Disclaimer: Don't own them, never will, but I do own my imagination and, such as it is, reserve the right to exercise it!

Notes: Well, this started out to be a short, simple little C/V PWP... then Ezra peeked in and decided that he just had to play a role that may just lead this to become a series... *sigh*... and I said I'd never write OW slash...

Vin Tanner rode toward the little, one room shack like a man on a mission. He was a man on a mission. At the moment, however, he felt like that sacrificial lam Josiah spoke of from time to time. Chris Larabee had ridden out to his homestead three days ago, after sharing a bad temper with them all for several hours.

Normally they would have just waited for him to turn back up in town. However, they had gotten a telegram from Judge Travis right after the moody man's departure. The Jurist had requested assistance both at a trial in Red Fork, and a prisoner transfer in Gideon. So, Josiah and Buck rode to meet the Judge and Nathan and JD headed for Gideon.

While things had been quiet for several days, there was no guarantee it would stay that way. So, leaving Ezra to keep an eye on the town (from his post at the gaming table) Vin rode out to bring Larabee into town.

Tanner's first indication that there was something wrong was at the corral. The gunman's tack was tossed haphazardly on the ground outside the fence. Taking a look at Pony, he saw that the animal hadn't been cared for, most likely since the gunslinger had arrived. Shaking his head, as he looked around for signs of trouble, he murmured, "Shit, Larabee, what'd ya get yerself into now?"

Stalking toward the shack, Vin called out, "Chris? Vin comin' in!" Opening the door, he was assailed by the stench of sickness. Putting a hand over his nose, he exclaimed, "Jesus, Cowboy!" Leaving the door open to both air out the room and to let some light in, he moved to the windows. Pulling the blankets, which served as curtains, away and dropping them to the floor, he opened the windows, letting out his breath as the fetid odor began to dissipate. Finally, turning toward the corner where the blond's bed sat, the Texan cursed.

Chris Larabee lay naked, sprawled belly down on his bed. His head hung over the side, golden blond hair hanging limp and dirty in his face. Just below his head sat a bucket from which, Vin decided, was where most of the smell came from. Shaking his head, he looked around for empty whiskey bottles, his first thought being that the man had gone off on a bender. Frowning when the only bottle he saw was still nearly full, sitting on the table, he realized that there was something else going on.

Moving to kneel beside the prone man, Vin reached out to stroke the long strands of hair back, finding a pale, almost translucent face beneath. "Chris? Can ya hear me?"

Wide lips moved and, finally, a breathless voice responded, "V...Vin?"

"Yeah, it's me... what's wrong?"

"Wr... rong?"

"Yeah, what's the matter?"

"Don't... feel good..."

"Kind 'a guessed that. Can ya tell me what's wrong?"

"Don't feel... good... " Larabee insisted once more.

Heaving a sigh, realizing that he would have to figure things out for himself, he ran a hand over the well-muscled shoulder. "Ah, hell," He groused when he felt the heat rising from the dry flesh. Whatever had stricken the other man had dried him out with fever. He would need to get as much water as he could into his friend.

First things first, though. Carrying the bucket out of the cabin, he disposed of its contents out in the tall grass before taking it to the pump and rinsing it out. Setting it aside to dry, he found another bucket, filled it at the pump, and carried it back inside.

Chris lay as he had, obviously not strong enough to move. Vin set the bucket beside the bed and coaxed the other man over onto his back. Moving around the cabin, he filled the kettle full of water and sat it on the stove, laying wood inside and starting it burning. Next he retrieved some cloths from the cupboard, grabbed one of the chairs, and moved back to the corner. Sitting on the chair, beside the narrow bed, he dipped one of the cloths in the water, squeezed it out and began to gently bathe the gunman's heated body. Stroking over the pale, lean body, he began to work his way downward.

Through it all, Larabee didn't make a sound.

Tanner continued his ministrations, losing track of the time he worked to break the fever that was slowly killing the man he cared for above all others.

The man he loved.

Loved?

Vin berated himself. If he truly loved the blond, he'd have been out here a lot earlier. He'd have invaded the man's privacy before the illness took such a toll. But, he had made the blond a deal months ago. If Chris rode out without inviting him along, he should take that as a sign that the temperamental gunman needed some time alone.

"Ah hell, Larabee. I should 'a come out here a lot sooner. Ain't no reason fer ya to be layin' out here feelin' so poorly." He spoke softly as he bathed one limp arm. "The boys are always sayin' me and you got some crazy way of communicatin' with each other. Wish it was true... I'd sure been out here a mite sooner."

