Deepening the Bond

by Jo Ann

Series: Against The Odds

Altnernate Universe Into The Fold

Disclaimer: Not mine and no money is being made.

Acknowledgments: A big huge THANKS goes out to Chris and especially Kimber for all their help on this story. It wouldn't nearly be as good as it is without them. THANKS GUYS!!!

Comments: In this story Ezra and Vin meet while they're still in high school. Vin is one five boys that have been adopted by Thomas and Stacy Larabee, who have one son of their own Chris. Ezra has been placed in the custody of a distant relative of Maude's, Gloria Potter.

Warnings: None, except that an unaged Ezra and Vin are in the midst of a developing romance. There will be no underage sex. Holding hands, hugs, and an occasional kiss is as intimate as they'll gonna get while underage. There is a touch of het interaction between Vin's parents.

Follows Kindred Spirits

Vin slammed out of the house, nearly flattening Chris in the process.

"Hey!" Chris cried, grabbing Vin's arm before he got away. "Slow down, Cowboy."

"He's impossible!" Vin jerked free. "He refuses to even try to understand!"

"This about you going to college?" Chris asked, even though he knew the question.

"No, it's about what dress I'm wearing to prom," Vin sarcastically quipped.

"Don't be such a smart ass," he snapped.

"Well, don't ask stupid question."

"Look Vin," Chris began, hurrying to catch up with his brother. "I understand you not wanting to play ball, but why are you so set against going to college? No matter what you choose to do with your life an education is important."

Vin paused with his hand on the jeep's door and gave Chris a long hard look before heaving a deep sigh of frustration. "I'm not like you or the others, Chris."

"What's that mean? Not like us?"

"Smart," he softly admitted. "Don't try and deny it," he held up a hand to stop any protests. "I've had to work my ass off for every passing grade I've ever gotten. So why he thinks I have even a chance in hell of doing well in college is beyond me."

"You're making good grades now," Chris pointed out, choosing not to comment on the who's smarter than who issue. "Besides, Dad believes in you. Maybe you should start believing in yourself."

Vin snorted at that and gave Chris a don't-give-me-that-psycho-mambo-jumbo-bullshit look. "The only reason I'm passing is Ezra. Pure and simple."

"Then why not apply to the same college as him?"

"Right, like I have a chance in hell of being accepted to Harvard with my grades," the younger man shook his head.

"Vin . . ."

"Chris!" he growled, "just drop it! I'm not about to start arguing with you like I do him."

"I'm only trying to help . . ."

"You want to help?" Vin gave him a dark look. "Then tell him to back the f*** off."

"I can't do that," Chris told him.

"Then you back the f*** off, 'cause I don't need any other help," he vented, jerking the jeep's door opened and jumping in.

"Where are you going?"

"Ezra's!"

Chris ran a hand through his hair as he watched Vin drive out of the yard. He didn't know what to do or say to make things right. The only thing he did know was that there was no way his brother would win this battle. Hell, he himself had gone to college after vowing not to.

~*~*~

From a darkened window Tom watched as his willful son disappeared into the night. Leaving no doubt as to where he was going.

"Oh!" Stacy gave a startled gasp as she opened the door to the study and saw her husband. "Tom? What are you doing in the dark?"

"Watching Vin leave."

"Vin's gone?" she frowned, joining him by the window. "Where? He didn't say any thing."

"He's gone to that Ezra's house," Tom replied in a tight voice.

"What do you mean 'that Ezra'?" she questioned, laying a hand on the small of his back. "I thought you like Ezra. He's helped Vin so much."

"I do!" He pushed away and walked across the room. "It's just that I'm sure that I like my son hanging around someone who plays badminton. Badminton! What kind of example is that for Vin?"

Stacy laughed, taking her husband's hands into hers before saying, "I think he was just teasing. He is a bit of a comedian, you know." She gave him a hug then said, "Don't worry so much. Vin'll do what's right when the time comes."

"Is it so wrong to want Vin to play sports?" Tom wondered, pulling his wife tighter against him.

"No, he'll see that you're right," she assured him. Stacy loved her husband so much and supported him completely. It nearly broke her heart when he had to give up his dream and return home; even though, she knew that if Tom hadn't then her life might have been totally different. So that's why she didn't interfere when he pushed one of the boys; they owed it to their father to at least try. That's all she wanted, that's all she asked. Of course, it didn't always work out that way. Chris was a prime example. Tom talked to him. She talked to him. Chris ignored them both, he was as stubborn as his father and wasn't about to do something he didn't want to do.

"I hope so," he sighed, interrupting her thoughts.

"Just keep in mind that Vin's not like the other boys, Tom. He'd not going to come to us when he's troubled or if something's upset him. He needs space and time to think and someone outside the family to listen when he is ready. It used to be his horse Peso, probably still is, but now he's got Ezra. Someone his own age that understands what he's going through," Stacy stated. "Vin needs Ezra; just as Ezra needs Vin. I don't think that boy's had a lot of friends and Vin's the very best he could ask for."

"I suppose so," Tom shook his head, "but I'm warning you if they start playing badminton then it's over."

Stacy laughed and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Yes, dear."

~*~*~

Ezra looked up from the book he was reading as he thought he heard Vin's jeep rumbling up the drive. A glance at the clock showed it was just after seven in the evening so with a frown on his handsome face he climbed off the bed and headed down stairs, reaching the bottom as there was a knock on the door.

"I got it," he called out. Opening the door he couldn't help but feel pleased at his friend's presence, even though he could see how upset Vin was.

"Can I come in or do I gotta stand out here with the mosquitos and other critters of the night," Vin half-heartedly teased, leaning against the door.

"Sorry," he mumbled, as heat filled his cheeks.

"Who's at the door?" Gloria asked, as she stepped out of the kitchen. "Oh, hi Vin. How's your family?"

"They're fine," Vin replied, with a strained smile. "Thanks for asking. And you?"

"We're right as rain, which is something we certainly could use," she commented.

"Yes, ma'am," he nodded.

"We'll be in my room," Ezra said, taking Vin's arm and making for the stairs. "So, what'd he do this time?" he uttered, as soon as the door to his room closed.

Vin shot him a look, not bothering to answer him. He walked the length of the room twice, before dropping down beside Ezra on the bed and reaching for a pillow to clutch tightly in his hands.

"I sleep on that you know," he commented.

"Sorry," Vin relaxed his grip and tried to smooth out some of the wrinkles. "He's driving me crazy."

"Vin he can't make you go to college," Ezra told him.

"I don't want to disappoint him. They've both done so much for me and I can't do this one little thing for them," he flopped back on the bed.

Ezra moved to the foot of the bed and stretched out on his side so he could see his friend. "What do you want to do Vin?"

"I don't know! That's the whole problem," he threw his hands in the air. "They ask me what I want and I have no answer, so they say why can't you play ball until you figure it out. And apparently saying I don't want to isn't a good enough reason."

"They care about you," the other boy stated.

"I know, that's what makes this so hard." Vin thought he heard something in that silky voice and turned his head, carefully eying his friend and finding just a touch of envy in those eyes. "Ezra?"

"You're lucky," Ezra added. "I haven't even heard from my mother since I moved here, not that I really expected to."

