sparrow015 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sparrow015) wrote2008-08-19 08:47 am
sparrow015) wrote2008-08-19 08:47 am
Entry tags:
- band: the who,
- bandom fic,
- character: buck wilmington,
- character: chris larabee,
- character: ezra standish,
- character: jd dunne,
- character: john entwistle,
- character: josiah sanchez,
- character: keith moon,
- character: nathan jackson,
- character: pete townshend,
- character: roger daltrey,
- character: vin tanner,
- crossover fic,
- fic,
- magnificent seven: atf,
- series: second chances
Fic: Collision: Past and Present (The Who, M7:ATF Crossover Fic, PG-13)
Title: Collision: Past and Present
Series: Second Chances
Author: Sparrow
Co-Author: Enola Jones aka
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small}
jennytorkFandom: Magnificent Seven: ATF, The Who
Characters: JD Dunne, Buck Wilmington, Vin Tanner, Chris Larabee, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson, Ezra Standish, Keith Moon, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own The Who or M7: ATF
Author Note: I had a lot of fun stepping into this fic and without my wonderful co-author this fic wouldn’t be possible. Many thanks to
sierraphoenix for the beta!Spoilers: John Entwistle is alive in my story! I like my denial!
Summary: Sequel to Second Time’s the Charm. After becoming aware, Keith settles into his new life, but temptation is going to be coming to town.
Story #1: Second Time's the Charm
Keith grinned in delight at the little bomb he just dropped into the chaos of the magnificent seven’s lives.
You enjoyed that.
“I bloody well did.” Keith mumbled and gave off a shrill whistle that cut into the voices that were getting progressively louder, “Why don’t you gents discuss this amongst yourselves. We’re heading for that shower; I cannot believe how dusty this state is.”
Josiah laughed. "Go on."
Keith merrily tossed a salute at Josiah and headed towards the bathroom.
Vin smirked slightly at Ezra. “Believe us now?”
Ezra just stared after the youngest. "......holy....."
Buck collapsed into a chair and gestured at himself and Vin. “We only saw the aftermath, but I see your ‘holy’ Ez and raise you a ‘crap’.”
They just gaped at the bathroom door.
“That was a mite unsettling.” Vin understated.
“A LOT unsettling," Buck agreed.
“Now what?” Came a necessary question from Nathan. As one, the group turned and looked at Chris.
"I have no idea," Chris admitted. "This is a bit out of my realm of reality."
“I think this is a bit out of all our realities cowboy.” Vin quietly stated.
“Here’s a question, what does anyone really know about Keith Moon?” Nathan asked. “Is he a liability? Can we switch them back? Do we even attempt to?”
"I know the legends....what was in the trades and the tabloids....." Josiah spread his hands.
“You grew up in that era with that kind of music Josiah. What can you tell us?” Chris asked.
"I know he consumed inhuman amounts of drugs and alcohol. He was destructive and manic, but could also be very depressed and brilliant."
“And that kind of man is what, possessing JD’s body right now?” Nathan hissed out.
“A far cry gentlemen, from our resident computer genius. It does make one wonder what similarities crossed over from the previous life into the current one.” Ezra pondered.
"I know he could use knives like the best master." Josiah breathed.
“So can JD.” Buck whispered. “I think the drumming ability crossed over a bit as well.”
"Yeah, when he's pondering something, he'll drum a lick or a hundred." Vin noticed.
Conversation stopped when Keith walked out, toweling damp hair. Clothes stuck to his body from the steam of the shower. Hopping up onto a chair, he grinned. “So what ‘orrible things were said about me while we were gone.”
"We discussed what kind of man Keith Moon is." Chris's voice was filled with disapproval.
“Ah yes, a popular topic. Is he crazy? Is he a maniac? Is he dangerous? Does he beat his wife and child? Is he a genius? Is it all in his head? Haven’t you heard mate, every story you’ve ever heard of me is all true.” Keith laughed.
What defines you Keith, also defines myself. I am after all you and you are me. We can be better than the stories.
The others watched as Keith spluttered to silence, his active mind working behind his eyes.
Josiah put a concerned hand on Keith’s shoulder, “You all right Keith?”
Blinking a couple of times, Keith smiled wobbly at Josiah. “Yeah, just fine mate. Johnny was just giving me a metaphorical kick in the pants.”
"So..." Chris finally said, breaking the moment between Josiah and Keith. "By your own definition you're a liability?"
Turning away from Josiah, Keith turned and stared at Chris Larabee. “Well, that’s a hard one to explain Boss man. I could be a liability; I’m slowly gaining access to Johnny’s memories, that’s what that pain was about Nathan. But I’m not sure, still trying to figure things out.” Keith tossed the damp towel over his shoulder to land in a pile of dirty laundry. “I’m not taking this body across the pond to visit my own brothers if that’s what yer worried about. Johnny and I discussed that already.”
"I'm worried about your personality flaws. Your drug use, your alcoholism, your violent and destructive streak. If you really ARE Keith Moon -- and the jury's still out on that -- what in the hell can you contribute to our team that's a help and not a hindrance?" Chris challenged.