Between trips down the long, lean body with the damp cloth, Vin filled a mug with cool water and carefully fed it to the other man. Chris took the water eagerly, only pacing himself because the Texan held the mug. Head cradled against Vin's shoulder, he sighed as the water began to fight the painful heat that held him in its grip. From time to time he would nuzzle against the wide shoulder, seeking comfort in his lover's embrace.

Settling the blond back on the bed after the mug was empty; Vin began brushing the damp cloth over him once more. When he did, his mind roamed over memories of the last eight months. The months since he had found the happiness he had searched for, for years.

The months since Chris Larabee had declared his love and accepted Vin's in return. They had learned to lead double lives, friends and colleagues in public, lovers in private. They accepted the fact that they would live like this for the rest of their lives. It would be well worth it; the two of them had found something neither had ever thought possible.

They were months not without their trials. Chris struggled with his new identity. He had only loved one other person in his life. He had never thought of himself as someone who could love another man. He had taken his relief in another man's hand from time to time when they were far from civilization -- and women - for weeks and months at a time. But, he could never envision his life with that other man. Not until Vin Tanner had come into his life.

Vin himself had had his share of doubts. Unlike Chris, he had found himself involved with other men from time to time; sometimes as lovers, sometimes as convenient sex partners. None of them had included a commitment as deep as Chris had made to Sarah, nor had he lost any of them to violence such as had been visited on the Larabee home.

In the long run, however, nothing that had come before could stop them from finding love with one another.

A soft moan brought Vin back from his thoughts, and he found himself looking into a pair of half-opened, hazel-green eyes. "Hey, Cowboy. Nice ta see them eyes open again. How ya feelin'?" Chris continued to peer up at him, not really awake, for a moment, before his eyes closed again. Heaving a sigh, the Texan picked up the cloth and once more began bathing the burning body.

~o~

He wasn't certain how long he had been caring for his lover. He had a vague sense of day moving to night and repeating itself a second time. Now, the first rays of dawn were peeking in through the open windows. At some point he had taken care of the horses, at another point he had eaten, and a few times he had woken from a doze with his hand still stroking the cloth over Chris' body. Exhausted, he barely registered the fact when the other man's fever broke. Then, finally registering the growing coolness of the pale flesh, he smiled and then sighed. "'Bout time."

"Mm?" Larabee responded to the familiar voice, eyes slanting open slightly to search for the speaker.

"Mornin'. I was jist sayin' it's about time ya woke up."

"Mm," was the reply.

Smile widening, Tanner said, "Never mind." Pushing himself to his feet, he pressed a hand to the small of his back and stretched. Grunting at the sound of bones and joints popping and cracking, he settled into his familiar slouch and scuffed across the floor to the stove. There he retrieved the mug of medicinal tea he'd fixed earlier. Moving back to the bed, he dropped again to the chair beside it and surveyed his lover. Larabee's eyes fluttered open from time to time, but he didn't seem to be truly awake.

Reaching out, Vin stroked a hand down the cooling face. "Hey, Cowboy, got ya somethin' ta drink."

"Mm."

"Yer repeatin' yerself," Tanner chuckled. Carefully, he lifted Larabee's head and slowly fed him the tea. Chris grimaced, but didn't refuse the liquid. Vin continued to feed it to him, until the mug was emptied; then once more settled him on the bed. "Least yer fever's down. Reckon yer on the mend."

"Been si... been sick?"

Leaning down and delivering a gentle kiss to the cooling forehead that gained him a weak smile, the younger man said, "Yeah, ya been sick."

"Oh." Larabee struggled against the lethargy that kept him prone on the bed; struggled to keep his eyes opened, at least part way.

Seeing how much of a toll just fighting sleep was taking, Vin said softly, "Go on back ta sleep. I got yer back." The words were useless, though, the blond was already sleeping.

~o~

By the end of the day, Chris's temperature was nearly back to normal. Vin spread his bedroll beside the narrow bed and settled in to get some sleep himself.

~o~

The next morning found the blond closer to consciousness, though still weak and finding it difficult to keep his eyes open. Vin helped him drink a mug of water, followed by a weak broth he'd made from some dried beef he'd found. After laying the blond back down, he asked uncertainly, "Think ya can stay awake a bit longer? Reckon you'll rest better if I clean ya up a bit."

