by Oracle

Feedback: Comments. Discussion. Please. Welcomed on list and off at

Disclaimer: Once upon a time in the Old West, CBS joined forces with Mirisch Entertainment, Trilogy and MGM. They brought together Seven unbelievable gorgeous men and made a Television series. And all was well. But the fans saw that certain of these sexy, hunky men did look upon each other with lust and longing in their eyes. And being the sweet, kind, generous fans they were wrote stories where they could have fun and hot cowboy sex and comfort each other after extreme pain and angst had been visited upon them. And it was good…

One day, Mog looked at the Seven hunky men (sweat-soaked and caked with dust <WEG>) and thought wisely, "Would it not be fantastic were they also to reside in the present day as well?" So she took the Seven, dropped them into beautiful Denver, Colorado, gave them each jobs to do and made them agents of the ATF…. Team Seven. The devoted fans rose to the challenge, taking them to their hearts and many more wonderful stories came to be. And they all lived happily ever after…

Acknowledgements: Mucho thanks to Ren who betas at the drop of a hat, even when she’s busy. Thanks also to LaraMee and Judy who always keep me in line and point out all the confusing bits. All mistakes that remain are sole property of the author.

Vin twitched in his seat. Something wasn’t right. His eyes went to the door of the team leader’s office. Slowly, he rose from his chair and sauntered over. Propping himself in the doorway he crossed his arms and studied the lean blond form at the desk. Chris held a letter in his hand.

“Yeah, Vin?” the blond said without turning around.

“Somethin’ goin’ on, cowboy?” rasped the Texan.

Chris swung around in his seat, his brilliant green eyes hooded. “You remember when my Aunt passed away last month?” he asked.

“I ‘member you goin’ to the funeral,” said Vin.

“Well, it seems they left the farm to me in the will. And since my Uncle already passed away…” The team leader looked up at Vin. “I’ve got to go up there… sign the papers…” He sighed. “Probably sell the place… I was thinking. There’s some pretty country around there. Would you be interested in coming with me? The house is big… plenty of room and I thought you might be ready to get away from the city for a while.”

Tanner’s eyes lit up and his lips curved in a smile. “Sure, Chris,” he said. “I’d like that.”

“Are you sure, Vin?” said Chris. “I’ll be gone over Halloween…”

The slender sharpshooter shrugged. “Josiah already has Buck and J.D. helpin’ him at the Mission… and Ezra’s doin’ a magic act. Never was much for dressin’ up anyway.”

Larabee chuckled. “All right then… I’ll book us a flight out Friday evening.” He looked over at Vin. “They don’t have any stock left. Sold those off a while back… but there’s places to hike.”

“Sounds nice,” said Vin, blue eyes glinting at the thought of being out in the open air. “Thanks for askin’ me, Chris.”

~~~~&~~~~

Vin stood by the kitchen table, stuffing granola bars, bags of trail mix and bottles of water into a backpack.

“Heading out?” asked Chris, strolling into the room and heading for the coffee pot. He wasn’t too surprised. Vin had hung around all day Saturday and helped him out. They’d repaired a few holes in the barn and cleaned up the house in preparation for calling in a realtor to assess the value. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Tanner had more than earned a day out in the surrounding hills as far as Chris was concerned.

“It’s so pretty ‘round here,” replied Vin, “I wanted to take a look… get out some.”

“Just be careful, will you?” asked Chris. He knew the man had been restless, even out working around the barn on the previous day. “I know you always know where you’re at.” Larabee couldn’t help but grin at the raised eyebrow from Vin. “But you’re not familiar with the area. Any place in particular you heading to?”

“Wanted to check up around those caves you told me about. Thought there might be some nice views up there.” Vin grinned as the other man gave him a concerned look. Opening up the backpack he displayed the rope stowed there. “Don’t worry, Chris,” he said. “I’ll be careful. If’n I do go in, I’ll only go as far as the rope.”

The older man sighed. “Why do I know you’ll do what you want no matter what I say?”

Vin chuckled. “Experience?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow at his boss.

“More than likely,” replied the older man shaking his head.

Vin slung his pack on his back and turned to head out the kitchen door.

“Hey!” he called. The Texan turned. Chris tossed the young man’s flannel shirt at him. “Better take this along. It’s a lot cooler in those caves.”

Vin caught it and slung it over one shoulder.

Larabee’s eyes widened as he focused on the blue and green plaid flannel shirt.

“Chris?” asked Vin, shaken by the man’s strange expression. “You OK?”

Chris shook his head and turned away to the sink, rinsing out his coffee cup. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he said gruffly, “Go on… enjoy yourself. Just be careful, will you?”

“You sure?” Vin asked. “You looked like someone’d walked on your grave there for a minute…”

“Maybe they did,” he said softly. Chris turned back to Vin. “I don’t suppose I could talk you into holding off on the caves? Maybe until tomorrow when I can go with you…”

“You’d go with me tomorrow?” asked Vin, both his eyebrows rising in surprise this time. Chris wasn’t known for enjoying long treks on foot through the countryside.

“Umm.” Chris did have the grace to look abashed. “Well…”

Tanner chuckled. It was always fun to catch Chris out. “Yeah,” he said. “That’s what I thought.”

Larabee turned away. “I wish I’d never told you about those caves.” He leaned on the counter, his back to Vin. Taking a deep breath, he continued softly. “You know… there’s been several people lost in there. I had a cousin… it was a couple of days before they finally found him. He was never the same again. And… there was a young man one summer. They searched for weeks…”

Vin crossed the kitchen and laid a hand on Chris’ shoulder.

“I’ll be careful Chris,” he said. “I won’t go any further than the rope… I promise. If I even go in at all.”

Larabee shook himself and stood up turning back around to face Vin. “Don’t mind me,” he said. “I think I’m just seeing ghosts where there are none. Must be the day…” Summoning a smile, he waved a hand at the younger man. “Go on… get out of here,” he said.

~~~~&~~~~

Tanner found it invigorating hiking through the trees that were near the ranch. The fresh, crisp air cleared his head and filled him with a strong sense of the abundant life all around him. He took a deep breath and felt the tightness in his chest ease. Spending too much time in the city always brought on that suffocating feeling. He endured it to be near his friends. It was well worth the slight sacrifice to watch their backs, to guard them and keep them safe in their chosen profession.

Chris understood he needed to get away into the wide-open spaces occasionally to refresh himself, to let go of all the stresses and ease the claustrophobia that extended periods in the city pressed on him. Vin smiled at the thought of Chris. From the moment their eyes met the blond had touched his soul in hidden places. He’d held his heart in those capable hands almost from that same moment in time. He knew he would never willingly leave Larabee’s side, no matter what happened to the rest of the Team.

Vin knew he'd never speak of his feelings to Chris. Larabee had been married, fathered a child, was a longtime and close friend to Buck; an overt worshipper of the feminine sex. He didn't believe the team leader could ever care for another man the way Vin longed for him to. Tanner would be satisfied with the connection between them. The deep looks of those green eyes that fed the longing of his soul in small morsels.

What he had now was more than he could have even dreamed of before he met Chris Larabee. More than he had ever had before in his life. The friendship of a man he respected, loved, honored and trusted. Thoughts exchanged in a glance. The chest pounding high of bringing down the criminals they pursued in their work. Quiet moments in front of the fireplace at Chris’ ranch, not needing to speak words, just content to “be.”

On top of all that, he had the friendship, trust and companionship of five other men that he cared for deeply. Men he would trust with his very life. Only to Chris would he trust his soul however. It was enough, what he had now. Vin sighed deeply. Having worked through all the feelings and longings once again… for the thousandth time, he pressed them back down within himself, covering them over with layers of calm and acceptance, waiting for the next time they rose up to shake him out of his reserved, quiet existence.

Tanner looked around him, noticing that the land was beginning to rise. He took a trail that wound up across the hills before him, curious about the caves Chris had mentioned. The sharpshooter found a narrow entrance in the rocks. It led back into darkness.

