Frozen by Silver

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Ezra lay in bed staring at the ceiling lost in memories of soft touches, steamy kisses and hard truths. He had given up trying to sleep long ago. He glanced at bedside clock and groaned. It was only 1:00 am.

Ezra pulled the comforter off as he sat up in bed, dropping his head into his hands, his shoulders slumped in defeat. When he had come here yesterday he had not thought beyond getting the hell out of Dodge. The textbook Neanderthal need to fend off an attack or flee to safety. Fight or flight.

And what did he chose to do anytime someone got within 20 feet of his comfort zone?

He fought. He used words as weapons and indifference as a shield.

But what did he do when someone tried to slip past the words and the walls?

He fought even harder with first hand knowledge of the interloper's personal demons. And he struck without thought to the other person.

And when someone ignored all of the warning signs, all the words, and became one with his heart?

Well, he had to find that one out the hard way, didn’t he?

He ran.

Why?

Because no one had ever gotten as close as Vin had.

So he had run like the devil was chasing him.

He got up and started pacing back and forth. He could admit to himself that it scared him that the sharpshooter slipped through every defense he had ever had. What was Vin’s favorite saying… Like lickin’ butter off a knife.

He smiled to himself. Remembering the sexy smirk, running his fingers through the soft, silky, sienna locks and the smoky blue eyes that took his breath away.

How could he have been such a simpleton? He sank back onto the bed in utter defeat.

He had run out on Vin. He had run out on the team. His family.

Again.

Larabee had given him a second chance. And what did he do? He blew it. Now he wasn’t so sure if he could get back what he had so recklessly thrown away. The worst thing was he had thrown away his only chance with Vin. And he had no idea how to get it back. He had never dealt with these emotions before.

Ezra walked over to the desk and sat down heavily in the chair. Flipping on the desk lamp the southerner pulled the phone towards him, debating whether to pick it up and make the call.

He couldn’t do it. He had lost everything and now he had to deal with it. Pushing away from the desk Ezra got up and started pacing again, occasionally, glancing at the phone.

Throwing up his hands in defeat he left the room, going into the gym. This had been one of the main rooms that he had put in, believing that the kids needed to be taught self-defense along with a place to practice it. Falcon had brought new skills and techniques for the children to learn and together they had given the kids a chance. Friday nights, when he was in residence, he and Falcon had a match of skills. Unbeknownst to the children, they were showing them how the techniques could be of use to them, out there, on the streets, where they couldn’t protect them. Putting on gloves he started punching the long bulky bag with every ounce of self hate and despair he felt, imagining it was himself that he was hitting.

After several hours, he dropped to his knees drained of all emotions but raw honesty. He understood why he had run. If he allowed Vin into his heart then he would have to deal with the inevitable heartache of the sharpshooter leaving in one form or another, just as everyone else in his life had. But that didn’t matter anymore because he knew that Vin had been in his heart since the first day they had met. He just never dreamed that his feelings would be returned. Nothing in his life had prepared him for the shock and terror that had filled him. He had always allowed his demons, his fears, and his experiences to rule his life. That wasn’t something that was going to change but it didn’t mean he couldn’t temper it a little. Falcon was right. He had let him and the children in. He just had to find a way to do that with Vin.

Tomorrow he would call and let the team know he was alright then he would just take it minute by minute until he felt safe enough to move it up to hour by hour and hopefully he could move it up to day by day in a couple of years. He snorted to himself. Who was he kidding? He was a total mental case. It would take decades to get to day by day. Ezra made his way back to his room, hoping he could get a few hours of sleep.

The southerner never noticed the shadows of the two who felt compelled to protect him, even from himself. Falcon watched the southerner leave the room. He had formed a strong bond with the southerner in the bloody trenches of the daily fighting with gangs for the children that nobody wanted, to give them stability in a very unstable and volatile neighborhood. So, he had known the agent wouldn’t be able to sleep, which meant he couldn‘t sleep. Turning towards his shorter companion, he asked. “Well, what do you think?”

The man was a few years younger than him and had been with Hellion from the beginning. He was world wise from his time on the streets and easily passed as a teenager because of his youthful boyish looks. He had long blond hair and clear green eyes that showed a wealth of intelligence when he let his guard down. “I think it’s up to Hellion and we shouldn’t interfere.”

“This could be his only shot at true happiness. And you would do nothing because…”

The younger man turned towards Falcon. “Hellion is one of us. The FBI nearly killed his soul with their hatred and lies. When he came here after that I could see it in his eyes, the pain, the sorrow that it caused. I watched him withdraw from us! Like he was afraid we would cause the same hurt that they did! When he left I thought we would never see him again.” The blond sighed. “Then every time he showed up that first year with the ATF I held my breath, afraid I’d see that same look. Then he stopped coming because he didn’t want anyone to hurt us because of him., I shadowed him making sure that he was happy, well, at least, what passed for happy for Hellion, anyway. I saw it tonight, Falc, I saw the pain again. I won’t let him get hurt anymore than he already is.”

Falcon pulled the man into his arms hugging him hard. “Shawn, he is hurting but not because they hurt ’im but because he’s afraid of the love he feels for someone. He just doesn’t know how to show it or how to let that someone in. He needs us to help him.”

Shawn pulled away from the comforting embrace. “Are you sure that bringing the one he wanted to escape from here is such a good idea? This is Hellion we’re talking about, Falc. He hates it when you butt in, remember?”

“I remember. He’ll get over it just like before. So are you in?”

The blond allowed himself to be pulled back into the welcome embrace. “Yeah, I’ll do my part. But you have to protect me when he finds out who brought him here.” Shawn snuggled up closer to the dark skinned man.

“No problem, Shawn. Now, it’s a few hours before you can bring him here. Go grab some sleep and I’ll keep watch over Hellion until then.” He gently pushed Shawn towards the barracks.

Falcon watch as Shawn made his way to his bed before he turned back towards the pool room which gave a perfect view of the office he shared with Hellion. Shawn was right about Hellion not being happy with his interference. Hell, that was an understatement. Last time he had butted in was when the southerner was still with the FBI. He had gone to Atlanta to be a silent backup for Hellion when the rumors and lies escalated to vicious pranks and out right threats.