The older man studied the question as well as he could. Fog kept obliterating his thoughts, until he finally gave up and simply lay there, staring owlishly up at the other man.

"Well, reckon all we can do is try." Vin moved around the little cabin, retrieving a quilt and draping it over one of the ladderback chairs. Returning to the bed, he gently eased the ill man up until he was sitting up on the bed.

"Tired..." Larabee protested weakly.

"I know. Gonna make this as quick as I can, all right?" When the older man didn't actively protest any further, he eased him off the bed and to his feet. Chris struggled to stay there, but only managed it because his lover was holding him.

Slowly they made their way across the room, Tanner lowering the other man to the chair. Pulling the sides of the quilt up over the nude body, he said softly, "You jist sit here and rest. I'll take care of everything."

Quickly, he moved to clean up the room. He striped the bed and took the old, tic mattress outside, laying it out on the grass to air out. Just as he turned to go back inside, the horses alerted him to someone approaching. The geldings nickered, calling out, letting him know that it was something they knew. Turning back, he quickly recognized the rider and hurriedly waved him off, shouting, "Don't come no closer, Ezra!"

The rider reined in. "Vin, what's wrong?!"

"Chris's had a bad fever. Ain't sure ya won't get it even now. Best ya go on back ta town and keep the rest away. He gets his strength back; I'll bring him on in."

"Do you need anything?"

Considering a moment, Tanner said, "We're low on food. Ain't certain when I can go huntin'. Could use some more of Nathan's fever tea." Pausing, he added, "Whiskey wouldn't go wasted, neither."

With a smile at the last, Standish replied, "I"ll take care of it."

"Thanks, Ezra. Jist leave it 'bout where yer standin'. I'll pick it up from there."

"All right. I'll be back as quickly as I can."

"'Preciate it. Things okay in town?"

"As quiet as the proverbial tomb. Buck sent a wire; he and Josiah expect to return by late tomorrow evening. Nathan and JD Dropped their prisoner off and will be on the trail tomorrow as well."

"Good. Hate ta leave ya all alone in town."

"Think nothing of it. Just take care of Chris."

Tanner heard the emotion in the rich voice, surprised that Standish would reveal such sentiment so readily. Trying to take some of the tension out of the air, he replied, "He's in good hands."

Standish's smile was noticeable even at this distance. "There are none better. I shall return as quickly as possible." Touching his fingers to the brim of his hat, he turned his mount and rode off back toward town.

Behind him, Vin moved back toward the shack, still puzzling over the man's words.

~o~

Ezra moved just out of sight before reining his chestnut in. He turned to gaze back toward the homestead, his thoughts having never left. What would happen if the blond succumbed to some absurd fever? How could that ever happen? Chris Larabee was far too important to the world they had created in the dusty little backwater burg.

What would he do if Chris weren't around?

~o~

Vin moved back to the shack, knowing that he still had a long day ahead of him. Although his lover's fever had broken, the man was still very, very ill. As if to prove the point he entered the room to find that Larabee was slumped in the chair, eyes closed and head lolling against one shoulder. Stepping over, he reached down and stroked his hand through the disheveled hair. Softly he called, "Chris?"

Slowly the blond responded, seeming to take a great effort to lift his head from his shoulder. "Where... were you?" He asked, more with a tone of fear and longing than irritation.

"Sorry, Ezra came out lookin' fer me. I told 'im ta stay away, and ta keep the rest away when they git back."

"Does... does he need you... to help out?"

"Nope. Says it's nice an' peaceful in town. You aren't ta worry 'bout that, anyway. Let us take care 'a things, alright?" He cupped his hand against one, cooling cheek.

Chris nodded, nuzzling against that hand. He sighed, wishing they could just stay that way. But, all too soon, Vin coaxed him to sit up. He watched through hooded eyes as his lover moved around the cabin and then was quickly back. Setting two bowls of water on the table, he began to dip a cloth in the soapy one.

With tenderness most people never saw, Tanner began to bathe the ill man. Stroking the cloth over the taut frame, he watched for signs that the other man was becoming too worn out. He struggled with thoughts that he could do nothing about right now; things that would be far too strenuous for the blond. It didn't keep him from reacting, however, and soon he ached to touch the nude in an entirely different manner.

