Disclaimer: Magnificent Seven does not belong to me and never will. This story is for enjoyment only.
Authors note: All spelling and grammar errors are mine. I am not an English teacher. This is for fun.
Rating: R for language, no graphic sex. Vin and Chris.
Feedback welcome, no flames. Thanks
Chris stood still for several minutes. It had been a year since he had heard Vin Tanner's voice. The voice of his former lover, the man he had hurt, the man who had left him and their life. A year since he had heard the slow drawl and honey tones of the other half of his soul. And this message had not even been for him, it had been left on Ezra Standish’s answering machine.Ez was currently in New Orleans on assignment for the ATF, accompanying him were JD and Josiah. That was the only reason that Chris was listening to Standish’s messages. Nathan had already left for the weekend. Buck was sitting at his desk working, but when he heard Vin’s voice the man had gotten up and was now standing behind the blond.
Chris felt his frozen heart start to beat again. He had not been warm for the last year and just hearing that Texas drawl was like balm to his injured soul.
Chris stopped the message before it finished. He grabbed a piece of paper and pen to write down the flight and time that Vin would arrive at the airport. No one was picking Tanner up but him. He had a lot of making up to do and he wasn’t waiting one second longer than he had to.
Chris turned to get his coat and keys and found his way blocked by Buck.
“Are you sure this is wise, Chris? Why don’t you let me pick Junior up, kind of smooth the way for the two of you to talk?”
“No, Buck. It’s my fault he left, and then re-upped in the Army Rangers. I’ve lived in fear for the last year that he was going to get killed and I’d never have a chance to set things right with him. I’m going to pick him up and take him to the ranch.”
“What if he won’t go with you?”
“I’ll think of something. I sure as hell am not going to let him slip through my grasp this time.”
Chris practically ran to the elevators. Before the doors closed he saw Buck’s worried expression and knew his friend would be calling the ranch before the night was over.
It took a little longer to reach the airport. The rain had been coming down steadily for several hours and there were flash flood warnings out. It was another cold dreary November day. He just hoped the one road to the ranch was not under water at least not until they got home. Then it could stay flooded for days as far as he was concerned making an island just for the two of them. Home, for the last year it had been just an empty house now it was going to be a home again.
Chris arrived at the airport, but was twenty minutes late. He was frantic; surely Vin would not have left in a cab.
Parking at the front door, he flashed his badge at the security guard. Seldom did he pull rank, but today he was prepared to do whatever it took to get his one-time lover back into his arms.
Chris approached the baggage pick up area and paused glancing around for the familiar figure.
Then he heard it that slow Texas drawl with just a hint of mischief in it.
“Thank you, Ma’am. You really don’t have to do that.”
Chris whirled around and saw him. Standing still for a few minutes he just drank in the sight.
Vin was sitting in a chair and several people were around him.
He had on his Army fatigues and looked exhausted, but still looked so wonderful to the green eyes raking over his body.
A little old lady was handing him some coffee just as a middle-aged man dropped his duffle bag to the floor next to him.
“It’s no problem son. You put your life on the line for us and those poor people in Iraq. It’s the least that I can do,” the lady said as she reached down and patted him on the cheek.
Chris watched delighted to see that familiar blush cover the gorgeous face. Tanner strikes again he thought.
“That’s right, my boy. Nothing is too good for our soldiers. Why that other young soldier with you on the plane boasted about how you saved the whole platoon, holding off the enemy with your rifle while they regrouped and reinforcements got there,” the man stated beaming just like Vin was his son.
If anything Vin’s blush got deeper.
Chris listened carefully as the other people surrounding his friend all started talking. From what he could gather Vin had held off the enemy and saved a lot of men from certain death. A real hero, but in Chris’s eyes Vin was always a hero.
“Son, are you sure that your friend is going to pick you up? I got a spare room and the wife won’t care. I sure don’t want you to have to stay here. With that hurt arm you need to be resting.”
Chris shot his eyes to his friend’s arm and then raked them over the younger man again. Vin was pale, there were circles under the vivid blue eyes and his left arm was resting in a sling on his stomach. The blond couldn’t believe he had not seen the injury before.
“No, sir, but thanks. Ez will be here. He won’t let me down.”
