Summary: When a secret is revealed, how will it effect Ezra's life? Written for Dail's birthday on the batteredbirthday's group. Happy birthday Dail, hope you enjoy.
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Disclaimer: I don't own the Magnificent Seven, not making any money just cheap thrills.
Chapter 1
Hurrying into the ranch house he shared with Vin, Ezra was barely in time to answer the ringing phone. "Hello Mother," he answered the phone, expecting Maude with her usual excuses for missing his birthday, he was caught off-guard by the male voice in his ear."Hello, I'm trying to reach a Mr. Ezra Standish," the deep, official sounding voice informed him.
"Speaking," Ezra replied, holding up one finger towards Vin, silently asking him to wait.
"Mr. Standish, this is Dr. Phillip Benson at Mercy Health Care Center," the man introduced himself, naming a nearby hospital.
"Dr. Benson, what can I do for you?"
"Mr. Standish, do you know a Maude Standish?"
"Yes sir, that would be my mother," Ezra answered simply.
"Mr. Standish, I'm sorry to tell you this; your mother was in an automobile accident and is in critical condition."
Seeing Ezra pale as he listened to whoever was on the phone, Vin moved closer.
"Dr. Benson, what exactly do her injuries involve?" Ezra asked. He leaned against his lover as Vin moved behind him, and wrapped his arms around Ezra's waist, offering his support.
"I'd prefer to discuss that in person Mr. Standish..."
"Dr. Benson, I would prefer to be informed of my mother's exact injuries, now please tell me."
"Very well Mr. Standish, amazingly most of her injuries are minimal. A slight concussion, several contusions and lacerations, though nothing serious. The problem is, her kidneys were badly damaged and are not functioning. We are doing what we can to help the healing process, however if they don't heal, your mother will need a transplant to survive," the doctor calmly explained.
"I see, I will be there forthwith Dr. Benson. Please set up whatever tests are required to determine if I would be a suitable donor for my mother. Good-bye," Ezra ended the conversation, hanging up the phone and turning in Vin's arms, drawing on the younger man's support.
"Ezra?"
"Mother has been in an accident, her kidneys are damaged and if they don't heal she will need a transplant to survive," Ezra explained.
"I'm here Ez, ya ain't alone," Vin soothed, feeling the smaller man shuddering in his arms as he tried to contain his fear and grief.
Several minutes passed before Ezra felt as though he was once again in control. Drawing slightly away from Vin, he wrapped one hand around the back of Vin's neck and pulled him down for a gentle kiss. "Thank you darlin', and now I suppose we should convey ourselves to the medical facility where Maude is currently housed."
"You sure you're ready?"
"As I will ever be," Ezra replied, turning away and moving outside, followed closely by his lover.
"Ezra, Vin, everything okay?" Chris asked, from where he sat watching the antics of Buck and JD as they tossed a frisbee around the yard.
"Maude's been in a car wreck, we need to go to the hospital," Vin replied. "Could you let the boys know and..."
"Go on, I'll lock the place up and let everybody know what's happening," Chris interruped, knowing what Vin was about to ask.
"Thanks cowboy," Vin replied, hurrying towards Ezra's Jag and grabbing the keys from his lover's hand.
"Please return my keys Vin, I am quite capable of driving," Ezra protested, trying and failing to retrieve his keys from Vin's grasp.
"No you're not Ez," Vin insisted, taking Ezra's arm and gently manuevering him to the passenger side. "Now you just get on in here and let me do the driving for once, okay? Please babe, let me help you?" Vin plead with him, cutting off the protest he was about to make.
With a short nod of acceptance, Ezra opened the door and climbed into the car. The ride to the hospital was made in silence, as Ezra sat staring out the window wondering if he would be in time. You better be there when I arrive Mother. This is taking your tradition of missing my birthday to extremes...Lord please don't let her die, she's the only family I have. Ezra silently prayed, feeling more lost and alone than he ever had before. As though he knew what the other man was thinking, Vin reached across the seat and took Ezra's hand in his own.
"I'm here Ez, you're not alone. I promise ya ain't ever gonna be alone again," Vin vowed, drawing the hand he held to his lips and brushing a soft kiss across the knuckles.