Vin slipped his backpack off and squeezed through the narrow passage. His boots slipped in the slick mud in the entrance. Once through, he gasped in surprise. The tunnel swiftly widened out to a large underground cavern, complete with a twenty-foot waterfall and a turbulent pool that, while it couldn’t be called a lake, was respectably sized. It showed the black of deep water. Openings in the roof allowed shafts of sunlight to slant down across the water. Droplets from the waterfall sparkled in rainbow colors across the beams of light. Entranced, Vin stepped forward to the edge of the pool. He shivered slightly as the cooler air of the cave combined with the dampness chilled him. Dropping his pack on the sandy edge, he pulled loose the flannel shirt he’d strapped to it and slipped it on.

Tanner caught a flash of movement off to the left. Quickly, he turned to see a young blond man at the far edge of the pool moving towards him.

“Hey,” the young man called and their eyes locked.

Vin felt a brief spurt of recognition. He felt he should know this man. Then everything seemed to shift into slow motion. The blond’s foot slipped on the loose shale covering the ledge he stood on and, arms wind-milling, he fell over into the blackness and disappeared. With a cry of distress, Vin ran towards the spot he had fallen in. He scanned the water, looking for a sign of him in the turbulent foam. Briefly, the blond head surfaced in the middle of the pool, and then was swept under again, heading directly for the waterfall. There must be a swift undertow. Vin didn’t hesitate another second but dove into the water, arrowing towards where he had last seen the man’s head breach the surface. Almost immediately, he was caught in a fierce current that drug him towards the fall as well. Instead of fighting it, he swam with it, still watching the water ahead of him for further signs of life.

There! He saw the blond head pop up again just before disappearing underneath the waterfall. A moment later he was swept under it. Light faded and he was being hurtled along an underground tunnel, battered and bruised against the stone sides with no chance of surfacing for air. The deep breath he’d managed to grasp just before being swept under the falls would have to do.

Vin felt something brush against his hand. Again, he felt the light touch and managed to grab hold. It was an arm. Latching on tightly, he worked his way up the body and threw his arms around the slender chest. Clutching a hand in long hair, he found his way across slightly rough cheeks and pressed his mouth to the other man’s. Exhaling part of his air, he felt the chest against his expand slightly. The body wrapped around his, holding to him as tightly as he did to it, but some of the tension had left the slender limbs.

They were drug along by the high-speed current, tossed almost constantly against the surrounding rocks, battered and banged about. The two men managed to hang on to each other tightly; bodies wrapped one around the other. Both tried to shield the other from the worst of the pounding by pushing against the sides with hands and feet as they were tumbled along the underwater passage. At last, the speed of their hurtling slowed and they exploded into another cavern.

Part Two

I burst out of the water and into free air at last. I’m gaspin’ and choking. Shakin’ my head, I try to get the water and hair out of my eyes and see where we are. Between tryin’ to get my hair outta my mouth and suck in air again I let go of the kid. Panicked, I look all around for ‘im, scared he might not be able to stay afloat. Seeing a bit of dark blond hair just goin’ under, I grab hold again and wrap my arm around him in a swimmer’s hold. At least he’s splutterin’ and coughing. Means he’s breathin’.

There’s a few beams of sunlight comin’ in through openings way up in the roof of the cavern. The water’s wider here, slowing up a whole lot from the wild ride of the tunnel we got sucked into. I can’t hear anything but the sound of the rushing water echoing over and over in all the space above and around us. I push myself up out of the water as much as I can. Parts of the cavern are nothing but shadows. I think I can see a rocky shore along one side though and I head towards it, towing him along with me.

My feet brush bottom and with a couple more strokes I’m stumbling forwards trying to get my balance. He’s trying to get his feet under him too and I let go of all but a fistful of his shirt. The wave almost pushes me over when he goes down again. His face is twisted up in pain. It isn’t too bright in the cavern, but I could swear he looks green. Must be bad then. I wrap my arm around ‘im again and we struggle on out of the water. I can see now that he’s not puttin’ any weight on one foot.

There’s a flat space on a rock nearby and even better… sun shinin’ down on it. I can’t hear his moaning because of all the noise around us, but I can feel the vibrations of it through the arm I have around him. Every step drags another from ‘im. So I just do the simplest thing. Bending over, I put my shoulder into his belly and lift him into a fireman’s carry. He’s so skinny that I make it to the rock fairly easy.

I set him down as gentle as I can and drop to the ground in front of ‘im. The laces are wet and knotted. I fish my pocket-knife out of my jeans and cut them. As I ease the canvas hightop off his foot, he doubles over, grabbing at his leg. I was tryin’ ta be careful but it must’ve hurt like hell. I strip off the sock and there’s swelling already. I’m not as good as Nathan but I’m afraid it’s broken. I cast around in my mind, trying to think of some way to immobilize it. I’m thinkin’ I’m gonna be real glad for the field first aid Nathan’s taught us.

“I’m gonna get something,” I say. “Be right back.” He doesn’t move. I raise my voice and say it louder. Damn wind. It’s whistling around me, drying my hair fast at least. But between that and the noise of the water, he can’t hear me. I yell it at him. He looks up, but doesn’t seem to understand. I try again, with gestures. He nods and sits there huddled miserably and shivering hard.

Running down to the water’s edge, I look ‘round quick. I’m thinkin’ I saw some wood thrown up at the place where we crawled out. Sure enough, there’s some pieces of water-worn wood. I sift through them and find a few that should work. This river must run outside somewhere. Problem is... that’s upstream and not likely to help us.

Hurrying back to him, I kneel down before his swollen foot. It’s looking purplish already. Not good. I jerk off my flannel shirt; grateful Chris made me bring it. Ouch! That hurt. Using my knife, teeth and anything else necessary, I tear it up into strips. That’s when I see that it’s torn over my shoulder blade on one side. Right where it hurt when I pulled it off. Must of hit those walls even harder than I thought. I set aside the pocket. I have an idea for that later.

He’s shivering even harder now. I think I can even hear his teeth chattering and that’s something in all this racket. Soon, I’ll need to think about getting him warm. Actually, both of us. I realize now that I’m shivering too. My hands are stiff and cold. Well, considering what I have to do next, maybe they’re cold enough to help the swelling. I catch myself almost chuckling at my own humor. Shock, Tanner. You’re both going into shock. Gotta get this finished quick and start warmin’ us up.

I hate to hurt him more, but I know I have to see how bad it is. Gently, I take hold of his foot and beginning at the toes, press to feel for shifting bones. Nathan has a fancy name for it. I just know I gotta find out where it needs the most support. All I can do is hope that there’s not lots of places that need it. My supply of wood is kinda short.

He’s doin’ pretty good until I get up around his ankle, and then he grabs at my hands and tries to pull his foot away. I look up and see his face all twisted up in pain, eyes screwed shut. Bingo. And it’s not too bad. I couldn’t feel anything moving around in there that shouldn’t be. Maybe it’s only a fracture. Much easier to fix up with what I’ve got to work with.

I empty out my pockets and take inventory. A handkerchief, wet and dirty now. I drop it down by my pocket-knife. My hunting knife is tucked in its sheath inside my hiking boot. My watch is dead. The crystal’s all scratched up. Banged up on the walls of the tunnel I imagine and probably wet inside too. ‘Course I didn’t know I was goin’ for a swim today or I woulda wore a waterproof one.

I left my billfold and other stuff back at the ranch. Didn’t think I’d need it out here. Well, at least it’s dry. More than I can say for myself and the kid in front of me, still hunched over in pain. I’m surprised to find my small Maglight still wedged in my back pocket. I have to undo my jeans to get it out. Never thought I’d be thankful for wet denim getting so stiff. It’s one of the really small ones. Not much bigger around than a pen, but any light is gonna be better than the pitch black it’ll be in here when the sun goes down. Not ta mention lookin’ for a way outta here.

Carefully I open the flashlight up and pull it all apart. Just a little bit of moisture on the inside. There’s a reason these suckers are expensive. They’re made to work even when hell freezes over. And it was turned off. Maybe we’ll get lucky. All I can do is hope.