"Well, I can't say that I'm sorry about that," he announced, after a moment or two of silence. He twisted over onto his side and faced Ezra, then continued, "Now, I am sorry if that hurts you, but from what you've told me she doesn't sound like a very nice person and . . . I think you're better off without her."

Ezra allowed a slow smile to spread across his face at those words; it wasn't often that someone was that blunt with him and he was glad it was Vin that dared.

"Anyway," he grinned at the look on Ezra's face and felt his other troubles melt away, "Mrs. Potter think's the sun rises and sets with you."

"Are you saying it doesn't?" Ezra raised an eyebrow at him.

"Besides, you belong here," he answered instead. 'With me,' he silently added.

"You're right."

"Naturally," Vin smirked at him, internally wishing Ezra was agreeing with him. "But just so we're clear . . . what am I right about?"

Ezra rolled his eyes, then said, "My mother."

"Yeah well, your mother's easy . . ."

"Ha!" Ezra exclaimed. "Maude Harris Standish Smith Montgomery Lexington may be a lot of things, but easy isn't one of them. In spite of the number of step-fathers I've had."

"Smith?"

Ezra smirked. "I know, it's kinda tame. It was a Vegas wedding; you know get drunk on Saturday, married on Sunday, and divorced on Monday kinda situation."

Vin shook his head and grinned.

"All joking aside, you've got a family that loves you. A family that has been there for you since you were born," he reminded him. "I've never had that. From the time I can remember Maude has always pushed me off onto some one else other than having to deal with me herself."

"So what," Vin shrugged, "you saying I should do what they want?"

"I didn't say that, did I?" Ezra gave him a look.

"Then what did ya say?"

"I merely said that your family loves you and that, that's probably the motive behind all this," he explained.

"I know they love me," Vin sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. Then decided to give voice to his fears and whispered, "Do you think that if I out right refused . . . they'd kick me out?"

Ezra sat up. "I don't know. Do you think they'd do that?"

"Hell if I know, but it could happen. I mean parents put their kids out all the time because they won't do something they want 'em to," he sighed.

"Well . . ." Ezra forgot what he was going to say as Vin began to stretch, pulling his shirt away from the waist band of his jeans, exposing his mid-rift.

"Ezra?"

"Huh?"

"What were you saying?"

'Saying? What 'was' I saying?' he silently questioned. "Uhm, I was uhm saying that . . . Oh yeah, now I remember! Even if that were to happen it wouldn't be so bad. I mean, you do know how to take care of yourself right? You can wash your own clothes and cook right?"

Vin placed the pillow over his head and a muffled no was heard.

"No? Are you serious?"

"Stacy never lets us in her kitchen and I've never washed a stitch of clothes in my life," Vin admitted, lifting the pillow just enough to be heard.

Ezra nodded in understanding and offered, "I'll teach you. In the mean time, though, I'll do all the washing and cooking."

"You'd come with me?"

"Sure, I'll take care of you," he stated then quickly looked away as he realized what he said. "At least, until you can take care of yourself."

Vin hugged the pillowed tighter against him to hide the pleased look on his face. Just the idea of Ezra taking care of him made him feel all warm inside. Making the aspect of getting kicked out a positive thing. The warm feeling turned molten as Ezra got up and bent over, pulling the worn sweats he wore taunt against his ass.

'You're looking at Ezra's ass!' he mind screamed. 'Stop it, right now!' Vin vigorously shook his head; no. He didn't want to stop looking. He 'liked' looking at Ezra. 'There was nothing wrong in looking,' he reasoned with himself. 'I'm a man and men are suppose to look.'

Ezra placed the book he'd picked up on his dresser. "Do you really think your dad would kick you out?"

Vin sat up, still holding onto Ezra's pillow; which by the way smelled really, really good. He didn't know what Ezra showered with, but what ever it was he wanted a bottle of it to take with him. That way he could smell . . . 'Okay, it's time to go,' an inner voice told him. 'It's one thing to 'look' at Ezra; but it's another thing entirely wanting to bottle his 'smell'.'

'Didn't guys smell things too?' a voice countered.

"Don't worry about it," Ezra said, when there was no answer. "If it comes to that then we'll find us job and get an apartment somewhere. Hell, we could even leave the state if you wanted."

"Really?"

"Sure, why not," he ran a hand through his hair. "I mean, how else am I suppose to take care of you?"

Vin smiled, secure in the knowledge that no matter what happened with his family . . . he wouldn't be alone. He'd have Ezra and that was more than enough for him.

~*~*~

Gloria Potter smiled as she stood at the kitchen window, watching as Ezra walked with Vin to the jeep. Over the last few months she'd noticed how close the two had become and she couldn't have been more happy.

Her smile deemed a degree as she saw just how closely the boys paced each other. Neither seemed aware that their shoulders were nearly touching. Neither gave a thought as to how that closeness might look to someone else.

Gloria had known that Vin would be good for Ezra, but hadn't foreseen this. This was an added bonus. Both Vin and Ezra had blossomed under the other's attention. Her smile returned full force as she remembered the look they shared in her kitchen the afternoon they met. And probably understood better what was going on between them than they did themselves.

She'd always had her suspicions about Vin. Even though he fit in well with his peers Gloria had noticed that no one was allowed to close, especially girls. But Vin hadn't had any problems letting Ezra in. Hadn't even hesitated.

She remembered a cousin of hers behaving in much the same way, only Jonathan hadn't been able to play sports like Vin. Jonathan didn't have that shield to hide behind and had constantly struggled to fit in. To be accepted. To be able to do the things the other boys did, only to fail again and again.

She had to smile as she remembered how all that changed once Jonathan finally admitted to himself just why he was different. And once he'd found someone that understood him, it was like he was a completely new person. Jonathan now lived in Phoenix and was the happiest she'd ever seen him.

Ezra was harder to read, but she knew a lonely child when she saw one. It broke her heart to think about what that boy must have gone through with Maude. That was one of the reasons she's gone out of her way to make sure he was happy. The other was simply because it was in her nature to nurture.

She wanted these two boys to find that same kind of happiness that Jonathan had and would do everything within her power to ensure that they did. Everyone deserved to be happy; no matter who they loved.

Gloria made a mental note to call her cousin to see if he had any suggestions on how to help her boys.

~*~*~

A couple of weeks later Ezra could barely contain his excitement as he scurried up the tree outside Vin's bedroom. Just when he thought that nothing Maude did could or would ever surprise him . . . she did. Very nicely too. Which had him worried.

He was perched outside Vin's window and was about to tap on the glass when a grin spread across his face at the sight that greeted him; his friend stood in front of a full length mirror without a shirt flexing his muscles. All that tanned flesh pulling and stretching with each twist and turn made it impossible for Ezra to make his presence known or to look away like he knew he should. Not only did he want to keep watching, but he wanted to touch as well. To feel all that muscle under his hands. Mostly, though, he wanted to store all this up for when Vin realized that he wasn't exactly what Vin thought him to be. Like the fact that he was falling in love with his best friend.

He schooled his features as Vin suddenly froze then leaned in close to the mirror only to whirl around and head straight for him.