Chris started forward then hesitated as the people wished his friend well patting him on the back and the women giving him kisses on the cheek.
Vin leaned his head back with a sigh. He set the coffee down on the floor. Shutting his eyes he really hoped Ez got here soon. Exhaustion was setting in and his wound was aching like crazy.
Hearing someone approach him he hoped it was his friend and not another well wisher. The people meant well and had certainly helped him with his bag, but damn he was just so tired.
Opening his eyes he saw the one man he didn’t expect to see, at least not so soon and not until he was ready.
The two men just stared at each other, neither one making a move towards the other one. The last time they had talked face to face suddenly made this meeting very awkward.
Both men flashed back to that Friday night about a year ago. The night when their lives changed.
Vin watched from the bed. They had just made love, but he was not happy with his blond lover. Chris was dressing to go out and meet with some former Navy SEALbuddies. He had invited his lover, but Vin had declined. Vin had not been happy with Chris all week. Chris had ignored the coolness and withdrawal of his lover figuring Vin would get over it. It was a mistake that would come back to haunt him.Tanner knew that it was nice to be around old buddies and shoot the breeze and talk over old times. He told Chris to enjoy himself, but he knew his voice had an edge to it. The former SEALs were real nice guys, but a couple of them were defiantly homophobic. Last Sunday they had all gotten together at the ranch and the subject of gays in the military had come up. While most of the guys and all of Team 7 could care less, these two men had been very vocal about the subject. What bothered Vin was that Chris had not been more supportive of the issue.
That night they had an argument. Vin wanted Chris to tell his former buddies about them. None of the SEALs knew that they were in a relationship, and after the comments he had heard, that bothered him. Was Chris embarrassed about their relationship? After all, their ATF friends had no problem with it.
Chris had assured his lover that, no, he was not embarrassed, he just didn’t see the point in bringing it up. After all, they didn’t live around Denver so what was the point in getting everyone all upset? Vin went to bed thinking to himself, 'Sure no one was upset but him.’ That certainly didn’t seem to bother the blond.
Then had come the news that the buddies were going to open a bar and grill in Denver. They wanted Chris and Buck to join in with them. Oh, not quit the ATF, but be silent partners. Buck politely turned them down. He and Ez were finally getting together and the big man didn’t like some of the comments he had heard at the Larabee ranch. What got him was the fact that Chris didn’t speak up. In Buck’s opinion, it was like slapping Junior in the face - which was what Buck told his old friend. Chris ignored Buck, ignored the whole team and their worries. The guys would come around he said; besides it was none of their business whom he slept with. The blond completely missed the hurt look that crept into Vin’s blue eyes.
Vin brooded all week. He kept hearing Chris saying ‘who he slept with’ not who he was in love with.
Finally, lying in bed watching Chris get ready for his night on the town, Vin spoke up.
“Are you going to invest in the bar and grill?”
“I’ve been thinking about it. I think it’s a good investment. Be fun to be around the guys more often. Don’t you think?”
“No, I don’t. I don’t like their comments about gays and I especially don’t like the fact that you say nothing to discourage their comments.”
Chris turned to face his lover. He knew this was coming. Vin had been biding his time all week, but he wasn’t in the mood to listen to his lover’s insecurities.
“What they say has nothing to do with us.”
Vin climbed out of bed and put on some boxers.
“It fucking does, Chris. We are in a relationship, we are lovers and we are both male. It does affect us. These men are going to be around us, unless you plan on keeping me your dirty little secret, and when they’re around I’m to stay in the bedroom so they don’t know I live here. Is that it?! I’m not good enough to be myself around your friends, but I’m good enough to fuck.”
Chris was taken back. He didn’t know that Vin was this upset. Then he got pissed. Who the hell did Tanner think he was? This was his ranch. Hell, this was his life they were talking about, not just Vin’s.
“You know what Vin? This is my ranch and what I say goes. You are my lover and I am not keeping you a dirty little secret, but I don’t see the point in bringing it up and tossing it in their faces. What point would that serve?”
“Oh, I see, this is YOUR ranch. Wow, and here I thought this was our home. Stupid me. Well, you go right ahead and have fun with your friends, I’ll be right here so when you come home I’ll be already for you to fuck, since that seems to be all I’m good for and all you really want me for.”
