Dark Angels

by Cattraine


The kiss was long, hot and rough. Tongues tangled, and entwined wetly; they fed hungrily off each other's mouths, lip slurping against lip. It had been too damned long .They were starving for each other. Larabee reached up to cup that finely chiseled face; held it like a chalice as he fed on his lover's mouth, big rough hands tender. Vin nibbled and sucked on Chris's mouth; tongue tracing the divet in the full lower lip, teeth closing hard enough to bruise. He could never get enough of the smoky whisky taste of Chris's mouth. His hands clutched Larabee's broad shoulders hard enough to bruise, and their legs entwined as they rolled together, mouths still locked. Chris freed one hand, and reached up to tug Vin's hair free from its ponytail so he could tangle his hands in the wild strands of sunstreaked silk. He groaned with pleasure as Vin sucked on his tongue. Nothing in his life had ever felt so right, as this man in his arms.

They kissed for what seemed like hours, but in actuality could only have been minutes. Hands and mouths roamed. Chris tilted his head as Vin nipped and suckled greedily at his throat. He would be well and truly marked tomorrow. "You still hungry, boy?" He chuckled softly, as he got a sharp, sucking bite to his left earlobe for his pains. Vin nuzzled the older man's jawline, rubbing his own unshaven jaw against Chris's beard. He paused to flick his tongue over the scar that bisected Chris's brow, delicately painted his eyelids with his tongue, dodging Larabee's efforts to reclaim his lips.Vin growled a soft warning, dropping down to work his way across Larabee's creamy chest.

He pinched and suckled Larabee's nipples, paused to gnaw on Chris's collarbones, then pushed his arms up to nuzzle into his armpits. He couldn't get enough of the taste of this man. He peppered stinging bites down Chris' torso, leaving his nipples wet, tingling and rosy, then slid his tongue down the silky skinned belly to lap delicately at Larabee's navel. He rubbed his jaw against the sensitive skin of Larabee's hipbone,silky hair trailing across Chris' belly breathing his musk, marking him with his own scent. Chris was moaning with pleasure; eyes closed, his head thrown back and tossing back and forth on the pillow, one hand knotted in the quilt, the other tangled in Vin's hair. 'Hellfire.....Vin hadn't even touched his cock yet...goddamned Texan was eating him alive.' He yelped sharply and bucked as the warm, wet mouth abruptly engulfed his straining, drooling erection, deep throating him in one smooth motion...'Who the hell taught him that...oh yeah...I did...' Vin pulled back to slurp at the fat head of Chris's cock, one hand grasping the root of the thick member, the other gently squeezing his silken ball sac as he milked Larabee for every sticky, salty droplet of precum. His tongue lapped delicately at the slit, eyes closed as he savored this pure essence of Chris.

Chris lifted his head, needing suddenly to see his partner. The look of pure bliss on that beautiful face nearly made him shoot his load right there. "Jesus Christ, Vin! Come here!" He sat up with a snarl, hands grabbing his lover's shoulders to pull him up into his lap, so he could claim that incredible mouth. One strong hand cradled the back of Vin's head, the other arm curled possessively around his narrow waist. Vin wrapped both arms around Larabee's neck and held on tight, legs wrapped loosely around Chris's waist, their blood heavy genitals throbbing gently against each other.

Finally, the need to breathe forced them apart. Panting harshly, foreheads touching, they gentled each other; Vin kneading Chris's broad shoulders, while Larabee stroked his hair and back with shaking hands.Vin finally spoke; "Chris...I..n- need....I..cain't..." he stammered; words failing him, as they so often did, his hands clenching convulsively on Larabee's smooth biceps.

"Tell me. Tell me what you need Cowboy." Chris tenderly nuzzled the nape of his partner's neck, holding him close.

Vin licked his swollen lips. "I need you inside me...I need you inside.." He rubbed his cheek helplessly against Larabee's. He had been starved all his life for touch. He thought he would die if he couldn't touch this man. He had meant to claim Chris, use his body roughly,even walk away afterwards. Now he knew he had been fooling himself. He could no more walk away from this man than fly. 'As bad as Bucklin. No, worse, I know better.'

Chris eased back, still holding Vin, and piled pillows behind them, then he groped for the nightstand drawer, relieved to find a tube of KY. He smiled up into the flushed, sweaty face. "Ride me, Cowboy. Take the edge off before you take me." He flicked the top open and squeezed a fat dollop into his palm, quickly coating his hypersensitive erection. Then he gently slid his fingers back between Vin's firm buttocks. Greedily he watched Vin's face as he carefully prepared him to take his thick cock . The sky blue eyes were closed; lashes fluttering softly against his cheeks, and his swollen lips parted as he panted gently, opening himself to Chris's probing fingers. The long curtain of hair half-veiled the bewitching face, and Chris thought he had never seen anything so fine in his life.

Larabee raised his hands to cradle Tanner's hips as he sank slowly down on Chris's sex. Slowly the young man clenched and released his inner muscles, rocking gently as he felt himself settle; Larabee now fully sheathed. He could feel Chris's crisp pubic hair against his cheeks. He rested for a moment, head down, lower lip between his teeth, palms flat against Chris's pecs. A fine shudder shook his body, and he sighed softly. Chris squeezed his hips gently, cocked a scarred brow in question. The corners of Vin's eyes crinkled together in answer. Slowly they began to move together, two independent, seperate beings intent on becoming one. For a long time the only sounds in the room were the creak of the bedsprings, and the rhythmic thud of the headboard against the wall pounding out an accompanying beat to their heartbeats.

In the kitchen below, Inez and Carmelita paused while dicing tomatoes and chiles for salsa, their eyes riveted to the ceiling as the muted sounds of passion echoed down through the wall. Then they pivoted and exchanged a spontaneous high five, before dissolving into blushes and helpless giggles.