"Ezra!" Vin cried, pushing the window open. "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough, Arnold," Ezra teased, crawling into the room to do a little of his own flexing.

Vin ducked his head, but not before Ezra saw his flushed cheeks.

"Don't be embarrassed," he told him, giving his shoulder a little shove. "I do a little my own posing . . ."

"Yeah, but you have something to actually pose," the other boy sighed. "Which I don't get."

"What? Why?"

"I've lifted weights, played football and other sports most of my life and my chest doesn't look anything like yours," Vin complained.

"That sounds like a question for your brother Nathan," Ezra shrugged. "Besides, I don't see anything wrong with your chest," he told him, being careful not to stare directly as the object of his current obsession with Vin's body parts. Last week it was his ears. Ears? The week before that it was Vin's mid-rift. He shook his head, knowing that no matter what he'd be revisiting this scene in his dreams for some time to come. Grabbing a shirt from the bed he tossed it at his friend and smiled, "Come see what I got today."

"How'd you get here?"

"Just come on."

Vin smiled as he pulled on his shirt and followed him. He had to laugh at the look on his mom and JD's face as him and Ezra walked through the kitchen and out the back door. Vin came to a complete stop once they reached the yard; for there in the fading sunlight was the most beautiful car he'd ever seen. The jet black Mustang convertible gleamed, the sienna leather interior looked as soft as butter, the rims were shiny and bright, and he couldn't wait to get behind the wheel to see how she handled.

"Shit," he softly swore, not wanting his mother to hear him as she and JD joined them. Moving to stand next to the car, Vin reached out and discovered that leather interior was just as soft as it looked.

"Man Ezra," JD gushed, "where'd you get this?"

"It was a present from my mother," Ezra replied, with a smile on his face.

"Birthday?" Vin wondered, since he knew it was only a couple of weeks away.

Ezra shook his head once and whispered, "Christmas."

"But it's April," he couldn't believe it. "Mid-April."

The other boy merely shrugged before saying, "Would you like to go for a ride, Mrs. Larabee?"

"Oh no," she smiled. "What would the neighbors say?"

"They'd think you've gotten yourself a hot young stud," Ezra teased, causing her to laugh.

"Oh, Ezra the things you say," she shook her head and patted him on the shoulder. "I have supper to finish, but thank you."

"Maybe next time then," he grinned at her. "May I take Vin and JD for a spin?"

"Vin may go," she said, "JD's not done with his homework yet."

"But mom . . ."

"Homework comes first JD, you know that."

"Let me grab my wallet," Vin announced. "Oh, and mom . . . don't hold supper for me. Ez and I will grab a burger in town."

"It's not fair," JD whined.

"Don't worry, JD," Ezra assured him, "I'll be picking you and Vin up on Monday."

"Cool!" JD cheered, with a wide toothy grin on his face.

Within minutes the two were speeding down the road, each secretly glad that JD wasn't with them. It wasn't that they didn't like it when JD tagged along, but they had more fun when it was just the two of them.

"She drives like a dream, Ez," Vin gave him a very pleased look.

"Yeah, just don't get too used it," Ezra softly warned.

"Why? I'm a good driver," Vin smiled.

Ezra grinned in return before saying, "It's not you, Vin. It's just that these types of gifts usually come attached to something." He didn't know why he kept telling Vin all this stuff, but it seemed that since their first real conversation in Vin's room, his mouth had him sharing things before his brain realized it. Although, there were one or two secrets that even his mouth didn't dare share. At least not yet.

"Like what?" he slowed the car down.

The southerner froze for a second thinking that Vin had read his mind, then just as quickly dismissed the thought as wishful thinking.

'Wishful thinking!' a voice in his head panicked. 'What the hell?'

'I'm tired of hiding,' Ezra reluctantly admitted to himself, quieting the voice.

"Hey, you awake over there," Vin teased, with just a hint of worry in his voice.

"Yeah," he shook his head, "just got lost in my thoughts. What were we talking about?"

"You were telling me what comes attached to your car," the other boy stretched the truth, then darted a look at his friend to see if he'd get away with it.

Ezra gave him a knowing look and have him a partial answer, "Usually it's a favor in return."

Vin frowned and pulled off onto the shoulder of the road. "Did she say that? I mean, surely she sent you a note or card or something with the car. Right?" When Ezra didn't answer Vin undid his seatbelt on turned to face him. "Ezra?"

"Oh, Maude's much to sly to actually come out and say much of anything. She has however, given me gifts before only to take them back when I wouldn't do what she wanted me to. And her Christmas card merely said, 'Season's Greetings, my darling boy. See you soon.'," he conceded, keeping his face averted as tears burned his eyes. "'Course with Maude 'soon' is a very relative term."

Vin balled in his hands into tight fists to keep from reaching for Ezra. "Maybe . . ." he paused to clear his throat, "maybe it's different this time."

"Yeah," Ezra nodded, "maybe."

Not knowing what else to say, Vin eased back onto the highway and couldn't help but laugh at the looks him and Ezra received once they arrived in town. He was relived when he heard Ezra's own quiet chuckle join in. For the rest of the night Vin did everything he could think of to keep Ezra's mind off his mother. He teased, told some of Buck's cleaner stories, and in his desperation even borrowed a couple of jokes from JD. But the sound of Ezra's laughter was worth it. Vin loved how those green eyes sparkled and seemed to dance when his friend was truly amused.

Ezra truly appreciated what Vin did for him and given the fact that no one had ever taken the time to actually cheer him up made it even more special. However, once he was in bed later that night he couldn't hush the nagging voice in his head warning him to be on the look out.

He liked it in Four Corners and hoped he'd finally found a real home, not only with the Potters, but with Vin. Who was the first true friend Ezra ever had. He wasn't ready to give all this up. He would not leave Vin behind for anything or anyone in the world.

The southerner felt the tension ease from his mind and body and even managed a small laugh as it occurred to him what a fight Maude would have on her hands if she even attempted to remove him from Gloria Potter.

'Maude didn't stand a chance,' he thought, as he drifted off to sleep.

~*~*~

It was a beautiful spring day and Ezra and Vin were now carefully doing the speed limit, after having been pulled over by Chris for speeding. They weren't ticketed, but were given a stern warning and a frightening glare. Which was somehow much worse.

Vin had to stop at Ms. Nettie's to pick up something for his mom, then they were going straight to the Larabee household to study for finials.

"This won't take but a minute," Vin said as he parked the car under a shade tree.

Ezra nodded as he got out of the car and looked around at all of the wildflowers growing in the yard and near by fields. Wildflowers? Spring? And him? Oh, shit this could be a problem.

"Smell that," Vin sighed, taking in the heady scent of nature in all her glory. "Maybe we can go fishing this weekend."

"Yeah, sure," Ezra absently replied, keeping a sharp eye out.

"It'll be perfect!" Vin was getting excited. "Hey," he suddenly turned around, nearly bumping into Ezra, "has anyone been bothering you about prom? The folks asked me who I was taking. Hell, I don't wanna go the stupid prom." He stood there for a few seconds shaking his head. "It's too nice a day to be worried about all that crap. We can help each other with excuses later."

Ezra merely nodded his head, as Vin resumed walking.

