The Years In Between

by TrueEnough

Widowers and Orphans

Chris loses his balance and throws his weight against Vin. Vin steadies them both, tightening his hold around Chris's waist. The shallow steps leading up to Vin's apartment cause Chris to come to a full, wavering stop and stare up at the double doors as if he is trying to figure out the best way to reach a mountain top. Vin takes Chris's wrist and wraps his arm around his neck. In a slow motion imitation of a three-legged race they scale the steps. Vin manages the locked door but brings them to another stop when they reach the lobby stairs. The thought of trying to balance them both up five flights proves daunting and causes Vin to lead them to the elevator. Sliding open the wrought iron door Vin hauls them inside.

"You're gonna to love this," Vin says closing the doorway behind them with a clang and catching Chris's dubious look. Pressing number five Vin braces them as the floor rattles under their feet. By the time they reach Vin's floor Chris has sobered but retained his hold on Vin.

The long hallway is well lit but it still takes Vin a moment to register that someone is sitting against his door. Never an optimist, he readies himself to step in front of Chris and deal with whatever waits for them. His caution proves to be unwarranted as Chanu stands up and walks towards them.

Chris tenses and tries to rise to his full height but is only partially successful.

"It's OK," Vin reassures, "he's my...brother," he says, searching for the right name.

"Chanu," Chris confirms.

Chanu nods and holds out his hand. "You must be Chris Larabee. I've heard a lot about you," he says giving Vin a look that means he hasn't heard it from him.

Chris shakes his hand. "Well, if it was anything good I'm here to shoot it down."

Chanu keeps a hold of Chris's hand and then wraps Chris's arm around his neck. "Oh no, man. I've been there. Nothing wrong with swallowing the worm on a school night every once in a while."

Chris lets out a small, sad laugh as Vin and Chanu make light work of him.

At the door Vin hands Chanu the keys. Kicking a small duffle bag through the doorway Chanu keeps his hold on Chris and lets Vin lead them to the bedroom.

Chris sits down heavily on the bed.

Tugging Chris's shoes off Vin worries out loud, "I don't want you two getting along. You'll just make my life hell."

Chanu swats him on the shoulder. "You got aspirin?"

"Yeah, in there."

Chanu heads for the bathroom as Vin begins to remove Chris's socks. Chris slumps forward, his forehead resting on Vin's shoulder. Vin balances them again and then struggles with the last sock. "C'mon, Chris," he pleads, almost laughing. Chris's foot hits the floor with a thud. Vin pushes Chris back and waves the sock in the air. The small victory makes them both smile drunkenly at each other.

Chanu clears his throat. Vin rises from his crouch and takes the water and aspirin from Chanu. "Thanks..." Vin mumbles wanting to shield Chris from the kind of observation he knows Chanu is capable of. "Chris, here," he says, holding out both the water and pills although Chris seems able to handle only one at a time. Vin braces his hands on his knees. "Try to head off some of that hangover you've got coming. Drink all of it. That's it. I'll bring you more." He finally takes the empty glass from Chris and hands it to Chanu in hope that he'll take it back out to the kitchen. Chanu sets it on the bedside table instead. Vin sighs and begins unbuttoning Chris's shirt. "How long you staying?" Vin asks Chanu over his shoulder, not meaning for it to sound so blunt.

Chanu pulls down the covers. "Long enough to crowd you."

Chris snorts as he fumbles with his belt buckle. The brief smile he shares with Chanu seems to indicate that they believe Vin needs to be crowded.

Unsettled by their rapport Vin yanks on Chris's pant legs harder than necessary effectively knocking him back.

Chris slips his feet under the covers and grunts. Vin pulls the covers up to his shoulders.

"I'll bring you some more water," Vin says quietly.

Chanu's voice almost startles him. "He's out."

It never rains but it pours, Vin thinks and smiles at Chanu in the dim light.

Chanu tips his head at Chris and then at Vin. "So. Tell me about your date."

Vin punches him in the shoulder hard enough to rock him back right before Chanu steps forward and holds him tight.

.....

Chanu unzips the two sleeping bags and piles them on top of each other while Vin pulls out two more blankets from the hall closet. The usual questions, What have you been doing lately? What's new? seem inappropriate, almost cruel and so Vin lets them go unasked.

Chanu answers them anyway. "It's been a while."

"A lot of changes," Vin agrees and spreads the blankets out over the sleeping bags.

"I was glad to find out you're all here now."

Vin loosens his boot and then holds it out for Chanu to pull off. "Nettie didn't want to stay in Texas anymore." And then his other foot. "Too many memories."

"Yeah..."

"Casey got into school here – gonna be a veterinarian – damn - " Chanu nods, proud of her, too, "and Nettie didn't want to leave her alone so soon after losing her momma." Vin shakes his head. "I don't rightly know how I ended up staying."

Chanu removes his own boots. "Casey tells me you're a private investigator in a fancy office."

"Ahh, hell. The office is fancy but I'm still running skips. Back up the rest of the boys."

"A good bunch?"

"The best. I'll introduce you."

"Already met one," Chanu smiles and looks towards the open door of the bedroom.

Vin bristles despite his effort not to. "He gets kind of wooly sometimes. Lost his family three years ago."

"Casey told me. Meant no offense."

"I know," Vin mumbles.

They dress down to their boxers and crawl under the covers.

In the dark Vin sighs. "Most of the time he's fine. He's kind of our team leader - and let me tell you none of us is easy to lead." Chanu's chuff of laughter lets Vin know he has no trouble believing him. "A reporter he's seeing - Mary Travis - wrote this piece about him and his family. It's a good piece but ol'Chris don't like to be exposed like that, I guess. Especially now."

Chanu rolls onto his side. "Like I said. No offense." Vin nods, closes his eyes and reaches out for sleep when Chanu asks, "Is he someone for you?"

Wide awake again Vin comes up on one elbow. "Is that something else Casey told you? Because if it is - "

"Relax," Chanu says closing his own eyes. "We ain't going to get no sleep at all if you keep jumping to conclusions all night."

"He's my friend, Chanu and I'd hate to lose that."

Chanu opens his eyes and rests the back of his hand on Vin's shoulder even after Vin lies back down. "First off, I didn't come here to clown around with your life. Secondly, when have I ever needed someone else to tell me what I can see for myself?"

"Chanu..."

"I'm your friend, too, Vin."

"I know - I - shit. Tell me again why you're here."

Chanu laughs sleepily and doesn't answer. Vin finds sleep much later with Chanu's hand still on his shoulder.

.....