"Thank you Vin, I needed to hear that," Ezra softly spoke, leaning towards his lover and laying his head on the other man's shoulder. He had no idea what he had done to deserve this man's love, but he promised whatever deity might be listening that he would never take Vin for granted.
A short time later, they were pulling into the parking lot of Mercy Health Care Center. Finding a spot near the entrance, Vin parked the Jag and turned off the engine. For several minutes neither man moved, finally Ezra took a deep breath and as though steeling himself for the task ahead, opened the door. The moment Ezra moved, Vin was climbing out the driver's door and heading to the other side of the sportscar.
Inside the hospital, they headed directly to the intensive care unit. Stepping out of the elevator, they quietly walked over to the nurse's desk.
"Excuse me, my name is Ezra Standish. I believe my mother Maude Standish is a patient here," Ezra explained to the middle-age nurse behind the desk.
Looking up from here paperwork, Margaret Holmes smiled sympathetically at the young men standing before her. "Yes sir, I'll just page Dr. Benson for you," Margaret told him as she reached for the intercom button.
A few minutes later, an older white-haired doctor stepped up to the desk.
"You paged me Margaret?"
"Yes sir, Maude Standish's son is here," she explained, nodding towards the chairs where Ezra and Vin sat waiting.
"Thank you," Dr. Benson said, turning towards the two young men. In only a few steps he was standing in front of the chairs, "Mr. Standish, I'm Dr. Benson," he introduced, holding out his hand.
"Dr. Benson, it's a pleasure to meet you, though I wish the circumstances were better," Ezra replied, Maude's admonishment that appearances are everything ringing in his ear. "How is my mother?"
"As I explained on the phone Mr. Standish, her condition is critical. Though if it weren't for the damage her kidneys sustained that wouldn't be the case. We currently have her on a dialysis machine, letting it do the work of her kidneys. Unfortunately that is all we can do at this time, we're hoping that if given the chance her kidneys will recover or at least one of them will. However if there is no improvement within a week, we will have to consider a transplant as that or continual dialysis will be her only options for survival. Do you have any questions?"
"I remember reading that in a situation such as this relatives are the best candidates for a match. What will you need to determine my compatibility as a donor for my mother?"
"Not much, we just need to draw some blood from you to begin with. If you appear to be a good candidate at that point, a few more extensive tests will be needed to determine if you could donate a kidney to your mother. So would you like to see your mother now?"
"Actually, I believe I would prefer to visit the lab first. After all, the sooner the tests can be performed, the sooner we shall know if I am a match," Ezra explained. Letting the doctor lead him towards the lab, Ezra ignored the knowing look Vin was currently aiming in his direction.
"Would you like to find something that will pass for sustenance?" Ezra asked Vin a short time later as they left the lab.
"No Ez I don't want to get anything to eat. I know what you're doing babe, ya can't put it off forever," Vin softly spoke, stopping and grabbing Ezra's arm as he spoke.
"I don't know what you mean Vin, I simply thought you might require nourishment as we missed dinner," Ezra explained.
"No you didn't, Ez look I know you're scared of seeing Maude. I think anybody would be in your place, but putting it off ain't gonna make it easier later."
"I am guilty of doing that, aren't I?"
"Yeah."
"Well we mustn't have that, no cowardice permitted," Ezra said, taking Vin's hand and once again walking down the hospital corridor.
+ + + + + + +
Standing outside the cubicle in Intensive Care, in which Maude lay, Ezra took a deep, calming breath. Feeling a light squeeze on his hand, he gave Vin a grateful look. Giving his lover a small smile, Ezra slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside the small room. "Mother," he whispered, shocked to see his vibrant beautiful mother lying in a hospital bed, looking small and helpless amidst the many machines. Carefully stepping to the bed, he gently picked up her hand and began to speak, "Mother, can you hear me? It's Ezra mother, I'm here and you're going to be just fine," he softly whispered.
"Of course I can hear you Ezra darling, there is no need to whisper," Maude replied, startling Ezra so that he nearly dropped her hand.
"Mother, you're awake. Are you in any pain? Should I call the nurse?"
"Ezra, please maintain a semblance of dignity," Maude coldly requested as Ezra rambled out his questions.