Finished with soaping Chris up, Vin focused on rinsing him clean. His eyes focused on the flesh right before him, in an effort to keep his mind from wandering. It didn't help. Rinsing the soap from strong muscles beneath skin tanned golden brown by the sun, reminded him of the first time they had made love. They had taken refuge in Chris's room one night, both of them as nervous as two mice in a room full of cats. They had been forced to restrain themselves, ecstasy proclaimed in whispers and soft moans. While it had been an enjoyable experience, they decided that in the future they would ride out of town, so that they were away from listening ears.

A soft sigh drew Tanner from his thoughts. Glancing up, he saw that Larabee was watching him, a tired but amused expression on his handsome face. Try as he might, he could think of no way to respond other than a blush that spread across his face and down his neck. Ducking his head quickly, he dropped the cloth in the nearby bowl, realizing that he had removed all of the soap from the other man's body.

Picking up the towel waiting for him, he began to dry Chris off. Finishing that, he pulled the quilt back up around the trim body, while he retrieved the mattress from the grass outside. Bringing it inside, he settled it back on the bed frame. Happening to glance over at the blond, he noticed the spreading gray cast to the usually tanned features. Hurriedly he made the bed and moved over to lean over the ill man. "C'mon Cowboy. Let's git ya back ta bed."

Too exhausted to respond, Larabee allowed his lover to pull him to his feet. With a weak moan, he clung to the man beside him. Eyes closed; lids too heavy to hold up, he trusted Tanner to guide him across the room. His legs felt as if someone had removed the bones, leaving him with a pair of wobbly, trembling limbs that refused to hold him upright without help. And that help was given, without comment. Vin held him close and all but carried him across the room. He felt himself lowered, then helped to lie on the fresh, comforting warmness of his bed. He released a moan that was nearly a whimper.

Reaching out to stroke the still damp hair off the other man's forehead, the Texan whispered, "'S okay, Pard. Rest now. I'll take care of ya."

~o~

The day crawled past. Ezra returned, leaving the supplies for Vin to gather up. As the sharpshooter moved to pick them up, he noticed the gambler sitting nearby, although far enough away to be safe.

"How is he?" Standish called out.

"Doin' a lot better. Got him ta take some water several times today... even got him to take some broth. Fever ain't come back, so I reckon the worst is past. Thanks fer the supplies."

Nodding, the Southerner replied, "My pleasure. Things continue to be quiet in town, so please don't worry there."

"Knew things were in good hands. Reckon he'll be up and about in a day or so. Things go like I figure they will, we should be comin' inta town by the end of the week."

"That is good news. I shall convey that to the others when they arrive." Touching the brim of his hat in that familiar gesture, Ezra turned his horse and rode back toward Four Corners.

~o~

By evening, Chris was alert and able to stay awake for more than a moment or two at a time. Vin helped him to sit up, pillows stacked behind him, before helping him to eat a bowl of mush, liberally mixed with molasses.

"Be glad when I can eat real food," Larabee complained lightly, hating that he was too weak to even feed himself.

"Yeah, well, I already cleaned ya up once today, I'd rather not do it a second time."

Looking into his lover's eyes, the blond said softly, "I'm glad you were here."

"I should have been here earlier," Tanner replied.

"You couldn't have known..."

"Should have."

"You're a seer now? Can you tell me our future?"

Huffing, Vin replied, "Ah hell, ya know I cain't."

"I can." Chris paused, smiling when the other man turned a curious look his way. "You and I are going to spend a very long time together... loving one another."

Tanner grinned, not caring that he blushed once more. No one could get him to blush like the blond could. "Sounds right nice."

~o~

That night, Vin offered the other man a drink of whiskey, watered down just enough to keep him from getting sick. If Chris noticed, he didn't say anything. As night cloaked the little house in darkness, held back by nothing but a single lantern, Tanner helped Larabee settle in for the night. As he turned to spread his bedroll nearby, he felt a hand grab at his sleeve. Turning, he found the blond staring up at him.

"Sleep here, Vin... please?"

"Ya need ta rest."

"I'll rest better... next to you." There was a hint of hunger behind the look of longing.

Tanner smiled. "Well, reckon I'd better." Striping down to his underwear, he slipped into the narrow bed beside the other man. There really wasn't room for both of them, but it didn't seem to matter.

With a contented smile, Chris curled up against his lover. He felt the strong arms hold him close, smelled the scents that meant Vin, and sighed. Quickly, he slipped into a deep sleep, this one filled with pleasant dreams rather than feverish nightmares.

Tanner would keep him safe.

The End

August 2006
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