs and placed it on the nightstand.
"Chris can I take a shower?" Vin asked.
"Dr. Finley said you couldn't get the incision wet," Chris said.
"Please Chris, 'Vin pleaded. "I won't tell if you won't."
"No," Chris said. "Now you just take it easy while I bring this stuff back to the kitchen."
Vin watched as Chris left the room. As soon as he was gone Vin carefully slid from under the covers and over to the side of the bed. He sat up then tried to stand with the help of the night table next to the bed. Vin cursed as he tried to stand straight and his muscles protested the move. He held onto the table as he waited for the pain to go away. Chris silently watched him from the doorway. He watched as Vin stubbornly made his way to the bathroom leaning over and guarding the incision with his right arm.
"Where do you think you're going?" Chris asked as he took Vin's arm.
"Damn it Chris, I have to use the bathroom," Vin grumbled.
"Right, then you were going to lock the door and get in the shower," Chris predicted.
"Damn it all!" Vin cursed. "Get out of my head."
"You're not taking a shower," Chris sad as he helped Vin towards the bathroom.
"Please Chris," Vin said. "All I want to do is wash my hair, that's all."
"Alright," Chris conceded. "But we're going to do it my way."
Chris helped him into the bathroom then went back to the kitchen. He grabbed a plastic bag some tape and scissors. "When he came back to the bathroom he found Vin leaning against he vanity. He put the cover down on the toilet bowl and helped Vin to sit. Chris cut open the bag and turned back to Vin. He untied Vin's sweat pants and pushed them down to reveal the bandages. Chris took the plastic bag and covered the bandage then taped it in place.
"I don't want to hear and complaints when I take this off," Chris warned.
Chris stood and turned to the shower. He regulated the temperature the way Vin liked then began to get undressed.
"What are you doing?" Vin asked.
"Can't very well help you out here.
Vin was kinda glad Chris was going to help. All this moving around had just about done him in. Once Chris was finished taking off his clothes he grabbed some towels and dropped them by the shower. He then helped Vin out of his sweats and into the shower. Chris had Vin face him and told him to hold on to his arms. Vin was more than happy to do as he said thinking this might not have been such a good idea. Chris took down the hand held showerhead and wet Vin's hair. Chris moved quickly and washed Vin's hair and gave the rest of him quick once over.
"Alright you're done," Chris said.
Vin didn't protest as Chris helped him out of the shower and wrapped a towel around Vin's waist. He sat Vin down on the toilet and began to dry him off. He was toweling Vin's hair when he heard his name called.
"Chris I'm gonna be sick," Vin said.
Chris quickly moved him off the toilet and pulled the cover up. He got it open just as Vin leaned over and lost his breakfast. Chris held him as he continued to retch. When he was done Chris wiped Vin's face with a towel then got him back into the bed. He piled the blankets around Vin then went back into the bathroom. He quickly dried off and got dressed. He grabbed the hair dyer and went back out.
"I'm sorry Chris," Vin said miserably.
"It's alright," Chris said plugging in the dryer. "Let's get your hair dry."
Chris turned on the dryer and sat on the bed next to him. Vin sighed in pleasure as the warm air and Chris finger began to relax him. Chris wasn't surprised when Vin fell back to sleep. When he was satisfied Vin's hair was dry he turned off the dryer and returned it to the bathroom. Chris grabbed the bandages and tape the hospital gave them last night. He went back over to Vin and uncovered the sleeping sharpshooter so he could take off the plastic bag and change the bandages. Chris slowly began to peel the tape off. Vin began to stir and tried to push his hands away. Chris continued and Vin woke up.
"Damn it that hurts," Vin protested.
"I warned you no complaining," Chris said and continued what he was doing.
Vin cursed as the tape got stuck and Chris tried to pull it off. Once the plastic was off Chris quickly changed the bandages. Vin's complaints had stopped and Chris looked up to see he was asleep again. He tucked the blankets around the sleeping man and left the room.