I take it all apart and lay the pieces out carefully on the flat rock in what passes for direct sunlight in here. After it’s all dry I can see if it’ll work.

Skimpy pickin’s. I sigh. What I wouldn’t give for the backpack I dropped by the edge of the pool. Of course, most of the stuff in it would have been pretty well smashed by the time it came through that tunnel… if it’d even made it still attached to me.

Now, it’s time for the hard part. I need to convince a complete stranger to take all his clothes off. It’s the only way we’re not gonna both end up sick. I decide maybe a little introduction will help.

“I’m Vin,” I say, looking up into his face. It’s mostly in shadow but I can see how much he’s hurtin’ and he’s shakin’ worse all the time. His forehead scrunches and he leans toward me, trying to hear what I’m sayin’ over all the noise of the wind and water.

“VIN!” I yell at him, pointing to myself. He nods, smiles and pointing at himself, says something. I can’t hear a damn thing. Well, time to push on.

“We’ve gotta get out of these wet clothes,” I say to him, and then shake my head. Not bein’ able to hear each other is gettin’ ta be a pain real quick. I remind myself to use expressions on my face and body language. Chris always says I don’t use two words when one’ll do anyways.

I wince as I think of Larabee. If I do make it outta here, he’s gonna shoot me. Prob’ly someplace that really hurts so I can suffer enough. I wonder how long before he’ll come lookin’ for me. Sometimes he just knows when I’m in deep shit. I’m hopin’ this is one of those times.

So, back to gettin’ us both bare naked. I peel off my t-shirt and stretch it out on the rock. My shoes follow and then my socks. He’s watchin’ me. I tug at his jeans, hoping he’ll get the picture. He looks scared to death and his fingers are getting blue. Not good. I think I keep saying that. Nothing about this is good. I pull again and he begins to fumble at the button. It’s wet and stiff of course and his hands are shakin’ something fierce. Real slow I reach out and help him pop the button loose. He manages to get the zipper down and I steady him while he shoves the soaked jeans down a ways. I get them off the rest of the way without movin’ his ankle too much.

Turning my back I give him a little privacy to get the rest of his things off and take the time to shuck the rest of mine. My shoulder hurts like hell when I pull my t-shirt off. I see now that it’s torn too. Right on my upper left back, over my shoulder blade. Torn and bloody. I shrug… or try to. Burns like fire when I do that. Probably missin’ a chunk of skin. Not anything to be done about it now. Lots of other things higher on the priority list.

When it gets still behind me, I turn back to see him hunched over, his hands clutched tightly in his lap, tryin’ ta cover his dignity as best he can. His skin is so white; it seems to glow in the sunlight.

I make short work of supporting his ankle with the pieces of wood and strips of my shirt. It’s still wet, but that will help keep it cool and that’s good. I can feel how much it hurts him though. In the ankle that’s shakin’ in my hands and the clenched fists I can see. He’s not so worried about coverin’ things up now.

When I get it wrapped up good and tight, I look up at him. He’s leaned back a bit now and the beam of sunlight is hitting him right in the face. I lean forward to check his pulse and body temp and… I can’t breathe.

He’s beautiful. Blond hair, a piece of it already flopped down into his eyes. Green eyes. Full lower lip with a slight dip in the middle. It’s so familiar… much younger… but damn familiar. As if I could ever forget that face. His eyes blaze at me. I know that look, too. He’s still wary. And I’m starin’. He can’t be even twenty years old. Maybe outta high school at the most.

Just who the hell is this guy? There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s related to Chris. The family resemblance is too strong. Chris told me about his cousin who’d been lost in the caves, but that was a long time ago. I can’t remember Larabee talkin’ about any cousins or family who still live near by. In fact, he’d given me to understand that with the death of his aunt there weren’t anyone else in the state.

I can’t help but wonder if Chris even knows about this feller. He’s too young to be Chris’ son. Larabee would have been married when this one was born. I can’t picture him being unfaithful to Sarah. Maybe a mid-life-crisis-fling by Larabee’s uncle or even his father? Whatever it was, it resulted in this gorgeous young image of the man I’ve come to care about more than any other. The man I felt an instant connection to the minute our eyes met. Now, the sight of that body I’ve dreamed about naked before me is doing lots of things. Every bit of blood is headin’ south. I lean back again and shift, tryin’ to cover up the evidence that’s raisin’ its head.

He starts to shudder and shake all over. His lips are blue now and his face goes even whiter, if that’s possible. I jerk forward, needing to comfort him… to warm him and make him stop hurting.

“Easy,” I say gently, then shake my head as I smack up against that wall of communication again. I reach out my hands to soothe him; trying to put into the touch words I’d say if he could hear me. I put my arms around him and lifting; I ease him up and help him hobble over to a large smooth rock nearby. It’s darker here out of the direct sunlight but a boulder close by helps break the wind that whistles through the cavern.

I help him to lay back and lift his ice cold feet into my lap. My mostly hard-on had eased off as I concentrated on getting him more comfortable. It’s back. I can feel the heat spreading out from my middle. Hell of a way to warm up. I almost chuckle out loud. Cold shower ain’t gonna make this go away if his icy feet didn’t do it. I’d never found another man’s feet particularly erotic, but his are so sexy. Slender… fine bones and an arch that makes me want to moan. My hands are stroking them, tracing the curves. He tenses and I freeze. Great job you idiot! Just scare the kid half to death. I start doing what I meant to in the first place. Get some friction going and try to get some blood back into ‘em. Ouch. Friction. Not the thing to be thinking about right now Tanner.

He groans. I can’t hear it but feel it vibrate through his body and down to the feet I’m holdin’. I look up. His eyes are wide and his face has got color in it again. Prob’ly for the wrong reason though. I can see his chest rising and falling pretty fast. His hands are clutched tight in his lap again. I try to smile at him real friendly like. It must be pretty terrifying to be forced to be naked and helpless with only a stranger here to help him. At least my smile doesn’t scare him worse. He tries to smile back at me.

Now for my other idea. I grab up the pocket from my flannel shirt and go back down to the edge of the water. It’s rushing past. Lots of boulders ‘n rocks in the bottom. Should be fairly safe. If it’s got them parasites in it that make ya sick, we’ll be in a world of hurt in a few days. ‘Course, I’m planning on us being long gone out of here by then.

I scoop up water in the pocket and hurry back over to the rock and the kid waiting there. Dripping all the way, but there's some left in it. I help him hold it in his shaky hands and get some of it down him. He surprises me by taking hold of my arm and pulling me around till I’m facin’ away from him. Then I feel the last of the water in the pocket trickling over my hurt shoulder. The water’s cold and it feels good. I turn back around and smile my thanks to him. He smiles back shyly then turns kinda red and looks away again. His hands are back to clenched in his lap. He looks so young… and even more gorgeous if that’s possible.

I think maybe if I can get him to stretch out on his side and get behind him, maybe it won’t be quite so scary. Not bein’ able to see my face. Never mind that it’ll help hide my cock that’s tryin’ to poke its head up and look around again. By pushing and pulling a little I get him settled on his side with his hurt ankle on top. Even find a rock to put under it to prop it up. That should help with the throbbing I know it’s doing and the shock at the same time. Two birds with one stone. ‘Kay Tanner. You’re losing it. I realize my insides are shaking so hard I hurt. Guess I better get me warmed up some too or I won’t be doin’ him any good.

Easing up behind him, I put my chest against his back. Maybe we can share a little body heat. We’re both shivering and he feels good. Warm. His skin’s soft. I’ve got my hips angled back far as I can so he won’t feel how hard I am just being this close to him. I rub his arms up and down hard, trying to force some circulation back into them like I did his feet.

He stiffens up and suddenly I realize that I’ve accidentally moved my hips closer and left a wet spot on his back. Oh God! StupidassholeTanner. Can’t keep yourself under control when this poor kid’s freezing, scared shitless and hurting. I try to move away, but he reaches up and grabs my hand that’s on his arm. He pulls it around him and flattens it out on his chest. I can feel him heaving for air. I’m not breathin’ too good myself. Slowly, he moves my hand down his belly… then lower. I can feel his cock. It’s hard too. He curls my fingers around it and moans… long and deep in his chest.

