Title: Justin

Rated: R...very bad language 

Author: WolfPyre

Feedback: wolf_pyre@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: Not mine. just borrowing them

Pairing: None

Status: I would like to keep the AU closed for now. Once I finish the sequel, I will be opening it.

Warning: This has only been checked with Spell check and Grammar check through Word. All mistakes are mine. 

Warning: This story contains reference to spanking children as discipline. If that's not something you like to read please do not continue.

WARNING: This story is not like my other stories. It deals with Self-Injury and emotional problems of a teenager. If this is something you do not want to read, please hit the delete key now.



Chris Larabee had just walked into the outer office when he heard his phone ringing. He quickly unlocked his office door and snatched it up. "Larabee." 

"Chris? It me, Rachel."

"Rachel! My god it's good to hear your voice. It's been, what, a year since I last talked to you."

"I know, it's been a long time. Chris." She hesitated.

Chris heard the sadness and desperation in her voice and knew immediately there was something wrong. "Rachel, what's wrong? Are you all right?"

He heard her crying softly. "I need your help. It's about Justin."

"Justin? What's wrong with Justin?"

"Oh, Chris. I don't know why I called. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have. I mean we haven't spoken in over a year."

"Rachel!" Chris said grabbing her attention. "I don't care how long it's been. You're my sister, maybe not by blood, but my sister nevertheless. Were family, and family sticks together. Now tell me what's wrong with Justin."

"Well, he's gone. He's been in a lot of trouble lately and I don't know what to do to help him."

"What's happened?"

"Bob. You remember him?"

"Yeah, no good son of a bitch."

"Chris. Please. I know how you feel about him. And you are right. It was stupid of me to marry him. But after Jonathan died I was so lonely."

"It's okay Rachel. I understand. Please what about Justin?"

"Well, Bob and Justin didn't get a long. They were constantly at each other's throats. After one of their worst fights, Justin lit out. When he came back a few hours later, he told me he's not going to be in the house with Bob. He said from now on he'd only come home when he knew Bob was gone. He took to hanging out on the streets. Got mixed up with a bad crowd."

"I didn't know what to do. I tried to stop him, but I couldn't. I even went so far as to tell him I forbade him to leave. Know what he did? He pushed me down and walked out of the house. Didn't come back for 3 days."

"From then on things only became worse. He and his friends took to shoplifting and vandalizing property. They got into a fight with some other kid. Chris, they put him in the hospital. He's been arrested 10 times in 6 months. Because he's minor, they would give him a slap on the wrist and release him into my custody."

"3 months ago, Bob surprised him at home. They really got into it. Justin yelled "I'm outta here" and stormed out the door. I haven't seen him since. The cops weren't much help, they considered him a runaway. I hired a Private Investigator. He managed to track him to Denver. Lord only knows how he got there. The last thing the PI found out was that Justin was involved with a group called The Coven."

Chris cut her off. "THE COVEN?"

"Yeah, you heard of them?"

"Rachel, I'm with the ATF, of course I've heard of them. They aren't your typical street gang. You could stand right next to a member and never know it. They don't have any visible markings to show who they are, just a small Celtic tattoo in the small of their back. But they are dangerous. They aren't straight killers, but won't hesitate if you get in their way. They are mostly thieves, and are VERY good at what they do. They could take the wallet out of your pocket and you'd never know. We know, along with the normal theft and breaking and entering they're involved in, they also steal guns and drugs from other gangs, then sell them."

"Drugs? Guns? Chris."

"Hold on. Let me finish. They are not known drug users. If fact, our sources tell us that most of the kids are real smart, which is why it's so hard to catch them. We've been after them for 1-½ years. Every time we get a lead they manage to get away."

"Chris, you have to help me find him. I don't know what to do. I've tried to do right by him, but I'm not the strong person I used to be. God I wish Jonathan was alive. He'd straighten him out."

"I left Bob about a month ago, though I don't think that'd make much difference to Justin now. I'm afraid if I bring him home he'll only runaway again. That's even if I can bring him home. I mean if you catch The Coven, he'll be charged as one of them. Right?" Rachel sighed. "Oh Chris. What should I do? I can't handle much more of this."