"I'm sorry mother," Ezra apologized, visibly flinching from her cold manner.
Pushing away from the wall when Ezra flinched, Vin laid a supportive hand on his lover's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Ez babe," Vin spoke loud enough for Maude to hear, knowing the term of endearment bothered her. "I think maybe ya should get Margaret," Vin suggested, having noted the nurse's name earlier.
"Margaret?" Ezra questioned, the fact that he had missed the nametag on her uniform a measure of his concern and fear for his mother.
"The nurse, go on now, I'll stay here with Maude," Vin firmly instructed.
The moment Ezra left the cubicle, Vin turned to the woman in the bed. "I don't know what your problem is Maude, and I don't care. Ez is worried sick about you and you ain't gonna make him feel like he can't do anything right. I don't know if you just don't love him, or you're too self-centered to think about anybody else, don't care about that neither. What I do care about is Ezra, and you're gonna treat him right."
"How dare you speak to me like this?" Maude snapped.
"I dare because I love your son, yeah I know ya don't like that either. Just haven't figured out if it's the idea of him being gay or the idea of me being poor that bothers you most." Vin told her with a smile. "Now I know you're hurt bad and you're probably scared too, but you just remember you ain't the only one hurting here." Vin stopped talking as the door opened and the nurse walked into the room.
Stepping out of the small room, Vin went in search of his lover. It didn't take him long to find where he sat in the small waiting room, staring blankly at the wall. "Ez, ya okay?" Vin asked, sitting down beside him, gently running a hand down his arm.
"Vin? Oh yes, I'm fine. I only thought that perhaps I should allow mother to rest for a while," Ezra said, offering a feeble excuse for his failure to return with the nurse.
"Probably a good idea," Vin agreed, ignoring the obvious excuse. "That offer for dinner still open?"
"Of course," Ezra replied, standing up and pulling Vin to his feet. "I believe there is a small diner across the street, or would you prefer something else?"
"Diner sounds fine to me."
Stepping out of the waiting area, they saw Margaret back at the nurse's desk and walked over to her. "Excuse me Margaret. I wished to give you my cell phone number, my companion and I will be at the diner across the street having a small repast if you need to reach me. We shall return shortly," Ezra explained, handing a card to the nurse as he spoke.
"Ez, your ma's gonna be fine," Vin assured his lover as they sat in the diner, neither man really eating.
"Oh I am aware of that Vin, Maude Standish would never consent to being cut down in her prime," Ezra agreed, a sad smile playing around his lips. "I do wish to apologize for earlier..."
"Apoligize?" Vin shouted, drawing attention from the other patrons in the crowded diner. "Sorry," he apoligized not only to Ezra but to the room at large. "Ez, what do you think ya need to apologize for?"
"I shouldn't have left you alone with Maude. It was my mistake that had garnered her disapproval, I should not have forced you to handle the aftermath."
"Ez, look at me please," Vin begged, hating the defeated slump of his lover's shoulders as he sat staring at his plate. "That's better," he quietly said when Ezra finally looked up at him, his emerald eyes shimmering brightly with unshed tears. "You didn't do anything wrong, either when you were asking Maude them questions or when you left. Remember babe, I asked you to leave and the day I can't handle Maude Standish is the day I turn in my badge, so no more guilt," Vin ordered. "I just wish she would stop keeping you at arms length, I know how much that hurts you."
"Perhaps someday, if she survives her current situation she will change her ways. Though I wouldn't suggest placing any large wagers on that outcome," Ezra replied, a bit of his usual dry wit returning.
"Can I get you anything else?" The young waitress asked, stepping up to the table and interrupting their conversation.
Looking at his lover, Ezra could see the agreement in his deep blue eyes. "Actually my dear, I'm afraid our appetites have deserted us. If you could bring the check please, we would appreciate it."
A few seconds later, their conversation was interrupted again by the ringing of Ezra's cell phone. Glancing at the caller i.d. with trepidation, Ezra gave a sigh of relief when he saw Chris' number. Who would ever have expected relief at that? Ezra thought to himself, with a small chuckle as he flipped the small phone open. "Standish."
