Also, Maude decided that she wanted her very own chapter and hijacked part of this one. For those of you who don't like Maude, you won't like this chapter as I write her sympathetically and introduce original characters that like her as well.

Definition: Blind: noun. Something that obstructs vision. A structure in which hunters conceal themselves.

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Fields of Need: Building the Blind
By Starwinder
Part 5 (encompassing emailed parts 15-17)
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Paul Winworth looked up as Nathan Jackson entered the Team Three Bullpen. "How'd it go?" he asked.

Nathan shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it over the back of his chair, a disgusted look on his face. "Not good. We got three men down, fortunately ain't none of them going to die. But our best bet for turning state's evidence was killed and Barstow got clean away."

"Rough.

"Yeah. Just another day in paradise," Nathan said sarcastically as he turned away to head for the breakroom.

"Oh," Winworth called after him. "You had a phone call. A Mrs. Maude Standish would like you to call her."

"Aw, shit! Can this day get any better?" Nathan turned back to grab the phone message form from Winworth. He stared at the message as he stalked into the breakroom, as if that could change how it read.

A few minutes later he returned and sat down at his desk. Picking up the phone he dialed a well-known number. "Hey, Josiah. Ezra around?"

He paused, rubbing his forehead then turning to fish in his desk drawer for some aspirin as he listened to Josiah talk for several minutes. After a few minutes he interrupted the flow of words. "That's all real interesting, Josiah, but I think Ez might want to know that his ma's looking for him. Left a message for me to call her. I need to know what he wants me to do about it."

He tucked the phone between his shoulder and his chin as he dumped a handful of aspirin into his hand and used the coffee he had just gotten from the breakroom to wash them down. After a few minutes Ezra came on the line and Nathan said, "Yeah, Ez. Dont know how she tracked me down here, but I got a message to call her."

He paused listening. "Reckon she is. Message gives two numbers, one could be a cell phone but the other is for the Hilton Uptown, Room 1240."

Another pause, "You sure?"

"Okay. I'll give her a call and see what she wants. You want me to just bring her out to the house, if that's what she's after?" He paused again, nodding his head, absently. "Okay. I'll give you a call back to let you know, if I'm bringing her out. How's Vin? Good. I'll be by in a while, in any event. Ya'll tell Raine to wait for me. Okay? Okay. Later."

He hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.

Winworth, who had been eavesdropping shamelessly asked, "Standish don't want to see his mother?"

Nathan snorted, "Trust me, Paul, he's got cause. Hurricane Maude's got a real talent for tearing up his life and he dont need that right now."

"But he said bring her out to see him, didnt he?"

"Yep. Man's a glutton for punishment." Nathan sighed, then picked up the phone again. "Might as well get it over with."

*************************************************

Maude Standish let the phone ring four times before answering it. It wouldnt do to appear too anxious, although she was eager to know where Ezra had disappeared to and why.

She smiled to herself as she heard the polite voice of Nathan Jackson on the other end of the line. "Mister Jackson, how nice of you to return my call so quickly." She wondered at that, the members of Team Seven had never seemed to care very much for her.

He told her that Ezra's new home wasn't that easy to find, if you didn't know what you were looking for you could go right passed it, and suggested that he come by and pick her up when he left work in a couple of hours.

She pressed her lips into a thin line at the delay but agreed, aware that the man hadn't really had to call her. He could have played phone tag with her for days.

*************************************************

Nathan hung up and immediately called Ezra back to let him know that he would be bringing Maude with him when he got off work.

Two hours later he listened in boredom to Maude telling him all about her latest trip to Europe, silently thinking that he should have just told Josiah to go pick her up at the hotel, at least the big profiler liked her.

She fell silent as he turned off the main street and into the long winding drive up to the house. He glanced over as the house came into view, wanting to see her face when she saw the house her son had bought.

Maude blinked as she stared unabashedly at the massive stone structure. Good Lord! Ezra had bought a castle!

The wide verandah was at least twelve feet across and it appeared to run almost all the way around the house, which was at least eighty feet across the front and possibly a hundred feet. It was three stories high, with round turret style rooms standing even higher on each end of the vast granite structure, their roofs rising above the third floor roofline. Second floor balconies jutted out at intervals above the porch roofline, French doors opening back into the suites they adjoined.

The entire thing was built of silvery gray granite, sparkling in the late afternoon sunlight. It was a house truly worthy of a Standish. The kind of house her darling boy should have always lived in. She was going to love staying here.

Nathan parked the car next to Josiah's old Suburban and went around to hold the door for Maude, shaking his head at the fact that she expected it. He escorted her up the steps to the porch and through the huge oak doors into the entry hall.

He gestured to the bench seat. "If you'll just wait here ma'am, I'll see if I can find Ezra for you."

She started to protest then changed her mind and sat down looking around the sparsely furnished foyer. The style was eclectic; a simple oak table held Indian pottery, while framed quilts on either side of the archway to the hall served as the main focal point of the room. The quiet murmur of running water trickling down a man made waterfall drew her eye to the far left wall and for a moment she was lost in thought staring at the anomalous creation. When she turned her attention back to the hallway it was to see a small child standing staring at her.

The little girl walked slowly towards her. She had dark brown eyes, wide in her small heart-shaped face. Black curls bobbed as she walked. Stopping in front of Maude she said, "I'm Wosa."

Noting that the child seemed to be missing her two front teeth, Maude correctly translated that to mean her name was Rosa. She smiled politely. "I am Maude Standish."

"Mistew Ezwa is a Stanwish."

"Indeed he is. He's my son." She paused, then asked, "Would you happen to know where he is?"

"Mistew Ezwa is with Mistew Vin, like always."

Maude absorbed that. So, apparently Ezra had taken Mister Tanner in when he got out of the hospital.

Before she could say anything Rosa went on. "Mistew Vin owns half the house and Mistew Ezwa owns the other half. So you know which half is Mistew Ezwa's?"

"No, dear, I'm sure I don't. Perhaps you could tell me?" Maude filed away the information that Ezra shared ownership of the house with Vin. Staying here might not be as easy as she had anticipated when she first saw the house.

"I dont know," Rosa said with a sigh.

"Mister Tanner was in the hospital wasn't he?' Maude fished for more information.

"He was a asleep for a long time. Mistew Ezwa was vewy unhappy. He stayed at the hospital evewy night."