Chris had an idea. "Okay, here's what were gonna do. Me and my men will go out and find Justin. That way, if The Coven is caught he wont be involved" Chris said, hoping it would appease his mother's worried heart. "Then I'm gonna take him back to my ranch with me and straighten his ass out." He added angrily.

"I can't let you do that. He's my responsibility."

Chris was ready for this reaction. "Hold up! You can and will let me do this. I know he is your responsibility, but Justin is like a son to me and I made a promise to Jonathan before he died to watch out for both of you. Now, I may not have been doing that good a job of it over the last year, but that's about to change." Chris said forcefully. He softened his voice. "Please let me help you Rachel. I know you can't deal with much more and I don't want to see you fall back to where you were after Jonathan died. I want to help. Besides, Justin and I used to be real close. Maybe I'll be able to get through to him."

"Okay Chris, if you think that's the best thing to do. I just want Justin back. How long would you keep him?"

"Until he's straightened out. Then he can go back home if he chooses."

"Okay." She said sadly. 

"Good. Now, you go and rest. I'll call you once we find Justin." Chris disconnected the call, and headed out the door. 

"Boys! Conference Room. Now." Chris said sharply. 

<><><><><><>
Chris looked at the six men sitting around him. He knew that if anyone could find Justin they could. 

"Boys, I need your help."

Vin and Ezra looked at each other, the shock evident in their eyes. They have never heard Chris ask for help before. "What do y' need, Cowboy?" Vin asked with concern.

"I need to find a boy." Chris passed the picture he had in his wallet around. "His name is Justin McKenna."

"He's the son of one of my childhood friends. His mother just called and told me he had runaway about 3 months ago. She hired a Private Investigator to find him. The PI found out that Justin is in The Coven."

"The Coven? Damn, how'd that child get involved with them? He's just a baby." Nathan said, looking at the picture. "How old is he?"

"He's thirteen years old." Chris held up his hand to stop the flow of words he knew was coming. "I know, I know. He's too young to be involved with The Coven. I have no idea how he fell in with them, and frankly, right now, I don't even care. All I want to do is find him."

"Don't worry, Cowboy, we'll find `im. You'll be able to return him t' his mama by sundown." Vin said with resolve.

"It ain't his mama we're returning him to. He's going back to the ranch with me."

Chris waited until the expected outburst quieted. All eyes turned back to him.

"As I said, his father and I were childhood friends. We grew up next door to each other and were practically brothers. He died 5 years ago from cancer. Before he took his last breath, he made me promise I'd take care of his family for him. Now, I haven't been doing a good job of that lately, and for that I'm sorry."

"His mother remarried. To make a long story short, he didn't get along with his stepfather. They fought a lot. Justin took to the streets and fell in with the wrong crowd. He and his stepfather had a nasty fight. Justin grabbed his stuff and left. His mother, Rachel, hasn't seen him since."

"She is at a loss with what to do with him. He's been arrested 10 times in six months. She said she couldn't deal with it anymore. So, I told her I would take care of him, get him back on the straight and narrow."

"Are you going to be able to do that on your own?" JD asked.

"Hell boy, he's not on his own. He's got all of us to help him," Buck said. All the heads in the room shook in agreement.

A small smile played across Chris's lips. He was sure glad to have such good friends. "Well then, what are we waiting for, lets go find him."

<><><><><><>

Justin McKenna stood up on the chair looking at the tattoo on his back. His trial period was over and he was now officially part of The Coven. He winced as he ran his hand over it. 

"Justin, come on. We've got work to do." One of the other members said.

<><><><><><>

Vin and Chris had strategically placed themselves to be easy targets for The Coven. They knew they frequented this area and hoped they would come today. Vin's keen eyes picked up movement to his left. "Cowboy, their here" He whispered into the headset.

Just as the boy approached him, they heard someone yell, "It's a trap. Run!" //How in the hell did they figure that out?// Vin thought to himself as he watched the boy turn and run. He gave chase. 