“So the real question comes out. What can anyone really guarantee Boss man? I think dying once already is enough to put me off of drug use and alcoholism. As for my violent and destructive streak, who here hasn’t blown something up?” Keith aimed a grin at Buck. “As for contribution, give it a mo’ or two and I’ll ‘ave JD’s skills up t’spec t’help out. We’re still working out on trying to switch back. And I know who I am Chris Larabee. I’m Keith fucking Moon! Who the hell are you?”
"I am Chris Larabee. Your boss so long as you're in that body."
Anything else Keith might’ve said was cut off as his hands flew to his head and a scream of pain erupted from the drummer’s throat.
Buck and Nathan were instantly at his side.
“What in the world?” Ezra voiced.
“Must be that memory information thing he was talking about.” Vin stated as he crouched down to hold the flopping body still.
“Hell of a way to get memories.” Nathan commented as he made sure Keith didn’t bite his tongue.
Buck worriedly held Keith’s hand as Josiah and Chris looked on helplessly.
A few minutes later, the flopping stopped and breathing came in tight little gasps. Eyelids fluttered opened and a moan poured out. “Oi that has got to stop! Did anyone get the number of Pete’s guitar on that?”
"How much did he give you then?" Buck asked.
“Question would be ‘what didn’t I get’ Buck. Johnny doesn’t really give me anything; it’s like a download dump into me brain. It doesn’t limit itself to ‘ow much is given. Sometimes its one memory, sometimes it’s more. I think I got a bit more of the tech aspect of his workload in that one.” Keith slowly sat up, supported by Buck. He gently rested his head on the mustached man’s chest.
Buck's body moved without his conscious control, hand reaching up to cup the boy's skull.
Vibrations were felt on his body and Buck looked down. Keith was chuckling gently. “Mother hen routine indeed.”
"Little brother," Buck rumbled.
The events of the day were emotionally tiring, but even the next reply was still a little bit of a surprise from the tired drummer. “John?”
"No. Bucklin. YOUR name is John."
Keith sleepily smiled, “Someone has seen the show. Bit of a bang at the end, eh wot?”
He smiled. "Sleep, little brother."
Buck’s reply was a snore and a Boston accent, “Taaa…ke…care of ‘im…g-g-guyssss.”
“JD?!” the rest shouted in surprise.
But Keith continued to sleep against Buck’s chest.
Buck lifted him and carried him into JD's bedroom. When he came out, he was shaking.
“Well, at least we know JD is still in there somewhere. It’s not just all Keith Moon.” Nathan stated.
"That's great!" Vin said, looking around. "Isn't it?"
Ezra lounged on the couch. “I for one gentlemen take that as a sign. We now know our erstwhile technician is still coherent. I believe the next logical step would be on how to restore him to his former glory.” At this the undercover agent gave both Josiah and Nathan a look.
“Well, we could always go back to the hypnotist to fix this all.” Nathan replied.
“No.” Chris growled out. “It was because of him this entire thing happened.”
“I could always try my hand in it brothers, I know a bit of hypnotism.” Josiah stated.
"I don't know if I want you near him," Buck growled. "Not like that."
Josiah held his hands up in defense, “Easy Brother Buck. Was only offering services, I don’t have to go through with it unless Keith wants me to.”
He nodded.
“I think we should all head home. We’ve been given a huge jolt emotionally. We’ll all think clearer in the morning on how to deal with all this.” Added Nathan.
"I'm not goin' anywhere.” Chris said.
A chorus of ‘me either’s’ sounded around, including Nathan who made the suggestion.
Buck smiled. “Thanks guys, although, not too sure where y’all gonna sleep.” He gestured at the dirty home.
Ezra stood up. "Much as I dislike manual labour, the situation warrants it."
He hit Vin's upper arm. "Help me clean," he whispered and Vin grinned.
With years borne of teamwork, clothes were put away quickly. Dishes washed and dried and floors were swept.
Buck looked on in amazement, “I don’t think I’ve seen this place this clean in a long time.”
“That means when JD first moved in, huh?” quipped Josiah.
Tired chuckles were his answer as the sleeping bags were hauled out.
Within half an hour, all of them were fast asleep.
~*The Morning*~
Buck woke up with a jolt, pushed the covers off of him and quickly ran to JD’s room. Breathing a sigh of relief at the sight of the dark-haired man in bed. Still here, he hadn’t disappeared and wasn’t a reincarnation of Keith Moon.
JD turned over and blinked tired sleepy eyes at Buck. “Wot’s going on? Need somethin’ Buck?”
Buck’s face fell as he realized it wasn’t a dream. “No, sorry. Just a crazy feeling, that’s all. I’ll let you get back to sleep.”
Keith mumbled a sleepy reply and went back to sleep.
Buck frowned and ran a hand down his head. *Oh, JD......*
Buck startled at the unexpected touch on his shoulder and turned to face a concerned Chris. Jerking his head to the balcony, Buck followed his friend.
Out there, they sighed, Buck seeming to fold in on himself.
“What are we gonna do Chris? All of this is just so…”
“…unbelievable.” Came a reply.
“Yeah, that’s the word.”
"I don't know, Buck."
Anything Buck was gonna say was interrupted by a pillow being smacked against the glass of the sliding doors.
“The kids are up.” Chris grinned.
Buck grinned back, “We better get back in there before they tear each other apart. Lead the way pard.”
Chris walked in and caught a pillow before it could connect to his head. "All right, ladies, that's enough!"