Just then Ezra appeared in the archway into the hall. "Mother, how are you?" He asked politely, crossing to greet her.

She rose and stepped past Rosa to place a perfunctory kiss on his cheek. "Ezra, darling!" She stepped back and looked at him, "Good, Lord child! You look awful! All skin and bones."

Ezra sighed, "I'm gaining the weight back, Mother, now that Vin is home."

She nodded taking in yet another clue as to what was going on. After a moment she said, "So, he's finally made an honest man of you, has he?"

Ezra blushed, "Mother!" He inclined his head toward Rosa indicating 'not in front of the child'.

Maude shrugged, "She's too young to understand what we're talking about." She smiled suddenly, "You thought I didn't know. Darling, I've known you were bisexual since you were fifteen, as for knowing about Mister Tanner, well, I make it my business to know who you are involved with, not that there have been that many people in your life."

She paused, then asked softly, "Are you happy?"

"Yes, Mother, I am happier than I have ever been in my entire life. Not that it has been easy, Vin's injury nearly took him from me just when we were finally getting everything together, but he is recovering nicely and we are very happy."

"Good. I know I haven't been the best mother, Ezra, but all I've ever wanted was the best for you."

"There is nothing better than to love and be loved, Mother. I have that now. I'm never letting it go." There was a warning in his eyes, telling her that she had better not try and mess this up for him.

She nodded, letting him know that she understood. "Now, where is your Mister Tanner? And how is he doing?"

"He's resting, in his therapy room." He turned and led her down the hall towards the back of the house.

"The physical therapist just left. Vin's always exhausted after his sessions but he pushes himself, wanting to get back to full strength. He is eager to do some hands on work on the renovations." He paused then said, "I would invite you to stay with us but there are only two bedrooms ready for occupation, mine and Vin's room and Josiah's room. The upstairs is still being re-wired and re-plumbed."

"Mister Sanchez is staying here?"

"He's going to live here, Mother. This place is much too big for just Vin and me. Josiah's selling his house." He guided her into the back parlor, where they had set up Vin's bedroom.

"Vin, Mother wished to know how you are doing."

Vin looked up from where he lay on the bed and began to struggle to sit up.

"Please, Mister Tanner, you dont have to get up on my account. Ezra has told me that you just finished your therapy for the day. I'm sure you need your rest."

Vin sighed, "Sorry ma'am but I am a mite tired."

Ezra had moved to his side and was helping him finish sitting up, tucking several pillows behind him.

Maude watched with an indulgent smile. She'd been aware of Ezra's relationship for a long time but the last time that she had visited, nearly six months ago, it had been obvious that although Ezra had been in love with Vin, Vin had not been in love with Ezra. Now however that had clearly changed.

Her eyes softened at the way Vin looked at Ezra, love clearly shining in his eyes. It was the way that Ezra's father had looked at her all those years ago, in the all too brief time that she'd had him before his death.

She knew well that no one could change what was meant to be, if Ezra were doomed to lose his beloved the way that she had lost hers there was nothing that she could do about it. That didn't mean that she couldn't try to protect them. Perhaps it was time to settle down, make Denver the base of her operations. She was a hands on CEO of her company, Standish International Investments, Inc., but the home office could be moved. It would be expensive but to be here to keep an eye on Ezra and his beloved, to try and keep them safe, would be worth it.

She looked up as a young Hispanic woman stepped into the room.

"Senor Ezra, Senor Vin?" the woman said hesitantly.

"Mrs. Garcia, what do you need, my dear?" Ezra asked.

"I hate to ask Senor, you have done so much for us already, giving me this job" she trailed off distress clear on her face.

"It's al'right, Maria," Vin said gently, "just tell us what's wrong."

"I that is the heat in our building in not working. It is supposed to be below freezing to night. I wanted to ask if my girls and I could stay here. We could sleep on the floor in the kitchen" she trailed off with a hopeful note in her voice.

"You may certainly stay here," Ezra declared, rising and going to the woman, taking her hands, "but there is no need for you to sleep on the floor. We'll light the fireplace in the parlor and let the sofas in there out into beds. We have plenty of bed linens and pillows. You shall be quite comfortable."

"Gracias, Senor, mucho gracias!" Maria hugged him then blushed, embarrassed. "I will go and tell the girls." She hurried away.

Ezra called after her, "Tell Mister Sanchez that I said to light the fireplace in the parlor for you and let the sofas out."

"Si, Senor!" She called back over her shoulder.

Ezra turned back into the room with a sigh.

"Damn that man!" Vin swore, then looked over at Maude, guiltily, "Sorry, ma'am."

"It's quite all right, Mister Tanner. I've said worse." She looked at Ezra, "What man are you discussing?"

"The one that owns that crumbling tenement that was Vin's former home, where Mrs. Garcia and her dear girls still live."

"What is wrong with it?" Maude asked.

"Easier ta say what ain't!" Vin snapped, then quickly apologized again, "Sorry, ta snap. It ain't your fault."

It was Ezra that actually answered Maude's question. "The heat only works intermittently, usually when it is *not* needed. There is no central air conditioning at all. The tenants must provide their own window air conditioners to have any relief from the heat in the summer. While only about half of them can afford to do so, the wiring in the building is so deficient that if they all run the air conditioners at the same time, the fuses blow and the power goes off until the fuses can be replaced. The elevator is out of order more than it is working. The fire escapes are rusty and untrustworthy."

Maude interrupted, "Surely that is a fire code violation."

"It is and we have reported it, repeatedly. To no avail." Ezra told her.

"Wish there was something that we could *do*." Vin sighed.

"Perhaps there is," Maude said thoughtfully. This might be just what she needed as an excuse to settle in Denver. "Would the gentleman in question be willing to sell the building?"

"I doubt it, he's making a fortune off it."

"What about empty lots? Are there any nearby?"

"About half the lots in Purgatorio are empty." Vin told her.

"Are they owned by the same person that owns the apartment building?"

"Some are but I'm sure that he doesn't own them all."

"Then it is a simple matter of finding an empty lot that he doesn't own, buying it, building a new apartment building on the lot and moving the families from his building to the new one," Maude said with a triumphant smile.

"Mother it is not that easy. For openers we don't have that kind of money. Then the people in Purgatorio are distrustful of outsiders."

"I have that kind of money and Mister Tanner is not an outsider."