Falcon hadn’t intended to make his presence known but when the suave undercover agent was jumped by some of his coworkers one night, he had no choice but to join the fight. He hadn’t expected Hellion to be grateful for his interference but he hadn’t expected him to be so angry either.

Hellion had tried to get his point across that Falcon’s help was not wanted or needed. But Falcon had stood firm and remained with the stubborn southerner until Hellion had agreed to return to the sanctuary with him, to wait for the outcome of his suspension from the FBI. It had taken them a few rounds in the ring before they came to an unspoken agreement that Hellion didn’t need any help and Falcon would always be there to interfere when he thought the undercover agent did, much like he was now. Of course, Hellion hadn’t known that he had followed him back to Atlanta. Which would be a good thing because he had made his own impressions upon the undercover agent’s supervising agents. He hadn’t known at the time that the ATF was also making an impression on the same officials.

That had been an interesting turn of events.

He'd had his run-ins with Tanner and his fellow ATF members before Hellion had joined them. Not always pleasant encounters but nothing that he hadn’t been able to handle. When Hellion had told him that he would be working with the infamous team he hadn’t been happy about it, but, he had hoped that his friend would finally find someone that could get past his defenses. And it seemed he had. Not the person he would have picked but that didn’t really matter.

Laying down on the couch Falcon watched a light flicker on in the office. He had nothing against Tanner, just didn’t like him. That didn’t matter either. He and Shawn had taken great pains to keep Tanner from finding out who Hellion really was when the Texan had started to nose around that first year Hellion had been with the ATF. It wasn’t easy, but, at least, Hellion had finally taken a back seat to the every day fight in Purgatory. Didn’t matter that Hellion thought he was protecting them from harm but that they could keep the team from finding out who Hellion was.

Maybe that made them selfish, not wanting to share the special person that Hellion really was, especially, with people that clearly didn‘t appreciate him.

But, maybe, he had been wrong about them? He snorted at that thought.

Falcon got up, walking to the office, becoming tired of the shadow that paced back and forth. Giving a courtesy knock on the door as he opened it. “So?”

Ezra had given up trying to sleep as his thoughts kept tormenting him. He knew that his teammates would be up by now but he couldn’t make up himself pick up the phone. He took a deep breath. Setting his shoulders, he walked determinedly towards the phone, jumping when he heard the knock on the door, and yanking his hand back from the phone as if he had been burned. “What?”

Falcon moved into the office going over to sit on the bed. “I said so… are you going to call them. Let them know you're alright? Let Tanner know that you're alright?”

“You … you know.” Ezra was momentarily stunned but the more he thought about it he could see it was an easy conclusion. “Never mind.” Waving away his own question. Running his fingers through his already spiked hair. “No… not yet.”

“Why?”

“Just can’t.”

Going over to the desk, Falcon punched some numbers and held the handset out towards the agent. Ezra took the phone, glaring at his friend. After three rings the phone was picked up on the other end.

“Hello?”

Ezra’s glare intensified. Falcon stared back passively. “Hello, Mr. Sanchez.”

“Ezra! Where are you? How are you? Are you alright? Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.”

“I’m fine, Mr. Sanchez. I just needed to be by myself… to get my thoughts in order.”

“Ezra, just tell me where you are! I‘ll be right there.”

“Mr. Sanchez, it doesn’t matter where I am just that I am fine and safe. I’ll contact you later.”

“Standish, don‘t…”

Ezra hung up the phone. “Mind telling me where you got that number?”

Falcon just shrugged meeting Ezra’s stare.

Ezra sighed. “Guess it doesn’t matter.”

“Why didn’t you tell him?”

“I’m not ready … to deal with the consequences of my actions.” Ezra sat down heavily onto the sofa bed he pulled out when he spent the night at the sanctuary.

“Do you love Tanner?”

Ezra leaned back resting against the wall. “God, yes! And there in lies my problem. Falcon, I … I … aw hell!” The southerner dropped his head into his hands.

The bed dipped as Falcon sat down next to his friend, laying his had on the agent‘s shoulder. He knew all too well what the undercover agent felt. They shared similar pasts. Though he hadn’t been shuffled from one bad situation to another like the southerner had but it had left them both with trust issues.

“Hellion, I know this is hard but you have to let go of the past … let yourself feel what’s in your heart and act on it,” Falcon brushed the chestnut curls back from the southerner’s forehead. “Don’t think … don’t analyze … just act on what you feel at that moment.”

“What if I screw it up?”

The soft drawl sounded so lost it broke Falcon’s heart. “You won’t, my friend, just as you haven’t screwed up with me or the kids. You’ve never done anything but protect us, given us a home, a purpose, and you have loved us. You’ve never let us down or disappointed us. Now what if we… There was a knock on the door. “Come in.”

Both men stood to greet their visitor.

Shawn entered the room. “Hellion, long time no see.” He grinned as he walked over and enveloped the agent in a hard embrace.

“Great to see you again, Shawn.” Ezra returned the embrace. “How have you been?”

“Fine, Hellion, just fine.” Shawn glanced sideways at Falcon.

Ezra smiled at his two friends. “Good to see I was right about you two.”

“Don’t gloat, Hellion, it’s unnerving. Makes me think you're up to something again.” Shawn cringed remembering a prank he'd pulled on the southerner only to have it turned against him by Hellion. “There are a few anxious kids out there who said you would teach them some tricks and seem to think you have spent way too much time in here.”

“Well, we can’t have that, now can we?” Ezra ran his fingers through his hair, trying to make it look half way decent. He walked over to the desk pulling a drawer out, getting a pack of cards out. “Are they in the game room?”

“Nope, told them you’d be right out.”

“Great.” Ezra smiled as he left the room. He had really missed spending his time with the children. Watching as their jaded, world weary looks were replaced with looks of joy and wonder. Yes, this was just what he needed to take his mind off his paltry problems.

Falcon stood shoulder to shoulder with Shawn at the door, as they watched their friend disappear into another room.