Chris is up, sitting on the edge of the bed trying to open his eyes against the light coming in from Vin's bedroom window when he hears Casey's unmistakable squeal. Cradling his head in his hands he groans.

Vin leans in through the doorway. "You decent?"

His head pounding, mouth dry, Chris still has the presence of mind to ask Vin to, "Define decent."

Hardly decent himself, barefoot and in jeans, Vin pads in, smiling, and hands over another glass of water and more aspirin. Chris takes it gratefully and finishes the water in one long swallow.

Vin braces his hands on his knees and tells Chris quietly, "Come on out when you're ready for some commotion."

Chris laughs the way he does and Vin leaves him with a swat on the leg.

When Chris re-emerges he is dressed again in work trousers, his wrinkled shirt buttoned and tucked in. The brightly lit living room still makes him squint but he smiles and holds out his hand again to Chanu. "Sorry about last night. I..."

Chanu loosens himself from Casey's hold around his waist and shakes Chris's hand warmly. "No need for that. Glad I finally met you."

"Same here," Chris says with some relief and quickly takes in Casey beaming at him, Vin, now in a tee-shirt and Nettie's knowing gaze. Clearing his throat he extends an invitation. "I know it's short notice but why don't you all come out to the ranch tomorrow. Good weather for a barbeque. Maybe the rest of the boys can come out, too. Meet Chanu."

"Sounds like a plan, Chris Larabee," Nettie says kindly, still holding him with a level look.

"Good, good," Chris says, heading for the door. "Is noon OK?"

"We'll be there," Vin says, following. "I'll give you a lift back to your truck."

"Nah. Stay here, catch up. I gotta run some errands around here anyways." He smiles. "El Toro Meats is just down the street, right? I'll pick up some of their carne asada you like so much."

"Don't go to any trouble. You sure...?"

"No trouble and the exercise will clear my head. See you tomorrow."

Not really wanting to let him go Vin grabs his forearm and to his surprise Chris takes a hold of his in return. They embarrass each other by squeezing tightly and then Chris is through the door.

.....

It is a warm day with just a slight cool breeze to remind them that Spring is not over yet. In a couple months only the most hardy foliage will thrive but on this day everything is green and blooming.

"You like it here, Tatanka?" Chanu asks from the passenger seat of Nettie's old Volvo.

"Guess so," Vin replies, driving with his wrist hung over the steering wheel. "It's the longest I've stayed in one place since we were kids."

"Yeah, makes a difference when you've got people."

"Vin's got lots of people here," Casey pipes up from the backseat where she sits next to Nettie. "The guys he works with are like brothers - they even fight like brothers."

Chanu turns in his seat to look at Vin and Casey over his shoulder. "Oh, so I've got competition for getting Vin all riled?"

Casey giggles.

"Nah, you've got the market cornered on that." Vin waits a moment and then asks carefully. "I know how much you like Santa Fe but why don't you think about moving up here?"

"I might. It's not home like it use to be."

Even Casey remains quiet, all of them knowing that it's a decision he will make all on his own.

Vin turns in to Chris's negligible driveway, through the old oak trees and out to the front of the house. Buck and Josiah's trucks are already there along with Nathan's. Proving his suspicion right that JD came with Buck the young man in question barrels through the heavy wooden door of Chris's courtyard and heads straight for Casey's car door. Vin parks and smiles at Chanu as JD and Casey continue their courtship.

Casey rolls her eyes and opens her own door. "I've got it."

"You looked like you were having trouble," JD teases.

"I did not. Why don't you help Nettie?"

"I'm just fine," Nettie assures them, opening the back for a flat of peaches. "Why don't you introduce Chanu around?"

And they do. With more grace than might be expected from two such exuberant people. Vin shares a smile with Nettie and takes the flat from her while she gathers a grocery bag. They follow the sound of voices through the house to the open kitchen that looks out over the back courtyard. Vin is heartened to see Chanu being greeted warmly by Josiah, Nathan, Rain and Buck although he expected nothing less. He sets the flat on the counter and lets the sounds of a busy house wash over him as he turns on the water to wash the fruit.

Chris sidles up to him without tripping off his usual defenses. "What do I owe you?" he asks, picking up a fat peach and breathing in the sweet smell.

"Nothing. Just make a big fuss over dessert."

"Don't need to coach me on that." Chris takes a juicy bite and then wheels away to let Nettie scold him.

Josiah clears his throat. "I doubt that we'll see Ezra until we're sitting down to eat. Would now be a good time to fire up the grill?"

There's a general, albeit enthusiastic agreement and after raiding the kitchen of a staggering amount of barbeque meat and beer they head outside. Nettie takes in the peaches that Vin has sunk to the bottom of a sink and shoos him out with the rest.

Chanu's good humor is a welcome sight but Vin can see grief spark against his resolve. There is more discipline than happiness in his smile. Chanu is paying attention to all the social cues and answering them so fast as to fool almost everyone.

Vin leans against the railing and empties the neck of his beer to clear his vision. His eyes fall unerringly on Chris to his left, his back to him, amiably lighting the briquettes while Josiah unwraps several packages from El Toro's. Chris pokes at the grill and shifts from side to side. Ants in his pants, Nettie would say. He smiles to himself and then wipes the smile away with a single thought: Widower. Just like Chanu. Still grieving in black. Head to toe.

All of them here missing someone. Casey her momma and Nettie Ko-Je. Rain's father passed away not even a year ago and Nathan's only months after that. Josiah with a sister who is still alive but lost to him in just as profound a way as death. And Vin with a single photo of his mother and few memories to back it up.

Widowers and orphans. They are the perfect charity although Vin feels none of the hurried kindness of such a thing. A weight settles heavily in his chest and then swells. These people, he thinks but cannot finish the thought.

There is a flash and a click and Vin blinks at a grinning JD. JD lopes over to him and shows him the small screen on the back of a digital camera. There he is, pixilated, looking off towards Chris and nothing else.

JD follows the eye line from the image to Chris tending the grill and laughs. "You sure must be hungry."

Vin nods. "Stomach's growling."

"Ah, won't be long," JD reassures him and then holds the camera up again to take another picture. Vin looks the traitorous camera in the eye and smiles.

.....

Not unusual these days Chris's house is busy inside and out. Nettie has taken over the kitchen while Buck points out all the special touches Sarah put into the entire property. Casey and Rain enjoy all the amenities inside with its open floor plan while JD and Nathan gravitate to the courtyard and pool. Chris smiles watching Vin take Chanu past all of the aforementioned and head straight for the corral. The horses are out, enjoying the extra attention and apples, tossing their heads and stomping the ground if they're ignored for too long.