Damn! This kid’s not shy. He’s got to know what he’s doing to me. Kids these days aren’t so afraid like I was to be different. Shit Tanner. You’re still scared. Scared of losing your best friend. This one’s just like Chris. I grin. Must run in the family. When Larabee sees something he wants, he just goes after it.

OH Shit! He’s so fucking sexy. And he looks like Chris. And I can’t do this. I can’t. I know it’s just a normal reaction to almost dying. Had it explained to me often enough. But my body… and especially my cock-with-a-mind-of-its-own ain’t listening. He’s pulling and I’m moving closer. My harder than nails cock slides down between the cheeks of his ass. And it’s good. Sooooo good. I’m gasping, trying to breathe and I can’t.

My hips are moving… pushing against him. I bury my face in the hair at the back of his neck. It’s soft too… like his skin. Soft and smooth over hard muscle. I can’t stop. I keep tellin’ myself I’ve got to pull away but he just feels so good. One more second and I’ll do it. Oh God! He’s squeezing my hand around his cock and moving it. Showing me the speed he wants. How tight he wants it. I add a little twist at the top, swirling my thumb over the tip. It’s wet. He groans again and bucks back against me, pushing my cock deeper into hot slick... I’m moaning now too.

We’re shoving harder and harder against each other. It feels so good. I’m so deep between his legs now I can feel his balls rubbing over the head of my cock. And he’s hot and hard in my hand. I know I can’t last much longer and I want it to go on forever. I’ll never have this with Chris. This is as close as I’ll ever get.

My balls are aching. My cock is throbbing against him. It’s more than I ever imagined. Better. I close my eyes tight and it’s Chris’ body I’m thrusting against. Chris’ cock in my hand. My whole body is tingling and I know I can’t last much longer. My mouth is open. I’m gasping for air. It’s building so high, I can’t hardly stand it. I close my mouth over the back of his neck and bite and suck… hard. The taste of him in my mouth is hot and good. Then I’m coming and screaming Chris’ name. I’m flying somewhere up near the ceiling. It’s like waves pounding at me. I’ve never felt anything like this. Never come so hard.

“Chris… Chris,” I whisper into the neck my face is buried in. Then I realize who I’m talking to. I pull hard at his cock. I can feel he’s near the edge too. Every muscle strung tight as a wire. He’s pushing back into me harder and harder. Then thrusting into my hand. I feel wet heat spreading over my hand and his cock is jerking. I can feel his moans and cries vibrating through my chest. Then his whole body goes limp. He’s still breathin’ heavy. I dare to lean up a little and peek over his shoulder. His eyes are closed but there’s a sweet, satisfied smile on his face. I stare at that familiar profile.

My body feels the same. Totally relaxed and happy. I feel his hand moving out from under mine. At first, I can’t see what he’s doing. He shifts and moves his legs. Then his hand comes into view. He lifts his fingers to his lips. His tongue pokes out and touches the tips. They’re glistening and wet. Don’t know if it’s mine or his, but he’s tasting. Now he’s got his fingers in his mouth and he’s suckin’ on ‘em. He sighs and my cock twitches.

I’m thinking I better ease back a little. Seems he liked it just fine but I’m still a stranger to ‘im. His other hand comes up and grabs hold of my arm. I look at it. God! Even his hands are like Chris’. Long slender fingers… and so graceful I always think he oughta play piano or somethin’. He pulls and pulls some more until he’s got me all the way over in front of him. Just layin’ there looking into those deep green eyes. He smiles again. A sweet one this time and my heart starts jumpin’ around in my chest.

He reaches out and touches my face lightly, tracing fingers across my eyebrows and even touching my eyelashes. I blink and he smiles, looking deep into my eyes. I could swear he’s looking straight into my soul, just like Chris does. God! It hits me in the belly that smile. I swallow hard.

His hand is moving further down now. He traces along my jaw with a single finger and then lays it softly on my lips. I open my mouth and, slipping my tongue out; just touch it with the tip. His mouth goes slack and he shudders all over. Now it’s my turn to smile. His eyes get a gleam in ‘em. He leans in and fastens his mouth over mine. I groan. He tastes so good. Sweet and salty and warm. His tongue flickers out and pushes against me. I open to it and he shyly explores a bit. I return the favor and soon he’s gasping for air and pulling at me.

Didn’t really mean to get this started again. We got other fish to fry. I pull back and smile at him, brush back that bit of hair that keeps falling into his eyes. Time to get this show on the road.

Checking the clothes, I find they’re dry enough. I use my hunting knife to slit the seam on his jeans so he can get them on over my survival training type splints. Now I need to start lookin’ for a way to get us out of here. Hopefully, before dark. I don’t have any idea how long we’ve been in here but that sun’s going down sometime. With no food here I can’t take a chance on waiting until tomorrow or we might be too weak to make it all the way out.

I take him his clothes and we dress. Not quite so shy now but he still turns away as he pulls on his shorts. I grin. It’s cute… kinda. Innocent in way Larabee would never be, hasn’t been for how many years. I take a deep breath and let it out.

How the hell am I gonna tell Chris about this. Come to think of it, I better not tell ‘im. Fuck! First he’d shoot me for getting lost. Then he’d shoot me for messin’ with his cousin… or whatever he is. He’s young enough it could be called robbing the cradle but for just a second I consider it. He’s so much like Chris I think I could almost… I shake myself. No! Won’t go there. Not fair to this kid. And I couldn’t do it really. Not when my soul’s tied to someone else. Even if he never knows it.

I can’t help wondering what it would be like with him, with Chris. It’s like I got a taste of it today. I wonder if it’ll be enough to hold onto for the rest of my life. Or if it’s gonna drive me so crazy that I can’t stand to be around Chris anymore. Some people see their lives flash before ‘em when they die. I figure I’ll see green eyes.

Well, this ain’t getting us outta here. I stomp into my boots. Still wet but I can deal with that. I put my flashlight back together and IT’S A MIRACLE! It works! DAMN! Gotta remember to write a letter to those Maglight folks. They ain’t shittin’ about these things being “indestructible.” I grin like a fool and wave it at the kid. He’s laughing back at me. Damn gorgeous. Chris don’t hardly laugh like that. Maybe that’s somethin’ I need to work on. ‘Kay. Write a letter to Maglight and make Chris laugh. Startin’ a list here.

I reach down and squeeze his shoulder, making him look up at me. Best as I can, I let him know I’m gonna check things out… try to find a way outta here. He nods and keeps on struggling into his clothes.

There’s a tunnel I find on the other side of the cave. It’s not a sure thing but a good bet. The air’s bein’ sucked into it. Means there’s gotta be somewhere it’s going out. Might be straight up or too small to fit through but it’s the best of the bunch. And I even found a rock that’s a bit chalky. I can use it to mark our way through the tunnel.

When I get back to the kid, he’s testing his weight on that foot and standin’ pretty steady. He looks over at me and I realize that he’s actually a little taller ‘n me. This is the first time I’ve seen him standin’ up straight. I smile and reaching out, grab hold of his arm… just the way Chris and I do. I mean it to let ‘im know that we’re in this together. His eyes tell me he’s gotten the message. But now I don’t know why I did that. It’s always been something special just between Chris and me. It’s too easy to forget that this isn’t Larabee. I feel lost and confused. Like I’ve fucked up somethin’ good… thrown away somethin’ that meant more than life to me. I feel like I’ve used the kid and betrayed my best friend at the same time.

Hiding my face from the kid, I pull his arm over my good shoulder and lead him towards the tunnel I’ve decided to try. He hobbles along, in a lot of pain, but more than willing to trust me to lead him outta here. My heart is sinking. Too much. Too much on my shoulders. I’ve really fucked things up this time. Nothing will ever be the same. I have a bad feeling I’m gonna look back on this week-end for the rest of my life and wish I’d done things different.