Vin turned on his heel and went into the bathroom. The sound of the shower running indicated what the younger man was doing.
Vin stood under the shower and let the tears fall. He prayed that what he said got through to the blond. If this relationship was going to work, there had to be truth and honesty. Chris’s buddies needed to be told about them. If they got offended or disgusted then in Vin’s opinion they weren’t real friends.
The young man heard the door open and his heart lifted. Chris was going to join him in the shower. Maybe he decided to stay home with him or was at least was going to tell Vin that he would talk to his friends.
Then his heart shattered.
“I’m going now Vin. I’ll talk with you when I get back. But I mean really Vin, what would it accomplish to tell them that we sleep together? Really!”
Vin heard the door shut and the blond was gone. No words of love, no apology, not even an "I’ll think on it.' Chris just left.
Vin dried off and went into the bedroom. He dressed, then making his decision, he pulled out his suitcases and began throwing all his clothes into them.
He couldn’t stay here. If all he was to Chris was a convenient fuck buddy then he was gone. The blond was his heart and soul, but he couldn’t live a lie. The lies and the hiding would eventually destroy their relationship, so it was better to end it all now.
Walking through the house he picked up all his personal belongings. There weren’t many so it didn’t take long. Finally he was done, and as he started out the door the phone rang.
Walking over the phone he saw on the caller ID that it was Chris’s cell phone. Probably the blond wanting to say something to appease him. After all , Chris wanted to make sure that he had a nice warm body to come home to. Well, he was going to be disappointed.
The front door shut. The answering machine clicked on and a weary upset voice left a message that would never be heard by its intended recipient. Larabee apologized to his lover, begging his forgiveness and telling Vin that he was going to tell his buddies about them. Vin was right and they needed to be told. If they couldn’t handle it, well then they were history.
As the message wound down Vin’s jeep was already on the road heading into Denver. He was making a stop at the ATF office and turning in his resignation. In lieu of the two weeks notice he was taking his vacation time. A hotel on the outskirts of town would serve as his home until he decided what to do.
When Chris got home that night, he didn’t notice the jeep was gone. A few beers and mental exhaustion made him just want to curl around his lover's body and go to sleep. He had told his friends and with the exception of two of them, the men were very supportive. The nastiness that came out of the two men caused the rest of the table to ask them to leave, which they did, saying that they sure as hell didn’t want to hang around fag lovers anymore.
Seeing Vin not in their bed, Chris figured his lover was in the spare room, still pissed off. The blinking red light told him that Vin had not gotten his message. Well they would talk tomorrow, Vin would be happy that Chris had spoken up. The next morning Chris took a look around the room and knew that Vin was gone. In the cold light of day he knew that he had fucked up.
Spending the weekend making calls, he never found Vin. Going to the office, he found the resignation note. For a week he and the rest of the team hunted for their teammate. Then came the phone call to Ezra.
The team had been out of the office on a sting. When Ez played back his message, he had let out a strangled yell that had brought everyone running.
Blinking back tears the undercover agent pressed play.
Vin's voice filled the air.
“Hey guys. I wanted to let you know that I enjoyed our ride together. You guys were the first family I’d had since my ma died. Didn’t want you to worry so I’m letting you know that I am getting ready to get on the plane. I rejoined the Army Rangers. After going through a refresher course I’m not sure where I’ll be sent. I’ll try to let you know where I am. I’ll use Ezra’s e-mail to do that. You all take care of each other for me and watch your backs since I’m not there to do it.”
Vin’s voice broke, and then he hung up.
The five men looked at Chris, who had paled. He just turned and went into his office, shutting the door behind him.
Later, they found out Larabee had torn up Vin’s resignation letter and put in for leave due to military duty. Travis immediately signed off on it.
Larabee changed that day. The job performance was still excellent; he treated people just like before. The emotions were gone. There was no display of the infamous temper, there was no laughter, no crying. He no longer went out with the guys, he went straight home. Thankfully, liquor did not seem to be part of his life - it was as though he knew Vin would be unhappy with him if he sank back into the bottle.
Ez would get periodic updates from Vin and he would pass them on. The day that they got word that Vin was being shipped to Iraq was the first time any emotion crossed the blond's face. Chris was devastated. He began to live for Vin’s e-mails, even if they weren’t addressed to him.