“Any problems?”

Shawn gave a derisive snort. “Are you kidding? That team is nothing but trouble! But, no, Tanner didn’t give me any trouble. He’s waiting for us in the loft.”

“How much did you tell him?” Falcon asked as they walked up the stairs to the room they shared.

“Just told him that I knew someone that had information and wanted to see him in person. Course, he let the others know. Did you have to force Hellion to make the call?”

“Yep. Told Sanchez that he was alright but wouldn’t give up the location.” Falcon looked at his partner as he put his hand on the doorknob. Opening it after he received a nod.

Tanner stood looking out the window, turning as the door was opened, his stance tense and alert. Falcon and Shawn stood as a united front, blocking the only way out.

“Where is he?” Tanner’s voice was terse.

“I’ll get to that in a moment but first I need you to hear me out.”

Vin moved threateningly towards the tall black man. At the same moment, Shawn stepped in front of Falcon ready to defend him. Falcon laid a hand on his would be protector’s shoulder, but spoke to the Texan, who had stopped at the defensive move.

“Look, Tanner, there are some things that you have to understand about your Ezra before you talk to him.”

“Fine, I’ll listen but I make no promises. But I have to know if he‘s alright first.”

“He’s fine and he’s here, with us.” Falcon watched as the Texan absorbed the information.

“You called ‘im my Ezra. Why?”

“We don’t know him as Ezra. He always has and always will be Hellion to us.”

“No. He can’t be.”

Shawn had been quiet and watchful up till now. “Why can’t he? Because he’s not good enough now that you know he’s Hellion?”

Vin grabbed the front of Shawn’s shirt as he snarled into the man‘s face. “I don’t care who the hell he is, or was, and understand this, no matter what he is mine!”

Shawn grinned, pushing the sharpshooter’s hands away from him. “Guess you better start explaining to him, Falcon. I still don’t like it, or him, but I’ll help. See you downstairs.” Without looking back he left the room.

“What will it take for me to see him?” Vin seemed casual as he leaned against the desk, his crossed arms and ticking jaw the only outward sign that the sharpshooter was anything but relaxed.

Falcon sat down behind his desk. “Do you know the history of the sanctuary?”

Vin took a seat across from the desk. “A few years back rumors started floatin’ around that the devil was livin’ in Purgatory. Locals called ’im Hellion. Rumors say he started ta give the local gangs such a hard time that some relocated and made the rest sorry they hadn’t left. Saved a lot of kids by keeping them out of the gangs. Street kids that had been homeless now had a place ta stay. Ya’ll found real homes for as many as possible, found jobs for those that wanted ta work, made sure they went ta school or homed schooled them.”

“Not bad for an outsider. A lot more goes on here than the world out there thinks. None of it would have been possible if Hellion … your Ezra … had not been undercover in a local mob family that dealt with a local gang here in Purgatory. The deal went bad, Hellion, was shot, left for dead in this very building. If Shawn hadn’t found him when he did...” Falcon let the Texan draw his own conclusion.

“When can I see him?”

“When we’re done, I’ll take you to him. We wanted to make sure you loved Hellion and I believe you proved you did.” Falcon rested his crossed arms on the desk top. “He doesn’t know that we asked you here.”

“Why did you ask me here? What’s in it for you?” Vin asked, his distrust very clear in his tone.

“Nothing!” Falcon snarled. “I could have followed his wishes however I choose to make him happy no matter the consequences, or the people I have to work with to pull it off.”

“Do I get to see him, now?” Vin was eager to see his southerner.

“Wait here., I’ll be back with him as soon as I can pry him away from the kids.” Falcon walked towards the door but stopped with his hand on the doorknob. He turned back to face the Texan. “Be prepared, Tanner, his defenses have been fortified with time nevertheless he is very vulnerable. Do not make me regret this, Tanner. Are we clear?”

“Crystal.”

Falcon nodded at the Texan’s clipped response. Closing the door behind him the ebony giant took his time going down the stairs. He would stall to postpone the meeting between the two lovers. He didn’t hate Tanner, just didn’t like the man. “Suppose I’ll have to get over that,” Falcon grumbled under his breath.

+ + + + + + +

Sanchez walked into Team 7’s bullpen, noticing their team leader was pacing and glaring at anyone that got too close to his path. Taking a seat at his desk, he continued to watch for a few more minutes before he dropped his bombshell.

“Ezra called this morning.” Josiah’s words stopped all movement in the room.

“Where is he?” Larabee was the first to break the silence. “Is he alright?”

“He wouldn’t say where he was, just that he was fine and perfectly safe. Said he had to sort out his feelings and he would call again in a few days. Where‘s Vin?”

“Well, we don’t know that.” At Josiah’s raised eyebrow Buck filled him in on the rest of the details, while Chris had resumed his pacing. “Seems that kid, Shawn, came through with some information. Only hitch is the guy wanted ta talk to Vin in person. That’d be why ol’ Chris is pacin’ a hole in the floor and we ain’t heard back yet.”

Chris glared at Buck. The Ladies Man just chuckled.

“How’d he sound, Josiah?” the ex-medic asked.

“Like he was stressed, worried, and distant.”

Buck snorted. “He’s always distant… ow… damn it JD”

“Watch it, Buck, he ain’t as distant as he was when he first joined the team. He’s just been distracted lately, that’s all. Has a lot on his mind, is all,” JD defended.

“Ya, know I didn’t mean anything by it, Kid.” Buck looked contrite.

“Chris, why don’t we check out the sanctuary while Vin’s checking out his lead?" the profiler asked. "One of the kids was bound to have seen Ezra.”

“No way Falcon will let us talk to them. Vin’s the only one that could get anywhere with that guy. What makes you think we can get anything out of him?” Nathan asked.

Falcon was an enigma to them. They couldn’t find anything on the man. It was like he didn’t exist. The kids that lived there were just as protective of Falcon as he was of them.

“Doesn’t matter, he won’t have a choice. We’ll give Vin another thirty minutes, then we’ll check out the sanctuary ourselves,” Larabee stated forcefully, as he finally sat down at Ezra’s desk, picking up the ringing phone. “Larabee.”

