TLR Chapter 72

Back at the resort Jeff had stopped in at the bakery to pick up some bread for dinner.

News of the missing boys and the empty raft came over Jeff's radio.  Even though Mutt wasn't with them that day he was still concerned.  "Jeff to James, is there anything we can do? Do you need back up? Over."

Brendon was serving Jeff at the bakery, having wrapped up a loaf of sourdough bread. "What was that?" He asked, having heard a portion of the communication.

Jeff turned back toward Brendon, his brow wrinkled in concern.  "Looks like some of the boys went on a rapids ride and were thrown.  No sign of the boys but Con and Brian found the raft.  Coral, Con and Brian are looking for them now."

Brendon asked, "Do they know which boys are missing?"

"Jeff to James, which of the boys are missing? Over," Jeff asked as he turned to leave the bakery.

Shorty heard the chatter on the radio and knowing Jarrod was with James and Coral at the cove he handed the six week old kitten to Bo and Little Jake to care for, and headed for his cart.  

"Hey! What am I supposed to do with Cas!? You only just got him to stop crying!" Bo complained.

"You're a horse wrangler, pretend it's a colt and play with it," Shorty laughed as he drove away.

Bo looked at Jacob and then held the kitten up.  "Mrawar?" Castiel asked.

"Meow," Bo answered before cuddling Castiel and continuing to pet him as Shorty had been doing. Little Jake grinned at the conversation and sat back to let Bo do all the hard work.

<<<<>>>>  

James came back to Jeff, "Jarrod, Jax and Tristan. Over."

Brendon said, "I'm coming with you Jeff." He pulled off his apron and called to Vic who came up front.

Brendon explained things and Vic said, "I'll keep things going here, you go take care of Tris."

Brendon nodded and went with Jeff.

They hurried to the office and were about to climb into one of the carts parked there when Shorty, having seen the two men heading for the small vehicles by the office, drove up.  "Get in!" he ordered.

"You heard?" Jeff asked unnecessarily.  He shook his head, not believing he'd just asked that.  He and Brendon looked at each other and jumped into the cart before Shorty sped off.

"Yeah, I heard and dollars to donuts, Jarrod is behind this little river trip," Shorty yelled over the sound of the cart.

<<<<>>>>  

After a careful search, Jarrod found the perfect walking stick.  He broke off the small branches and twigs and used a sharp river rock to smooth down the rough spots.  "Here," he said to Jax.  "Give this a try."

Tris helped Jax stand up and the boy took the stick from Jarrod.  "Yeah, Jare, I think it'll work if we go slowly."

"Let me know when you guys are ready. I'll put out the fire and we can head out."

"I think we better get going," Jax said. "Maybe we can get back before they miss us."

"I'm with Jax. The sooner we head back the better.  I'll help with the fire," Tristan said, scooping up loose dirt to throw on the flames.

Jarrod helped smother the fire before he and Tristan began to throw water on the remains. They made sure the fire was cool to the touch before getting ready to leave .  

"Alright guys, this path is rocky and winding but it will lead us back to the main access road." He looked up at the sky and frowned.  "And I'm pretty sure they've noticed we're gone already," he sighed.  "Shorty is going to murder me this time," he muttered as he led the other boys down the path.

"Yeah," Jax agreed.  "It was just wishful thinking."

Tristan followed along quietly, lost in his own thoughts as they made their way back.  He was a little jealous.  He knew that Jax and Jarrod were most likely going to be in trouble, but the fact was that they had someone to be in trouble with.  Would Brendon even care what he'd done?

Jarrod looked back over his shoulder frequently while they walked the winding path to make sure that Jax was alright.  Everyone was silent, and he was feeling very guilty about ever suggesting that they take the raft.

<<<<>>>>  

James paced as he waited for word from Coral, Con or Brian. He thought he heard something and looked up to see a cloud of dust heading his way. He noticed Ryan pacing as well with Coral gone.

Moments later the speeding cart pulled to a sharp stop and Shorty, Brendon and Jeff got out.  They went straight to James. 