Platters and serving bowls Chris barely remembers owning are brought out and set on the round table off to the side. Ezra does indeed show up as they are about to sit down and pretends to take umbrage at everyone's amusement. It's a tight fit but no one seems to mind.

Chris refuses to admit that he can cook but admits that he loves to grill. The food is hearty and just a little spicy and everyone digs in.

The table is full of animated talk and underneath it a myriad of unspoken communication. Buck looks at Vin sitting next to Chanu and making his assumption catches JD's eye and winks. JD frowns, disagreeing. Casey catches Chris looking at Vin and smiles as Chris turns his attention back to his plate. Ezra tells of his mothers latest exploits but his sardonic description also holds his affection for someone who could get away with it.

Nettie and Casey bring out another large bowl brimming with sliced peaches along with Ezra's vanilla bean ice cream. There are several protests of being too full but eventually everyone takes a bowl.

The sound of heels on flagstone catch Chris's attention right before Mary steps around the corner of the house with a man Vin doesn't recognize. She smiles sheepishly. "I'm sorry to barge in like this but...no, no please don't get up."

Chris remains standing. "Would you like some dessert?"

Mary edges closer and lowers her voice. "I was hoping that we could talk to you." And when Chris doesn't move. "Privately."

Chris visibly reins in his temper and then just as visibly lets it go. "Of course." He gestures towards the kitchen and then closes the double doors behind them.

Chris's company tries to go back to their dessert but the results are distracted at best.

Chanu stirs his forgotten bowl. "Is that Mary Travis?"

Casey uses her spoon to section the fruit into bite size pieces. "Yeah. And her editor Gerard Whitman."

Chanu nods, still stirring. "She's blonde like Claire." Vin watches him carefully. "I use to tease her that she looked like she was carved out of white chocolate." Vin grins while Nathan soothes Rain's back as she hiccups a laugh and swallows her ice cream quickly. Everyone laughs and releases some of the tension.

When Chris comes back out he's alone and draped in a protective quietness they all recognize. "They - uh - couldn't stay." He turns to Vin. "There's still plenty of daylight left. Why don't you take that horse of yours for a ride? Chanu can ride Pony."

Vin stands and grabs his forearm and holds on. "I will. But you come with us."

"Nah," Chris says even though Vin is already tugging him along.

"Casey," Vin says over his shoulder, "get his other hand."

Giggling, she does as JD pretends to push from behind.

"Chanu," Josiah calls, "take my horse."

"Thanks, Josiah," Chanu says with a nod and runs to catch up with the others.

When they saddle up Chris lets Pony have the reins and the animal reaches out into a full gallop. Casey, looking even more diminutive on Buck's big grey, tries to keep up with him at first and then lets him go.

JD rides up to her side and tells her everything he knows about Chris. "He'll catch up with us when he's ready."

The Making of a Relative

Even from a distance Vin can tell it's Chanu. Fists up and flying, gesturing, c'mon, c'mon. Is that all you've got? The numbers are telling, too. Three against one. Vin speeds up only to skid to a stop. "Chanu," he yells, "get in!" Chanu looks at Vin, furious and turns away from him only to tackle one man while the other two lift him off by the hair and continue to pummel him.

Vin leaps out of the Jeep, "Aww, hell" and quickly dispatches of two of Chanu's assailants while the third runs away. He hauls Chanu to his feet and despite all his training is completely unprepared for the left handed blow to his cheek. More shocking than painful it nonetheless allows years of control to finally slip the leash. Vin grabs Chanu by the throat and using his heel kicks Chanu's feet out from under him. Chanu lands flat on his back, the wind knocked out of him. Somehow unprepared again, Chanu's hands circle Vin's wrist and tighten, hold him there. Vin wrenches his hand away and stands on unreliable feet. "You asshole!" Chanu rolls to his side gasping for air. "Is that why you're here? Hope someone will kick the shit out of you, put an end to it all?"

Chanu keeps his back to Vin, still catching his breath. "I don't care. I don't care anymore."

"You stupid fuck. You must be lucky because you came to the right place. If you don't care Nettie and Casey do." Vin catches his own breath. "Hell, I might even care." Vin holds his hand out. "C'mon. Get up."

Chanu sits up but keeps his back to Vin. Vin grabs him under one arm and by the bicep with the other and brings him to his feet. It's only then that he sees the tears bleeding into the scrapes on Chanu's face. Still keeping his hold and still angry he loosens his grip and apologizes. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too," Chanu tells him around a stifled sob.

"OK. OK. Let's just go home, all right?"

Chanu nods and for the second week in a row Vin takes a friend home and helps him on to the elevator.

.....

As soon as Chanu kneels beside his sleeping bag Vin is awake.

"Tatanka, I have something to ask you. It's important."

Vin is about to point out that it's been a long day before his eyes adjust to the dim light and he sees the dark bruise around Chanu's neck. Sitting up he nods.

"I wanted to ask you," Chanu begins, "if you'll be my brother?"

Vin pats Chanu's forearm. "You are my brother. I think we proved that today."

"No," Chanu shakes his head as if Vin has misunderstood entirely. "I want us to be blood brothers. I want to claim you as a relative and I want you to claim me." Vin's stunned silence causes Chanu to rush on. "I've been talking to Tastanagi - he still lives in Santa fe and he said he would come up here and guide us if that's what we wanted. We could use the peace pipe that Ko-Je made for you. Imala can play the drums."

Vin has been nodding to no avail and so finally he says, "Yes. Chanu, yes. I want to be your brother."

"OK." Chanu sighs explosively, happy. "I'll call him tomorrow - today - later."

Vin nods and laughs quietly, the seriousness of what they mean to do still settling over him.

Chanu watches him for a moment and then tugs on his sleeping bag. "Either scoot over or come to bed, Vin. I'm tired of you being so careful around me."

Vin's eyes dart over Chanu's neck.

"You didn't hurt me."

"Yeah, I did."

"Got my attention."

Vin shakes his head. "I don't want to fight you."

"Good. Cause you obviously know what you're doing."

Vin tries to smile at the joke but can't.

"I need you, Vin," Chanu says almost gruffly, leaning down to catch Vin's eye. "So don't keep me at a distance for my own good. I don't do very well there."

Vin looks up and takes his time studying Chanu and Chanu lets him. Finally, he nods.

"Find what you need?" Chanu asks seriously.

"Yeah."

"Get up, then," Chanu says with a choked laugh. "Come to bed."

Vin grabs his pillow and follows Chanu back to bed. Throwing his pillow next to Chanu's he climbs in and falls into a dreamless sleep.

.....