“Hey, cowboy, ya can call off the search.” Vin settled into the leather couch.

Larabee pushed the speaker button letting the others hear what the Texan had to say. “Where’s he been?”

“At the sanctuary. Falcon‘s been hidin‘ him”

“Have you talked to him yet? Is he okay?” JD wanted to know.

“No, but Falcon said he was fine and went to go get him.”

“Why would he go there of all places?” Josiah inquired.

“Seems he has a bit of a past with the sanctuary.”

“What kind of past?” Chris wanted to know if there was going to be any trouble. Of course for some reason trouble seemed to follow the other members of his team.

“Not really sure but whatever, it is, it’s his story, not mine. Do you remember any FBI cases that involved Ezra here in Denver before the team?”



“Yeah, several. He managed to piss off his boss often enough to be loaned out to the local agency as punishment.”

“Nothin’ new there.” Buck snorted.

Chris glared the others into silence when they snickered.

“I’ll call later ta let ya know how it’s going.”

“Be careful and if we don‘t hear from you in an hour we‘ll be coming to get ya both,” Chris stated.

“Make sure you bring that stubborn cuss home, Vin,” Buck added.

Chris hung up the phone, leaning back in his Ezra's chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. “Guess we’re waitin’ again.”

“Let’s wait at the Saloon. Nathan’s buyin’!” Buck tossed over his shoulder, heading towards the stairs to give him a head start.

“Sweet! Thanks, Nate!” JD said following Buck.

“Buck!” Nathan yelled.

“C'mon, Nate it’ll be your good deed for the day,” Josiah said as he slung his arm around the ex-medic’s shoulders.

+ + + + + + +

Hellion wasn’t with the children as Falcon had thought but going over the books. The man always made sure that the sanctuary was well within the black at all times. “Some things never change.”

“Admit it… you wouldn’t know what to do if I wasn’t so predictable.” Ezra continued to add the column of numbers.

“Admit it, you’re just anal.” Falcon snorted.

Ezra just ignored his friend’s statement. This was an old argument between them. “Do you have the investment folder?”

Falcon grinned. Hellion had just walked into his plan. Now he didn‘t have to make up an excuse. “It’s in the loft. I’d go get it but I promised Shawn I’d help him.”

Ezra waved away Falcon‘s explanation as he headed out the door. “I needed a little break anyway.”

If the ebony giant was honest with himself, it was a trap and one that he was sending his friend into unprepared for. Sure, he felt guilty but only a little bit. Granted he had wanted to set the southerner up with his cousin Jared but just couldn’t seem to get the timing right. Guess he and Shawn should have a few practice rounds in case Tanner screws up again. Then again, Hellion, might just want his pound of flesh for his interfering once again in Hellion’s life. Didn’t really matter either way. He and Shawn would handle the fallout. It wouldn’t be the first, nor the last.

The southerner didn’t help himself at all when it came to relationships with others. The man went out of his way to make people hate him, pushing buttons, driving people away, but the children could see right through him. Seemed Tanner could do the same.

Still Falcon thought that his cousin would have made a better match.

+ + + + + + +

Vin tensed as Ezra walked into the room, over to the desk, looking through stacks of papers. The southerner never turned around. His lover looked good and relaxed. Not in his usual expensive suits, instead, he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt with an unfamiliar logo on the back. Guessing Falcon hadn’t told the southern agent he was waiting Vin decided to alert Ezra to his presence.

“Hello, Hellion.”

He’d know that voice anywhere. Ezra dropped his head to his chest, leaning heavily on the desk but didn’t turn around. “What do you want, Mr. Tanner? Did you come here out of some misguided sense of honor?”

Vin walk over to his lover, standing close enough to feel the southerner’s body heat, but he didn’t touch him. “I want you,” Vin whispered next to his lover’s ear, grinning as Ezra shivered. “I’m not misguided, Ezra, I’m in love… with you and I ain’t going anywhere without you. I also want to hear about how you came ta be the infamous Hellion.”

Vin stepped closer molding himself to the southerner’s stiff body, his arms going around his waist, resting his chin on the tense undercover agent’s shoulder. “Ez, when you left me the other morning and I realized that you went deeper inta Purgatory I… it took ten years of my life. I didn’t know if you were hurt or maybe bleeding. I didn’t know if I’d even find you alive and that scared me more than anything else that’s happened ta me in my life, 'ceptin’, when you pull those dumb stunts and end up in the hospital.”

“The same could be said for you too,” the suave agent stated, stalling for time. Ezra tried to pull out of the sharpshooter’s embrace but Vin wasn’t budging. This was bringing back too many memories for Ezra. Things that were better forgotten.

“You goin’ to tell me, now?” Vin huskily whispered into his conman’s ear, enjoying the shiver that ran through the man in his arms.

“Why do you want to know?” Ezra sighed tiredly. “It’s in the past.” He shrugged his shoulders.

Vin turned the southern agent around too face him. “Because, Ezra, it’s not just the past, it’s your past and not only that, it’s something that’s close to your heart.” Blue eyes met green as the sharpshooter laid his hand over the southerner’s heart. “And, that, my love, is where I want to be and to never leave that special place again unprotected.”

The Texan brushed his lips against his soul mate's, nibbling on the lower lip, seeking permission before slipping his tongue into the his green eyed sorcerer’s sweet mouth. Ezra groaned, surrendering to the sharpshooter’s touch, craving it, like an addiction that he would never be able to escape. Vin broke off the kiss, resting his forehead against his mate's, both men breathing harshly.

“Tell me about this place, the men that care so much about you, that are such a huge part of your life." Vin framed his beloved’s face in his hands. “Most of all, Ez, please, let me be the protector of your heart?” Vin stared pleadingly into the emerald eyes that filled with tears that never fell.

“I’m not sure that I know how. I… I’ve never done this before." Ezra pulled away from Vin, needing some distance. He stared out the window, not seeing anything beyond his pain. “Sure, there have been others but it was never about love, at least not for them. I‘ve never dealt with a relationship where the feelings were reciprocated.”

