Doc Mike
Chris woke to find Vin gone. Dressing he started looking. A pot of Vin's awful coffee sat on the burner. Chris smiled to hear the horses nickering as they demanded Vin hurry with their breakfast.
I should have figured you'd go to the barn. Chris sauntered out with two cups of coffee. Vin knew when Chris stepped in the barn, but continued seeing to the horses. By unspoken mutual consent they moved to the corral fence and leaned against it as they drank the coffee.
/OK/ Chris asked in concern. Vin nodded with a peaceful expression.
/This psychiatrist fella/ Vin began /Sarge started me ta seeing him./ Chris waited patiently. /Would ya mind iffen I brought him out here/ Vin asked softly.
/You can do that/ Chris offered.
/Like ta borra that little sorrel mare for him. He's got a gentle touch wit' critters/ Vin continued.
/Your going riding/ Chris asked in confusion.
/Doc Mike knows I cain't stand walls. We talk out there/ Vin nodded towards the open.
/Take what you need Cowboy. Be careful of that leg/ Chris directed.
/Won't be ridin' yet/ Vin promised.
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Chris was amused the first time he watched Vin and Doc Mike together. The doctor stood as tall as JD. He a head full of silvery hair and acted like Netty Wells. Mike acted as though he expected Vin to do as he asked. Vin usually did. They puttered around the place fixing things that needed fixed. Chris came home to several well made home cooked meals the next week.
One evening when Vin ran out to get some beer for them Chris confronted the doctor.
"I'm not complaining, but can Vin afford for you to spend so much time out here?" Chris finally asked.
"Chris, I'm semi-retired. Vin's special people. I only charge him enough so he doesn't feel like it's charity" Doc Mike explained. "He helps me heal too" the doctor spoke gently. "I was a GP for years. My boy was a POW in Vietnam. When he came home...I didn't see it. I lost him. That's when I went into psychology. I specialize in hostages and POWs" the doctor's soft voice stopped when Vin's jeep pulled in.
"Thank you" Chris said.
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Chris arrived to find Vin in a full fledged temper the next evening.
"Vin?" Chris called as Vin stomped off to the barn. Concerned he looked at the smiling psychiatrist.
"It's good Chris. The boy needs to know he can lose his temper," Mike said.
"What happened?" Chris frowned.
"We're having a chef's salad for dinner," Doc Mike chuckled. "I quote Ain't gonna eat no damn green shit," Mike snickered.
"You did it deliberate?" Chris asked.
"Time for him to holler a little. He's out there kicking a few buckets and cussing the world. Then he'll come in wash up and make me feel like whale shit while he eats the salad," Doc Mike grinned. Chris shook his head and chuckled.
When a noticeable relaxed Vin returned they sat down to the table. Chris ate as Vin muttered under his breath and Mike kept an unreadable look on his face.
"Happy now I et tha green stuff," Vin demanded.
"Yes" Mike answered calmly. Vin glared and then looked sheepish.
"I'se been a asshole," he admitted.
"Yes," Mike agreed.
"Ya don't have ta agree sa quick," Vin's lips twitched. Mike looked perfectly innocent. Chris choked on his coffee.
"When am I going to meet the rest of your family Vin?" Mike asked.
"Don't got no kin. Ya know tha'," Vin looked confused.
"Of course you do. You've been telling me about them all week," Doc Mike smiled. "Chris, Ezra, JD, Buck, Josiah and Nathan. Netty Wells would be hurt if she heard you disown her like that," Mike said.
"They ain't kin," Vin said.
"Vin Tanner! family isn't only blood relations. Family is people we care about and care about us," he reminded. Vin blinked looking at Doc Mike. Vin suddenly fled the table. "Chris leave him alone," Doc calmly began eating. Chris frowned at the figure on the porch hugging a post.
"He's hurting," Chris growled.
"Vin's scared. He hasn't had anyone for a long time," the doctor spoke compassionately.
Vin crept back in taking his seat.
"Kin I have some of tha' peach pie ya made?" he asked softly.
"Of course, I made it special for you," Doc Mike rose to get the pie. Chris' heart almost broke at Vin's expression. Shock that someone did something special just for him left Vin without his defenses. A large piece of pie smothered in ice-cream was placed in front of him. Vin's hand trembled as he picked up a fork.
"Thank ya," Vin whispered. "Maybe we kin go ta tha saloon Friday nigh'. Tha team'll be there most likely," Vin finally said.
"We could grill some steaks out here," Chris offered. "That way Buck won't embarrass us in public".
"Could do that too," Vin agreed.
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The rest of the unit joined them on Friday evening. There was a certain amount of nervousness as they met Doc Mike. They soon were relaxed as Mike did his thing. Ezra kept studying the doctor.
"Wanna play some poker?" Doc Mike gave an evil chuckle. They sat down to play. Ezra was battling it out with a player his equal or perhaps even better.