The week goes by quickly with two cases wrapped up before Thursday. Vin waits anxiously but is grateful when he is not sent out of town on a skip. Chanu has made all the arrangements for Tastanagi and his son Imala to stay in a furnished unit across from Nettie. When they arrive on Saturday Nettie makes a stew and fry bread and seems to enjoy having a full house.

Vin was a teenager the last time he saw Tastanagi and while he is spirited and sharp Vin cannot help but notice how the years have turned Tastanagi's hair white and bent his bones and yet he is still a magnificent sight.

Casey has appropriated JD's camera and takes pictures of them throughout the night and then prints out several including the ones taken at Chris's barbeque. Sitting on Nettie's braided rug with Vin she makes him pick out his favorites all the while throwing in her own. Imala sits at an angle from Chanu and watches quietly as Chanu uses a small pair of scissors to open the stitching of his medicine bag. Vin looks up in time to see Chanu slip off his wedding band and place it inside. Imala hands over a threaded needle and watches again as Chanu sews it up.

Vin picks up a picture of Buck holding a laughing JD in a head lock and studies it for a long time.

.....

Sunday morning and Vin rises early. He pushes aside his usual blue jeans and tee-shirt and pulls out a copper colored shirt and jeans the color of buckskin. His best boots, the ones recently re-heeled, are set by the door. A red bandana is chosen over his lone black tie or a lariat.

Chanu stumbles out of bed, stops unsteadily in his tracks and smiles at Vin.

Vin smoothes a hand self-consciously over his shirt. "What?"

"Nothing. Just feel good, is all."

Vin visibly relaxes and nods as Chanu passes him.

Nettie calls while Chanu is showering and tells Vin that they are setting up on the roof and to come up when they're ready. Vin sits on his small couch and pushes his feet into his boots, stands to settle his heels and is almost surprised when Chanu emerges. His unruly hair has been brushed out smooth although Vin doubts it will stay that way for long and he is dressed in blue jeans and a denim shirt that looks like it has seen Nettie's iron.

Suddenly at a loss for words for each other Chanu gestures mutely at the door.

Vin heads that way and then, "Oh, yeah - wait," and goes to the fireplace mantle. He opens a long, narrow case and folds back a red cloth to reveal his peace pipe. It is a tangible connection to Ko-Je and the obviously care that went into making it never fails to hold him still. The bowl of the pipe is made of soft ivory stone that Ko-Je collected while visiting his own blood brother in Nevada with a stem made of sumac. Near the mouthpiece hangs a single feather.

Almost as if he is watching someone else proceed Vin joins Chanu as they head up to the roof. He opens the door to reveal bright morning light, the air still chilly but giving way to the sun. Imala kneels behind his drums as Tastanagi stands beside him. Nettie and Cassie are standing close by and behind them JD, Chris, Ezra, Buck, Josiah, Nathan and Rain are gathered. Vin stops in his tracks causing Chanu to walk into him.

"I - ," Vin stammers, "I thought it was just us," meaning the people he grew up with.

"It is, Vin," Chanu assures him while including Vin's friends. "It's just us."

Tastanagi smiles kindly at Vin's skittishness as Vin tries not to notice Buck's more teasing smile or the amused whispered exchange he has with Ezra. Chris waits patiently for Vin to feel his own steady gaze and when Vin finally does he nods almost imperceptibly at him. Vin returns the nod and takes his place with Chanu in front of the small congregation.

Tastanagi turns toward the gathering and begins.

"The Sioux believe that we are all relatives, Mitak oyasin, and that it is good to meet those that you find on your path who have a special relationship with you. Still, one does not make everyone a blood relative. The making of a relative is not a whimsical act. The cutting of ones self is not for dramatic effect but to signify the seriousness of the family involved." Looking at Chanu and Vin Tastanagi adds, "And while the anticipation is more painful than the actual cut, it serves its purpose and takes courage."

Trusting that he has brought everyone to some kind of understanding Tastanagi gathers the long hair from horse tails and waves it over Vin and Chanu. "Horses are free in spirit. It is good to be a relative but the tail hairs remind us to remain free and flowing and not to hold each other back." Setting the tail hairs down he opens a pouch and places sage and sweet grass into Vin's pipe. Vin lights it and then with Chanu turns East.

Finding his voice Vin holds the peace pipe up to offer the sweet smoke. "We ask that we help each other as brothers in our quest for knowledge and wisdom while we are on our Earth path."

Turning South Vin hands the pipe to Chanu who continues. "We ask for healthy bodies and promise to recommend to each other healthy food or abstinence when needed." He hands the pipe back to Vin and they turn West.

Vin holds the pipe up again and then overcome for a moment finds it almost too heavy to lift. A fine tremor runs through his body as he raises it up to the sky. "We welcome the spirit world and trust that we have a common path, the red way." Clearing his throat he continues. "We call upon all that have gone before and thank our mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, friends, wives and children for their guidance - for bringing us here."

They turn North and gather themselves as Tastanagi places tobacco in the pipe. His voice both soft and rough Chanu takes the pipe. "We ask that our friendship, through our blood relationship, last for our whole lives."

Tastanagi takes the pipe and offers Chanu a gleaming knife with a silver and turquoise handle. Chanu takes it and holds the tip to the heel of his palm and makes a small incision. A wheel of blood forms, swells and then trickles down his wrist, catching at the sleeve of his shirt. Vin takes the knife and with deliberation makes a similar cut. He hands the knife back to Tastanagi and then claps Chanu's hand. The sting of someone else's blood pressing against his makes Vin's throat tighten, his eyes burn. Imala plays the drums. Without letting go Chanu tows Vin in a circle, nothing more than a slow shuffle of feet but it takes all of Vin's concentration. Chanu squeezes his hand and Vin looks up into Chanu's eyes and finds his place there. No need to look away. Look right at me. Like this, see? Still holding on Vin steps around Chanu and tows him until the drums stop. Chanu brings the back of Vin's hand up to his chest and lets him feel his pounding heart, lets him see the love he has always held for him. Reaching inside his shirt he pulls out his medicine bag and removes it one handed. Holding it up he offers it to Vin who hesitates for only a moment before bowing his head to let Chanu drape it around his neck. Vin gestures for the peace pipe and offers it to Chanu. When they finally let each others hands go it's only so they can hold each other closer. A siren wails down along the street and in answer a train whistle sounds off in the distance, high and lonely and beautiful all the same.

Vin releases his hold and steps back to shore up his composure but is nearly undone again by the sight of his friends who are quiet and moved and no less transformed than he is.