Chris was just coming around the corner when he saw the boy running his way. He blocked the path and the boy ran straight into him. Chris grabbed him by the shoulders and stared into his face. The boy stared back in surprise. "Chris? Wha...What are you doing here?" the boy stuttered.

"Finding you Justin. I received a very frantic call from your mother. Lets go. You've got a lot of explaining to do." Chris met up with Vin. Vin gave the all-clear signal and everyone headed back to the office.

<><><><><><>

Justin looked around the spacious office. He saw the pictures of Sarah and Adam on the desk. Man, he missed them. He loved when he could stay the night with Chris. He had so much fun. Then his dad died and his Mom married Bob. All hell broke loose after that. He shook his head to clear the thoughts from his brain. // Mom and Bob barely acknowledged my existence unless they wanted something. They never came looking for me out on the street. I waited, but they never came. They have no idea what I've been through. Well, that's the past. I'm a new person since becoming the youngest member of The Coven. Now, I feel no pain. I feel no emotion. I no longer care. // He continued to repeat the mantra in his head.

Chris came into his office. He saw Justin looking at the pictures on his desk. It appeared he was lost in thought. He watched the myriad of emotions play across his face. They were quickly replaced with a mask of indifference.

"Justin. Sit." Chris said.

Justin looked at Chris. Who was he to tell him what to do? "Fuck You. I ain't stayin here. Just take me home."

Chris glared at the boy. He definitely had his work cut out for him. "I said sit. NOW." Chris said sternly.

Justin flinched. He felt himself wavering under the glare but still kept eye contact. "I told you to fuck off." He said. He opened the door and walked out, directly into Vin.

"Going somewhere?" He said as he steered the boy back into the office. Vin nodded to Chris and left.

"Justin, I wont tell you again. SIT DOWN. NOW!" 

Justin sat. 

"Now, you are going to sit there and listen to me. If you're smart you wont open your mouth until I'm through." Chris said in a warning voice.

On the outside, Justin showed defiance. Inside was a different story. He'd forgotten how intimidating Chris could be when riled. He was starting to remember now, that's for sure.

"Your mother and I had a very interesting conversation this morning. Seems you've been causing trouble, been arrested, what, 10 times. She is worried about you. As I'm sure you know, she is having a hard time dealing with your behavior. Well son, you're life's about to change." Chris sat on the edge of his desk.

"See, I promised your father I'd take care of you and your mom. I realize now that I have been neglecting that duty for the last year. That's about to change. Your mother has given me temporary guardianship over you. You will not be going back home to her. You are going to be living with me at my ranch."

Justin shot up out of the chair. "The fuck I am! I'm not going anywhere with you." 

Chris stood up and moved into Justin's personal space. "Yes you are, and just to let you know, if you try to run, you will not like the consequences once I find you. And I WILL find you. Now, sit back down."

Justin stubbornly refused. Chris glared. //Well let's see if I still have it//.

"Young man" He said in his sternest voice. "I am going to count to three. If you butt is not in that chair, by the time I'm finished with you, you'll wish it were. One...Two..."

Justin wasn't sure what to do. He knew what would happen if Chris got to three. He'd done this before. All he got out of it was a sore backside. Slowly Justin sank back into the chair.

//Yep, still got it// Chris congratulated himself. "I have a few things to finish up here, then we're going up to the ranch. Do you understand?"

"Fuck off!" Justin said with all the attitude he could muster.

Chris had enough. He pulled Justin out of his seat and swatted his backside. Hard. Justin looked up in shock. He'd forgotten how hard Chris's hand was. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear your answer?" Chris prompted.

"Yes, Sir." Justin replied automatically. //Where the hell did that come from? // 

"Good." He ushered Justin into the outer office. "Now I'd like you to meet some friends of mine. You will be seeing quite a lot of them during your stay."

Chris made the introductions. Justin was particularly interested in Vin. For some reason he felt a connection to him... like he was a kindred spirit. Chris left Justin with the guys and went back into his office to finish up some paperwork.

"So, young man. I hear you are proficient in the art of thievery." Ezra addressed Justin. "Having acquired this familiarity from your siblings in The Coven." 

