The day had been going along fine, with the men of Team Seven working on the reports concerning their latest bust. Things had gone well for a Monday morning, no one had been hurt, and everything was done except for dotting the I's and crossing the T's. Buck was bantering with JD, Nathan was looking well satisfied that his medical services hadn't been needed, Josiah was pleased that his skill in profiling the suspect had proven correct, and Ezra was trying to figure out a way to disguise his latest expensive shoe purchase into his budget report.

Of all of them, however, no one was more relieved than Vin that his role as sniper hadn't been necessary. He never minded using his skill and training to injure, or even kill as required, but it took a lot out of him every time it happened. Right now, he was even happy with the way his report was coming along. He caught Ezra's eye, and gave him a slight nod and half-grin. The latest software program that Ezra had installed on his computer to correct spelling and grammar was even better than the one he'd been using before. Vin would always be grateful to the undercover agent for all his subtle help in overcoming the challenges of dyslexia.

Suddenly the quiet was broken by a loud curse from their team leader's office. The men looked at each other, puzzled and a little apprehensive. A couple of them had vaguely registered the fact that the phone had rung a few minutes earlier, and Vin and Buck looked at each other. They'd been promised some down time by Orin Travis; had a new case come up that needed them?

The door was jerked open roughly, and an angry Chris Larabee stood with his hand on the doorknob while his other hand raked through his straight blond hair.

"Tanner, my office. Now."

Vin turned to the others and shrugged. They frowned and watched as the slender sharpshooter made his way into the team leader's office.

"What is that all that about?" JD exclaimed. "Chris sure looked pissed."

"I have no idea, kid," Buck shook his head. "But I guess we'll find out soon enough."

Vin stepped into the inner office, looking puzzled but not alarmed. He hurriedly thought back to everything that had happened during the bust, and he couldn't think where he might have screwed up. No shots had been fired, none had been needed. No one had gotten hurt, all the men had been protected without incident. Watching the older man pace back and forth, he tried to stay calm, knowing he'd find out in a minute what was going on.

"Vin." Chris suddenly stopped and stood beside his desk. He took in the slightly tense posture of the younger man, poised by the door almost as though he was ready to flee.

"What is it, Larabee?" the smaller man finally asked.

Chris looked up and smiled faintly at his young lover. The man was staring at him calmly, yet there was a certain wariness about him also. If anything, Vin would be worried about Chris. He was reminded about what Buck had said once, describing the slender Texan, when he said that Vin always looked kind of relaxed and on edge all at the same time.

Chris sighed heavily, and ran his hands through his hair again. "You okay?" There was nothing but genuine concern in Vin's features right then, and Chris felt his stomach clench at the thought of what this news was going to do to him.

"Yeah. No. Well, it's nothing about the job," Chris started, stumbling over his words.

Vin frowned, confused. When he saw that Larabee was struggling to continue, his manner softened. "It's usually best to just say it straight out, Cowboy."

"My parents are coming."

"Oh."

"That was my mother on the phone. It seems as though a cousin of mine is engaged to someone from the Denver area. To tell you the truth, I hadn't been paying that much attention to the emails from her about it, but now it turns out that the wedding is next weekend, and she and my father are flying out for the wedding."

"Oh."

"She was actually calling from the airport in Indianapolis. Their flight to Denver is leaving in a matter of minutes."

"Oh."

"And they want to stay with me. At the ranch."

"Oh."

Chris sighed heavily. "For a week."

"Oh."

Larabee slumped against the side of his desk. "That's all you're gonna say, Tanner? Just, 'oh'?"

"Ain't nothing else to say, Chris," Vin's voice was soft and the slight rasp was more pronounced than usual, along with his faint drawl. Nothing else in Vin's demeanor gave away the stress the younger man was feeling, but Chris had learned that the drawl and the raspiness of Vin's voice was the best indicator when Tanner was upset.

"Vin…"

"Look, Chris, it's okay. Ain't no big deal. I'll just take off now, head out to your place. I'll get my things and be gone before five. I know you have work to do here."

"Oh, God, Vin. I'm sorry," Chris interrupted, shaking his head.

"Don't, Chris. There's nothing to be sorry for," Vin stopped him, holding up his hand.

"Come here," Chris said, moving over toward the younger man and pulling him into a light embrace in the corner away from where anyone looking through the blinds on the other side of the office could see them. He frowned again as he noted the tension in the tight muscles.

"I need to get going," Vin said, pulling away.

"God, Cowboy," Chris felt his gut clenching. Vin had his hand on the doorknob before Chris could stop him. "Vin. Wait."

The slender young man stopped, his shoulders stiffening but he didn't turn around.

"Will I see you later? At the Saloon later tonight?"

"I… I don't know, Chris. I… may have things to do."

"Come, Vin. I need to see you."

"You need to see your parents. They'll be landing about then, anyway."

"Shit," Chris hadn't even thought about that. "Don't be mad, Vin."

At that the sharpshooter did turn. Chris felt himself drowning in the pain and sadness in the huge blue eyes.

"I ain't mad, Chris. Really, I'm not. You got family coming. I understand. It's okay. I'll… I'll see you later."

Vin left then, and Chris stood in the doorway watching as the younger man walked back to his desk. The other team members didn't even try to hide their curiosity as they looked from Vin to Chris and back. Vin rounded up and stacked the papers on his desk, locking them in a bottom drawer.

"Where you going, Vin?" JD asked.

"Something wrong, Junior?" Buck frowned. His concerned gaze turned from his oldest friend to their newest team member. Something was up, but Vin sure wasn't talking. The most they heard was the young Texan mumble something about having a couple errands to run.

Vin turned off his monitor, grabbed his jacket, and headed toward the elevators, leaving a stunned and puzzled group of agents sitting open-mouthed and staring after him. Their stares turned to each other as Chris forcefully shut the door behind him, effectively cutting off any communication from the team.

"What the heck was that all about?" Nathan seemed miffed.

"Is Vin in trouble?" JD asked timidly.

"I don't know, kid," Buck stood up and headed toward their team leader's door. "But I aim to find out. Something's sure going on."

Josiah just looked thoughtful. While it seemed as though the others felt like there was anger between Vin and Chris, he had just sensed in Vin a deep sadness more than anything.

Buck opened the door and walked in. Chris just glared at him.

"Knocking, Buck? Waiting to be acknowledged?" Chris's mouth was tight and the sarcasm was biting. "We've had a little talk about that before, if I remember correctly."

"Yeah, yeah," Buck barely acknowledged Chris's protest, waving it away. "For now let's just pretend I knocked and you answered. The real issue is, what's going on with Vin?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Buck's eyes widened. "Sure, Chris. We all believe that. You bellow for him to get into your office, and the next thing we know he's tearing out of here like a singed cat. Then you calmly head back to work and say nothing's going on."

"It's fine, Buck."

"Chris, you can sure be one stubborn bastard. Now, are you going to tell me what's going on right now, or am I going to have to badger the life out of you to get you to tell me?"

The team leader stared across his desk, his icy green eyes hard.

"Larabee, there's only one person on earth who ain't afraid of that glare, and he's gone right now. But I ain't all that far behind him in the immunity department, so spill it."

When Chris still remained silent, Buck's eyes widened in concern. "Is Junior in trouble?"

"No," Chris said, shaking his head. "No, he's not in trouble. Nothing's wrong. Vin just… well, he just had errands to run."

Buck's eyebrows knitted.

"Errands to run. Errands."

He shook his head and scowled down at Chris as he stood up. "Okay then, Larabee. Have it your way. We'll all just pretend that nothing happened, and that we all believe Vin suddenly had pressing errands to run but everything's just all fine and dandy."

"Look," Chris ran his hand through his hair, wishing this day had never happened and distractedly wondering whether he had any more antacids in his desk to handle the churning in his stomach. "It's nothing bad, nothing's wrong. Something minor came up that Tanner needed to leave to take care of. He's fine."

Chris cringed inside. Was he fine? What had their little conversation, and its implications, done to his young lover. Was Vin feeling like this was just one more time that he was a problem for someone? That this was just another in a long string of incidents where Vin Tanner was an inconvenience; someone okay to have around once in a while, but shoved aside and made to leave the moment something else – someone else – more important came along.

God, he was going to be sick. His head was pounding, and if Buck didn't get out of here soon, Chris felt like he might not to make it to his little lavatory off his office before he was sick and vomited all over his desk.

"We'll be checking on him," Buck's voice was low and intense. Chris looked up and saw the promise in those words, and not a little threat. As much as Chris loved Vin, his teammates cared about him too, and wanted to protect him nearly as much. They took threats to Vin very seriously, and Buck was warning Chris that if he had hurt their young sharpshooter he'd have the rest of the team to answer to.

"He'll probably be at the Saloon later."

"What about you, Chris?"

"I don't know. Maybe. Go back to work, Buck. Things'll be fine."

Wilmington clearly didn't believe that, but he could tell that he wasn't going to get anything more out of their team leader. No matter what Chris said, they'd all be keeping an eye on Vin to make sure he was really all right.

After the door shut behind the tall agent, Chris put his head in his hands.

Shit. He wasn't going to get anything done this afternoon, either. Damn it all to hell. He'd thought about telling his parents, about introducing Vin to them. He'd tried to think of the best time, the best way. His mother had loved Sarah more than anything, his father, too, and Adam had been the light of their lives. Chris couldn't imagine the number of frequent-flyer miles the two had accumulated coming to spend as much time as possible with their young grandson. Sarah and Adam's deaths had devastated them nearly as much as it had Chris. He had no idea how they would take the news that Chris had a new love in his life, one that while different was no less intense than the love he'd had for his wife.

Chris also had been afraid of what meeting his parents would do to Vin. He knew that his young lover had lived his short life full of pain and rejection and loneliness. Chris wasn't sure how his parents would take the news that their son had a same-sex relationship, and he didn't want Vin caught in the crossfire. He didn't want Vin hurt once again by the impression that he wasn't good enough, wasn't important enough, wasn't worth having a place to belong. Worth having a person to belong to.

Coward. A cowardly bastard. Chris shook his head in disgust. That's what he was. Telling himself that he kept their relationship a secret for Vin's sake. Because he didn't want Vin to get hurt. That their relationship was too new to share with anyone else. Yet he was now forced to admit to himself that most of that fear, that reluctance to tell his parents about them was his own cowardice and the fear of how they would react toward him.

Chris had always been a golden child. He'd been a leader in his class since elementary school – tall, athletic, smart. As he went through high school and college and into the Navy, nothing changed. His entire life was one of success after success. Captain of the football team, dating the head cheerleader, president of the senior class, even Prom King. In college he continued his leadership role in important student groups, and was well-liked and extremely popular among other students as well as faculty and administrators. His leadership abilities were recognized immediately by the military when he'd joined the Navy, and he was proud of making it through the SEALs, but there was nothing, nothing in his past that would prepare his parents for seeing their first-born son in a committed relationship with a man.

A gay man. And didn't that just make their son gay, too.

Fuck.

Chris closed his office up, shutting off his computer and locking his files and desk. Maybe if he hurried, and Wednesday rush hour Denver traffic wasn't too bad, he could make it out to the ranch and catch Vin before he left. They'd only have a few minutes together before he'd have to turn around to come back to the airport. With any luck, their flight would be late and his parents would be stuck in baggage claim until he could get there.

Larabee opened his door to find five stony-eyed faces staring at him. He breathed deeply and counted to ten before speaking.

"Why don't you all close up shop early and take off," he told them. "It's been a hard few weeks and it's close enough to five o'clock. Let's call it a day."

"Sure, Chris, thanks!" JD turned immediately back to his desk. Their computer whiz opened the top drawer of his desk and swept his arm across it, stuffing everything in haphazardly.

The others didn't let Chris off quite so easily, though, and he found them still looking at him for an explanation.

"You coming to the Saloon?" Josiah asked, while Ezra pretended to be examining his cuticles.

"No," Chris said briefly. "Not tonight."

"But why not?" JD blurted. "Is Vin gonna come? We always all go. Why wouldn't he come? Why aren't you coming either?"

"JD," Chris warned.

"Sorry."

"Look…" Chris sighed. He was trying not to be exasperated, knowing that his team was only curious because they cared. Finally, he decided to tell them about his parents, since there was no point in keeping it a secret that they were in town, anyway. "I'm leaving to pick my parents up at the airport. They're flying in to Denver this evening, and they'll be here until their flight home early Monday morning, after my cousin's wedding this coming Saturday."

"Really?" Buck grinned. "Say, I haven't seen them since… well, for a long time." His smile faded as he realized that the occasion was the funeral for Sarah and Adam. "Damn, Chris. I'm sorry."

Chris shook his head. "No. No, Buck. It's okay. Don't worry about it."

"Are we still getting together at your ranch this Sunday for the barbecue?"

Leave it to JD to pester everyone with his non-stop questions.

"Let the man have some time with his folks," Nathan scolded.

"Sunday should be fine," Chris told them. "I'm sure they'll want to meet all of you."

"That's quite all right, Mr. Larabee," Ezra looked up. "Of anyone, I certainly understand that parents have a tendency to demand all your time when they show up wanting to be entertained."

"I knew they were coming to Denver for the wedding," Chris admitted, leaning against the doorframe as he shifted his briefcase to his other hand. "I just didn't know that they planned to show up this evening and stay for a week."

"You need to check your email more often," Buck teased.

Josiah gave him a toothy grin, and then added that he would enjoy meeting them.

"That would be great, Josiah," Chris told them. "Obviously I don't know whether they have anything planned specifically for Sunday, but I'd like them to meet you, too."

Chris made his goodbyes and then headed out. All the way home to the ranch he kept thinking about Vin, and the look on his young lover's face when he told him about his parents. The two of them hadn't ever really talked very much about letting anyone know about their relationship. Not only was it still pretty new, they didn't know how their teammates would react. There was also the matter of the ATF administration finding out as well. It was one thing to claim the government agency didn't discriminate, but neither man was so naïve as to believe that also extended to same-sex relationships. To complicate matters even further, Chris was Vin's supervisor. That alone would be grounds for either one of them to be fired, but if it came to one of them, Chris knew it would be him. After all, he was the team leader – the one who was supposed to 'know better.' His mouth turned up in a wry grin. As if he'd ever sought to fall in love with his team's sharpshooter.

Chris rubbed his hand across his eyes as he stopped for a traffic light at the end of the expressway exit ramp. His massive headache showed no sign of letting up, and he didn't know whether he'd survive the next week, if he even made it through this night.

It was already early evening when the big Ram pickup pulled into the long driveway. Chris was relieved to see Vin's battered Jeep still parked by the side of the sprawling ranch house. He sighed heavily and pushed open the door of the truck. Chris was almost to the porch when Vin came out, lugging a duffle bag. They each stopped and looked at each other, feeling the awkwardness of the situation.

"Vin…"

"Chris…"

Both men stopped and looked at each other, wry smiles crossing their faces.

"Chris," Vin started again, shaking his head slightly. "I don't want you worrying about it. I'm fine. Your parents are coming, and you need to spend time with them. You don't need to be dealing with all this right now."

"You know I love you, Vin, right?" Green eyes sought sapphire blue.

"You ain't got to ask that, Cowboy. Ain't ever got to ask me that."

"I know. It's just…."

"Chris, don't. Don't feel bad about this, or you're gonna make me feel bad."

"I hate this. I hate that we have to hide what we feel for each other."

"That's just the way it is, Larabee." Vin shrugged. "We talked about it. We knew going in we were going to have to be careful. It just is what it is. And if that means we have to hide it from your folks as well as the team, that's what we have to do."

Chris reached for Vin's duffle bag, his hand covering the long, slender fingers as he rubbed his thumb over the knuckles. Gently he took the bag from the younger man, and set it on the porch. He then pulled Vin into a gentle hug, his arms sliding around the slim waist, marveling as always at how right it felt to be holding this man. The hard muscles on the slender form never failed to arouse him. He knew that they didn't have time to act on their passion for each other. Chris nevertheless refused to let Vin leave before making sure he knew that he was loved.

Chris moved his hands from Vin's waist and hips, to hold Vin's face. His long fingers slid into the soft curls, his thumbs caressing the space between the hard cheekbones and the tiny ears that Vin hated to be teased about, even though they were the cutest ears Chris had ever seen. He kissed Vin gently on the forehead, then on each closed eyelid. Vin sighed with contentment, and Chris smiled softly. He kissed the full lips gently, and Vin leaned into the embrace. His hands went around Chris's back, moving upward to the broad shoulders. Tongues dueled as their kiss deepened, but there was a loving calmness to them, not the frantic urgency that colored their lovemaking most times.