Nathan is the first to move. He picks up a large first aid kit off to the side and lets his former Army medic training kick in. He crouches down in front of Vin and Chanu and they do the same. As Nathan soaks gauze pads with saline and wipes away the drying blood the others gather themselves and file quietly downstairs. Efficient and gentle, Nathan finishes dressing their small cuts and then stands and offers both of his hands to Vin and Chanu and pulls them upright. With only a few glancing jabs about Nathan's choice of supplies they follow the others down to Vin's apartment.

.....

Vin finds that his apartment looks different with so many people in it. Not cluttered as he had expected but more along the lines of all the things he was sure he didn't need finally being useful. Not quite enough seating means that kitchen chairs are pulled out, while Buck seems satisfied to perch on the arm of the couch or like Chris sit in the window seat. For a moment he feels as if he is looking at a busy city from an aerial view.

JD and Ezra shake Vin and Chanu's hands warmly while Buck and Josiah engulf them in hugs. Chanu drifts into the kitchen to help with the coffee that Nettie is preparing.

Vin looks at Chris across the length of his living room and holds his hand up in greeting to reveal a square purple band aid with a bright green dinosaur. The corner of Chris's mouth twitches against a smile. Vin drops his hand and watches Chris stand and then walk towards him in a straight line even as Buck, JD and Nettie bustle around him.

Not for the first time Vin notices that while Chris guards his own space with a look or temper that he apparently has no compunction at all about stepping into his. Vin considers moving back or at least shifting to one hip but instead holds his ground. Chris takes some of the challenge out of his proximity by looking over Vin's shoulder at some middle distance.

"That was...really something," Chris says unable to find any other words.

Vin nods, feeling the same way.

Chris returns his attention to Vin. "I've never seen brothers claim each other that way."

Vin clears his throat. "People tend to do it all the time - just without the ceremony."

Chris looks around at the people that surround them and it's his turn to nod. "Didn't mean to parachute in on you. Casey told JD we should be there."

"She was right. I'm glad y'all are here. Sorry I didn't ask you myself."

Chris shrugs one shoulder, understanding, since he too, lives his own life close to the vest. Moving on he looks down at Vin's hand and turns it palm up.

Vin smiles along with Chris. "Nathan swears Rain bought 'em but I don't know..."

Chris looks at Nathan, sitting in the kitchen, and lets him see his teasing smile. "Find out something new about Nate every day."

Nathan rolls his eyes but is unable to hide his own smile.

Chris hiccups a laugh and Vin's fingers slip from his hold.

Casey comes bounding through the front door carrying a shoebox cradled in one arm and Vin wonders how he could have missed that she wasn't there already. Beaming, she takes the lid off and begins handing out small photographs, about the size of his hand, all them in simple wood frames painted black. "They have sticky things on the back. Just press them on the wall and then write your name underneath it."

Vin looks at the wall she's referring to, between the fireplace and the window seat. It's an area that is too small for a painting and too big to hang a clock. Like most of the apartment he has left it bare.

Casey hands Vin the last two photographs, one of himself the other of his mother. It takes a moment for him to realize that it's a copy of his only picture of her, the faded colors have been brought to clear black and white, the same as all the others. A crease from one corner has been removed entirely. She was not much older than Casey when it was taken although her eyes are far more knowing. Still, they glow. Her long brown hair falls over shoulders and the sun shines on it. A gauzy peasant blouse hides her pregnancy.

Vin is unable to move or look away until Casey leads him to the wall. He stares at the blank space and then shrugs at Casey, unsure of where to begin. She takes his mothers picture carefully from him and holds it to the center of the wall and then looks to him for his approval. He nods. She takes the backing off, presses it to the wall and holds out a marker for Vin to write her name. He shakes his head and gestures for her to write it. She smiles kindly at him and then in her round penmanship writes, Marie Tanner.

"My stars and garters," Nettie blurts out, "I've never seen anything like it."

There is a stunned moment of silence and then relieved laughter fills the room. On surer ground Vin presses his own picture next to his mothers, just a little lower and signs his name.

Casey pulls Nettie forward who pushes through decades of ingrained rules about writing on a wall and signs under her own picture. Applause follows. Vin stands back and lets his brothers and sisters find their place in his home the way he has found his. When he hugs Casey he lifts her off her feet and squeezes her until she squeals. Imala signs his name under his fathers and then hands the marker to Chris. The pictures are not in any kind of order or lined up. More of a collage of familiar faces and names. The space next to the picture of Vin looking off to the side is open. Chris places his picture there and carefully signs his name with an unsteady hand.

.....

The Saloon and Steakhouse is owned by a former barmaid named Inez Recillos who bought the bar and the failing restaurant beside it, knocked down their common wall and caught customers who were either hungry or thirsty or both. Located in the middle of Old Town it draws both tourists and downtown regulars.

Inez helps a waiter push together two large round tables as a hostess escorts what the staff call The Magnificent Seven and their guests to their usual spot. Set a couple steps above the rest of the dining floor it allows the seven gentlemen the lay of the land and their backs to the wall.

Buck flirts unendingly with Inez and she shoots him down with little mercy beyond a wink as she makes her introduction to Tastanagi, Imala and Chanu. Despite this she sends out a large platter of assorted appetizers - off the bill - and makes sure that they are waited on as unobtrusively as possible. She watches with satisfaction as they become animated with food and drink and marvels at the way loners congregate so well with each other. She pours the coffee herself after dessert and peeks quickly over Vin's shoulder as he doodles on a cardboard coaster with Ezra's good pen. A stickman dancing is all that she has time to make out. Looking up she catches Chris watching Vin, too.

When they leave she is amused by her own feeling of sending old friends off on a long boat trip instead of out to valet parking. As they file out Chris hesitates only a moment before he reaches back and slips Vin's coaster in his pocket. From the wide open doorway of the Saloon Inez watches and smiles.

Chris uses his considerable discipline to wait until he is home and sitting by the blue urn before he takes the coaster out. A stickman with Rasta hair dances wildly, motion marks around his knees and elbows. Chris snorts. There is some true doodling, a perfect spiral, a square sectioned off into triangles. Off to the side in Vin's careful hand Chris reads, Mother don't worry, I've got a coat and some friends on the corner. He smiles. And down at the bottom in smaller script, Your eyes are what the time is, 25 past eternity. It strikes him as a perfect description of Vin's eyes as he is unable to look at his own in that way. And for no more reason than Vin has written something that is true Chris places the coaster in a bedside drawer next to his gun and a box of bullets.