Then two weeks ago Vin had e-mailed Ez and told him that he would not be in contact for several weeks. They were going well behind enemy lines trying to find the terrorist who was responsible for the attacks on American soldiers.
Chris was shaking after that e-mail. Looking at his computer he saw that he had an e-mail from Vin.
Pulling it up, it said simply, ‘I’ll always love you, cowboy’
Chris put his head down on his desk and cried. An hour later he told his men he was going home and left.
Buck checked on him later and Chris assured his old friend he was fine…not to worry.
That night Chris pulled up his e-mails and retrieved Vin’s. Knowing that when they had received Vin’s e-mail the young man was already gone on his mission, he nevertheless began typing. In all the time that Vin had been gone, Chris had refrained from contacting him. He wanted Vin concentrating on the war, concentrating on being safe. Now though he felt he had to get everything out, Vin had to know that he was still loved, had never stopped being loved.
For the next half hour Chris Larabee, Mr. Bad Ass poured out his heart on a stupid computer praying that it would reach the gentle soul he had hurt. He never got a reply back, Ez had not heard from Vin, if Vin’s message had not arrived today, Chris was going to Travis to see if he could find out about Vin.
As the memories of the last year faded away, the two men were only conscious of each other. Reality had a way of putting things into perspective. Life was too short, and happiness and love needed to be grabbed and held onto. 9-11 taught us that.
As Vin struggled to his feet, Chris was there and helped him up. Fatigued blue eyes gazed at him as a tear ran down one pale cheek. Chris wrapped his arms around a body he now realized was too thin, and way too fragile for his piece of mind.
Hearing Vin sob his name, Chris felt tears filling his own eyes. God, Vin was safe. He was here and he was in Chris’s arms. Arms that would never let him go again.
Chris brushed his hands through the long hair. Vin pulled back a bit and opened his mouth.
Chris slightly shook his head and placed a finger on the lips.
Completely disregarding the people around them, not caring who saw what, Chris bent his head and claimed that sweet mouth with his. For just a few seconds he drank in the scent and taste of his lover as their tongues played shyly with each other.
Licking gently at the bottom lip Chris looked down at the young man blushing in his arms.
“I love you Vin.”
Vin looked up surprised. Chris was not one to get emotional in public and he sure as hell had never told Vin out loud in public that he loved him. Sure, he had read Chris’s long e-mail when he was well enough to get online. He had been traveling ever since.
Vin had cried while he had read the heartfelt words that his blond soulmate had said. He cried over the anger, the hurt, but especially the lost opportunities. If only Chris had told him his decision about his buddies before he left the house. If only he had picked up the phone when Chris had called instead of going ahead and leaving. If only Chris had realized the night he got home that Vin was gone, he might have caught him at the office. If only…if only…if only.
The look in the green eyes staring down at him made him realize that the past was just that, the past. They needed to talk, not just e-mail each other. Really talk.
“I love you too, cowboy.”
Vin jumped as applause rang out around them. The people who had helped Vin earlier had hung around wanting to make sure their hero was taken care of.
Vin groaned and turned red, he buried his face in Chris’s shoulder.
The little old lady shook her finger at the blond.
“Young man you take that child home and take care of him.”
Chris was a little taken aback. What was it with Vin and little old ladies?
“Don’t worry, ma’am. I plan on taking him and putting him right to bed.”
As soon as the words left Larabee’s mouth he turned beet red. He felt the slender body in his arms shaking with laughter…no help from that quarter to cover his innocent remark.
Sure enough the lady said, “You will take that child home and put him to sleep. Do you understand me?”
Chris Larabee, the ATF leader of Team 7, a man who most people preferred at arm's length replied, “Huh…um…yes, ma’am. I…that’s what I meant. I’ll take good care of him.”
“Make sure you do that.”
Chris watched in relief as the lady and the rest of the people walked off.
Reaching down he grabbed Vin’s bag and leaving an arm around the younger man's, shoulders he headed for the door and his car.
“Bet you thought that was funny?” Chris commented.
“Hilarious,” Vin chuckled. Swallowing, Vin realized just how tired he was. Thankfully, Chris had the bag.