Vin, stepped up behind his lover, wrapping his arms loosely around Ezra’s waist. “Then let me show you how good it could be to have forever and how great love can be. Let me show you that I‘m not like the others. You and me, Ez, we can do this together… just don’t give up on us before we’ve had a chance to get started.”

Standish could hear the truth in the Texan’s voice but wasn’t sure if he trusted his judgment enough in this situation. How many times had he been burned by his decisions in this area? Too many but there was something in Vin’s voice that pulled at his soul making him want to accept what the sharpshooter said.

Ezra pulled out of the embrace, grabbing the sharpshooter’s hand, leading him over towards the couch. Ezra sat down sideways facing the Texan as he sat down but avoided the intense gaze he felt being aimed at him. “When I got tired of the bullshit from the Atlanta FBI branch or needed a change I found the best way to do that was to make my superiors so angry that they sent me away as punishment. They were aware that I hated the cold and fortunately the Anchorage office didn’t have openings.” Ezra looked at Vin, smirking.

The Texan grinned knowing how much his lover despised the wet, chill to the bone, kind of cold. He pulled the southerner into his arms, with Ezra’s back to his chest.

Ezra picked up where he left off as he got settled into Vin’s arms. “The Denver office was looking for an undercover agent at the time so my supervisor sent me here. My first assignment, I was sent into a gun deal with gang members. There was an equipment malfunction, my cover was blown and the team I was on then, lost me in the shuffle some how. I almost died, would have too, but...” Ezra paused when his Texan, and that was what Vin really was, his, tensed. Ezra glanced behind him seeing the anger in the blue eyes, thinking it was aimed towards himself, the southerner tried to pull out of the stiff embrace.

Vin wasn’t angry, he was furious. How could Ezra’s former team just lose him in the shuffle of a bust? Ezra's safety, his very life, should have been their main priority. He realized his anger had been misread by his mate as Ezra tried to pull out of his arms and was quick to reassure the smaller man.

“Sorry, Ez,” The Texan tightened his grip on the southern man. “Just angry that your team could be so careless with your safety.” Vin buried his nose in the suave agent’s neck, inhaling the special scent of the man he loved. “I could’ve lost you before we ever met.”

Ezra accepted his Texan’s explanation and settled back into Vin‘s arms. “Then you should thank Shawn. He saved me that day, pulled me from the gunfight and brought me here. Managed to patch me up in more than one way. He and the local children gave me back some of my humanity that I had lost. I purchased the building they were staying in, thinking it would make a good investment. The kids came to mean… a great deal to me. Not realizing Shawn had already laid down the ground work for the sanctuary.”

“So, you kept pissing your bosses off to get sent back here and they never figured it out?” Vin asked.

“Hell no.,” Ezra snorted. “All I had to do was continually bemoan my fate at being sent to the frozen wasteland of Colorado a few months before I pulled something to get sent back here. My superior had something on the head of the Denver office, therefore, the FBI here couldn’t stand me so they would put me on some small time cases, paperwork, anything to bore me, trying to get me to go away. I would tread carefully, using all my time to help out here.”

“When did Falcon get involved?” Vin nuzzled the conman’s neck. He just couldn’t resist the temptation and was pleased when Ezra groaned, rolling his neck to give the sharpshooter better access. Vin pulled away before asking Ezra to continue. “You were saying?”

Ezra was dazed for moment. “Huh?”

“When did Falcon join your operation?” Vin prompted Ezra.

“Falcon was the one who brought the idea to me, having seen the possibilities that had been right under my nose that I hadn’t seen. With the help of Shawn and his connections to the kids and the streets. and between Falcon's and my contacts in other areas, we were able to make this into the sanctuary meant to give kids who had no hope, a fighting chance and the hope life had taken away from them.”

“What about Hellion? How did you get to become the infamous legend?”

“Our major problem was the gangs. In order to save some of the hard cases, the gangs had to come to understand that they stood no chance of taking me on, much less, winning. They challenged me at every corner so, I turned up the heat on them. I made their lives hell. The drug busts went up 90% by all the tips we gave the locals and DEA. Then they started playing hardball, tried to kill me so many times I lost count. I managed to keep Falcon and Shawn out of the war for the most part. Course during any war there are losses. Our side had a few tragic casualties but not compared to theirs. Most ended up behind bars, others died, the rest I was able to bring to an… understanding. The sanctuary was off limits as were the kids living here and any others I claimed as ours. That‘s how Hellion came about.” Ezra turned in Vin’s arms to see how his story had been received.

Vin caressed the cheek of his lover, his eyes softened. “Ezra, there is nothing that would drive me away from you. I don’t care about your past. My only concern with hearing you were Hellion was that I’d heard all about your exploits from neighborhood kids. To tell the truth, it terrified me but at the same time I was so proud of you.”

“Really?” Ezra couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Vin was proud of him. No one had ever been proud of him before, certainly not his mother. She always let him know exactly how disappointed in him she was. No matter what it was he always failed in her eyes and like all children, he had constantly tried to change her opinion of him. He wanted to be more to her than a tool of her trade or schemes, more than a means to an end, to be more than an inconvenience to her. His elusive dream to be loved for himself, accepted for who he was and have someone be proud of him was like a gift from God. But was it real? Or was he imagining it? Were his dreams for acceptance and love coloring what Vin was offering? Would Vin be like the others in his lonely life?

Ezra looked into the open depths of his Texan’s blue eyes, seeking the truth to send his doubts that plagued him into the fiery depths of hell.

Vin caressed his southerner’s cheek allowing his fingers to follow the jaw line, to then tangle in chestnut locks. He could easily read the doubts in his lover‘s eyes. Once again he wanted to strangle Maude Standish for causing his southern mate so much pain. “Oh, Ez, of course I’m proud of you because you help these kids, even when it caused you unbelievable personal problems. You never gave up on them. You gave them so much more than hope, you gave them security, stability, and most of all you gave them your love. Ezra, you have to know there is nothing that I wouldn’t do for you. I believe in you. Most of all, Ez, you have to know that I love you and there is nothing that you can ever do that would make me stop loving you.” Vin scooted down on the couch as he pulled Ezra down on top of him, tangling his fingers again in the soft locks, pulling the southerner down for a kiss, stopping a hair's breadth from his lover’s lips. “I love you, Ezra P. Standish, now and forever.”