Vin was the first to pull away and break off the contact. Chris looked down at him, quirking one eyebrow.

"Better stop now," Vin pointed out, "while we still can."

Chris sighed and shook his head. "I know. You're right."

Vin snickered. "You don't want to be having to explain to your parents why you were late to the airport."

Chris threw back his head and laughed out loud. He lifted up Vin's duffle bag and slung it over his shoulder. He swatted Vin's tight ass, then put his arm around Vin's shoulders. With a sense of bittersweet resignation, the lovers parted for the week.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Vin sat staring at his small television, the sound off while a meaningless ball game flickered across the screen. The beer he'd been nursing for the last hour was warm and flat, but he couldn't even summon the effort to place it on the coffee table.

Vin felt his breath coming fast and shallow, and tried to fend off the rising feelings of panic and fear.

Vin couldn't help wondering what this visit by Chris's parents would mean to their relationship. Obviously the two of them hadn't shared the true nature of their 'friendship' with their closest friends. It was pretty damn clear Chris hadn't told his parents anything about them.

And why would he? They lived halfway across the country. He never saw them, even on most holidays, which were mainly spent with the guys. They had their lives, and Chris had his. From what Chris had told him, for the most part their family relationship wasn't that close-knit. It had been Sarah who insisted on holiday and birthday visits, especially after Adam was born. But Chris's sister and her family lived close to their parents in Indiana, and if they pushed Chris for more family visits, Larabee had never let on.

Now, however, they were here. Staying with Chris, at Chris's ranch.

Fuck.

Probably looking for pictures of Sarah and Adam all over the house, wanting to reminisce about all the good times. Maybe making plans to spend the holidays as one big, fucking Norman Rockwell family.

Shit, Tanner, Vin rolled his eyes. Get a grip, will you? They're just staying for a week. Got a wedding to attend, then they'll be gone. It ain't like they're moving in or talking Chris into moving back home.

Still, no matter how much he tried to talk himself out of it, Vin had a terrible, sick knot in his stomach that made him feel like he was going to throw up.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Across town, Chris had met his parents and waited with the Ram while they'd gotten their luggage from the baggage claim area. His father helped his mother into the cab and she got settled in the center of the wide bench seat while he tossed their bags into the back under the covered truck bed. All the way home his mother kept up a non-stop chatter, filling him in on the latest updates on the coming wedding, people he knew from their community, and family news.

"Your sister is thinking of having a third child, you know," Celeste announced, arching a blonde eyebrow at her son.

"That's nice."

"Their youngest is three. Madison was only four months old when… well…"

"I know how old she was." Chris struggled to keep from hissing at his mother. His head was really starting to pound. "I know what you were going to say, and I know how long it's been."

"Well," his mother huffed, "you don't have to get snippy. I only was saying that it's been three years, and they feel that's enough time gone by to have another child. I agree that a three year period of time is plenty for anyone to move on with life."

"Cel—" her husband tried to intervene.

"What?" she protested innocently. "I loved Sarah and Adam with all my heart. I miss them terribly, and always will, but life goes on. People have to go on with their lives."

"Mother—"

"Christopher, don't start with me. I'm your mother, and I only want your happiness. I know that Sarah, bless her soul, would be the first to agree with me."

Chris took a deep breath and tried to loosen his white-knuckled death-grip on the steering wheel. On the one hand, his mother was right. Sarah would have wanted Chris to go on with his life, and would have been the first to accept him in a new romantic relationship. However, he wondered what would happen if his mother found out that her darling son had moved on, and had found a second true love? With a man. With Vin Tanner.

"You could let your son get us home and settled into the guest room before you start planning a wedding for him," Matt Larabee sighed, a hint of disgust in his voice. "For all you know, he's already dating someone."

Chris nearly snorted. A laughing pair of bottomless blue eyes shimmered in front of his vision. Oh, yeah. He was 'dating someone' all right.

His headache pounding worse with every moment, Chris felt like he was going to explode. And while she didn't always speak directly to him about dating someone, the references were always right there as Celeste continued her relentless chatter. How someone he knew from his high school football team had been divorced, but was now remarried and his new wife was pregnant. How his aunt's neighbor was getting married in another month, and how his sister's co-worker's wife was pregnant. It seemed like every story of family or friends had to do with marriage or children or some combination of both.

Chris finally got some time alone when his parents retired early for the night. He called Vin using his cell phone from his bedroom, not taking a chance that his parents might pick up the handset of the house phone and overhear anything. Larabee sighed heavily when he only got Vin's answering machine at his apartment, and Vin's voicemail on his cell.

"Hey, Cowboy," Chris breathed after the beep sounded on Vin's phone. "Just calling to say I miss you. Love you, Vin. Good night."

Vin stared at the phone for long moments after listening to his lover's voice. He was a coward and he knew it. But nothing would relieve the terrible ache he felt in his stomach. It was fear – fear that Chris would realize he could have so much more if Vin wasn't there holding him back.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Because of the time change from Indiana to Denver, Chris's parents were already up when he came down for breakfast Tuesday morning. His mother was at the counter pouring cereal, while his father was at the table reading the paper. Chris didn't resent them making themselves at home, but it was a little jarring to see his mother in the kitchen, and not the lean Texan. He grinned to himself, though, when he realized that the coffee was probably drinkable, but then he sobered when he felt guilty at the thought. He'd put up with Vin's strong coffee any day if it meant not losing his young partner.

Chris kissed his mom lightly on the cheek and thanked her for making breakfast, then poured a cup of coffee and refilled the mug his dad was holding out for him. His mother brought over the cold cereal and got a container of yogurt from the refrigerator, and sliced some fresh strawberries.

"You probably are used to eating more than this," she said, waving at the bowl in front of him.

"No, cereal's fine," Chris assured her, while at the same time missing the hearty breakfasts he and Vin made together. Vin would tease him about getting old if he saw him eating yogurt and bran cereal.

Celeste instantly began talking, continuing her mostly one-sided conversation from the night before, almost as though there had been no interruption. Only this time the conversation focused on all the wealthy and successful eligible women that she knew of who lived in the greater Denver area.

"Remember Vanessa Keller?" his mom asked. "She went to law school and apparently accepted a position at a law firm only a few blocks from your office. She was such a cute little thing in her cheerleader outfit. Who knew that she was also extremely intelligent."

Her tone was just a little too bright and perky for this early in the morning for Chris. He was already in a bad mood. He had tossed and turned all night, not sleeping well at all. He missed curving his body around the warm heat that was Vin, and he missed waking up to Vin's head on his shoulder and chest. He was a little worried about the hint of pain and sadness he had seen in Vin's eyes the night before. And he really missed what usually happened after they did wake up in bed together.

Even Matt got into the conversation, adding to his wife's stories. One of the men Matt bowled with on Thursday nights had a daughter who was a Denver surgeon. Chris panicked for a moment. He choked on his coffee at the fear that the man's daughter was going to turn out to be Dr. Elizabeth Stone, head of trauma at Mercy General where Vin ended up more times than he wanted to think about. Vin would laugh until he cried at the thought of Chris's parents trying to be match makers between him and Dr. Stone. Fortunately, while she did practice at Mercy General, she was actually in the pediatric department. Unfortunately, that only reinforced his parents' assertion that she would be the perfect candidate for someone he should date – someone wildly successful who also loved children.

Chris tried to tune out their voices while he willed his anger away. He wasn't twelve years old anymore, and his parents didn't run his life. Hell, he was flirting with girls when he was twelve, and was going to all the school dances with girls while he was in middle school. Chris was sure his parents would be thrilled to know that women still regularly flirted with him. For that matter, they had even while he was married, and it only got worse when several women wanted to 'comfort' him in his time of grief. He wasn't some loser who lived in his parents' basement and needed his mommy to find him a girl who would go out with him. And he tried to calm his resentment that they seemed to feel that it was their place to interfere with his love life.

He willed himself to focus on his meal, but that led him again to thoughts of Vin. After the younger man had mostly moved in with him, he worked on getting Tanner to eat more healthy meals. They added a lot of fruit to their diet, and Vin was even getting better about eating more vegetables. Chris had to watch his weight a lot more carefully than Vin did, even though he worked out a lot. Vin had been in the habit of grabbing donuts or cookies or even chips before running out the door to work. Their relationship was good for them in more ways than one. Chris wanted to make a more filling, warm meal for breakfast, and Vin had been stunned speechless the first time he had come into the kitchen expecting to grab a banana and handful of cookies and head out the door, to find that Chris had made turkey sausage, scrambled eggs, toast, and sliced melon. That had become their norm, and Chris would eat about a third of whatever they made while Vin ate two-thirds, but it was perfect for them both. He stared at his plate, wondering if Vin was eating anything even half-way healthy this morning. Probably leftover Chinese or pizza.

"Chris?"

Larabee blinked, startled. "What?"

"I knew you weren't paying attention to me," his mother sighed.

"Sorry. What did you say?"

"I was just asking about your dinner plans," Celeste repeated.

Chris's irritation sparked, and before he thought it through completely, he blurted, "Vin's usually here for dinner."

"Of course, son," Matt agreed, although Celeste frowned. "We'd like to see him."

"Oh," she said flatly. "He's the man who boards his horse in your barn, right?"

Chris felt his jaw clench. "Right."

"I suppose that would be fine," Celeste told him grudgingly. "After all, this is your home and we're just guests here. We just thought we'd spend time this week with you and our friends and family that we don't get a chance to see very often. It's rare that we're invited to make the trip to Denver."

Chris stood up and took his plate to the sink, trying not to show his irritation at her criticism. "I do want to spend time with you both this week. I'd like you to meet my friends as well. My only other definite plans were having the guys over this coming Sunday for a cook-out and to watch the game. They usually all head over here on Sundays, and I guess I wasn't thinking that this was the week of the wedding."

"Sound good, Son," Matt nodded, even though Celeste scowled in irritation.

"You need a woman to manage and plan your social calendar," she told him firmly.

"I have a social calendar that's full enough," Chris told her. "But thanks. I need to head to work. You'll be okay here?"

"Sure," Matt told him. We're going to relax a little this morning, and then we're meeting your Aunt Carla and some of the rest of the family in town for lunch and some last-minute wedding preparations."

"All right. Call my cell phone if you need me. I'll see you tonight after work."

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Chris managed to catch Vin alone in the break room about mid-morning, and invited him to dinner.

"You sure?"

"Yeah," Chris nodded. "I told them I wanted you to come, and they're fine with it. Besides, I still want you in my life this week."

Vin nodded, but a flash of sadness flared in his eyes.

"Hey, don't worry. It will be okay, and they'll be gone before you know it. Besides, my mom is a great cook."

Vin laughed at that, and when Josiah strolled into the break room they chatted with him another minute before all going back to their desks.

The team spent the morning finishing up paperwork from their previous case, but Travis's secretary called down for Chris to come to a meeting that afternoon with the SAC of Team Three. There wasn't a sense of extreme urgency, but Chris let the men know that they would probably be getting a new case that afternoon.

As the rest of the team left for lunch, Chris asked Vin to stay behind a minute. They waved to the guys, and Vin looked at Chris with a puzzled expression.

"Something up I should know about?"

"Not really," Chris admitted. "I suspect we're going to get a new case, and I really don't know how much time that's going to eat up this week. I asked you to stay because I wanted to see you." He moved over and hooked his fingers through Vin's belt, pulling him closer. "Alone," he added with a shark grin.

"Alone, huh," Vin grinned back, his eyes lighting up and dimples creasing his cheeks.

"Think maybe we could find a place to be… alone?" Chris asked.

"My place isn't too far away," Vin reminded him.

"Mmmm, I like the sound of that."

"Won't the guys miss us?"

"Nah. Well, if they do, we'll tell them we got to discussing the case and lost track of time."

"Losing track of time sounds good," Vin grinned that happy little boy smile that never failed to make Chris weak in the knees. "My Jeep's handy."

"Let's take my truck. We actually will need to get back here."

"Hey!"

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Chris looked around Vin's small apartment. It was spotlessly clean, and even though the furniture was old and worn, it felt comfortable and homey.

"Want anything to drink?" Vin asked him.

"Just want you."

"Okay then," Vin smiled, leading him toward the bedroom.

The two men quickly shed their clothes and Vin threw back the comforter. They knew they'd have to hurry, because with the travel time back and forth, they'd only have about a half hour to be together. Their team didn't know the true nature of their relationship, and they both realized the necessity of keeping the time they were seen together, especially time that wasn't easily explained, to a minimum.

Vin lay in the center of the bed, and Chris paused a minute to take in the sight. Vin's hair was spread over the pillow, and to see the vision of his nude lover took his breath away. Vin's long limbs were muscled and tan. Chris knew that Vin's skin would feel like silk over iron. He shoved away the fleeting thought of his parents' insistence that he find a 'wealthy and successful' socialite from the city to marry. He couldn't imagine being with anyone but Vin, his wild Texas country boy.

Tanner also was admiring the view. Chris was standing in the sunlight pouring through the window, and his gold hair glinted almost white. Chris was pale, and Vin couldn't wait for him to get on the bed. He loved the sight of their skin, pale against tan, yet seemingly blended as one.

"Get your ass down here, Cowboy," Vin's low rasp sent currents of desire through Chris's body, and all the blood in his body shot right to his dick. He grinned that cocky smirk that Vin loved, and crawled on top of Vin's lean body.

The two men lay there for a few minutes, just enjoying the rare daytime closeness. Their bodies touched from feet through legs and torsos. Their chests pressed together, and Chris was propped up on his elbows, while his hands cupped Vin's face. Vin reached around under Chris's arms, and his strong hands kneaded the powerful shoulders.

Soon sounds of soft moaning filled the room, and their breath quickened.

"Better get going," Chris murmured.

"Oh, I'm going," Vin smiled as they broke off their passionate kiss.

"Ride me, Cowboy?" Chris grinned.

Vin grinned back, and expertly flipped the bigger man over before he knew what happened.

Laughing softly, Vin stretched over Chris to reach the bottle of lube in the night stand. Chris got his revenge by tickling the ribs stretched taut over him. When Vin yelped, Chris stopped and rubbed the ticklish area in apology. They didn't have time to 'fight' and 'make up' with the clock ticking on their lunch hour.

Chris prepared Vin's opening, and both men were aching by the time Vin could settle over Chris's stomach. He inched backward on his knees, with one of Chris's hands holding his cock and the other firmly on Vin's hip to guide him. Vin's face was a mask of concentration as he slowly lowered his body onto Chris's shaft, pausing to catch his breath at the first initial burn of penetration.

Chris froze, waiting until Vin's body adjusted. When Vin took a deep breath and nodded at Chris, the older man dug his heels into the mattress and slowly raised his hips while Vin settled onto him.

It only took seconds for the two lovers to find their rhythm. Both men clenched their jaws as they struggled to make their lovemaking last as long as possible. Chris had his hands gripped firmly on Vin's hips, helping rock the smaller body back and forth. Vin was leaning backwards slightly, his hands just above Chris's knees. His head was thrown back, and his hair fell past his powerful shoulders. Chris thought it was about the most erotic sight he'd ever seen.

Chris broke through Vin's concentration with a softly spoken, "Look at me."

Vin's head came forward, his lips turning up in a smile at the love coming through that simple request, and the dimples deepened in his cheeks. Chris reached out for his hands, and Vin gripped the fingers laced tightly through his own. Their pace increased, and Vin clenched his ass tightly around the thick shaft buried deep inside his body. Chris gasped at the pressure, and immediately both men were coming hard and fast. Vin's cock shot a thick stream of cum over Chris's stomach and chest, and Chris felt sparks behind his eyelids when the spasms shook them both.

Vin collapsed onto Chris's chest, and Chris pulled the younger man tightly to him. The room filled with the sounds of their panting breaths, and it took a few minutes for them to settle.

When Vin shivered, Chris chuckled and hugged him tighter before releasing his grip and helping Vin sit up.

"Guess that's our cue to head back," he said, groaning slightly.

"Wish we could play hooky," Vin told him, only partially teasing. "Then again, can't make the boss angry."

"It's not the boss I'm worried about," Chris said, getting up and pulling Vin to the small bathroom with him to clean up. "It's the other nosy team members in the office."

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Chris's mother was busy in the kitchen when he got home. He grinned when he realized she was making one of his favorite meals as a kid – meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, and rolls. He could see an apple pie cooling on the counter. He knew Vin would be in heaven. Celeste looked pleased when she heard Chris's sigh of appreciation. His father came in from the dining room, where he'd been helping set the table. Chris was grateful that his parents had made an effort to make a nice dinner, while at the same time hadn't fussed with an overly elaborate menu.