"If we get up at the crack of dawn then maybe we can get away without JD wanting to tag along," he suggested.

"On a Saturday?" The surveillance was momentarily forgotten.

"It won't kill you to get up early on a Saturday," he laughed.

"You don't know that," Ezra grumbled. "It might."

"Anyway, we'll pack some food and spend the day at the pond . . . or we can eat what we catch! Oooh, maybe we can go camping! I haven't been camping in a while."

"Isn't it bad luck to get up before the sun?" he tried to argue.

"We'll take the horses and live off the land like they used to," Vin rolled his eyes and ignored him. "What do you suppose it was like to live in the old west? Bet if we'd have lived back then we'd have survived just fine. We could've lived in the mountains; like real mountain men."

'Mountain men?' he shuddered, shooting Vin an are-you-crazy kinda look behind his back. He was about to say just that when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye.

"Or maybe we'd have been lawmen instead. That would've been cool, do cha think?"

"Yeah, sure," he said, no longer paying any attention.

"Anyway, Buck has a tent, which is pretty big since Buck says he has to have room to move," Vin began to frown. "You know it might be best to spray the tent before we use it 'cause there ain't no telling what's been going on inside it. JD has a sleeping bag you can use, but we don't have to worry about it being clean . . ."

"Yeah, sure." Ezra stilled as about three bees suddenly buzzed by. Normally he just ignored them. And if there were only one he could, but three? In his head he knew that if he didn't bother them, then they wouldn't bother him. But did there have to be so many? He didn't want to get stung again and especially in front of Vin.

"Now, I know that you're thinking that we can't live completely off the land and you're right, we'll take along some creature comforts; like chocolate and chips. And maybe some of those little sausages in a can. Those are pretty good. Do you eat those?" he asked. "Ez?" Vin paused when there was no reply. Turning around he frowned as he saw Ezra standing a few feet behind him staring off into space.

"There are a lot of bees around here," Ezra observed, as Vin joined him.

"That's 'cause, Ms. Nettie, has her own bee hives," Vin told him with his hands on his narrow hips. "Best tasting honey in the whole county."

"H..honey," Ezra stuttered. "These are h..honey bees?"

"Yeah," he said, dragging the word out. "Don't ya like honey?" He absently waved away a bee that got to close to his ear.

"No," Ezra muttered, feeling himself beginning to sweat. "I'm g..gonna wait in the car," he declared, spinning on his heel.

"Wait!" Vin cried, grabbing him by the arm. "Why? Because of the bees? Don't tell me you're scared of 'em?"

Ezra watched in horror as Vin swatted at two more bees.

"Bee stings don't hurt that bad, it only stings for a little while." Vin frowned as a bee got right in his face and went to knock it out of the way.

"Stop that!" he bellowed, latching onto Vin's wrist. "Don't do that!"

"Don't be such a baby," Vin said in a rush, Ezra's touch was having a strange effect on his concentration or he would have noticed his friends reaction to his words.

Ezra flinched at those words and quickly dropped Vin's hand before stepping back. He flinched again as a bee landed briefly on his arm; his fear grew as his control began to slip further and further away. Finally the bee flew away allowing Ezra time to rally his defenses and bolt the door on his emotions.

Vin felt his stomach tighten at the wild look that flashed in those green eyes; but it was nothing compared to the fear that struck him like a blow as he watched Ezra's face tightened and close right in front of him, leaving nothing behind. Shutting him out.

"Ezra . . ."

The young southerner jumped as a bee got right in his face. 'Ignore it, ignore it,' he repeated over and over in his head. 'Run!' his mind screamed.

"Ezra?" Vin whispered, reaching for him again as he moved further away. "I'm s..sorry. I didn't mean to tease you. It's just . . . I . . . I didn't think you'd be afraid of anything, giving the way you handled my father."

'He doesn't know,' Ezra sighed in relief, but the relief was short lived as Vin once again raised his hand. "Please don't do that," he told him in a ragged voice, "you're gonna make them mad."

"Tell me what's wrong?" he pleaded, as he felt Ezra freeze. "Ez? What is it? You're starting to s..scare me." When there was no answer he followed his friend's line of sight and saw why; a bee was crawling along Ezra's forearm. "Ez?"

Wide frightened green eyes slowly met worried blue eyes and Ezra's breath caught as he realized what Vin was about to do and cried, "No!" But it was to late; either the movement from Vin or his protest, startled the bee causing it to sink its stinger into Ezra's forearm.

"I'm sorry! I'll get it out . . ."

"No, d..don't touch it," he began to pant, but he didn't know if it was due to the effects of the bee sting or the anxiety of having this, one of his worse fears, happen in front of Vin. "I'm a..allergic and if y..you touch it you'll m..make it w..worse."

"Oh God," Vin moaned, pressing closer and gently took Ezra's face in his hands so he couldn't look away, "what do I do? How do I h..help you?"

Ezra blinked at him a couple of times and clutched at Vin's shirt, fighting the urge not to scratch as he felt hives begin to break out and spread across his body. "I n..need my EpiPen. It's in my b..backpack. Then get m..me to the hospital."

"I . . . I can do that," he said in a shaky voice. "NETTIE!" he screamed, before swinging Ezra up in his arms and making for the car, thanking God it was a convertible. He managed to get the door open and the seat pushed forward without dropping his friend and carefully laid Ezra on the backseat. "NETTIE!" he once again hollered, then felt his heart stop as Ezra seemed to turn red right in front of his eyes. "Ezra? What's this pen thingy look like? And how do I use it?" he asked, dumping things from Ezra's bag.

"S..sh..shirt . . ."

"Shirt? What about it?" Vin was confused and scared and that didn't help his thought process at all. Then it dawned on him to loosen it. "Okay, it's okay," he tugged Ezra's t-shirt from his jeans and over his head. "NETTIE!" he shouted, then sighed in relief as he finally found what he thought was Ezra's pen; it was long and thin and had a needle like tip on one end of it. "I found it! Now what do I do with it?" He looked into Ezra's swollen watery eyes and wanted to howl in frustration.

"S..stick . . . u..upper arm . . ."

"All right," he cupped Ezra's elbow in his hand, "is it gonna hurt?"

Ezra managed a small smile. "Not c..compared to e..everything else."

"No I don't suppose so," he said, with a half grin of his own only it wasn't as bright as usual.

"Landsakes child, what's all the noise about?" Nettie wanted to know as she walked up beside the car. "What happened? He all right?"

"He got stung by a bee and I need you to take us to the emergency room," Vin told her, as he turned Ezra's arm and injected whatever was in the pen. Tears stung his eyes, but now wasn't the time to release them. Ezra needed him and he'd be damned if he screwed this up.

"Hang on to 'im," Nettie warned as she quickly turned the car around and pulled out onto the road.

Vin took Ezra's hand in his, being careful not to touch the still attached stinger. And with his other hand he brushed the hair from Ezra's forehead.

"S..sorry," Ezra gasped.

"No!" he nearly sopped. "No, Ez, I'm sorry," he laid his forehead on his friend's shoulder. "You should have told me. Why didn't ya?" Raising his head he leaned in closer and pressed his forehead to the side of Ezra's face before continuing, "I'm not your mother. I d..don't want perfection f..from you. I don't w..want you only at your b..best. You're my f..friend . . . my b..best friend and I l..like you just as you are."