Their lips met, the kiss was hot, each man seeking something from the other. Vin sought to bring their connection full circle, wanting to give the southern agent reassurance of his true feelings. Ezra was seeking the future he saw promised in those blue eyes flaming with desire, for him. This kiss deepened as hands began to roam over warm, hard bodies.

Both men groaned as there was a knock on the door.

“Hellion, you better be decent cause I’m coming in,” Shawn stated.

Neither man had enough time to move before the man came in. “Sorry to break up the reunion but we got a problem at the front and Falcon is about to blow.”

Ezra gave Vin a quick kiss before standing up, walking out the door, straightening his clothes as he went, never looking back because he knew without a doubt Vin would be following him.

“Okay, Shawn what’s happening?”

“Your team showed up demanding to see you,. Falcon told them that he would give you the message, that you were talking to someone and it might be a while. Well, that went over like a lead balloon. Thought I better come get you to run interference before things got out of hand.”

Shawn had seen the passionate embrace the two lovers were in and could see the happiness on his friend's face. He’d talk to Hellion later to make sure everything was really alright between the two. Guess that meant he was going to have to learn to tolerate Tanner, but hell was going to freeze over before he even tolerated the rest of the team. They were all arrogant, mouthy and insufferable. Shawn chose to ignore that Hellion shared these same traits. To him Hellion was his best friend, well after Falcon, but that was a given, and he loved them both, just in a different way. Hellion saved his life, and the lives of the children, but most importantly, Hellion had given him Falcon and for that he would love and protect Hellion with his life, as would his Falcon. The three of them were a family that supported and loved the children that were a part of their family. Shawn sighed. It was extremely unpleasant to think he’d have to learn to like the Texan and the rest of the team, but he’d do it for Hellion’s sake.

+ + + + + + +

From the beginning he and Falcon had made sure there were several lines of defense before anyone got anywhere near the children. They had found it was easier to protect the children from outsiders if they were prevented from entering the actual sanctuary. And to date, no one had. Ezra had no doubt that Falcon would not allow his teammates to pass that last wall of protection without his consent. Ezra could hear the argument before he even entered the receiving area.

Ezra took a deep breath as he took hold of the doorknob. He turned to look back over his shoulder when he felt a hand on the small of his back. Vin smiled reassuringly back at his lover. The undercover agent pushed the door open, taking in the scene in a glance. Josiah was holding Chris back, Nathan had a hold on Buck and JD was in the middle trying to be the mediator for their group. JD seemed to be losing his grip on his own temper.

Most people underestimated the computer genius but he knew better. JD was a very competent and skilled agent. It was hard to rile the young man but when JD thought a friend was in trouble he became as quick tempered as the rest of them. Which sometimes was a good thing but not when trying to be diplomatic in an already volatile situation. It seemed that he should spend more time with JD to maybe help him with his diplomacy because they all knew that Larabee didn’t have a drop of diplomacy in him. He’d shoot first, shoot some more and then ask questions, which made for a very deplorable diplomat. Mr. Sanchez was good, but had a terrible temper once it was provoked, and his size and strength were sometimes a better use of Josiah’s talents. Mr. Jackson was a healer first and foremost, as it should it be. Mr. Wilmington was about as subtle as the proverbial bull in the China shop. His Vin was a silent enforcer. JD had the most potential if he could learn to control his temper.

“That’s enough!” Ezra’s voice rang clear as a bell, bringing all motion to a stand still.

Ezra stepped up beside Falcon with Vin and Shawn flanking them, presenting a united front. The men in front of him winced at the icy glare the southerner was giving them.. It was as cold and unfriendly as the frozen tundra.

“I would appreciate it if you gentlemen, and at the moment, I use that term very loosely, would desist in this attempt to bully your way into the sanctuary.” Ezra’s voice was glacial. Making sure he had everyone’s attention he continued. “The children here are guaranteed complete safety, to the best of our ability, from the outside world. If you are to continue in this manner you WILL leave. If you will behave and follow the rules you will be allowed entrance.”

“Your sure that’s a good idea, Hellion?” Falcon asked, enjoyed seeing the surprised looks on the men‘s faces.

“Hellion?!” was the only word echoing in the room, surprise and shock vying for domination on each team member's face.

Ezra inwardly groaned at Falcon’s slip. Falcon was dead first chance he got, because he wasn’t ready to deal with the team knowing just yet. He knew Falcon did that to provoke his team members and being honest with himself, he kind of enjoyed it but it should have been his admission, not Falcon's. “I’m sure if they want answers to their questions they’ll behave, won’t you?”

“We'll behave, brother. We wouldn’t want to upset the children,” Josiah answered for the group, all nodding in agreement. Keeping quiet would get them answers and this was a gold mine of knowledge. None of them wanted to pass this chance up. It might be a long time before they had another glimpse into their undercover agent's past. Not to mention they had to find a way to reconcile the friend with the oft times helpful but still unlawful vigilante.

Chris met Vin’s reassuring gaze and nodded. He trusted Ezra and if Vin felt everything would be worked out then that was good enough for him, though he did feel uncomfortable with Ezra being Hellion. Then again that did explain a lot. If even a third of the stories floating around about Hellion were true, then the damn stunts Ezra pulled all the time, since joining the team, were minor compared to what could’ve been happening.

Damn, they were in big trouble if Ezra ever lived up to his reputation as Hellion.

Ezra led the way to the schoolroom where they could talk in private until the team understood the rules and promised not to interfere with the sanctuary. Falcon and Shawn had slipped out to make sure the children were some place else until Ezra felt it was safe for both sets of his family to meet. A day he had been both dreading and looking forward to… but mostly dreading.

Ezra held the door allowing the other men to enter first followed by Falcon. “Have a seat. So were do we start, gentlemen?” Instantly question were fired at the southerner.