"To make a profit the rent in a new building would have to be exorbitant," Ezra pointed out.

"Not if it were built by a charitable foundation devoted to providing low rent housing for the poor," Maude stated firmly.

"Where would the money come from?" Ezra asked.

"Standish International makes a profit of several billion dollars per year. I could set aside one or two billion of that each year to go into a non-profit foundation with the mission statement of buying up property in tenement areas and building new low rent housing for the poor. We could start here in Denver, with the Purgatorio area."

She rose and began pacing.

Vin started to say something but Ezra motioned him to silence. He recognized his mother's thinking mode. In just a few minutes she would have a clear outline of what needed to be done to achieve her goal.

She turned back to them with a smile, "How fortunate that neither you nor Mister Tanner are currently employed. You can head up the foundation. You decide how the money will be spent, what properties are bought and what personnel are hired. Mister Tanner can be the liaison with the people in Purgatorio."

She paused and turned to them, with a smile. "You could work out of this house if you wish. It would be a simple matter to turn the parlor into a reception room, the study next to it into your office and this room, once Mister Tanner no longer needs it, into a file room."

"And what do you get out of this, Mother?" Ezra asked.

"Tax breaks, darling. Standish International will get a two billion dollar per year charitable contribution tax break."

"And except for donating the money you will keep your hands off the foundation and stay out of Purgatorio?"

"If that is what you want."

"I want it in writing. No interference, none whatsoever."

Maude laughed the sound free and happy. "Oh, Ezra, my darling boy, you have truly come into your own these last few months."

She stepped close and drew Ezra into a hug. "I'm so proud of you, darling," stepping back, she added, "and you shall have it in writing. The contract making you head of the foundation will include a clause, forbidding me to have anything to do with the running of the foundation and forbidding me personally or Standish International from buying property or investing in the Purgatorio area."

She tilted her head and looked at Ezra, "So, shall we do this?"

"I am in complete control of the foundation?"

Maude nodded.

"I can hire anyone that I want to help me run it?"

Maude nodded.

"And you will not interfere?"

"I promise." Maude said solemnly, then grinned and reached up to etch a cross over her heart, "Cross my heart and hope to die."

Tears suddenly welled up in Ezra's eyes as he reached out to pull Maude into a fierce hug.

His mother had broken a lot of promises to him over the years but never one where she crossed her heart and hoped to die.

When he stepped back he said, "Go ahead and start the arrangements to set up the foundation but don't actually put it into motion until I call you. I want to talk to the others about this."

"Of course, darling. I expected that you would want your friends to come into this with you." She smiled and stepped forwards to kiss Ezra on the cheek. "I'd better be going. I have a million things to do."

Ezra said, "I'll walk you out." Then looked at Vin who nodded.

"I'm not going anywhere, Ez. You have a good day, Missus Standish."

"I am having a wonderful day, Mister Tanner. You take care of yourself. And I'll see you both tomorrow."

As Ezra escorted her towards the front door, Maude asked, "Is Mister Sanchez about today?"

"Yes. He's here somewhere."

"Would he be available to drive me back to my hotel?"

"Certainly, but I thought perhaps you'd like to take the Jag. You said that you were coming back tomorrow and that way you'd have your own transportation. I'm sure there are stops you'll want to make."

"That would be convenient, darling, if you're sure that you don't mind my taking the Jag."

"I don't mind. I generally drive Vin's truck these days. The renovations require a great deal of hauling."

"Of course, then thank you."

Ezra stopped at the table in the foyer and fished the keys to the Jag out of the bowl that held several sets of keys.

"Here you go. Take care now."

Maude hugged him again. "I will, darling."

Ezra opened the door for her and watched as she crossed the porch and descended the steps going to the Jag which was parked in the driveway near the steps.

He turned and walked back to the room where Vin was waiting for him, a thoughtful look on his face.

Vin looked up as Ezra came in struck by the look on Ezra's face. "Ez, what's wrong, babe?"

Ezra looked up at him, his blank poker face in place, "She must be dying," he said softly.

"What?" Vin forced him self to sit up, turning to sit on the side of the bed holding out a hand to his partner. "Ezra, what makes you say that?"

Ezra took the hand and sank down to sit on the bed beside Vin. "She's hugged me more today than she has in the past five years and giving away money? Something has to be wrong!"

Vin chuckled and put his other arm around Ezra, squeezing his hand lightly. "Maybe she just realized what a wonderful son she has and how lucky she really is."

"I hope that's all it is. She may not have been the best mother in the world but she's mine. I love her and I don't want to lose her."

"You're not going to lose her and if you should, I'll be here for you." He hugged Ezra then said, "So, ya wanna call the others and get them over here so we can talk about this foundation thing?"

"You're not too tired?"

"Nope. The thought of being able to actually do something about conditions in Purgatorio has made me feel all energized and raring to go. Wanna get started and since Nate and Josiah are already here, that only leaves JD and Buck to call."

"Miss Casey, Miz Nettie and Miss Raine are here as well." He chuckled at Vin's raised eyebrow. "You don't really think that the ladies would let us do this by our selves do you? Besides, I believe that Miz Nettie would make the perfect Executive Assistant for me. Having been a social worker, not only is she experienced with paperwork, she's acquainted with many of the families in Purgatorio, familiar with government red tape and has contacts in all levels of Denver's bureaucracy. Miss Casey would make a fine receptionist and clerk. I'm not certain exactly where Miss Raine and Nathan could be placed in the organization but I'm sure we can find something. JD of course would be in charge of setting up the computers and maintaining the Foundation's website. Assuming, of course, that they all want in."

"Trust me they're going to want in on this, babe." Vin said, smiling.

*************************************************

They had gathered in the large front parlor to discuss Maude's proposition.

Nathan and Raine occupied the loveseat. Josiah, JD and Casey sat on one of the long sofas. Buck and Inez occupied the other love seat. Miz Nettie sat in one of the parlor chairs and Vin occupied the only recliner in the room.

Ezra hadn't even tried to sit down. He was too nervous to sit still as he explained Maude's idea and his hopes that at least some of them would want to join him in the new venture.

He finished up the explanation and looked at them, "Well, what do you think?"

"It's great!" JD enthused. "It's not just a great idea but it'd be great if we could all work together again!" He looked hopefully at the others.

"You'd be in charge of the money?" Nathan asked.

