Disclaimers: Mag7 does not belong to me. This is for fun.
Notes: Thanks to Mog for creating the ATF universe.
Summary: Chris and Vin are together until a third party arrives and intrudes in their lives then it is Buck to the rescue.
Warning: Graphic m/m sex, language, angst, hurt/comfort and violence.
Buck looked up as Vin and Chris walked into the ATF offices. It was apparent that their weekend had been just as much a disaster as the last three had been. The two men had been lovers for almost a year after being best friends for over three years, but this last month had seen them argue and at times not even looking at each other.Buck had gone to his old friend and asked him what was wrong even though he had a pretty good idea. Chris had just told Buck that Vin was being unreasonable and he didn’t want to talk about it.
Of course the ladies man wasn’t about to just let it drop not when two of his best friends were unhappy.
That Monday evening Vin announced he was going by the bar for a couple of beers and wanted to know if anyone wanted to go with him. The rest of the team was surprised; Vin was not one to stop by the bar when he had to be at work the next day. Since the rest of the team could sense the tension between their leader and sharpshooter it was decided that Buck would go with Vin and maybe find out what the hell was going on.
Chris when he heard about the after work plans of his lover wasn’t happy. After the rest of team had left Buck and Vin were getting ready to go when Chris walked out of his office. He told Vin that their guest was cooking supper and Ron would be upset if Vin wasn’t there.
To Buck's surprise Vin whirled on Chris and snarled that he didn’t give a shit and he doubted that CHRIS’S GUEST did either.
Neither man missed the emphasis Vin put on Chris’s guest. Chris had just informed his lover to suit himself and if he went hungry it was his own fault.
Buck followed in Vin’s footsteps noting that the young man was trying to hide the fact that he was in pain and limping. After Josiah had asked that morning if Vin was okay and had his head snapped off no one had brought it up again.
What was very unusual was the fact that Chris didn’t seem concerned about the fact that his lover was in pain, a very out of character reaction for the blond. Of course Buck noticed that whenever Chris was around Vin put on a good front hiding his pain from the enigmatic blond.
Buck watched uneasily as Vin drank several beers, which was very unusual for the young man who seldom drank in excess.
It was just as Buck had suspected, good old Ronald was fucking everything up just like he had when he was younger. Once Vin began to talk he couldn’t stop.
Ronald Larabee was Chris’s cousin. Ron’s dad was the brother of Chris’s father. The cousins had been close when they were younger then had gradually grown apart. Where Chris excelled at everything he touched Ron didn’t. In fact the only thing Ron had ever been good at was football, then he blew his knee out in his senior year in college and that injury took that dream away from him. It just went downhill from there, Ron got involved with liquor and drugs and Chris had only heard from him sporadically over the last decade. Then out of the blue about five weeks ago Ron had called and wanted to stop by and see his cousin.
Chris had been thrilled to hear from Ron, the guy was his last living blood relative. Vin was happy for his lover but worried as to how Ron was going to accept his cousin being in love with a man.
They went to pick Ron up at the airport and got the shock of their lives, Ron was in a wheelchair. As they drove back to the ranch he had explained that he had just gotten out of prison after serving five years for drug possession. Ron admitted that the fight that had put him in the chair had been his fault; he had picked a fight with another inmate and lost. It was after the fight that he had changed his ways and seen the error of his actions.
Vin commented that the other guy must have been a monster since it looked like Ron was in good shape the way he got himself out of the wheelchair and into the SUV.
Ron had laughed and said that he had kept his upper body as muscular as he could while the other half had become weak.
Chris had been silent on the ride and then had told his cousin he was sorry he hadn’t been around when he had needed help. Ron had told him to forget it, everything had been his fault no one else’s.
At least that was what he said at first.
Ron claimed not to be disgusted by Chris and Vin being together but Vin had noticed barely veiled hostility from the other man as time went on. Of course whenever Chris was around Ron was the good old boy, bringing up the good times they had when they were kids and teasing his cousin about the youngster he had taken to his bed. Chris had just laughed and said that Vin kept him young. It seemed like Ron began to intrude on them whenever possible until it had been two weeks since they had been able to make love, Vin figured the quick fuck in the barn didn’t count because it had been over in about ten minutes because good old Ron could come in at any time. In fact Vin was still in the throes of his climax when Chris had pulled out of his ass saying that he thought he heard Ron coming.
Sure enough Ron had rolled into the barn in time to see Vin bending over to pick up his jeans. Of course he had apologized profusely for interrupting them, but he was smiling, as Vin turned red and hurriedly dressed. Chris had quickly told his cousin that it was okay; they shouldn’t have been fucking around in the barn anyway.
Vin had been aghast at the callous comment, he thought Chris had enjoyed the times they had made love in the fresh smelling hay. As Chris was pushing his cousin back to the house Ron had looked at Vin a smirk of triumph on his face and then he had winked at the pissed off sharpshooter licking his lips at the same time.
That was it Vin was going to talk with Chris that night about his dear cousin, unfortunately his lover would hear nothing bad said against his relative.
When Vin had asked his lover when Ron was going to leave Chris had told him that Ron was welcome to stay as long as he liked. At seeing Vin’s incredulous look Chris explained that if he had been around Ron like relatives should be then maybe the guy wouldn’t be in a wheelchair so he figured he owed his cousin.
Vin had quietly informed his lover that Chris had nothing to be guilty about, Ron was the one who had decided to turn to liquor and drugs no one had forced him to.