Keith came bounding in at this point. “’Allo, ‘allo, ‘allo all! Oh! A pillow fight!” Snatching one off the ground the drummer swung with all his might, but ended up spinning when it was snatched out of his hands. Glaring at Josiah, Keith pouted and then turned puppy eyes at the older man.
"We need to talk, Keith."
Keith knew what those words meant. Those words never had a good statement following them. A guarded expression crossed his face. “About wot?”
"We think we might have a plan for re-switching you."
The guarded look was still kept up, “Just a dead man walking, right.” Keith sighed wearily. “Well, it’s been fun while it’s lasted, what’s the plan mate?”
“Hypnotism is what first got both of you into this mess, it might work the other way around.” Josiah stated.
“M’not going back to quacky.” Keith retorted.
“You won’t have to. I’ll be the one doing the hypnotism.” Josiah said as he pointed at himself.
"Huh. This might be worth watching." Ezra chuckled.
Josiah looked at Ezra, “Could always try you first Brother Ezra. Maybe you could cluck like a chicken whenever coffee was mentioned.”
Ezra threw up his hands in apology with a smile and backed off.
Keith snickered. “JD says ‘Now that would be worth watching, especially if yer wearing that red jacket of yours Ez.’”
Silence fell, and then Nathan gasped, "You mean you're BOTH in there? BOTH of you, all the time?"
“Well yeah. Dunno how it really works though.” Keith scratched his head. “It’s like he’s this voice in me head. Best way to describe it.”
Said voice gave him a raspberry.
Keith swung his head to the side, “Razz me will ya.”
"That's JD all right!" Buck roared with laughter.
Keith grinned, “O’course, me talking out loud makes me almost live up to me nickname of ‘Moon the Loon.’” Keith turned his gaze to Josiah. “So ‘siah, let’s give this hypnotism a try, m’not getting any deader over here.”
He laughed and took them into trance.
~*JD and Keith’s Mind*~
It was dark. That was the first thought that cross Keith’s mind. Walking across what he hoped was floor; he became aware of a crunching sound.
Looking down, he couldn’t see anything, but when he looked back up, there was the frame of the mirror. And on the other side was JD, the other side where he once occupied.
Walking forward, he noticed silver shards on the ground as some light filtered in. Mirror shards.
“Those were important, weren’t they?” Keith asked.
JD smiled sadly. “I think so.”
Keith walked forward and JD mirrored his actions, but they could not get within five feet of the mirror. Every time they tried, they were pushed back a little bit further.
In frustration, Keith took a few steps back and then sprinted forward. JD copied these movements.
Like being caught in a net, Keith hung suspended, five feet away from the mirror. A scream of pain erupted from his throat as he jerked, spasmed and twisted. Hanging there for a moment or two, he fell through the floor as if strings were cut.
Shards of the mirror fell around him, jerking his head to the side and looking through slitted eyes, he saw JD above him, hands trying to reach him.
He reached up, trying to contact, and their hands managed to link. Pain shot through both of them.
He was JD. He was Keith. He was both. He was neither. He was pleasure. He was pain. He was sober. He was not. He was music. He was electronics. He was....
A jolt of electricity, and they fell back. To either side of the mirror. "Damn."
Neither could ever say which said that.
They both curled up into a fetal ball as they tried to stop twitching from the electricity.
Eyes opening slowly, they noticed mirror shards were still around them and the frame of the circular mirror was still very empty.
~*Back in the CDC*~
"Bring him out," Nathan ordered.
"Nathan..." Josiah began.
"His heart is pounding; I don't like this colour-- BRING HIM OUT. NOW."
“Keith. JD. When I tap your forehead you will come out of it.” Josiah gently tapped their forehead.
Dark eyes opened and he swayed in place, groaning.
“JD?” Buck questioned.
Dazed eyes locked onto Buck, “We’re not doing that again mate. Hurts us to much. We aren’t a computer to be fixed-fixed-fixed-fixed-fixed-fixed-fixed fixed just like that by replacing parts.”
"I don't like that stutter," Nathan whispered.
Those dazed eyes fixed onto Nathan now. “Not a stutter doc. Signals getting mixed up in our brainpan. The mind is a bit of a mess-mess-mess-mess-mess-mess-mess at the moment.” Dark hair flew as Keith/JD shook their head.
"We need a name. We can't keep calling him 'The Possessed One'." Leave it to Ezra.
Nathan cupped a large hand on the back of his skull. "C'mon. You need to rest."
Keith/JD looked at Ezra, “Call us-us-us-us Keith in private, but to the world at large, we’re still JD dear boy.” He allowed Nathan to lead him to bed.
Nathan drew off his shoes and closed the door as Keith fell on to the bed. "How badly are the signals getting confused?"
Keith/JD looked frustrated, “Can’t-can’t-can’t-can’t refer to us in singular yet. Repeating words-words-words-words is getting annoying for us. Limbs gonna start twitching soonish. Mindscape-mindscape-mindscape-mindscape is a mess.”
"How can I help?" he pushed the dark hair from his forehead.
“Don’t know Nathan. Don’t know, but you being here is good for us.” Dark brown eyes grew large as an arm twitched and spasmed. “Near the end-end-end-end we merged, before ‘siah brought us out. But-but-but-but-but body and mind not ready for reintegration, needs to heal naturally. Don’t-don’t-don’t-don’t-don’t know if we’ll ever be one person again Nathan-Nathan-Nathan-Nathan-Nathan-Nathan-Nathan-Nathan-Nathan-Nathan.” Keith/JD slapped a hand over their mouth to stop.