Inez's Saloon, 7:00PM

Buck Wilmington bounded up the stairs. He had some news he thought Chris would be pleased to hear. Pausing at the closed door, he tapped gently, in a familiar code. "Come in." Larabee's voice was soft. He pushed the door open and stepped inside; mouth open to bellow his usual exuberant greeting, only to be stopped by Larabee's quick shushing gesture. Chris was sitting up in bed, back propped comfortably against the headboard, smoking a cheroot, one hand resting lightly on the top of Vin's head. Vin was curled up against him, head on Chris's lap, face buried in Larabee's belly; one arm flung across the blond's thighs. He was sound asleep. The only illumination in the room came from the evening sun slanting through the windows, and Larabee's cigar. The air was heavy with the aroma of male sex.

Chris made a wait-a-minute gesture, then clamped his cigar between his teeth and eased Vin off his lap. When he twitched and mumbled in unconscious protest, Larabee bent over him and stroked his hair, whispering something in his ear. Vin relaxed back into sleep, and Chris tugged the quilt up over his shoulders. He eased off the bed, waving Buck back towards the tiny kitchen area. Then he stood and stretched, unselfconsciously nude, his heavy genitals swaying gently. Silently he bent and picked up his pants, and, moving a bit stiffly, he pulled them up long legs.

Raising his head, he met Buck's appreciative eyes. That look narrowed as Buck took in the marks on Chris's body as the blonde padded towards him. His neck and torso were covered in tiny bruises, his mouth and nipples swollen, and he sported a love bite beneath his ear. What had hooked Buck's attention though was the livid bite at the nape of Larabee's neck, and the black fingertip bruises on his lean hips. If he were a betting man he would be willing to bet Ezra a thousand dollars that you could match a complete set of Vin's prints and dental records to the marks stippling Chris's skin. Larabee had just been fucked hard.

That realization jolted Buck to the core. 'Vin. He let Vin fuck him, when he would never even trust me enough to.... I've known him 'nigh twenty-five years......sweet Jesus.' It shook the big man, more than he cared to admit. He had loved Larabee faithfully for years, and up until this moment he realized, he had always assumed that one day Larabee would feel the same way. That hope had just died a cruel death. Something vital had shifted. Lifting his eyes to Larabee's challenging, diamond bright gaze, he realized things had changed between them. Chris had moved on, with someone else. That fact stung him to the quick.

Buck swallowed hard, raised one big hand to smooth his moustache. His eyes shifted involuntarily to the man sleeping in Larabee's bed. Vin had burrowed molelike under the quilt, face buried in the pillows, one foot just visible. Larabee waved Buck to a chair at the kitchen table, then shuffled over to start a pot of coffee. He smiled at the soft purring snores emerging from the quilt cocoon. "He's tired." he said softly by way of explanation. "Been on the road three days." He pulled out the other chair, and sat down across from his old friend.

Buck cleared his throat. "Been a very busy boy." He leered and waggled his eyebrows suggestively at Larabee. Chris just grinned lazily back at him; eyes crinkling in amusement. He leaned back in his chair, and took a long drag from his cigar. He was very relaxed. Sitting there, barefoot, in his unfastened pants suffering from a bad case of bedhead, his normally cynical green eyes soft and hazy, he made an appealing sight. Buck ran a deliberate eye down his body and sighed mournfully; "Always the bridesmaid..." "Shut up, Buck." Larabee ordered amiably, softening the command with a smirk . "Tell me what you've got." He tapped cigar ash out in the tin ashtray on the table.

Buck leaned in and spoke quietly. "Old Benito's been busy. Networking with the Alvarez's down south and the Horsemen up north. Reckon he planned on plowing a pipeline right through Four Corners, taking us under as he went. Been dealing coke and heroin as well as guns. Seems he struck a deal with the late General to take you out, help clear the way. He's even got the damned ATF sniffing around; 'cause he ripped off a heavy arms shipment last month from an army depot down in Texas." He snorted. "Reckon the fat bastard wants to be Boss Hogg of New Mexico territory." He nodded towards the sleeping sharpshooter. "Seems Junior there tossed a hell of a monkey wrench into the works. New patron of the Alvarez family won't deal with old Benito; he's too damned busy trying to keep the lid on the chili pot at home. Seems the Mexican police got an 'anonymous' tip and busted their main lab, and the Sanduvals are nipping at their throats, ready to take advantage. Benito's ass is swinging in the breeze, 'cause he's got a shipment of automatics coming in tomorrow night with no buyer."

Buck gave Chris a broad grin. "To sum it up, ole pard, Benito ain't a happy man. Not only has his border connection dried up, he's sitting on a hot shipment that the ATF and FBI would give their eyeteeth for, and to top it all off, you ain't dead!" They laughed softly together, both picturing the fat Mexican's consternation at that topper.

Chris took another drag from his cheroot, eyes unfocused and thoughtful. "What time is that shipment due?" His mind was clicking with ideas, already making plans for payback.

Buck eyed him with satisfaction. Chris plotting mass distruction was a rare and beautiful thing. Something that was a pleasure to witness. The coffeepot burbled and Chris got up to fetch some cups. They sat back companionably, and talked while they drank; mainly about mundane matters. If they were a bit uneasy with each other now, they ignored it. Chris didn't apologize for his earlier treatment of Buck, and Buck never mentioned it. Buck was, and always would be; an integral part of Chris's life.

Buck rambled on, catching Chris up with the news. Business was good at Blossom's, as always. Lydia tossed out an undercover cop who was snooping around. They had just run a vintage Jaguar through the chopshop, that they had had to pry Ezra out of. Chris's favorite broodmare at the ranch dropped a little black studcolt. JD hacked into Judge Travis's financial records, and discovered he was gambling again, something to be taken advantage of. Ez's new girlfriend looked like she was about fifteen years old, something they would have to check into. Josiah had gotten in trouble with the nuns for shooting crows off the steeple of the convent chapel again. Chris chuckled softly at that, amused at the image of the huge man, head bowed, meekily taking a scolding from the little nuns. He snorted in annoyance, when Buck mentioned the Travis woman nosing around again. 'Woman thinks shes Barbara Walters.' She had been a minor thorn in their sides ever since her husband's death. He wondered idly what she would do if she ever found out about Stephen's affair with Sarah, and the fact that they had planned on running away together.

