The Circle

Disclaimer:I do not own or profit from the use of the Magnificent Seven characters. Thank you to MOG for the creation of the ATF.

Comments: I should begin by saying this is not an original idea, and there will be astute people who know where I got the idea. Thank you to MOG for betaing and being 'picky.' Thank you to my friends who kept prompting me to finish this.

"Whoa, look at the view." JD exclaimed as they entered the condominium. The luxurious home overlooked Seattle's Puget Sound. Enormous bay windows wrapped around the room, affording views of the Olympics to the west and Mt. Rainier to the south.

"Yeah, and you can see The Mountain today." A tall gentleman came forward, holding a glass of red wine. He stretched his hand towards JD. "I'm Chaz, Sharon's assistant."

"Nice to meet you." Dunne accepted the handshake then deferred to Ezra to complete the introductions.

"Eric and my assistant, Jason." Standish nodded, and looked past Chaz throughout the room of gathered guests. "And where is the lovely hostess?"

"Right here," the tall blonde came forward, placed her drink down on the nearest table and grasped Ezra's hand with two hands. "I'm glad you could make it. How was the flight?"

Standish hooked her arm. "The flight was fine. But I think it would be very lax of the hostess if she didn't mingle." Ezra nodded at JD and Chaz then escorted Sharon towards another group of gathered men.

JD stuffed his hand in his pocket and rocked on his feet. He smiled at Chaz. "So how long have you been doing this?" The instant the question was out of his mouth Dunne wanted to kick himself. What was he thinking? It was like asking, "So how long have you been a criminal?" The young agent thanked God he wasn't miked, he'd never be able to live that one down if ever it became team knowledge.

This was hardly his first u.c. assignment. Granted, the others had been few and far between and this role, like the others, was tailored to his own personal specialties; but no one else on Larabee's team could have fit the bill as Standish's personal techie. A case begun in Denver spawned connections to Washington State gun smugglers, so Ezra was a buyer and JD became his assistant, a technical wizard who'd hacked and breached his way into numerous government agencies and foreign banks.

"I've been with Sharon for two years." Chaz gestured for a waiter with a tray of drinks. He chose a martini for himself and handed JD one too.

"Thanks," Dunne replied as he ate the olive, then looked around for a place to put the toothpick. A nearby ashtray seemed the best choice.

"How about you?" The tall, olive skinned man asked as he sipped his drink with relish.

"Me?" JD shrugged his shoulders. "I've been associated with Eric for awhile." Dunne grinned as he added, "Hell, he's like family."

Chaz laughed at his own amusing thought before looking over at JD, deciding to share it. "I don't know. Sharon's a little young to be my mom, and she's too pretty to be my sister."

Dunne chuckled as he gazed at the lovely blonde.

Chaz finished his martini and waved the waiter over to pick up the empty glass. "But I know what you mean. I don't have any family anymore. Pops died when I was a kid."

JD gave up his half empty glass, not liking the bitter liquid. "Yeah, my Mom died awhile ago too. It was just the two of us." The young ATF agent wondered if he should share his personal information. All his training led him to the conclusion it is easier to remember the truth than a lie. The moments ticked by and Dunne nodded at Standish who seemed engrossed in a conversation with two other men.

Chaz glanced around the room. "Hey, there's some girls here I think you should meet." Sharon's partner grabbed JD's arm and introduced him to two attractive young women.

They spent the next hour pretty much 'shooting the shit' before the girls had to leave for a previous engagement. Dunne was trying to kid himself into thinking they were college students. Chaz ruined that idea.

"You want me to set something up for you?" The tall man asked, as he waved to the escorts.

JD shook his head. As much as he would like to get into undercover work, he just couldn't cross that line. But, Ezra didn't have any issues. Standish tapped Dunne on the shoulder gesturing it was time to leave.

Sharon slipped next to him and placed her arm around his waist. "Darling, dinner this evening?"

The undercover agent caressed her neck. "Yes, Campagne."