+ + + + + + +
Nathan pulled along side Chris's truck parked in the driveway. He cut the engine and looked at the house. Everything was quiet and Nathan got out and walked around back to of the Cherokee. He opened the tailgate and grabbed four grocery bags. He placed two on the ground as he slammed the door then picked them up and headed for the house. He found the door opened and walked over to the kitchen. As he placed the bags on the counter he found a note.
Nathan, I'm down the barn Vin's asleep. Make yourself at home.
Nathan decided to check on Vin. He walked down the hall to the master bedroom. All he could see was a pile of blankets on the bed. As he got closer he could see Vin's long hair peeking out by the headboard. Nathan pulled back the covers to find Vin lying on his back snoring softly. He reached out to touch his forehead and found it cooler than the night before. Vin responded by mumbling and trying to burrow back under the blankets. He smiled and covered him back up. Nathan went back to the kitchen to put the groceries away. He opened the refrigerator to put the milk away and laughed. Lining one of the shelves was a rainbow assortment of Jell-O.
"I wasn't sure which flavor he liked so I made them all," Chris said as he walked in.
"Knowing Vin he'll like that electric blue flavor," Nathan smiled. "Did you get him to eat anything?"
"We tried some eggs this morning but he didn't keep them down," Chris admitted. "I think we did too much after he ate."
"Why what did you do?" Nathan asked.
"He wanted a shower," Chris answered as he pulled a beer out the fridge.
"Damn, Chris, the doctor said he couldn't get those stitches wet," Nathan scolded.
"Relax I covered he bandage with a plastic bag," Chris said as he took a sip of beer. "Besides he really wanted one. I only kept him n there long enough to wash his hair."
"Maybe you better let me or Josiah to watch Vin," Nathan smiled. "He has you wrapped around his little finger."
"No he doesn't," Chris said defensively.
"Right," Nathan chuckled. "Whey don't you go wake sleeping beauty. I got something I think he should be able to keep down."
Nathan watched as Chris left he kitchen. He grabbed a box out of one of the bags and placed it on the counter. He put some water onto boil and waited.
Chris opened the door and walked into the room. He walked over to the bed and smiled. Vin was completely buried under the blankets. Chris pulled them back and Vin mumbled.
"Vin," Chris called as he touched his shoulder. "Wake up."
Vin tried to shrug off Chris's hand as he wriggled back under the covers. He moved the wrong way and cursed.
"Damn it leave me alone," Vin growled.
"Good to see you're starting to feel better," Chris laughed. 'You have to get up."
"Fine," Vin snapped.
Chris helped him sit up as Vin grumbled the whole time. Nathan walked in as Vin told Chris to quit fussing. Chris backed away and let Nathan move closer with the tray. He placed it on Vin's legs and Vin looked at the Jell-O and cream of wheat suspiciously.
"Who made it?" Vin asked.
"I made the cream of wheat," Nathan said. "But Chris made the Jell-O."
"You did?" Vin asked surprised.
"Yeah," Chris said. "I made a bunch of different flavors."
"How come?" Vin asked picked up the spoon and the green Jell-O.
"Eat the cream of wheat while it's hot," Nathan said grabbing the Jell-O.
"But it needs maple syrup," Vin pointed out.
"Alright I'll get it," Nathan said and left.
"Here," Chris said handing him back the Jell-O.
"Thanks," Vin said with a smile and took a spoonful. "You didn't answer my question."
"I didn't know what flavor you liked so I made them all," Chris admitted.
"I like 'em all, but my favorite is the cherry with mini marshmallows," Vin said as he took another bite.
"Uck, you would," Chris said.
"I didn't know you knew how to make Jell-O," Vin said.
"I can boil water," Chris said swatting his leg. "Besides I used to make it for Adam when he was sick."
Vin didn't know what to say. He never expected Chris to say that. Vin quietly finished the Jell-O trying to figure out a way to thank Chris. He was about to say something when Nathan returned with the syrup and a glass of juice.