As the evening shadows lengthened, Chris clicked on a dim light, glancing Vin's way as he did. Boy was dead to the world. He grinned. 'Rode hard and put up wet.'

Buck saw that look, and sighed. "You want me to have Inez send ya'll up some supper?"

"Nah. I'll come down in a minute. Gotta talk with the boys anyway. Raphael's cousin Lupita still working at Delgado's bar?"

"Dunno, Chris. I can ask 'em." They stood, Buck to take his leave; and Chris to shower and change. "Better put a shirt on Stud." Buck leered. "Boys will think Vin has taken up cannibalism."

Chris just grinned back and drawled; "He can be something of a maneater." Buck guffawed in appreciation, and slapped Chris on the shoulder, before heading down the stairs.

Still grinning, Chris turned back into the room. Best to let Vin sleep a few more hours. Larabee's stomach growled loudly as he padded towards the bathroom. 'Worked up an appetite.' The grin faded at a twinge farther south. He shook his head. If anyone had dared tell him a week ago that he would be offering his ass up to a man, he would have laughed and blown their head off without a second thought. The grin blossomed back into a full blown Larabee smirk. 'Hell, if he had known it felt like that he'd have given his cherry up twenty years ago.' Chuckling softly to himself at his own foolish thoughts he continued into the tiny bathroom.

Apartment above Inez's Saloon, 1:00AM

Larabee cracked an eye open when the mattress shifted beneath him. Rolling over he watched sleepily as Vin shuffled into the bathroom. One hand braced against the wall above the toilet, he pissed long and hard before giving an audible sigh of relief. Sleepily he knuckled his eyes, then padded silently to the kitchen area. 'Headed for a drink of water.' Chris thought fondly, as he eyed the appealing flex of tight buttocks.

The Texan's lean, naked body was tinted with the sylvan light of the full moon; his tangled mane cascaded down his shoulders nearly to the small of his back. Washed in silver he was a beautiful sight. Chris propped his head up on an arm, for a better look, suddenly wide awake. Vin had quietly pulled a cold bottle of water from the battered fridge, popped the lid off, and was gulping thirstily. He finished, left the bottle on the counter, and was turning to return to bed, when he suddenly paused, head tilted at a listening angle. Curious, Chris watched as his lover ghosted silently across the floor to the side windows. Once there, he unlatched the screen to admit a little gray cat.

Chris felt a broad grin split his face. 'Busted!' This was the feral cat the Texan 'never' fed. Amused he watched as Tanner padded back to the kitchen, the little creature twining ecstatically between his ankles, fluffy tail curling around his legs. She nearly succeeded in tripping him twice before Tanner bent and scooped her up. He cradled the little feline against his chest for a moment, gently touched her nose with his. She rubbed her face against his happily, and Chris could hear the loud purr from across the room. Vin placed her on the counter, and bent to open a cabinet. He cast a covert glance over his shoulder to where Chris played possum on the shadowed bed, before pulling out a packet of cat food; which he opened and poured into a small dish. He ran a gentle hand once down her back, then left her to her meal.

Vin slipped back under the quilt next to Chris. Somehow, he wasn't surprised when warm arms slid around his waist, pulling him close. "You awake, Cowboy?" he drawled, in mock surprise.

Larabee nuzzled the strong jaw, nipped at the soft lips. "Didn't realise you were so fond of pussy, Tanner."

Vin stiffened for a moment, then sat up and scowled down at his lover. "Reckon I got fond of 'er a mite. Good company fer when drunk cowboys git their dumb asses throwed in jail fer months atta time!"

Chris could feel the heat of Vin's guilty flush against his skin. He snickered, delighted at the quiet Texan's display of temper. Larabee loved to get a rise out of his lanconic lover. The man was usually so backward and quiet; pulling a crooked smile, a blush, or more than three words out of him at a time counted as a major victory. It pleased him when Vin relaxed around him, enough to fuss, and throw a hissy. No one but Chris ever saw him like this; vocal, naked and indignant, arms folded huffily, blue eyes flashing.

Those eyes were narrowed suspiciously now, as he frowned down at his snickering partner. "You laughin' at me Cowboy?"

"Why no honey, no!" Chris purred, adding fuel to the fire.

"Honey! Honey?" Vin sputtered, mouth twisting as though he had just bit into a lemon. The look of horror on that mobile face caused Larabee to lose it completely, and he threw back his head and laughed aloud.

Vin stared at him for a moment, mouth open, as though Larabee had lost his mind; then realised he'd been had, and pounced. "Asshole!" He did his best to smother Chris with his own pillow.

Green eyes laughed up into his own, as Larabee smirked back at him. He reached up, and yanked his partner down, into a deep, wet kiss. Vin finally managed to squirm free with a gasp, and get in the last word. "Slut!"

The full moon meandered over the cobalt night sky, casting pools of light across the bed; painting first one broad back and then the other with silver. Silver, shadow and neon from the outside light stippled skin and hair. >From the kitchen counter, a little cat daintily washed her feet and watched with golden eyes as two forms writhed as one. Vin knelt between Chris's thighs, those long legs wrapped tight around his narrow waist, as he sought to pump himself deep into his lover. Chris snarled, and held on tight, arching back as he sought to keep his man deep inside. The bedframe thumped, and creaked as the pair made their own music in the night.

Hoarse cries of completion rang out, and a small gray cat slipped away into the shadows.

Delgado's Taverna, Outskirts of Four Corners,
10:00 PM the following night

Xavier Delgado listlessly swiped a dirty rag over the grimy bartop, while he kept one eye on the bigscreen TV in the corner. 'That Mike Tyson is too estupido to live....' He shook his head, and winced at the stream of Spanish invective that streamed over from Benito's table. Benito had removed his cell phone from his ear and was screaming into it. His brother had been in a foul mood for the past two days. He had been wired ever since Raul and Chato had left to kill Larabee. Since then they had heard nothing. Xavier has the sneaky suspicion that they would never hear anything from those two again. 'Only an idiot walks into the den of the lion.