"My favorite," she purred. "See you at 8," Sharon added before walking away to talk to the few remaining guests.

"Listen, here's my card." Chaz placed the card in JD's hand. "If you want to see Seattle's night life-I can arrange it-anything you want." He clapped Dunne on the shoulder.

The young ATF agent tucked the card in his coat pocket. "Thanks, I'll keep it in mind."

Ezra and JD exited the party. Standish smiled as they entered the rented Mercedes. "That went well," the Southerner commented. The twosome began to review the guests at the party.

JD and Ezra had adjoining rooms at the Four Seasons. After reviewing their notes and contacting the team in Denver, Standish decided to freshen up for his date with Sharon. Ezra exited the marble tub and wiped the mirror only to have it quickly fog up again.

He had taken a very hot shower to work out the knots in his back. No matter how relaxed the southerner looked, he always had to be prepared. This usually resulted in a back pain. Ezra donned the hotel's terry cloth bathrobe and opened the door so the steam could escape.

Dunne was sitting on the corner of Standish's bed. "I don't know Ez. Is this such a good idea?" JD was continuing the conversation they had before he entered the shower.

Ezra opened the closet and set out a suit. He then opened the armoire and removed two shirts and three ties, placing them around the suit. "To be a good undercover agent you have to associate with the criminals. They have to believe you are one of them." He explained as he chose the light green colored Zegna shirt and the Gucci tie.

JD shook his head as he watched Ezra calmly decide his attire for the evening. "Yeah, but you could be going into a dangerous situation without backup."

"That's my risk to take." Standish returned to the bathroom and unpacked his shaving kit. "I would never ask you." Ezra smiled at the concern of the young ATF agent. Standish popped his head out of the door. "But, I don't think Ms. Demairs is that dangerous."

Dunne laughed and made his way through the internal doors into his own room. "Buck's going to be drooling over the surveillance pictures."

Standish closed the bathroom door and began to prepare for his evening with the lovely illegal arms dealer. Sharon was someone to, as JD had said, 'drool over.'

Within an hour the sun was setting and Standish was ready. He picked up the keys to the Mercedes and softly knocked on the slightly ajar door of the adjoining room. JD was sitting at the table going over some of the computer equipment he had brought with him. "Why don't you watch some violent, gruesome movie with no apparent plot and order room service." Standish grinned. "Eating on china may be a real treat for you." Every time the southerner had a meal at the CDC it was either on a paper plate or a paper napkin. Standish handed him the menu.

"Very funny!" JD replied as he snatched the menu. He glanced at it quickly, as he picked up the phone. "Have a good time." Dunne covered the phone. "Don't do anything that Buck would do."

Ezra shook his head. "I want her to like me." He opened the door and gave Dunne the two- finger salute. "Stay out of trouble."

JD mouthed the words, "You too," as he placed his order.

JD dipped another French fry in the puddle of ketchup he had made. It was the best hamburger and fries he had ever had. He thought about ordering another one as he changed the channel once more, settling on watching Better Off Dead for a few minutes before tossing the remote on the other side of the double bed in frustration.

His jacket lay near him. Dunne licked his fingers, careful not to stain anything with ketchup. He pulled the card from the pocket. "Charles Rumio, exporter of fine goods," JD read the card out loud. He placed it by the phone and stared at it for a moment before returning his attention to the John Cusack movie. "What the hell. It may help the case." JD picked up the phone and dialed Chaz's number with visions of acclamation dancing in his head.

"Hey, yeah," JD replied when Chaz recognized his voice. "I'm kinda bored." Dunne said as he looked around the room. "That'll be great."

JD was going to meet Chaz in a half an hour at the Westin Hotel. They'd start there for drinks and then see where the night would take them. Dunne looked down to check out what he was wearing—jeans and a turtleneck. It seemed fine. The young agent grabbed the hotel stationary and wrote a quick note:

Ez,
Went out with Chaz.
Later-
JD

He walked out of the hotel and made his way to the Westin. It was an overcast sky, so he didn't even try to look for the mountain. As he entered the hotel he wiped off the mist, clinging to his hair and clothes. The bar was to the right and Chaz waved him in.