Ryan, seeing Shorty arrive with the other men went over to the man as they approached James. “Shorty? Who’s takin’ care of Cas?” He asked worriedly.

Shorty replied reassuringly, “He’s in good hands Ry, Bo and Little Jake are with him and they’re playing with him. Nothing to worry about.”

Ryan, hearing this nodded and said, “Thank you.”  He then wandered a way from the tops.

Jeff patted the worried man's arm and quietly reassured him that the boys would all be alright. 

"At least until I get my hands on Jarrod," Shorty growled.

James gave Jeff a grateful look as the three other men arrived.  He said to Shorty, "You're not the only one."

Brendon nodded. "I'm not happy with Tristan either."

Jeff couldn't contain a small smile.  Brendon and Tristan seemed to have gotten over their differences.

James looked at Brendon, trying to hide his surprise at the man's words, but was pleased as well.

Jeff keyed his walkie, "Jeff to Coral, any signs yet? Over."

"No, nothing along the path following the river yet," came the immediate reply. "I'm heading back toward the cart and keeping to the access road. Over."

"Good idea," came Brian's voice, "Con and I have the river covered. We'll contact you all as soon as we find anything. Over."

As the men talked and moved away from the cart Ryan slipped away and began to walk the animal trail along the river hoping to see some sign of the other boys before Coral found them. After all, the other tops had arrived and could help James if needed and  he was security too right? He wished he had Castiel with him. He thought the kitten would enjoy the walk in the woods and he missed him being on his shoulder and tickling his neck with his long tail. 

"Well, let's set up for when the boys return.  They're going to be cold and most likely hungry, depending on how long it takes us to find them.  We already have a good search party out looking for them, Coral, Con and Brian will contact us as soon as they find any sign of them." Jeff said.

"Brendon, there are clean blankets in the cabin.  We'll probably need them to warm up the boys when they get back.  Would you go in and pick up three of them for us? 

Brendon nodded at James. "All right." He headed for the cabin to collect the blankets

“Ryan, we'll need food and something warm for them to drink... Ryan? Ry?"  Jeff asked, looking around for the one remaining brat who had been there just a moment ago.

"Oh, no. Not him too."  Jeff said, rubbing his suddenly tired eyes.

Shorty looked around.  "Yup, him too." he growled, shaking his head in disbelief.

James's smoke blue eyes grew dark with frustration. "I'll kill them all." He growled as he brought out a pan to boil the water in and lit a new fire in the grill.

James's radio crackled.  "James this is Heath, come in please. Over."

"James here, Heath. Over."

"I just finished patching up one of the guests so haven't had time to call,” Heath said.  "Do you need me out there? Over."

James replied, "Not at the moment. The boys haven't been found yet, or arrived back at the cove.  Ryan's gone missing now too." James told Heath in frustration.  “I'll have to let you know when I know more. Over."

"Ok, I'll wait for you to call," the doctor agreed.  "Bring our boy home, JW. Over."

James replied with a growl, “If I don't kill him before then. Over."

"I know you will do what's right, James. Over and out," Heath signed off.

James said, "Over and out,” signing off as well.  He saw Brendon return with the blankets and said, "Thank you Brendon." He looked at Jeff. "I suppose I should call Coral and tell him Ryan's missing too."

"Good idea," he replied with a frown. "I don't know what's gotten into these boys today," he grumbled.

James said, "Neither do I, but brats will do the most unexpected things." He sighed. 

"Probably the fresh air," Shorty said.  "They’ve been itching for some fun and well, river rafting is fun."

Jeff had been listening to everything going on around him when he realized that he hadn't told Mutt where he was or what was happening.  He changed the channel from administration to maintenance and filled Mutt in on what was happening before signing off and switching back.  He looked around the campsite thinking of what else would need to be done when he heard James's words.  He was only glad that Mutt had been with Griff and hadn't been able to make the trip with the other boys when he'd been asked.  At least that was one less brat to worry about.