As we work our way through the winding passages, I look over at his face again. In the flickering light of the flashlight he looks older, even more like Chris. My heart’s doin’ that flip-flop thing again. I realize I can’t ever tell Chris about this. Then I’d have to tell ‘im that it’s not women that turn me on. I know I can’t stand to see that look on his face. The one I’ve seen before when I was stupid enough to think I could ‘fess up to someone I cared about. Shit! What a mess I’ve got both of us in. Now I gotta try and explain to the kid why he’s gonna have to keep it quiet. Soon’s we get somewhere he can hear me.

I keep on choosin’ the tunnels that have air movin’ through ‘em. It’s dark. It’s uphill. The kid’s getting slower and slower. He’s toughing it out, but the pain’s gotta be getting to ‘im. I think I see light ahead, but keep tellin’ myself it’s only wishful thinking. Then the tunnel curves a little and I can see it. There IS light ahead. I choose again and there’s more. We’re movin’ downhill a little now and around another corner. I almost can’t believe it when I see. It’s the cavern with the pool and the waterfall. The one I first saw the kid in. The sun’s still lighting it from high up.

“YAAAHOOOOOO!” I scream, punching my fist in the air. “Am I good… or what!” The kid’s grinning at me like crazy. Then his face goes real white again. I grab him with both arms.

“Hold on now,” I say. “Hold on. We’re almost there.”

I half lead-half drag him over to a rock nearer the pool. I ease him down onto it. He’s gasping and clenching his fists in pain. I take his face in my hands and turn it up to look into his eyes.

“I’m going for help,” I yell at him. It’s quieter in here, but there’s still echoes of water all around us. “I’ll be back soon as I can.”

He nods. I brush that lock of hair out of his eyes once more. I run over by the pool, looking around for my backpack. I can’t see it. I was sure I dropped it right here. I look back at the kid. He’s hunched over and rocking in pain. No time. I run for the entrance.

Part Three

Vin pushed himself relentlessly through the narrow cleft at the entrance. His t-shirt caught on the rough rocks. Well, this shirt was definitely trash now. He felt the burn of skin torn on the rough stone. Front and back now. Stumbling free at last, he forced his legs to move and ran haphazardly down the hill. After he’d almost fallen and rolled the rest of the way down a second time, he made himself slow down. It wouldn’t help any if he fell and broke his own leg or something worse before he could alert the local search and rescue units. He could feel the shaking in his legs as he pushed himself to top speed down the heavily overgrown pathway. His breathing sounded loud in his own ears. The brush was thick. Trees loomed up at him suddenly out of the dark. Vin was half feeling his way through the bushes. He couldn’t find the trail he’d hiked up on his way to the cave.

There was a flickering of light off to his left and ahead. He pushed through heavy undergrowth and between trees towards it.

“Hellooooo!” he called. “HERE! OVER HERE! HELP!”

Vin burst out of clinging bushes onto a trail and into the arms of the man holding the flashlight. The Texan pulled back and looked into a familiar face.

“Chris!” he gasped, out of breath from his stumbling run downhill. “Thank God! Help! We’ve gotta help ‘im!” He grabbed hold of the older man’s jacket and started to drag him back up the trail. “DAMN! I can’t see! It’s too dark. Why’s it so dark?”

“Who?” asked Chris, trying to keep his feet under him as the frantic younger man hauled him up the steep hill. “Who have we got to help?”

“I… left him… in the cave. His leg… I think it may… be broke. Promised him… I’d get help.” Vin’s eyes were wide. Chris had never seen him so fearful. “Please… hurry.”

“All right,” said Chris. “I’m coming. Be careful though. Watch where you’re going there…”

Larabee shone the flashlight on the path above them. The two men climbed quickly up the hill, holding on to each other, dragging one another over the rougher spots.

Vin peered through the darkness, trying to see the entrance to the cave. Hoping it would appear before him. Hoping they were close. He wanted to get back quickly, let the boy know that help was on the way. It was just so dark. It didn’t make sense. They’d followed the shafts of light back to the main cavern. He shook his head. Maybe the vents in the ceiling opened to the other side of the hill and had been reflecting the setting sun.

At last they pushed through a clump of bushes and the deep shadow of the cleft that held the entrance was before them. Vin dived in, grunting and squirming as his shirt tore further in the narrow opening. He felt like his chest would explode by the time he finally tumbled free of the clutches of the constricted and twisted passage. He heard Chris behind him, not grunting quite as much. The man was whipcord thin. Then he heard a cry and swung around just in time to grab Larabee by the arm. His boot had slid in the slick mud by the entrance.

“You could warn a friend, you know,” growled Chris trying to scrape a chunk of mud off his heel on the nearby rocks.

“Sorry… forgot,” said Vin. “Through here.” He led the way further into the cave. Chris shone the light ahead. The cavern opened out before them.

“Hey! We’re here! I’m back!” called out Vin. There was no answer.

“There… over there,” said Vin pointing to where he’d left the young man.

The rock was there but no blond… no green eyes. Vin grabbed the flashlight from Chris and ran forward. He shone it all around, thinking maybe he’d mistaken the spot in the dark. Chris’ flashlight was one of those big ones with the bright beam. It swept over rocks, shale, sand… water.

He couldn’t have. Couldn’t have fallen in again. The Texan’s heart was pounding in fear. Why would he have moved? HOW could he have moved?

“Where are you? Answer me!” shouted Vin. But the beam of light found nothing. Tanner began to stride back and forth along the shoreline, aiming the light out onto the water, looking for a glimpse of blond hair, the flash of a white hand.

“He was here!” said Vin. “He was right here!” He shouldn’t have left him. But he had to go for help. He was in so much pain. “Please be all right,” he begged silently. “NO!” he yelled at the cavern. It echoed back at him over and over, mocking his puny efforts. He’d managed to get him so close to help. And now he’d lost him! His chest ached. He felt like he’d failed Chris… failed the kid.

“Easy, Vin,” said Chris, grabbing his arm. “Maybe he’s just moved. Let’s look all around first.”

A quick search of the cavern revealed no young man; only Vin’s backpack, dropped on the sand near the water. The sharpshooter was getting more wound up by the minute. He kept sweeping the water with the light, looking for any sign in or near the water. The memory of the first time the blond had disappeared into those dark depths kept flashing in his mind.

When Chris shook his head in the negative again after checking behind another boulder, Vin dropped the light and sitting down, started ripping the laces out of his shoes. Chris’ hands locked onto his arms like steel bands.

“NO, Vin,” he said. “You can’t go after him that way. You’ll never make it. We need to go back to the house and get more help. We’ll search the caves… but we need help.”

Vin fought him at first but Larabee was relentless in pushing him back towards the entrance. When they reached the narrow cleft they’d entered by, Chris stopped. He turned the flashlight on the mud just inside.

“Vin,” he asked. “Tell me what you see here.”

Tanner was still looking back towards the cavern they’d left, a troubled look on his face. The tone in Chris’ voice invoked his obedience. Larabee was asking him to use his talents for reading tracks. Vin rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to clear away the tears that threatened to spill. He crouched down by the mud.

“Here’s where I first came in.” He pointed to his boot prints. “And where I came back out and found you. I was runnin’ then.” He moved around a little more. “You and me comin’ back in. You slipped.”

“Any others?”

“No,” said Vin, frowning. “But there should be the kid’s tracks. He was wearin’ canvas high-tops. There any other way into these caves?”

“No,” said Chris. He grabbed hold of Vin’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”

“Ow!” groaned Vin, pulling away.

“You’re hurt?” asked Chris, peering at the torn and bloody shirt in the dim light.

“Just scraped up good. The kid’s the one who’s hurt bad.”

“We’ll hurry then,” said Chris, leading the way into the narrow passage.

Once they were free of the entrance to the cave, Vin pushed ahead. Chris struggled to keep up. Tanner crashed through the undergrowth, picking up speed as he moved down the steep hill.