Chris already tight as a spring because he did feel guilty about his cousin's handicap, he missed making love to Vin, and having a third person in the house did put a crimp in their lives and then he felt guilty for resenting Ron’s presence made Chris snap at the one person he truly adored.
“Not everyone is as perfect as you Vin. The rest of us are just regular human beings with human failings,” Chris had snapped in a caustic tone of voice.
As soon as the words had left his mouth he wished them back. Vin had never professed to be perfect; he was the most kind and compassionate man Chris had ever known. It was Chris who teased Vin that he was perfect; he had the perfect body, the perfect face and the soul of an angel.
Right at that moment Chris knew that he had done something he had swore never to do, he had hurt Vin, hurt him bad with his hasty and nasty words. It was apparent because Vin jerked back as though Chris had slapped him, the blue eyes blazed with hurt then Vin raised his chin and glared at him.
“Fuck you Larabee. I never said I was perfect I just wanted to know when we would have our lives back to normal, but I guess you don’t give a shit whether that happens or not. Let me know when you figure out that your precious cousin is playing you,” Vin snarled then turned to storm away. As he turned around he saw Ron sitting in the open doorway listening to everything, Chris did not see his cousin, only Vin saw the satisfied look that crossed the man's face and the grin that was aimed at him.
That had been what happened two weeks ago, this last weekend wasn’t any better.
Sunday afternoon Vin asked Chris if he wanted to horseback riding. Things had been very tense since the previous weekend, they had talked a little and Chris had apologized, Vin had accepted but things were not good between them.
Ron overheard and asked if he could go, Chris hesitated knowing that he and Vin needed to get away and talk alone somewhere and maybe make love. Ron had put his best pleading look on his face and Chris had caved in much to Vin’s disgust.
Ron finished before the other two men and was waiting in the barn for them. To Vin’s dismay Ron wanted to ride Peso. Vin said no, but Ron turned to Chris and in a quiet voice stated that Peso reminded him of his horse when he was a teenager.
Chris had then looked at Vin and told him it would only be that one time. Vin wanted to argue but Chris looked at him with pleading green eyes. With ill concealed anger Vin had saddled Peso and told his horse to behave and then had helped get Ron in the saddle. Vin had then gotten on Josiah’s horse, which was the one he and Chris had planned for Ron to ride, it was quiet and docile.
It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon but Vin didn’t really enjoy it. Ron and Chris chatted with each other about their childhood and things that Vin couldn’t talk about. When they did direct a question to him he answered as quickly as he could wishing that the ride were finished.
It was on their way back to the ranch when Ron had shouted that he wanted to race back to the barn.
Vin opened his mouth to say that wasn’t a good idea, but Ron was gone, Chris close behind him.
As Vin cleared the top of the hill that looked down on the ranch he felt the saddle start to slide. Suddenly he was tumbling down a hill to land on his back looking up at the sky, the horse thankfully had stopped when Vin had started his fall. Vin winced when he climbed to his feet, his back complaining about the abuse and his hip throbbed when he moved.
The horse was fine and Vin tossed the saddle back on then noticed that the cinch was torn, which was unusual, all the men took good care of their tack.
Vin walked back to the barn expecting to see his lover ride up at any moment worried about him, but Chris never showed up. It took thirty minutes to get back to the ranch, he found Peso and Pony put up and eating in the barn. Chris and Ron were nowhere to be seen.
Vin by now was livid, before Ron had appeared on the scene the blond would have been by his side worrying over him, but not any longer.
Vin limped into the kitchen to find Ron at the table and Chris getting things out for dinner.
Chris looked at Vin, saw the stormy blue eyes, the dirty clothes, and the limp that the young man couldn’t disguise and hurried over to his lover.
Vin flinched away from him and headed to the door to take a long hot shower.
“What happened Tanner?” Ron laughingly asked.
Vin turned and saw the malevolent look in the man's eyes. At that moment he knew that Ron was the one who had cut the cinch, he wanted to ride Peso, which put Vin on the other horse.
“You cut that cinch, you bastard,” Vin breathed.
“Vin cut that shit out. No way could Ron have done anything like that stuck in that wheelchair,” Chris stuck up for his cousin.
“Yeah besides you wanted me to ride that horse so maybe you cut the cinch figuring I would be the one to take the fall and when I rode your horse it messed up your plans,” Ron snidely said.
Vin took a step forward and was stopped when Chris stepped in between the two men.
“Go shower Vin. It was an accident, they happen. Both of you play nice,” Chris demanded.
Ron looked contrite as he stuck out his hand,” Sorry, Vin. I don’t know what got into me. I really don’t think you would do that.”
Vin just looked at Ron’s hand then turned and walked out of the kitchen. Chris heard the bedroom then bathroom door slam shut and the water start.
As he went to apologize to Ron his cousin just told him it was no big deal and to forget it.
Like Vin told Buck it wasn’t any better after his shower, not only did he hurt all over, his right hip was bruised, his back throbbed but also his soul was hurt and aching.
Chris should have jumped to his defense and he hadn’t, in Vin’s mind that was what lovers did for each other. Vin had a feeling that he was playing second fiddle to Ron and he didn’t see it changing anytime soon.
As Vin drank another beer he told Buck that after his shower he had ignored the other two men and the food Chris had made. After fixing himself a sandwich he had taken it out on the deck to eat in solitude. Chris had come out to see if he was okay, Vin had barely answered him until he finally just informed his blond lover that he could take care of himself, he’d been doing it alone for years and he was an expert at it.
Chris had been stung by the alone comment and he didn’t like the feeling of being on the defensive.