While Jeff was talking to Mutt, James turned his radio to security and called, "James to Coral over."

"Coral here. Any word on the guys yet? Have they returned? Over."

James said, "No Coral, no word yet...but your brat has gone missing now too. Over."

"Ry?" Coral said in disbelief.  "I'm gonna have to kill that boy," he said casually.  "Do you want me to double back or keep going, James? Over."

James smiled at Coral's words. "I think since you're that far keep going.  No sense doubling back.  Maybe once you find the boys and work your way back you'll find him.  Over."

Shorty walked over to the tree line looking for signs as to where their missing brat had gone.  Finally he found a scuff mark.  He turned back to James.  "Looks like this is where Ryan entered the woods.  I'm going to follow him."

"We heard what happened," Brian announced.  "We'll keep a lookout for him as well.  So far no signs of the guys from the riverbed. Over."

James nodded to Shorty and the vet entered the woods following Ryan's trail.

Coral sighed, "Roger that.  I'll call you as soon as I find anything. Coral out."

James said, "Copy that.  Over and Out."

When there continued to be no word James began to pace.  Brendon looked like a thundercloud.

<<<<>>>>  

Ryan walked along the river looking for any sign of the other boys, but found nothing.

The boys had tried to follow one of the animal paths to the access road but it twisted through the woods.  With Jax's leg the going was very slow.  Somehow they ended up back at the river.

"Damn! We got turned around somewhere," Jarrod swore angrily.  "I'll have to suggest that we mark the paths here the way we do on the horse trails.” 

Ahead of them they heard a rustle in the woods and gathered together hoping it wasn't a bear or moose.

“Oh great, what's that now?  Shhh, stand still.  Listen, and get ready to hit something if it comes out of the woods," Jarrod said quietly to the other two.  He crouched down, motioning the others to do the same. Jaxon wasn't able to crouch down but he did put his walking stick up on his shoulder like a bat, preparing to swing.

Ryan continued to follow the path along the river still looking for his friends.

Jare listened intently to the cracking of branches and the rustle of leaves and picked up a branch of his own, just in case.  He motioned Jax and Tris back behind him as the noises grew louder.

They three men could hear heavy breathing and worried about what might be approaching them.  Jare braced himself and prepared to swing his branch at whatever came out of the thicket. 

Ryan had been huffing a bit as he climbed a steep place on the path and suddenly caught a movement out of the corner of his eye as he was watching the river bank and not the wooded area.

When a branch snapped loudly nearby, Jare swung the heavy branch.  Luckily he realized in time that it was Ryan and pulled the swing.

Ry jerked to a stop. "What the hell?" he exclaimed, for the first time glad that Castiel hadn’t been with him. The little thing might have fallen off his shoulder and gotten hurt or hit by the stick Jarrod was wielding.  

"Man...You almost hit me!" the younger man cried.

"Damn, Ry! I nearly took your head off!" Jarrod exclaimed, frightened at the thought that he could have hurt his friend.

Jax let the breath out the he was holding.  "Ry what are you doing here?"

Tristan had picked up a rock and let it drop as he let out a sigh of relief.  They'd been found.

Ryan said, "Looking for you guys and I'm glad to see you. Are you all okay?" He asked. "James has everyone out searchin' for you."

"James has... everyone?" Jare asked nervously.

Ry nodded. "James and I were waiting to hear from Con and Bri who found the raft on the river and Cor when Shorty, Jeff and Brendon arrived. I decided to come lookin’ for you guys.  Coral's checking the access road. Con and Bri are makin’ their way up river,” he informed the other brats.

"How long have we been gone, Ry?" Tristan asked.

"A while…at least," Jarrod said, once more looking up at the sky, "a couple of hours maybe."

Ryan nodded, "About... two and a half hours."

"We were tryin’ to make it to the access road when we got turned around somehow," Tris offered.  "Do you know the way back, Ryan?"

Ryan nodded and said, “If you’re up to it we can follow the path I just took back to the beach.”