A crunch of tires on the driveway sent Chris to the door. He watched the rusty blue jeep come to a stop, then his breath caught at the sight of his lover when Vin came up the walk. Vin had washed his hair and left it long. The dark chestnut waves gleamed in the setting sun. He had worn a light blue denim shirt with his nicest jeans, and the blue really set off his eyes.

There was an undercurrent of tension during the entire meal, and Chris was extremely uncomfortable. Matt greeted Vin warmly enough, but Celeste was obviously cool toward him. She rudely ignored him, while concentrating her conversation on Chris's dating prospects. She basically repeated her stories from the day before of the wealthy and intelligent and successful women she thought Chris should find and date. Again Matt joined the conversation, encouraging Chris to ask out the attorney or surgeon, or at least seek out those types of women to move on with in his life. Both his parents were persistent in their desire to have Chris present them with another grandchild, reminding each other what a great dad he was to Adam.

"Our friends, Betty and Jim, were telling us about their daughter, Catherine. She's been divorced now for three years – her husband just couldn't handle the fact that she was more successful than he was. He came from a farming or ranching background, I can't remember which. Just no ambition, though, you know. She got promoted to CEO of her company, and they've flourished under her leadership," Celeste continued in the same vein.

"That's nice," Chris agreed neutrally. "Could you pass the potatoes, Dad?"

"Sure. Here you go. They were talking about how nice the country club is where they all belong. They have a lot of great activities, and it's a very exclusive club. You should go some time. I'm sure Cat would invite you."

"I have enough to do here – where I'm actually in the country," Chris responded smoothly. "I'm not interested in a country club environment, anyway."

"Of course you are!" Celeste exclaimed. "That's the life you were meant to have, and the way we raised you! I'll call Betty. Maybe the six of us can meet some day this week before we have to head back."

"I'm not sure I'll have time—"

"Oh don't be silly!" Celeste interrupted with a wave of her hand. "You have to eat! And besides, if you don't end up hitting it off with Catherine, I'm sure there are lots of wonderful, successful women in the city. You could easily find a suitable match working in a metropolitan area, even though you live out here."

No matter what other topics Chris tried to bring up to change the subject, his attempts to derail the subject were in vain.

"Vin," he tried again, "how is Peso's leg healing from where he scratched it on that fallen branch?"

"Oh yes, Vin, isn't it nice that Chris has a stable where he lets you keep your horse?" Celeste asked with a tone of superiority. "There's nothing nearly this nice anywhere near where you live, is there."

"No, ma'am, there isn't. Peso likes it out here, that's for sure. And Chris is great to let me keep my horse here," Vin said smoothly.

Celeste nodded in satisfaction that Vin acknowledged her son's generosity.

"How about you, Vin?" she asked. "Are you dating anyone? Maybe a sweet girl from the secretarial pool? Or a nice waitress?"

"No, ma'am," Vin answered. "I'm not dating a secretary or a waitress."

His jaw was clenched ever so slightly, and Chris knew he was the only one who would have been able to notice his lover's irritation at the insult. His eyes and his tone of voice never revealed his anger.

"That's too bad," Celeste shook her head in mock dismay. "I'll have Christopher keep an eye out for a girl for you. Maybe one of the women he dates will have a secretary, or a maid who would be a nice match for you."

"Excuse me," Vin said, pushing his chair back and standing up. "I'm going to head out to the barn to check on Peso before I head on home. Thank you for the fine meal, ma'am."

"Perhaps we'll see you again before we leave," Matthew told him.

Vin merely nodded, then turned and left. A moment later they heard the door shut.

"What the hell was that all about!" Chris exploded.

"Watch your language, Christopher!" Celeste glared at him.

"Don't take that tone with your mother," Matthew added.

"Seriously? You are asking me why I'm angry?" Chris fought to get his emotions under control. "I'm livid. You sit here and badger me about who you think I should be dating, going on and on about doctors and lawyers and how I should find a rich, successful woman to date, someone from a 'good family' with a country-club membership. which means a family with money. Then you turn around and suggest that Vin should date a secretary or a maid? Of course there's nothing wrong with being a secretary or a maid, but why would you imply that Vin wouldn't be an equally great catch for a surgeon or an attorney? He's not 'good' enough for you? He's too 'country'? And that proves he's not ambitious or respectable?"

"Son, calm down!" Matt told him.

"I will not calm down! You have no idea how insulting you both were to him, do you? He is one of the smartest, most successful, intelligent people I know, and he's also my best friend. If you want to know the real person who saved my life after Sarah and Adam died, you should be thanking Vin even more than Buck. His life was horrible. He endured more pain and hardship in his childhood than most people will endure in a lifetime, yet look how he turned out. He was a fu— fricken Army Ranger, for God's sake! He was a U.S. Marshall, a successful bounty hunter, and now he is the top sniper in the ATF and on my team. If that doesn't tell you he's the best of the best, then I have no idea what you think makes someone successful. But if you ever treat him like dirt again, or that you think he's not respectable enough, or smart enough, or rich enough, for whatever your standards are, then we have a serious problem."

"Chris!"

"No. I can't deal with either of you right now. I'm heading out to talk to Vin before he leaves."

"Son, this has nothing to do with him. Come back here and finish the dinner your mother made special for you!"

Chris raced out the front door, but he was too late. The taillights of a retreating blue Jeep and a cloud of dust was all that was left of his evening with Vin. He reached in his jeans pocket and hit speed dial, but Vin wasn't picking up. Whether it was because he was driving, or just ignoring the call, Chris couldn't be sure. Whatever the reason, he had a bad feeling about his lover's emotional state, and didn't blame him one bit.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Chris was relieved to see Vin's Jeep in the parking deck the next morning when he got to work early, but there was no sign of the younger man when he got to the office. The others came in, but still Vin wasn't at his desk.

"Where's Vin?" JD asked as he saw Chris looking toward Vin's desk when he came out of the break room with a fresh cup of coffee. JD had brought in a box of donuts, and was surprised when Vin didn't immediately materialize at the scent of sugar and chocolate wafting through the office.

"Haven't seen Junior all morning," Buck looked around, then reached for a donut in the box JD was holding out. "But more for me!"

"Hey! I'm saving one for Vin. He'll be here."

Josiah walked over to get a donut, and as he passed by Vin's desk he glanced down. "Here's a note. Says he's down in the shooting range."

"That makes sense," Nathan nodded. "He seems concerned about this op coming up."

"Our venerable sharpshooter is always most dedicated to ensuring our safety in every mission," Ezra added, sipping his own coffee from the expensive travel mug he brought in with him, shaking his head at the offered pastries.

"Did you need him?" JD asked Chris, when the senior agent headed back to his office. "Should I send him in when he gets back or call down to the range?"

"No. No, that's fine," Chris shook his head. "It was nothing important." He shut his door and leaned against it, his head dropping to his chest. Nothing important, he thought to himself. Only my very life.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Vin never came back to the office all morning, and the guys left for lunch to head to the Saloon. Chris turned down their offer to join them. His excuse that he was fighting a headache wasn't a lie. He hated that things had ended so badly the night before with his parents. He knew that Vin was upset, and he didn't blame him. The worst part was knowing that Vin wasn't upset as at the insults to himself as much as worried that Chris would change his mind about wanting Vin as a partner. Chris knew that Vin harbored a fear that the day would come when Chris decided he didn't want them to be together, but wanted a wife and children instead.

He sighed heavily, stretching his neck in circles before opening his desk drawer for more aspirin. He needed to get Vin's attention, and reassure the younger man that he was committed to their relationship for the long haul.

He looked up when he heard the outer door to the office open, and grabbed his coffee mug off his desk. If it was Vin, this would give them a good chance to talk when the office was empty, and if it turned out that it was someone else, he would have a good excuse to get some coffee and go back to his office.

"Hey, Tanner," Chris smiled when he saw Vin.

Vin looked startled, and frowned when he saw Chris. "Thought you'd all be at lunch," he admitted. He saw the chocolate donut on the napkin, and grinned slightly. "JD?"

"Yep. He wanted to make sure and save one for you. Had to fight off Bucklin."

"I'll be sure and thank him."

"Soooo…." Chris started, then hesitated. He wasn't quite sure how to bring up what happened last night.

"I'm okay, Chris. Don't worry about it."

His words said he was okay, but Vin was clearly not his usual relaxed self. He seemed more tense; maybe more professional and business-like.

Chris sighed. "The guys are gone," he started, thinking maybe he just needed to get Vin alone and away from here. Make him forget what had happened last night. "I was thinking…. maybe you'd like to get away?"

Vin turned on him, his eyes flashing. "Really? That's what you think I want?"

"Vin, look, I'm sorry about last night. I didn't know my parents would be like that, but you have to know I don't feel the same way."

"Do I? I didn't hear you stopping it."

"I tried! You know I kept trying to change the subject."

Vin sighed heavily and turned away, his shoulders slumping. "I know."

"But look, it's just a few more days and then they'll be gone. Nothing has to change between us. Let's go to your place… like yesterday."

"No!" Vin whirled around. "I'm not going to be used like that."

"Used!?" Chris exploded. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I ain't gonna be no 'booty call,' as Bucklin would say. If I'm not good enough to be part of your life every day, I sure as hell ain't gonna be someone you just sneak around with when you want sex. I ain't a whore, and I ain't gonna be treated like one."

Chris was livid. "What the fuck! You know that's not true!" He couldn't believe that Vin would even say that. "I love you, Vin."

"I love you, too, Chris," Vin told him, but there was still confusion and hurt in those wide blue eyes. "I just… need to figure this out in my head right now. There have been too many times in the past where people I thought cared about me just wanted one thing, and when they got it, they moved on or made it clear that was the only thing they wanted from me."

"We're not like that!" Chris shook his head, exasperated. "We've never been like that."

"Part of me knows that, but, well, there's a part of me that's just not sure. I do know I'm not going to be used any more. Not by anyone, but especially not by you."

"Vin—"

"I'm going to get something quick for lunch. Alone." He grabbed his jacket and headed for the stairs.

"Tanner…"

"I'll be at the range this afternoon, Chris. I need— I need to think." He vanished before Chris could reply. His headache was pounding now, and he felt a burning in his stomach. This week was going to wreck his ulcers. He ran his fingers through his hair, pulling slightly hoping to relieve the pressure in his head. He was angry at Vin for even thinking for a second that all he wanted was a 'nooner.'

He sighed. He realized that the person he should be angry with was himself, not Vin. The younger man was always a little skittish about his place in other people's lives. He'd been shuffled from children's homes and foster parents, most of whom couldn't have cared less about the boy and more about the paycheck he brought them from the state. His years on the street had to have been terrifying for a young, skinny kid, trying to find food, shelter; trying to keep from getting sick and struggling to stay away from predators.

Chris went back to his office, shutting his door and holding his head in his hands. You blew it, he thought to himself, disgusted. Even though Chris had felt at the time that having a chance to make love to the younger man would have brought them closer together and reassured Vin of his love, instead it backfired. Vin reacted as though he thought Chris only wanted him for sex, and then would toss him aside when it became inconvenient. He knew he had to fix this. The question was, how.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Vin continued to avoid Chris the rest of the day, and all the next day. Even when he was in the office, he was professional but distant toward Chris. The other men didn't seem to notice a change in his behavior, but Vin always managed to elude any attempt that Chris made to get the younger man alone.

What made it even worse for Chris was that his parents scheduled his evenings, as well. Tuesday night they had managed to get Jim and Betty to invite them to the country club with their daughter, Catherine. The woman was charming enough, and beautiful. She was slim, blonde, intelligent, with a great sense of humor. The two of them danced, and Chris was relieved when Cat admitted that she was just as upset at her parents for matchmaking as Chris was at his parents. They ended up having a good time, and Chris enjoyed hearing about her work as the head of a corporation. Surprisingly, she was also a good listener, and he told her a little about some of the more interesting cases they had solved. As he helped her into her coat as they were leaving, Cat joked in a whisper that she could tell her parents were planning their wedding, and Chris admitted his own were probably hoping the same thing. They just shook their heads in mock dismay, and Cat whispered that she'd let them have their delusion for the night; they'd find out the truth soon enough.

Chris was happy that Catherine wasn't as desperate to find a husband as his parents seemed to think he was to find a wife, but then on the way home they informed Chris that he would be expected to attend a brunch the bride's family was giving for close relatives and out of town guests. As much as he did not want to go, he knew that creating a scene would only make things worse. He'd been counting down the days until the wedding was over and his parents went back to Indiana, but he was beginning to think he was ready to start counting down the hours.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

On Thursday night, Chris was finally able to go with the guys to the Saloon. His parents had called to let him know that they were meeting up with other friends of theirs for dinner. He had been invited to join them, but this time he firmly declined. When his mother didn't protest too strenuously, Chris got the sense that there weren't going to be any eligible marriage prospects at this dinner, and it was probably just friends of theirs their own age.

Vin had been incredibly skilled at avoiding Chris without being obvious. Every time Chris was called to a meeting with Travis, or one that included the leader of Team Three who would be joining Team Seven for this mission, Vin would be in the office, but it never failed that when Chris was finished with meetings and back in his office, Vin would be at the firing range.

Chris was looking forward to seeing him and having the whole team together for the first time that week. Buck called down to the range at five to make sure that Vin would know their plans, but Charlie, the firing range supervisor, let him know that Vin had decided to hit the gym for a workout.

Chris tried hard not to let his disappointment show when Buck hung up the phone and shook his head at the expectant looks on the faces of the rest of the team.

"Charlie said he's not there. Left about an hour ago with Eric, said they were going for a run and then to work out."

"Darn," JD exclaimed. "I was really looking forward to us all being at the Saloon together. This has been a crappy week."

"JD!" Buck reached over and smacked him on the back of the head.

"Ow! What'd you do that for!? Oh! Sorry, Chris. I didn't mean that I didn't want your parents here. I mean, not here, like in the office. I just meant—"

"He knows what you mean," Josiah chuckled.

"Charlie told me he'd be sure and give Vin the message if they came back."

"You're still all invited out on Sunday," Chris assured them. "The wedding is Saturday night, and then my parents' flight isn't until Monday morning. They wanted a day to sleep in before they traveled. And they want to see you all before they go."

"Yay!" JD cheered. "I know they know Buck, but I'm looking forward to meeting them."

"Not to mention you're looking forward to the cookout," Nathan shook his head at their most enthusiastic member.

"Well, sure!"

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

When they got to the Saloon, however, Vin wasn't there. The other men expressed their disappointment, but they weren't too upset. When Vin came in two hours later, he was laughing and joking with Eric Sutherland, the sniper from Team Three.

Chris felt his jaw tighten when he saw the two men together. Eric was tall, slender and fit, with dark wavy hair and blue-gray eyes. He was model-handsome, and Chris felt his jealousy flare to see the two men together. Vin was about the same height and had a similar build, and looking at the two of them together was like looking at a high-end magazine ad. Vin's hair was still slightly damp, long and curling a little at the ends. What Chris realized was that Vin – and Eric – had just showered, probably in the locker room at the federal building, and probably after working out – together. And showering – together.

When Vin saw Chris at their regular table and caught his eye, his smile slipped just slightly. He said something to Eric, then made his way over to his friends.

"Hey, Vin!" JD called happily. "I'm glad you can join us."

"Well, actually, I told Eric I'd play pool with him."

"Come on, Junior," Buck prodded, "you haven't been out with us all week. With Chris ditching us, too, we're starting to get a complex or something."

Vin and Chris just looked at each other. Chris stayed silent, but Vin turned to the others and shook his head. "Soon, I promise. Besides, I'm only going to play one game, then head home."

"You okay, son?" Josiah asked, concerned. "You've seemed a little down lately."

"Just tired, I guess," Vin shook his head. "I'm going to try to get to bed early. Haven't been sleeping all that well, lately."

"Take care of yourself," Nathan cautioned. "You don't want to be getting sick."

"Tanner, come on!" Eric called from across the room.

"Gotta go, guys. See you tomorrow."

When Vin turned to leave, Chris stood up.

"Can I see you a second?"

Vin glanced toward Eric, then back to Chris. "Um, sure," he said hesitantly, moving toward the hallway that led to the restrooms.

"Vin," Chris started, reaching for Vin's arm but then removing his hand when Vin stepped back and gave him a pointed look.