“Quit pouting Vin. You’re an adult and should know shit happens. You’re behaving like a spoilt child because we can’t fuck anywhere at any time. My God we’re not fucking animals and should be able to control our baser instincts. Furthermore…” Chris was getting his steam up to give his lover a good long lecture. Since he couldn’t take it out on his handicapped cousin he took it out on Vin.
Vin had gotten up from the chair barely stopping the gasp of pain.
“I do know shit happens or have you forgotten that I never had a great wonderful childhood, so being a spoiled child was never something I was. Living on the streets tends to throw shit at a person constantly. So get off your holier than thou pedestal you’ve put yourself and your precious ex-con cousin on and start looking at what’s right in front of your face,” Vin quietly said his calmness effectively shutting his lover up.
Vin walked over to the door and then turned to face the blond.
“I’ll be sleeping in the spare bedroom tonight. I wouldn’t want to soil your pristine bed with my baser instincts, I sure don’t want to take a chance that I’d behave like an animal and Chris since when did our making love become fucking like animals?” Vin said then he stepped through the door.
Chris was appalled by his words and conduct…again. What the hell was wrong with him? He had hurt Vin more in the last month with his words than he had in all months they had been together…before Ron had gotten there.
Chris went in to try to mend fences with his lover but Ron was in the family room and called out to him asking him if he could help him find his wallet. Chris sighed but went to help. After finally finding the wallet a half hour had passed by and when Chris went to the bedroom where Vin was going to spend the night he found the door shut and when he tried the doorknob he found it locked.
Short of pounding on the door or unlocking it with the key he had he knew he wasn’t getting in the room because Vin wasn’t going to answer the door.
Chris sighed and went into the master bedroom shutting the door.
Ron had been watching from his doorway his eyes alight with pleasure, his plan was going perfectly, before to long Vin Tanner would be gone and after that he would convince Chris that since he was his only relative it would be wise to make him the blonds heir. Then after a respectable waiting period Chris Larabee would have a terrible accident and Ron would have it all.
And who knew maybe somewhere in all his plans he would have a chance to sample Tanner’s prime ass, he had certainly enjoyed the glimpse he had of it in the barn. Prison certainly made a persons taste in sex change and Vin Tanner was certainly to his taste.
Like Vin told Buck he had hardly spoken to Chris that morning and had actually drove his jeep to work so he wouldn’t have to share an automobile with his lover. Chris had followed him to work wavering between being pissed that Vin wouldn’t ride with him so they could talk and worried that the best thing to happen to him in years was drifting away.
Vin then told Buck that he had packed an overnight case and was going to a hotel for the night; he couldn’t handle another night of seeing Ron’s smirk and being badgered by Chris.
Buck had informed his friend that he was spending the night with him; he had a spare bedroom since JD and Casey were engaged and living together.
Vin smiled, thankful that Buck was always a person you could rely on. Since Vin had been drinking more than his friend Buck drove and they would pick Vin’s jeep up the next afternoon.
After Vin was asleep Buck glanced at the clock, it was only 9:00. Not near late enough for his old buddy to get real worried. So Buck waited until close to midnight and then he called Chris.
The blond picked up the phone on the first ring. Buck smiled when an anxious voice said, “Vin?”
“No stud, just Buck,” Buck commented.
“Where’s Vin, Buck? He’s not home yet and I’m worried,” Chris said as he ran a slightly shaking hand through his hair.
Buck knew that Vin had turned his phone off not wanting to deal with an irate Chris Larabee.
Ron watched from the sofa he carefully kept a worried look on his face. However he was ticked because Chris had done nothing but fret over Tanner as the evening wore on, it had been all he could do to keep his cousin from going out and hunting the guy down.
“Really…like you worried over Junior today. Surely you noticed he wasn’t moving with his usual grace, but hey I bet Ron was occupying your thoughts. Poor guy must have it rough mooching off the good graces or the imagined guilt of others,” Buck said his tone turning hard.
Chris gripped the phone tightly; obviously Vin was fine and had found a sympathetic ear in Buck. Buck had known Ron when they were in growing up together and had never liked the guy.
“I asked you a question Buck and I don’t need your opinion on how I run my household,” Chris hissed his temper flaring.
“YOUR household is it. I seem to recall that when you had Vin move in you made a big announcement that it was now the Larabee/Tanner ranch. Guess that’s changed in the last five weeks. No wonder Junior drowned his sorrows in beer and wanted to stay at a hotel.”
“You let Vin drink and then drive. How fucking stupid are the two of you,” Chris gritted out through his teeth.
“Damn, Chris let me tell you something, you don’t straighten up then you’re going to lose that boy because he deserves better than to be treated like excess luggage or let me see a fucking animal with nothing but baser instincts. Vin is here with me, I made sure the boy is somewhere safe,” Buck growled as his own temper flared.
“Wow, Buck thought you only liked the ladies. Of course Vin is prettier than the women you date so…what…you decide to make your move,” Chris commented snidely.
Buck sucked in his breath, my God but he had never heard his old friend be so nasty.
“I’m going to pretend that nasty comment was because you were worried about Junior all evening or maybe Ron insinuated that there was something between Vin and I…I mean the bastard would say anything to stir up trouble right? I would suggest you get a hold of yourself, Chris or you will be in for a rude awakening.”
“Listen closely Buck, I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon, you will take Vin back to Inez’s and get his jeep. Vin needs to come home tomorrow so we can talk.”
“I’ll do whatever Vin wants me to,” Buck then hung the phone not caring that Chris was still on the other end.
Chris slammed the phone down on the table and seething he told Ron he would see him in the morning and stalked down the hallway to his bedroom.