Buck Wilmington's Animal Magnetism

Buck watches Vin from the corner of his eye and as he is prone to do, worries. It's not the first time Vin has come back from a skip sporting a black eye or scrapped knuckles but those small injuries seem to speak of some deeper hurt. At first he thought it was because Chanu had left only days after becoming Vin's brother but that proved unfounded when he learned that Chanu was packing for his move to Purgatorio.

Buck smiles to himself. Sometimes he can be so wrong. When he first met Chanu he had thought, Finally. Someone for Vin - common foster care be damned. But then he had witnessed them become brothers and any other supposition he held for them lost its weight. When Casey first told JD and Buck about Vin and Chanu's plans to make each other a relative and what that entailed Buck had held his tongue and written it off as something that boys do while camped out in a back yard. And while he knows that their presence there had been a shock to Vin he also knows that that single day made all of them closer.

Despite this, he believes that Vin lives too far inside himself, watching, paying attention, loyal and ready to act on it but still somehow removed. It's ironic then that Vin should be the one to draw Chris out from his own self imposed exile. Buck has admitted to himself a kind of puzzled hurt at not being able to credit some of his own efforts for Chris's restoration. He knows that Josiah would tell him that they had all saved each other from whatever edge they were living on with the offer of work, partnership and a willingness to let each other be no matter the confusion it caused.

Vin leans forward in his chair and proofreads what he has entered and then quietly exasperated holds his finger down on the delete key effectively erasing half of it. Buck sympathizes, knowing first hand how difficult it is to describe a fist fight.

"Wooow," Chris says while he leans over JD's shoulder as JD makes a new software program look easy. It's not often that JD has Chris's attention and approval at the same time so Buck postpones his teasing for later, maybe on the drive home.

Nathan joins Chris and hovers over JD's other shoulder.

"Anyone heard from Ezra and Josiah?" Buck asks anyone who will answer.

Vin leans back and looks over at Buck seemingly grateful to answer to anything besides the work in front of him. "Ezra called and said they found three offshore accounts and it looks like there are more. He doesn't think they'll be back before Wednesday or Thursday."

"They'll be back before Wednesday," Chris informs them, never mind Ezra's estimate.

"Still sounds like a vacation to me," Buck says trying to sound put out. "When do I get an assignment by a beautiful beach?"

Vin offers, "You can go with me the next time a skip heads off to Corpus Christy."

"Texas ain't the same, Vin," Buck replies to the tease. "No offense."

"None taken," Vin says and then winks at him with his black eye.

Buck smiles and watches Vin go back to work, writing out his report for Judge Travis in fits and starts. Too bad about Chanu, Buck thinks. Brotherhood and all aside. Vin needs someone whether he knows it or not. At the moment though he is more interested in bringing Vin further out of his shell even if he must play the fool.

Vin finishes his report and then stands over the printer as it warms up and prints out. Buck sidles up to him and wraps his long arm around Vin's shoulder and turns him to take in the full view of Chris leaning over JD's shoulder. It's nothing he hasn't done a dozen times before to make sure Vin noticed every potentially available delivery man from mail to water. This time though it is as if he is moving in slow motion, seemingly with ample time to stop and correct the mistake he is about to make but time presses forward ruthlessly. He's sees Vin register what he is up to, adopting a resigned smile and letting Buck maneuver him and then freezing at the sight of Chris. The indulgent smile vanishes. Buck has another suspended half moment to puzzle over it before Vin uses the heels of his hands to shove him away. Buck staggers against Vin's desk nearly knocking over his chair. Chris, Nathan and JD rush towards them but Buck wards them off with his hand. Vin's chest heaves trying to catch his breath. Buck holds his hands up to him and slowly approaches.

"Buck," Vin manages but that's all.

"Vin, it's all right."

Vin shakes his head, not wanting Buck to either understand or apologize. He holds his hand out. Buck slowly lowers his and then takes Vin's hand. "I'm sorry, Buck. I'm sorry. You startled me, is all." Vin's grip is too strong as if he holding on from the edge of a cliff and vibrates with tension. Buck closes his other hand over Vin's and tries to soothe it and then nods feeling no need to correct him even though he knows it's not true.

"I'm all right, pard," Buck assures him and squeezes his hand.

Vin lets go abruptly and turns to collect his printed report. "This is all done," he says to Chris and drops it on his desk. "Jet lag, I guess."

Chris nods. "Why don't you call it day? Head out to the ranch for the weekend?"

"I reckon I ain't proper company right now so I think I'll just head on home."

"Vin..."

"Call me if you need me."

"I will."

Embarrassed and regretful and still a little angry Vin shakes hands with Buck again who lets go hesitantly and then he is out the door.

"What the hell just happened?" Chris asks, ready to take Buck to task if his answer is unsatisfactory.

Buck turns back to Chris and wonders if Chris knows or if he should tell. He settles on the truth instead. "I got too close."

Chris frowns but accepts his answer.

A New Hat

Vin twists the latch on the bedroom window and then pushes it up. Cool air rushes in along with the early morning sounds of Purgatorio. A car drives by tuned in to salsa music. Selma calls her little brother in for breakfast with more authority than their mother. The lights for the bakery blink on and off across the street. Vin slips through the window out on to the fire escape and wraps his arms around his knees.

If he were at Chris's ranch Peso would be out for a long ride. Vin would give him the reins and let him run full out. If he timed it right they could come back just in time for pancakes, eggs and sausage even though Chris swore he couldn't cook to save his life as apparently breakfast and barbecues don't count.

Vin pulls his legs closer against the wind whistling around him.

Sometimes, not often, when Chris is both hungry and distracted, he hums around his food not unlike the way Vin plays his harmonica. Tuneless and content.

Vin shivers and then under protest slips back inside.

The phone rings and Vin lets the machine take a message. It catches the tale end of Chris's exasperated sigh and then his usual early morning tone. "Yeah Vin, I'm in town picking up some files and thought you might want to grab some breakfast but I guess you're not in. 'Cause if you were in you'd pick up, right?" There's a pause and Vin smiles despite his own edginess and wonders if Chris knows how much his temper entertains him. He reaches out for the receiver and that's when Chris ends the call. "Later."

Vin's hand twitches and falls to his side. It would be so easy to call Chris back and take him up on his offer. Too early for the Saloon but the Gem Hotel just down the street from it serves old fashioned breakfast fare to rival Chris's menu. It would be easy to call Chris like he has so many times before but there has always been something in his nature that shies away from a well paved path.

It crosses his mind to call Chanu and wake him up. Just a friendly call. When you coming back, brother? Maybe he could offer to help him pack but Chanu has already let him know exactly what he is going to do.

