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Learning to Improvise…
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Chris made himself comfortable at the seven’s usual table. He sighed heavily. How can a day go from sugar to shit so fast? One minute things are quiet, the next we got bank robbers and kids held at gun point.Chris poured himself a drink from the bottle he’d gotten when he entered. Least no one important ended up dead. Guess that’s the best you can hope for some days. He looked up from his drink as JD wandered through the batwing doors. JD got himself a mug of milk from the bar before he joined Chris. JD slid into his usual chair.
"Buck on patrol?"
"Yeah. He just left a few minutes ago. Figured it was better late than never." JD swallowed a mouthful of milk.
Chris nodded. He had known that Buck would head out once the prisoners got settled. No matter what happened they still had a job to do. "Find out who the two ya put in jail are?"
"Cal and Jack Sanders. Not wanted for anything that I could find. Didn’t put up much of a fuss." JD shook his head. "Just don’t seem like the type ta be robbing banks."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "The type?"
JD shrugged. "Chris, they apologized for causing us trouble. Said they were glad Clem let the kids go. Heck, they even asked if Ezra was all right." JD looked amazed. "Just don’t act like the sort of desperados we usually get."
Kid’s got a point. The kind we normally get usually try ta kill us. Hell, I didn’t even get shot at today. "JD, even the hardest criminal has got there start somewhere."
JD nodded. "I know." He grinned. "We jus’ don’t usually get the beginners."
Chris chuckled, and raised his glass. JD tapped it lightly with his mug. "Here’s to greenhorns."
Chris looked at JD. No time like the present to ask. "You said you knew months ago that Ezra was teaching."
JD looked at him is surprise. "Yeah. So?"
"How did you find out?"
"Well, jeez, Chris, it’s my job ta know what’s goin’ on in town. Wouldn’t be much of a sheriff if I didn’t." JD said it like it he was saying the sky was blue and that it should be obvious to anyone. He sipped his milk.
"Saw Ez spending time in Mrs. Potter’s store every day after lunch. Ain’t enough in there ta look at for more than one day, much less a couple a hours almost every day. Store just isn’t that big. An’ everybody knows when she gets a new shipment, so it weren’t like Ez woulda been hanging around for no reason. He ain’t the type ta waste his time that way."
JD shrugged. "So I asked him what he was doing."
Chris frowned. "And he told you?"
JD looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Course he did. Ezra always answers a question. Just gotta remember ta ask the right one is all. Sides, it weren’t like he was doing anything wrong or had something ta hide. Heck, Ezra even asked me help out a few times." The last was said with pride.
"Was kind of fun it ya wanna know the truth. Don’t remember my schooling being anywhere near as much fun. Ezra’s got all kinds of word and number games. Stuff isn’t nearly so boring if ya can play with it. Kids seem to really like it too."
Chris was still trying to get a handle on the ‘Ezra always answers a question’ bit. Don’t remember the man answering me. But then before today, I guess I never really asked the man much, I just assumed. Or maybe I asked the wrong questions.
JD studied Chris. He looked faintly apprehensive. "You don’t think Ez is doing something wrong, do ya? I mean, I know he ain’t like a real teacher, but there ain’t anyone better in town ta do the job. Ezra’s the smartest guy I’ve ever met. And it wouldn’t be right for those kids ta grow up not knowing how ta read and write."
"No. He isn’t doing anything wrong." Chris shook his head. "I just didn’t know about him teaching until today." Chris looked hard at JD. "He ask you not to say anything?"
"Nope." JD shrugged one shoulder. "Weren’t like it was a big secret. Figured you already knew." JD grinned in sudden delight. "Hey, I knew something you didn’t know."
Chris rolled his eyes. "Well, don’t expect it to happen often."
JD laughed. "Heck, I’m surprised it happened at all." The younger man was still grinning when Josiah came in.
Josiah sat down in his usual chair. He raised eyebrows seeing JD’s grin, but didn’t ask. JD just chuckled. He finished his milk. "See ya around." And with that the kid was out the door.
Chris shook his head. "You remember having that kind of energy?"
Josiah sighed. "No."
"Me neither."
Inez came over with a mug of beer for Josiah. She took JD’s mug away with her when she left. Chris knocked back the remainder of his drink.
"Johnson get Clem and Otis taken care of?"
Josiah nodded tiredly. "Yeah. He’s got them over at his place as we speak."
"The bankers?"
"Brother Lovitt is a bit shaken. As is Neville. But neither one has suffered much in the way of ill effects from today."
Chris nodded. "Good." One less thing to worry about.
"Neville put the money back in the vault, but Mr. Lovitt is worried about how secure the bank will be with a busted window."
Chris grimaced. "Don’t suppose just boarding it up occurred to him?"
Josiah chuckled. "To him, no. To me, yes."
He filled his glass again. "Good. Glad someone has some sense."
"Amen, brother, amen."
"Have you seen Ezra?"
"Not since he went up to Nate’s to get looked over." Hmmm…come to think of it, I haven’t seen Vin since then either. Wonder where he went.