Raul might as well have smeared marinada on his ass and jumped into a pit of tigers.' He glanced over at Benito, just in time to see him pound the hapless cellphone into plastic splinters on the tabletop.

The smokey taverna was almost empty except for a half dozen or so of Delgado's boys, a couple of hookers, and old Pedro, who sometimes swept up, in exchange for a bottle of rotgut. It was fairly quiet, in deference to Benito's foul mood. The only interesting thing to happen in the past hour had been the little chica that had strolled in looking for a payphone.

She was a lovely little thing with golden brown skin, and big liquid eyes, her head crowned with dark ringlets. The tight leopard print top, black snakeskin miniskirt, and stiletto heels didn't hurt either. She sat demurely at the end of the bar, sipping a beer. No one had approached her for one simple reason. That reason was coiled... well... boa-like around her bare shoulders. The damned snake had to be at least six feet long, and it gave Xavier the creeps. Everytime he wandered down towards that end of the bar, the thing fixed him with its beady black eyes and flicked its tongue at him. When she sweetly inquired after the location of tha Ladie's room, he was only too happy to wave her down the hall. El serpent hissed at him as she strutted past.

Rain Jackson strolled down the hall, past the stinking toilets, and straight out the backdoor; which she padlocked behind her. In the alley Ezra and a hyper JD were gently encouraging two big Hispanic men into the dumpster. They had been bound and gagged with duct tape, and were protesting this treatment with vigorous snorts and grunts. "Ah assure you gentlemen, this is the safest place for you." Ezra said, as he gleefully dropped the lid on one miscreant's head. JD Dunne was so hyped that he was practically vibrating in place. He turned to her eagerly, "Did you see, Rain? We got it, we got it all! The entire shipment is on that truck! Pretty stupid of Benito to just park it in the alley like that, huh? Don't you think?"

Rain clamped a palm over the kid's mouth. "Sssshhh. Sugar,I hear you. So will everyone inside if you don't lower your voice!" The kid blushed and nodded sheepishly. Taking a closer look at his eyes, Rain realised that they might have a problem on their hands in the near future. 'Buck is going to take it out of his hide, and Lord help him if Chris finds out. Coke, unless I miss my guess.' She glanced over to check on Ezra, and saw that he was carefully attaching a fat wad of plastique to the backdoor. The tiny detonater beeped softly as he gently tapped in the code for the timer. He hurried to join them, and they all climbed into the cab of the semi; Ezra behind the wheel, Rain in the middle, and JD riding shotgun. Flipping open her cellphone; she speed dialed and spoke one word. "Now!"

As they roared down the alley, Ezra turned and gave her a weak smile. "Mah dear Miz Jackson, would you be so kind as to remove your serpent from mah trousers?"

Benito ran his fingers through his oily hair, swearing .It had all gone to shit. His big deal was dead in the water, and that hijo de la puta Larabee was alive and well. All he could do now was pull back and regroup. 'Maybe it was time for a vacation. Perhaps he would go see mamacita and abuelita in Sonora...they had always claimed he would come to a bad end...'

These gloomy thoughts were abruptly banished when something metallic and shiny crashed through the front plate glass window. 'Gernade!' Seconds later they were all knocked on their asses by a deafening explosion accompanied by a brillant flash of light. The mirrors behind the bar were shattered along with most of the liquor stock. Ears ringing, and teeth rattled, Benito clawed frantically for his pistola, and reeled to his feet just in time to face the six men who stepped through the shattered window, their boots crunching glass.

They made an awesome sight. Chris Larabee wore a long, black leather duster over his habitual black tee and jeans. There was an antique, ivory handled Colt Peacemaker strapped to his waist in a silver studded rig. He carried a chrome handled 45 caliber automatic in one hand, and a cigar in the other. There was a crazy, shark smile on his wickedly handsome face that made Benito's hair stand up. At his side, Vin Tanner, his hair bound back under a blue bandanna, wore his battered black leather jacket, and torn jeans. He had his Colt tucked into his shoulder rig, and carried a compact pistol grip Mossberg shotgun; its strap over his shoulder. His handsome face was utterly serene. To his left, Josiah Sanchez grinned like the occasionally homocidal maniac he was, as he hefted a double bladed axe. Nathan held his favorite katana; the lethal blade gleaming in the light. Raphael backed them up with a pair of twin automatics. Buck Wilmington stepped forward, a bat propped on one shoulder, and a broad smile on his face. He had a 9mm Baretta tucked into the small of his back.

"Howdy, boys! " he boomed jovially. "Thought we'd drop by with a bit of payback!"

Benito gaped for a second, then screamed: "Kill them!" He swung his pistol up and fired wildly in Larabee's general direction, before dropping and crawling madly for cover behind the bar. There he found Xavier woozily trying to sit up long enough to shake the splinters of glass out of his head. He could hear his men yelling and the hookers screaming as he scrabbled under the bar for the pump shotgun, and the uzi kept there. Thrusting the shotgun at his brother, he swore, and urged him to get up and defend himself. That bright idea was stymied when Vin's shotgun blast took out the remaining glass directly above their heads, showering them with sharp particles.

When Benito popped his head out to take stock of the situation, a shot from Larabee's .45 quite literally parted his hair. The blond was standing calmly at the nexus of chaos, smoking his cigar, pistol at ready, while a brawl raged around him. Vin stood quietly beside him, racking another shell in, covering Larabee, and ignoring the thin trickle of blood down the side of his own neck. One of Delgado's wild shots had nicked his left earlobe.

The screaming hookers were scrambling for the front door. Old Pedro had crawled under a table and stayed there, head down, and skinny rump up. In the far right corner Nathan was calmly slicing up a fool clutching a switchblade. Next to him a madly grinning Sanchez had chosen the hands-on method; disgarding his axe in favor of strangling his victim. He paused for a moment; frowning, holding his wheezing prey at eye level. "Brother, have you given your soul to Jesus?"