"Ezra, how's Maude?" Chris asked, coming straight to the point as usual.
"Mother is...mother and she is still with us. They are running a test to determine if I will be a suitable donor, should it prove necessary. In the meantime there is nothing to do but wait," Ezra explained.
"Donor?"
"My apologies Mr. Larabee, I forgot you are unaware of the details of mother's situation. Mother's kidneys are badly damaged and if they do not heal a transplant will become necessary. The only other option being continual dialysis and I simply cannot imagine Maude Standish subjecting herself to the limitations such a life would place upon her."
"Anything else?"
"No, that is the only serious injury. Her only other injuries are a concussion, along with contusions and lacerations," Ezra explained, never allowing his voice to waver from his normal calm tone.
"Is there anything me and the boys can do to help?"
"Perhaps one of you could care for the horses?"
"Done, anything else?"
"Not that I can think of, thank you Mr. Larabee."
"Not a problem Ezra. You take care of yourself and I don't want you or Vin to worry about work next week," Chris said.
"Thank you, I will endeavor to do so, goodbye," Ezra replied, breaking the connection and returning the phone to his pocket.
+ + + + + + +
Several days later, Dr. Benson approached them as they sat in the small waiting area between visits with Maude. Looking up as the doctor came into the room, Vin noticed the strange look on the other man's face and felt a twinge of worry for his lover.
"Ezra, wake up doc's here," Vin whispered, nudging Ezra with his shoulder.
Jerking awake suddenly, it took Ezra a moment to remember where he was and why he was leaning against Vin as he slept. "Doctor? Oh yes, Dr. Benson is there a problem?"
"Mr. Standish, I need to speak with you privately, I'm afraid I have some disturbing news."
"Doctor anything you need to say to me, you may say in front of Vin," Ezra informed him, taking Vin's hand in his and remaining seated.
"Very well, I just got the results of your blood work Mr. Standish. Now you did say that Maude is your mother, correct?" At Ezra's confused nod, the doctor continued with his unusual task. "Mr. Standish, I've never had to tell anybody this before and frankly there is no easy way to do so; Maude Standish is not your mother."
Chapter 2
"I'm sorry doctor I thought you said that Maude Standish isn't my mother," Ezra said, shock evident in his voice."She's not, the tests conclusively show that, I'm very sorry Mr. Standish," the doctor replied. Standing back up, he hurriedly left the room planning to call security and have them standing by in case of need.
"Ez, you okay babe?"
"That...that bitch, all these years of trying to please her and she's not even my mother. Well it certainly explains the lack of maternal love, doesn't it?" Ezra asked bitterly. Suddenly jumping to his feet, Ezra practically ran to Maude's room, Vin on his heels.
"Ezra? What's wrong darling boy?" Maude asked, startled by Ezra's sudden entrance into her room.
"Hello Mother," Ezra coldly greeted her. "I only have one question for you mother: who am I?"
"Why whatever do you mean Ezra, you're my only son who else would you be?"
"You can cease with the loving mother act," Ezra ordered. "Were you aware that you might need a kidney transplant?" Ezra asked, seemingly changing the subject.
"Yes Ezra I'm aware of that, why are you ask..." Maude trailed off as she realized the implication. "You know don't you?" Maude asked, her voice sounding small and unsure, something Ezra couldn't remember having ever heard before.
"That's right Maude, they tested me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that you are not my mother after all!" Ezra said, confirming Maude's suspicion. "Now if you would kindly answer the question..."
"I'm sorry Ezra, I never wanted you to know the truth. You're actually my sister's son, she died giving birth to..."
"Maude, if that were true, I'm sure Dr. Benson would have mentioned that we are in fact related. Now who am I, or should I simply call the authorities?" Ezra asked, suspecting that he had not ended up in Maude's care through legal means.
"That won't be necessary darling, yes well.... The truth is I needed a toddler for a project and when I saw you in the park with your mother, I knew with only one look that you were perfect. When I heard your mother call you Ezra, any lingering doubt was removed, such a distinguished sounding name. You were a beautiful child, and as you were only two years old at the time, I knew you'd never be able to identify me," Maude paused for a moment in her explanation. "I never intended to keep you, I waited until your mother had taken you home and laid you down for a nap. I stole you directly from your crib, planning to use you for my project and then return you to your parents."