Josiah frowned, his blue eyes worried. "Sure do hope that boy is all right."
Chris pursed his lips. "I’m sure if there was something wrong we’d have heard about it by now." He didn’t think Ezra could be too badly hurt since he was moving under his own power.
Josiah nodded, but still looked worried. He smiled suddenly. "Can’t believe he got them to let the children go."
Chris chuckled. "Would have loved to have heard that conversation."
"Indeed." Josiah sipped his beer. "That boy does have a way with words. Have to ask Nate what he said."
"Why not ask Ezra?" Maybe I’m not the only one who thinks he can’t get a straight answer out of the man.
"From the way he sounded, I don’t think he’ll be up to talking much. Be easier on him to let Nate tell us."
Chris considered that. Trust Josiah to have a practical reason for everything. They sat in companionable silence for several minutes, just relaxing and letting go of the recent stress.
Chris glanced up when he saw Nathan enter. Nathan was carrying a small teapot. It was the one he normally used to bring medicine to someone when injured. Chris had mentally dubbed it the mobile pot. It seemed like Nathan never went anywhere without the thing.
Nathan headed toward their table. "Chris. Josiah."
"Nate."
Josiah looked at the pot. "Something for Ezra?"
"Yeah. He’s supposed to be resting in his room. Told him I’d bring this by."
Josiah looked at him in surprise. "And you honestly think he’s up there?" Chris thought that was a valid question given how easily, and how often, the gambler could simply disappear.
Nathan grinned. "Vin said he’d make sure Ezra went. Kinda got the impression that Ezra wouldn’t sass Vin much."
And why not? Man sasses everyone else. Maybe Ezra is hurt worse than I thought./ "Ezra all right?" Chris asked quietly.
"Should be fine in a day or so. Didn’t do any permanent damage. But it’s gonna hurt for him to talk for a bit. Told him I didn’t think he should be on patrol tonight." Nathan’s dark brown eyes met Chris’ dark blue ones. "Told him that I’d let you know."
Chris nodded. He had figured as much. He cast a questioning glance toward Josiah. The big man shrugged. "I can cover it for another day. Or night, as the case may be."
Josiah looked toward the stairs. "You going up now?" He asked Nathan.
"Yeah. Figured I might as well see if the stubborn southern fool is really doing what I told him to. He might not sass Vin, but that don’t mean he didn’t give him the slip as soon as he could."
"I believe I’ll come along."
"Suit yourself."
Nathan headed upstairs. Josiah followed. Chris sighed, downed the drink he still had sitting in front of him, and moved to go with them. Might as well see for myself that he’s okay. Maybe Ezra knows where Vin went.
Nathan gently rapped his knuckles against Ezra’s door. He stood off to the side as he did so. Chris thought that a wise choice since it didn’t seem to matter what time of day, Ezra could be rather violent about letting someone know he wasn’t welcome. The small bullet holes that he’d seen on the door jam were testimony to that. It was one of the reasons Chris usually sent someone else to wake the gambler.
"Ez…it’s Nate. I brought ya another cup of tea."
The door opened, but instead of it being Ezra it was Vin. The tracker raised a finger to his lips. "He’s sleepin’." Vin said quietly.
"Not any more…Mr. Tanner." A roughened, southern drawl came from the bed behind Vin. "You may…allow Mr. Jackson… to enter."
With a shrug, Vin let them in. Ezra raised an eyebrow at seeing Chris and Josiah. He didn’t comment, but simply returned his colt to the holster hanging from the bedpost. He pulled the pillows behind him and casually leaned back against them.
Chris let out a low whistle when he saw just how livid the bruises on Ezra’s throat had become. He rubbed his own throat in sympathy. "Damn, Ez, didn’t think they were that bad."
"You sure you’re all right, Son?" Josiah inquired, his expression earnestly concerned.
Ezra shot him a withering glance. "I’m fine." His gaze shifted toward Chris. "Bruises…always look worse…later, Mr. Larabee."
Nathan picked up a cup from Ezra’s bedside table and filled it. Ezra took the cup when Nathan held out to him. To Chris’ surprise, Ezra drank it without complaint. Must not be the usual stuff. Nobody drinks that willingly.
Nathan watched him swallow carefully. "Still breathing all right?"
Ezra nodded. Nathan took the cup when Ezra handed it back to him. "Still hurt to speak? To swallow?"
"A bit."
Chris figured the short answers were proof enough that it hurt Ezra to speak. Man uses more words than anyone else I know. Must be the first time I’ve ever heard him give a short answer.
Nathan nodded. "Should be better tomorrow, Ezra." He gave Ezra a stern look. "Remember, no whiskey. No scotch either. Don’t want to aggravate your throat any more than necessary."
Vin picked up a small paper bag, and casually tossed to Ezra who neatly caught it with one hand. He opened the bag, pulled out a lemon drop, and popped it in his mouth. He carelessly tossed the bag back to Vin who also took a piece of candy out.