"That is an accurate assumption. I have also mastered obfuscation, deceitful and unethical activities and pugilism." Justin countered. Ezra was speechless. No one had ever answered him like that, much less a 13-year-old boy.

Everyone started laughing at the expression in Ezra's face. Buck clapped Justin on the back. "Boy, not many people can get the better of Ezra. I'm impressed."

<><><><><><><>

Vin entered Chris's office and shut the door. "How ya holdin up cowboy?"

Chris let out a heavy sigh and looked at Vin. "Okay, under the circumstances. I just got off the phone with AD Travis. He's agreed to give us 2 weeks off to get Justin settled. After that, since we are not working on any active cases, he doesn't have a problem with Justin spending time here until we find some other arrangements." Chris paused and sipped his coffee. Vin heard a small sigh escape from his lips. " This is going to be hard. I can see that now. He's gonna fight me on everything. I'm not gonna be able to be his `buddy' like before."

"Sucks don't it?" Vin replied. "But what do ya think will happen with Justin if'n you don't take him in? He's hurting Chris." Vin caught the surprise in Chris eyes. "What, ya didn't see that? The boy needs someone ta give him boundaries and have consequences if he breaks `em. He's been on his own for way too long."

"It's only been 3 months."

"No it hasn't." Vin stated. He could see he had Chris's attention now. "That boy has probably been on his own since his dad died. I gather from what you told me his mom wasn't very useful after that. She was probably too involved with herself to notice the needs Justin had. My guess is he practically raised himself."

Chris stared at Vin. He noticed the change in Vin's diction. He usually only spoke that way when Nettie was around, though it wasn't by choice. When he spoke like that around him, it meant he was dead serious. "How'd you get so smart?" He asked.

"It takes one to know one. I often wonder where I'd be if Nettie hadn't taken me in. I gave her a pretty tough time. But luckily, she had the strength to remain stern and keep me in line. She also was there when I needed someone to talk to. Chris." He stared intently into Chris's eyes. "You are Justin's Nettie."

<><><><><><>

Nettie saw Vin driving his beat up Jeep down her lane and met him at the door. She gave him a big hug and pulled back to look into his face. She could see something was bothering him.

"Looks like you've got something on your mind." She stated with concern.

"Yes, ma'am." Leave it to Nettie to get right to the point.

"Well, come on in. I've just made some coffee."

Vin followed her into the kitchen and sat down heavily. Nettie retrieved two cups of coffee and sat next to him. "So, what's on your mind?"

Vin started to explain to Nettie about Chris taking in Justin and the reasons behind it.

"I don't know Nettie. I really feel for the boy. I bet he's a good kid, just hurting so bad that he's turned that pain into anger."

"Hmmm, sounds like someone else I know." Nettie nudged Vin's arm. "Vin, there's nothing wrong with how you are feeling. He situation is probably bring up some old memories for you, am I 
correct?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"That's what I thought. Look, if you feel like you need to help this boy, then by all means help him. You are probably the only person he knows that has been in a similar situation and made it out to the other side."

"Yeah, I made it to the other side, but by backside was a little worse for wear." Vin said with a wry smile trying to lighten up the somber mood.

"Well you pushed every limit and boundary I gave you. I was there to reel you back in. That's what Justin needs now. He needs someone he can count on. Someone that's going to be firm and love him at the same time."

Vin gave a little sigh. "I told Chris I would stay out at his place and help him out. The only thing left to figure out is what to do with Justin while were at work, once our 2 weeks vacation is over. Chris doesn't want to sent him to school yet because he knows the boy will just cause trouble and get himself expelled." 

Nettie looked at Vin. He saw the gleam in her eye. "Oh no you don't, you just retired last year, you're not going to take on this boy." Vin stated adamantly.

Nettie gripped Vin's chin. "Don't you tell me what I'm going to do or not do, young man. If I want to help this boy, that's what I'm going to do. Now, you tell Chris that I'd be happy to keep Justin during the day and home school him. I still have my Psychology and Teaching degrees and enough clout with the school board that it shouldn't be any problem."