His apartment suddenly feels overheated but the radiator is off and quiet. He goes into the bathroom and splashes cold water on his face and within moments is shivering again. Dammit. His reflection in the mirror brings him to a full stop. Hey little Indian. Vin pulls a wavy lock straight. He remembers how he barely recognized himself when the Army cut away his hair and began the rapid process of refashioning him. With his hair gone everything else had seemed more pronounced. His eyes had looked impossibly large. The planes of his face gave him a hungry look. He wondered if Ko-Je would recognize him. Do you think you're an Indian just because you lived with them? He lets his hair go and begins rummaging under the sink. When he finds the clippers it's as if he has been waiting to make this change for as long as it has taken his hair to grow. He unwraps the cord and plugs it in, turns it on and smiles at the smooth buzzing sound. He is unsure if it is Nettie or the Army that instilled in him the discipline to slow down long enough to put down newspaper on the floor before he begins. He takes off his shirt but leaves his undershirt on. Bracing his bare feet on the newspaper he turns the clippers on again and holds it to his left temple. A slight tug, not unfamiliar and then a brown lank of hair falls to the floor.

There is a knock at the door and Vin silences the clippers. Another knock, firmer this time and then nothing. Vin presses his thumb on the switch and turns it on again only to hear the phone ring over it. He switches it off and listens to the machine pick up the call.

Chris. "Vin, open the fucking door."

Vin tosses the clippers into the sink.

"I swear to god you're worse than a skip."

Vin storms to the front door but right before he yanks it open he covers the swath of missing hair with his hand.

"You all right?" Chris asks, closing his phone.

"I'm fine - except for all the interruptions."

Chris almost smiles at Vin's sass before his eyes question Vin's hand at his forehead. "Bump your head?"

Vin sighs and drops his hand. "Just getting a haircut, is all."

Chris's eyes take in the missing hair and then nail Vin in place. Vin feels a fleeting moment of pride at being able to hold Chris's eye right before Chris pushes his way in. He watches Chris's eyes make a quick inventory of any tells indicating trouble and finding none rest uneasily back on him. "You and Buck all right?"

"He send you out here?" Chris squints at him in response. "Sorry. He just stepped on my toes a bit and I...overreacted."

Chris nods. "I know how ol'Buck can crowd you but he don't mean anything by it - just likes to be in the middle of everything."

Vin nods in return and says quietly. "I know that."

"OK," Chris says and takes off his jacket, tossing it across the arm of the sofa. "I'm gonna take over this," he points at Vin's hair, "before you take off an eyebrow and then I'll..." he tosses his hand out to Vin.

"Get out of my hair?" Vin finishes for him.

Chris pretends to wince. "Where are we doing this?"

"In here," Vin points towards the bathroom and then leads Chris there. Chris takes the clippers from the sink and then turning it on steps behind Vin. In his quiet way and with more gentleness than Vin expected Chris runs the clippers over Vin's head with one hand while the other smoothes away the loose hair. The efficiency and warmth of Chris's palm lull Vin even as he is acutely aware of his proximity.

Vin feels his shoulders settle from down around his ears. Chris steps in closer. Vin presses against the sink. Chris sighs at Vin's reflection and pulls him back with a hand on Vin's forehead.

Vin clears his throat. "You've done this before?"

"Buck. When we were SEAL's." Chris pulls Vin's ear down and carefully buzzes around it. "He won't let me near that mop of hair he has now."

Vin smiles. "Good thing. Buck has the best hat hair I've ever seen. I didn't know hair could do that."

Chris smiles at Vin in the mirror. "Me either." Chris steals another glance. "When's Chanu coming back?"

"He's putting his house up for sale, tying up some loose ends and then he'll be back."

"Purgatorio?"

"Yeah, this old hotel is turning into quite a refuge."

"Does he need help moving?"

"Nah, I offered. He said he was going to set most of it on fire."

"I know the feeling." He tips Vin's head forward to trim the back of his neck and then blows the short hairs away. Vin tenses against the sensation of Chris's breath on his skin. Chris turns off the clippers and smoothes his hand over Vin's head. "All done."

Vin looks in the mirror and the thought that he did this to himself almost makes him laugh. There he is laid bare again. Eyes too wide and searching.

Chris's touch becomes firmer, sweeping down his neck, squeezing his shoulder. "You've got me worried nine different ways."

"Well don't," Vin snaps and then tempers his voice to tell the truth. "You ever feel like cutting everything to the bone, starting over."

Chris nods and bows his head. "Yeah, I reckon I've felt that way a time or two." He looks up again and smiles and scratches at Vin's buzzed hair with his fingertips. "You might have to buy a smaller hat."

It's a gentle tease and Vin knows it but he answers seriously. "It's time I got my own."

Chris nods again and placing his hands on Vin's shoulders squeezes and pulls him closer. "Relax, Vin," Chris's whisper admonishes even though his hands are strong and gentle. Vin's body argues with his instincts leaving him unsure of who has won when he leans back and rests his head on Chris's shoulder. Chris continues his ministrations and then with one long squeeze places a dry kiss on Vin's temple.

A spike of adrenaline surges through Vin's body making him feel almost angry. He twists in Chris's hold and wraps his arms around Chris's neck. Immediately they are both out of breath. Chris's hands slip under Vin's shirt making Vin's skin burn wherever they press or hold. It seems to matter very little that they want the same thing as they strain against each other. Clothes are pulled at and unbuttoned and then left to drape open. Vin hears his belt buckle ring against his hip. His jeans settle low. His own hand fumbles with Chris's to push his boxers down. Chris hisses through his teeth at the sight of a light trail of hair leading to a darker ginger thatch and Vin's pale cock. Vin turns around again and bracing his hands on the sink steadies himself while Chris runs his hands over Vin's lower back, down across his ass and then closer until a single fingertip presses in. Vin's reaction is chaotic. He opens the medicine cabinet so forcefully that it swings back shut. He opens it again and rummages for something, anything to keep this physical connection between them. Eye drops and aspirin fall into the sink, no help at all. He growls when Chris's hands return to his back kneading even more urgency into his skin. He turns again to where they started, arms tight around Chris's neck. Chris squeezes him and then gently pulls Vin's jeans back over his bare skin only to slip back under his shirt for the press of more skin.

Vin clings to Chris needing to feel the heat radiating off of him and letting Chris feel his own. A disbelieving laugh bubbles in his throat at the realization that as careful as he has been not to give himself away all this time that now he is the one stepping on Chris's toes to get closer. He swallows and swallows again and then is finally able to speak, low and hoarse. "Can I - Is this - ?" and trusts Chris to understand. He does and proves it by pressing his cheek against Vin's.