"I'm so sorry, Vin," Chris said in hushed tones, looking around to make sure they weren't overhead. "What I did the other day, well, I was way out of line. I didn't mean for it to come out that way, but I'm sorry as hell you felt the way you did. This isn't the relationship I want. I love you, Tanner."

"Not here. Not now, Chris. I meant what I said."

"I know," Chris sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I never, ever, meant for you to feel like that. And no more."

"Later, Chris." Vin shook his head. "I need to go, and so do you."

"We'll get through this week, then I promise things will get better."

Vin just nodded, and turned away while Chris watched his young lover retreating. It was going to be a long next few days, and he couldn't wait until his parents went back to Indiana and his life with Vin could get back to normal. He had a lot of making up to do.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Vin was already at work the next morning when Chris got there early. He didn't think "TGIF" had ever been so welcome as it was this week. He was hoping that he'd have a few minutes alone with his young lover, but Josiah was coming out of the break room with a cup of coffee and JD and Buck and Nathan were on the next elevator to open right behind him. Ezra, naturally, would show up within the hour.

Throughout the day, Vin managed to never be alone with Chris. It bothered the older man, but he couldn't do much about it without creating a scene.

At the end of the day as the men were leaving, Chris stopped by Vin's desk as he was putting on his jacket.

"Can we start over? Would you come by for dinner?" he asked.

Vin paused, looking into Chris's eyes for a long minute. "I guess I do kind of miss Peso. Been wanting to check out how his leg is doing."

Chris grinned, and Vin nodded a little shyly, his eyes never losing their intensity.

"Hey, you coming?" JD called, holding the elevator doors open.

"I'm coming," Vin replied, but his eyes never left Chris's face.

Larabee's grin widened. "See you about seven, then."

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Chris heard the Jeep pull up, and left his parents in the kitchen finishing up dinner while he went out to find Vin. Celeste was making a roast chicken, which Chris knew was one of Vin's favorite meals. He had stressed to his parents that they were to be on their best behavior. Both of them had denied knowing what he was talking about, so he had spelled it out clearly that there was to be no discussion of him dating, no discussion of successful women he should meet, no discussion of what a great father he was and should be again. And certainly no discussion that he should be with wealthy socialites and Vin should date waitresses or maids.

"Well, I just don't know what you expect us to talk about, Christopher," Celeste said with exasperation.

"The weather!" Chris exploded. "Sports. Hell, at this point, I don't care if we talk about politics and religion!"

"Don't take that attitude, Chris."

"Sorry, Dad. Mom. It's just…. I want this to be a nice evening, okay? Let's pick neutral topics and have a nice dinner. Vin's my best friend. I want you to get to know him, but you need to give him a chance. All right?"

"Certainly. Of course we will. Although I still don't understand why you think we've treated him badly the last time. We were merely making conversation."

Chris sighed heavily. This night had disaster written all over it, and he could only pray that he was wrong. He wasn't sure his relationship with Vin could survive another evening of his parents campaigning for him to marry a wealthy woman with a prestigious career and give them more grandchildren.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Hey," Chris called softly, not wanting to startle the young man who was patting the neck of his horse. Peso seemed to sense Vin's mood, and was surprisingly calm and gentle as he nuzzled Vin's shoulder. Vin had maintained his composure through the ordeal earlier in the week, but Chris could sense his underlying sadness and hurt.

"Thanks, Vin, for coming out here," Chris said, trying to keep his voice neutral. He knew that he'd hurt his lover, and was desperate not to scare him off. As it was, Vin was tense and poised to flee at the slightest wrong step that Chris might make.

"I'm here," Vin's voice was low and raspy. "I'm not promising that I'll stay."

"I know. I do." Chris sighed, and took a deep breath before continuing. "Vin, I fucked up. I might well have screwed up the only thing that matters in my life. You are the only thing that matters in my life. I am so, so, sorry."

Vin shoved his hands in his back pockets almost nervously, and then immediately folded his arms in front of him. He didn't say anything, and Chris wanted nothing more than to go over and wrap his arms around the younger man. He fought for control of his instincts, knowing that Vin's reaction to any sudden movement might leave Chris crumpled on the floor in a bruised and possibly bloody heap.

"I'm not going to let you treat me like that again, Chris," Vin said softly, after a long silence in which Chris had begun to wonder whether the younger man was going to say anything at all. "I've thought about what you said, but the actions have to back up the words, or the words are meaningless."

"I won't. I promise." Vin turned and Chris saw a flash of the pain of betrayal in those deep blue eyes. It hit him like a blow to the stomach. "I mean that, Vin. I don't take this lightly, and I don't say things I don't mean. I'm not just saying something to get you back; to say what you want to hear. I might hurt you, but it will never be intentionally, and I will never do anything like this again. It tears me up to realize what I put you through, and for nothing. I love my parents. I love my family. But that's nothing compared to what I feel for you, Vincent Michael Tanner. You are my life."

Vin stared long and hard at Chris, and Chris willed himself to be still and meet that gaze. He knew that Vin would see the truth of his feelings, and he would stand there as long as it took.

"You and me, we're in this together, Larabee, or we're not," Vin said, taking one step closer to the older man. "I'm not going to hang around when it's convenient for you, and vanish when it's not. I'm not going to move out when you have family come. You've asked me in the past to come live here and that means permanent. I ain't a whore, and I ain't your booty-call. And to borrow what JD would say, when your family shows up, I'm not going to pack up my gear and move out for a few days so you can 'de-spouse the house.' If you can't handle this, if you can't handle me, then you let me know right here and now."

Vin was practically trembling with anger, but his eyes were clear and deadly. He meant it, and Chris knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was his one and only shot to be forgiven for fucking up big time.

"Vin, we talked about this. We decided together not to tell anyone."

"I know. I don't know why…. I'm tired. I'm so tired of hiding who I am. I'm tired of feeling like I'm an embarrassment. I'm tired of feeling like I need to be ashamed of who I am."

"Vin…"

"No. It's okay; you're right. I'll be fine."

"I want us to be fine."

"We will be. We are."

Chris spread his arms in invitation, hoping but not expecting that Vin would come into his embrace. "I promise," Chris vowed. "No more hiding. No more sneaking around. I'm not saying I want to take out an ad in the paper, and I probably won't send this around to everyone like my mom does with her annual Christmas family newsletter, but I'm not hiding how I feel about you. I love you, Vin. And it scares me to death to realize how close my pride came to ruining everything we have together."

Chris held his breath while Vin's gaze searched for the truth in his eyes. Finally, Vin took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm sorry, Chris."

"Sorry? For what? You weren't the one at fault here," Chris exclaimed, astonished.

"I… I was just scared, I guess. Scared of losing you."

"You won't lose me, Vin. Not ever. And I won't ever lose you."

Vin grinned, still a little tentative, but Chris's heart soared to know that they were finally on their way to mending their relationship.

"You going to be okay?"

"Handled worse situations. Reckon I can face down a couple overbearing parents."

"I'm sorry about… everything."

"Ain't your fault. Your parents are just looking out for their son. They're proud of you, and they want the best for you."

"It's still not right the way they treated you. I tend to forget how short-sighted and judgmental they can be."

"I was afraid that maybe they're right."

"What are you talking about?!" Chris exploded, shocked.

"You were a great dad. I know you were. Maybe you should have another child; get married to a 'successful' woman with a great career."

"I don't want another child, Vin. I don't want a successful woman with a great career. I already have a successful man with a great career."

Vin's mouth quirked up in a slight grin and Chris was relieved that his attempt at humor was at least mildly successful.

"Look, Vin, I'm never going to make my parents happy unless they can completely and totally run my life. We've fought as long as I can remember. They wanted me to stay in Indiana and join my father at his business. They hated that I joined the Navy, and I thought they were never going to forgive me for that. They never accepted that I settled in Denver, and kept insisting there had to be a branch of the ATF closer to them. Unless I move in next door to them, like my sister has practically done with her family, it's never going to make them happy."

"But they still have a point," Vin argued stubbornly. "I love you, Chris. I always will. I just want you to be damn sure about this. I don't want you to resent me ten or twenty years down the road if you regret not getting married or having more kids because you are with me."

Chris strode across the length of the barn and grasped Vin's biceps lightly in his grip. "I will never regret being with you, Vin. You are the love of my life. I have never experienced love with anyone – anyone – like I have with you. I don't want kids; I don't want to date anyone else. Not ever. Only you. You are my world."

His hands moved up to Vin's face, cradling his jaw and rubbing the hard cheekbones lightly with his thumbs. He leaned down for a gentle kiss, and was rewarded when Vin's arms circled his waist and pulled him closer in a passionate embrace.

"What the hell!"

The two men jumped, startled by the vehement explosion.

"Oh, shit!" Chris muttered while Vin gasped in shock.

Matt and Celeste were standing in the doorway of the barn, staring in horror and disgust.

"How could you!" Celeste shrieked, her face red with anger. She started sobbing while Matt tried to comfort her, pulling her into an embrace while she cried with fury into his shoulder.

"This is why you're not dating?" Matt practically roared. "You and this— This—"

"Don't say it!" Chris snapped. "Whatever you're thinking, you do not say it!"

"We are leaving!" Matt shouted. "How dare you break your mother's heart. You played us for fools. No wonder you went ballistic when you thought we were insulting him! He was your… lover!"

Celeste wheeled around and pointed her finger at Vin. "You… you…! I can't even say it! You forced my son into your sick games. He was weak from grief and sorrow, and you coerced him into experimenting with your immoral lifestyle! How dare you!" she shrieked.

"How dare you violate the memory of your wife and son this way!" Matt hissed in anger.

"Stop it! Both of you, stop right now!" Chris shouted, raising his hands.

"You're meant to be with someone amazing!" Celeste spat, continuing on as though Chris hadn't said a thing. "You deserve a woman – someone rich and successful and beautiful. Not this… abomination! This goes against everything we believe in, everything we have taught you!"

"That's enough!"

"Chris—"

"No, Vin, I'm not going to listen to this anymore. Mom, Dad, I'm sorry that you're upset right now, but this is my life, and you don't get to decide what I do or how I live it." He stepped beside Vin, and placed his arm around Vin's shoulder. He wanted his parents to see that they were really and truly together as a couple, but he also wanted to make sure Vin didn't flee this time. "You want me to be with someone amazing. Well, I am. I'm with someone smart and successful, and to tell you the truth, beautiful. A beautiful person, inside and out."

"We are leaving. We don't ever want to speak about this again, and you are not welcome in our home," Matt hissed. "Do not come to the wedding. We'll tell people that something came up at work and you couldn't get away. Just stay away from us."

Matt led the hysterically sobbing Celeste into the house, as she stumbled up the walk in tears.

Chris turned to Vin with a wry half-smile. "Well, that could have gone better."

"Chris, she's your mother…."

"Vin, listen to me, there is a part of me that still loves her, of course there is. But right now I can't respect her. It has to go both ways. If they can't accept me for who I am, and who I love, then that's their choice and their problem. I can't change who I am, and I won't change who I love. You have to believe me."

Vin stared at him for a long moment, the troubled blue eyes searching out the truth. "I just don't want to be the reason she hates you," he finally whispered.

"You aren't. I promise. She's distraught right now, but I can't help that. I don't want you to feel sad about this. It's not our fault, and we're not the ones to blame for this mess."

"Okay, I guess," Vin said and nodded reluctantly.

They headed toward the house, but Vin stayed out on the deck. Chris made him promise not to leave, and he agreed reluctantly. From his place at the far corner of the deck, he could hear faint echoes of shouting and crying. It made him feel sick inside, but he tried not to panic that Chris would change his mind. Finally, they left with a lot of slamming doors and spraying gravel as the rental car sped off down the long drive.

Chris met Vin on the deck, holding out a beer. "Hey," he said, pulling Vin into an embrace. He leaned over and gave Vin a soft kiss. "I want you to know that I'm okay. I don't want you worrying about this. Promise?"

Vin sighed heavily. "I guess."

"Well, at least the evening isn't entirely ruined," Chris told him, and Vin looked up, frowning. "There's a chicken in the oven that's almost done."

Vin snorted and shook his head, but Chris was thrilled by the hint of a smile curving those full lips. Together they headed inside.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

The dinner was over, and the men had managed to enjoy the meal without letting the fight with Chris's parents completely ruin the evening. Vin had tended to the horses while Chris did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen, and the men had read in front of the fireplace before heading up to bed early. The fight with his parents had been draining for Chris, and Vin hadn't slept well all week.

Chris came out of the bathroom to see Vin already in bed, sitting up in the soft light of the bedside lamp. His breath caught at the sight. Vin was wearing an oversized powder blue sweatshirt with a North Carolina Tarheels logo. The shirt was huge, and the neck was ripped, causing the shirt to slide almost off Vin's tanned shoulder. Baby blue was definitely Vin's color, Chris thought, then frowned.

"Where'd you get that shirt, Tanner?"

Vin looked up and smirked. "Well, since I only grabbed a few things on Monday, I didn't have a lot of my clothes handy to wear. Found this in my gym bag that I brought in from my Jeep after I took care of the horses."

"I haven't seen it before, although I have to admit I like the color."

"It's Eric's," Vin told him, enjoying the look of shock and jealousy on Chris's face.

"Eric's," Chris repeated.

"Yep," Vin continued innocently. "I guess after we… worked out the other day, it ended up in my gym bag. I told him they next day that I had it, but he wanted me to keep it. As a souvenir. Said it looks better on me."

"I'm gonna kill him," Chris hissed.

Vin's laughter jolted Chris from his anger, and his eyes narrowed at his young lover. "Your face!" Vin gasped for breath. "You should see that vein throbbing in your forehead."

"I changed my mind. I'm not gonna kill him; I'm gonna kill you."

Vin kept laughing, and Chris couldn't help but smile. There was a time when he didn't know whether he would ever hear the sound of that bright laughter again, and he didn't mind the least that Vin was teasing him.

He was, however, going to make him pay!

Chris dropped the towel he was wearing around his waist, and saw Vin's eyes widen. He slowly stalked across the room, his shaft already half-hard, and Vin swallowed. Chris leaned over the bed, his fists on the mattress. Then slowly lowered himself until he could kiss Vin's warm, generous mouth.

"Missed you, Chris," Vin whispered after they came up for air a few minutes later. "I don't like being scared."

"Shh, that's all in the past, remember? There's nothing to be afraid of, and I'm just sorry as hell you ever felt like that in the first place."

"I know," Vin nodded. "No more."

"No more. I got the man I love, and nothing is ever going to tear us apart."

Vin grinned, and for the first time Chris felt like he had truly let go of the fear and was confident of the true strength of their relationship.

"So, tell me the truth," Chris said, crawling into bed and sliding his hands under the soft fabric. "How'd you get the shirt?"

"You like it?" Vin grinned at him.

"I think this is one of the sexiest things I've ever seen you wear," Chris told him with a slightly feral grin.

Vin laughed, and his face turned slightly pink.

"I saw he wasn't wearing it. I told him I was cold and asked him if I could borrow it. He said I should just keep it. So I might."

"Hmm… I was wondering whether you actually stole it. And whether I was going to have to punish you for that."

"Punish?"

"Seeing as I'm a federal officer."

Vin laughed and pulled the older man down on top of him, and bit at the tempting collarbone.

Chris hissed and pinched the silky skin at Vin's sides. The younger man yelped, and Chris tweaked a small nipple.

"As much as I love seeing you in this," Chris murmured between kisses, "I'd much rather see you out of it."

Vin sat up and Chris peeled the blue material off his young partner. He raised up on his elbows when Vin lay back down, and brushed the soft curls off his face.

"Now, that's better."

Vin reached up and ran his long fingers through Chris's hair. "Love you so much."

"Love you, too."

Hands and mouths explored each other's bodies, as the two men made up for lost time. Their brush with a scare to their relationship had left both men a little shaken, and they were each determined to make sure the other knew just how much he was loved.

Vin squirmed from under Chris's embrace, and slid down the bed. He pressed Chris's shoulders to lay his body flat against the mattress, and his strong hands spread the powerful thighs. Kneeling between them, Vin grinned once at the rapt expression on Chris's face, then went down on Chris, nearly taking his entire length in one motion.

"Fuck!" Chris yelped, as sparks exploded behind his eyelids. He squeezed them tightly shut, and fisted handfuls of the sheet in order to try to maintain some control. He knew that it would hurt Vin if he thrust too quickly or deeply into Vin's throat, but damn, it was taking every bit of his will power and self-control to keep as still as possible.

Vin's talented mouth soon had Chris worked into a frenzy. His tongue found the thick vein, and next Vin had one hand firmly on Chris's hip bone and the other began fondling the heavy sack.