Lying in bed Chris slowly calmed himself and began to really…really think on the last few weeks. As he realized how he had been behaving and talking he cringed. My God he sounded like a real bastard, it was a wonder Vin hadn’t hit him several times and shit now he had turned on Buck to.
Chris also thought about Ron, how the man didn’t seem in any hurry to leave and yeah if he was honest the man used his handicap to manipulate everyone around him.
Except Vin, Chris admitted, Vin wasn’t easily manipulated; hell he only followed half the orders Chris gave him.
Chris didn’t sleep well that night, when he really looked at himself he didn’t like what he saw. Besides he thought as he tossed and turned his bed was cold, colder than it had been when Vin had slept in the spare room at least his young lover had been under the same roof. Chris knew that if he didn’t win Vin back then his life would be cold and joyless. Without Vin he would revert back to the cold-hearted bastard he had been before a scrawny assed Texas had strolled into his life, into his heart and then into his bed.
As he finally went to sleep he vowed that the next morning he would let Ron know that it was time for him to leave. If the man wanted he would help him find a place in town to live but that the visit had lasted long enough then he would go to work and beg his lover to forgive him.
At least he would do that if Buck and the others let him get close enough to Vin. Once Buck Wilmington got his feathers ruffled and someone hurt one of his friends especially one he loved like a kid brother Buck was like a grizzly bear with one cub.
As Chris slept fitfully he never saw Ron leave the house or a few hours later get back, if he had he would have been amazed at the miracle because his cousin walked to and from the SUV.
The next morning Chris was astounded when Ron brought up the fact that he figured it was time for him to leave, he didn’t want to wear out his welcome he laughed.
Chris was so relieved that he didn’t have to be the one to bring it up. Ron told Chris that if it were okay he would hang around until after dinner that night so he could say goodbye to Vin. In fact he wanted to cook up a great meal for them since they had been so kind to put up with him for so long.
Chris said that sounded fine, he figured Vin would just be happy that Ron was leaving and could put with him for one more meal.
As Chris pulled away Ron packed his bags like he was really leaving, after all have to make it look realistic for the authorities then he headed for the barn to make sure he had everything in place.
Vin Tanner and Buck Wilmington were in for a shock because he had tampered with Vin’s jeep last night making sure that it wouldn’t start, therefore Buck would have to bring Vin home because Chris would be at a meeting. Ron laughed he was so glad he had gone to Inez’s a few times with his cousin so he knew where to go.
Then Ron would eliminate the two threats to his plan. The ranch would be his and he would finally be the big man he always knew he could be.
Arriving at the office he was disappointed to find that he was the first one there. Soon after the rest of the team began to arrive. Since everyone treated him the same Chris knew that Buck had been the only one Vin had confided in.
Peering through his mini blinds Chris saw Buck and Vin arrive, his brows came together as he saw that Vin was limping and there were dark circles around his lover’s expressive blue eyes. Damn why hadn’t he seen that Vin was hurting from his fall from the horse, what kind of lover doesn’t notice that the person they adore is in pain.
The dark circles under the beautiful eyes gave him a little hope. Perhaps Vin had missed him and hadn’t been able to sleep either; Chris could only pray that was right.
Chris figured he would tackle the easy one first so he yelled out for Buck to come into his office.
Vin looked up worriedly at the big man, Buck had not told him everything that Chris said last night but he knew that it could not have been pleasant.
Buck walked into the office and shut the door and then sat down across from his old friend with his arms crossed and a challenging look on his face.
He was ready for the accusations and the temper flying; therefore he was totally shocked at what came out of his boss’s mouth.
“I’m sorry Buck. I shouldn’t have made the comment I did last night about you moving in on Vin. I know you wouldn’t do that because you wouldn’t come between your two friends,” Chris said his green eyes sincere as they looked at his old friend.
Buck sat silently for a minute then relaxed slightly.
“No I wouldn’t, but I will protect Junior from anyone who wants to hurt him and that includes you,” Buck said very firmly looking directly into the blonds eyes.
Chris sighed deeply that remark from Buck told him more than anything just how badly he had fucked up.
“I’m glad Vin has you in his corner, there isn’t a better man around to back him up. I did a lot of thinking last night and I have been viewing Ron as a victim, when he did bring all his bad luck down on himself. I felt guilty for not being there for him, like I let down another member of my family and treated him with kid gloves. In doing that I let Vin down, the one person I do love with my whole heart.”
“It seems to me stud, you’re telling all this to the wrong person. The one you really hurt is in the break room, I told Nathan Junior needed to be looked at he is still moving like a ninety year old man,” Buck said watching as the color left Chris’s face at the mere mention that Vin was hurting bad enough to let Nathan check him out.
Chris practically ran from the office a circumstance that made Buck grin. Damn nice to see the blond bear going to hover over his precious mate, about fucking damn time.
Buck left the office to see the other members of the team looking at the door that Chris had disappeared into.
All three faces then turned to face him with varying expressions of happiness and relief on them.
Ezra smiled his gold tooth glinting as he gave Buck his usual two-fingered salute. Josiah gazed upward as he said a quick prayer then nodded to Buck for a job well done.
JD jumped up and gave Buck the high five gleeful now that it looked like Chris and Vin were going to resolve their differences.
Chris barreled into the break room to find Vin sitting on the table holding his shirt up with one hand so Nathan could check out his ribs.
Vin jerked at Chris’s abrupt entrance the quick movement eliciting a low groan from him before he clamped his mouth shut. Nathan turned and glared at the blond.