Vin felt sick. He’d lost him somehow. All that way in the underwater tunnel. Then in the cave and back through the tunnels again. And he’d lost him when they were almost to safety. Somehow, he needed to find the courage to tell Chris that the young man he’d lost was his kin. He made his feet move faster.

Larabee grabbed his arm. “Slow down, Tanner!” he growled. “Won’t do that kid any good if you break your neck.”

Vin was inclined to growl back at him, but swallowed his anger and fear. Chris had a point. He slowed down… a little. Until they came in sight of the house. Then he put on a burst of speed again. It was all Chris could manage to keep up with him.

Tanner grabbed for the phone still gasping from his wild rush back to the house, but Larabee’s hand was over his in a second.

“What?” snapped Tanner. “We’ve gotta call out everybody… get ‘em looking!”

“We will Vin,” said Chris, “but first, I’ve got to show you something.” He took Vin’s arm and pulled him after him up the stairs.

Tanner went along muttering and cursing. “What the HELL’s so important that ya gotta show me right now?” He was getting angrier by the moment.

Larabee went straight to the room Vin had been staying in, the one Chris had slept in as a young man when he came for visits. There was a trunk at the foot of the bed. The blond knelt and opened it. He lifted aside several things, then pulled out what he had been seeking. Turning, he held it out to the younger man. His eyes were dark. Vin saw some emotion there he couldn’t read.

“This.”

In Chris’ hands lay strips of a plaid flannel shirt, wrapped carefully around pieces of driftwood. Exactly the same blue and green plaid, though somewhat faded, that Vin had carried with him into the cave. Torn into strips just like he’d done to splint the kid’s ankle.

Vin struggled to breathe. No! He shook his head. It couldn’t be. How could it be? He’d heard legends and stories of things like this happening. There were so many things that didn’t make sense… and did if he thought of it that way. The young man who looked so much like a younger Chris he could be his son… or Chris. The sunlight shining through the roof of the cavern, then the utter darkness of night when he burst free of the entrance. The kid not being where he’d left him when he went back with Chris. Then there was the clincher… the most important thing. The way his soul had been drawn to the young man, the irresistible lure of touching him and holding him. The instant rapport they had found, both in the cave and the moment their eyes had met across that warehouse, a friendship formed as they worked together to save Nathan’s life.

“I remember Vin,” Chris said softly. “I slipped on the loose shale and fell in. I remember being thrown around in the water. No more air. I thought I was dead. Then hands grabbed me… held on to me. Air pushed into my lungs… Vin… you saved my life.”

Vin stood stunned, his breath completely gone now. Slowly, he turned away, body curving in on itself as he remembered what had happened. All that had happened. He grabbed handfuls of hair, pulling on them, trying to bury his face and his shame in his hands. Vaguely, he heard an anguished moan and realized it had come from him. Why hadn’t he controlled himself better? Why had he ever thought he could indulge his feelings and not have it come back and bite him on the ass? Now he’d destroyed the one friendship, the one relationship he would have given his last breath to keep safe.

He felt strong hands on his arms. They turned him around, though he wouldn’t look up. Wouldn’t look into Chris’ eyes. He knew he couldn’t bear to see all he’d lost there. Arms wrapped around him. He was tugged close to a warm chest. Hot breath washed over his ear.

“You saved me, pard,” said Chris softly. “And you opened my eyes. Gives a whole new meaning to ‘watching my back.’” The blond’s voice was drawing him in. The low tones made him feel as if they were enclosed in their own private world. Speaking words only they would ever hear. A gentle hand stroked down his back. “I’m not sorry, Vin.”

Tanner felt his chest expand. He drug in air and slowly lowered his hands, daring to look into Chris’ face. And saw all the warmth, trust and care that had always been there. Felt the connection that thrummed between them. And the one thing he’d always looked for, wished for… it was there too. Love. It had been there all along. He just hadn’t known how to see it before.

Chris stood quietly, waiting for Vin’s response. He had opened his heart, let the younger man see all the emotion he usually kept buried deep inside. Now he was waiting to see if Vin could accept it. Tanner smiled and straightened, looking directly into his face as he spoke.

“I’m not sorry either, Chris.”

A wide smile broke over Larabee’s face. His eyes twinkled.

“Good!” he exclaimed. “Can we do it again?”

Vin’s jaw dropped open.

“Y-you want to… you m-mean…” He gulped. The hands on his arms slid around his back, drawing him even closer to the man who looked at him as if he were his last meal on earth.

“Wanted to ever since the first time. God! You were so hot! All grace and beautiful lines and curves… I wanted to try everything with you… learn everything about you.” Vin looked up at Chris in shock.

“M-me?”

“Yes, you! You see anyone else in this room?” The blond grinned wickedly. “Personally, I think it’s got a certain balance to it. You were my first… and you’ll be my last.”

“F-first? OH, God!” Vin groaned and tried to hide his face in his hands again. “Shit! I shoulda known it was you all along. Nobody else quite like you Larabee!”

“Does that mean you don’t want…”

Vin cut that off at the starting block. He grabbed Chris’ face in his hands and dove in for a fierce wild kiss. Yep. Larabee was a fast learner. He caught on real quick. Then Vin found the tables turned. Chris was kissing him and lights were flashing behind his eyes. His knees gave way and strong arms were holding him up. That was just fine until the tight hold ripped his t-shirt away from the bloody scratches on both his chest and back. He yelped and pulled away.

“What?” asked Chris, then realized the look on Vin’s face was pain, not pleasure.

“Damn Larabee!” growled Vin, trying to cover for his lapse. “Let a man breathe once in a while, will ya?”

Chris’ eyes narrowed, taking in the torn shirt. “You’re hurt.”

“I’m fine.”

“Yeah, sure. And where have I heard that one before.” Chris took hold of Vin’s shirt and jerked it off over his head.

“FUCK!” yelled Vin, trying to breathe through the pain. But it had done the trick in one swift move.

“Two birds with one stone,” said Chris, grinning. “I was planning on getting that shirt off of you pretty soon anyway.” He led Vin over to the bed and pushed him down to sit on the edge. “Now get those boots off. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Vin struggled with the laces a bit until he finally pulled his knife out of the boot sheath and just cut them. He’d managed to toe off the still damp shoes when Larabee reappeared. He carried a tray covered with items. Vin found a bottle of water shoved into his hand and eagerly opened it, slugging down half in one long gulp. Chris had moved around behind him on the bed and began cleaning the deep gouges over his shoulder blade.

“Shit!” snarled Vin, trying to pull away from the hands that held him still. “Think you can take off any more skin, Larabee. Try rubbin’ a little harder!”

“Shut up, Vin. I’ve got to get it cleaned out.”

Tanner continued to cuss and complain about the rough treatment but he held still. Then he heard the hiss of a spray and felt a cooling numbness settle over his back.

“What’s that?” he asked, struggling to look over his shoulder.

“Hold still!” said Chris. “I’m almost done.” He finished up and moved around to work on Vin’s chest. He showed Vin the can he held. “It’s some of that liquid bandage spray they have out now. Nathan orders it by the case load for you guys.” The blond grinned. “When he heard you were coming with me, he sent a half dozen cans along.”

Vin glared up at him with narrowed eyes.

“You’re walkin’ a fine line, Larabee.”

“You want to argue about this, wait until we get back home. I’ll show you the ‘injured in the line of duty’ statistics for the whole Denver division for the last year. Then I’ll show you your medical records for the same time frame. Shut up and let me finish. I’ve got better things to be doing with your body than patching it up.”

Vin wisely shut his mouth. There was no talking to Chris when he got that tone. Besides, that last part sounded promising. Larabee’s hand appeared in front of his face holding a power bar.

“Eat that,” said the team leader. “You’re going to need the energy.”

Grinning, Tanner tore it open and took a big bite. Sounded better by the minute. When Chris finished cleaning the shallower scrapes on his chest and sprayed the sterile sealant on the burning skin Vin reconsidered. The relief was immediate. Maybe he ought to start carrying around some of that stuff himself.

“Now,” said Chris, moving the tray off the bed. “We can get to the more important things.”