"Buddy, have a drink and then I'm taking you somewhere special." Chaz said laughingly as he drank his scotch and water and gestured for the bartender to come and take an order.

JD shrugged his shoulders, and started to laugh too. It sounded like he was in for a fun evening. "Sam Adams," he placed his order.

They stayed there for an hour before Chaz looked at his watch. "Jesus, we'll miss the big event. Come on." He threw some money on the bar to cover the tab. The valet had left his BMW Z3 convertible at the front of the hotel. They slipped in and JD just had a moment to put on his seatbelt before they screeched out of the parking lot.

"WOOHOO!" Dunne yelled out, feeling the wind carrying his hair as they raced down the highway. They took a sharp turnoff and JD held on tight as he slid against the leather seat.

They drove on with the radio hollering dance music in their wake. Houses became more distant, and they entered a more commercial area. "What is this place?" JD asked as he noticed the luxury vehicles surrounding the dilapidated warehouse. Chaz pulled in beside a Bentley.

Dunne got out of the car and looked around. He heard the roar and laughter of a crowd inside.

"You're gonna love this." Chaz slapped JD on the back and ushered him to the warehouse door, guarded by two men in suits. There was a quick nod between Chaz and the guards. The door was slid open revealing well-dressed women and suited men milling about while a large crowd gathered around a fenced in area, blocking JD's view.

Chaz craned his neck and smiled. "Cool we made it. Guthrie, the Champion, is up next." JD's new friend smiled and waved to some people as he guided Dunne into the crowd. "He hasn't been defeated in over 20 fights."

"Fights?" JD asked trying to control the squeak appearing in his voice. They sat down on folding chairs lined up into somewhat neat rows. Wildly, he looked at the ringed area in front of him. Chain link fence surrounded a twenty by thirty-foot area. There was no padding on the floor, just the cement. Dunne swallowed. He was in the wrong place.

The next fight was announced. A young man walked into the ring, his head bowed. He kept looking back and shaking his head. Dressed in a white tank top and jeans he looked younger than JD. "Chaz, that kid looks scared."

Chaz smiled and was about to answer as the champion was announced. The crowd stood up and was in a frenzy. "Wouldn't you?" JD's escort replied as he pointed to the large man entering the ring with his hands waving in the air.

The fight started slowly with the Champion, Guthrie preening and taunting his opponent. The scared kid kept nervously glancing at the crowd. There seemed to be resignation setting into his face and instead of staying away from Guthrie he stepped forward. The Champion nodded and the fight ensued.

Guthrie seemed to let the young man get a few punches in before picking up and throwing him on the floor like a rag doll. The kid was able to get up on all fours before Guthrie came at him again and kicked him twice, his body jumping each time.

Dunne lurched forward into the woman who sat ahead of him. She gave him a dirty look before diverting her attention back to the battle. "Is he going to be okay?" Dunne asked Chaz.

"Oh yeeaaaah," Chaz replied not looking at his friend. "He'll be just fine."

And for a moment the kid was as he rolled away from his attacker. He used the chain link fence to drag himself to a standing position. He was able to dodge the Champion as the large man charged at him and landed in the chain link fence, but only for a moment.

Guthrie wiped his face; there was a little trickle of blood on his lip from the fence. He licked it away and walked slowly to the kid. The young man howled for someone to help him. "PLEASE!"

Dunne tried to make his way forward to the fence, but he was hemmed in on all sides. JD yelled out, "NO!" But the chanting crowd absorbed his cry. Then there was a deafening silence punctuated by the crack of the kid's neck being broken.

'Oh my God, oh my God, Oh my God.' JD knew he was breathing hard. He swallowed, calming himself. He was a federal officer of the law and a crime, a murder, had been committed in front of him. He began to back away from Chaz, who didn't seem to notice. Chaz was caught up in the bloodlust, as was the rest of the crowd. They were hugging each other and toasting with champagne. JD looked around and was able to push through the crowd to what seemed liked an exit.