"If not, I think I can safely say that all six of us will be here for you. I mean that."
Keith/JD smiled gratefully. Wrapping his hand around Nathan’s fingers he squeezed gently. Burying his face into his pillow, sleep came quickly. Nathan kept a hold of his friend’s hand.
After a few minutes, he detangled his fingers and headed out the door of the bedroom.
"They're exhausted," he reported. "Merged at the end, but don't think they'll ever be one person again."
Vin and Ezra lowered their heads.
Buck stood to the side clenching and unclenching his fists.
“Sorry Chris, I thought that would’ve done the trick.” Josiah apologized.
“Not your fault Josiah.” Chris replied.
“No, it’s not any one of your faults. It’s mine. I’m the one who made JD go to the doctor.” Buck said, guilt creeping into his voice.
“Then I’m just as much to blame as you Bucklin. I’m the one who recommended my friend to ya.” Vin said.
"Suppose it's my fault, then, cause he wore my face," Chris deadpanned.
Weak chuckles surrounded the group.
“So I guess the question of the day is where do we go from here?” Ezra voiced.
“We’ll need to see where Keith is skill wise and how much of JD he can use in the office and the field. He said it himself, ‘to the world at large, we’re still JD dear boy’. And the world definitely just sees JD and not Keith Moon.” Chris commented.
“Don’t forget, JD is still with him. He’s there all the time, he can help Keith out in area’s he’s not sure in.” Nathan said.
"And we'll have his back like always," Vin said.
And really, there was nothing more to say after that.
Over the course of the next couple of months, Keith integrated into the group as he re-qualified with weapons and brought himself up to spec on technology. JD always there to lend support, help and a running commentary that Keith was all too happy to share with the rest of the group.
In the privacy of their office, Keith maintained his Wembly accent and to the public he had enough practice to pull off a convincing Boston one. The first time he used it, he caused Buck, Vin and Ezra to do double-takes.
It was of course at the end of the next two months that temptation came into town.
The phone rang in the office, and Ezra had an animated conversation with his mother that ended in a shouting match. He hung up the phone, swearing in five languages and three accents.
“Problems with Mother?” Keith inquired.
Ezra stared, pivoted on his heel and stalked into Chris’s office where the door was slammed and blinds were drawn.
A few minutes later they could hear Chris swearing.
Chris and Ezra came out. "All right, ladies, gather round. We've got a new assignment that touches on one of your shady pasts."
“Grey, black or white? Maybe a nice fuscha shade” Quipped Keith as he followed the group into the conference room.
Buck laughed lightly as he sat down in a chair.
“All right, settle down ladies. Ezra, if you will kindly tell them what you just told me.” Chris gestured to the southern man and sat down.
"My mother has spoken to Judge Travis. There is an arms dealer using concerts near the Red Rocks auditorium to sell small and large armaments." He drew a deep breath. "And we are to infiltrate the next large concert there, providing security as well as looking out for the perpetrators."
Buck's eyes widened. "Hold on! The next big concert at Red Rocks is--"
Ezra's eyes met Keith's. "The Who. Two weeks from tomorrow."
Keith’s eyes widened. Standing up slowly, he started to swear, creatively and violently.
Ezra grinned, gold tooth flashing. “That was my reaction too as you well saw.”
“That kind of temptation mates, not too sure if I’d be able to handle or help out in the detail.” Keith softly said.
You can do it Keith. You’re stronger than you think.
"You can do it, Keith," Buck said. "We've got your back, remember?"
The drummer turned ATF agent smiled weakly. “I know that gents, just wished I had a bit more confidence in me self at the moment.”
“What do we know about the arms dealer?” Nathan asked, changing the subject. Keith threw him a grateful smile.
"His name's Ryan Flannery, he's Irish and not much more." Ezra said.
It would’ve been around this time, Keith would’ve tossed in a comment about his fellow European, but he looked serious about wanting to protect his other brothers that no words passed through his lips.
“Well, that’s as useful as a bent cog in the machine.” Buck commented.
"So I'm going to call in a few markers and find out more," Ezra finished. "I'm truly sorry, Keith. I wish it was any other group."
“Me too.” Keith simply stated. “I’ll get plans of the auditorium brought up and see if I can find any nooks or cranny’s that the dealers might be using. Never did play that auditorium, so can’t tell you much about it. I don’t think we ever played Colorado.”
“Everyone, this is important and not just because it’s become personal. I think it goes without saying that I want everyone giving a hundred and ten percent on this.” A stare from Chris’s eyes swept across the group.
“Aw, only a hundred and ten percent Chris? That’s a little low for ya! I think we can aim higher.” Buck laughed.
“Also,” This is where Chris hesitated, “Judge Travis wants us to let The Who know what’s going on, so that is trouble does happen, they can be escorted out quickly. They apparently don’t like it when ‘bodyguards’ show up and tell them what to do.”
"No," Keith said quietly, "we don't."
“Right, isn’t this just gonna be fun.” Josiah smiled happily.
The rest of the group threw wadded up paper at the profiler.