"Lemon drops?" Nathan raised his eyebrows. Vin was infamous for his sweet tooth, and seemed to have candy on him somewhere all the time. But Ezra wasn’t the sort to normally eat candy. Dessert, oh yes, he loved pie, but not candy.
"The kids caught up with us on our way here. Danny and David seemed ta think they would help." Vin said, lemon dropped tucked securely in one cheek. "Mrs. Potter wouldn’t let us leave without takin’ some."
Nathan pursed his lips in thought. He nodded once. "Can’t hurt." He gave Ezra a hard look. "I’ll check on you tomorrow."
Ezra’s expression took on a stubborn cast. Chris fully expected him to rebel, and evidently so had Nathan based on the look he’d given Ezra. But a look passed between Ezra and Vin. Ezra sighed. He nodded toward Nathan. "Tomorrow…Mr. Jackson."
Wonder what the hell just happened here. Chris tipped his head toward Ezra. "Josiah will take your patrol tonight."
Ezra nodded. He raised a hand to rub at his eyes. It surprised Chris to see the man actually look tired. In all the time he’d know Ezra the man never looked like he wasn’t ready to take on the world. It didn’t matter if he’d been up at the tables all night, or had spent the entire day in the saddle, he always looked ready for anything.
Never realized that was just an illusion. Christ, what kind of leader doesn’t realize when his men get tired. How many times have I picked Ezra ta do something just because he didn’t look done in? Damn. Thought I was smarter than that.
Chris could hear Maude’s voice in his head telling Ezra that appearances were everything. He had thought it nothing more than a line, a con that worked on fools. Guess I just found out I’m as big a fool as the next man.
Nathan made a shooing motion toward Chris, Josiah and Vin. "Let’s let the man rest." His voice clearly indicated he would brook no argument from them. Everyone but Ezra would be leaving whether he liked it or not.
Vin headed for the door only after he and Ezra shared another look. All right, damn it, I want to know what’s going on. Now.
Chris waited for Josiah and Nathan to head down the hall in front of him. He grabbed Vin’s arm as they moved toward the stairs, and stopped him. "Cowboy, we need to talk."
Vin looked pointedly at Chris’ hand, and then shrugged out of his grip. "Sure."
Chris tipped his head toward the backstairs, and moved toward them. This time of day the hallway was deserted, and the top of the stairs gave them a good view of the entire floor. Chris wasn’t sure but he had a pretty good idea that Vin wasn’t going to talk to him unless they had some privacy.
Best place would be the roof of the building. Only people who are ever up there are Vin and Ezra. Damn mountain goats. Since I ain’t planning ta break my neck falling of some roof, guess the livery will have to do.
Chris leaned against the wall, and steadily regarded the man he thought of as his brother. "Wanna tell me just what is going on between you and Ezra?"
Vin leaned against on of the opposite wall. He met Chris’ gaze, his expression completely neutral. It was a fair imitation of Ezra’s poker face. "What makes you think there is somethin’ goin’ on?"
Chris glared at him. "Don’t give me that!" Chris hissed, careful not to raise his voice. "He’s sharing his scotch with you, and teaching you to read. You let him take care of that ornery horse of yours. You’re suddenly touchy about everything any one says about Ezra. You lit into me, and Josiah."
Chris frowned. "You froze outside the bank today…something I have never known you to do. Then you tell Ezra to let Nathan look him over, and he does it without so much as a single argument. And you actually got him to stay in his room and rest. The man lets you touch him when he shies away from anyone else like a skittish horse. He was even sharing candy with you not two minutes ago."
Chris waved a hand in frustration. "For crying out loud, you two are having whole conversations without saying a single word. Now, Tell. Me. What. Is. Going. On."
Vin’s eyes narrowed, and he regarded Chris warily. He looked way, biting his lower lip. Chris could almost see him thinking about what to say. Apprehensive, uncertain blue eyes met his for a moment.
"Anyone else notice anything?"
Chris shrugged. "I don’t think so." But then, I seem to be the last one to find out about anything important lately, so I could be wrong about that. "I know Nate noticed that Ezra didn’t sass you earlier, and actually went without fighting the way he normally does. But I’m not sure that anyone else has noticed the rest."
Vin seemed to be weighing something in his mind. The longer he stayed quiet the more concerned Chris got. "This thing between you and Ez…it is something bad?" Chris watched Vin carefully. Wouldn’t have thought so, but with these two you can never be certain of anything.
Vin shrugged one shoulder. "I think it’s a good thing. So does Ez. But not everybody would see it that way." Vin squared his shoulders a bit, and looked Chris in the eye. "You might have a problem with it."
Vin sighed and shifted his weight slightly. Chris was suddenly conscious of how young the other man was. Hell, he isn’t but a few years older than JD.
"Sides, story ain’t just mine ta tell. Decision ain’t just mine ta share it either."
"Meaning?"
"Meanin’ if you wanna know yer gonna have to ask me, and Ezra."