Shorty, being more at home in the woods followed Ryan's track faster than the boy made it.  He hardly made any noise as he slipped along the trail.  Hearing voices up in front of him he slowed his pace. When the veterinarian recognized Jarrod's voice he walked on up to the boys, whistling as he did so Jarrod would know it was him.

Jare's eyes widened in concern, both at Ryan's words about who was looking for them and who had arrived at the beach waiting for them to return. He heard a whistling he recognized well coming toward them.  He swallowed hard as Shorty's familiar form emerged from the dense foliage.  "Hi Shorty," he said somewhat breathlessly.

Ryan groaned. "Hell...we're done for."

Tris looked back and forth between the two young men as though he were at a tennis match.  The sudden pallor of their skin made him nervous.

Shorty grabbed Jare in a big bear hug.  "Boy you are going to be the death of me."

Jare gasped as the large arms encircled him and he hugged Shorty back.  

Still holding on the Jare, Shorty looked over at Jaxon.  "How's your leg, Jax?"

Ryan began to slip away from the scene.

"Freeze, young man." Shorty snapped at Ryan.  "You aren't going anywhere."

Ryan froze, but said, "You found them...I'm not needed anymore. I'll just head back to the cove." He tried to be nonchalant about it.

"Ryan," Shorty growled, "you will stay with me."

Ryan griped, "I don't see why, I wasn’t the one goin' down the river."

"No you weren't Ry, but you did leave camp without permission," Shorty stated sternly.

"Jax, I asked you a question."  The big Vet repeated, "How is your leg?"

Jax looked down at his feet holding on to his walking stick.  "Um, it hurts a little."

Shorty looked over at Tristan.  The young man looked lost.  "Tris, how are you?  Are you hurt?"  The vet still had an arm around Jare.

"I'm Ok, Shorty, just cold, wet and tired," the young baker answered.

Nodding to Tris, Shorty pulled out his walkie talkie and called James.  "James this is Shorty come in please. Over."

Jarrod leaned into Shorty's embrace, glad that they'd been found and not worrying about what was going to happen at the moment.  He appreciated that Shorty was there to take charge of things now.

Tris watched Jarrod and fought down a wave of jealousy.  He wished that he had someone who cared about him.  He wished that he had someone to hug him.

James answered immediately, "James here...what's up Shorty? Over."

"I found all four guys. Over," Shorty answered.

Just then Shorty heard a hoof fall behind them and looked up to see Con and Brian leading their horses into the small clearing.

"I see you found our wanderers, Shorty," Con said.

James said, "You found all four of them? Are they all right? Do they need medical attention?" James shot at Shorty. "Over."

"They are all ok, James," Shorty relayed.  "Jax is a little sore but no one is hurt.  Ryan found them first, then I came up on them. Over."

"We found the remains of a cold campfire a little ways downstream and followed their tracks here," Brian added before keying his walkie.  "They seem to be fine.  No signs of injuries, although Jax is using a stick to keep himself up. Over," he said to James.

James said, "Thank you Brian. I'll call Coral. Over."

"You can't get a cart in here, so we'll bring them out. Over." Con said. 

James said, "I understand. Where will you come out on the access road so Coral can meet you? Over.”

"Coral here, James. I heard.  Shorty, what's your 20? I'll pick them up on the access road. Over."

"Might be easier for us to just follow the trail Ry followed in here, Coral," Shorty relayed.  "We'll meet you at the camp. Over."

"I'll have Jaxon ride my horse so he won't have to walk, Coral," Brian said, "Over."

"Meet you all back at the beach then.  Coral out."

James said, "Over and out."

Ry bit his lip.  He wasn't wanting to meet up with any of the older men.

Coral turned the cart around with a grim expression and gunned the little engine out of frustration.  He was glad that Ryan had found the guys and that Shorty had found his boy, but he was perturbed that Ryan had disobeyed him and gone off on his own.  He realized he was grinding his teeth and forced himself to relax as he drove back.