"We're here," Nettie said what felt like hours later, but was actually only minutes.

Vin stayed with Ezra while she went for help and only released him once it arrived. "His name's Ezra Patrick Standish and he's sixteen," he told the nurse before she even asked, as he followed very closely behind her as she entered the hospital. "And other than b..bee stings I don't know what he's allergic to. His guardians are Bill and Gloria Potter. Do you need their number? Oh, and I gave him a shot of whatever was in this pen." He thrust the pen at her and dropped it in her hand, as Ezra disappeared behind a curtain.

"Thank you," the nurse smiled at him, "you've been most helpful. Now if you'd have a seat in the waiting room we'll let you know how he's doing just as soon as we can."

"Vin!" a familiar voice called out.

"Nathan!" He almost staggered at the relief that rushed through him at the sight of his brother. Now he knew that Ezra would be fine. Nathan wouldn't let anything happen to his best friend.

"What happened?" Nathan asked as soon as he joined them. "Are you hurt?"

"No, but Ezra got stung by a bee and he's allergic. I . . . I had to give him a s..shot. I swatted at the bees even after he told me not to. He should've told me he was allergic. I didn't know, Nathan! I didn't know!" he babbled in a shaky voice, shock and fear were beginning to set in.

Nathan gave him a confused look before replying, "Okay, calm down. Now I know it's hard, but try not to worry. I'm going to go and check his vitals. Are you here alone?"

"Nettie drove us."

"Good, go sit with her and I'll let you know something as soon as I can," he assured him with a pat on the shoulder.

Vin stood there for a few minutes after Nathan too disappeared behind the curtain, before slowly making his way to the waiting area.

"I called Gloria," Nettie informed him, "said she'd be here just as soon as she dropped the children off at a neighbors."

He could only nod, the lump in his throat wouldn't allow him to speak.

"He'll be fine," she told him. "Come sit down."

He shook his head, no. He didn't want to sit; pacing gave him something to do.

~*~*~

"Hello Ezra, I'm Dr. Jackson," Nathan introduced himself. "I've heard a lot about you and have wanted to met you for the longest time, but not this way."

A slightly wheezing Ezra could just make out the kind smiling face above him and while it looked familiar, he didn't recognize it.

"I'm Vin's brother, Nathan," he explained, seeing the confusion on the red blotchy face.

"Doctor," another nurse suddenly appeared, "I just got off the phone with, Gloria Potter, the patient's guardian and have received verbal permission to precede with treatment."

"Excellent," Nathan rubbed his hands together, then pulled on a pair of gloves. "Now, then Ezra I need to know if you're allergic to any medications?"

Ezra slowly shook his head, no.

"Wonderful. Sally get an IV started with 50 mg of benadryl, 125 mg of Solumedrol, and 50 mg of Zantac, while I remove this nasty stinger," he told her, taking a piece gauze and gently ran it across the stinger, being careful to only apply just enough pressure to remove it and not release any more of the toxin. "Got it," he smiled, dropping it in a near by bin. "You're doing great, Ezra. Try and relax, let the medicine do it's job."

"Doctor," a nurse stepped into the room, "Mrs. Potter is here."

"Thank you," he nodded, "I'll be right there."

~*~*~

Vin was on his fifth trip around the room when Gloria Potter arrived, he stilled and immediately declared, "I didn't know!"

"I would've been very surprised if you did," she calmly stated. "I wouldn't even know if I hadn't shown up in Atlanta at the right time."

"I'm s..sorry . . ."

"For what?" she closed the distance between them and took his hands in hers. "For doing everything and anything you could to get him here in time? For saving his life?" Gloria reached up and wiped away a lone tear that ran downs Vin's face. "Vin, it wasn't your fault. Yes, he should have told you, but his mother made him feel as if it was something to be ashamed of . . . something to hide."

"Why?" he didn't understand. "Why would she do that?"

"Mrs. Potter," Nathan held out his hand as he approached her.

Gloria took the offered hand. "How is he, Nathan?"

"He'll be fine," he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "We've got an IV started and we'll keep a close eye on him down here for about an hour then transfer him to a room and keep him over night for observation."

"May I see him?" she asked.

"Once the nurse is finished with him," Nathan told her.

"Did ya get the stinger out?" Vin questioned.

"I got it . . ."

"I forgot to mention it earlier. I'm sorry . . ."

"Vin," Nathan placed his hands on his brother's shoulder and looked him directly in the eyes, "I got it."

"Really?"

"Yes, did you want to see it?"

"NO!" he uttered, jerking away from the older man.

"All right," Nathan grinned and held his hands up. "I'll go check on Ezra and be right back."

"Mrs. Potter?" A nurse walked up to them with a clip board in her hand. "We'll need you to complete these forms."

"Yes, ma'am," Gloria smiled, taking the forms. "Now, then Vin come sit down and I'll give you a brief rundown on Ezra's mother," she lead him to one of the waiting room chairs. "Now don't get me wrong, I don't mean to imply that Maude doesn't love or care for Ezra because she does. It's the way she herself was raised and the fact that Ezra got his first sting not long after his father died. She nearly lost the only other person she'd ever really cared about. It was after that she started leaving Ezra with different relatives."

"And alone?"

"Yes," Gloria admitted, after a moment of silence and thinking that Vin knew more than she thought.

"Is that what led to you taking Ezra in while his mom and step-dad went on their cruise?" Vin asked, silently begging her to keep Ezra's secret.

"It is, but I wouldn't take him without being giving custody," she confirmed, "for just this sort of situation. And given the fact that we didn't know how long she'd be gone."

Nettie frowned, knowing there was more to the conversation then what she was hearing, but didn't press the matter. The boy had been through enough and she wouldn't be adding to it.

"Vin," Gloria began, only to pause to gather her thoughts, "you can't treat him any different now that you do know. He'll expect that. He'll also probably try to pull away from you because of it."

Vin sat up straight at that in a determined voice said, "Well he can try. And don't worry I won't do anything, but give him a piece of my mind . . ."

"Are you sure . . ."

"He scared me and I'm gonna tell him about it," he told her. "Ezra can tell me anything and needs to know that."

Gloria gave him a sweet look, relived to know that she was right about Vin and his feelings for Ezra. She had spoken with her cousin and was thinking that maybe it was time to push things ahead a little. His gift would be just the thing to help her to bring things to light.

"Mrs. Potter," Nathan returned, "you can see him now."

"Thank you, Nathan," she voiced, getting to her feet and following him.

Vin gripped the side of his chair to keep from running after them. 'I want to see Ezra too,' he heaved a very heavy sigh and rubbed at his eyes.

"Hey, little brother," Nathan softly called out, "you coming?"

He jumped to his feet so fast he nearly tripped and gave the young doctor a grateful look before slipping behind the curtain. He stood at the foot of Ezra's bed, in stillness watching as Mrs. Potter ran a smoothing hand through those silky brown locks.

"Don't worry," Nathan suddenly broke the silence, startling Vin. "He's just sleeping and will more than likely sleep through the night."