"Well, I already asked you." Chris ground out.
Vin rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean." He moved back toward Ezra’s room, and Chris followed. He expected Vin to knock, because he was sure that Ezra would have locked the door. The man always did. Vin reached inside his shirt and removed a key.
"You have a key to Ezra’s room?" Chris asked in surprise.
"No, this is a key to the room down the hall." Vin’s voice was as dry as the desert. "I just thought I’d see if it worked in Ezra’s door."
Chris sighed. Ask a stupid question Larabee, you shouldn’t be surprised when you get a stupid answer. And now he’s even doing Ezra’s sarcasm. God help us all.
Ezra was still sitting on the bed. He had a book in one hand, and his colt in the other. When he saw Vin, Ezra smiled and lowered the gun. Chris was stunned for a moment seeing that open expression of welcome, and delight. It was a look he’d never seen on the gambler before.
The minute Ezra realized Vin wasn’t alone his expression was schooled into the bland, pleasant expression Chris knew far to well. The gun came back up and was aimed at Chris. The transformation didn’t take any longer than it took to blink, and for a moment Chris doubted he’d even seen it.
"Mr. Larabee….I was…not expecting anyone…to return so soon." Ezra closed his book, but didn’t lower the gun. He looked from Vin to Chris. "Trouble?"
Vin shook his head. "Not exactly, Ez. Leastwise, not that kind yer gonna need a gun for."
Ezra nodded, and holstered his gun. He waved a hand toward the rocker, and moved to sit up further, freeing space at the foot of the bed. Chris wasn’t surprised when Vin took the bed, and left the rocker for him.
Ezra waited, green eyes firmly on Chris. Chris shook his head slightly. Guess he’s sure the trouble is me and not Vin. Chris couldn’t decided if he was amused or hurt by that.
Never one to mince words, Chris got right to the point. "What is going on between you and Vin?"
Ezra frowned. He looked toward Vin. Vin shrugged. "He noticed. Sorry, Ez."
Hard green eyes returned to Chris. They assessed him from head to toe. Chris suppressed a shiver he felt under that icy gaze. He was not afraid of Ezra, but that look let him know that Ezra was, and always would be, a dangerous man in his own right, so he would be wise to tread lightly.
"And…just what have…you noticed, Mr. Larabee?" Despite the hoarse quality to his voice, and injury induced hesitation, there was no mistaking the almost defiant nature of that question.
Chris went through the same list he’d given Vin earlier. He added to it the fact that Vin had a key to Ezra’s room. Looking at Ezra he couldn’t tell a thing from the man’s face. Chris might have just as easily been talking about the weather for all the more response he got from Ezra.Ezra looked to Vin again. "Yes or no?"
Chris couldn’t make heads or tails of the question, but Vin didn’t seem to have any trouble. He took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "Shouldn’t be just my choice. Should be our choice."
Ezra half smiled. "Your friend. Best friend. You have…more to lose…makes it your…choice."
Chris frowned. I’m not just Vin’s friend. I’m yours too, Ezra. Before he could voice that sentiment Vin had come to a decision and nodded his head.
"He asked an honest question. Man deserves an honest answer. Plan was ta not offer any more information than they asked for, but he asked." Vin looked troubled. "Wouldn’t be right ta lie, Ez. An’ I really don’t want to."
"Then don’t." Ezra reached over and gently squeezed Vin’s shoulder. With a soft reassuring smile, he waved a hand toward Chris clearly offering to let Vin tell him. Vin scowled at him, but his eyes were bright with affection. "Next time you get to do it."
Ezra chuckled. "Fair enough."
Vin looked at Chris, and cleared his throat. "Not exactly sure how ta go about this, Cowboy."
Chris sat back and tried to look relaxed. He hoped that by looking at ease, he could help reduce some of the tension he saw in the younger man. He smiled slightly. "Best place to start would probably be the beginning."
Vin snorted. "The beginning? Hell, that would be damn near a year ago."
"A year?"
"Well, yeah. That’s when we first met."
"You and me?"
"Yeah. An’ me and Ez."
Chris frowned. "But what’s going on is recent, right?" Chris felt a momentary flash of panic. Have I missed this for that long?
He breathed easier when Vin nodded. "Yeah. It’s recent. Since we went to Bitter Creek." Vin sighed. "Well, leastwise some of it its recent. Been buildin’ for awhile, just didn’t do anythin’ about it until then. Finally got the courage up ta quit dancing around."
Chris rolled his eyes, and held up a hand, stopping Vin’s flow of words. He looked pointedly at Ezra. "Maybe this would work better if you told me."
Ezra looked to Vin, and waited. Vin waved a hand, clearly gesturing for Ezra to take over. "Words never were my forte, Ez."
Ezra grinned at the last word. Chris knew it had to be one Vin learned from Ezra. The gambler nodded. "You do the next one then."
The tracker nodded with a small smile. "Sure, Ez."