“Chris shut the door, I finally got this stubborn mule where I can check him out and I don’t want to be interrupted,” Nathan ordered.
Chris shut the door and slowly approached the table; he had not missed Vin’s reaction to his entrance and certainly didn’t miss the groan his lover had made.
Vin didn’t look at the blond he was looking down watching Nathan’s fingers as they checked him over. Any other time Vin would have leaned into his lover wanting the comfort of his presence.
Chris stood on the other side of Vin wanting desperately to touch his lover but afraid of the reaction he might get.
Chris saw the huge bruise covering the whole right side of his lover’s rib cage and disappearing under the jeans; he wasn’t sure how the hell the man had been moving.
Nathan pressed down on one rib causing Vin to jerk and hiss in pain. Vin clenched the hand resting on the table into a fist trying to hold the pain in. Chris reached out automatically and rested his hand over Vin’s, his other hand he put on Vin’s shoulder and rubbed gentle circles trying to soothe his hurt lover.
Vin started to shy away from the touch a movement that tore at Chris’s heart and soul. That little movement showed Chris just how much damage he had done to the most important relationship in his life.
Vin was nervous, just what the hell was going on now. Chris hadn’t been this concerned when he had first been injured and in fact hadn’t worried about him at all. Was the blond being nice so he could let Vin down easy, break it off with him, granted it hadn’t been good between them lately but that would change as soon as good old Ron left. But Vin told himself he was a survivor and if Chris wanted to break it off, then he wouldn’t argue and maybe he could hold onto their friendship at least.
Nathan finally finished and stepped back.
“You’re going to be sore for several days but I figure you already know that. Heat will help the soreness, I would suggest a heating pad for that hip you refuse to let me look at and stay off the horse for a week…and don’t argue with me,” Nathan issued his orders then he looked at Chris.
“You don’t be agitating the boy, and if that is what you plan on doing then he can stay with Raine and I,” Nathan commented letting Chris know that his loyalties were with Vin.
Chris smiled, it was very apparent that he was…and deservedly so…the bad guy around the office. It made him feel good that Vin was so well liked and the guys would do anything for him, Vin needed that and Chris was glad to see it.
“I’m not planning on agitating him, I do need to talk to him, though. Thanks Nathan,” Chris said.
Vin had stood up and was adjusting his clothes as he went to leave the room; Chris gently grasped his arm turning him around.
“Would you come into the office for a few minutes, Vin. We need to talk.”
Vin licked his lips and just nodded his head.
As they entered the office Chris shut and locked the door then guided Vin over to the sofa where they both sat down.
Vin clasped his hands on his lap and refused to look at Chris.
Chris cleared his throat then reached out moving slowly and grasped Vin’s chin tipping the gorgeous face up so he could he look into those soulful blue eyes.
“I have been a number one bastard to you ever since Ron got here. Last night as I lay alone in that big cold bed after worrying all evening about you, I looked long and hard at myself and my actions. I wouldn’t blame you if you told me to fuck off and never wanted to speak to me again. I can only say that when I saw Ron in that wheelchair I felt guilty that I wasn’t there for him and in trying to make up for that I left you out in the cold, made you feel like you weren’t necessary in my life and that is so far from the truth. I need you Vin, like I need air to breathe, water to drink and food to eat…hell I need you more than all that. You are the other half of my soul and I am nothing without you by my side, at our home and in our bed. I hope that you can find it in yourself to forgive me, let me make amends…I am so so sorry…please Vin say you can forgive me,” Chris finished his voice breaking at the end.
Vin felt the wall that he had put up around his heart to protect himself crumble as he heard the heartfelt words from his lover. This was so much better than he thought it was going to be, they could work through this because their love was so deep for each other.
Chris watched his lover anxiously, his heart plummeted at he saw the expressive eyes fill with tears…Vin couldn’t accept his apology…he had ruined the best thing that had come into his life since his family had been murdered.
“I won’t lie Chris, you hurt me bad…no ones hurt me like that in a long time. I never thought that you would push me away like…like I meant nothing to you. I love you Chris and I want a future with you. I really thought you brought me in here to tell me you wanted it to end between us and I was just hoping to salvage our friendship…so I am relieved you want to make it up to me. But I got to tell you Chris, you ever treat me like you have the last few weeks again and I won’t come back. I don’t have to be treated like that by anyone and I won’t put up with it again. Also, I won’t be back at the ranch until your cousin is gone, he is a poisonous human being and a liar. So if you still want me back then I accept your apology but those are my conditions,” Vin finished talking. While the tears had spilled over during his little speech Vin’s voice was firm and steadfast.
Chris’s heart filled with hope where just a few minutes before he only knew despair. Vin forgave him and told him exactly where he stood; he wouldn’t expect anything else from his forthright lover.
Chris framed Vin’s beautiful face with his hands, letting his thumbs brush the tears away.
“I accept your conditions and I thank God that you are willing to give me a second chance. If I ever say anything nasty to you again you have my permission to hit me,” Chris teased lightly.
Vin tipped his chin up and replied, “I won’t ask your permission, and I’ll just do it.”
Chris smiled, “Fair enough. Ron is leaving tonight, I was going to tell him this morning that it was time he left but he beat me to it and said he wanted to fix us one last meal, but I am going to call him and tell him that I am sending a cab for him. I will see him off at the airport but that is all. I want tonight to be all about us, in fact I think I will begin right now showing you just how much I love you.”
Chris let one hand slip behind Vin’s neck to hold his lover in place then he pressed his lips against Vin’s. It was the first heartfelt loving kiss they had exchanged in a long time.