Shorty let go of Jarrod and helped Jax up into Brian's saddle.  Seeing the grimace on Jax's face, Brian swung up behind Jax to help hold him in the saddle.

Jarrod felt a little crestfallen. He wasn't looking forward to the hike back, nor the consequences he'd be facing that evening, but he was relieved that the ordeal was over.  For now.

"Ry, you lead the way but I want you to stay in sight," Shorty ordered.

Ryan looked at Shorty and knew he should do as directed and led the way back to the beach.  He trudged along with the others, glancing at Tris. "Brendon isn't goin' to be very happy," he told him.

"Brendon?" Tris asked, looking confused.  "Why? I mean..." he trailed off and frowned.  Did Brendon really care that much? And what was he going to do? Tris wondered.  "Do you think he's going to fire me?" he whispered to Ryan.

Ry gave Tris a look. "Fire you? Maybe part of you."

Tristan kept his eyes on the trail before him and remained silent for the rest of the hike, wondering exactly what Brendon would do. And would he do it as a caring friend, or an angry boss?

Coral arrived back at the beach within minutes.  He knew he'd been going faster than needed but he wanted to make sure he was there when Ryan arrived.

It wasn't long before the men at camp could hear their lost brats coming through the woods.

Ryan emerged from the woods the others following him.

Brendon had been anxiously awaiting Tris's return.

James held his breath until he saw Jax with his own eyes.

Coral ran to Ryan and hugged him tightly.  "I'm so glad you're alright, Angel," he whispered into Ryan's ear.

Ryan hugged Coral back and said, "I'm all right, and I'm glad that you made me leave Castiel is at Shorty's."

Shorty hugged Jare again and whispered, "Go have a seat at the table, little boy."

Brendon picked up the blankets and brought them over to the cold, shivering brats.  He passed a blanket each to James and Shorty before wrapping one around Tristan and holding him close.  "Thank God you're all right Tristan...you scared me," he told the younger man quietly.

Tristan's initial confusion was replaced with a warmth that had nothing to do with the blanket he found himself wrapped in.  He leaned into Brendon's hug and rested his head on his shoulder.  "Thanks Bren, I'm fine, I just want to sit down for a while."

James went up to Brian. "Thanks Brian for taking Jax up on your horse." He reached up and carefully took Jax down from the animal, cradling him in his arms. "Are you all right? Does your leg hurt?"

"I'm sorry James," Jax all but cried into James's shoulder.  "I think my leg is ok but it does ache a little."

James said, "I thought it might, we'll have to let Heath take a look."

Jeff called to the men, "We have hot food and hot cocoa here.  Gather round and everyone relax a little bit."

Brendon led Tristan over to the picnic table. "Have a seat," he told him quietly.

Tristan sat down, his legs suddenly feeling wobbly.  He realized that he hadn't taken his meds since early that morning.  "Bren? I need to get up, my meds are in my bag," he whispered.

Brendon said, "Stay there, I'll bring your bag." He went to get Tris's bag and brought it to the younger man.

"Thanks, Bren," Tristan said with a shiver.

James settled Jax at the table and dished up some food for him, wrapped him in a blanket and set a cup of hot cocoa in front of him. "Here you go.”

Ryan snuggled into Coral's hug.

Jeff overheard and brought Brendon a bottle of water and a cup of cocoa.  "Take your meds, then drink that cocoa. It'll warm you right up."

"Thanks Jeff," Tris said with a little smile at the older man.  Mutt called him a mother hen, and now he could see why.

Brendon put an arm around Tristan and snuggled him close.  Tristan gratefully leaned into the embrace and sipped at his cocoa. It felt so good to be held again after so long alone.

<<<<>>>> 

Back at the infirmary where Mutt and Heath were waiting for any word that the guys were found, they both cheered when they heard the news that Ry had found them.  "Heath to James, come in please. Over"

James answered Heath's call. "James here.  Over."

"We heard the news.  How are the guys?  Over." Heath questioned his partner.