With a small jerk of his head, Ezra pointed with his chin toward the dresser, and Vin got up. The tracker retrieved the small bag of lemon drops Chris had seen earlier. He handed one to Ezra.
"Thank you." Ezra popped on in his mouth, and turned on the bed so he squarely faced Chris. Chris noted that Vin had narrowed the space between himself and Ezra when he had sat back down on the bed. Their shoulders were close enough to touch. Chris got the impression he was facing a united front. It was disconcerting.
"For some time, practically since…the day we met….I have been…attracted to Mr. Tanner."
Ezra’s green eyes were calm, and watchful. Chris got the feeling he wasn’t going to be making a single move that Ezra wasn’t waiting for. He made a ‘go on’ motion with his hand, not entirely certain of where Ezra was headed.
"I was attracted to him…the way a man…is usually…attracted to a woman. You understand me, yes?"
Chris felt his mouth drop open. He looked from Ezra to Vin. Vin shrugged. "An’ I was attracted ta Ez the same way, Cowboy."
Okay. Not what I expected. "I don’t…" Chris licked his lips, cleared his throat, and tried again. "I didn’t know that either of you were, well, like that."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "You weren’t…meant to. It is not as if…the fact was blatantly advertised."
It wasn’t an entirely foreign concept to Chris. During the war he’d known a few men who’d sought out the company of other men. For the most part he didn’t care what they did or who they did it with, as long as they managed to do their job. Man has to make allowances during a war. Does strange things to you, and I can understand looking for comfort and release where ever you can find it. But, hell we ain’t at war, and I never thought Vin or Ezra were interested in men like that..
"But you both like women." Chris insisted still trying to wrap his mind around the idea of two men involved in a sexual relationship by choice and not out of necessity.
Ezra cocked his head to one side, and studied Chris. "You base this assumption on what, Mr. Larabee?" His voice was still rough, but he seemed to be speaking with less pain, or at the very least he seemed to find it easier to talk.
Maybe those lemon drops really do help. Chris frowned, and refocused his thoughts on Ezra’s question. He’d seen Ezra flirt with half the women in town. But flirting is all he does. Man never seems to go anywhere with it. Even when they are clearly offering more. Chris had to admit he’d never seen the man spend any length of time with a woman. Well except for that little Chinese girl, and hell, even I know Ezra didn’t do anything with her. She was just a child and he was trying to help her out.
Chris looked toward Vin. "What about Charlotte?"
Vin sighed heavily. "Was a mistake." His expression took on a rueful mien. "Huge mistake. Even you couldn’t argue that I was makin’ the right choice there."
Chris had to admit Vin had a point. He hadn’t approved of Vin’s involvement with Mrs. Richmond, but he hadn’t stood between them either. He figured that Vin was a grown man, capable of making his own decisions, and sometimes it was best to let people make their own mistakes. It seemed to be the only way some people ever learned. Chris got up to pace. Sometimes he thought better on his feet.
"Okay. Let me see if I got this." He looked toward Ezra. "You’ve always been attracted to men?"
Ezra shrugged one shoulder. "Not always. And not exclusively. But for the most part you would be correct."
"And you?" Chris waved a hand toward Vin.
"Wasn’t really interested in men that way ‘til I met Ez." A faint blush dusted Vin’s cheeks, but he didn’t look away.
Chris’ eyes narrowed. Wasn’t interested in men…Ezra said he was attracted to men before, and to Vin from the beginning, so maybe he’s just some dog looking for a leg to hump. Although, I gotta admit that’s a thought more worthy of Buck, than Ezra. Still… "You sure this isn’t some con? Some sort of scam?"
Chris knew a lot of what he was thinking had to have come through the tone of those questions, and probably the look on his face as well. Blue eyes spit fire at him, and Vin would have lunged at him, if Ezra had not put a restraining hand on his arm. Ezra shook his head slightly at Vin.
"It is a valid question, Vin."
Chris was surprised that Ezra used Vin’s first name. He doesn’t call any of us by our first names. He was also surprised that Ezra didn’t appear offended by the question. He knew the conman hadn’t missed what he implied. Implied hell, I came right out and said it.
"No, it ain’t." Vin declared hotly. "He knows you better’n that. Least he ought to." Vin glared at Chris. "And he sure as hell ought to know me better’n that."
The tracker’s eyes raked Chris from head to toe. "You think I’m that stupid? That I couldn’t see through a con?"
Vin shook his head in disgust. "Hell, Chris, I’ve been around enough ta know when someone jus’ wants ta get in my pants. Women have been tryin’ to do that since I old enough ta shave. ‘Sides, I see through everythin’ else Ez does, you really think this would be any different?"
"Okay." Chris held up both hands, palms out. "It was a stupid question."
"Damn right it was." Vin snarled at him, clearly not yet appeased. Ezra tapped his arm, and got his attention.
"He didn’t know there was more, Vin."
"Well, then he shoulda waited for us ta tell him everythin’." Vin insisted stubbornly. He sent another dark look toward Chris. "Ain’t just about sex, Chris. Never was. It’s more than that. I love Ez, and he loves me."