Ezra sighed. "I know that you don't trust---"

Nathan interrupted. "It ain't that, Ezra. I do trust you. I was just thinking that some of the people that you'll need on your side in this might not."

"I have already considered that. I was thinking of setting up an advisory or oversight committee. They wouldn't have control of the money but they could review the projects and spending and make recommendations. I thought that I'd ask AD Travis to chair it. He'll be retiring from the ATF at the end of the year. I realize that he probably won't want to take on another full time job but the committee would only meet once a month or so."

"Who else are you considering?" Nettie asked.

"Missus Travis. She already works with several charitable organizations and would know most of the people that we would be dealing with. I also thought about asking Sister Ernestine of the Sisters of Mercy to be on it. Their church is in the heart of Purgatorio and she knows what needs to be done. I was also considering Mrs. Travis, excuse me, Mrs. *Larabee* to be on the committee."

"She's a reporter," Nettie reminded him. "Why would you want her on the committee?"

"Because she is a reporter, specifically an investigative reporter. She wouldn't hesitate to blow the whistle should she believe that I was not handling the money appropriately. Having these people keeping an eye on me should allay any suspicions that I am planning to misappropriate the foundation's money."

"What exactly do you want from us?" Nettie asked.

"I want you to come to work for the foundation in various capacities. I was hoping that you would be my executive assistant, Missus Wells. I'm going to need someone to keep me organized and I have no doubt that you can do the job. I thought that Miss Casey, when she completes her degree in office management in June, could become the foundation's office manager. It will take at least that long to get everything set up and ready to run. JD, you would be in charge of everything connected with the computer systems and also work with Mister Wilmington on setting up and maintaining security for the offices, construction sites and the buildings once they are built."

Nathan and Raine looked at each other. "What about us? We'd really like to be part of this but I don't see where we'd fit in."

"I want each building that we build to have a first aid room. I was thinking of having a nurse in each building but that is impractical. So, I thought that we could build a clinic on the ground floor of the first building. It would be free to anyone in the neighborhood, of course. Then when we build the second building, we could hire a building manager who has first aid training or insist that the manager take such training. The manager's apartment would be on the ground floor, next to the first aid room making it convenient for the manager to man the first aid station. You and Raine could run the free clinic and over see the first aid stations, checking them regularly to see that they have the supplies they need and are being taking care of by the managers."

"It's going to be a while until you have the clinic built, probably a year or more. I was hoping to leave the ATF when Buck and JD do," Nathan said. "It's not the same now with just us there. I'd really rather not be the last of the Magnificent Seven left in the ATF."

Vin sat up in the recliner. "There's lots of empty buildings in Purgatorio. Maybe we could rent one of them and set up the clinic first thing, just move it into the building when it's done."

Ezra smiled, "An excellent idea, Vin. I'll look into it."

"And what am I to do, son?" Josiah asked.

"I was hoping that you would ask. I didn't want to ask you to come out of retirement yet again, but since you are offering, perhaps you might work with Vin as our liaisons with the people in Purgatorio. Change unsettles people. You could help them realize that this is a good change, that we do truly want to help."

"And me, Senor?" Inez put in, "what shall I do?"

"You own The Saloon, my dear I couldn't ask you to give that up to work for the foundation."

"You do not have to ask. I want to be part of this. I can promote my assistant manager to manager and be free to help you."

"Very well. If you would be willing to live in the building when it is built you could be the head building manager. You would manage the first building and be in charge of hiring and overseeing the managers for the other buildings as they are built. I assure you that the buildings will be secure. All outer doors will be locked at all times. The building residents will have a key to open the outer door and there will be a security guard in the lobby to open the door for non-residents who are coming to the clinic. The apartment doors will be steel and have deadbolt locks. The walls will be concrete and steel. Windows will be either fixed glass or too small for an adult to get through. The fire escape exit will be a door that opens with the turn of a handle from the inside but requires a key to open from the outside, locking automatically every time that it is closed."

Inez nodded, "I accept the position and will be ready to move into the building when it is finished."

"What about Chris?" Buck asked quietly. "I know he's probably not on your list of people to ask to go into this with you but it'll feel strange, all of us working together again but him not here."

"When Mister Larabee finishes his rehab, if he's interested in joining us I'm sure that I can find something for him to do. I doubt that the slumlords that own the tenements in Purgatorio are going to be happy about us building new apartments in the area and offering them at competitive rents. Perhaps I'll put Mister Larabee in charge of ensuring that they cause us no trouble and dealing with the trouble that they try to cause."

Vin chuckled. "Now that sounds like a perfect fit."

Ezra smiled at him, "Indeed it does."

He looked around the room. "If everyone is agreed that this is a good thing to do then I shall call Mother and tell her to proceed with the paperwork to set up the foundation."

As the others assured him again that they wanted to be part of the foundation, said their good nights and filed out, Vin stood up, going to stand beside Ezra. Slipping an arm around his lover he said, "We've gotta think of a name for this foundation. Can't just keep calling it the foundation."

"Why not?" Ezra asked. "That is what we're trying to do; lay a solid foundation to rebuild the community of Purgatorio. We capitalize the letters and make it 'The Foundation'. Simple, elegant and solid."

Vin looked at him a long moment. "You're right. It's perfect."

*************************************************

Maude smiled to herself as she guided the Jag through Denver traffic, delighted with the way that it handled. This was the first time that she had actually had the opportunity to drive it although it had been more than five years since she had had it custom built for Ezra.

She had been afraid that the additional weight of the bulletproofing would have altered the handling enough for Ezra to notice, but he'd never made any mention of it.

All four windows and both windshields were bulletproof glass. The doors, engine compartment, trunk and gas tank were all shielded with a layer of a super-strong titanium alloy that would stop anything short of armor-piercing rounds at close range.

Perhaps he did know. He had, after all, kept the car in spite of all the trouble that her giving it to him had caused, and he took very good care of it. It looked like it had just come off the showroom floor.

She parked in the underground garage of one of the office buildings that her company, Standish International Investments, Inc., owned in downtown Denver.

She had started the company with the two office buildings in Atlanta that she had gotten from Ezra's first stepfather when she divorced him. Now the company held several hundred billion dollars in real estate, owning office buildings, resorts and estates all over the world and turning an annual profit of several billion dollars.

This building housed the Denver branch of Standish International. They would be quite surprised when she told them that they would need to expand as she was moving her headquarters there.