He pushed Vin back onto the bed.

“Hurt?” he asked.

“No,” said Vin, a little surprised. It should. His back was pretty torn up. He definitely needed to think about keeping some of that stuff around.

“Good.” Chris leaned over him, his eyes glinting.

Vin heard two loud thumps as Chris’ boots hit the floor. He felt a warm, heavy weight settle over him. Hot lips nuzzled at his neck.

“W-What’cha doin’?” Vin moaned as Chris latched onto his throat.

“Just returning the favor. I had a hell of a time explaining that lovebite you left on the back of my neck. Good thing my hair mostly covered it up.”

Vin thought back to in the cave and blushed bright red at the memory of the way he’d bit down on the back of Chris’ neck in passion.

“You’re cute when you blush.”

“Weren’t blushin’.”

Chris just grinned. He eased down Vin’s body.

“Wonder what else might be blushing.” The older man popped the button on Vin’s jeans and slid the zipper down.

“Nothin’,” said Vin, trying to sound firm, but his voice broke. “Ain’t blushin’.” He groaned at the release of pressure. His jeans had been strangling him.

“Ahhh,” said Chris, leaning down to nuzzle the hard cock that was pushing insistently at Vin’s underwear. “Looks like somebody’s happy to see me.” He opened his mouth and closed it over the cotton-covered hardness.

Tanner curled up with a shout, his eyes wide and staring.

“God Chris!” he yelled. “Give a guy some warnin’, will ya?”

Larabee smiled up at him, obvious evil intent gleaming in his eyes.

“Warning,” he said. Grabbing hold of Tanner’s jeans and underwear together, he jerked them down and all the way off his legs. Vin lay gasping, his eyes still wide.

“Beautiful,” said Chris, stroking his hands up the slender legs. “Just like I remembered.” He stopped in his motion upwards to nibble and taste Vin’s cock, lapping at the head where fluid had pooled. Vin moaned long and deep in his chest.

“You still taste good too,” said Chris.

“Wondered,” gasped Vin, grabbing hold of the quilts beneath him with both fists, “if you was tastin’ me or you.”

“You, of course,” said the blond. “I already knew what I tasted like.”

Tanner moaned as vivid pictures of the much younger but definitely not innocent Chris flooded his mind. Chris continued his trip upwards and finished with an attack on the sharpshooter’s mouth. Vin encouraged him, thrusting his tongue between the blond’s lips. Meanwhile, he let his hands rove over Chris’ body, stroking firm muscle.

“Ben,” moaned Chris, working his way down to the younger man’s neck again. Vin stiffened.

“Umm,” said the brunet, backing off.

“All this time,” said Chris, holding onto him tightly, not letting him pull away. He swiped his tongue over Tanner’s collarbone, lapping at the salty sweat that had gathered there. Chris chuckled. “All this time, I thought you said your name was Ben. Every time I dreamed about you… thought about you… I called you Ben in my mind.”

“Oh,” said Vin, letting Chris pull him closer now. “Well, you were close.”

“Like being this close.” Larabee rolled the younger man’s body underneath him, pressing his hard heat into Vin. His hands began to stroke over the muscles and skin, touching everywhere.

“I made them search for days…” Chris’ hands sought out hidden places, running his fingers over them again and again. Vin moaned and arched into the touch.

“They thought I was crazy… that I’d hallucinated you.” His body rubbed against the Texan, pressing into him, firing his nerves.

“Chris,” he gasped.

“But I knew I hadn’t… knew you were real.” Long slender fingers stroked over his body, finding spots Vin had never guessed were erogenous zones.

“Chrrisss,” Vin groaned.

“After my leg healed, I went back up there… looked for any sign that you’d really been there.” Chris seemed determined to touch, caress and explore even the smallest stretch of Vin’s skin. His hands slipped between, around, over. Tanner’s skin was on fire. His belly was on fire. He twisted and writhed as those gifted hands stoked the flames higher.

“Chrrrrisssss,” he keened, his body jerking, his hips arching against the weight above him.

“All I ever had was those strips of shirt… but I knew. I knew you were real…somehow. I dreamed about you for years. Fantasized about doing this to you…” Chris hand curled around his cock and squeezed firmly.

“Chrisss!” Vin screamed. “Stop! Stop!” Larabee released him abruptly, shifting away. Tanner gasped, trying to pull back from the edge and hold onto the warm body above him at the same time. “Just… just slow down. Ya’ve still got clothes on. I don’t want a bump and grind. I want you inside a me.”

“You’ve only been waiting a few hours,” said Chris in a deep voice, moving closer again once he realized the sharpshooter’s intentions. “I’ve waited all these years!”

Vin locked his fingers around Chris’ head, pulling until the man’s face was just above his own.

“Who’d a thought it!” he growled at the blond.

“What?” gasped Chris, drifting closer focused on the enticing lips and open mouth only inches away.

“That you’d be such a talker in bed!” said Vin, his eyes flashing. “Now…” The younger man lifted his head a fraction and latched onto Chris’ mouth. He plundered it ruthlessly, exploring quickly but thoroughly. Releasing the now swollen lips. “Could ya save all them words for later? I want you! And now!” Vin thrust his hips up, grinding their cocks together. Chris moaned, his whole body shuddering with the pleasure that flooded it.

“Yes…. Yes,” groaned Chris. “Just so many things I want to tell you. Waited all these years to tell you.”

“Quiet!” growled Vin again.

“Had quite a few years of talking to catch up on.”

“You done now?”

“Yep. All caught up.”

“Good. Then shut up. Never got more’n a coupla words to say most time. Tonight when I want you to get with it, can’t shut ya up. So save it all for later cowboy!”

“Everything but this…” he said and fastened his mouth over Tanner’s, delving deep and fast, sucking and thrusting. His hands dove down to grab Vin’s ass, kneading and pulling. Vin moaned into his mouth wildly, his body bucking beneath him. Finally, Chris let him go, gasping for air.

“I… want… inside…” gasped Chris, rocking against him, his hard cock thrusting against Vin’s hip.

“God, yes,” moaned Vin, his hips arching against Chris. “Want you… inside me… deep.”

Chris shuddered at the husky voice. He lunged towards the bedside table, jerking open the drawer and fishing inside. With a growl of triumph he pulled out a small bottle of massage oil. Vin eyed it in amusement.

“Do I want to know why that’s there in that drawer?” he asked, watching as Chris poured some in his hand. “Or how long it’s been… Aaaggggh!”

He thrashed around as Chris curled his hand around his cock and slowly stroked up its length.

“Ain’t been that long since I came to visit,” said Chris, definitely looking triumphant at the reaction he was pulling from Tanner.

Vin looked up into Larabee’s face and was caught by the smile. The one that always dazzled him. He’d always wanted to… What the hell, there’d never be a better opportunity. He was just within reach. Vin lifted his head and sucked that luscious lower lip into his mouth. Then it was Chris’ turn to moan and buck. Vin pulled the black shirt free and slid his hands up to meet bare skin. It was silk over steel, just like he remembered. He moaned into the other man’s mouth.

Chris broke free long enough to tug the shirt over his head, then he was back, rubbing against Vin, skin to skin. It felt wonderful. Vin wanted more. He slid his hand down and tugged open button after button on the black jeans. They opened easily and he slid his hand inside to find warm bare skin. Oh God! Chris gasped at his touches, then lurched off the bed. He tore the pants off and quickly resettled himself back on the mattress. Right between Vin’s legs. He opened the bottle of massage oil, poured some on his fingers and looked into the younger man’s face.

“Tired of waiting,” he said.

“Yesss,” groaned Vin, raising his knees and planting his feet on either side of Chris’ hips. He arched his own hips in invitation. Chris lowered his hand to stroke between his legs, his finger unerringly finding the right spot and pressing in. Vin moaned and lifted his hips higher. The slight burn was sweet and almost drove him right over the edge. “Oh God, yes!”

Chris pressed in deeper and began a slow in and out rhythm. Vin moved with him, his eyes half-closed as he savored the sensations. It felt so good, so right and he wanted to touch Chris, to make him feel the slow rising heat in his belly just like he did. He fumbled and found the bottle of massage oil.