More than that? "You can’t be serious! I mean, it isn’t like the two of you have a lot in common." Chris looked at them still sitting side by side. One well educated, southern gentleman, and a scruffy, former bounty hunter.
They look like opposite ends of the spectrum. How the hell can there be more to what they are doing than the physical? His brief understanding of men involved with other men never covered anything else. None of those men ever formed long lasting pairs.
Ezra smirked at him. "We probably have more in common than you and Mrs. Travis do, but that has not stopped your pursuit of the lady."
Chris lowed one hand to his gun. "Care to explain that?"
Ezra regarded him mildly, not the least bit intimidated by his action. "She is a hard working, business woman. A well-respected pillar of the community who’s past and present are well known. She is concerned for this town, and the people in it. Devoted mother. A refined, elegant lady who’s outspoken zeal for her ideals very nearly got her killed."
Ezra waved an elegant hand that encompassed Chris. "You still mourn the loss of your family. You cared for no one when you came here. Hoard your past like a miser hoards gold. You are a hired gun. A killer." Ezra raised an eyebrow. "The bad element, I believe, you told her."
Chris sighed. Hard to argue with him there. Never really thought about it, but on the surface, Mary and I don’t have a lot in common.
"Fortunately, there is more to each of us than what resides on the surface." Ezra stated, clearly seeing what Chris was thinking. "Appearances are far from everything, Mr. Larabee. You and Mrs. Travis are building a firm relationship. There is no reason to think Vin and I could not do likewise despite the outward differences."
"Despite outward differences." Chris repeated incredulous. "Ezra, it is more than that and you know it."
"No." Ezra said firmly. "I do not know that."
"Don’t be coy." Chris snapped. "It ain’t like you two can get married."
"And it isn’t like Buck intends to marry every women he attempts to seduce either. But I do not see you interfering with his private affairs." Ezra’s voice was hard and cold.
"That’s different."
"Really. Care to explain how?"
Chris glared at him. "It’s normal."
"Ah. Normal." Ezra shot him a condescending look. "So it would be perfectly acceptable to for us to mindlessly fornicate like weasels in heat with any and every woman we meet, but not to establish a long term relationship with each other base on mutual respect and love. Is that what you are saying?"
Chris scowled. It wasn’t what he’d meant but in some ways it had been exactly what he was thinking. And he had to admit that Buck’s approach to women wasn’t exactly normal either. It was just something he was used to, and made allowances for because Buck was an old friend, and it just seemed to be part of his nature.
"You accused me of simply using Vin to satisfy my carnal desires. And to be honest, I found that just as insulting as Vin did. I have never used another person that way, as if he or she were simply an object to satisfy my needs. It is demeaning to do so."
Green eyes studied him coldly. "What was even more insulting, is that you seemed to have found the idea of my using him as a whore, to be more acceptable than our wanting to establish a long term relationship with one another."
"Enough!" Chris snapped at him. "Enough." He said again quietly, striving for a more reasonable tone. Chris rubbed a hand over his face, realizing that Ezra was right. Damn Ezra doesn’t pull his punches when he’s pissed.
"I’m sorry." He looked at Vin then at Ezra. "Really. I am sorry. I didn’t mean to…well, I didn’t mean to insult either of you. This was not what I was expecting, and I’m…well, I think we can agree that I’m not exactly handling it well."
Ezra nodded. He smiled sadly. "Were it solely my decision, I would have lied to you, and avoided all of this."
Chris nodded. "Yeah. Almost wish you had, but I’m glad you didn’t."
Ezra tipped his head in acknowledgement. He studied Chris for several minutes. "What will you do now?"
Chris frowned. "What’d ya mean?"
"As Vin alluded to earlier, we did not plan to tell anyone." Ezra shrugged one shoulder. "We planned to continue as though nothing had changed. We both are aware that our relationship is not the sort well regarded by good, upstanding, Christian people." There was just the trace of a sneer in the last bit.
Ezra sighed tiredly. "But you asked, and now you know. The next move is yours, Mr. Larabee."
Chris moved back toward the rocker and sat down again. He looked from Ezra to Vin and back. "You both sure this is something you want?"
Vin nodded. "Yeah."
"Yes, Mr. Larabee."
"This isn’t something either of you entered into lightly?" Chris wanted to be absolutely certain. Please tell me you didn’t just jump into this.
"I can assure, Mr. Larabee, neither of us undertook this liaison without due consideration."
Chris nodded. "This isn’t going to change how you work together?"
"It should not interfere with our duties."
Chris looked toward Vin. He had not forgotten the way Vin had frozen briefly outside the bank. Vin quirked an eyebrow letting Chris know he hadn’t forgotten it either. He nodded slightly assuring Chris that it wouldn’t happen again.
Deciding to test the waters Chris asked, "If I said I thought this was wrong, and you should put a stop to it now?"