"Did I ever tell you how I used my poker winnings to pay for medical school," Doc asked Vin as he raked in another pot. Chris made them stop for the evening. Doc turned to Ezra.
"Young man if you practice diligently you may learn how to play poker," Mike smirked at Ezra.
"I would consider a rematch suh," Ezra offered.
"I don't believe you're willing to met my stakes," Mike spoke in a serious tone.
"What stakes do you require?" Ezra frowned.
"Genuine conversation, no misleading, no empty words, only the truth. Only that which is freely given and of course a little cash," Mike smiled wickedly.
"You suh go for the heart of the matter," Ezra admitted. "I will consider your terms at my leisure," Ezra decided.
"Your not going to analyze me are you?" Buck frowned when Mike took a seat on the couch beside him.
"Never!" Doc Mike exclaimed. "I can only analyze the head on your shoulders. I believe they used saltpeter for your problem during the W.W.II," Mike spoke with a twinkle in his eye.
Buck smirked "Doc it ain't a problem". Doc Mike lifted an eyebrow with a wicked glint in his eyes.
"Poor ole Bucklin been nice knowin' him," Vin was heard to murmur.
"Are you attempting to deal with feelings of failure, perhaps inadequacy?" Doc shook his head sadly.
"Doc everything works just like it's suppose to and more then enough of it," Buck bragged.
"Do you perform poorly since you change partners so frequently?" Doc's eyes glowed with mischievous intent.
"No Doc ain't none of my ladies ever complained," Buck growled. JD's snickers could be heard in the kitchen.
"Bucklin I'd stop whilst I could," Vin warned. Buck opened his mouth then closed it firmly.
"He's smarter then you indicated Vin," Doc grinned.
"Never said ole Buck weren't smart. Said he didn't do much thinking in a northerly direction," Vin returned. Buck began to laugh and the others joined in.
"How'd you and Junior meet up?" Buck asked. Doc shared a glance with Vin. When Vin nodded.
"A man my son served with in Vietnam called me. Sergeant Hawk said he had a kid that needed some help and I would find it a challenge. Truer words were never spoken. Vin wasn't much of a talker back then. Took 22 days before Tanner spoke the first word to me. I was very excited when he did," Doc laughed. "He brought me to my feet".
"Vin isn't a big talker now," Nathan acknowledged.
"It wasn't him speaking it was the words," Doc chuckled.
"What was so important?" Chris asked.
"Tha's a rattler," Doc drawled. "He sure got my attention". Relaxed laughter filled the room. "He's taking pity on my old bones these days," Doc Mike smiled. "I haven't had to hang off the side of a cliff, go kayaking or ride that death machine he calls a motorcycle. I won't even cover going to his apartment," Doc gave a realistic shudder.
"You made Doc do them things?" JD was horrified.
"He made me go in some elevator fer three hours," Vin challenged. Doc moaned and looked over at Chris.
"I was trying to help him with the claustrophobia," Doc explained.
"It didn't work," Chris replied.
"Have you ever see Night Court on TV?" Doc asked.
"Yeah," Chris looked confused.
"He's much better now," Doc dead panned. Josiah's deep laughter filled the room. Doc had a pitiful expression on his face. "Don't laugh, you share a elevator with him for three hours," he said.
"Did it help?" JD asked.
"I have no idea. I take the stairs, now," Doc answered with a grin.
"Tomorra Doc and I'se headin' out fer a spell," Vin announced. "Be back fer mah doctor's appointment on Tuesday," he informed them. "Yeah I'se already packed tha cell phone, Chris. Nathan, Doc's got him a big ole medical bag," Vin teased. "Need ta listen ta the wind," Vin stated softly.
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Vin called in on the way to the doctor's Tuesday morning sounding very relaxed.
Doc came to the office to meet Vin for lunch.
"Doc were you there after Vin was hurt," Josiah asked.
"Hawk called me after the black night," Doc answered softly.
"Is he all right?" Nathan asked quietly.
"Vin's ready to come back to work," Doc assured them.
"You didn't really answer Nathan," Chris commented.
"Vin is my patient. There are something's he's dealing with. I will not betray his trust," Doc stated.
"They's just worried," Vin spoke from the door.
"What did the surgeon say about your leg?" Nathan demanded.
"I'se been released for full duty," Vin grinned. Vin turned to Doc with a shy smile "I 'pologized ta Ben Farr," he said.
"Ben Farr?" JD questioned.
"He's the intern that I went after in surgery," Vin looked embarrassed. "Seems like a nice fella," Vin admitted. "He was mighty forgivin'," Vin stated.
"Vin, I'm heading out in a couple of hours," Doc said. "You OK with this or you want me to come back in a couple of weeks?" he asked.
"Come back ta visit when ya can. Leave your couch at home," Vin answered.