"Gaaakkk! S-s-si!"

"Good! Give him my regards!" Josiah swiftly snapped the man's neck, dropping him as he did so. When he turned in search of fresh sacrifices, two of Delgado's men took the easy way out and dove head first out the side window.

Raphael was laughing softly, as he methodically shot to herd Delgado's remaining henchman into the back hall. 'Idiots. This is a rout.'

Buck stepped over the prone bodies of the men who had foolishly assumed a bat wasn't much of a weapon, to flip over Pedro's table. He reached a big hand down, and yanked the old man to his feet. "Pedro! Amigo! How's the little woman?" He beamed down into the diminutive drunk's sad, bloodshot eyes.

"Still in prison, Senor Buck." Perdro replied dolefully. He was shaking like a leaf.

"Sorry to hear about that pard, Eulabelle is a hell of a woman!" Buck slapped a miraculously full, unbroken bottle of tequila into the old man's hands and gave him a gentle shove towards the exit.

"Gracias, Senor Buck." This as he weaved determinedly outside. It was time to go home, and pass out.

Benito swore softly and made the executive decision to run away. "Cover me!" he barked to the still dazed Xavier. He popped up to whip off a volley of shots with the uzi as he crabwalked for the back hallway.It jammed halfway through the clip, and he screamed invective as a second shotgun blast nearly took his head off. When he whirled to make a run for it, a round from Larabee's gun caught him neatly in the left ass cheek, hurrying him along. Xavier staggered to his feet, shotgun raised; only to have Raphael's twin automatics put him down for good. Larabee glanced at his watch; and gave a piercing wolf whistle. As one, his men backed steadily towards the front exit.

Benito Delgado charged full tilt for the back door, only to be met head first by the door as it was blasted inward with a spectacularly fiery explosion along with most of the back wall; courtesy of Ezra Standish's fondness for pyrotechnics. He had the brief impression of being dragged backwards naked, through a series of knotholes. Then everything became very peaceful, quiet and dim.

The Dark Angels convened in the parking lot and watched Delgado's Tavern burn to the ground. Sirens could be heard in the distance. Buck took a swallow from the bottle he had thoughtfully liberated on the way out, and passed it around. "Reckon Ez got a mite generous with the C4?" he asked, as they doubled up on the bikes; leaving one man free to ride shotgun while the other drove.

"Si, but it makes a pretty fire, no?" Raphael replied, slapping his shoulder as he climbed on behind the big man.

Nathan rolled his eyes in exasperation, revving his bike impatiently as Josiah crossed himself, and mumbled a novena under his breath. "Get on the damned bike, 'Siah. You can light a candle for the dear departed later." Sanchez gave a sheepish grin and obeyed; giving Nate a fond squeeze that made his ribs creak. "Oomph!"

"Sorry, Brother."

Chris took a long pull from the bottle, then passed it to Josiah. He reached out and gently flicked Vin's bloody ear, then popped the digit in his mouth. "Mmmmm. Salty!" Vin flushed in embarrassment at the public display and shoved Larabee towards his Harley. Chris just smirked and slung an arm over his shoulder. "You got the bitch seat, Tanner." Vin snarled in reply, narrowed eyes promising retribution. He balanced easily behind Chris, one hand on Larabee's hip, the other holding the Mossberg at ready. It was doubtful they would run into anymore trouble tonight, but he preferred being prepared.

"Its party time boys!" Buck bellowed, and with loud whoops, and louder engines they roared away towards Blossom's and their waiting alibi. Taking Delgado down had taken less than an hour.

Blossom's Gentleman's Club, Roughly Midnight

The party was going full tilt with no sign of slowing down. It looked like New Year's had exploded in the room. Confetti, streamers and balloons filled the air. The Delta Blues band on the small bandstand had a deep bass beat going that found an echo in every person in the room. Dancing couples crowded the floor, and every table was packed with hooting, yelling folks intent on having a good time. The harassed waitresses could barely keep the liquor flowing fast enough. This was Larabee's welcome home party and if anyone inquired, everyone would swear that Chris Larabee and the boys had been there all night.

Lydia surveyed her domain from her stool at the corner of the bar. So far everything had gone smoothly. Other than Tito and Juanito having to toss a couple of drunks out the back door, there had been no trouble. Her girls were having a profitable night; the dancers as well as the working girls. She had two people whom she was keeping an especially sharp eye on. One, a nondescript man who might as well have had COP tattooed on his forehead; the other, the reporter Mary Travis.

Lydia snorted in amusement. 'For a woman supposedly here to work on a story, her wardrobe leaves a bit to be desired. Yeah right. The whole time she's "interviewing" Nora at the side table, she's making cow eyes at Chris. Not that he notices. Vin looks like he's about had enough noise, though.' She, Inez, and most of the the women had a special fondness for Tanner. He was always shy and polite with them. Lydia had the notion that he regarded women the same bemused way he would rare, tropical orchids; as something beautiful and exotic, but not to be touched. She watched the pair fondly. Vin had his back firmly against the wall, in the corner near the rear exit. Larabee stood close beside him, hand on the wall beside Vin's head, golden head bent close as he murmured something in his ear. His broad back was turned to the room, shielding the smaller man from view, unconsciously protective. As she watched, he seemed to be teasing Tanner, one big hand tugging gently at a strand of Vin's hair. Vin's eyes were locked with his, a half smile on his face. Those two seemed to be going through a second honeymoon phase, if what Inez had reported was true.

She swept her gaze over the room. Buck was holding court at the center booth, surrounded by women, as usual. Nathan and Rain, hands entwined, were making their way steadlily towards the door, with Rain's reptilian choice of fashion accessory guaranteeing a clear path. Josiah was sitting with the petite Chantal in his lap. The big ex-priest looked mesmerized by the woman as she cooed and flirted, one small hand toying with his necklace. Lydia made a mental note to warn the girl about Josiah's minor quirks. Such as stalking women he was attracted to. Raphael leaned against the end of the bar, with the taller, lithe, catsuited Ebony plastered so close Lydia couldn't see daylight between them. He didn't seem to mind. Ezra, she knew, had a high stakes poker game going in a back room. Then she spotted trouble.