Thirteen days had passed by quickly and it was on the thirteenth day that the group known as The Magnificent Seven rode to the hotel where The Who were staying at to introduce themselves and let them know what would be happening if the worst should happen.
The Who had come in early, so they could have an extra day of rest before the Colorado concert. Because of this, it was exploited quickly by the ATF.
Keith looked nervous to Buck as they drove together to the hotel.
"It'll be okay. I'll be with you the entire time, as will Chris and Ezra."
“Right, just a little reunion meeting thirty years late. Oi, this will be interestin’.” Keith stated. “I even look a bit like me former self that I might give them a bit of a start.”
“Well, just remember to keep the Wembly accent out and concentrate on the Boston one. You ready for this?” Buck asked as he pulled into the parking lot.
“Not really, but don’t have much of a choice.” Came a quiet reply.
Buck squeezed his arm, and they left the truck. They met up with Chris and Ezra, and were escorted to the Who's suite of rooms.
Keith made sure to keep his smaller frame behind Buck as they entered the room.
"Hello?" Chris called out. "Chris Larabee and most of Team Seven, ATF. We'd like to speak with you."
“Be right with you!” Came a bellow from behind the side door.
"Pete," Keith whispered.
Buck squeezed Keith’s arm in support.
The doors were banged opened and the agents spun into positions, when they realized it was John Entwistle and Roger Daltrey.
"Agents," John said politely, moving toward a couch and gesturing at the other ones in the room.
“Sorry about startling you didn’t realize you’d gotten here. Could’ve been a bit of a messy disaster, that. ‘Two of The Who Shot in Hotel Room by ATF Agents.’” Quipped Roger as he settled next to John.
Pete came stalking out of the side room, a scowl on his face. “Bloody reporters. Sniffing around too much, think something’s going on.” He paused at the other men in the room that had settled onto the other couches. “Oh, right, our ‘bodyguards.”
"I'm Chris Larabee, head of Team Seven. This is my intelligence expert, Ezra Standish, munitions expert Buck Wilmington...and our computer expert, JD Dunne."
Keith nodded at them.
John's eyes went huge as the resemblance registered immediately.
“Something wrong?” Keith asked, Boston accent ringing out clear and true.
Roger gently poked John in the side. “Get it together Ox.”
“’e looks a bit like Keith there.” John pointed out.
Pete gave a once over. “Admit, bit of a resemblance, but I think the accent is a bit off there.”
"Distant relation," Keith said, waving a hand. "Sorry, never thought we'd be assigned to the Who."
John looked thoughtful.
“Well, as long as no drum kits are blown up.” Roger smiled.
“Nah, that’d be more of Buck’s bit than mine.” Keith smiled back, Keith Moon grin in place.
Buck scowled and punched Keith in the shoulder lightly.
"Now if you wanted them to run a slide show -- I'm your man."
We're rambling, Keith.
“JD, Buck.” Came a growl from Chris.
“Sorry Boss.” The two chorused together.
Ezra smiled at The Who. “Now, gentlemen, what exactly have you been told about the current situation?”
"Not much -- that you were coming."
This is where Chris took the floor. “We received information about an arms dealer using concerts near the Red Rock Auditorium, to sell small and large shipments. We’re to infiltrate the concert and provide security detail in hopes of stopping the suspect.”
"And we have every reason to believe he'll try to deal during your show," Ezra said. "We will have some of our team backstage to pull you offstage if we feel your life is endangered."
“Yer bleeding kidding, right mate?” Pete asked disbelief across his eyes.
“Unfortunately we’re not. Our source is very reliable and wouldn’t lie to us about something like this.” Chris said, gaze hard.
"Our job is to keep you safe first of all," Buck said. "Secondary, to find and dismantling the ring.
“What about the fans?” John quietly asked.
"The stage is up high enough that the height itself is a natural barricade," Keith said. "But we're going to put in a couple of manmade ones just to be perfectly safe. We'll have plainclothes men taking care of the fans incognito. It's you we're concerned with."
Pete snorted and out came the sarcasm, “We’re just a little ol’ band from England. What’s so great about protecting our arses?”
Roger thumped him on the shoulder.
"We can't afford the publicity if you're killed," Keith deadpanned, barely remembering to put in the Boston accent.
All three of The Who stared at Keith as if he’d grown another head. Then Roger and Pete laughed openly. John smiled and stared with warm eyes at Keith.
And Keith smiled the eerie smile they'd always shared.
Planning went on for a couple of more hours when Chris called it quits. Gathering up his troupe they bid farewell to The Who and left the hotel.
The Who themselves gathered around a table and brought out the whiskey.
“So, what’s yer take on all this Ox?” Roger asked John.
“Were mighty quiet during that planning session.” Pete said from his glass.
"The Quiet One, remember?" John smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
“The youngest one in the bunch, he unnerved ya bit there, didn’t he?” Roger asked.
"More than a bit," John sighed. "He looked like Keith come back alive."
“’e did say he was a distant relation.” Pete commented.
"He did," John sighed. "But STILL."
Roger smiled sympathetically and patted John on the shoulder. “Well, don’t know about you gents, but I’m knackered, heading for bed. Night!”
John and Pete watched the short curly blond-haired singer exit from the room. Sighing, John put his glass down and headed out himself.
Giving a wave of goodnight, John left Pete to his thoughts.