Vin stood up and put his cup in the sink. He leaned on the edge trying to figure out how he could convince Nettie she didn't want to do this. "But Nettie you're supposed to be... OW!" Vin didn't notice Nettie was behind him. "What you hit me for?" Vin asked while rubbing the sting out of his backside.

"What did I just tell you?"

Vin stared at his feet, angry with himself for even bringing up Justin's schooling. 

"I asked you a question, young man. Do you need another slap to your backside to help jog your memory?"

"No ma'am. That's not necessary." Nettie may have gotten old, but she could still give quite a firm swat. She glared at him. Vin knew there was no way he was going to win this argument. 

"Fine, Nettie. I'll let Chris know." He said resignedly.

<><><><><><>

"Dinner's on the table." Josiah said to the group. The six men made their way to the table. Justin stayed where he was. "Justin, time to eat." Chris said.

"I'm not hungry."

"Don't matter. We eat together. If you're not hungry you will still sit at the table with us."

Justin glared back. He felt everyone watching him. "Go to hell. I said I wasn't hungry. Leave me the fuck alone." He said and turned away. The men all watched for Chris's reaction. They were not 
disappointed.

Chris quickly grabbed Justin's arm and turned him around. "That will be enough of that kind of language. You're not on the streets so don't speak like you are. Now, I told you dinner was ready, and I expect you to sit with us whether you're hungry or not."

Justin glared back defiantly. He was tired of being told what to do. He stared directly into Chris's eyes. "Maybe you didn't hear me the first time, so I'll enunciate it clearly. Fuck. You." Justin heard everyone gasp. 

Chris could not believe Justin's audacity. He definitely needed an attitude adjustment. "Gentleman, please excuse us." Chris said as he grabbed Justin by the scruff of the neck and pushed him into the den. 

SMACK. SMACK. SMACK. The men all looked at each other. "Seems Brother Chris is making use of some divine instruction." Josiah said with a laugh. The other's joined in. A moment later Chris and a slightly less arrogant Justin came back into the dining room. 

"Justin, I believe you have something to say." Chris said sternly.

Justin gave Chris a glare that rivaled his own. He was about say something rude, but Vin cut him off.

"I suggest you quit now, less'n you want t' go back in t' den for another discussion."

Justin glanced at Vin. Angrily he turned to the rest of the group. "I apologize for my deplorable behavior. I will endeavor to not permit it to transpire in the future." He said with false sincerity and sat down. Chris looked at the others and shook his head in exasperation. 

After dinner, everyone made excuses to leave. They knew Chris and Vin needed time with Justin. They also didn't want to see the fireworks once Justin started defying Chris again.

Chris took Justin upstairs and showed him where his room was. He had put him in Adam's old room so Vin could still have `his room' as he liked to call it. Hell, with all the time Vin spent here it basically was.

Before bed, Vin and Chris went over the rules they expected Justin to follow:


·You will show respect. That means "Yes Sir, No Sir" and "Yes Ma'am, No Ma'am". You will show respect to anyone in authority.

·You are to do as me, Vin, Buck, Josiah, Nathan, Ezra, JD or Nettie tell you, when your told to do it. No arguments or backtalk will be tolerated. 

·All of your chores will be finished before you have any free time.

·No foul language. 

·You are to be in school everyday unless one of us say you can stay home.

"Now the last one is suspended until you get settled. It will go into effect once we feel as though you're ready to go to school." Chris added. "In the mean time, Nettie will be home schooling you. Do you understand?" 

Justin nodded angrily.

"I didn't hear you."

"YES SIR! I understand completely SIR! " He responded sarcastically.

"That's it." Chris stood up and glared at Justin. "I guess the discussion we had earlier was not enough to adjust your attitude. Let's see if this will." Chris grabbed Justin's arm and took him to his room. Vin had to smile when he heard the unmistakable sound of a hand hitting bare flesh coming from upstairs. "Wondered how long it would take for Chris's patience t' snap" Vin said to the empty room. //Hell, I was ready t' do the same m'self// Vin mused.

Part 2