Pouring some into the palm of his hand, he reached. He had to shift just a little but then he could wrap his hand around Chris’ cock. It was hard and leaking already. Chris growled, his eyes sparking. His hips began to move to the slow rhythm Vin was setting. He wrapped his hand around Vin’s just as he’d done in the cave and the younger man was gasping. Those long, slender fingers. He’d felt it then only he didn’t know what it was. He felt it again and knew it. The overpowering pull of Chris’ soul on his. Now he could let go. It was right. It was how things were meant to be.

His hand drew on Chris’ cock, making the little twist and thumb caress at the top that he already knew the man liked. Chris pressed in a second finger and Vin pushed back onto his hand, a growl coming from deep in his chest. Long fingers brushed over that sweet spot deep inside him and Vin was jerking and twisting. It felt like lightning rocketing through his body.

“More! MORE!” he growled.

The blond added a third finger, sliding them all in slowly.

“FUCK! CHRIS!” yelled Vin, his hips thrusting wildly.

The blond looked up into his eyes.

“Maybe later,” he said, grinning

Vin’s whole body shuddered in a slow roll from toes to head at that thought. He moaned.

“Chris!”

“I’m here. Now. With you.”

“Want you… here… in me… now AHHH! NOW! Please!”

The last word was a whimper. Chris smiled and removed his fingers. Sliding forward a little more, he pulled the younger man’s hips up onto his thighs. He bent forward and bracing above him with one hand, slowly guided himself home. Vin arched beautifully, keening his name. Then he was there, balls deep. It was so tight and hot. He thought he could come just from being inside Vin. He held still and just tried to breathe, looking down at the gorgeous body below him. The one he’d dreamed of for years. And now it was his.

“Oh yes! Oh shit… soo good!” Vin was gasping, his entire body shaking as waves of sensation rolled over him. He hooked his legs around Chris’ waist and pulled him closer. The blond slid slowly out and pushed back in.

“Oh fuck! Move… yes… more… harder…” The words fell from Vin’s lips followed by louder incoherent ones as Chris did what he wanted. Their bodies moved together and apart; each parting and thrust lifting them higher and closer.

Vin felt the pulling again and let go. His soul found its mate, blended with him and soared. His body arched and writhed in ecstasy. He screamed and clutched at the body driving into him, completing him. He was home. Heavy hot weight pressed him into the mattress, but he didn’t care. He didn’t want to move, ever. Breathing wasn’t necessary. Just the slowing beat of his heart and the one that matched it. He managed to lift his hand briefly; just enough to move it to stroke the soft blond hair. He could feel Chris’ body shaking. He turned his head slightly and pressed his lips to a damp temple.

“Vin?” asked Chris, lifting his head to look down into barely visible blue eyes.

“Mmmm,” was the only response.

“Vin… you okay?”

“Mmmmmmm.”

“Vin.” This time accompanied by a slight shake.

“Brain’s melted.” Vin tugged on him trying to pull the warm weight back down. He wanted to feel Chris’ skin against him.

Larabee chuckled. “I’m too heavy.” He pulled and shifted the other man’s body. “Come on, roll over.”

“Mmmmmm,” said Vin. “’kay.”

“You’re not helping.”

“Don’ wanna move.”

“You’ll like this.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Chris lay down beside the sharpshooter. With a little assistance from the other man, he got him settled curled up at his side, head on his shoulder and arm over his chest. A very delightful Texan blanket.

“Better?” Chris asked.

“Mmmmhmmm,” said Vin, snuggling in even closer. They lay in sated silence for a while.

“Who would have thought…” said Chris softly, enjoying the feel of the warm limp body draped across him.

“What?”

“That you’d be such a screamer in bed.”

A soft chuckle came from the region of just below his collarbone, soft curls tickling him under the chin. A stubble covered cheek moved back and forth, scraping across his nipple. Larabee groaned and clamped a hand on the other man’s head.

“Not just yet. Older man here.” A hand crept down to his groin.

“Not ‘s old yet.”

“We’ll get to that. Your turn next.”

“Countin’ on it.” Vin thrust his hips against him, sealing the promise.

The Texan’s hand began to drift and stroke, seeking out the places on Chris’ body that made his breath hitch and left tingles and shudders in its wake. Vin seemed to be exploring his body the same way he’d map out a new trail up in the mountains. He buried his fingers in the soft brown curls and relaxed, intent on enjoying the journey.

“I wonder…” came Vin’s soft voice.

“What?”

“I was just wonderin’ if I went back… or you came forward.”

“I think we met someplace in the middle Vin. Just like we always do. You’ve always been there to cover my back when I needed you. I just didn’t realize till today how long you’d been doing that.”

Vin chuckled but then looked up at the older man, his eyes serious and intent.

“Ain’t nothin’ I wouldn’t do for ya, Cowboy.”

Silence fell again as Vin continued his explorations.

“Did ya know it was me when me first met.”

Apparently the Texan’s language skills were returning… with a vengeance. Chris shook his head.

“It was too many years ago.” He smiled. “But now I know why you looked so familiar. I always remembered how blue your eyes were.”

“So, when did ya…”

“Know? I think I did when I really looked at your shirt this morning. I kept trying NOT to think about it all day. But when you didn’t show up and it was getting dark… all the memories started coming back. Clearer than they’d been for years. And when I saw you come flying out of the bushes… without the shirt. I was sure. Then I was afraid it was too late,” continued Chris, his voice tight with emotion. “All I could think of was how you disappeared all those years ago and no one could ever find you. I could never find you.”

“That was ‘coz I came back to you.”

“Yes, but I didn’t know that. I just knew that I had to find you. I grabbed the flashlight and took off running.”

“Larabee’s Search and Rescue, huh,” teased the brunet, trying to ease the tension some.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you Vin. I would have looked until I found you.”

“Wasn’t my idea to leave in the first place,” said Vin, stroking small circles on his chest. “Umm… Chris… about that.”

“Yes,” said Chris, trying to look stern. It was very hard with a warm happy armful of his favorite Texan.

“I really didn’t mean to go so far in. It’s just…” Vin angled his head so he could look into his team leader’s face.

“Well, this time…” said Chris, stroking a light finger across the younger man’s cheekbone, “I’ll forgive you.”

“Good,” said Vin with a happy sigh. “’Coz I’d really rather ya didn’t shoot me. ‘D rather take my turn at bein’ inside ya in a little while. It’d be a lot more fun all the way ‘round.”

Chris looked at him in shock, then suddenly burst out laughing.

“Yes, Vin,” he said. “A lot more fun all the way around.”

“And since ya don’t have to shoot me for foolin’ around with yer kin,” said Vin, pressing his point. “That means we can have a lot more fun tonight.”

It was really good to hear Chris laugh that way. One down. He still needed to write that letter though.

“Oh yes,” growled Larabee, “we’re going to have a lot more fun tonight.”

He pulled the younger man’s face to him and drew him into a long, tender kiss. Releasing him when both their bodies had begun to shake from the intensity of emotion, he whispered into his ear.

“Thank you, Vin. Thank you for making sure I have fun.”

He wrapped both arms around the younger man and settled him again on his chest. His fingers stroked through the soft hair over and over again. Tanner was silent for a while. Chris could almost hear him working his way through all the things that happened to him today… since he got up this morning… whatever it was. It had to be quite a lot to process. It was quiet again… for a few moments.

“Ya think it was fate?”

It was spoken in a quiet voice and Chris thought perhaps it was the most important question. He considered it carefully before he answered.

“Yes.”

A deep sigh from Vin and he moved even closer. Seemed he agreed. They still had a lot of questions to ask, things to talk over. But there was time now. They had all the time in the world now.

“All Hallow’s Eve,” Chris whispered. “When the walls between the worlds come down and other souls mingle with ours.”

“And our souls found each other.”

“My past, your present and our future,” said Chris. And Vin knew it was so. All the way to his soul.

Fini

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