JD and Casey, both wired, were seating themselves at the bar. JD was in the middle of describing something; motor mouth running nonstop. He was attracting a lot of attention. Even seated down the noisy bar, she could lipread some of the words. VIN and SHOT and DEAD, this complete with the mimed aiming and firing of a gun. The Travis woman was seated right behind them, obviously listening. Lydia stood quickly, eyes going immediately towards Larabee. He had his back to them, herding Vin towards the rear exit. 'Thank God for small favors. He would kill JD if he heard that.'She turned back towards Buck's table, relieved when she was immediately able to catch his eye. She nodded sharply towards the babbling JD Dunne and his audience, and Buck was up and immediately on the move. He gently set his girls aside, pushing his way through the crowd; a frown building on his handsome face as he strode up to the bar.

Mary Travis frowned, bewildered, and tried to lean closer without being too obvious about it. 'Did he just say Vin shot someone?' With all the noise it was difficult to hear herself think. Looking up, she saw Buck Wilmington approaching rapidly. Wanting to avoid the big man, she straightened, looking automatically around the bar for Chris Larabee. She was just in time to see his broad back disappear down the back hall. 'I have to talk with him..' Impulsively, she stood and followed him. She was uncertain of her own motivations. The man was a criminal; a biker. He was believed to be responsible for the majority of crime in the area. Everything from gunrunning and auto theft to prostitution and murder. She also suspected he knew who had been responsible for her husband's death. Yet she was fascinated by the man. She had tried to approach him for information shortly after the murders; and again when he had been released from Yuma prison, only to be stonewalled. It infuriated her. Beautiful and accomplished, she was unaccustomed to being ignored; especially by such an attractive man. Determined to confront him, she strode down the hall after him.

"Both of 'em dead as doornails..." JD crowed, then flinched as a big hand dropped heavily on his shoulder in the middle of his narrative to Casey of the two would be assassins. He found himself looking up into a grim face. "B-u-ck! I was just tellin' Casey..."

"Telling Casey, and half the damned bar, boy. What the hell are you thinking? You want Chris to put a bullet in your head for running your mouth?" Buck tugged the youth off his stool and gave him a shake. Then his eyes narrowed; he leaned in and dabbed at the white granules of powder under the boy's nose. He took a closer look at JD's eyes. "You stupid little bastard..." he breathed quietly.

"Buck, it ain't what you think..." JD babbled, beginning to panic.

"Leave him alone! You got no right!" Casy flung herself into the fray, pounding Buck's shoulder with her fists.

Buck never looked at her, just reached out and knotted one big hand into the hair at the base of her skull. He shook her, once, hard. She gave a squeak, and went still. Cold blue eyes on JD's terrified face, Buck spoke quietly. "You get your ass upstairs and wait for me."

"Buck.."

"Now, boy." With one quick look at Casey, he obeyed, stumbling in his haste. Buck turned back to the young woman he held, yanking her close as he did. "What did I tell you, little girl?" Casey said nothing, heart pounding in terror.

Buck motioned for Lydia to join him as he propelled Casey across the room to the back office. Once inside, he released her hair only to grab one thin wrist. Despite her struggles, he held her tight, and pushed her sleeve up to reveal the tiny bruises on her inner arm. With a snarl he flung her slight body onto the nearby sofa. "What did I tell you little bitch? What did I tell you about using that shit around JD? Do you even remember? Or are you so damned stupid that you actually thought I'd let you get away with it?" His anger was boiling to the surface, fueled by the adrenaline of an action filled night. The only thing that kept him from killing her at that moment was JD's fondness for the girl. He turned to Lydia, who stood quietly inside the door. "What shall we do with her Lydia? She's a damned junkie with a loose mouth. Won't be long until she'd probably fuck a dog for a fix."

Lydia regarded the sobbing girl on the sofa with pity. She knew the girl's history. Her mother had been an addict. Casey was born with a taste for the drug. The only person to care for her had been that crazy old bat, Nettie Wells. Still, she was a liability they could ill afford. "I don't see a lot of choices here, Buck," she replied slowly; "We could send her to Josiah's nuns, and see if they can dry her out again. We can put her on a bus out of town. Or, we can send her ass over the border. Jacinto is due in tomorrow. He has a taste for white meat."

Calming, Buck turned to the sniveling, wide-eyed young woman . "Your choice, girl. What will it be?"

Sobbing, she stared from one grim face to the other. She had no protectors here. Her only living relative was in an institution. JD would do whatever Buck wanted. Larabee would kill her if he found out. The most important thing in her life came in tiny cellophane packets. "I don't know! I don't know what to do!" She wailed piteously, burying her face in her hands.

Buck softened minutely. Women were, and always would be, his weakness. He smoothed his moustache, a gesture of self comfort that came automatically. "Put her in one of the downstairs rooms. Tomorrow, put her ass on a Greyhound, with a one way ticket to wherever she wants to go." He bent over the girl and tilted her face up so she was forced to meet his eyes. "This is the last chance you get from me, little girl. I see you again, you're meat. Do you understand me?" He tightened his grip on her jaw. She nodded frantically. He hauled her to her feet, and passed her to Lydia. "Keep an eye on her." The tall redhead nodded, steering the girl out the door.

Buck threw himself down on the sofa Casey had just vacated with a noisy whoosh of breath. Damned kids. It was a wonder his hair wasn't gray. He sighed, noisily. He had a lot to do in the next few hours. He had a boy waiting upstairs to be disciplined. The verbal warning hadn't been enough of a deterrent, time to get harsh. He loved the kid like a brother; but he had to be pulled into line.'Thank God, Chris was so intent on Vin, he didn't see anything.' Speaking of Vin; there were some ruffled feathers to be smoothed there. Buck sure as hell didn't want to end up a bleached skeleton in the desert with a bullet rattling around in his skull. He had to make peace with Vin. He also had to run damage control on the Travis woman, see if she proved more trouble than she was worth. 'Fine piece of ass, though. Got the video to prove it.' That tape would come in mighty handy if Miss Mary did something stupid in the near future.