"Why didn't you?"
"When I realized that you were a natural at the game, I simply couldn't let such a find go. Besides, it would save me from having to find another child everytime I needed one," Maude coldly explained.
"What is my name and where am I from?" Ezra demanded, his voice equally cold as he tried to hold himself together.
"Ezra Tolliver, and I took you from Conyers, Georgia. Though I don't know if your parents are still there," Maude answered.
"Thank you Maude, good-bye," Ezra said, turning on his heel and marching from the room.
"Ez, where do ya want to go now?" Vin softly asked, reminding Ezra of his presence.
"Home, I want to go home," Ezra replied, leaning into Vin's embrace as he felt an arm being wrapped around his waist.
"Home it is, come on," Vin replied, gently guiding the smaller man out of the hospital.
+ + + + + + +
"Noooooooooo!"
The sound of his lover's screams startled Vin from sleep, bringing him instantly awake. "Ezra," he called, firmly shaking the other man's shoulder in an effort to wake him. "Ezra! Wake up!"
"Vin?" Ezra asked, obviously not fully awake. "You want to talk about it?"
Shuddering slightly, Ezra knew better than to avoid the question. Given the circumstances he knew Vin wouldn't give up until he got an explanation. "Not really, but you're gonna make me aren't you?"
"No, but I really wish ya would tell me about your dream, might help," Vin replied, pulling Ezra to him as he ran soothing hands down the shuddering back.
"It was truly awful Vin. I returned to Conyers in search of my real parents, only to discover that they were gone. When I asked people in the area, they told me that my mother was unable to deal with the loss of her child and killed herself. My father, having lost both wife and child, proceeded to drink himself into an early grave. Suddenly I found myself back here at our home, watching you pack your bags. When I asked you why, you said that...you couldn't stay with a man who brought nothing but heartache to those around him. You told me that you had experienced so much loss and hurt in your earlier life that you simply couldn't endure anything further and were leaving before it happened. You picked up your bag and walked out the door, that's when I woke up," Ezra explained, shuddering at the memory.
"Aw Ez, first of all ya ain't getting rid of me that easily. I love you babe, and you're stuck with me, so get used to it. Secondly, no matter what happened or didn't happen to your folks, it ain't your doing. The only one to blame for any heartache that 's been caused is Maude Standish. I just wish the statute of limitations on kidnapping hadn't ran out already, I'd like to put her under the prison," Vin snarled in anger.
"You are right about Maude, but what if..." Ezra trailed off. The fear that asking the question aloud, would make it come true keeping him silent.
"What if...?" Vin asked, trying to get Ezra to finish the question. "Ez, please talk to me," Vin plead, brushing a gentle kiss across Ezra's mouth.
"I can't, I'm afraid," Ezra confessed.
"Afraid of what babe?"
"Did you know that Maude has always been very quick to tell me when I've done badly? She was always finding fault with my endeavors, I could never please her, no matter how I tried," Ezra said, trying to explain what he was thinking. "I don't think I can ever remember receiving any praise from her, certainly she was never proud of me. I think that's part of the reason I decided on a career in law enforcement, if I couldn't please her then I might as well be a complete disappointment. I can't help wondering, what if my real parents are equally disappointed in me because of the life I've led?" Ezra finally voiced the fear that was at the heart of his nightmare.
"Ez, I can't tell ya that won't happen. Ain't no way for me to know, but I can tell ya what I believe will happen. I think that if your folks are either one alive, they'll be so happy to have their son back that nothing else will matter. I also think that they'll be proud of the man you've become. Ez, them cons you ran when you were a kid don't really count. You was just doing what your mother told you too and ya didn't really know any better. I'm sure they'll understand that, I also figure they're gonna be impressed that in spite of that training you didn't take the easy way out. You refused to keep breaking the law, refused to hurt people and instead joined the side of law and order. You've spent most of your adult life getting scum off the streets and behind bars where they belong. Frankly, if they can't be proud of that I don't think they're any better than Maude and you're better off without them. Just remember this Ez, no matter what you'll always have me and I'll always love you. Ya also got five other stubborn cusses who are proud to call you brother," Vin reminded him, ending his statement with a deep, loving kiss.