He took deep gulping breaths of the darkened night air. JD took out his cellphone and dialed 911. An operator immediately answered and Dunne identified himself as a federal officer.

"I'll connect you to the nearest office, sir." She replied.

"No, don't put me on fuckin' hold!" JD yelled into the phone. He bit his lip. "Please pick up, pick up. . ."

He didn't sense someone behind him until it was too late and the young agent walked into the punch. His phone scattered to the ground and was stepped on by another man. Dunne scampered to his feet but dropped to the ground again as his attacker kicked at his knee. The other man picked him up by his hair until JD was standing.

Dunne blinked, trying to focus. "That kid is dead." JD's words sounded slurred and heavy to his ears.

His attackers replied with laughter. "Don't worry he'll have company soon." Another blow hit JD in the midsection, while he felt something crash on his neck. He buckled to the ground remembering to cover his head.

JD tried to turn over, managing to come to his side so he could face one of the assailants. "ATF, I'm an ATF agent. . ." Dunne squeezed his eyes shut feeling the pain wrack his battered body. He hoped he had done the right thing, all he had left was the protection of his badge.

"Oh shit. . ." was the last thing the young ATF agent heard as he succumbed to blackness.

Ezra sat down heavily in the mauve colored chair. He bent forward and cradled his head in his hands. What the hell happened? The southerner exhaled and pulled his phone from the inside jacket pocket. Standish scratched in between the phone's numbers before deciding to place the call. The nurses had shown him to the lounge and told him he could make the phone call from there only. Cellphones were harmful to cardiac patients.

The phone was answered on the second ring, "Larabee."

"Chris," Ezra started then his mouth went dry. "JD's been hurt." Standish closed his eyes and rushed through the explanation so he didn't have to relive the moment he saw Dunne in the hospital. "JD went out with one of the suspects. I don't know what happened except when I came back to the hotel room, he was missing and I started to make some phone calls. We're at Haborview."

There was a long pause and Standish knew the team leader was gathering his thoughts. "How is he?" Chris asked.

"I don't know." Ezra's eyes darted to the intensive care unit. They had just settled Dunne in after the surgery to repair internal bleeding and remove his spleen. He had yet to awaken. "It looks bad, real bad."

There was an exhale and Larabee then responded. "We'll be there as soon as possible."

Standish closed the phone. All calls would go directly into voice mail. The southerner walked back into the ICU and sat down across from JD. He took out the note again and meticulously folded the corners down into minute triangles. What had JD been thinking? Chaz was a dangerous man, not a friend. True, Ezra had set an example by going out with Sharon, but he knew where he was going and didn't leave an obscure note.

"Where did you go? Where's Chaz Rumio? And what happened?" Standish stood up and looked at the patient, seeing if the slumbering form would provide some answers. JD was slightly propped up on the pillows. His torso and arms were left bare except for the white bandage wrapped around his midsection. The bruising on his exposed areas were vivid purples and black punctuated by the reds of broken blood vessels. Ezra wanted to be out looking as he saw what seemed to be a shoe print tattooed on Dunne's chest.

But, he was left keeping watch until the others arrived. Ezra was responsible to carry on alone –and he didn't know if he was up to the task to see a young man broken and beaten.

Standish tried not to let himself sleep. He caught himself dozing as he read one of the tattered magazines left at the nurse's station. Immediately, the southerner sat up straight in his chair. He glanced at JD and then stood up to check on him. There had been no change in the young man's condition.

The sun would be up soon and Ezra walked over to the window. Time was working against them; leads were growing cold in the night air. Turning his wrist he noticed the time. The team would be there soon. Standish pushed his hair back into place and brushed off his rumpled suit. As he straightened his tie he heard Buck heralding the team's arrival. Wilmington was questioning the nurse on duty.

"We're here for John Dunne. How is he? Where is he? Is he going to be okay?"