Vin felt a rough tongue run along his lips and sighing deeply he opened his mouth. Chris immediately slipped his tongue inside deepening the kiss savoring the taste of his lover…a taste he had worried he would never be allowed to sample again.
Moaning into the kiss Vin slipped his arms around his lover enjoying the feel of Chris…of Chris taking control of the kiss…of Chris taking control of him.
Chris let one hand slip between their bodies; he rested it on Vin’s crotch feeling the hard bulge.
It was time to make Vin feel good.
Chris pulled back from the kiss, Vin had his eyes halfway closed, his lips were slightly swollen from the kiss and his cheeks were flushed.
Gently Chris pushed Vin back, he knelt in front of his lover and pushed Vin’s legs apart then settled between them. Chris wanted to make sure Vin was comfortable. There was no way he wanted to aggravate his lover's injuries, hell if he did that the rest of the team would probably string him up.
Vin was watching his lover; surely Chris wasn’t planning on doing what it looked like he was going to do. They had never made love at the office, it was too dangerous but it looked like Chris really didn’t care at this point.
Vin gasped as Chris slowly unbuttoned his jeans and then Vin sighed as his hard aching cock was pulled out.
At that moment it wouldn’t have mattered if they had a bomb scare Vin wasn’t stopping this…he wanted it bad, hell he needed it bad.
Chris licked his lips as he saw a drop of pre-cum on the tip of Vin’s flared cock head. God why had he almost turned his back on this…this piece of heaven all wrapped up in a lean gorgeous longhaired Texas body.
Vin watched tense with anticipation as Chris leaned forward a pink tongue snuck out of the blond’s mouth and then ever so carefully the pre-cum was lapped up.
Vin moaned and slightly arched up, it had been so long and he needed the release so bad.
Chris watched as Vin shivered, arched up and the blue eyes closed, damn but Vin was the most responsive sexy man he had ever seen.
Nibbling on the cock, Chris nipped down the big throbbing vein in the shaft before he opened his mouth wide and took the whole thing in his mouth.
A garbled cut off yell left Vin before he got control of himself, they certainly didn’t want anyone busting the door down to see what was wrong.
Chris sucked hungrily on the cock in his mouth using his tongue and teeth to drive his lover crazy.
Chris reached up and slid his hand under Vin’s shirt and began to pinch at the hard nipples teasing them over and over again.
Vin was so close…so fucking close. Chris gave a last hard suck and pinched hard at one brown nub that was all it took.
Vin shoved a hand in his mouth to prevent his scream from bringing everyone running, he arched halfway off the sofa sending his seed flooding down Chris’s throat.
Chris swallowed everything then licked his lover clean, he briefly nuzzled into Vin’s groin inhaling deeply the musky sexy smell of his young lover.
Chris tucked his lover’s cock back in the jeans and then sat down on the sofa pulling Vin into his arms. Vin snuggled in close resting his head on Chris’s chest right under the blonds chin.
Chris pressed a kiss to the top of the tousled head and whispered, “Been to long since we did that, I missed your taste and I missed how beautiful you look when you cum.”
Vin slowly sat up and rested his hand on the side of Chris’s face.
“I missed having you touch me and love me, I missed having you around, I missed our closeness, and I don’t ever want to do without any of it again.”
Chris took Vin’s hand and pressed a kiss in the palm then shut his lover’s hand.
“You never will baby,” he promised.
Vin smiled and reached for Chris’s waist but Chris grabbed his hands.
“No, that was for you and only you. Tonight we are going to renew our bonds and I hope you will let me make love to you.”
“I can’t wait cowboy,” Vin replied.
“You decide what you want for dinner and I will pick it up after my meeting. Buck is going to take you to get your jeep and I’ll meet you at our home. Ron will be long gone by then,” Chris said standing up and pulling Vin up with him.
Vin winced a little when he got to his feet but at Chris’s worried inquiry Vin assured him that he was fine, more than fine actually.
Chris pressed another kiss to Vin’s lips and went back to his desk, he watched as Vin opened the door to go back to work.
Smiling Chris got ready for his meeting but first he had a phone call to make. Ron answered and readily agreed to take a cab; he didn’t seem put out at all about the change in plans. Chris hung up the phone; he had a bad feeling but figured he was just trying to borrow trouble.
Vin had walked to his desk knowing that everyone was staring at him. Glancing up he immediately turned red at the knowing looks on everyone’s faces. Damn he hated it when he blushed it told everyone that their suspicions were correct as to what he had been up to.
Buck frowned at everyone so no one teased Vin. When Buck was in full protective mode it was best to let his baby chick alone and this time the baby chick was Vin.
The day went along very smoothly now that the tension between team leader and sharpshooter was gone. At the end of the day Chris had gotten back from the meeting early but needed to stay and do some paperwork for Travis.
Buck took Vin to get his jeep but the darn thing didn’t start, Buck had gone inside and told Inez that they would have it towed to the repair shop then the two men headed to the ranch.
Buck wanted to make sure Vin was okay with everything and figured if things were fine then he would find out about it on the drive.
The ladies man was relieved to find out that everything was fine. Vin and Chris had made up, Chris had apologized and they had talked.
Buck was tactful enough that he didn’t ask how they had made up; he had a pretty good idea if Vin’s blushes were anything to go by.
As they were driving out to the ranch Chris was putting the finishing touches on his paperwork.
Just then there was a knock on his door and a man stood there. The man had a suit on and had a very official look about him.
What he had to tell Chris made the blonds blood turn to ice.
The man was Ron’s parole officer, Dan Bayless. Ron had never checked in so the guy was checking up on him.