"Vin…! Holy fuck! I can't… last much longer," Chris warned.

Vin gave a final swallow that had Chris sweating and gasping for breath. He quickly straddled the older man, and moved his thighs on either side of Chris's hips.

"Wait," Chris warned, concerned about what Vin was about to do. The last thing he wanted was for Vin to get hurt, or tear the delicate tissue.

"It's okay," Vin assured him softly, and Chris could tell that Vin was also nearly ready to explode.

In one swift motion, Vin placed his opening at the head of Chris's shaft, and slammed his body down on the thick member. Chris gasped in fear and pleasure, and then his confused brain realized that Vin's body was already prepared. He must have done that while Chris was in the bathroom, the older man realized; the same time he was putting on that fuck-me sweatshirt.

Chris grinned in relief and desire. He reached up and found Vin's tiny nipples. He flicked them with his forefingers, then as Vin arched his back with his hair hanging long behind his shoulders and his hands tightly gripping Chris's thighs, Chris began lightly pulling and twisting the tempting buds. Vin panted, his face a mask of concentration. Chris began thrusting his hips upward as Vin raised and lowered his hips, his powerful thighs taut from the effort. Both men were on the brink, trying to make the sensations last as long as possible. Then Vin clenched his ass cheeks, and Chris nearly screamed as that velvet pressure intensified.

The two lovers came simultaneously, with bodies engulfed in spasms of ecstasy. Vin was shaking after coming so hard that he collapsed on Chris's chest, and he whimpered when Chris's softened member slipped from his body. Chris flipped the sheet and blanket over them, and Vin's breathing evened out as he curled into the warmth of Chris's body. He loved the feel of Chris's arms around him, and he snuggled his check against Chris's strong chest.

Before long, the drying semen started itching them. As much as they both would have liked to just fall asleep, they stretched and headed to the bathroom to clean up. Neither man talked very much, but it was an easy silence. One that both men treasured all the more for the events of the past few days that had threatened their very survival as a couple.

Vin pulled on a pair of sweatpants and put the blue sweatshirt back on. Chris went shirtless to bed, but had on a soft pair of sleep pants. The weather was getting colder, and they needed sleep after the intensity of the last few days.

Vin lay on his side, and Chris curled his body around Vin's back. Their arms entwined, and Vin was nearly asleep when Chris spoke.

"Move in with me?" he said softly. "Forever?"

Vin turned to face him, a slight frown on his face. "What are you saying, Larabee?"

"I'm saying that I love you. I know I've asked you to move in here before, and that you practically do live here, but I'm asking you to take that final step. Give up your place in Purgatorio? Commit to me – to us – permanently?"

Vin's eyes widened, and he blinked away the sudden tears that caught him by surprise. Chris had often talked to him to try to convince him to move out to the ranch and live together, but something had always made him hesitate. It just seemed so… final. But maybe the time was right for something final. He knew Chris loved him. God knew he loved Chris. The stand that Chris had taken, to defy his parents and declare that over anything and anyone else, he chose Vin, had made a huge impact on the younger man.

After a long silence, there was finally a soft, "Yes."

Chris smiled a huge grin, and whooped, "Yes!" his fist pumping in the air.

Vin had to laugh at the enthusiastic response, and soon both men were laughing and hugging. It was scary for Vin, but exciting and thrilling at the same time. He had Chris. He had found a love that he never expected to have, and now he had a home. A real home.

"Now I'm not going to be able to sleep," Vin admitted.

Chris kissed his eyelids and his nose and finally his mouth. "Sleep. You're mine, and I'll be here watching over you."

Vin grinned, the dimples deepening in his cheeks. He rolled over with a sigh, and hugged the strong arms close around him. "Just go to sleep, Larabee."

"You sweet talker," Chris snorted. "'Night, Tanner."

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Vin spent Saturday at the ranch. After the chores were finished inside and out, Chris suggested a long ride. Peso's leg was healed, and it was good for him to get some exercise. Chris also suspected that Vin, while not having second thoughts, might be nervous at the thought of giving up his apartment in Purgatorio. It had been such a part of his life, and he'd made a home for himself there after leaving the Army. When he had had only himself to rely on for practically his entire life, this was a huge step. Chris wanted to reassure him that it was the right move, for both of them.

Chris also knew how much Vin loved the outdoors. He realized that having that discussion when Vin wasn't feeling trapped by walls that might seem to close around him, and also to be on horseback, would be reassuring that the permanent move was the right decision. They talked about when and how to move Vin's things to the ranch. He wanted to bring his rocking chair, and his bed and another chair could go into a spare bedroom at the ranch. He didn't have much other furniture, and he knew that the extra furniture and some of his dishes would be welcomed gifts to his neighbors in the apartment building. Chris tried to reassure Vin that his neighbors would be fine if Vin moved out. Tanner kept an eye on them, and his presence served to eliminate a lot of potential crime and gang activity. Chris pointed out that because of Vin's efforts, the previously private residents in his building had gotten together as a group, and they formed a strong bond to watch out for each other.

They had a relaxing afternoon watching college sports on TV, and Chris made hot dogs and macaroni and cheese for dinner. Vin gave him a sideways look, and Chris knew he was busted for making comfort food. He grinned back, not caring that Vin knew he was doing whatever it took to make Vin feel that the ranch was his home. He even had promised to make brownies for dessert, and with the look in Vin's eyes, he knew he was hooked.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Sunday morning was bright and clear. When Vin came down for breakfast, Chris could tell he was nervous about having the guys come over. Chris had insisted they tell them. He didn't want anyone figuring it out by accident if someone ever went to his apartment and he'd moved out, or they noticed his change of address on any correspondence.

"No more secrets, Vin," Chris told him, coming over and placing his hands on Vin's shoulders. "I'm tired of hiding. I'm proud of you, I'm proud of being with you. We can't tell everyone, and we can't live together openly in front of everyone, but our team is our family, and they deserve to know. They deserve to hear it from us."

"I know, Chris. It's just a lot, you know?"

"It is, but we'll get through this together. I promise."

Ezra was surprisingly the first to show up. He brought an elegant dessert that Vin was ready to dive into right then. Chris swatted his hand away, reminding him that he'd already had brownies with breakfast. Josiah was next, and he carried in a crockpot of chili. Nathan pulled in right behind Buck and JD. Nathan had a seven-layer tossed salad that Raine had made for him to bring over, and Buck and JD had deli potato salad and dinner rolls.

The men were looking around with puzzled faces.

"So where are Matt and Celeste?" Buck asked Chris. "Not still sleeping in? Must have been some reception!"

"They decided to leave early," Chris replied smoothly, but Ezra's eyes narrowed when he saw the looks exchanged by Chris and Vin.

No one else seemed to notice, and Buck told him he was disappointed. He'd been looking forward to seeing Chris's parents, and it went unspoken that when he'd been around them the last time for any length of time it had been during the tragedy of Adam and Sarah's deaths. All of their combined focus had been spent dealing with their own grief and helping Chris cope through their devastating loss.

Chris changed the subject right after that, and Vin helped by getting the guys involved setting the table and pouring drinks or opening beers while Chris grilled the steaks at the built-in grill and fireplace on the deck. It was one of his and Vin's favorite additions to the expansive, multi-layered deck, and Chris looked off toward the mountains to hide a secret smile, remembering the last time he and Vin had made love outdoors in front of a blazing fire. The full moon and the warmth of soft light from the flames had gilded his tanned lover into an almost unearthly glow.

"Hey, Stud. How are the steaks coming?"

Buck's voice startled Chris and he dropped the brush he was using the marinate the steaks. Fortunately, it landed on the side counter and not the floor of the deck.

Buck laughed. "What's with you two? Junior's as jumpy as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs."

"Well, I don't know about Tanner, but I was thinking about eating."

Buck narrowed his eyes. "Hmmm. Well, okay. If you say so. Guess the rest of us are thinking about eating, too, so get a move on!"

"Don't rush the chef! Go make yourself useful and bring me a beer."

"How was the wedding?" JD asked suddenly, as everyone was finishing the last of the dessert and Vin was coming back from the kitchen with a carafe of fresh coffee.

Chris cringed inside. He'd been praying that no one would bring it up, even though he figured it was inevitable.

"Yeah, Chris, you never said anything about the wedding," Josiah said and smiled.

"Dance with any lovely ladies? Bet you were a hit with all the eligible women. Everyone knows the best place to hook a future husband is at a wedding," Buck chortled, wagging his dark eyebrows suggestively.

"I didn't go."

"What?"

"Why not?"

"What happened?

Chris stood up at the head of the table, and motioned Vin to join him. Looking suddenly pale, Vin set the coffee pot down and walked up beside Chris. They looked at each other, and Vin sighed and straightened his shoulders when Chris smiled reassuringly at him.

"What's going on?"

"Stud?"

Chris raised a hand, looking each man in the eyes. "Actually, there's something we need to tell you all. It's been something we've thought about for a while now, and we decided that this is the right time."

"Chris? Vin? What are you saying?"

"If you'd shut up a minute, they'll tell us," Buck told him, aggravated, but there was an undercurrent of anger and suspicion in his voice.

"I didn't go to the wedding, and my parents left early, because they discovered something that Vin and I have been trying to figure out a way to tell you. We're a couple, and we have been for quite some time now."

Buck looked completely stunned, and leaned back heavily in his chair. Josiah just smiled an enigmatic smile, and nodded thoughtfully. Nathan scowled and got a stern look on his face. Ezra looked completely passive and showed no emotion whatsoever, and this was one time when Chris regretted that the southerner was so adept at hiding his feelings.

JD frowned, and he seemed to be completely baffled by what Chris had said. Suddenly he broke into a huge smile. "You're dating!?" he yelped, excitement clear in his voice. "Oh my God, that's so cool!"

"Cool?" Buck hissed angrily. "What the hell is going on here, Chris."

"Buck—"

"Shut up, Tanner. I'm not talking to you."

"Buck, stop it!" Chris demanded. "This doesn't have anything to do with Vin, or with me. It has to do with us."

"I can't believe it," Buck said, shaking his head. "The two of you? Together? It's not right. You're not… gay!"

"We're in love, Buck," Chris said softly and firmly. "We're not interested in labels. We found each other, and it just… happened."

"This isn't right," Nathan spoke for the first time. "And I'm not comfortable with this at all. It goes against everything I was raised to believe."

"Souls find each other in mysterious ways," Josiah said calmly.

"Men souls ain't supposed to find another man!" Nathan retorted.

"You!" Buck rose suddenly from his chair, pointing an accusing finger at Vin. "You did this to him! Are you some sort of—"

"Shut up, Buck! Vin didn't do anything. Except be the person I couldn't help falling in love with. Now, sit down. Please?"

Buck settled back in his chair, but couldn't resist one more comment. "So, what? The two of you must have been having a good old laugh, while I've been trying to set you both up with other women. Asking about your dating lives, talking about double dating. You must have been having a blast mocking me."

"You know that's not true, Bucklin," Vin said softly. He was relieved when Buck didn't respond angrily.

The big man's ire seemed to be subsiding, and Vin hoped that he could calm down. Even if he couldn't agree with their relationship and be happy for them, at least if there was a measure of acceptance, that was a start. The last thing that Vin wanted was for Chris and Buck's friendship to be lost.

"Sure," JD frowned at his roommate. "Besides, I think they make a cute couple."

Josiah sighed heavily, not sure that was a comment Buck needed to hear right now.

Buck's head swung toward the younger man, then he turned back to Chris and Vin. "How long?"

"A few months," Chris told him.

"And, just when were you going to tell me? Tell us?"

"When we decided the time was right," Chris said firmly. "It wasn't like one day we were strangers and the next day we were a couple."

Vin tried to calm Chris down, because he could tell the older man was getting irritated and the last thing this situation needed was for Chris's temper to blow up. He placed a hand at Chris's waist, and Chris looked over at him. Vin gave him a half-smile, and Chris took a deep breath and nodded back. The other men exchanged looks with each other, and that easy touch told them everything they needed to know. These two men were, and had been, a couple in a committed relationship.

"It started a long time ago, guys, but it was pretty slow at the beginning," Vin told them. "I'll admit that I was attracted to him from the first day we met, but I never dreamed a relationship would be possible. I found out he'd been married, and for me, that was the end of that."

"But then I started having these feelings and thoughts…. I got to the point where I couldn't ignore them, or explain them away," Chris continued. "We're not going into any more detail – so don't ask, Buck." The men chuckled, and Vin breathed a sigh of relief while Chris continued. "Like I said, it was over a long period of time. At first we didn't expect anything to come from it. We didn't even know how the other person felt, and that first time we admitted our feelings to each other was about the scariest thing we've ever done."

"Next to this moment," Vin told them, and at that the men truly laughed.

"We needed to take the time to be with each other, and figure this out on our own. We couldn't just make a team announcement after one date. You understand that, right?"

"Sure."

"Yeah, I guess. I still think you should have told me."

"We're telling you now. We wanted to do this before you found out by accident. This is something we hope you'll be able to accept, and we're keeping it out of the office. When we're at work, nothing will change."

"How exactly are you going to make that happen?" Nathan asked them, still clearly not happy.

"Hell, Nathan," Vin pointed out, "it's been happening. We've been together as a couple for months now. You didn't know, so I guess we're doing something right."

"Well, that's true," he grudgingly admitted.

"We have one more announcement," Chris said to get their attention. "Vin has agreed to move in with me. He's moving out of his apartment within the next month."

"Wow, that's great, Vin!"

"It's going to take a while," Nathan grudgingly admitted, "but I can see you've been handling this well, since none of us guessed. I'm not going to think about your personal relationships outside of the office. Come to think of it, I really don't do that for any of you."

"I'm happy for you, son." Josiah grinned broadly. "I'm happy for you both!"

Vin looked a little fearfully at the only member of their team who had yet to say a word. "Ez, you okay with this?"

"Actually, Mr. Tanner, I am extremely disappointed."

"Oh. I'm sorry, Ez," Vin said softly, his voice betraying only a hint of fear. Things had gone a lot better than he'd hoped, but it would be really hard if their entire team couldn't accept their relationship. "Well, I can understand that," Vin continued, then trailed off uncertainly.

"No, I don't think you do understand," Ezra said firmly, looking around the group before squarely meeting Vin's wide blue eyes. "Actually, I had hoped to date you myself."

"What?!" Vin yelped, his eyes huge with the shock, and every head whipped over to meet Ezra's calm gaze.

"What?" he said smoothly. "Vin is an extremely handsome and sexy man. I've had my eye on him for quite some time. Since he joined our little band of brothers, actually. Apparently I didn't make my move soon enough."

That announcement really set the room to buzzing, and Vin went to the kitchen to bring back a glass of water for Nathan. After finding out that two of the most masculine and clearly heterosexual men he knew were in a committed relationship with each other, and then to find that a third member of his team had hoped to have a relationship himself with one of the men, was about more than he could handle. He'd been raised all his life that such a relationship was a sin, but these were men that he knew and cared about and trusted with his very life. It was a lot to come to grips with.

The youngest member of the team was fine with the news, even excited about it, and his enthusiasm and immediate acceptance of Vin and Chris as a couple did a lot to bring the others around. Even Buck went up to Vin and held his hand out, and when Vin accepted his handshake the big man pulled him into a bear hug.

"You did it, Vin," he said, looking seriously at the younger man, dark blue eyes holding the attention of light blue. "You really rescued this old son of a gun when I'd begun to wonder if we'd ever get him back. I owe you, Tanner."

"He saved me, too, Bucklin. We're right together, you know."

"I can see that. Sure gave me a jolt, though. You guys sure know how to keep a secret, I'll give you that."

Vin laughed, white teeth flashing in happiness. It was such a relief that all the guys knew and accepted them as a couple. "No more secrets," he promised.

"There better not be," Buck frowned in mock sternness. "But seriously, I'm happy for you. You both look happy, and I know this is good for you both. Took me by surprise, but I guess now that I think back, you've been more relaxed and less on edge than you were when you joined the team, and old Chris here hasn't shown the famous Larabee temper quite as often. Didn't really put two and two together, but now that I know, it makes sense."

"Nothing's changed on the team, Buck," Vin assured him. "Nobody else can know, but I'm real glad we're not hiding this from you guys any longer."

"That's been weighing on us," Chris said, coming over to join Buck and Vin as everyone talked while clearing the table and began wandering into the living room to watch the game on Chris's big screen television. "No time was going to be perfect, but this is as perfect as we could figure."

"You're right," Buck nodded. He faced the two men and placed a large hand on one shoulder of each man. "And I apologize. I was out of line."