By experience Ezra knew the night shift nurses were usually frazzled and not up to a repartee with the family of the patient. They never got used to working the odd hours when their body was telling them to sleep. It was the best time to sneak out of the hospital. "Buck, we're right here." Ezra stepped out into the hallway.

Wilmington rushed over first and brushed by Standish with a nod. The rest of the team hung back in the doorway.

"You look like shit." Chris commented, staring past the southerner toward JD. "How's the kid?"

Ezra turned and rested his back against the wall. He closed his eyes. "Perhaps Agent Jackson would be more competent to explain." Standish licked his lips and told them what he knew. "From what the doctors told me he has contusions, and they removed his spleen in surgery. They have made him comfortable and now it's up to him to wake up." The southerner opened his eyes and looked back at the patient.

"How did this happen?" Chris asked, putting a hand on his neck.

Standish pulled the note from his pocket and flattened it before handing it to Larabee. "I was with Sharon DeLuce at the time."

Chris read the note and passed it to Josiah. "So he went out with her assistant?"

The southerner nodded and looked at the leader steadily, ready to defend his actions.

"Why would he do that?" Nathan uttered as he flipped through the chart.

"Damn impressionable kid." Buck replied as he sat by JD's bedside. He adjusted the white sheet and blanket.

Ezra clenched his fists. It had been a grueling 24 hours. The southerner recalled telling Dunne to stay in the hotel room. Standish assumed risk only for himself. It was never a case of 'do what I do.' "This is why I like to work alone."

Vin stepped forward, his brows knitted together. Tanner had been standing next to Josiah in the crowded doorway. "He's a man, Buck, not a boy. He made his own decision, ain't no one forcin' him."

Before Wilmington could answer, Larabee interrupted. "Can it." Chris grabbed Ezra's elbow and pulled him out into the hallway with Vin and Josiah following. Larabee let go of Standish's elbow.

Ezra wiped down the imaginary creases in his sleeve, using the few seconds to compose himself. "I 'd like the opportunity to discuss matters with Ms. DeLuce."

Chris sighed and then looked at his watch. Standish crossed his arms. He was going to be belligerent about this, whether or not he received the leader's blessings he was going to pay a visit to the lovely Sharon.

Larabee must have sensed the obstinate nature of his agent or perhaps he knew his men too well. "Fine, just take Josiah and Vin with you." Chris stopped Ezra's retort. "They're a little more refreshed. You find out anything, you follow up on it and you let me know."

Standish was quiet in the backseat of the rented sports utility vehicle. Luckily, Josiah and Vin understood the need for him to gather his thoughts. When they pulled up to Sharon's condominium complex Standish didn't wait for the car to come to a complete stop. He jumped out and marched to the front doors.

"Ez, wait a minute." Tanner jogged up to southerner and grabbed his arm.

Ezra pulled his arm away and Vin held his hands back.

Josiah came up the path and shook his head. "Calm down, Ezra."

"You're not helping JD by going in there half cocked." Tanner added and crossed his arms.

Frustrated, and knowing he was letting his emotions get the better of him, Ezra paced a few steps. "Gentlemen," he said as he opened the door for the two men.

As Josiah passed he patted the undercover agent on the shoulder.

Vin had already shown his badge and requested Ms. DeLuce not be warned of their impending arrival.

Standish calmly walked over to the elevator. He pushed the button once then looked up waiting for the numbers to decrease. The car seemed to be stuck so Ezra pushed the button again, and then another time.

"Ez, you push that button again and I'm goin' to fuckin' shoot your hand off." Vin drawled.

Standish unbuttoned his jacket and placed his hands in his pocket. Not turning around he replied, "Point taken, Agent Tanner."

The elevator finally appeared and began the climb to the 20th floor. Josiah hummed what seemed like an endless spiritual. Standish wondered why Tanner didn't threaten Sanchez with physical harm.

Ezra knew he was running on a reserved pool of adrenaline. He had been up all night wracked with guilt and concern, watching and hoping as JD took each breath. The southerner was angry and he knew who was going to take the brunt of his venom. In fact he thought about it all night.