When Chris commented that it was hard for his cousin since he was in a wheel chair the man had looked at the blond with a confused expression on his face.
“Ron is not in a wheelchair, unless something has happened in the last few weeks.”
Chris stood up and hissed, “When we picked him up at the airport he was in a wheelchair and said he was hurt in a prison fight.”
Dan just shook his head, “There was a prison fight, but he only sustained a knife slash on the arm, no wheelchair, sounds like he is playing you, Agent Larabee.”
Chris swallowed around the lump in his throat; Vin had said the same thing that Ron was playing him.
Vin!!!
Chris snatched up his phone and called Vin’s cell phone, there was no answer; he tried the house, no answer. Chris got hold of Inez and found out that Vin’s jeep didn’t start so Buck was taking Vin home.
The next call was to Buck, there was no answer.
Chris then knew that his lover and his old friend were in trouble, trouble that he had allowed to stay in his house, trouble that he had allowed to get close to his lover.
Chris gathered Dan up with a nod as he snarled orders into his phone getting a helicopter to pick them up on the roof, it would get them to the ranch faster.
Meanwhile the two ATF agents were in deep shit. After arriving at the ranch they had decided to head to the barn, it was Vin’s habit to feed and look in on the horses when he would get home, a habit that Ron was very familiar with.
Walking into the barn Vin and Buck headed over to the horses. They whirled around when they heard the sound of a trigger being pulled back.
They both moved to pull their weapons but halted the movement when Ron fired a round at their feet.
Vin gasped, “You can walk!”
“Yeah, how about that. Now I’m going to eliminate the two of you and then poor grief stricken Chris will have to turn to his only living relative for support. After a suitable amount of time at least long enough to get my name on the title to this property poor Chris will kill himself, he just can’t live without his lover and old buddy,” Ron laughed his eyes alight with crazy glee.
“That plan won’t work, asshole. Chris will figure it, I mean how that hell are you going to kill us both and make it stick?” Buck hissed.
“I don’t have to explain anything. I am going to make it look like some crazed person killed you both. After all I left earlier in the day, I even did leave via a cab and made a reservation at a hotel, I have witnesses. I snuck out, rented a car and came back here. When you are dead I will go back, return the car and sneak back into my room. I will be free and clear.”
Vin took a hasty step forward but Buck grabbed his arm holding him back.
“Quite the macho man aren’t you pretty boy. Now toss your guns over here nice and slow, then pretty boy you tie Buck up nice and tight and I will check the ropes, if they aren’t tight enough I’ll just kill him now.”
Ten minutes later when Buck was tied to suit Ron, Vin was shoved against a stall door, he struggled briefly but a blow to his already hurt side caused him to crumple, he was held up by Ron who quickly tied his wrists to the stall posts. Vin was gasping for breath, he rested his forehead against the wood.
“Now pretty boy let's see what you’re made of. Hey Wilmington, how many lashes from the whip do you think it will take before Tanner is crying like a baby.”
Vin shivered at the voice and what was being said, he heard Bucklin gasp and start to cuss Ron out, he worried that Buck would be shot unless he shut up.
“It’s okay, Bucklin. It doesn’t take much of a man to whip someone who’s tied up.”
Vin’s comment had the desired effect Ron’s attention was drawn to him. Ron stalked across the barn and ripped Vin’s shirt off.
Then Ron pressed up against Vin’s back reaching his hands around and stroking down Vin’s chest pausing to viciously pinch at Vin’s nipples.
Vin clamped his mouth shut; he would not give the bastard the satisfaction of making a sound.
Buck screamed at Ron to get away from Vin.
“I think I might have changed my mind, maybe I’ll just fuck you to death and let your body hang here so my dear cousin can see your bloody body when he gets home.”
Just then a cold lethal voice carried across the to the crazed man.
“I would rather see your bloody body. Now get away from Vin.”
Ron slowly turned around; he pushed the gun into Vin’s side as he turned.
Facing him was Chris Larabee, his gun out and held unwaveringly at the man who had threatened his two most precious possessions, his lover and his best friend.
“Well, this is just a damn shame, cuz. You ruined the little surprise I had in store for you, but I still have the upper hand. Toss the gun over here or I kill pretty boy here. You know after being so close to him I can see why you keep him around.”
Buck’s eyes flicked from Chris to Ron, he knew Chris had a plan; he just hoped it worked or Vin was dead.
Chris sighed as though in defeat and tossed his gun, sure enough Ron’s eyes followed the path of the gun, he let his gun drop so it wasn’t pointing right at Vin.
Just then a shot came from the back of the barn and Ron screamed dropping his gun and grabbing his wrist, the bullet had hit his wrist. Blood gushed from the wound, the wrist and hand pretty much obliterated, it was a shot that effectively made sure Ron wouldn’t have a chance of shooting Vin.
Chris moved running across the barn to kick Ron in the head knocking him out, and then Chris untied Vin who was trembling in reaction.
Dan ran over to Ron and proceeded to apply a tourniquet to the arm so the man didn’t bleed to death.
Chris led Vin over to Buck who was quickly untied. Buck assured his old friend that he was fine but that Vin had taken a blow to his already injured side.
Vin had blood all over his clothes from Ron’s wound. Chris told Buck to help Dan get the wounded man to the helicopter that was just over the rise far enough away that no one would hear it besides Ron was to busy terrorizing his victims.
Dan promised Chris that he would get Ron to the hospital and would report back to him.
Chris absentmindedly nodded his head; his whole attention was now on his lover who was pale and trying desperately to hide how upset he was.