She always checked in with the head of the Denver Branch when she was in town.

The receptionist recognized her immediately and rose to greet her. "Mrs. Standish, what a pleasure to see you. Would you like me to inform, Miss Halstead that you are coming up?"

"Please do, Elaine," Maude said, smiling at the young woman.

"Would you like an escort?"

"That's not necessary. I know the way." Maude breezed past her towards the private elevator.

The elevator was an express that went directly to the top floor, where LeAnne Halstead the head of the Denver branch had her office.

Had anyone cared to sit down and make a list of the Executive Officers in the company they would have discovered that there was a disportionate number of women among them compared to other companies in the same business. Almost all of the Division Heads and department heads were women.

Many of them, like LeAnne, were also physically handicapped in some way.

Maude took off her gloves and coat in the elevator. Despite the rapidly dropping temperature outside the building was pleasantly warm.

LeAnne met the elevator, sitting elegantly in her electric wheelchair, a smile on her face.

A car accident had left her paralyzed from the waist down shortly after she had come to work for Maude over twenty years before, when Maude was still just starting out in business. She had been terrified that she would lose the job that she had just gotten.

Maude, however, had simply said, "It's your brain that I'm interested in, my dear, not your legs. When you're ready to return to work, your job will be waiting."

The company had even paid all the medical bills that the insurance didn't cover.

It had been a good investment. LeAnne was fiercely loyal to Maude and the company. She had worked alongside Maude in the early years when the company had struggled to survive and been Maude's first choice as her second-in-command when it finally took off. She had stepped down from that position, taking over the Denver office to be near her aging parents, just a little over a year before Ezra had been transferred to Denver.

She had also adopted Maude's philosophy of being 'interested in the brains' of the people that she hired rather than their physical limitations or gender. When all other things were equal, she would hire a woman over a man, while that might seem sexist, it just meant that the few men in the company were brilliant at their jobs.

She greeted Maude, accepting a kiss on the cheek in greeting and waiting until they were secure in her office to ask, "How are you really, Maude? Did everything go well?"

She put her wheel chair next to the chair that Maude had sat down in and turned it to face Maude reaching out to take her hands.

Maude accepted the show of concern with a soft smile.

"I'm fine, LeAnne. The doctor assured me that the cancer hadn't spread beyond the uterus and the cysts on my ovaries were benign. He did a complete hysterectomy and I am completely cancer free, now."

"Should you be back to work so soon?"

"I've been cleared to do whatever I please. It's not like when you had your hysterectomy, all those years ago. I don't even have an incision. He took everything out through the vagina. No incision, no scars, just one night in the hospital and a much shorter recovery period."

"I still wish that you had let me come and be with you. I was worried."

"I know dear, but I didn't even tell Ezra about this and he mustn't ever know. Even after the fact he would be frantic. Besides, you know what this business is like. If it gets out that I had cancer, even though the matter is resolved the company stock will plummet and the sharks will start circling ready to tear us apart. It's better this way."

She smiled at LeAnne and squeezed her hands before releasing them. "But enough about my problems. Let me tell you why I'm here."

When Maude finished explaining about Vin and Ezra's interest in Purgatorio and her idea for a foundation, LeAnne wheeled her chair over to her desk saying as she went, "I believe we already own some property on the edge of Purgatorio."

She pulled out her keyboard and tapped some keys. A large plasma screen hanging on the wall beside the desk came to life, showing a large map of Denver. The properties that Standish International owned where shown outlined in red. LeAnne quickly zoomed in until the map showed only the ten square block radius that Purgatorio occupied and a few more blocks bordering it.

Maude walked over to the display and pointed, "This is the back boundary of Vin and Ezra's estate."

"The old Stillwell estate? That white elephant has been on the market for years! With all the restrictions on it all they can do with it is live on it."

"I think that's all they want to do with it. Ezra is clearly in love with the place and the renovations are coming along beautifully. You should see what they've done just with the downstairs. There is a waterfall in the foyer. It takes up almost an entire wall by itself."

Maude turned back to the display pointing to a section outlined in red lying just inside the border of the Purgatorio area. It was two blocks long and one block wide. "We own this?"

"Yes."

"It's perfect. It starts just three blocks from the back edge of the estate." She pointed to another square on the map. "This is St. Michael's, the Sister's of Mercy's church. It's just three blocks farther in. What were you planning to do with the lot?"

"Actually it was going to be housing, middle income apartments." LeAnne said.

"But you haven't actually started developing it yet have you?"

"No. We only acquired it a couple of months ago. We're still tossing ideas around."

"Good. Then we'll donate it along with the money to Ezra's foundation," Maude said firmly.

"That's a big hunk of real estate, Maude. Undeveloped, it cost us over a million dollars."

"Which is a drop in the bucket compared to the two billion per annum that I promised Ezra for his foundation." Maude told her. "That property will go a long way towards starting the revitalization of Purgatorio."

"Well, the company can write it off as a charitable contribution once the foundation is up and running. When are you getting started on that?"

"I'll stop by and see Ashanti on the way back to my hotel. I'll tell her what I need and she'll get the paperwork started." Maude informed her, smiling at the thought of getting to visit with another of 'her ladies'.

Ashanti McQueen was another of the women that Maude had helped out as she worked her way up in the business world. The fiery African-American was a petite five-foot tall dynamo.

She'd been working in a New York law firm as an associate, little more than a glorified law clerk when Maude met her, despite a double Degree in International Business Law and International Finance. She'd hit the glass ceiling, unlikely to be offered a partnership in the firm which had only two African-American partners, both junior partners and neither female and only one female partner, again a junior partner. There had been no African-American's or females among the firm's senior partners.

Maude had offered her an annual retainer equal to her then current salary plus ten percent if she would open her own office taking on Standish International as her first client.

The first year or two out on her own had been rough for Ashanti but Maude had steered several of her business acquaintances her way and soon she had all the clients that she could handle.

For more than ten years Ashanti had lived the life of a high power attorney, with little time or concern for a personal life. Then two years ago Ashanti had met Tony Two Hawks McQueen in a London airport and the two of them had fallen head over heels in love during a three-hour delay. Tony was a Native American rancher from Colorado. After a whirlwind courtship that involved them flying back and forth from New York to Colorado, they had set a wedding date.