~*The Night of the Concert*~
Team Seven was nervous, Keith more than any of them.
They arrived early, dressed in security clothing and checked every aspect of the stage. Keith smiled a little as he picked up a drumstick and tapped a cymbal. Chris glared at him and jerked his head as if saying ‘get back to work.’
Putting the stick away, Keith sighed and continued to check for anything or anyone that might seem suspicious.
John stood offside on the stage. Nodding to himself, he walked away.
It was around seven o’clock at night when The Who breezed onto the stage.
Team Seven were in various positions. As it was his job as a technical support, Keith manned the monitors and were the eyes and ears of the auditorium.
Nearly two hours passed and still not a sign of Ryan Flannery. They were beginning to think this would be a bust. Keith kept his eyes glued to the monitors, feet wrapped around his stool as he tapped with his finger to the beat pouring out of the drums.
“Missed that part Zac.” Keith quietly said to himself. He was surprised, but happy when he found out his godson played with The Who.
As he mused on these thoughts, Keith spied movement near a suspicious van.
Keith keyed the mic and breathed, "I see movement near a van. Going to check it out."
Keith stalked the shadows, gun held in the ready position. JD was whispering words of encouragement and what to watch out for.
Coming up to the van, he pressed his back to it and slowly shifted forward to spy the man they’d all been waiting for. One Ryan Flannery. Apparently he was a chain smoker.
Even out here, Keith could hear The Who blasting through amps. Counting the beats, when a large blast came, Keith quickly whispered into his mic. “Eagle Eye One, this is Eagle Eye Seven. The suspect is here. Require backup, about to engage.”
Taking a deep breath, Keith step out from the shadows, gun trained on the arms dealer. “FREEZE!! ATF!!!”
Startled, Ryan dropped his cigarette and then bolted.
Giving a curse, Keith gave chase.
“Eagle Eye One, this is Eagle Eye Seven, in pursuit of suspect.”
“Understood Eagle Eye Seven. The Who are just finishing the concert, we’ll get them out quickly. Eagle Eye Two and Three are rendezvousing to your position.”
Dropping another curse as Ryan sped up. Keith puffed out breath as he tried to keep up. “I said FREEZE YOU ARSE!! A! T! F! You bloody pillock!” Why oh why, did the bad guys never stop.
Keep going Keith! And who said bad guys were smart.
“Eagle Eye Seven be advised we have lost The Who. They gave us the slip.”
If he had enough breath, Keith would’ve laughed at the situation. “Understood Eagle Eye One.”
Speeding around a corner, Keith realized they were heading back to the auditorium.
Swearing creatively and violently in his head, Keith put on a burst of speed to come to a nightmare.
There were The Who, caught in a corner, with Ryan Flannery training a gun on them.
Both JD and Keith could only come up with one word to describe the situation. “Shit.”
Ducking behind a corner, Keith apprised Chris of the situation. Drawing his gun up to eyesight, he turned into the area.
“I said Freeze, ATF! Didn’t you listen?” Keith asked.
Ryan cocked his gun, but turned around and snarled. “Like I’d listen to ‘Security’. You take one more step and I’ll put a hole in their pretty heads.”
All of The Who wore anger on their faces.
Keith stopped, but kept his gun trained on Ryan. Ryan turned his back on Keith, a dangerous move.
With adrenaline running through his body, he put on a sprint and dove at the arms dealer’s legs. Ryan went flying through the air; both guns went clattering to the side.
Rolling into a crouch, Keith put himself between The Who and Ryan.
Ryan then became a snarling, whirling Irishman of fury.
Punches were exchanged and blocked. Feet flew through the air. Keith got in a lucky shot and side kicked Ryan in the stomach. Ryan managed to land a kick to Keith as well. They both went flying to the side.
Ryan groaned, holding a hand to the side, his eyes widened in surprise. A feral smile danced across his lips. Swaying to his feet he trained the gun he landed on at John Entwistle.
“Say goodbye Ox.” The cocking of a hammer was heard in the area.
Keith’s eyes went even more huge than normal. Wembly accent full in place, voice unmistakably KEITH -- "MOVE IT YOU FUCKING TOSSERS! WHISKEY-MAN, TOWSER, MIC-MAN MOVE YOUR BLOODY ARSES!"
The Who turned as one to look at Keith and started to move. But too slow. The sound of two bullets hailed through the air as they sped towards their target.
Rising to his feet and racing forward, he pushed John out of the way. Body jerking to the side twice, a look of pure shock on his face. Glancing down, Keith placed a hand on his abdomen. Blood came away from the black t-shirt and stained his hand.
Keith then looked at the suspect. He was preparing to fire again. Jerking his other hand slightly, a knife slipped out of a hidden sheath of his jacket he wore. Flinging it forward it struck true in Ryan Flannery’s chest. His black heart.
Ryan dropped his gun, hands going to pull the knife out. It was too late. Eyes rolling back into his head, he crumbled like a rag doll. He hit the ground dead.
Groaning, eyes closed, Keith started to slide down and backwards. Hands caught him.
Eyes opened and looked into the grey eyes of John Entwistle. Twisting his head to the side he saw Pete and Roger as well.
Keith, the mic! Use the mic! Call the others!
Coughing slightly, Keith raised his hand to his mic and pressed. “Eagle Eye One. *cough cough* Suspect dead. Officer down. The Who are safe.”