Buck assured Chris that he would be back as soon as Ron was in the helicopter.
Buck watched satisfied as Chris had his arm around Vin’s shoulders leading him to the house. All was as it should be, Chris was hovering over his hurt lover and Vin would be pampered to death at least until he threatened to kill the blond unless he was given some breathing room.
Chris ushered Vin into the bathroom and helped him undress. When Vin was in the shower, Chris emptied the pockets of Vin’s jeans and then threw the shirt and jeans away, the blood would never come out, and he would buy his lover new ones.
In one pocket Chris found some pain pills that Nathan must have given Vin to take for his injuries. Knowing Vin he figured that none of them had been taken.
Chris walked back into the bathroom and could see his lover with hands pressed against the shower wall just standing there. Chris quickly stripped and stepped into the shower.
Chris placed a hand on the small of Vin’s back and rubbed comfortingly. Vin turned and came into his arms with a small murmur.
Chris held his lover tightly as he felt tremors rack his own body, it had been close, a few more minutes and Vin would have been dead or dying. Chris gently pushed Vin back and when the beautiful face looked up at him Chris claimed the sweet mouth.
Vin whimpered and pressed closer rubbing their groins together. Chris didn’t think Vin was up for this, but he wanted to give his lover some relief, some affirmation that they were both still alive.
Grabbing up the lotion they used in the shower, Chris coated his hand and brought their two cocks together, grasping them in one fist he began stroking determined to bring them both off.
Vin whined arching his head back giving Chris access to his neck, which the blond took full advantage of.
Vin’s hand joined Chris’s and it wasn’t long before both men were crying out, sending there cum to the shower floor to mix with the water.
It was like all the energy then left Vin’s body, Chris hurriedly cleaned them both and got Vin out of the shower where he quickly rubbed his lover down with a large soft towel.
Chris then had Vin take the pain pill ignoring the frown that his lover gave him.
Chris then helped Vin into an old worn pair of sweats and led him into the family room where Buck was sitting in one of the lounge chairs.
Vin smiled sleepily at his friend, the pills were taking effect, and meds always affected Vin quickly.
Chris sat down on the sofa and pulled Vin down with him. When Vin was stretched out asleep with his head pillowed on Chris’s lap Chris looked over at Buck.
“You sure you’re okay?”
Buck smiled and nodded, “I’m fine. Bastard never touched me; he had Vin tie me up. Vin was his focus…thank God you got there when you did.”
“Yeah, it was close this time. Damn it this should never have happened, I brought all this shit down on Vin and you by not seeing Ron the way he really was. Vin tried to tell me the bastard was playing me but I didn’t want to hear it.”
“Chris you have to let it go. If you don’t then it’s just going to poison your life and by extension Vin’s, that’s not fair to Junior,” Buck replied knowing that Chris had a tendency to beat himself up when something happened to one of his team especially if it was his lover who was hurt and when he figured it was his fault he was even worse.
Chris stroked his fingers through Vin’s hair it was something that soothed both men and right now Chris wanted his hands on Vin to feel the living breathing body of his lover.
“I almost lost him twice in the last twenty-four hours. Once due to my own stupidity in refusing to listen to him and once to a crazy man with a gun, how can I just let that go. Hell Buck you could both be lying dead in that barn right now and the hateful hurtful words I said to the two of would have been the last things you would have remembered,” Chris whispered.
“Not true stud. You forget you apologized to both of us today. It was all forgiven and quite frankly I think we would all like it forgotten,” Buck reminded his friend. Chris needed to quit wallowing in all the guilt.
“True I did apologize but…” Chris started to say.
“No buts. Sure there were things that were said by everyone, hurtful things but apologies were given and accepted. Learn from what happened but don’t obsess over it,” Buck said.
“When did you get so smart Buck?” Chris asked with a weary smile.
“I’ve always been smart, it just that everyone notices my good looks first,” Buck teased.
Chris laughed which was exactly what Buck wanted.
Buck then stood up and said he was going to throw together some things for dinner though he was sure Vin wouldn’t wake up until morning.
Chris thanked his friend, he was happy just having Vin so close and wasn’t ready to get his lover into bed.
When dinner was ready Buck picked Vin up and carried him to bed where Chris tucked his lover in, left the door open and went back to the kitchen.
After eating Chris wanted Buck to stay but the ladies man said he would head on home, maybe call up his current lady and see if he could get some action going.
Chris just sighed and shook his head, just then the phone rang, it was Dan Bayless.
Ron was out of surgery, the arm had to be amputated at the elbow, the hand couldn’t be saved, Dan explained that when Ron was well enough he would be moved back to prison to their medical facility. Dan assured Chris that Ron wouldn’t see the light of day again.
Chris thanked the man; he had no intention of visiting his cousin and told Dan that. The man concurred and they hung up.
Chris passed on the information to Buck who smiled and said that at least they didn’t have to worry about that bastard again.
Buck left after promising to get with Travis and let him know what had happened and that Chris and Vin were taking the rest of the week off, but they would be available in case of an emergency.
Chris surprised Buck by giving him a big hug as he left, the blond would try to do as his friend asked and put it in the past but he would never forget how close he came to losing the two most important people in his life.
Buck promised to call him the next day.
Chris locked up the house and then crawled into bed spooning behind Vin winding their legs together getting as close as he could.
Chris fell asleep promising his sleeping lover that he would never take him for granted again. They would live life to the fullest and he would show Vin every day how much he was loved and cherished.
Pressing a kiss to the tousled head Chris shut his eyes, sighed and went to sleep, his world once more settled to his satisfaction.
The End