The woman had made the mistake of targeting Buck for information, shortly after Larabee was sentenced to Yuma. She had gotten the mistaken idea that because Buck was easy, he was also stupid. Dressed to kill, in a tiny sequined red dress and heels, she had attempted to seduce information out of him in his own club. Apparently, she didn't realize that the 'bad element' watched the local news. She was so easily recognizable, with that platinum blonde hair and pretty face. Buck, a connouisseur of women, always remembered a beautiful face. Once he realized what she was after, he had played along. Putting on his charming-but-dim persona, he had plied her with mixed drinks, and a few questions of his own; and once he ascertained that she was indeed fishing for information on Larabee's operation he had slipped a bit of rohipinal into her drink.

Wrapping a companiable arm around her waist, he had guided her into the private rooms in the back for a private tour, especially of the luxurious little VIP suite with the concealed cameras. Under the influence, the charming Ms. Travis had lost more than her inhibitions that night. Buck lost count of the positions they had fucked in. One of his favorite memories of that night was of Mary bent over the billards table with her tiny skirt hiked above her waist, while Buck fucked her lustily from behind. Just thinking about that night made him hard.

He sprawled back on the big, overstuffed leather sofa with a sigh. He could have made a fortune selling that tape, but it was tucked away safely. If Mary caused trouble for Chris, Buck would see that she had a private screening. He groaned, imagining watching those two together. Even better, sharing the woman with Chris. In the good old days, that would have been a real possibility. His cock responded as it always did, swelling immediately. He huffed softly to himself, shifting position to give himself some relief from the pressure. 'Fat chance of that. Only got eyes for his blue-eyed boy now....' His eyes popped open, at a sudden thought. 'If both Chris and Vin...that boy's got most of my girls beat for looks." He sighed, knowing the jealous Larabee would never go for it. 'Fool. Remember what happened with Sarah. Nearly got your fool self killed. Besides, Vin won't let anyone touch him but Chris. Poor kid had a hell of a life, a wonder he's not crazier than he is. Still, it was something to contemplate...." A timid knock on the door jolted his thoughts back to earth. Looking up, he saw Ruby shyly peering in. Opening his arms wide, Buck beamed and purred; "Come here, darlin'."

Chris was running high on adrenaline and a good liquor buzz. Time to top that good feeling off with some hot lovemaking. One hand on Vin's hip, he hustled the smaller man out the back door. Vin took a deep gulp of the fresh night air, relieved to finally get away from the noisy crowd. Chris grinned at his audible sigh of relief. "Better?" Vin nodded, still breathing deep. "Inez's?" He slid his hand around Vin's waist, steering him towards the side where the bike was parked.

"Ranch."

"Inez's is closer." Chris wheedled, nuzzling into his partner's neck.

"Ranch." Vin answered firmly, eyes automatically scanning around the parking lot. He'd had enough of people for a while. "Private." he clarified, relaxing a bit.

He gave a startled yelp when Larabee grabbed his waist and swung him around to pin him to the brick wall, hands and hungry mouth busy. "Can be private here..."he growled, latching onto Vin's sore earlobe and sucking hard, lean body pressing close, one thigh thrust between Vin's, hips thrusting lazily. He kissed Vin greedily, sucking at his tongue, one big hand sliding inside his denim shirt to toy with a tiny nipple.

Vin gasped as he struggled to tear his mouth away. 'Goddamned Larabee, horny as a toad...' He shook his head to clear it, to try and push Chris off. If he wasn't careful, Larabee would have him bent over, pants around his ankles, fucked against this wall, before he could blink. Man had a one track mind.

"R-r-ranch!" he argued desperately as the hand teasing his nipples slid farther south. "Chris!" "Hmm?" Larabee was busy. He bit tender flesh and sucked hard, intent on marking his man. At the same time he slid his hand into Vin's jeans; squeezing the hot, silky flesh, gently kneading the full balls. He buried his face in Vin's hair, breathing deeply. God, he loved the scent of this man.

"Chris!" Vin was getting desperate now; he pushed weakly at Larabee's broad shoulders.

Chris lifted his head to rub his bearded jaw against Vin's. "You say something, Cowboy?" He teased gently; big hand still working swollen flesh. He eyed Vin's flushed face with satisfaction. 'Beautiful. Mine.' He kissed Vin again, free hand cupping the back of his head, keeping him close. Vin moaned into the kiss, hands kneading Larabee's shoulders now, hips thrusting into his palm.

A loud gasp jerked both their heads up. Vin foze against him, and Chris found himself stareing into Mary Travis's shocked eyes.

"You want something, Miz Travis?" 'Nosy bitch.' He slowly withdrew his hand from Vin's jeans and lifted it to pop damp fingers nastily into his mouth. He sucked them lazily, bright, wicked eyes on her face. Her mouth opened, but no sound emerged. Face scarlet, she turned and fled back inside the club.

Vin huffed soft laughter against his cheek, shoulders shaking silently. "Smooth, Lar'bee!" "Well, she pissed me off. Should mind her own business."

Vin snickered, and pushed Larabee playfully towards the Harley. "I'm driving!" He ordered firmly.

Chris gave him a wide leer. "Sure, pard." Vin shot him a look, suspicious at the lack of argument. He found out why before they even pulled out on the highway. Snug against his back, one arm tight around his waist, Chris's mouth and free hand were free to roam. Vin swore viciously at the hand gently squeezing his crotch; hearing Larabee's wicked snicker in his ear. Leaning over the handlebars, he opened the big bike flat out; determined to get home before he wrapped them around a tree. 'Crazy son of a bitch. Should have shot his ass.'