Maude's assurance that Ashanti would remain on retainer for Standish International no matter where she lived had made Ashanti's decision to move to Colorado when she married Tony easier. Most of her other clients had chosen to stay with her, despite the move, as well.

She, Maude and LeAnne had worked together for years and she'd been delighted when she realized that moving to Denver would reunite her with LeAnne. She would be happy to hear that Maude was moving her Headquarters to Denver and would be settling there as well.

Maude was drawn out of her memories and back to the present when LeAnne asked, "Do you want to use our construction firm to do the building?"

"I'm rather afraid that won't be possible. Ezra insists that if he is to run the foundation that I, and Standish International, must not be involved in anyway with the running of the foundation or the projects that they fund."

"He still doesn't trust you." LeAnne said sadly.

"I haven't given him a great deal of reason to." Maude admitted. "I'm glad that I've decided to move to Denver. I think it's time that I stepped back a bit. I was hoping that now that your parents have passed on that you might be willing to return as my second-in-command. You could take over more of the running of the company if you are willing and I could focus on repairing the damage that my workaholic tendencies have done to my relationship with my son."

LeAnne shook her head. "The damage isn't all your fault you know. Ezra's every bit as much of a workaholic as you are and stubborn as a rock. As for taking over running the company, shouldn't you be grooming Ezra to succeed you?"

"Ezra has never been interested in the company. He'll never want to run it. Besides he'll have his hands full with the foundation. He will inherit Standish International, but I want people that I can trust to run it for him. Which means that we need to start looking for our successors among the younger generation in the company and grooming them to move up."

"I see, but what about Virginia? She's been your second ever since I left Atlanta to move here."

"She won't want to leave Atlanta, even if it means stepping down a notch in the company. Her first grand child is barely six months old and Virginia will want to stay close since the baby has so many problems from being extremely premature."

"The baby's still having problems?"

"Yes, she's getting better everyday but the doctors think that she may always be a bit behind her age group in development. Then there is the fact that the three months that the baby spent in the neo-natal ICU ate up every penny of both her parent's insurance."

"So, Grandma Ginny is taking up the slack financially and isn't about to get too far from her only grandchild while she needs her."

"Exactly. So, when I move out here, I'm sure that she'll want to stay in Atlanta and the second-in-command position will be available."

"In that case I'll take it, but you clear it with Virginia first,"

"I will." Maude looked at her watch, "Good Lord! Look at the time. I'd better go if I'm going to catch Ashanti before she leaves the office."

"Call her. She'll wait for you." LeAnne told her gesturing to the phone. "She's number two on the speed dial." She grinned at Maude and added with a cheeky grin, "My boyfriend is number one."

Maude laughed as she picked up the phone and dialed the number.

***************************************

The building that Ashanti McQueen had her office in was another of the buildings that Standish International owned. Maude's heels clicked sharply on the marble floor as she crossed the wide lobby. She smiled at the security guard manning the desk in the lobby and signed in, putting down her name and that she was there to see Ashanti McQueen.

The guard glanced at the book, "Her office is on the top floor," he began to give her directions.

"I know the way." Maude assured him and strode off to the private elevator, using her key card to gain access.

When she emerged from the elevator, the thick plush carpet that her heels sank into was a sharp contrast to the marble of the lobby.

The lobby had echoed, coldly. Up here everything was quiet, her heels making no sound as she strode across the reception area and down the hall to the suite that Ashanti occupied. The receptionist had already left for the day as had Ashanti's secretary.

Maude crossed the secretary's office to the open door of Ashanti's office.

The petite woman turned in her chair and rose from behind the huge mahogany desk, coming to greet Maude.

They hugged and then stepped back.

Maude's eyes swept over the tiny woman noting that she had a slight bulge at the waist. Her eyes widened, "Ashanti McQueen! Are you pregnant?"

Ashanti laughed. "I am," she said smugly. "Nearly three months. I was going to call you, but I wanted to be sure first. The doctor only confirmed it today."

"Congratulations, my dear. Now that you're expecting, I guess you'll be glad to hear my news. I'm moving Standish International's headquarters to Denver. You won't have to travel as much as you do currently, although the baby may be born before the move is complete."

Ashanti smiled at her, "Good. That makes deciding which clients I'm going to hand off to my new partner a lot easier. I'll keep the clients based in Denver and she can take over the ones that are based elsewhere. Most of the move should be completed before I'm too far along to fly. I really didn't want to have to tell you that I was going to have to let her take on Standish International."

"Who is she?"

"Skyler Emory. You know her, Maude. She was one of my associates in New York. She moved out here to stay with the firm when I married Tony. I've got four associates besides her now. It was time I offered her a partnership. I'm glad that I did it before we found out that I'm pregnant. I wouldn't want her to think that I only offered it to her because I was pregnant and needed her to take over more of the business."

"Skyler's shrewd and tough. If you do need her to take on some of Standish International's business while you're pregnant I have no objection. Now, I know that you want to get home to Tony so let me tell you why I'm here so you can go."

She quickly outlined the idea that she had for the foundation making sure that Ashanti knew that Ezra was to be in complete control of it and that it had to be totally separate from Standish International.

When she was finished the two women walked out together. It was already dark outside when they reached the lobby and as they signed out of the building the security guard suggested that he send one of his men to escort them to their cars. They gratefully accepted.

*************************************************

"They're expecting you," Buck turned to look at Chris Larabee.

The other man was frozen in his seat, staring at the front of Vin and Ezra's house like it was the entrance to hell.

Buck blew out an exasperated breath. "This isn't just for them, Chris," he explained again patiently. "It's part of *your* therapy. Acknowledging the pain that your alcohol addiction has caused the people you care about is a necessary step in *your* recovery. The doc said so."

Chris swallowed hard, "How many people do you think are in there?"

Buck snorted, "Who knows. Between friends, family, staff, visitors and workmen the place is Grand Central Station most days. It don't matter. Vin and Ezra will find a private place for y'all to talk. So, quit stalling and just do it."

Chris nodded. "All right." He pushed open the door and stepped out, turning back to look at Buck, "You coming?"

Buck gave a quick bob of his head and got out as well.

As they walked up the steps to the porch, Buck grinned at the decorations. It was the day before Halloween and Vin and Ezra had clearly gone all out decorating. Jack O'Lanterns set all along the porch railing. Ghosts, skeletons, and giant spiders hung from the porch ceiling. A huge spider web covered almost one entire end of the porch complete with a huge black spider in its center. A witch rode her broomstick at the other end of the porch.