“How did you become Hellion?” JD asked.

“Are the stories true?” Buck demanded.

“How’d you become a part of the sanctuary, son?” Josiah inquired.

Ezra sat down behind the desk folding his hands in front of him. Vin and Falcon each sat on a corner of the desk. The undercover agent held up his hand. He was a little disconcerted because Chris and Nathan had both been quiet. “One question at a time please. How about I start then you can ask questions afterwards?”

“Sure, Ez,” answered JD impatiently, making a ‘go ahead’ motion with his hand. He was finally going to learn something about his friend without the usual evasiveness. He loved Ezra like a brother but damn if it wasn’t like pulling teeth to get any personal information about him.

“I’m sure by now all of you know some of my history with the local FBI?” Ezra asked.

“You mean that you pissed off your boss to the boiling point and he sent you here as punishment?” Nathan responded with an amused smirk.

Ezra grimaced. “Yes, Mr. Jackson, that would be some of it. Anything else?”

“That ya have a penchant for being a trouble magnet?” Buck suggested, not hiding his grin.

“No, Mr. Wilmington, that wasn’t an option,” Ezra retorted.

“But it’s true.” Buck laughed. “And ya know it. Why don‘t ya just tell how ya became Hellion?”

The southerner snorted. He was no more a trouble magnet than the rest of the team but he knew it was useless to point that out to his misguided friend. “Fine, Mr. Wilmington. Do you remember the 666 gang?”

“I remember them. They almost turned this neighborhood into a complete war zone. Didn’t they blow up several hideouts belonging to rival gangs?” Nathan had been a reserve EMT at the time. He’d been with the team for a year when he had been called in to help with the casualties. The Judge had sent the rest of the team to help where they could.

“Yes, but they were more of a cult than a gang. They practiced devil worship and saw the other gangs as sacrifices.” Ezra shook his head at the stupidity of human beings. “The sanctuary was in its infancy and the children’s trust was tenuous at best. At the time the 666 was the biggest threat to the children. The only option was to take them out and prove to the children that we were worthy of their trust.”

Falcon picked up the story. “Hellion had taken some time off and was with us when it started. It had been a rough week already when the building next to us was blown up. We managed to save the sanctuary but we lost several children because they had been close to the building when it went up. We found proof and Hellion sent it to the locals lot of good it did. The locals ignored the information and the bombing continued. Hellion decided to go into the lion’s den, so to speak.”

“I had help, Falcon. Shawn was the one to find out about the ritual, time and place. You were the one to suggest they meet the devil they worshiped.,” Ezra argued.

“Yes, Hellion, but you were the one to pose as that devil.”

“Well, I couldn’t let you put yourself or Shawn in danger, so I was the logical choice. Even though it didn’t go like I had planned.”

Vin’s heart constricted. His lover had taken so many chances and without the team to back him up. Thank god he had Falcon and Shawn or else he may never have had this chance with his southern love. Guess he owed those two a lot but he still wasn’t sure he liked the two men that much. Falcon had been protecting his home and family. He would've done the same. Maybe it was time to let the past go.

“So what happened, Ez?” JD’s impatience getting the best of him.

“Well, Mr. Dunne, I had planned to pose as the devil, borrowed the FX effects from an acquaintance, the rest was supposed to be smoke and mirrors. The only problem was that this FX specialist neglected to mention that the explosive mixture shouldn’t be used in close quarters. I made a grand entrance with smoke and flames. Told them that if they wanted to enter the gates of Dante then they would go to my true place of worship, Mohave Desert. Needless to say that went over like feeding a tiger tofu instead of meat.”

“And you had insisted that no back up would be a good idea.” Falcon snorted in disgust. “If Shawn hadn’t followed you and thrown that smoke bomb you wouldn’t be here now.”

Ezra had been watching his quiet black clad team leader to see how he was dealing with the story of Hellion’s origins. Seeing Chris’s eyes narrowing, having a good idea what his leader was thinking, he quickly jumped in, trying for damage control. “It wasn’t that dire. If Shawn hadn’t thrown in the smoke bomb then, I did have something up my sleeve.”

“Having a flame thrower isn’t exactly an ace, Hellion.”

“It would have worked, Falcon. But that doesn’t really matter now, it’s over and done with. Shawn threw what he thought was a smoke bomb. It was actually a bomb with an explosive charge that went off on impact. I used the explosion to my advantage, took out the leader and by the time the locals showed up, the 666 gang was tied up and babbling like a bunch of lunatics. Word got out about someone posing as the devil and had left a calling card. The rest is history,” Ezra finished, not planning on revealing all the details.

Larabee had been quiet, wanting to hear all the facts first. He knew the agent was leaving something out. “What aren’t you saying, Ezra?”

Ezra flinched at the black clad leader’s tone. He was about to direct the conversation somewhere else but Falcon, the traitor, spoke up. “There were a few members from other gangs around when Hellion came out taking off his devil suit that still had flames coming off it. They watched as the 666 was loaded up into a van by the locals so they heard one of them call him the devil’s son, Hellion. Then there was that calling card Hellion left.” Falcon grinned at Ezra’s groan but it was Josiah that answered the unspoken question he saw in his friends' eyes.

“A phoenix rising up out of the flames of hell. Interesting metaphor, son.”

“I had an inspired moment that I fear will haunt me forever now.” Ezra moaned, dropping his head into his hands.

Vin walked around and laid a comforting hand on his southern love’s shoulder. “Ain’t that bad, Ez.”

“Ezra, what happened when the gangs found out?” Chris inquired almost pleasantly well, what could pass for pleasant for Larabee, anyway.

The southerner looked up and glared at Chris. “At first, they thought that getting rid of me would be a good initiation but when they lost more recruits to the sanctuary, then I became a bigger threat to them and they just wanted me dead. Every time they tried I would retaliate against them and finally I was able to set up a peace negotiation with them. The symbol became a clear warning to any gang that if they caused trouble to me or mine, let's just say, they would forfeit more than they could afford to lose.” Ezra’s voice was pure cold steel and his eyes were hard ice chips.