Ezra looked away and didn’t answer, but Chris could see the tension radiating off the man. Vin laid a hand on Ezra’s arm, his long fingers encircling the smaller man’s wrist. Vin looked at Chris, his expression calm. There was no doubt his mind was already made up. "We’d leave."
For just a moment Chris was stunned. Somehow that wasn’t the answer he’d been expecting. Oddly enough he wasn’t disappointed by it either. "That serious, Cowboy?"
Vin nodded. "That serious. Wouldn’t give him up for you or this town."
"Are you happy?"
Vin smiled. It was nearly blinding so much joy did it radiate. "Very."
"Ezra?"
"Yes, Mr. Larabee?" Ezra raised his eyes to meet Chris’.
"Are you happy?"
"Ecstatic." Ezra looked at him, and for once his expression was completely open and honest. Chris sucked in a breath, stunned by what he saw. My god, I never realized how expressive his eyes can be. There was no doubt that Ezra was every bit as happy with Vin as Vin was with him."You really love each other?"
Vin and Ezra shared a look, and then nodded, answering him together.
"Okay then."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Okay what?"
Chris chuckled. "You were right. You’re both adults. And I’m in no position to judge either of you. I make allowances for Buck’s behavior around women because he’s an old friend, and he’s always been like that. I make allowances for JD because he’s young. I put up with Josiah’s parables, and Nathan’s stinky teas. I should be able to make allowances for both of you as well."
He hesitated for a second. "And for what it’s worth, I am happy that you’ve both found someone who makes you happy." He smiled slightly, a bit hesitant. "Even if who you found ended up surprising the hell out of me."
Vin grinned. He stood up and offered his hand to Chris. Chris rose and reached out to grasp Vin’s forearm. The then pulled the younger man into a tight hug. "You could have told me this, ya know?"
Vin chuckled as he pulled away. "Did tell ya."
Chris held out a hand to Ezra. Ezra hesitantly took it. Chris was pleased with the firm, solid handshake he received. He looked Ezra squarely in the eye. "You hurt him, and I’ll make your life a living hell."
Ezra nodded seriously. "I would expect no less from you, Mr. Larabee." Chris knew Ezra was aware that it was more than a threat. It was a promise.
"What about the others?"
"What about them?" Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"Are you going to tell them, too?"
Ezra bit his lower lip and looked toward Vin. Chris clamped down hard on the urge to demand that they actually talk when they spoke to each other. He mustered his patience and waited."No."
"No?" Chris looked at Vin.
"No." Vin sighed. "Cowboy, we didn’t really plan ta tell anyone. Might just as well wait and see if they ask."
"Why wait until they ask?" Chris figured while he was getting answers he might as well go for broke. "You do that with everything, Ezra. Wouldn’t it be easier to just spit it out and be done with it."
Ezra grinned at him, eyes just a bit mischievous. "Because by the time they ask the question, they are already thinking. When one knows which question to ask, one is already half way to finding the right answer." Ezra shrugged one shoulder. "If you can not be bothered to take the time to think or to seek out the answers, why should I be obliged to provide you with information you seem to neither want nor need."
Fair enough. Chris had never really thought about it, but Ezra did have a point. JD had already made that observation earlier when he said Ezra would always answer a question. You just had to be sure to ask the right one to find out what you really wanted to know.
Ezra’s expression sobered, eyes once again shuttered and unreadable. "And in this case, there is the additional concern of what will happen, Mr. Larabee, if even one of our little band proves to be less accepting of this situation than you have been. I have no desire to create discord or a permanent rift among us."
"You don’t know that any of them would object." Chris felt compelled to point out.
"And you don’t know, that all of them, will accept us," Ezra waved a hand toward himself, and then toward Vin. "You very nearly didn’t. It is not, as you said earlier, normal."
Ezra wore a wry expression for a moment. "The dynamics of our groups has enough difficulties, it may not be wise to add yet another obstacle."
Chris had to admit Ezra might very well be right. Each of them were unique with their own personal quirks and foibles, viewpoints and attitudes. It would be impossible to predict how any one of the others might react. And it would take only one of them reacting badly to have the potential to do irreparable harm.
"Wild cards." Ezra stated firmly, evidently finding it far easier to read Chris, than Chris found reading him. "Each and every one of them." He shook his head. "It is a gamble, that at this point in time, I am simply unwilling to take."
Chris half smiled. "You, not willing to gamble?"
Ezra’s lips quirked slightly. "I told you before, I abhor gambling, sir, and as such, leave nothing to chance."
Eyes that were far older than his years regarded Chris solemnly. "There is a great deal at stake here. Much could be won or lost. And until I am ready, and Vin is ready, to deal with either outcome, it is best not to put our money on the table."
Chris was reminded of something Vin said the other day. ‘Every game has a winner and a loser, ya’d think they could have figured that out by now. If they ain’t prepared ta lose then they should know better than ta sit down at the table and ante up.’ Never really thought of life as a game before, but the concept works. Can’t really argue either, because I’m not sure I’m ready to deal with the fall out if one of the others gets a burr under his saddle over this.