"It's a lot to take in at once, especially when you weren't expecting it," Vin shook his head. "We're good."

"Yeah," Buck wagged his eyebrows at them. "You are!"

Vin just shook his head and left the two men alone in the kitchen. He suspected that the two old friends could benefit from a little time alone with just the two of them.

"We okay, Buck?"

The big man rubbed his hands over his face, shaking his head and then nodding. "As long as you're sure, you know? You were a great dad. A great husband. I guess I always thought you'd re-marry, maybe have another kid or two."

"I'm not looking for that. Hell, I wasn't looking for this, but I found it. I've never felt like this about anyone."

Buck's head whipped up in shock, but Chris steadily met his gaze.

"I will always love Sarah and Adam. Don't ever doubt that. But with Vin it's just different, and I don't mean the obvious. We connect in ways that I never could with Sarah. I didn't know any different, but this… what I have with Vin… I can't even describe it. It's like we connect in every way possible."

"Well, you know how JD always jokes about you and Vin being psychically connected. He might not be all that far off. And you know, I will admit I always pictured you falling in love with someone younger. I never thought you'd choose someone this young, though! You're robbing the cradle, old son. Isn't Vin, what, twenty years younger than you?"

"Fifteen!" Chris growled. "And you know it."

Buck threw his head back and roared with laughter. He clapped Chris on the back, and in the other room, Vin smiled at the sound.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Thanksgiving morning was bitter cold, with the sun only occasionally breaking through heavy dark clouds that threatened snow. Usually holidays were celebrated at the Larabee-Tanner ranch, but Ezra had recently redecorated his condo and was eager to show it off. Everyone readily accepted his invitation, knowing that for Ezra to invite the entire team was proof of how happy it would make him to host. He'd been overheard on the phone with a catering service for weeks, although the men were still all bringing dishes to contribute to the festivities.

Chris's breath caught when he saw Vin in the doorway. The younger man was wearing a winter-white turtleneck sweater in the softest material Chris had ever seen. His chestnut brown hair curled in glossy waves to his shoulders, and his face was still tanned from riding whenever he had time. He had on dark charcoal wool slacks, and the thin belt accented his thin waist. Chris never tired of admiring his lover's vivid blue eyes, bright white teeth, and strong jaw and cheekbones. Vin was the most beautiful person he'd ever known, and it was always a thrill to see him dressed up.

"Hey," Chris grinned.

"Hey, yourself," Vin smiled back.

Chris was stunning. He was finishing a cup of coffee, standing by the back window just as the sun broke through. The sudden light glinted off his blond hair. He had kept saying he needed a haircut, but hadn't yet made it to the barber. Vin liked it a little longer. He liked being able to run his fingers through the silkiness, and he secretly loved the fact that Chris wasn't going bald like many men his age. Chris was wearing black slacks and a deep green silk shirt. Buck still teased Chris about always wearing black, but Vin never tired of seeing Chris's blond hair against black or other dark clothing. He thought the dark green was maybe Chris's best color, and he stood in the doorway for a moment to admire his lover.

Vin moved smoothly across the room. He took the coffee cup out of Chris's hand and set it on the end table, then put his arms around the older man, pulling him close for a hug. Chris's arms immediately surrounded the slender body, and he brushed his cheek over the silky curls. His hands rubbed across the velvety material over Vin's back, and he didn't think he'd ever felt anything as soft.

"Think Ezra would notice if we didn't show up?" Chris murmured.

Vin snorted softly.

"We're bringing the cranberry sauce," he reminded Chris. "It isn't Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce."

Then it was Chris's turn to snort. "Well let's get going then, before I can't be held accountable for my actions."

"Keep those 'actions' in mind, Cowboy," Vin gave him a wicked grin as he stepped back and turned toward the hall closet to get their coats. "We'll be back here before too many hours."

"Yeah, unless we're both in a turkey coma by then," Chris teased, taking his cup to rinse in the sink.

"If that's a danger, I'll drag you into one of Ez's fancy bathrooms during halftime of the football game, and we'll do a little 'action'-ing then!"

"Shit, Tanner!"

"Well," Vin feigned innocence. "I didn't think you'd want to mess up his pretty sheets in the guest room."

Any response Chris might have made was interrupted by the ringing of the house phone.

"We're coming!" Vin yelled at the phone, assuming it was Ezra or Buck.

Chris frowned at the caller ID. "It's my sister," he said. "Maybe I'll just let it go to voice mail."

"Answer. She's family, and it might be important."

Chris picked up the phone, but it was immediately clear that this wasn't a nice, holiday phone call. Even from across the room, Vin could hear the angry shouting. He didn't pick up every word, but enough came through the phone lines. She was screaming about Chris breaking their hearts, ruining and embarrassing their family and parents, defying the way he was raised, yelling that he should be home with his family and not associating with faggots.

"That's enough!" Chris roared. "I have a family, and I'm sorry it doesn't meet with your approval, but this is my life and I'm happier than I've ever been. Give my love to Mom and Dad, and to Bill and the kids. I love you all, but I'm not changing who I am because you're not happy about it. And I'm not changing who I love."

The shouting through the phone lines continued, as Chris shook his head in frustration. "I'm hanging up now," Chris said firmly, not even sure that his sister heard him.

He turned around from disconnecting the phone, and his heart sank at the stricken look on Vin's face.

"Hey, come on," he said, moving across the room and cupping Vin's cheek with his hand, the other one on Vin's arm. "She's just crazy. She's mean, and unreasonable. I'm not going to let this bother me. She's not going to ruin our Thanksgiving."

"But they're your family."

"You're my family!" Chris said firmly. "I love you, Vin. If we could get married, I would marry you in a heartbeat, but you are every bit as much a part of me and my life as if we were married. Maybe even more so, because we can't do it legally. We're committed in a way that would be easy to walk away from, and that makes our love that much stronger."

He reached over to where he knew a white gold band hung on a chain under Vin's sweater, and put his other hand over his own chest where there rested a matching gold band on a matching gold chain. "This is what's important," he continued, placing his other hand on Vin's heart, and placing Vin's other hand on his own heart. "This is all that matters."

"I know," Vin tried to smile. He laced the fingers of each hand with Chris's, to hold hands over each heart. "But I hate that they're so mad at you. That they're so mad at me and that they hate me."

"Hey, none of that. It doesn't matter. If they don't want to get to know you, that's their problem. They are the ones missing out."

"But your parents, your sister and her husband and kids… families should be together on Thanksgiving," Vin persisted stubbornly.

"Our family is together on Thanksgiving. You and I are a family."

Vin nodded and shrugged.

"A family is the people who love you. We are a family of two, and we have five brothers who make us a family of seven. Our family widens to include Nettie and Casey and Raine, and that makes us a family of ten. Our family is just going to continue to grow, and that's a lot more important than counting just those we share DNA with."

"You're right."

"Cheer up?" Chris said, putting his fingers under Vin's chin and lifting the downcast eyes until they met his own.

Vin smiled at Chris then, a genuine, happy smile. "Deal. I've had enough people ruining my holidays, and I'm not letting anyone ruin this one."

"Good!" Chris grinned back, placing a light kiss on Vin's full lips, then groaning when Vin responded to the kiss.

"Guess we better go, huh?" Vin murmured with a hint of regret.

"Well, there will be pie…"

"Pie! That's right! Grab your coat, Larabee, and get your ass in the truck!"

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

April had been unseasonably warm and mild, and this Saturday morning was no different.

"Hurry up!" Chris called impatiently as he was getting into his truck.

They had lots of errands to run in town, and they needed to get moving if they were going get done with their chores in time. Tonight was the annual Awards Banquet for the teams located in the federal building where they worked, and all the teams under the administration of Director Travis had strict orders to be there, on time. But they still needed to get into town and pick up the grain from the feed store, and Chris's saddle was ready from the leather worker who was repairing the stirrups. They had a lot to get done in a short amount of time if they were going to get through everything they needed to do, and make it back into the city for the ceremony.

The trouble was Vin.

Chris was awakened by icy cold feet and hands when Vin crawled back into bed after feeding and taking care of the horses. The sensation caused him to yelp with shock, but then he'd thrown back the covers and headed straight to the shower when he'd caught sight of the clock. He'd left a very miffed Vin sitting on the bed.

He'd told Vin to start the coffee while he showered, then promised to make breakfast while Vin got through his shower. But when Vin had tried to come into the shower with him, Chris had known that actually taking a shower was the last thing on his young lover's mind. He also knew that if he gave in to Vin's wishes, they'd never get out of the house and into town before it was too late to accomplish everything they needed to get done.

Now Vin was pouting.

Nothing was cuter than a pouting Vin, but Chris was annoyed. It wasn't like he didn't want to throw that sexy body onto the bed and fuck Vin into the mattress. It wasn't his fault that they had gotten a call that the feed needed to be picked up today, or that his saddle was ready to be picked up. Not to mention that if they didn't stop and buy some groceries soon, there wouldn't be anything but condiments left in the fridge to eat, and he doubted even Tanner would make a meal out of pickles and ketchup.

So, now Chris was in the truck, with the engine running, and Vin had gone back into the house, saying he'd forgotten his wallet.

Chris honked the horn impatiently, then looked at the porch. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened in shock. He felt light-headed as all the blood in his body raced to his cock, and his jeans were suddenly making it too tight to breathe.

Holy shit!

Vin looked like a model stepping out of a photo shoot for one of those sexy-cowboy calendars. Hell, Chris thought, he looked like the whole goddamn calendar – Mr. January through Mr. December, and every month in between, including both covers!

The normally shy Texan was dressed in a skin-tight, tiny white tank top. Since it had been unseasonably warm this April, his skin was already tanned to a light golden brown. The bright white shirt against strong, tan arms only accentuated the muscles rippling under his skin. There was just a hint of brown skin where the shirt didn't quite meet the belt of his low-slung, tight, fuck-me jeans.

Chris wasn't sure he was breathing by the time Vin slowly sauntered over to the Ram, and slid into the seat beside him. He turned almost sideways under the pretext of untangling his seat belt, and Chris stared at the soft denim covering that rock-hard butt.

Vin turned innocent blue eyes toward Chris. "You okay there, Cowboy? You're looking a mite pale."

Chris snapped his jaw shut and tried to glare at his younger lover. That little shit! He was determined to torment Chris for not making love to him this morning, and it was working. "Damn it to hell," Chris muttered to himself. "I'm gonna make you pay for this, Tanner," he hissed, throwing the truck into reverse and spraying gravel as they tore down the long drive.

"That's what I'm hopin'," Vin smirked.

"Why you little… I ought to beat your ass."

"I can think of something else I'd like you to do to my ass," Vin replied calmly, a smile tugging at the corner of that wide, generous mouth.

He stretched as much as he could in the cab of the truck, giving Chris a good look at the muscles rippling in his arms and shoulders, as well as giving him a glimpse of skin where the shirt lifted just ever so slightly at his flat belly. Then Vin casually flung his arm across the back of the bench seat, and Chris's mouth was suddenly dry.

There had been a time when Vin had been required to go undercover as a male model. Vin's body was nearly hairless, with just a few golden hairs on his arms and legs. However, one of the requirements of the job had been to shave his underarms, a requirement that Vin had resisted quite vocally and vehemently. At the end of the day, though, Vin had a startling surprise when he found out that Christ was fascinated by his newly smooth skin. Vin could hardly move the next day. Vin was usually a Texas wildcat in bed, but Chris had been so turned on their sex had been even more intensely passionate. So, every once in a while Vin shaved his armpits, just to drive his older lover crazy.

Chris fumed the entire drive into town, and seriously considered pulling off onto one of the deserted trails along the way and fucking his lover senseless. That would teach the little son of a bitch a lesson. But just thinking about it made Chris even more hot and bothered, and he had to use every ounce of self-control not to think about what he wanted to do to Vin, or he was in danger of coming in his uncomfortably tight jeans.

Once they got to town, Chris threw the truck into park and strode into the feed store without looking back. He felt rather than saw Vin's presence behind him, judging by the heads whipping in his direction. After he paid the owner, they were directed to where the stacks of grain were stored. Vin passed him, pulling on the work gloves he'd stored under the seat of the truck, and flung the first heavy sack onto his shoulder, then strode past the blond, heading to the back of the truck bed.

Chris couldn't help staring. Vin working was as sexy a sight as Chris had ever seen. Vin working, looking like he was a sexy cowboy model, was just about the hottest fucking vision Chris had ever experienced. It felt like he was watching a real life porn movie.

Chris forced himself not to stare, and hurriedly glanced around to see if anyone had noticed him. He almost laughed out loud, because no one was looking at him – every single person was ogling Vin, and not just the women in the store or on the sidewalk were staring; a good number of men were, too.

Chris watched a cluster of teenage girls trip into a park bench and nearly fall over as they gawked behind themselves.

What was the most comical, and Chris smiled fondly to himself, was the knowledge that Vin had no idea that he was easily the sexiest person in town that day. His little prank to torment Chris would have backfired, if he had only realized that every person he was near was looking at him with lust.

Vin knew that Chris thought he was sexy, but he couldn't understand why. In his mind, Vin was still the scrawny kid with a too-wide mouth and big eyes, all knees and elbows and wild hair. It never occurred to him that anyone else would think he was good looking.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

The rest of the morning Chris sat back and enjoyed the reactions on people's faces when he and Vin showed up. Vin acted like nothing was out of the ordinary, but Chris almost wished for a hidden camera. He was tempted to point out that the people of Four Corners reacted like a rock star was in their midst, but then he decided just to keep this as a secret memory. Vin would have been mortified, and he wanted to spare his shy lover the embarrassment of discovering that he'd been leered at all morning.

That didn't mean, however, that Chris was going to let him get away with this stunt. He was going to make him pay. In many and varied ways.

"What's that grin for?" Vin frowned suspiciously as they got into the cab to head home. He'd seen that look before, and he wasn't sure he liked it.

"I'm just thinking about ways to get my revenge," Chris said, the shark grin just that much more wicked.

Vin swallowed hard.

"Revenge? For what?" He tried for innocence, but the slight squeak in his voice proved he didn't quite make it.

Chris leaned over suddenly and grabbed Vin's hand on the seat between them. "For this little stunt you pulled today. I admit, though, I'm a fan of this look. Sexy Calendar Cowboy is a game we just might need to play more often," he smirked.

"Sexy Calendar… what?" Vin squeaked.

"You really don't know, do you?" Chris shook his head.

"You're making fun of me." Vin looked hurt.

"No! God, no!" Chris squeezed his hand and waited for Vin to raise his chin so he could see into those fathomless blue eyes. "We'll get through this banquet tonight, but then it's going to be a toss-up between whether I want to rip off your tux and fuck you senseless, or rip off this outfit and fuck you senseless."

Vin's eyes widened and he got a happy grin on his face. "I'm holding you to that, Cowboy."

"Deal. But the next time you try to pull a stunt like this in public, I may have to paddle your sexy butt. I don't like to share what's mine, and I don't like everyone in town undressing you with their eyes."

Vin flushed a deep pink, and Chris had to chuckle at his embarrassment. "Guess I wasn't thinking about anyone else. Just wanted to make you squirm a little."

"Oh, I was squirming – a lot. It's just a good thing you didn't take your shirt off, or half the women in town would have passed out."

Chris saw that Vin was getting self-conscious again and decided to change the subject. A little teasing went a long way with the sensitive younger man, and he wanted him in a good mood later that night, not pissed off. Then again, a pissed off Vin was also a very sexy Vin…. Truth was, every mood Vin was in tended to be a sexy one as far as Chris was concerned.

They changed the subject, and for the rest of the ride home they planned out what they were going to do to finish their chores in time to get ready before the awards dinner.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

The two men were in the middle of unloading the sacks of grain into the barn when an unfamiliar vehicle pulled into the long driveway. Vin immediately reached for his gun, stored in the glove box of the truck, shoving it in the back waistband of his jeans. As the car stopped and the doors opened, Chris gasped.

"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?! Did something happen to Diane, or one of the kids?"

"Christopher—" his mom started, then stopped and looked at her husband.

"No, they're all fine. Chris… and Vin," his dad started, then hesitated. "Son, could we go inside?"

Chris looked at Vin, then back at his parents. He moved closer to the younger man and put his arm around his shoulders. "It's okay with me if it's okay with Vin. This is his home, too. If you have anything bad to say to me, to Vin, or to the two of us together, then just leave now. Vin's my partner – in every way – and I won't allow you to say hateful things about us. Not anymore. I love you both, but I love Vin more, and if I have to choose between you, I'll choose Vin.