“So, Hellion was born, the sanctuary was protected and the children safe. End of story. How about we go introduce all of you to the children?” Ezra started to rise but Vin’s hand prevented him from doing so. Ezra looked up at his Texan with a questioning look on his face.

“Ez, what about the rumor that Hellion was a new player in town about 8 months before you joined the team?” Vin asked his southern love.

“I had hoped you had forgotten that little tidbit.” Ezra sighed.

“You mean the FAD task force case?” JD remembered it because he had spent more time in the computer labs doing research with his counterparts from the other agencies, than with his team. He’d like to do that again about as much as he would like a root canal.

“Might as tell them everything, Hellion,” Falcon supplied helpfully.

Ezra glared at his very helpful friend, the scoundrel a little too helpful, the rat. “Fine, I started the rumor to get the agencies involved. I made sure the gangs were at the meet with drugs for the DEA, guns for the ATF and laundered money for the FBI. I wanted them out of the picture as much as possible and that seemed the best way to do it, not to mention, getting the aforementioned product off the streets.”

“How come we never saw you?” Nathan racked his brain and couldn’t for the life of him remember seeing the undercover agent anywhere during that investigation.

“I don’t remember seeing ya either, Ez.” Buck said as he looked at the rest of them in confusion. “Any of you remember seeing him?”

One by one they each shook their heads. None of them saw the southern agent during that case.

“You wouldn’t have. I was relegated to paperwork in the file room during that stay and not allowed to participate in the FAD taskforce. When it came to the bust I just dressed like the rest of them to blend in until it was time to make my presence known. I stood before them and announced that all the gangs were going to organize in order to pull in more capital.”

Vin interrupted. “What were you wearing?”

“I had a black shirt with an orange flannel shirt and camo pants. Why?”

Vin’s face paled and he swayed where he stood next to Ezra. The undercover agent reacted fast pulling the sharpshooter into the chair he'd just vacated. “Vin, what’s wrong?”

The southerner looked at Falcon, knowing he would understand the message. “Let’s go meet the children while these two talk.

Chris stalled any arguments knowing what Vin was remembering. “Lead the way.”

Ezra never noticed the men leaving, he was totally focused on his lover. Taking Vin’s face in his hands when the sharpshooter wouldn‘t look at him. “Vin, look at me! Tell what’s wrong, please?”

Vin looked into the beautiful emerald eyes wondering if this would be the last time his southerner looked at him with the concern or most importantly with love and desire for him.

He bit the bullet that might soon be aimed at his soul. “That day at the rally I almost shot you.”

“Ah, that…” Ezra caressed the cheek of his lover, now understanding what had distressed his lover. “It’s alright, Vin…”

Vin exploded out of the chair, going to stand on the far side of the desk, away from his lover. “THE HELL IT IS!” Vin tried to take a calming breath. It didn’t work. “Did you hear me? I ALMOST KILLED YOU!”

“I’m not deaf. I heard you but it’s no reason to be upset. You did…” Ezra found himself pinned to the wall he had been leaning against by an enraged Vin.

“Not a reason to be upset?” Vin was deceptively calm. “I was ready to shoot you when the order came. I almost killed you. With a single shot I would have killed my soul mate and never known it. And you say there is no reason to be upset?” Vin’s voice had slowly risen as he spoke.

Ezra wasn’t sure what to say to that, his words failing him, instead he kissed Vin putting all his love into the kiss. He swept in dominating the sweet mouth. Every time his Texan tried to pull away he followed, never allowing the kiss to break until he felt Vin give himself over to the kiss, leaving him breathless.

Panting Ezra tried to explain his point of view to his lover. “Vin, you are a sharpshooter. It’s your job, your life, your very nature and you can not defy the law of nature, no matter who you are. The order was never given, right?”

The sharpshooter nodded.

“Then you did nothing wrong. As I am still here it no longer matters. We are where we are meant to be, by each other’s sides. The order was not given because we were destined to belong to each other for all time.”

Ezra framed the sharpshooter’s face in his hands, wiping away the tears that fell. “Don’t you know that I love you and what happened in the past stays there, alright?”

Vin looked into his beloved’s expressive green eyes. “I don’t know if I can forgive or forget that I almost killed you, Ez.”

“Almost doesn‘t count in the scheme of things, love, just that you are here with me and love me even for all my faults. Do it for me, please? ” Ezra looked into his tracker’s tearful indigo eyes, trying to reassure his lover.

“I do love you, Ez. It’s just that when I think of what could have happened…”

Ezra stilled the words with a finger to the tracker’s lips. “Then don’t think about it because it didn’t happen and it won’t happen. Look, Vin, it doesn‘t matter because it didn‘t happen. Accept it and let‘s get on with our lives.”

Vin kissed the finger before snaking his tongue out, capturing the digit and pulling it into his mouth, slowly sucking on it. Pushing the slick finger out of his mouth merely to draw it back in. Tracing each contour of the appendage with his tongue.

Ezra groaned, moving closer to his lover before he removed his finger only to replace it with his lips. The southern agent deepened the kiss. His tongue sliding and intertwining with the sharpshooters. Moving his body even closer, the undercover agent wound his arms around the wiry Texan trying to get even closer, trying to become one with the love of his heart.

There was a knock at the door.

The men separated, trying to catch their breath and compose themselves before they even thought about answering the door. Vin looked at the wet, bruised lips, swollen from his kisses. It was a complete turn on, making him even harder than he already was. It also made him realize how much he really loved this man.

Ezra was right almost didn’t count and the important thing was they were together and truly and deeply loved each other. “I love you, Ez, more than anything else in this world. Nothing is or will ever be as important to me than you.” Vin took his lover’s lips in a quick passionate kiss before the southern agent could say anything.

The knocking became persistent. “Give us a minute!” Vin yelled but the knocking continued.

Sighing, Ezra pulled away from his Texas love, when the knocking became loud and consistent, saying as he did so. “We will pick this up at a later time.” Ezra pulled Vin down for a quick hard kiss before he let go to answer the door.

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