"It’s your call. I’ll play this however you want." Vin looked relieved, but Chris couldn’t read the Ezra’s expression at all. "What will you do if they ask?"
"IF they ask, Mr. Larabee, an answer will be given." Ezra glanced at Vin briefly before looking back at Chris. "No lies. On that you have my word."
Chris nodded. "All right then. As long as this doesn’t interfere with getting the job done, I’ll leave it up to you how and when you decide to tell anyone else."
"Thank you, Mr. Larabee."
"I oughta thank you." Ezra looked at him quizzically. Chris laughed dryly. "First time today that I don’t feel like the last one to know something."
"Amazin’ what ya get when ya ask. Ain’t it?" Vin looked at him, blue eyes warm with quiet amusement.
Chris rolled his eyes. Yeah. And sometimes you get more than you bargain for. Guess that just serves as a reminder to be ready for the answer if I’m gonna ask the question.
He headed for the door. "I’ll see you boys later." He opened the door, and looked back of his shoulder. "Vin you’ve got the morning patrol."
"Figured."
"Don’t be late."
"Won’t be."
Chris nodded, and quietly closed the door behind him. He headed down the stairs. I think I need a drink. A stiff drink.
+ + + + + + +
Vin stepped over to the door, and made sure it was locked. He leaned against it for a moment, head bowed. His knees were shaking. That went better than I thought it would. A lot better.
He turned around to say as much to Ezra. Ezra was sitting on the bed staring off at nothing. "Ez?" No answer. Vin moved until he crouched in front of him. "Ezra? You with me here, pard?"
Ezra took a shuddering breath, and focused on Vin. "I’m here."
"You okay?" Vin watched Ezra carefully.
"I think so." Ezra shook himself. "That conversation was just a bit surreal, and it has taken me a moment to fully comprehend and process it."
"Surreal?" Vin raised his brows.
"Dreamlike." Ezra clarified with a small, shaky smile. "I never…expected, not even in my dreams, to have that conversation. And certainly not have it go so well."
"Ah." Vin could understand that. "Me either." He wasn’t entirely sure just what he expected, but what had just happened wasn’t it.
"I anticipated…violence. Was prepared for that eventuality." Ezra shook his head, green eyes a bit dazed. "I had envisioned the need to run, or at the very least to hide. This…This I was not expecting."
Ezra raised a hand to cup Vin’s face. Vin could feel the fine tremors running through that connection. He knew Chris hadn’t been able to tell but Ezra had been scared to death when the man asked what they would do if he told them to end their relationship. But Vin had known. He could feel it pouring off Ezra in waves the whole time he’d been sitting next to him.
Vin knew the tremors he could feel in Ezra now were the left over affects of dealing with so many emotions at once. Fear, anger, outrage, determination, and relief had all run their course in a very short time frame. He’d felt them all, just as he knew Ezra had. Vin moved so he could join Ezra on the bed.
He pulled Ezra into a gentle hug, rocking slightly. "It’s okay. Ez. We’re okay."
Ezra nodded his head against Vin’s shoulder. "I know." He sighed. "It seems decidedly foolish to loose control now."
"Not foolish." Vin tenderly placed a kiss in Ezra’s soft brown curls. "Didn’t you tell me the only time to loose control is when you don’t need it?"
"Yes." Ezra whispered.
"Well, there ya go then." Vin pulled Ezra closer to him. He moved so that could rest against the headboard and cradle Ezra against him. Vin was pleased to note that Ezra wasn’t trembling any more. He just held him for several minutes.
"Ez, you jus’ gotta remember there isn’t anythin’ we can’t handle. Together we could take on the world. "
"Indeed." Ezra relaxed a bit more. Vin could hear the smile in his voice even if he couldn’t see it. "Together we are invincible."
"Damn right." Vin nodded.
Ezra swallowed hard. "I though perhaps you would end it rather—"
"Never, Ez." Vin captured Ezra’s hand, and entwined their fingers. "We’re together now, and we’re gonna stay that way."
"Today was not at all what I had planned." Ezra said that softly, offering it up almost as a confession, now totally relaxed, letting his weight rest completely against Vin.
"Weren’t quite what I’d planned either." Vin shrugged. "But I can’t really complain ‘bout how it all worked out."
"Nor can I."
Vin grinned. "Probably wouldn’t hurt if worked on this plannin’ thing a bit."
Ezra laughed lightly, and hugged Vin hard. "Yes. I think we really should focus a bit more on that, Mr. Tanner."
"Let’s do it tomorrow." Vin offered. "Will that be okay with you?"
"Tomorrow will be soon enough." Ezra lifted his head, and kissed Vin softly. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"
"Not lately." Vin said with a smile.
"I love you."
"Love you too, Ez." Vin returned Ezra’s kiss. For now, he was content to know that Ezra was okay. That Chris was okay with him and Ezra. The rest could wait. They’d figure it out. Just need ta get a little more of this improvising under our belts an’ we’ll be fine.
The End
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