"Is . . . is he in pain?" Vin needed to know.

"Not any more," his brother told him.

"How long will he be swollen and . . . and red like that?" Vin wondered.

"The majority of it will be gone by tonight. There may be some linger discomfort, especially given how warm it's starting to get, but most of the time the symptoms clear up within a week to ten days."

He moved to stand to the side of the bed, laid a hand on Ezra's jean clad leg, and stared at the hand laying on the bed. Swearing he could still feel that hand in his from earlier. He wanted to hold it again and never let it go.

"Excuse me, Nathan," Nettie said, standing just outside the divider, "I know I'm not suppose to be in here, but I need Vin to run me home so I can check on Casey."

Vin briefly closed his eyes, dropped his shoulders, and pushed a shaky hand through his hair. Opening his eyes, he looked at Ezra, but addressed his guardian, "If he wakes up . . . t..tell him I'll see him in the morning and I'll call you later to check up on him. Okay?"

"Okay," she smiled. "I thank both you and Nathan for taking such good care of Ezra," she uttered with tears in her eyes.

Vin just nodded his head, unable to say a word.

~*~*~

When Vin finally made it home he told his mom how Ezra was doing, leaving her to tell anyone else that asked. Then headed straight for his room; closing and locking the door. He pressed back against it, welcoming its strength as his legs gave out and he slid down to the floor. Wrapped his arms tightly around his drawn up knees, buried his face in the denim, and finally gave into the tears that had been threatening to fall since Ezra got stung. And once they started, there was no stopping them. His slender body shook with the force of them.

He'd been so scared Ezra was gonna die. That he'd lose him. He couldn't lose Ezra, not now that he'd just found him. Not now that they were just starting to share things. Not now that . . .

'He promised,' he sobbed, 'to take care of me. He promised.'

A knock on the door made him jump and briefly halted his tears.

"Vin?"

"Leave me alone, JD," he begged. "I'm okay. I just wanna be left alone."

Vin snorted at those words because earlier that was one thing he feared the most; being alone in a world without Ezra.

He sat there lost in a void until the house fell silent and the moon shone high in the sky. It wasn't until his head started to drop did he drag his tired achy body to the bed, crawling under the covers, shoes and all, and slip into a fitful sleep, where images of Ezra haunted his dreams.

Early the next morning, Vin jerked awake breathing hard and feeling tired and dejected. He rubbed his burning tear swollen eyes only to have them fill again as he suddenly remembered that he hadn't called to check on Ezra.

"Some friend you are!" he ranted, jumping from the bed. "Not only did you almost get him killed . . . you c..can't even call and c..check up on him," he whispered, glancing at the clock and seeing that it was just after seven in the morning he snatched up the stupid thing, giving it a frustrated shake. It'll be another hour before the switch board opened. Setting the clock back down he decided that since he'd have to wait, then he might as well wait at the hospital.

He yanked his shirt off and tossed it over his shoulder, pulling on a clean one then grabbed his deodorant, not wanting to smell as bad as he looked. He released the lock, jerked the door opened and was half way down the hall when he started patting the pocket's of his jeans, hunting for the keys to the Mustang.

"Oh no," he muttered, racing back into his room and throwing the covers back only to find . . . nothing. "Shit, shit, shit!" he softly cursed, slinging things around. "Where are they?"

He took in a couple deep breaths, trying to calm down so he'd be able think clearly. "Okay," he slowly exhaled. "Where'd you see them last?" He closed his eyes for only a second, because that was all it took for him to remember that he'd left them in the car. "Oh shit, Ezra's gonna kill me!" he groaned, hurrying from the room.

"Morning, Vin," his mother greeted him, as he came into the kitchen.

"Morning, I'm going to the hospital to see Ezra, and I don't know when I'll be back," he said, breezing through the room. He'd just opened the door and was about to step down, when a golden ball of fur rushed in, throwing Vin off balance and sending him tumbling down the steps.

"I'm sorry, Ezra," he huffed into the dirt. "I'm trying."

~*~*~

Ezra was sitting up in the hospital bed, silently scolding himself for looking at the door every five minutes. So what if visiting hours started at 8:30 and it was now a quarter to ten and Vin wasn't there. It didn't mean he wasn't coming. Anything could have happened.

'Yeah, like you scared him away,' a voice in his head told him. 'You scared him so bad he may never come back.'

'Shut. Up,' he growled at the voice, clutching his blanket between tightly clinched fists. 'If Vin said he was coming then he'll be here.'

'So where is he?'

Ezra didn't have an answer for that and flopped back on the bed, drawing the covers up over his head, wanting to disappear. Wanting to be anywhere but here. Wanting to rewind yesterday and erase it.

'Why? So you forget the feel of Vin holding on to you as tightly as he dared? So you can lose the sensation of having Vin whispering in your ear?' That same voice questioned.

'No, I don't want to lose any of that,' Ezra admitted with tears in his eyes. 'Just the bad stuff. Like the fear in his eyes.'

'You can't get rid of one without getting rid of it all,' the voice reasoned with him. 'And he was afraid 'for' you, not of you.'

"Stop worrying, he'll be here," Gloria told him, breaking into his thoughts. "He's probably finishing up his chores so he can spend the day with you. And please, be careful with that IV."

"I hadn't thought of that," he mouthed, without making a sound and lowered the covers to reveal his expressive green eyes.

"He was so scared for you, Ezra," she gently informed him. "I know why you didn't want to tell him, but should have done it anyway. It wasn't right to frighten him like that. Think about how Vin would have felt if the worse had happened. And think how you would have felt if you were in his shoes . . . if it was Vin that got stung? What would you have done?"

Ezra sank further into the bed and ducked back under the covers. "I'd have run like the wind."

"Ezra!"

The young southerner quickly sat up and snapped, "Fine! I'd have been scared, all right! Is that what you want to hear? I'd have been pissed and worried that he didn't t..trust me." The last was spoken very softly, as his temper cooled just as fast as it had heated up then he disappeared once again into his refuge beneath the blankets.

"Oh, Ezra," Gloria sighed, "don't worry, Vin understands about your mother . . ."

"You told him about my mother?" He flipped the covers back and glared at her. "You had no right . . ."

"I did what I thought was best at the time," she was quick to point out. "The guilt was eating him alive and I felt he deserved an explanation. It wasn't as if you hadn't all ready shared things with him concerning your mother . . ."

"It's not the same thing!" Ezra was breathing heavy and was fighting the urge to run. "The only time I've told him anything was when he needed distracting . . ."

"How is that different from what I did?"

"Because it was me doing the telling! Me choosing when and what to share!"

"Well, I'm not about to apologize for eases Vin's mind," Gloria stubbornly crossed her arms over her chest.

"I don't expect you to, but I do expect you to respect my privacy," he stated, then stilled as there was a knock on the door. Ezra's eyes widened and he gave serious thought to going back into hiding, but knew he'd have to face Vin sooner or later. "He's here."

"How do you know that?"

"I just do," Ezra ran his free hand through his hair.