"I see you ate the Jell-O anyway," Nathan said as he handed Vin the maple syrup.
"Thanks Nate," Vin said as he poured on a generous amount.
Vin ate half the bowl when he said he was full. Nathan gave him his medication and handed him the glass.
"Is this that baby stuff?" Vin asked smelling it.
"Just drink it," Chris said.
Vin took a tentative sip then took a larger one. It wasn't that bad and Vin popped the antibiotic into his mouth and finished the glass.
"Now what?" Vin asked.
"Now we have to get up and walk around, "Nathan said. "But first let me take your temperature."
Nathan took the tray to the kitchen and returned with an electronic thermometer. He placed it in Vin's ear until it beeped.
"Hey not bad," Nathan smiled. "It's down to 99."
"Why do you have to be so stubborn when you're in the hospital," Chris said.
"Cause I don't like it there," Vin said.
"Alright let's get you up," Nathan said and went to grab the blankets.
"Now hold on just a minute," Vin cried out holding on to them. "You take them there blankets and you're gonna see more of me than you want."
"Fine, I'll go out and clean the kitchen," Nathan smiled. "Chris can get you dressed."
Nathan smiled at Chris and left. Chris grabbed a pair of sweat pants out of Vin's bag and moved over to the bed. He helped Vin tot he edge of the bed and into the pants. Chris didn't bother with trying to get a shirt over Vin's head. He grabbed his thick terry cloth robe and got it on Vin. Vin watched as Chris rummaged in his dresser for something. When he came back to the bed he was carrying a pair of thermal hunting socks. Vin sighed in contentment as Chris got them on his feet.
"We better start moving or I'm gonna fall asleep," Vin said.
"Well I see you got him dressed," Nathan said as he came back to the room.
"Yeah and I didn't throw a tantrum neither," Vin said as Chris stood him up and went to belt the robe.
"Come on Vin stand up" Chris said as he pulled the robe closed.
"I'm trying," Vin cursed as Chris tied the belt.
"Doesn't matter," Nathan said. "You just have to move around."
They each took and arm and walked Vin around the house. When he was the late afternoon sun shinning on the corrals he wanted to go out. Nathan and Chris both said no. Vin cursed them as they continued walking around. After awhile Vin actually started to feel better as he walked around. He was even able to stand a little straighter. After an hour of moving around Nathan said that was enough and they got Vin settled on the couch.
"Do you want some pain meds?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah," Vin said. "It kinda hurts."
"I'll get them," Chris said.
"Bring him some bread also," Nathan said. "He needs something in his stomach to keep them from making him sick."
Chris brought back the bread and a glass of water. He handed it to Vin and he took a few bites of the bread. Chris then handed him the pills and he swallowed them with the water. He handed everything back to Chris and leaned back. Nathan went to the bedroom and grabbed a bunch of the blankets. He came out and threw them over Vin.
"Anything else you need?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah the remote," Vin smiled.
Nathan walked over to the TV and came back with the remote. "Here you go. Well I have to be going. I'm taking Rain to dinner tonight."
"Thanks for everything Nate," Chris said.
"No problem," he said. "Oh yeah I almost forgot. AD Travis asked if you might be able to work on the review for the Tompkins case."
"Yeah sure," Chris said.
"I left it on the counter in the kitchen," he said. "Now Vin you listened to what Chris says."
"Maybe," Vin said with a mischievous smile.
"You're in for it now," Nathan said. "He's starting to feel better."
"Yeah just my luck," Chris said as he followed Nathan to the door.
"Well make sure he doesn't too much," Nathan said. "He's still weak from the fever."
"Don't worry he'll do what I say," Chris assured him.
"Good luck," Nathan said and left.