When he rung the doorbell, instead of the quiet and dignified chime he was expecting it howled like a wolf.

Ezra opened the door himself to let them in. "Mister Larabee, Buck, do come in," he greeted them.

Chris was glad to see that they had stopped decorating with the porch. The foyer was neat and clean, uncluttered and dignified. His eyes were drawn to the waterfall on the left wall. He couldn't help saying, "That's unusual."

"Yes. I knew that when Vin first came home he wouldn't be able to get outside much so I had that installed to bring a bit of the outdoors inside to him."

"Nice of you to be so thoughtful," Chris said. His tone was not complimentary.

Ezra turned back to him, his back straight and his face grim, and said, "Let us get something straight right now, Mister Larabee. You are here at Vin's suffrage and mine if you wish to remain welcome in this house I suggest you lose the attitude, now. Vin will not tolerate it."

"Where is Vin?" Chris asked.

"He's waiting for us in the library. Buck explained why you wished to see us and I thought that would be the best place for us to talk. It's quiet and private." Ezra turned and moved off again leading the way to the library.

Vin was pacing in front of the fireplace when they entered but he came to Ezra immediately, standing at his side, one hand reaching out to rest at the back of Ezra's waist as he greeted Buck then turned to Chris.

"Chris," he greeted softly, but he didn't reach out to take the hand that Chris had automatically held out to him.

After an awkward second Chris let his hand drop back to his side, "Vin, it's good to see you up and around."

"Good to be up and around," Vin said, wry amusement in his voice as he gave Chris a small smile.

He turned away then, gesturing towards the seating arrangement in front of the fireplace. "Y'all sit down."

He stayed at Ezra's side as they walked towards the chairs and sat beside him on the small loveseat, leaving the two chairs for Buck and Chris.

Buck happily settled in the chair nearest the fire, stretching his long legs out towards the fireplace.

Chris however, shook his head. "Don't think I can sit down." A small grimace twisted his face as he admitted, "I'm too nervous."

He sighed and looked at Vin, "Ezra said that Buck explained why I needed to see you?"

"Yeah. Said it had to do with your therapy." Vin said with a nod.

"That's right. Before you can solve a problem you have to admit that there is a problem. Admit it and accept it. I'm an alcoholic. I've done things while under the influence of alcohol that hurt people that I care about. Always before I've denied responsibility for my actions while I was drunk, expecting people to just overlook it and let it go because I was drunk. To recover from my alcohol addiction the doctors say that I have to face up to and accept responsibility for my actions while I was under the influence of alcohol."

He took a deep breath, "Drunk or sober I'm responsible for my actions. I've hurt you both, said and did things that I knew were wrong even as I said and did them. A lot of what I said to you, Ezra, I can't even blame on the alcohol. I wasn't drinking when I lashed out at you after Vin was hurt. I was just plain jealous. Yours and Vin's relationship had been thriving while mine and Mary's was deteriorating."

He hesitated, "That night at your townhouse," he broke off and paced agitatedly. "I remember what happened but it's like like I was standing outside myself watching me. I honestly don't know why I did it but I do remember everything and I acknowledge and accept that I attacked you. I'm sorrier than words can ever say, not just for that one incident but for the way that I treated you after Vin was hurt."

He stopped pacing and faced Vin directly, "I'm sorry, Vin. I'm apologizing to you because I know that my hurting Ezra hurt you, too. When you love someone you suffer when they suffer and you love Ezra. I know that I don't deserve to be forgiven for what I've done to you, both of you, but I'm asking you both to forgive me and I'm hoping that in time we can be friends again."

He stopped talking and stood looking at them, waiting for their decision. It was all he could do not to bow his head but they deserved to see his face. They were both experts at reading people's faces and he knew that they would be able to see how truly sorry he was.

They looked at him, studying his face, then after a long moment they looked at each other. Ezra gave the barest of nods and Vin nodded back.

Vin stood and held out his hand. "We accept your apology, Chris, and forgive you. You're welcome in our home."

When Chris reached out to take his hand, Vin shifted the handshake into the warrior's grip that they had always shared.

"Thank you, Vin, you don't know how much this means to me."

He broke the grip and Vin stepped back.

Chris turned to Ezra, "Ezra?" He held out his hand.

Ezra stood stepping forward to take the hand in a firm handshake, "Your apology is accepted," he paused then said, "Chris."

His grip tightened slightly then he released Chris' hand.

Chris stood awkwardly for a moment then looked at Buck. "I have to go. I'm not done with my treatment. They only let me out to do this. I've got a couple of other stops to make apologies to make, then I have to get back to the Center."

Buck stood up. "I'm sort of his chaperone on this little field trip, as well as his chauffeur. Like he said we've got a couple of more stops to make. I'll see y'all tomorrow."

Ezra saw them out, "Don't forget your costume," he reminded Buck as they reached the door, "the children are looking forwards to seeing 'The King'."

"You're dressing up as Elvis for Halloween?" Chris asked as they climbed into the truck.

"Yep. Vin's dressing as a mountain man. Ezra's dressing up as a riverboat gambler. They're going to line the driveway with Jack O'Lanterns from the road to the house."

"That'll take a lot of pumpkins."

"Vin bought a truck load. The kids have had a ball cleaning them out and carving the faces. The ladies have been baking pumpkin pies all week. The Sisters of Mercy are selling them and putting the money into the church roofing fund."

"They are really enjoying making a home together aren't they?"

"Oh, yeah," Buck grinned, "and they love the holidays like a couple of kids. They're already making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I don't think that Ezra had many more holiday celebrations growing up than Vin did and you know what his was like. We're all invited for Thanksgiving at their place. I'm sure that if you're out of rehab or can get a day pass you'll be welcome."

"I don't know if I should come even if they invite me, Buck. I'd hate to ruin their first Thanksgiving in their new home."

"If they invite you then the surest way to ruin it for them is not to come." Buck told him.

"I'll think about it, but only if they invite me," Chris said finally.

***************************************

Christmas Eve

***************************************

Vin Tanner stood beside the fireplace in the front parlor and watched the thong of people currently inhabiting his and his lover's house with an indulgent smile. He had never thought that he'd have a house full of family and friends to celebrate this time of year.