Tossing the bag on the back seat, Chris got Vin buckled in and pulled out.
Pausing at a red light, he leaned over and claimed another kiss from his love.
“I’ll get you home and tuck you in bed. Want Nathan to come out tomorrow and check you out. You’re way too thin and I heard about that arm injury.”
“Chris, I’m fine, really. Don’t need to bother Nathan. I really just need to rest. I hope you plan on being in that bed with me.”
Chris felt the heat pool in his groin and sternly told himself to calm down. Vin sure as hell was not up to anything more than sleeping and what his lover needed and wanted was the only thing that mattered.
“I sure do. I want to hold you close and just watch you sleep.”
“Sleep? But…but...,”
“No buts, baby. I want you rested and healthy before we do anything. You mean the world to me and I plan on taking good care of you.”
Vin dropped the subject. He could tell Chris was in full-fledged mother hen mode and truthfully, it felt good to let someone else take over and be taken care of. But only for so long, then he’d have to have a chat with the blond.
Vin couldn’t believe he wasn’t worried about anything. The e-mail cleared up so much. He knew his job was waiting for him and the guys missed him. But most of all he knew that the blond volcano adored him…loved him so much. Anything else was secondary.
Chris watched out of the corner of his eye as Vin gave up the fight and drifted off to sleep. Pulling over to the side of the road he reached across the sleeping man and adjusted the seat to the reclining position. Gazing down at Vin, he felt complete; his world was back the way it should be. Brushing hair back off the beautiful face he gently kissed both cheeks then lightly kissed the full lips.
Chris pulled out and headed for home. He wanted to get Vin in a hot shower. His lover always liked to shower before going to bed and he bet the younger man had missed this luxury while overseas. After he got Vin into the shower he would phone Buck and Nathan. Knowing Buck he was pacing until he heard from his old friend and Chris didn’t want Buck calling and waking Vin up. Nathan he wanted to come out tomorrow. He would leave it up to the other two men to contact the others to let them know Vin was home.
Thankfully, the road was not washed out ,so they made it safely to the house. Vin was ushered into the hot shower. Chris pulled the bed covers down and grabbed up the phone.
Quickly he filled in his two teammates. Yes, Vin was home with him and had been injured. Nathan immediately said he would be out to the ranch the next day upon which Buck said he would drive him and if the road was washed out they would still get there somehow. At the unspoken question, Chris just said everything was going to be fine and ordered them to call the others.
Sighing, the blond hung up the phone. Not hearing any water, he hurried into the bathroom and found Vin falling asleep sitting on the edge of the tub. He had pulled on sweatpants but the shirt was too hard with his arm wrapped up, especially since they had wrapped plastic around the bandage to keep it dry.
Chris chuckled and helped Vin to his feet. Sitting him on the edge of the bed he slipped the sweatshirt on. Vin was shivering slightly. The cold never did agree with the younger man.
Chris tucked him under the blankets then shucked his clothes off, prepared to take a quick shower then join his lover.
“No, Chris. I want you next to me,” Vin whispered, the blue eyes barely open.
“I will, baby. Just want to freshen up.”
“NO, I want you next to me, NOW,” Vin said louder.
Chris looked at the young man in surprise. He saw the tired eyes, the pinched look around the mouth. Vin needed him close. Hoping that the pain pills he had forced the young man to take would kick in soon, Chris crawled into bed. Vin immediately turned and laid his head down on Chris’s shoulder. The wounded arm was resting on the blonde’s stomach.
Both men sighed in contentment.
“I missed this, cowboy. Lying in the hot desert, all that sand, trying to sleep. It was hard…thought about pretending you were next… ‘Big yawn’ …to me, but that was too dangerous.”
Chris tugged the slender body close. Silently, he was planning on getting all the food Vin loved into the house. Try to put some weight back on his bones.
“I lay in our bed at night and all I could think about was you. The bed was so cold without you in it, the house was empty. I’m so glad you’re home.”
Vin tried to reply but the pills kicked in and he fell asleep.
Chris knew when his lover went to sleep. His body became heavy and his breathing evened out.
Placing a kiss on top of the tousled head of silk, he sent a prayer skyward, thanking God and their two guardian Angels, Sarah and Adam, for bringing Vin home safe…safe and back in his arms.
The End