Chris's cheek is smooth against Vin's stubble but it seems to trouble Chris not at all. Vin's fists wad Chris's good blue shirt. He pushes Chris back and slips the shirt off entirely. Chris lets it fall to the floor forgotten and then leans against the doorway to let Vin look his fill. Vin's sets his hands on Chris's narrow waist with a possessive slap and kisses the heavy muscles of his chest. Chris nuzzles his shorn head as Vin's hand slips down his waist into his unbuttoned jeans. Never one for endearments Chris whispers "Shit" when Vin takes him in hand. Vin catches him around the waist and eases him to the floor. Chris sprawls out, arms above his head but still cognizant enough to lift his hips when Vin tugs off his jeans and underwear. Vin removes his own shirt, rucked up under his arms and then stretches out beside Chris, one leg in between his. Chris's belly trembles under Vin's hand no matter how carefully he soothes it. Placing a chaste kiss on his hip Vin leans further down and takes Chris's sex in his mouth.

Chris becomes incoherent, foul mouthed, profane, agreeable. "I - yeah. Oh. Damn. Fuck. Jesus. Yessss." His hand falls heavily on Vin's head but seems content to slip back and forth over the crown. "Vin, Vin," Chris tries to caution him but Vin will have none of it as he swallows Chris's seed and lets Chris shake in his arms. Chris squirms away from him, suddenly too tender for even Vin's gentle lips and tongue. Vin kneels beside him and lets Chris watch him through the slits of his eyes wipe his mouth with the back of his hand and then lick that away with the tip of his tongue. A current runs through Chris making him unsteady and breathless. He raises up on an elbow and then with great effort on to his hands and knees. To Vin he looks like a boxer caught on the ropes with a crowd counting out his fate. Six. Seven. Eight. But as always, Chris reaches down into some unquantifiable reserve and Vin supposes, out to him, always out to him, not as an opponent but an equal. Vin catches Chris's shoulders and feels Chris's hands move over his back, down into his jeans to cup his ass. Vin drops his forehead on to Chris's shoulder and shivers when his jeans fall around his thighs. Chris bears him down, kisses his belly, pushes the jeans further down until Vin kicks them off.

"Damn," Chris says, hoarse and then takes Vin's cock in his hand and the crown of it in his mouth. He keeps Vin there, shallow, but the effect on Vin is profound. His head rolls back and forth. He tries to speak but is unable to even cuss. He looks down to see Chris's lips come off of him and the sight tears through him, rushing his blood. He squeezes his eyes shut against it but it's too late. Chris puts his hand on Vin's belly, feels the muscles quake under his palm and watches Vin come.

They have made it no further than the braided rug in the small hallway. One door leads back into the bathroom, one to the bedroom and one to the living room and out the front door. Neither one moves as Chris kisses Vin, mouth soft, more interested in connection than heat. Vin holds on to Chris's shoulders with his fingertips, his arms suddenly too heavy.

.....

Chris is asleep on his belly with one hand reaching out to cup Vin's cheek just below his black eye. This small, awkward connection makes Vin smile even as he slips away from it and out of bed. He stands beside Chris and watches him sleep, his back rising and falling in one slow breath after another. He doubts that he will ever get over being amazed that this man is here with him, this close with no trace of censor or hesitation. If anything, Chris's only demand seems to be for more.

Vin pulls himself away reluctantly and opens a drawer quietly for a pair of sweat pants. He slips them on and then heads out to the hallway. Their clothes are still there, turned inside out and in a riot on the floor. The small area still holds the smell of sweat and sex despite the long shower they took. He wads up his own clothes and tosses them in the hamper while draping Chris's jeans and shirt over the back of a kitchen chair.

They have done little more than explore each others bodies with hands and mouths and yet the survey has left his muscles pulling along with odd bruises such as the one on side of his elbow or the more understandable one low on his neck. He touches it and flinches. His over-sensitized skin feels the air like a bite.

For some reason these sensations remind him of the times in his life when he has fought hard and received as good as he put out and yet it was never the fights that hurt as much as the healing afterwards. With adrenaline and anger absent he was left with small scratches that chafed against soft sheets, sore muscles that even a long bath couldn't help and an ache low on his back where all his troubles would visit him from time to time. It is always the healing that hurts the most.

He stretches and ambles out into the living room. No lights are on but the last rays of the day are pouring in through the window. The montage of photographs on the wall call his attention like they have done since they went up. Not for the first time he considers taking his own picture down to shake the feeling of being the center of attention. It has always been too revealing and now it is almost embarrassing. Did he always look like that? Is this what Buck saw at work or did he simply give himself away?

He reaches for the picture and is startled when Chris wraps his arms around his waist. "Leave it," he mumbles, still drowsy.

Vin's hands drop and tug at the jeans Chris put on while he was lost in thought and then settle over Chris's hands. Chris sighs and then rests his chin on Vin's shoulder. For a long moment Vin wonders if he should turn and begin something again but sets the thought aside as Chris thoughtlessly rocks him and begins humming as if he is eating something delicious. The sound pulls at the corners of his mouth. Slowly, always testing the waters, Vin rests his head on Chris's shoulder and then presses his forehead against his cheek.

Vin rides past the bathhouse, past the saloon, out of town. He does not know why he stayed as long as he did. All that he needs is tied to his saddle or worn on his back. He knees Peso into an easy gallop. The sound of another horse coming up hard behind him makes him stop and turn in his saddle.

Chris interrupts his own humming to grunt at the effort to hold Vin tighter.

Vin is twenty-nine, almost thirty when he reaches up and rests his palm on Chris's cheek.

End of The Years In Between

For my friend Aaron.

Notes:
The song I imagined Ko-Je singing over Vin is actually called Peyote Healing by Robbie Robertson featuring Verdell Premeaux and Johnny Mike. It's a simple vocal track and very powerful for that. There are times when I think I started this story just to have Ko-Je sing for Vin. The doodles on Vin's beer coaster are also taken from songs. The one that begins with Mother don't worry is from Upward Over the Mountain by Iron and Wine and the second one, Your bright eyes are what the time is is from Nightblindness by David Gray. The details for The Making of a Relative come from a wonderful book called Mother Earth Spirituality, Native American Paths to Healing Ourselves and Our World by Ed McGaa, Eagle Man. The converted hotel that Nettie owns is based on a Denver hotel called the Brown Palace. I only bothered to scale it down to five stories and sprinkle it with graffiti and heavier locks.

Thank you for your patience and encouragement.

Your thoughts are welcomed at: trueenough@gmail.com

August 25, 2005