Larabee Ranch, Three Days Later

Buck wailed along with the Elvis CD as he jounced down the long unpaved drive to the house. His Harley was in the shop for detailing, so he drove his ancient Ford truck. He could afford better, but he liked his old truck. Besides, he bore peace offerings. Piled in the seat beside him was enough junk food to send Tanner and a small third world nation into sugar shock.

Chris Larabee rolled out of bed, wincing a little at the soreness of his backside. He groped for and pulled on a worn pair of sweats. He could hear the radio in the kitchen, and smell sausage frying. Vin was up bright and early. Since the party they had spent most of their time out here, relaxing. Inez had stopped by once. She had dropped off a tray of homemade enchiladas and a box containing Vin's 'not' stray cat. The little feline had had a close encounter with a delivery truck, and Inez felt she would be safer out of town.

Padding barefoot into the kitchen, he found Tanner intent on fixing eggs and sausage gravy. "Morning. Something smells good." Chris wrapped both arms around the lean waist and commenced to nibble on succulent earlobes.

Vin huffed a soft laugh. "Ya want breakfast Larabee, might wanna hit the shower first." "You saying I stink, Tanner?" A soft snicker was his only reply. Chuckling, Chris headed down the hall to obey.

Vin glanced out the window over the sink when he heard Buck's truck in the drive. Wincing in annoyance at the loud beep of the horn, he turned back to his frying pan. He wasn't sure he felt like dealing with the big man now. He knew how sluttish Chris could be, and how hard to resist he was. However, that didn't mean he was ready to forgive Buck.

"Knock! Knock!" Wilmington hollered as he struggled with the screen door. Pushing his way inside, he set a case of Dos Equus and a stack of bakery boxes on the kitchen table. Vin didn't reply, keeping his eyes on his cooking. "Smells good, pard." Buck persisted, taking a seat at the table. He could hear the shower running, and he found himself hoping Chris turned up soon. Vin was apparently intent on stonewalling him. At a loss, he glanced around the kitchen. A little gray cat hopped up on the kitchen table beside him, curled a fluffy tail around small black feet, and watched him with bright golden eyes. "Get off the table, kitty." Buck ordered amiably. Kitty turned to present him with an eye level view of a dainty, rosebud pink asshole; which she then proceeded to wash. Buck sighed. Even the damned cat was ignoring him.

Chris wandered in the kitchen, dressed in a pair of black jeans, toweling his hair dry. Buck was seated at the table, exchanging glares with the cat. "Morning, Buck. Wasn't expecting you." He glanced over at a silent Tanner, who was filling plates.

Buck shrugged wordlessly, and raised his brows questioningly. Chris shrugged in reply. "Thought I'd drop by for a bit. See what ya'll were up to this weekend."

Chris smirked; "You mean, besides the usual?" They laughed together. Chris pulled out a chair, beside him; giving the cat a gentle swat with the towel as he did. She sat up and batted vigorously back, before jumping down and trotting off to sit in a patch of sunshine. "Feisty little critter," Buck said, admiringly. "I didn't know you had a cat."

"It's Vin's," Chris clarified, shooting an impish look at Tanner. Vin slanted him an evil look back, but said nothing. He slapped a plate down in front of Chris; and, to Buck's surprise, one in front of him as well. "Thanks Vin. Looks mighty good." He said gratefully, taking the offered food as a sign that the Texan might be ready to bury the hatchet.

Buck dug into the fried eggs covered with thick, sausage gravy, with relish. Tanner could cook when he had a mind to. 'Of course the boy would eat almost anything, including Josiah's chili....' A horrific thought struck him, and he froze, mouth stuffed full. 'He wouldn't...would he?' He shot a look at Chris's plate. Plain scrambled eggs and toast. No help there. The entire gang lived in fear of Josiah's cooking. Or rather, the dubious ingredients of Josiah's cooking; especially those little anonymous packets wrapped in plain, white butcher's paper labeled simply, MEAT. Lately Josiah had taken to experimenting with sausage recipes...

Buck shot a desperate look towards the stove, hoping to see a recognizable sausage label. "What's the matter Bucklin? Ya don't like my cookin'?" Vin's voice was soft and flat, his blue eyes hard.

'Shit, shit, shit. If I don't eat he WILL be mad...damned if I do, and damned if I don't!' Buck finished chewing manfully, then swallowed with effort. 'Hope to hell that wasn't Chato."' Chris chuckled softly next to him. "What's the matter Buck? I thought you liked Jimmy Dean?" Buck choked, for one millisecond he had thought Larabee was refering to the sausage's source, not its manufacturer. Looking across the table, he finally caught the twinkle in Vin's eyes. He sputtered in outrage. "You sons of bitches! I thought I was chowing on some of "Siah's mystery meat!"

His friends burst into raucous laughter at his expense. Tanner nearly fell off his chair, while Larabee laughed so hard, he had tears in his eyes. "Should have seen your face, Buck!" "Looked like a chipmunk with a moustache, Bucklin!"

Buck huffed, and pretended indignation for a few minutes before joining in.

Little Sisters of Mercy Convent

Josiah Sanchez straightened slowly to his feet, a scowl on his craggy face and a trowel clenched in one big hand. A fat, shiny black crow cawed mockingly at him from the convent wall. Josiah cast a longing look at the potting shed, and the 357 Magnum hidden within; then a covert glance over to where Sisters Mary Eustace and Mary Katherine sat chatting nearby. They waved at him cheerfully. The crow hopped closer and cawed louder. 'Damned demonspawn, mocking him. Just you wait, you little black devil.' Shoulders slumped in defeat, the big man turned back to the wheelbarrow and another bag of bonemeal.

Sisters Eustace and Katherine sat and admired the new floribunda bed. The new plants were thriving under Josiah's tender care. He was such a nice man, so thoughtful. He even named the new varieties after his friends. One row of skinny, new plants bore the neatly printed label: Raul, and the other; Chato. The convent rose garden in full bloom, with its hundreds of plants, buzzing with bees, was a beautiful sight indeed.

END

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