Chris could feel the sharp intake of breath as Vin gasped in surprise. His fingers squeezed the warm shoulder under his hand, but he didn't take his eyes off his parents.

"We know, and we wanted to do this in person, not over the phone. We're here to apologize, not to condemn you," Celeste said softly.

"Come on inside then," Chris told them, walking past the two of them and knowing they would follow.

A short time later, the elder Larabees were sitting side by side on the sofa, and Chris was sitting in a chair across from them. Vin, who had slipped upstairs and put a loose denim shirt over his white shirt, was standing beside the French doors overlooking the back deck.

Matt took a deep breath, and Celeste squeezed his hand.

"We're here to ask for your forgiveness, both of you," she told them. "What we did… how we acted… It was unforgiveable. We said some hateful things. We're not asking for an answer right now, but I hope someday you will find it in your hearts to forgive us." She turned to her husband and then looked back. "Forgive me. I was the one who, well, you were there. I can't even express how terrible I was to you Vin. You didn't deserve that."

"No, he didn't," Chris said angrily. "And because of you, because of the way I let you treat him, I almost lost the love of my life!"

"Chris, no," Vin said softly, shaking his head.

Celeste gasped in shock, then swallowed hard to recover her composure.

"No," Chris said and shook his head, still upset. "If we're laying everything out on the table, then we're laying everything out. Mom, I loved Sarah. I loved her with all my heart and Adam more than my heart, but they're gone, and I'm here. I found love again, something I never thought would happen, and at first it scared me. I thought I was being disloyal to Sarah, and I fought with the guilt over that, but when it came right down to it, the love that Vin and I share is one neither of us could deny. It is just as strong as the love I had for my wife, and in many ways stronger. Sarah couldn't share all of my life. My job is a huge part of my life, and there were things she just couldn't know about, or understand, and we fought about that. There is no place that Vin can't go in my life, and we share a bond that can never be broken. If you can't accept that, I'll need to ask you to leave."

"We're staying, son," Matt said. "And I'll accept as much of the blame as Celeste; I was equally at fault. Vin, not only do we owe you an apology, but we also owe you a debt of thanks. If it wasn't for you, well, I'm just not sure what Chris's life might have turned out like. He was on a downward spiral that we weren't sure he would ever recover from. If you can find it in your heart not to hate us, we'd be thankful. Whether you do or not, you will always have our eternal gratitude."

The silence hung heavy in the room before Chris spoke. "I appreciate this, I really do, and I know Vin appreciates it, too, but I'm still baffled. Please tell me you didn't fly halfway across the country and get a rental car just to apologize in person."

Both Celeste and Matt chuckled slightly.

"No, we didn't come all the way out here just to apologize in person," Celeste admitted, "although we should have anyway. One of your cousins, Fred and Jane's daughter, Beth, is getting married tomorrow night. Well, she's having a commitment ceremony with her longtime partner, Suzanne."

"What?"

"That's another reason we're here," Matt told them. "After we got back from the last, well, fiasco of a trip, we were furious. We felt humiliated. We both had a lot to deal with, thinking you weren't the son we'd raised, you weren't the man we thought we knew, and we blamed Vin for that. It was completely unfair what we did, and we can't tell you how sorry we are for the way we treated Vin."

"Vin Tanner is one of the most honest, intelligent, and amazing human beings I've ever known, and I won't stand by and have him treated with anything less than the utmost respect," Chris told them, still fighting his temper.

"Chris…" Vin warned.

The two men exchanged looks, and Chris knew that Vin could never stand for someone else defending him, or standing up for him. He could – and would – speak for himself.

"No, Chris is right," Celeste continued. "Vin, we treated you like a not-very-bright hired hand, like someone who didn't have the mental capability or ambition to be in any position of responsibility. We acted like you were some, well, dim-witted laborer or something. You are clearly much more intelligent than we gave you credit for."

"A lot of criminals make that mistake, too – once," Chris told them with his shark-like grin only slightly less intense than usual. "It's one of the traits that makes Vin one of the most dangerous men in law enforcement."

Celeste swallowed hard and glanced at her husband.

"I have to ask," Chris said, "what changed your minds."

The elder Larabees looked at each other, and Vin caught Chris's eye. "Would you like something to drink?" Vin asked, trying to make everyone more comfortable.

After bringing in glasses of water and soda, Vin took a seat across the room. The Larabees continued their story.

"It was right after Christmas," Matt started, looking grim. "The son of dear friends of ours committed suicide. At the funeral we found out that he had come out to his parents as gay at the holidays. His parents had disowned him, his family and their friends ostracized him… It was ugly. Well, you can imagine." He stopped and swallowed hard.

Celeste sniffed into her handkerchief and took a deep breath. "He left a note, that he loved his parents, but he couldn't live with himself if they couldn't accept the person he was. The fact that he was gay was devastating to our friends, but it was nothing compared to the bitter heartbreak they live with now."

"We couldn't let that happen to us," Matt said firmly. "Not the suicide, we know you're a strong, confident person – that you both are – but we couldn't bear losing you, and we couldn't bear not having you as a part of our lives."

"So you, what?" Vin asked, somewhat sarcastically. "Decided to come out and tell Chris you forgive him? That you decided to ignore his 'immoral' lifestyle to keep him from killing himself?"

"Yes. No. No! We came to ask both of you for forgiveness, and to let you know that we really, truly are okay with you as a couple. I know it's not our blessing that you want, or need, but we both want you to know that you have it."

"I'm not a lawyer or a doctor," Vin reminded them with a trace of bitterness. "I don't have a fancy college degree, or a career in business. I'm just a simple country boy. I don't come from a privileged background. I know that's what you want for your son."

"It doesn't matter," Matt told him firmly. "No degree or family heritage can determine the kind of person someone is. For someone who has overcome tremendous odds with no support other than self-determination, you are an amazing young man. You are anything but a 'simple' country boy."

"My son saw the truly outstanding man that you are," Celeste said softly. "If you give us another chance, we'd like to get to know that man, too."

"I know why you did what you did," Vin told them, his soft voice breaking the tension, but he stayed by the large window. "Believe me, I've been treated like that most of my life, but I do believe you, and I accept your apology. I never liked that you all and Chris were upset with each other. Family is important, and I never wanted to come between family."

"You're my family, Tanner, and don't forget it."

"I know," Vin said with a small smile.

"You are our family, too, Vin," Matt said firmly, and Celeste nodded in agreement. "Welcome to the Larabee clan, son."

Vin met Matt's advance halfway across the room, and the two men shook hands with Matt grasping Vin's shoulder.

Celeste came over to the two men. "Can I hug you?" she asked timidly.

Vin leaned down and gave her a brief hug. He was touched to see tears in her eyes.

After that the conversation flowed more easily, and while it would take some time for Chris to fully forgive his parents, there was a lot of healing that took place that afternoon.

Matt and Celeste asked whether they could take the two men out to dinner.

"Dinner!" Chris exclaimed. "I almost forgot." He told them about the awards ceremony, and Celeste asked whether it might be possible for them to come.

"I know it's last minute, but we'd love to be there for you both, maybe in a corner or something – we wouldn't expect to be added to the catering count at this late hour."

"Well… "Chris hesitated

"Actually, I took a call from Nate this morning – back when you were honking your horn at me to get out to the truck," Vin said, deliberately not making eye contact with his older lover. "Raine isn't feeling well, and he doesn't want to leave her home alone. So, as it turns out, there are two open seats at our table."

"All right, then!" Celeste smiled. "Since we packed formalwear for the wedding tomorrow, we can just wear what we brought. We'd better get back to the hotel and change, and let these two get ready."

"They can stay here, right, Chris? No need for them to get a hotel."

"Uh, sure," Chris agreed. "Of course you're welcome to stay."

He had a momentary flush of irritation, not that Vin would offer, but he wasn't quite sure he wanted that much togetherness this soon. Then as he thought about it a little more, he appreciated how kind and generous and forgiving his young Texan was, to be willing to offer their home to the two people who had so badly mistreated him.

There was a flurry of activity as Chris helped Matt get their suitcases from the rental car and Vin showed Celeste the guest bedroom with attached bathroom. Then everyone took turns in the showers at each end of the large house to get ready for the ceremony.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"I wish we weren't going," Chris said, leering at Vin as the younger man came down the stairs in his tux. His hair was slicked back and pulled into a tight ponytail at the back of his neck, which served to accent his cheekbones and deep blue eyes, and Chris thought there were professional models who weren't as handsome or sexy as Vin. Ezra always looked elegant, but Vin had more of a James Bond appearance when he wore a tux. Sexy as hell, but a little dangerous, too.

"Chris," Vin squeaked as he looked around nervously.

"Relax. My mom won't be ready for another fifteen minutes, which is why I told her we needed to leave thirty minutes before we actually do."

Vin just rolled his eyes and shook his head, but it wasn't long before they were all settled into the luxury rental car for the drive into the city.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Team Seven made an imposing impression as the team members and their guests gathered to socialize before the meal. The men were all in tuxes, and their dates wore evening gowns. Even Miss Nettie was there in a deep blue chiffon dress with a three-quarter length sleeve jacket, and the color was perfect with her white hair and bright blue eyes. Casey was gorgeous in a green dress with ruching at the top, and JD couldn't take his eyes off of her.

Celeste had brought a deep steel gray dress with crystal trim, and the gray accented her green-gray eyes. Ezra's date, a lovely Chinese woman, looked stunning, and even Josiah's steady girlfriend, an ex-hippie, had managed to pull together an outfit dressier than anything the others had ever seen her wear. Buck was going solo tonight, in order not to break any hearts, he claimed. The others were sure, though, that he would not be going home alone.

Of all of them, Buck had looked the most shocked when Celeste and Matt came in with Chris and Vin. Josiah had covered his surprise well and graciously greeted Chris's parents. Ezra was gallant as always, showing no surprise at all.

Buck pulled Chris aside at the earliest opportunity to find out what the story was. Chris explained briefly that they had had a change of heart, and were actually in town for a same-sex commitment ceremony. They had used the excuse of the family event to make the trip to see Chris and Vin, and to apologize to them in person.

"Well, hot damn." Buck whistled, shaking his head. "I might just go outside to watch the pigs fly."

Team Seven mingled and greeted the other attendees at other tables, everyone visiting and talking. It was a very festive event, and white-gloved waiters slid through the crowd offering flutes of champagne and small, delectable hors d'oeuvres. Matt and Celeste introduced themselves to those around their table, and found they had a lot in common with Orin and Evie Travis. Chris felt comfortable moving around to greet other friends when he overheard the two couples comparing stories of their grandchildren.

"Looking good, stud," Buck came up to Chris, carrying a small plate loaded with a variety of appetizers. He was looking over at a gorgeous agent from Team Four. She was talking with an older couple, and Chris knew he was just waiting for them to leave in order to make his move.

Chris grinned and shook his head, accepting a glass of champagne from a passing server. He looked over the crowd, and thought again that it was always somewhat of a pleasant shock every year to see fellow agents, their spouses and guests dressed in formal wear.

Jake Harris from Team Three came over to introduce Chris to his wife, Kathleen. They chatted a few minutes before someone called him away. Just as Chris turned back to Buck, he caught sight of Vin across the room, talking to Eric Sutherland. He froze slightly. No matter how much he knew that Vin loved him, and only him, it always gave him a shiver of jealousy to see how handsome the two men looked together.

"Junior sure cleans up good, don't he?" Buck grinned. "That boy ghosts around in his jeans and flannel and denim shirts, but when he puts on a tux… Whoo weee!" He whistled.

Chris looked at Buck, hoping that what he really thought about how goddamn sexy Vin looked didn't show on his face. He was saved from responding when the master of ceremonies for the evening announced that dinner was about to be served and for everyone to please take their seats.

The meal was fantastic and everyone enjoyed themselves. There was a lot of great conversation and laughter around the tables. When the dessert course was finished, the master of ceremonies took the podium again.

Several team and individual awards were given out, with much applause from appreciative co-workers. Nathan received an Honorable Mention for his medical treatment given to a team member – Vin – during a fire fight on a bust nearly a year ago. Josiah went up to accept his award in his absence. JD and the technical wizard from Team Six received an award for their role in cracking a complicated computer program which was designed to hide illegal shipments of cigarettes. JD blushed when he took the stage with Abby, who was nearly a foot taller than him in her platform shoes, to accept their small plaques.

Vin was awarded the Top Marksman award for the third straight year, which was a record that had begun in his first year with the ATF. As he made his way to the stage to accept the trophy, the presenter read off an impressive list of the extraordinary scores he had achieved on the indoor, outdoor, and live-simulation courses, most of them perfect scores accomplished in record time.

"But more than this, the measure of a true sharpshooter is the shot taken under extreme duress. There have been more times than we can count of the truly impressive shots that Vin Tanner has made, from long distances, in terrible weather, in poor lighting, not to mention the stress and pressure of dangerous, chaotic, and literally life-or-death situations."

Vin accepted his award with a shy smile and nod to the audience.

Even though they didn't win awards, Ezra, Josiah, and Buck were all given recognition as being nominated in their various categories.

As the official program continued, the awards became more impressive and important. No one was shocked when Chris Larabee was announced as the Outstanding Team Leader of the Year. He accepted the honor graciously, and motioned for his entire team to join him on stage. The master of ceremonies joked to widespread laughter that Chris had spoiled the surprise, when Team Seven was announced as Outstanding Team of the Year.

"As you know, no team leader can be effective without a great team," he began after the master of ceremonies motioned him to the microphone to make a speech. "And no one has a better team of agents than I have to work with. Each member of Team Seven is truly outstanding individually, and we are even stronger together. Perhaps more importantly, we are brothers. I regard each one of these fine agents as family, and trust them with my life. Thank you very much."

The crowd rose as one for a standing ovation, and even though many of the other teams held a certain amount of jealousy over the track-record of success that Team Seven enjoyed, no one could begrudge the fact that they truly deserved the recognition. The men worked hard, and each one was a gifted and talented agent. Even those from the various other federal agencies knew the reputation of the "Magnificent Seven," and they applauded their success as well.

"And now we come to the final award of the evening, which is given to the agent who has had the most impact and been the very best and brightest of all the federal agents here tonight. Anyone who has previously been recognized earlier in the evening is eligible for this award. As you can imagine, this was a very difficult decision, with many, many truly deserving candidates."

Celeste and Matt looked at Chris, and both of them beamed proudly at their son. Celeste squeezed his arm in excitement, and Matt sat up straighter, a look of confident satisfaction on his face as the master of ceremonies continued.

"However, there can only be one winner. For his spectacular and truly amazing – one might even say, magnificent – accomplishments, I am exceptionally pleased to announce this year's winner of the trophy for the most Outstanding Agent of the Year, Vincent Tanner of Team Seven!"

Celeste and Matt gasped in shock, while Chris led the standing ovation as he leapt to his feet. Buck cheered enthusiastically, clapping Vin on the back as he went up to accept the highest honor given. The applause was loud and long, and Chris noted the smiles of genuine delight on most of the faces in the crowd. There would always be some who were jealous, or maybe resented the accolades that Team Seven and its various agents received on a regular basis, but this was a night for celebration and almost everyone was united in the true spirit of the evening.

After the applause died down and people took their seats, Vin took a deep breath and swallowed hard before he began speaking. "As you may know, the recipient of this award is required to give a speech. Last year I felt that my heartfelt 'thank you' was as much of a speech as anyone really wanted to hear, and I was guessing by the thunderous applause afterward, I was right."

He paused while there was laughter, applause, and shouts of encouragement throughout the audience.

"However, I was sternly reprimanded, and it was made clear to me that should I ever earn this award again, I was to make an actual speech, because there are so many more deserving men and women here tonight, I felt confident that I'd never have to do this again, so I just nodded in agreement. I believe I'd rather face down a dozen gun-runners than talk in public."

There were several chuckles throughout the audience, and some people nodded in agreement. There was a reason that public speaking was one of the chief fears of lots of people.

"The truth is, I am extremely honored and humbled by this award. Whenever there is loss of life, especially by my hand, it's something that I have to make peace with. Then I remember the face of that six-year-old girl as she was held at gunpoint as a human shield, and I think about the look in her mother's eyes when she realized her child was alive and safe, that's when I can live with myself, and I'm grateful to have the ability to keep innocent lives unharmed.

"Some people ask me how many people I've killed, and many times I get the sense they feel this is an accomplishment I should celebrate, or even brag about. I've had to reconcile that the loss of life by those who would do harm to innocent people, my fellow agents – my brothers – have made choices to put themselves in a position where they themselves might be injured or even killed. If there was a way to calculate the number of lives I have saved by my actions, then that is a number I might actually consider bragging about.