“Buck and Vin are on their way JD! Hold on!!”
“Can’t really go anywhere Chris.”
Keith groaned as pain wracked his body.
“Easy there, easy.” Came a quiet rumble.
Keith smiled watery as blood flaked his lips.
“Pete, jacket! Roger, keep pressure on those wounds.” John ordered.
Pete took off his jacket and handed it to John. Roger took off his vest and pressed it onto Keith’s abdomen. John wrapped the jacket and placed it as a pillow under Keith’s head.
Keith gave a slight scream from where Roger pressed too hard.
“Sorry, sorry.” Roger mumbled.
"You're.....safe," Keith whispered.
“Shh shh, don’t try to talk.” John rumbled from his position. He held on tightly to Keith’s hand.
Keith squeezed it tight. "You..." he coughed. "...moved."
“Don’t think I was quite expecting you to say that again. Of course I would bloody well move! The pillock had a gun trained on us!” John shouted.
Pete looked at John confused.
Roger glanced up, “Easy John. Stop shouting at the poor kid.”
But the kid was gazing at John with the look of a thirsty man having been given access to a water fountain. He laughed weakly and squeezed his hand.
“You really don’t see it, do you Rog? Pete?” John asked.
They looked at him, then back at John. He could see they were struggling with it, trying to understand but just not getting there.
“Always were… a bit slow Towser, Mic-man.” Keith coughed and more blood came up.
"There's no way you could know those names," Pete whispered. "No way."
Roger's eyes went huge and he pressed the key to activate the microphone. "This is Roger Daltrey -- you need to get that ambulance here RIGHT NOW."
Keith smiled weakly, “Think about it Birdman, it’ll come ta ya.”
Then his eyes turned back to John. "....you know."
John smiled back down at Keith, “How couldn’t I? Although, I admit the Boston accent threw me just a little.”
And there was Keith's blinding smile on the boy's face.
"Oh, no," Pete breathed. "No way."
“Oh, Pete…just got it. Cookie for you mate.” Keith groaned and tried to curl into a ball, but Roger prevented him. “Getting shot sucks. I wouldn’t…recommend it.”
"I can see why not," Roger said, rubbing his arm. "You're going to be fine."
"I know....me third time with this..."
“Should learn to duck better.” Pete replied.
Keith grinned at Pete, “Always with the banter Pete…all that’s left is for Roger to catch up.”
"I'm caught up," Roger breathed. "Not believing what I'm seeing, but I'm there."
“Oh good.” Keith said.
“How’d this happen?” Pete asked.
Anything that Keith was going to say was cut off by Buck and Vin running into the alleyway with shouts of “JD!”
The Who turned at Keith and gave him a puzzled look.
Keith weakly grinned at his older set of friends, “They know who I am mates. They know.”
Buck skidded to a halt and took in the damage on Keith. “Oh kiddo.”
Vin was right behind him. “Easy there JD, ambulance on its way. You’ll be better in no time.”
Keith coughed again, “S’okay mates, they know.” He gestured weakly at Pete, Roger and John.
“They know?!” Buck squeaked.
“Oh.” Came from Vin.
Dark-eyes focused in at Buck. "Hi....Buck...." Keith slurred. ".......forgot.....the kevlar again."
Vin took over for Roger as he kept pressure on the wounds.
Buck leaned over and gently brushed hair out of Keith’s face. “Gotta learn to duck and dodge there a bit better, kiddo.”
“Ambulance should be there in one minute Buck!” Came a squawk from Buck’s mic.
“Understood Chris.” Breathed Buck into the mic.
"Couldn't dodge," Keith said. "Either that or let Johnny get shot."
Buck smiled, “Ya did good.”
“Is someone gonna tell us what’s going on?! And why our dead drummer doesn’t seem to be so dead anymore?!” Pete exploded.
Anything else that was going to be said was cut off by the sound of the ambulance siren.
Vin looked up from his position, “Might as well come with us to the hospital, gonna need statements from ya. And we can explain what’s going on.”
"I'm going with him," John and Buck said in unison.
“Big…brothers…always…looking….out…for…us….” Keith slurred as he slid into unconsciousness.
He grunted as he was lifted into the ambulance.
Vin found himself confronted by two expected Who members and sighed. “C’mon, I’ll drive us to the hospital and explain on the way there.
On the way to the hospital, Vin explained as best as he could, but The Who still looked a little confused.
“Let me understand you here, JD Dunne is a real person and is the reincarnation of Keith. Am I right?” Roger asked.
“And because of something they both did in their mind, Keith is now in charge of the body, but JD is still there, but not in control.” Pete stated.
Vin went over the questions in his head and nodded. “That sounds about right.”
“Right, well, makes perfect sense.” Pete threw his body back into the backseat of the SUV.
Roger chuckled, “Only Keith.”
They pulled up to the hospital and met with Buck and John in the waiting room.
Vin strode up quickly. “Any word?”
They both shook their head no. “Just that’s he in surgery.”
“I called the other’s Buck, as soon as they’re done dealing damage control at the auditorium, they’ll be here as fast as they can.” Vin said, putting a hand on Buck’s shoulder as support.
Buck nodded, his eyes drawn to where John was leaning against the wall, looking absolutely stricken.