Until he had joined Team Seven, Christmas had always been a lonely time for him. Even afterwards when he had joined the others at Chris' for the holiday it hadn't been like this, like celebrating in his own house surrounded by family and friends.

At the Christmas Eve supper they had just finished their guests had taken up nearly every seat at the long dining table.

Even Chris and Mary were here with their brand new, two-week old triplets. The babies had been nearly a month pre-mature and were still a bit underweight but all were healthy. Mary was doing well, too, perhaps better than she would have been after the birth if the babies had waited for the doctor to take them by Caesarian section. The babies, three girls that Chris and Mary had named Hope, Faith and Joy, were not entirely identical. They all had blonde hair, but Hope and Faith had blue eyes and Joy had green eyes.

Nettie and Casey were making over one of the infants while Inez and Raine had another. Vin wasn't certain who had which but he was sure that it was Hope and Faith that they had.

Ezra was in the rocking chair with the third baby, and it was a sure bet that the one he had was Joy. She was the smallest of the triplets and both Ezra and Billy had taken a particular liking to her. Since Billy was leaning on Ezra's chair arm playing with the baby Ezra held that meant it was almost certainly Joy. If one of the others had had her, Billy would have been with them.

Casey was trying to get JD to hold the baby that she and Nettie were cuddling but he seemed reluctant. The young couple had gotten engaged over Thanksgiving and Vin was pretty sure that Casey was campaigning to start a family as soon as possible.

Raine wasn't really showing yet but Vin suspected that she and Nathan had a little one on the way. She had that glow about her.

He watched as Buck happily took the baby that Inez was holding and grinned down at it. If the way Buck had been acting tonight, and the way that Inez was looking at him, was any indication, they were about to get another engagement announcement.

Maude was leaning over Ezra's shoulder cooing at the baby he held. Josiah stood beside her, a hand resting lightly on her back. He had escorted her to the Thanksgiving dinner he and Ezra had hosted and taken her home afterwards. The couple had been dating hot and heavy ever since.

Ezra thought that it was funny. After all the years that Josiah had called him 'son' it was looking very much as if Josiah might just get to be stepfather number seven.

Maude was in the process of moving her company's headquarters to Denver and Josiah was helping her with househunting.

Almost all the paperwork involved in setting up The Foundation was finished. They planned to start converting the parlor they were now in and the adjoining study into The Foundation's Headquarters right after New Years. All of the Seven were part of The Foundation now. When Chris had finished his rehab they had explained about The Foundation and invited him to join them. He was the official head of Security with Buck and JD working directly under him and the rest of them, except Ezra who would be too busy running The Foundation, available as needed to deal with security problems.

Ezra stood up, giving the baby he held to Maude and holding out his hand to Vin.

When Vin joined him he cleared his throat then said, "My dear friends and family, Vin and I wanted to thank you all for coming tonight. I believe that I speak for us both when I say that this is the best holiday season that I have ever had and it is your presence here and in our lives that has made it so. The New Year is bringing changes to us all, but one thing that will not change is how dear you all are to us."

He paused while everyone clapped and cheered then continued. "Now, I hate to draw this party to an end but it is nearly midnight and I know that you all have a big day planned for tomorrow. Remember that we are holding open house tomorrow starting at seven in the morning. There will be a breakfast buffet from seven to eleven and a lunch and dinner buffet from eleven until midnight. Please feel free to drop by and bring a guest or two."

After everyone was gone and Vin and Ezra had made the rounds checking that all the windows and doors were locked and the security system was armed, Ezra wandered back to the foyer. He stood gazing up at the twelve foot tall blue spruce that he and Vin had cut off the back of their property for their Christmas tree.

It stood in the curve of the sixteen-foot wide bay window that jutted out halfway across the front porch.

Vin had wanted a live tree and Ezra hadn't argued about it. The tree was beautiful. It was decorated simply with clear lights, red velvet bows and small silver bells that tinkled softly if the tree was disturbed. The tree topper was an angel dressed in snowy white trimmed in red with silver accents.

At the moment there were no presents under the tree. All the gifts to their guests at dinner had been given out hours before and Josiah was upstairs getting the ones for the in the morning.

The housekeeper's rooms had been finished just in time for Mrs. Garcia and her three girls to move in before Christmas. The groundskeeper, Mr. Hernandez, and his four sons had moved into the rooms above the stables the same day. They would be surprised when they woke in the morning to find gifts from Vin and Ezra, Josiah and Maude to them and all their children under the big tree in the foyer.

Vin stepped up behind him, slipping his arms around Ezra's waist. "What are you thinking, Babe?" he asked quietly.

"I'm thinking how blessed I am. Six years ago tonight I was in Atlanta, drowning my sorrows alone in a bar. Back then I couldn't imagine that I would ever know the happiness and contentment that I feel tonight. I have a home that I love. I have a lifemate that I love and that I know loves me. My mother has come back into my life and seems to genuinely want to be in my life. I have six of the best friends in the world and an extended family larger than I ever imagined. The Seven are whole again, reunited in running The Foundation. And I have The Foundation, a way to help those less fortunate. It's everything I've ever dreamed of."

He turned in Vin's arms, "But you, my love, are the heart of my happiness. If all the rest fell away and all that I had left was you and your love, I would still be happy. You are all I *need*."

Vin bent his head to rest his forehead against Ezra's. "I know what you mean. I have everything that I ever wanted, too, but if it all went away and all I had left was you and your love, I'd still be happy. You're all I *need* too."

The End

Yes, I know that there is plenty more that could be written but I think that I have pretty much tied up all the loose ends. Vin and Ezra are together. The house is coming along. Chris and Mary have their babies and are working on their marriage. I've paired everybody off, JD and Casey, Nathan and Raine, Buck and Inez. I've even hinted that Josiah and Maude will eventually get together.

And this is an open AU.

I've created the Foundation giving the guys a new setting to play in but left it open-ended. Other authors are welcome to write stories in it.

I've created a few original characters (LeAnne Halstead, Ashanti McQueen, Tony Two Hawks McQueen, and Skyler Emory) and yes, anyone that wants to write in this AU may use them. Keep in mind the backgrounds that I have set up and what little physical description that I've given (LeAnne uses a motorized wheelchair, Ashanti is very petite.) but feel free to expand on them.

I may come back to this AU later but right now I'm going to take a look at Broken Hearts and see what I can do towards resolving that while my muse is talking to me.