"When I was a boy, I had the privilege and the joy to live with my grandfather from the time I was eight until a little before I turned twelve. He taught me to track, to survive off the land, to love nature. He taught me to shoot. He was never very talkative – I know, go figure – and didn't really tell me he loved me, but somehow I knew that he did. I sometimes wonder now whether he had an idea what my life would be like after he was gone, and he was preparing me for the future in the only way he knew how.

"I was having a particularly hard day. My friends were all out playing ball, and I wanted to be with them, or riding my horse, or fishing – anything but following the lesson my grandfather was trying to teach me. I was never permitted to whine or complain, but he knew I was frustrated and resentful when I couldn't hit the small target he had assigned to me, an extreme distance away. It was a task I didn't think I could ever do, and I was mad at him for making me try. After I heaved a great sigh one too many times, my grandfather placed his large hand gently on my bony shoulder. He looked into my eyes and said firmly, 'Vincent Tanner, you can do hard things.'

"He died one week later, but I never forgot that day, and I never forgot the lesson he taught me.

"To all my fellow federal agents, I say to you, every day we do hard things, and the world is a better place because of it. Thank you."

Vin smiled shyly and his cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, as the applause swelled and people gave him a thundering standing ovation. Chris was the first to meet him as he made his way back to the table, and greeted him with their signature forearm handshake. "I'm so proud of you, Cowboy," he said softly.

Vin's eyes shown with a quiet pride as all his teammates, Chris's parents, and then other agents and their spouses came by to shake his hand and congratulate him. Chris noticed that his parents still had slightly stunned looks on their faces, and that made him even more proud of Vin. For Tanner to win this award as such a young agent, and for the second year in a row, was truly unheard of. This was a major accomplishment, especially when his record was compared to older, seasoned veteran agents with years and years of experience. The fact that most other agents seemed truly happy for Vin was a testament to his popularity. Vin was honestly humble, didn't boast about his skills like many agents did, and was always willing to listen and learn from others. He willingly helped those less skilled, especially the newest agents, and never made them feel stupid or clumsy. That quiet confidence combined with off-the-charts skill had earned him a tremendous amount of respect throughout the ATF organization and other federal agencies.

Chris stood proudly off to the side when Orin and Evie Travis came over to congratulate Vin. The young man stood tall and straight as Orin shook his hand, and even managed to smile down at Evie when she gave him a light hug of congratulations. As others were coming up to Vin, Orin turned to Chris and shook his hand.

"When you chose Tanner for your team, you got an outstanding agent," he told Larabee.

"I know, sir. Thanks for approving his transfer from the U.S. Marshalls," Chris said.

"I trusted you," Travis told him. "I believed you when you said you know a good thing when you see it. You found a good thing with Vin Tanner."

He turned away with a wink that left Chris momentarily stunned, because it seemed as though Travis was talking about more than Vin's presence on his team; it almost appeared as though he was referring to Vin's presence in his life.

The men and their guests from Team Seven were enjoying themselves immensely after the official program ended and the orchestra began playing for dancing. They received many congratulatory wishes from others on different teams and different branches, and they were generous with their own congratulations to other winners, and commended those who were nominated as well.

The evening festivities gradually wound down, and people started saying their good-byes and leaving. The members of Team Seven found their way back to their table, stopping by other clusters of various agents and receiving handshakes and congratulations as they went. They were ready to head out at the same time, and made their way to the exit together. It turned out they had all parked fairly close together, and they said their own good-byes in the parking lot.

Each again told Celeste and Matt how happy they were to see them. Matt joked that with the wedding the next day, he was going to sleep until noon. He told them that he was too old for this kind of partying two nights in a row.

Celeste smacked him lightly on the arm. "Speak for yourself!" she retorted. "I'm tired, too, but I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

"Oh, I completely agree," Matt nodded. "I'm damn proud of all of you. This was a hell of an event tonight."

"And you'll forgive me if I'm especially proud of my two boys," Celeste added.

Vin stilled, then got a little grin on his face when he realized what she had meant. Chris smiled broadly, and Buck grabbed the smaller man in a bear hug. They all called one final good night and headed home. It had been quite the celebration.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Are you calling my parents stupid?" Chris growled.

The two men were in the master bedroom. Tuxes had been carefully laid across the armchair in the corner to go to the cleaners. Chris had washed up while Vin got a quick shower, and Vin was only wearing a towel around his waist while he dried his hair with another towel. Chris was heading toward the bed, slipping out of his underwear.

"No!" Vin gasped. "Of course not!"

"Well, it sounds to me like you are."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, they know we're a couple, right? And I'm pretty sure that they understand just what it is that two men who love each other do together."

Vin blushed scarlet. "Well… sure… theoretically."

"Theoretically?!" Chris barked, laughing. "I'm going to theoretically fuck your ass into the mattress."

"But what if they come in here to find you? What if— What if they need more towels, or another blanket?"

"Vin, I'm pretty sure my mom can find a linen closet. Besides, the guest suite is all the way on the other side of the house. We might make a little noise, but I highly doubt we'll be so loud that they hear us down the hall, past the den, through the living room and the kitchen and down the next hallway to their guest room."

Vin scowled.

"Besides," Chris told him, his smile turning feral, "I'm so proud of you, and I'm so in love with you, and I'm not going to sleep until I make love to my man. Now, lose the towel, Tanner."

Vin swallowed hard, then smiled a happy smile. He never tired of seeing the look of desire in Chris's eyes. He tossed the towel from his shoulders onto the floor of the bathroom, then strode across the bedroom. Chris stared at the long tan fingers against the white of the towel, which was knotted low on Vin's hips. The muscles in his washboard abs continued down, and Chris swallowed hard to see the outline of muscles between the bones of Vin's pelvis. Professional models had nothing on Vin's body, and Chris intended to explore every inch of his young partner.

In one swift motion, the towel was flung across the room, and Vin pounced on the bed. Chris grabbed him, and soon there was only the sound of soft moans and gasps as hands and mouths and tongues explored and brought each to a frenzy of passion. Vin stretched for the lube, and handed it to Chris.

"Hurry," he hissed, the urgency clear in his voice.

Vin turned over and got on his hands and knees. Chris crawled behind him, pouring a generous amount of lotion in his hands and rubbing them together to warm it. He placed one hand in the middle of Vin's back, and the other traced the opening of Vin's body. He pushed one finger gently into Vin's opening, and Vin gasped and sighed. It was only a minute before Vin told him again to hurry, so Chris inserted two fingers. He twisted them inside the tight heat of Vin's body, making the younger man moan and then bite his lip. Chris pulled his hand out, then, and knowing that Vin's body was ready, he inserted three fingers, and soon a forth, twisting and scissoring to loosen the tight ring of muscle.

"Get to it, Larabee," Vin snarled, "before I come without you."

"Hang on there, pard."

"I'm trying!"

Chris lined up his aching shaft with Vin's opening, and slowly pressed inside. The younger man gasped at the fullness and pressure, but when he exhaled and relaxed, Chris knew he was okay. Chris slowly withdrew until only the head of his engorged member was inside the velvet softness and heat of his lover's body, and then slowly moved in until his thighs were tight against the back of Vin's legs and he was fully inside Vin's body.

"So good," he murmured. "So damn tight."

Vin moaned softly at the intensity of feeling Chris inside him. Chris moved his hands soothingly across Vin's back and sides.

It didn't take long before each man knew he couldn't last much longer. Chris began thrusting harder and faster into Vin's body. He pressed Vin's shoulders down to the mattress, and Vin's hair tumbled across the pillow in a tangle of curls. Chris brushed them to the side as he lay his chest over Vin's body, and Vin whimpered as the angle of Chris inside him pressed against the gland that sent shivers of pleasure sparking throughout his body.

He gasped, "Fuck me, Larabee! Now, Chris!"

The older man straightened, his hands reaching for and clenching the hip bones of his lover. He arched backwards, and was soon thrusting and slamming into Vin's body with a furious intensity. Both men were gasping and panting at the overwhelming sensations, and their heavy breathing mingled with the sound of skin slapping against skin.

Vin clenched his muscles and Chris cried out. He tensed, every muscle frozen, then reached around Vin's body to grasp his aching shaft. With one gentle tug Vin was coming, his body spasming and shaking under Chris. The older man could hardly stay upright as his own orgasm seemed to go on forever. Finally, with a last hard shudder, the two men collapsed on the bed. Vin groaned at the feeling of loss when Chris's shaft slipped from his body.

Chris rolled over flat on his back, trying to get his breathing under control. He grinned over at Vin, who was lying on his stomach, eyes closed, and occasionally shivering as the last of the tremors shook his muscles.

"Damn."

Deep blue eyes opened and squinted at Chris. "Damn is right, Cowboy. Not sure I'm going to be able to walk tomorrow."

Chris frowned. "Did I hurt you?" he asked, placing a gentle hand on Vin's cheek. He checked Vin's eyes worriedly, knowing Vin would try to hide it if he was really hurt.

"No." Vin smiled. "You didn't hurt me. You loved me."

"You are something else, Kid."

"I was thinking the same thing about you, Old Man."

Chris threw back his head and laughed, pulling the younger man into a tight embrace. Soon Chris pushed Vin into the bathroom to clean up quickly before falling back into bed. They were both going to sleep soundly tonight.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Vin and Chris strolled into the kitchen the next morning, sniffing the scent of coffee in appreciation. Celeste was sitting at the table eating a cup of yogurt, and Matt was reading the morning paper while he ate a bowl of cereal.

Vin reached into the fridge to get out bacon and eggs. He set those on the counter and got out a frying pan, and then found a mixing bowl and got out the ingredients for pancakes.

"My word!" she exclaimed. "Are you going to eat all that!?"

"Yes, ma'am," Vin said and nodded. "I guess this is a typical breakfast, especially on the weekends."

"I would weigh three hundred pounds if I ate like that! You're just so skinny!" she told him.

"Vin already had a hard workout this morning," Chris said.

"Oh… Oh!" Celeste said, blushing furiously.

"No! Oh, God, it's not what you're thinking! Damn it! Oh, sorry, ma'am! Shit!" Vin stammered, flustered.

"Vin already went for an eight-mile run this morning," Chris clarified, laughing.

"A run!" Matt coughed, choking on his coffee. "Oh, okay. A run!"

They all laughed, but Vin was still mortified.

"Wow, you run that much?" Matt continued, clearly impressed, and trying to lighten Vin's embarrassment.

"Well, Dear, you can see he's tremendously fit and in great shape," Celeste admonished her husband.

"We've set up some weights and fitness equipment in one of the stalls in the heated barn, too, and it's nice to have a gym at home so we don't always have to stay in the city after hours to work out."

"And Chris is in great shape, too," Vin added.

"It's nice that you can both work out together. In your line of work you can't be heavy or out of shape," Matt said, nodding.

"I thought I was in good shape," Chris told them, "until I tried to work out with Tanner the first time. He whipped my butt on the weight machines, and outran me on the road course."

"You're in better shape now," Vin reminded him.

"Vin's been good for me," Chris smiled back at him, as though they were the only two people in the room. "In every way."

Celeste and Matt exchanged a look across the table, and smiled at each other. Their son was in love, and that was okay with them.

"Anyone want more coffee?" Chris offered, bringing the pot over to the table and warming his father's cup. He could tell that Vin was still a little embarrassed and he wanted to change the subject before Vin fled the room. He hadn't lived with Tanner this many months without learning that Vin would create an urgent errand to the barn or elsewhere in order to leave a situation that was making him uncomfortable.

Fortunately, both Matt and Celeste took the hint, and settled in to enjoy their breakfast together. There was a lot of laughter as they told Vin stories of Chris as a boy. They also learned more about Vin, and even though he didn't tell them a lot of what he had had to endure throughout his hard life, their admiration and respect grew.

After they finished the meal, Matt and Celeste announced that because the reception that night would last well past midnight and their flight was early the following morning, they were going to go back to Denver to get ready for the wedding and stay there afterwards.

Chris and Vin declined Celeste's offer to clean up in the kitchen, and they continued visiting while the elder Larabees packed their luggage and helped them load it into the rental car.

As they left, they invited the two men to come out for Easter in a couple weeks, but made them promise to come to Indiana by Memorial Day at the very latest.

Matt finished putting the last suitcase in the trunk, and Chris leaned down to whisper in Vin's ear. "Diane is going to be furious when we come." Vin's face looked stricken, and then Chris continued. "She just can't stand the thought that I have a better looking man than she does."

Vin burst out laughing, and smacked Chris on the arm.

Celeste gave Vin a final hug and again apologized for her earlier behavior. Vin shook his head, and assured her that everything was okay between them. Matt shook his hand, then pulled him into an embrace.

"Take good care of my boy. And welcome to the family, son."

Vin nodded seriously as Matt shook his hand, then smiled shyly at Matt's genuinely happy answering smile.

The two men stood side by side as the rental car backed slowly down the drive, waving as Celeste waved and Matt gave the horn a playful tap. They both couldn't help but think back to the last time when Celeste and Matt left after their previous disastrous trip.

Vin's arm at Chris's waist tightened just a little more, and Chris looked over at him.

"I'm glad, Chris, real glad that they came. More for you than for me. I'm used to people not liking me, well, not liking who they think I am. But I hated that your family, that your parents, were so pissed at you."

"I'm more happy for you than for me," Chris told him, and planted a kiss on his forehead. "I've dealt with them longer than you have, and I knew there was still some underlying love there but they didn't know how to express it. I'm so happy and so in love with you, but they couldn't understand how that was possible. Took them awhile to figure it out, but I'm sure glad they did."

"Me, too."

"Besides, I love my Texas country boy."

Vin laughed, his white teeth flashing with humor. He just shook his head and rolled his eyes, thinking how far they'd come that Chris could joke about his parents' earlier expectations for his romantic relationships.

The two men turned to go inside, and made quick work of cleaning up the kitchen and doing the dishes. Vin went to the sink to add water and start another pot of coffee.

"You ready for a nap?" Chris asked him, giving the younger man an evil grin as his arms circled the trim waist.

"A nap, huh. Well, reckon I am a mite tired," Vin said, grinning back, turning so his arms circled Chris's waist as well.

"Could make the coffee later."

The two men almost raced each other to the bedroom, laughing and discarding clothing along the way. Vin jumped on the bed, and Chris laughed to see his little boy happiness. He realized just how heavily it had weighed on Vin to feel like he was the cause of the rift between Chris and his parents, and his relief at their reconciliation was apparent.

Chris stood beside the bed one more minute, leering down at him. Vin blushed when he saw the intensity of love and desire emanating from those light green eyes. He raised his arms and Chris lowered himself into his embrace.

The two men shared deep kisses, and Chris brushed Vin's hair back from his forehead. He kissed the strong jaw, and moved to behind Vin's ear and his long throat, grinning when Vin shivered in desire.

"You going to be okay with this," Chris asked, the concern in his eyes.

"Always," Vin smiled his reassurance.

"I want to see you," Chris told him. "I want to see your face."

The younger man kept busy with his hands kneading the strong muscles of Chris's back, moving down to the small of his back and then to the strong buttocks. He spread his own legs so that Chris could slide between them, and their cocks grew and twitched at the closer contact.

Low moans and gasps filled the room as hands and mouths and bodies pressed against smooth skin and hard muscles. Vin lifted his knees, and Chris placed the slender ankles on his own shoulders. He slid gently into Vin's body, watching Vin's face closely for signs of pain or distress. When Vin nodded at him, his blue eyes dark with desire, Chris gently made love to Vin's body. Chris lifted Vin's ass, cupping the firm buttocks in his hands, and Vin caressed Chris's arms and the sides of his thighs.

In contrast to the frenzied love-making the night before, this morning was slow and gentle and easy. A soft breeze filled the room, and each man reveled in the sight of his lover by daylight. It wasn't typical for them to make love in the middle of the day, and somehow that made it more special. A quiet shudder by Vin, which caused his ass muscles to clench around Chris's shaft, sent both men over the edge. Chris lowered Vin's legs from his shoulders, rubbing them so they wouldn't cramp. Their arms circled each other, and Vin lifted his face to Chris for a tender kiss. Chris couldn't remember feeling so happy, and seeing Vin so happy, in a long time. He didn't realize how important his family's acceptance of Vin into their lives would make him feel.

As Vin drifted off to sleep in the arms of his lover, he thought to himself, I guess my family just got a little bigger again.

　

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