~*~*~

Vin forced himself to greet Mrs. Potter, even though he only had eyes for Ezra, who was still kinda splotchy looking. However, he was determined not to let those eyes distract him. Ezra had to made to understand that he could tell Vin anything and that he was not to ever . . . ever scare him like that again.

"What happened?" Ezra asked, forgetting his on troubles as soon as he saw Vin using crutches.

"We'll talk about me later. Right now we're gonna talk about you," Vin told him, in a tight voice.

Ezra dropped his eyes at that and began playing with tape holding his IV in place.

"Vin, if you don't slow down you're gonna hurt more than your ankle," Stacy shook her head as she stepped into the room behind him. "Hello, Gloria. Hello, Ezra how are you doing?"

"I'm fine, Mrs. Larabee," he smiled at her.

"You gave us quite a scare," she conveyed her concern. "How are you holding up Gloria?"

"Oh, I'm doing as well as can be expected," Gloria replied.

"Well if you need anything, please don't hesitate to call me, okay?"

"I won't," she nodded.

"Gloria do you mind if Vin stays here with Ezra? I can drag him home if you think he might be too much trouble for you."

"Mom!"

"I don't mind at all," Gloria assured her. "Vin's welcome to visit Ezra any time he wishes."

"I'll have Buck or one of the others pick you up later," Stacy told her son. "I hate to say hi and bye, but I've got to go and get Tom."

"Has something happened to your father?" Gloria wondered, as the other woman left the room.

"No ma'am," Vin kinda smirked at her, "I'll tell ya all about it once Ez and I have talked."

Ezra pulled his knees up to his chest, chewed on his lip, and nervously eyed, who he hoped was still his friend. "I . . ."

"Can explain?" Vin prompted. "Well, I certainly hope so. You could've d..died Ezra and it would have been my f..fault . . ."

"No . . ."

"Yes, it would," he cut him off. "If you'd have told me I wouldn't have let you anywhere near Nettie's. And I sure as hell, wouldn't have angered them bees by swatting at 'em."

"I know I should have told you and apologize for not doing so," Ezra very sincerely said. Then muttered under his breath or so he thought, "If there hadn't been so many of them you never would have known . . ."

"What did you say? Never would have known?" Vin couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"You heard that . . ."

"Yes, I heard that!" he snapped in a gruff voice. "Dang it, Ezra!" he huffed. "All right, that's it! Now I want you to listen to me, Ezra . . . listen very carefully . . . I am not your mother. I am your friend. Just like you're my friend. Best friends here, Ezra," he waved a hand between them. "Best friends share things. No matter how stupid. They s..share things. I l..like you just the way you are, Ezra. Allergies and all."

"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you, Vin," Ezra sniffed. "You're m..my only f..friend and I do tell you things . . ."

"Not that you didn't!"

Gloria stood quietly by the door watching as the boys discreetly wipe their eyes, while she herself didn't dare move.

"No, not that," Ezra admitted, after a minute. "I said I was sorry. What more do you want from me?"

"I need to you understand that you can tell me anything, Ezra," Vin softly proclaimed, then in a determined voice continued. "And I want you to tell me if there's anything else you're hiding from me that could get you killed."

"No . . ."

"Ezra!"

"What?!" he cried. "No, there's nothing else I'm hiding from you that will get me killed!" he informed him. "Stings; I'm allergic to stings . . . wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets, but bees are the worst."

"I'm sorry," Vin released a shaky breath. "I thought you were saying no that you weren't going to tell me."

"Oh." Ezra plucked at the blanket covering him for a few seconds until a thought occurred him. Raising his head, he looked Vin in the eye and asked, "What about you? Are you hiding anything from me?"

"No, I'm not allergic to anything that I know of," Vin carefully replied. He didn't know if he'd ever be ready to share the fact that it was getting harder and harder to explain just why it was he found Ezra so attractive.

Ezra nodded his head. "So . . . are we okay?"

"Yeah, but don't ever scare me like that again," Vin urged, shaking one of his crutches at him.

"Okay, I'll try not to," was all Ezra could promise. "Now will you tell me what happened?"

Vin grinned and jumped up on the bed. "I will, but first tell me how you're feeling? How you're really feeling?"

"I'm still a little itchy, but otherwise, just like I told your mother," Ezra reassured him. "And I'm being released this afternoon."

"Great! One of my brothers can pick me up there as well as here. If that's all right with you, Mrs. Potter?"

"Sure," Gloria told him, as she retook her earlier chair.

Vin gave her a quick nod, then returned his attention to Ezra. "I'm sorry I didn't call and check on you last night, but I h..had a rough night."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it," he softly stated, "I'm good so long as you are."

"I am, I swear it."

"Anyway, this morning I was rushing out of the house when JD's new puppy and I collided. The puppy escaped without a hair out of place, while I went tumbling down the steps, landing in the dirt and when I tried to stand up I fell right back down. My ankle wouldn't hold me," he grinned. "Busted it up real good."

"Why are you grinning?"

"I just told ya I messed up my ankle . . ."

"And that's a good thing?" Ezra was confused.

"Yes, well not really 'cause it hurt," Vin shrugged. "But it was worth it 'cause my mom and dad had to bring me to the hospital, which is where I was headed anyway. And the doctor, who just happened to be Nathan told them it looked like I'd aggravated an old injury and that I needed to stay off it for a week, hence the crutches, and I gotta keep it wrapped for at least six." He made a face at that, then reached across the bed and poked Ezra on the leg. "The best part though was when Nathan said that he thought it would be best if I didn't play any sports for the rest of the school year or the summer. Which means no football or baseball camp!"

Ezra beamed and silently cheered for his friend.

"My dad went ballistic! 'What do ya mean he can't play ball?'" Vin laughed. "He got real quiet though when Nathan told him that if I did then I be risking a permanent injury and ruin my professional career before it even got started. Well," he slapped himself on the leg, "you could've heard a pen drop after that 'cause there's no way my dad's gonna allow anything interfere with his dreams."

"So you don't have to go to anymore practices?" he asked.

Vin shook his head, no.

"And you have the summer free?"

Vin grinned and nodded his head. "We have the summer free."

"And this," he leaned forward and gently touched Vin's swollen and bruised ankle, "settles that pesky little prom issue, doesn't it?"

"YES!" Vin cried, giving a little bounce.

Gloria discreetly sighed in relief as she watched the boys laugh. She was glad they had worked things out. She had to smile though, as she noticed that their legs were touching. Things were progressing well between them and felt it was time to help them move on to the next step. And she'd start with Ezra.

~*~*~

Late that afternoon Ezra and Vin were relaxing next to each other on the front porch swing. Vin sat sideways and had his injured foot resting in Ezra's lap, that at first had earned him a pointed look to which Vin had explained, with a wide grin on his face, that his foot needed to be propped up. Ezra didn't comment, but merely rolled his eyes.

"Ezra?" Vin had to break the silence, needing a distraction. He'd been staring at Ezra for the last ten minutes and was surprised that Ezra hadn't picked up on it yet.

"Uhm?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Not if it has anything to do with bees," he replied, not bothering to open his eyes.

Vin sighed and shifted a bit on the swing, wanting to ask his question anyway, but knew that pushing would get him no where.