Pete and Roger quickly walked over and lent their support to the silent bassman.
“Can’t lose him again Pete.” Grey eyes looked at ice blue ones, brimmed with tears.
"You won't. He's getting help."
Buck walked over. "He's part of our team."
Vin walked over as well, “They’re both too stubborn to die on us. If they do, they’ll know we’ll kick their hind butts back into life. If anything, they’ll both want to avoid Chris’s stare.”
A very long hour later, a doctor came out. "For John Dunne?"
It was within that hour that the rest of team seven showed up. But Buck and John quickly strode forward to hear the news.
“JD, he likes JD. And how is he?” Buck asked.
“JD survived the surgery. Amazingly the bullets didn’t ricochet in the body. We have him on antibiotics and some morphine. He’ll be drifting in and out of consciousness for the next day or so as we lower the morphine. I expect him to be sore for a while, but make a full recovery.”
"Wonderful. When can we see him?" John asked.
“Only family members at this time and no more than three in a group.” The doctor said with a wink to Buck. “I think I learned from last time.”
Buck grinned and clapped the doctor on the shoulder. “Guess you should’ve listened to your predecessor.”
“Just a bit.” The doctor weakly smiled. “We’re still trying to air out that smell in the south wing.”
The rest of the group chuckled, while The Who could only guess what that statement ment.
Chris strode forward, “Buck, Vin, yer with me first. Josiah, Ezra, Nathan, yer next.” Here it was where Chris gave Roger, Pete and John a once over. “You three will be next after them.”
"Now hold on--" John began, and Roger's hand landed on his arm.
"He's theirs now," he whispered.
John looked on in helplessness and anger as Chris, Buck and Vin followed the doctor first. He turned onto the rest of team seven.
“Why didn’t Keith contact us when he first became aware.” John growled out.
“Easy Ox.” Pete said from behind.
“He didn’t want to cause his brothers any unexpected grief if this only lasted a few days.” Josiah stated.
"He also didn't know how you'd react," Ezra said honestly. "And quite frankly, it's JD's life now. Keith's just helping him live it.”
The Who didn’t have an answer to that.
It was to a quiet group that Chris, Buck and Vin came back to. Nathan, Josiah and Ezra strode forward.
“Room 302.” Chris said.
They nodded in thanks.
Buck looked at the quiet Who, “He’s doing all right you know. Breathing on his own. He’s gonna come out of it just fine.”
"We just got him back," John whispered. "Now we could lose him again."
Chris aimed a glare at Buck. “You forgot to mention that they knew.”
Buck gave a sheepish look, “Uh, whoops.”
Chris turned his attentions back to The Who. “They. Both JD and Keith. It might be one body, but its two minds in there. And I refuse to let them both die on my watch. They know the consequences if they do.”
John wasn’t sure why, but Chris Larabee’s words chased away all his doubts.
"We'll lose them anyway," Pete said. "We have to leave and .... and this is his life now."
“We can at least stay until we know they’re both alright Pete.” Roger said.
“And who says we’ve lost them. There’s email and phone calls Pete.” John said lightly poking Pete in the stomach. “Stop being so morbid.”
Just as Pete was about to reply, Josiah, Nathan and Ezra came back.
Gathering up their courage, The Who headed towards Room 302.
They gathered around his bed and John just had to touch his hand. When he did, the dark eyes opened slightly.
"Keith?" John whispered.
"No...." he whispered in return. "......JD."
John’s hand flew to his mouth and his eyes widened in surprise. Roger and Pete had tears brimming their eyes.
“Keith…Keith…said he’s sorry he couldn’t stick around…any…longer.” JD wheezed as he tried to get some air from the nasal tubing. “Feel like…I know…you….three from….being immersed in…his…memories all the time…”
"We.....no. No, we won't lose you again," John said. He grabbed his hand. "You're him -- you're him reincarnated. We know that now. We.... I.... can't lose you again. May we ... write you? Learn who you've become?"
JD smiled, Keith Moon grin in full blast. “I’d like…that.”
Pete came forward and held JD’s other hand, “No more getting shot at, okay?”
Roger squeezed JD’s leg from where he was.
"No more....forgettin' Kevlar," he whispered.
“I think that’s a safe bet.” Roger said. “Nothing like getting shot at to drum in that lesson.”
JD weakly laughed at the pun and then groaned. “Oh, don’t make me laugh Rog.”
His eyes began to half-mast again. "Can't...stay ‘wake."
John brushed JD’s hair out of his face, “We’ll leave you to your rest old friend.”
Pete and Roger gave gentle hugs and followed John out of the room.
As JD began to drift off.
~Whooooo, are you? Who? Who? Who? Who?~
Not quite going anywhere just yet dear boy.
A merry cackle echoed in his head. And as sleep claimed him, JD smiled.
THE END.
Great story!
Re: Great story!
But Keith is definately in this for the long haul. >: D
Re: Great story!
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Anyway! One topic: the story! It was totally awesome. I really enjoyed reading it. The ending defiantly had to be one of my favorite parts.
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*patpats* Poor brain.
*grins* I'm glad you think the story is totally awesome! It's defiantely shaping up to be an interesting series. More things are yet to come. :D
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Yes, it'll probably fix itself when I go back to school Wednesday, if I can get through that mind-numbing liturgy that is.
That's great to hear! ^__^