Chris saw that Vin was contentedly flipping through the channels as he walked into the kitchen. He saw the file that Nathan left and picked it up. He got a beer out of the fridge and headed for his computer. Chris tuned it on and waited for it to boot up. Vin had finally stopped on a channel and he looked up to see "The Duke" on the big screen TV in "The Alamo." Chris sighed knowing he would much rather be watching John Wayne than typing this report. He got to work and started typing. After awhile he heard a knock at the back door and looked up. He was surprised to see the sun was almost down. He got up and answered it.
"Evening Mr. Larabee, the horse are all taken care of for the night," said a teenaged boy.
"Thanks Matthew," Chris said as he walked over the draw in his desk and pulled something out. "Here's your check for this week."
"Thanks Mr. Larabee, Good night," Matthew said as he left.
Chris closed the door and decided he'd had enough of the report. He walked over to the couch and saw Vin was a sleep. He didn't want to disturb him and started to walk away.
"Who was at the door?" Vin asked as he opened his eyes.
"Just Matthew."
"He's a good kid," Vin said.
"Yup," Chris agreed. "What do you want for dinner?"
"French Toast," Vin said with a smile.
"What you want miracles?" Chris joked.
"I'll help," Vin said as he threw off the blankets and stood up slowly.
"Hold on there," Chris said grabbing him as he swayed.
"Damn thought I was doing better," Vin complained. "On second thought I'll just have more of the cream of wheat."
"Here sit back down and I'll get dinner," Chris said and helped him to sit back on the couch.
Chris went into the kitchen as he heard Vin start flipping through the channels. He threw a Swanson's Hearty Man's portion turkey dinner into the microwave as he put a pot of water on to boil. The microwave dinner and the water finished at the same time. Chris made Vin's cream of wheat and poured a good amount of maple syrup on it. He grabbed some silverware and headed for the den. When Vin saw the TV dinner he just shook his head. Chris ignored him and went back out to get drinks. He came back with a beer for himself and more pedialite for Vin. They ate their dinner while they watched another western. This time it was Silverado, one of Vin's favorites. When they were finished with Dinner Chris brought everything back to the kitchen and returned with a Jell-O for Vin and another beer for himself. Chris placed the two items on the side table and sat with his back leaning on the arm of the couch. Chris pulled Vin's arm and the younger man turned and gave him an odd look. When he saw what Chris wanted he smiled. Vin carefully moved over as Chris slid his leg along the back of the couch as Vin nestled between his legs and leaned back against Chris chest. Chris grabbed the blankets and threw them over Vin. He then handed Vin and orange Jell-O and Vin took it. Chris hugged Vin close as he got comfortable. Vin took a bite of the Jell-O and got up the courage to say something.
"Chris," he said.
"Hmmm," Chris said as he took a swig of beer.
"I don't know how to say this," Vin said as he covered his uncertainty by taking another mouth full of Jell-O.
Chris suspected what was on Vin's mind and just waited for Vin to collect his thoughts. The younger man wasn't much of a talker.
"Jest wanted to say I appreciate all this," Vin started. "I know I can be a real bastard when I'm sick."
"You can say that again," Chris chuckled.
"Yeah well you're no saint either," Vin pointed out.
"Nope I'm not," Chris chuckled again.
"It's just sometimes I don't know what to make of all this," Vin admitted. "Ain't never had someone care this much is all. I mean Miss Nettie cares but it's not what I'm tryin' to say."
"I know what you're trying to say," Chris said.
"Well I'm sure glad one of us does," Vin chuckled and cursed.
"Hey," Chris said grabbing Vin's chin and turning his head towards him. "I'll always be here if you want me."
"I want ya," Vin said with a smile. "For always."
"Then you got me for always," Chris said and gave him a chaste kiss on the mouth. "Now shut up and watch the movie."
Vin sighed in contentment and settles against Chris and finished his Jell-O. Chris wrapped both arms around Vin and held him tight. When Vin was done he handed the cup to Chris. In the middle of the movie Vin's head rolled to the side and Chris knew he was asleep. Chris kissed the top of Vin's head and decided it couldn't get better than this.
THE END
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