The door of the condo was slightly ajar. And the three of them went for their weapons until they saw a piece of luggage being set down through the opening. Ezra pushed the door open farther. "Going somewhere, my dear?"

Sharon jumped back, startled. She quickly recovered, and clasped her hands together in a gesture of innocence. "Yes, called out of town."

Standish stepped inside, as did Tanner and Sanchez, causing the woman to retreat into her living room. "Wouldn't have anything to do with your associate causing physical harm to my associate?"

She didn't answer at first; instead she went over to the mini bar and poured water from a pitcher. "Who? Chaz? No, no, no." Sharon pointed to the other glasses. Standish could not believe the audacity of the woman. The southerner knew from experience, this was a woman used to having her own way. Ezra strode over to the blonde and gripped her wrist.

Sharon struggled to hold onto the glass and pull her arm away. Ezra pulled her back to him and wrapped an arm around her waist to restrain her.

Josiah broke the red haze, which seemed to cover his eyes. "Brother," he paused, waiting for the southerner's attention. Ezra looked over and nodded. "I think Ms. DeLuce is in a more accommodating mood. Why don't you escort her to the couch?"

Standish looked down at his hand and quickly let go. He had left a red-ring mark. The loss of control scared the undercover agent. He blamed it on the lack of sleep and was glad Chris sent Vin and Josiah with him. The southerner gestured for the arms dealer to be seated.

Vin and Josiah sat down next to Ezra. Sharon was not looking at the trio; instead she rubbed her wrist. Tanner leaned forward to ask. "Where is he?"

Ezra picked up the crystal paperweight on the coffee table before them. "These are my other associates," Josiah crossed his arms in front of him in a sign of stubbornness, while Vin grinned menacingly. "Who are very concerned about our injured friend."

Sharon settled back in the cream colored sofa and crossed her legs seductively so her skirt hiked up to the top of her thighs.

Vin shook his head. "Lady, let's not play around. You know you're in a heap of shit."

"I don't know anything." Sharon stood up and pulled her raincoat off of the overstuffed chair. "Chaz said the feds were on to us and to get out." She placed the coat over her arm.

Josiah stood up and blocked her exit. "ATF, you're under arrest. . ."

"For what? Dinner?" She laughed and tried to side step the large agent. "Smells like entrapment."

"Actually smells like cheap perfume and fear." Ezra replied as he put the paperweight back on the coffee table. "We were thinking accessory to murder." Standish and Tanner stood up, while Sanchez began to read the woman her rights.

She paled, and her eyes darted around the room.

The southerner knew the woman was going through her options and what the logical conclusion would be.

Sharon licked her lips. "Look, I can help you. Tell you where to find Chaz."

"He hasn't left yet?" Josiah stopped Mirandizing the woman for a moment.

"No, he's involved with some other things." Sharon waved her hands in front of her." –stuff I don't know about." Sharon placed the raincoat back on the chair. "But, I know some places he likes to frequent."

"I suggest you write it down." Standish took a pen from his inside pocket. "And write down where you'll be staying."

Ezra rubbed a hand against the stubble he felt on his chin as they left the condo. His eyes felt grainy, yet he felt invigorated with the leads.

Tanner pulled out his cell phone. "We're coming back there-we got some info." Tanner placed an arm around Standish's shoulder. "Just need to drop Ez off at the hotel first."

Standish agreed. "I just need a moment to freshen up." He patted the creases of his Prada jacket looking forward to a change of clothes.

"Ez, you look like shit." Vin shook his head and backed the southerner against the SUV. "Ya need some rest."

Standish opened the door and climbed in the back seat. "I relaxed all night in the hospital." He explained as Tanner threw his hands up.

"We've been there." Josiah replied as he buckled his seatbelt. He turned around to face the undercover agent. "There's no rest when you're worried."

Ezra knew it was futile to waste his energy against his adamant friends. He closed his eyes, "When you find him . . ."