It was Ezra turn to sigh when Vin just sat there not saying a word. Turning his head to the left, he opened his eyes and looked at the person beside him. "Do you always get your way?"

Vin grinned and said, "No! If I did then I wouldn't be arguing with my dad about college every other day."

"Then why do I have a hard time telling you no?"

"There are very few that can resist my charms," he told him in a silky voice.

Ezra was grateful Vin's foot wasn't resting directing in his lap because his reaction to that voice would be ha . . . difficult to explain. "What do you want to know?" he was grateful still that he sounded normal.

"Well, I was wondering if you always react the way you did when you get stung?"

"No," the southerner lightly shook his head and lowered his eyes. "It's 'cause I panicked at seeing so many. I can usually ignore one, dismiss it like it wasn't even there. But three," he shuddered. "And if I hadn't have panicked, then I wouldn't have ended up in the hospital. Could've just used my pen and then taken some benadryl"

"Did you have your pen with you when we went fishing?"

"I carry it with me everywhere." Ezra watched with hopeful eyes as Vin stretched our his hand and gently touched the stung area with the tips of his fingers. He tried to control his response, but could do nothing to suppress the tremor Vin's touch invoked.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No," Ezra grabbed Vin's wrist before he pull away and unconsciously leaned in closer to the other boy. "It's a little tender."

"It feels hot," he softly voiced, not sure if he was referring to the sting or the situation. "Is that normal?" he made himself ask.

"Yeah." Ezra licked at his suddenly dry lips and was getting a crick in his neck from the awkward way he was holding it, but he wouldn't have moved for anything in the world.

Vin felt his body react to the sight of Ezra's tongue and felt himself inching ever nearer to his friend, only to jump back as the screen door suddenly banged opened and one of the Potter children ran out into the yard and over to a tire swing hanging in a near by tree.

'Think, think, think,' Ezra told himself at he glanced around him, taking in the fact that the Potters' vehicles were parked in their usual places as was his . . . "Vin?"

"Huh?"

"Where's my car?"

Vin grinned, pushed everything else to the back of his mind and said, "Coming up the drive."

Ezra narrowed his eyes as he saw not only his car, but Chris's patrol car headed their way. "Guess your ride's here."

"Guess so," he nodded, lowering his foot and reaching for his crutches.

"At least you get to ride home in style," Ezra teased.

Vin laughed and got to his feet. "Me and Buck both, which means he'll sit in the front with Chris so he can play siren."

Ezra laughed. "Tell Buck to leave the keys in the car and I'll get them later."

"Okay. I'll call ya tomorrow, all right?"

"Not if I call you first," he countered with a wink. Ezra waved at both of Vin's brothers and assured them that he was doing fine, then watched as they disappeared in a cloud of dust.

"He's a very handsome young man, isn't he?"

"Yes, ma'am, he . . ." Ezra whipped his head around and stared at Mrs. Potter. "Excuse me? What did you say?"

Gloria sat down beside him, holding something close to her chest. "You heard me and gave me an honest answer, which is exactly what I wanted," she assured him. "It's okay, Ezra. I'd never do anything to hurt you or Vin. However, I do wish to speak to you and try to answer any questions you might have."

"Why?"

"Because love is a very precious and if one is ever lucky enough to find then they should be allowed to embrace it, without fear or shame. In whatever form it comes in," she lifted a hand and brushed the hair from his forehead before resuming. "I believe you for such a love comes in the form of a certain long-legged Texan."

Ezra closed his eyes and tried to block out what she was saying, but he was tired of hiding and desperately wanted Mrs. Potter to be right.

"I've seen the way you and Vin look at each other, Ezra, and I couldn't be happier for you."

Ezra opened and closed his mouth several times. "Are you trying to tell me that you think . . . I'm so inclined toward members of my own sex?"

"No, Ezra, I'm saying that I believe you and Vin are both gay," she very bluntly said. She reached over and took his hand in hers before continuing, "I'm here for you, Ezra, if you'd like to talk."

"I . . . I d..don't have anything to talk about," he countered, proving that old habits died hard.

"How about your feelings for Vin?" she prompted him.

"He's my friend . . ."

"But your feelings are more than friendly, aren't they?"

"I . . . I . . ." he stuttered.

"He has feelings for you too . . ."

"Really?" he hated how eager he sounded. "He didn't tell you that . . . I know he didn't."

"No he did not, but I know what I've seen," Gloria informed him. "And I also know, that if these feelings are ever going to continue to grow then you'll have to be the one to make the first move."

"Me?! Why?!"

"Because Vin doesn't have anyone to tell him it's okay to have feelings for another boy," she rationalized. "And it is okay, Ezra. To have these feelings. They're nothing to be ashamed of. Very few people get a chance at true love . . ."

"True love?" Ezra whispered.

"And for you to have found it at such a young age is rare indeed," she finished, in spite of the interruption.

"You don't know that it's true."

"No, but then again you don't know that it isn't," she smiled at him. "It won't be easy, but things worth fighting for usually aren't."

"Mrs. Potter," Ezra licked his lips, "if I learned nothing else from living with my mother, I learned to be open-minded and being fortunate enough to live cities such as New York and San Francisco I've been exposed to all walks of life." He turned to look at her, giving her a steady look. "So I've known of my preferences for a little while now. However, I would never presume to guess at another's. What if you're wrong? Vin's the only friend I've ever had and I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize that."

"I'm not even going to pretend to have all the answers, Ezra. All I do know is what my hearts tells me to be true," Gloria gently rubbed the hand in hers. "My heart's telling me that you and Vin are meant to be and that this isn't something to be ignored. But if I am wrong, then I honestly believe that you and Vin will remain friends, it may be a little awkward for a while, but I think it would all work out in the end."

"I don't know if I want to take that chance," he admitted. "I'd rather content myself with having a part of Vin, then nothing at all."

"Ultimately, it is your choice," she agreed. "Can you live with the fact that you're passing up the chance of having your dreams come true?"

Ezra sighed and felt tears sting his eyes.

Gloria leaned over and pressed a kiss to the side of Ezra's head. "It'll be okay, I promise you it will. And in the mean time I have something for you that I hope helps you make the right decision and that can answer any questions that you don't feel comfortable asking me," she told him, handing over the book in her hand.

"Mrs. Potter!" Ezra exclaimed as he flipped a few pages, clearly shocked that this dear sweet lady would have such a book in her possession. "How . . . Where?"

"My cousin sent it to me and don't be such a prude, Ezra, it's just a . . . Oh my goodness!" she cried, covering her mouth. "I didn't realize that it had photographs in it and . . . they're quite explicit."

Ezra could only nod, unable to tear his eyes away from the two intertwined men.

"Oh Ezra, you mustn't leave this out for the children to see," she cautioned, then with an embarrassed look on her face said, "but feel free to share it with Vin."

Ezra closed the book with a snap, turned it face up, revealing the cover and thought the title to be most appropriate, 'A Different Kind of Love.' He didn't know if he should roll his eyes or hide in his room and read the book from cover to cover. 'Course deciding that would be easy compared to what lay before him.

Did he leave things as they were; where him and Vin grew closer everyday? Or did he take a chance on continuing what him and Vin had almost started earlier?

Continues in A Different Kind of Love