James looked around. "They all seem fine. Jax said his leg aches some and Tris didn’t get to take his meds on time, but Brendon is helping him to take them now."

"When do you think you will get them home? Over."

"See if Jeff is alright!" Mutt whispered loudly at Heath.  He didn't want to get on the walkie and cause any more noise.

James said, "Soon. We're feeding them and giving them hot coca.  Over."

"Mutt wants to know if Jeff is ok. Over." Heath asked.

Jeff grinned for the first time since the whole thing had started.  "Tell him I'm fine, and I'll see him soon."

James said, "Jeff is fine and is waiting to get with Mutt. Over."

"OK, see you when you get back.  Bring Jax to the infirmary and I'll check him over. Over and out," Heath said.

James said, "I'll do that. Over and out."

Ryan tried to pull away from Coral after a few minutes. "What's wrong hon?" Coral asked, concerned that he might have gotten hurt somehow during his travels.  He held Ry at arm’s length to look him over and seeing no bruising or cuts, looked questioningly at his brat.

Ryan said, "I should help the others."

"They're fine, little boy.  You stay with me," Coral said, pulling a somewhat reluctant young man back into his arms.

"You did a good job of finding them, Ry.  I'm proud of you for that.  But we have to talk about the fact that you left at all, after I told you to stay with James," he continued softly.

Ryan sighed and snuggled into Coral’s arms.

"You guys all put on your street clothes and get ready to go," Jeff suggested.

"Well, if you have this under control," Con said, “Bri and I will get back to work.  Glad we were in the right place to help out."

"Thanks Con," Jeff said. "And thank you both for coming to the rescue." He smiled at the two men as they mounted their horses.

James fussed over Jax, making sure he had everything he needed.

Jax looked over to Brian.  "Thanks for the ride Bri."

“You're very welcome," Brian replied with a smile.  "Any time, although I hope next time it's under different circumstances."

"Me too," the young man said quietly leaning into his man.

"Well, let's get our guys back home," Shorty said standing and pulling Jare with him.

James nodded. "I believe you're right Shorty."

Ry bit his lip as he looked at Coral.

"You all head on home," Jeff said.  "I'll stay behind to clean up and then walk home. It's not that far.  Just let Mutt know I'll be a little later than I thought."

"I'll bet the boy will come pick you up, Jeff," Shorty commented.

James looked at his friend. "I really should help Jeff."

Coral smiled gently at Ryan, "Time to worry about things later, hon. Right now we need to get you into a warm shower and clean clothes.  And I'm sure Castiel misses you."

Ry said, "I didn't get wet.  But it'll be nice to get home and see him again."

"But you've been on the beach all day, you're sandy and sweaty and your clothes are full of sand."

Ryan bit his lip and said, “Yes Coral.” He went with his man happy to be safe and sound and headed to pick up his beloved pet but a little nervous about what was going to happen once they were home.

"You stick with Jax, James. He needs you right now.  And yeah, Mutt can always come and pick me up when I'm done."

"Call him and ask him to come help you. Make a night of it," Shorty suggested.

Jeff grinned.  A night out alone on the beach with Mutt was the perfect way to end his evening.  Jeff called Mutt who happily agreed.

James said, "I'm sorry to leave you with the mess Jeff.”

"It's not a problem, James. I know that if it had been Mutt you'd have done the same thing."

"Thanks Jeff. I appreciate it and tell Mutt the same if he helps you." He started for his cart.

"Will do James.  Have a good night.  Bren, thanks for coming out with me," Jeff said.  He said goodnight to the other men and turned to his chore, waiting impatiently for Mutt's arrival.

James said, "Thanks Jeff, I will."

Brendon, his arm still around Tristan said, "Thanks Jeff, Tristan and I have a lot to talk about."

Tristan looked at Brendon uncertainly but allowed himself to be led off of the beach and toward one of the golf carts.  "Good night all," he said quietly.

James led the way in his cart with Jax beside him.  They were followed by Shorty and Jarrod. Then bringing up the rear was Coral and Ry with Brendon and Tris in their cart.