When You Say Nothin At All

by Jo Ann

Disclaimer: Not mine. Never will be - I couldn't afford to feed them. Buck and Josiah alone would eat me out of house and home.

Note: Song Fic. This song was sung by the late Keith Whitley.

Ezra Standish sat at his usual table with some gentlemen staying overnight in their fair town playing game of chance. While, there was nothing different in that there was something different in that for some reason the game was not holding his attention as it usually did. Oh, sure, he was still winning. In fact, Ezra knew he could beat these gentlemen wearing a blindfold. But tonight his heart just wasn't in it. Tonight his heart and attention was on something or rather someone much more . . . entertaining.

Excusing himself, Ezra got to his feet and walked up to the bar. Via the mirror he glanced around the room and immediately located his reason for being seated with their friends. Across the crowded saloon their eyes met and Ezra felt the heat in those eyes spread throughout his body causing him to break out in a sweat. With just a look he felt loved. He knew the love shining in those eyes was for him . . . and him alone.

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing

Ezra knew that the special smile playing at those sensual lips meant he was wanted and more importantly . . . needed. His green eyes traveled over a pair of hands that were currently wrapped around a mug of beer, but knew that with a gun in their possession they held a deadly aim when directed at foe and yet . . . those same hands could be so gentle when dealing with a frightened animal or when arousing a lover. Ezra knew that no matter what his need was those hands would be there for him. Soothing a hurt or stoking the flame of passion. Offering him a hand up when needed or helping to prevent him from falling.

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
A touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
Now you say it best, when you say nothing at all

The Southerner knew that it didn't matter if they were alone or surrounded by people when those arms held him close it was as if they were the only ones around. Ezra treasured those moments most of all. With just a touch their hearts beat and communicated as one conveying their love and need for each other without words.

All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near you drown out the crowd
Old Mister Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine

Ezra was a man who made his living using words and found it astonishing that the two of them could communicate without vocalizing a single one. To Ezra that was the most precious gift his lover had ever . . . could ever have given him. When Vin said nothing at all, that's when Ezra felt his love the most.

The End