"You must really love me," Ezra whispered, his voice filled with awe.
"I do, but why do you say that?"
"I wasn't counting, but I do believe you used up an entire year's worth of words just now," Ezra teased, laughing for the first time in days.
"Damn, you won't tell will ya?" Vin teased back, happy to hear Ezra laugh again.
"It'll be our secret darlin, I promise," Ezra quietly replied, brushing a kiss across Vin's lips. Deepening the kiss, Ezra moaned with pleasure at the feelings his lover was causing. Moving from his lover's lips, he slowly trailed kisses down Vin's neck, continuing to his lover's chest, he lovingly began to suck and nibble at Vin's nipples. The sounds coming from his lover's throat as he writhed on the bed beneath him, turned Ezra on, leaving him hard and aching for release. Reluctantly he moved away from Vin's chest and kissed his way down the younger man's body all the way to his feet, never touching his lover's weeping erection. Transferring his kisses to the opposite leg, Ezra began to slowly and torturously kiss his way back up Vin's body.
"Ez, please...I need ya, please," Vin moaned, begging for his lover's touch.
Finally taking pity on the younger man, Ezra shifted slightly and ran the tip of his tongue across Vin's slit, lapping up the drop of pre-cum that waited there. "Is this what you want?"
"You know it is," Vin replied, voice thick with desire.
"Tell me," Ezra demanded.
"Oh Godddddd...please Ez, suck me, oh God I need ya so bad," Vin moaned.
Suddenly engulfing the head of his lover's cock in his mouth, Ezra firmly held Vin's hips in place as the other man instinctively bucked upward at the sensation. Reaching to the bedside table, Ezra removed the tube of lubricant as he continued to move his mouth up and down Vin's cock, always taking him deeper. Swirling his tongue around the head of his lover's cock, sometimes running it up the thick vein on the underside as he moved his head up and down on the other man's cock, Ezra smiled at the sounds his lover made. Pouring some lube into his hand, Ezra coated several fingers, a second later slowly inserting two into his lover's anus, causing him to buck upwards. Moving his fingers in and out, he scissored them apart, gradually adding a third finger as he slowly prepared his lover, never ceasing in his attention to Vin's cock. Giving his younger lover no warning, Ezra suddenly took Vin's cock as deep as he could, humming in pleasure as he did. The dual sensations of Ezra deep throating him as he worked slick fingers in and out proved to much and with a shout Vin shot his load down Ezra's waiting throat.
Pulling away, Ezra poured a generous amount of lube into his hand and slowly applied it to his aching cock. Positioning himself between his lover's long legs, Ezra slowly pushed the head of his cock into his lover's tight passage. Stopping his movements, he allowed Vin to adjust to his presence before he continued pushing his way inside. The feeling of his lover's muscles gripping his length would never cease to amaze him as he slowly began to move in and out of Vin's body. As he brushed across Vin's prostate with each thrust the younger man grew hard once again. Watching Ezra through hooded eyes, Vin sensously reached for his own cock and began to pump it, matching his rythym to the rythym of Ezra's thrusts. All too soon, Ezra felt the familiar tingling in his balls as he moved towards climax. Shouting his lover's name, he emptied himself deep inside Vin's body. A moment later, he felt the muscles of Vin's ass clenching around him, as his lover followed him over the edge, shooting his load over both their bodies. Reluctantly, he gently pulled himself from Vin, hating the loss of a connection that never failed to make him feel complete.
"I love you Vin Tanner," Ezra whispered into his lover's mouth, as he claimed those lips in a soul deep kiss.
"I love you too Ezra Standish," Vin returned, his own whisper thick with emotion as he returned the kiss.
+ + + + + + +
The next morning, Chris pulled into the long drive to the house shared by his two friends. Getting out of the cab of his truck, he was surprised to see that Ezra's Jag was in it's usual spot. Standing there, he tried to decide if he should go up to the house or the barn first. Seeing a figure down by the barn decided him, walking quickly he wasn't surprised to see that it was Vin, already half-way through the morning chores.
"Vin, is Maude...?"
"She's still alive, for now," Vin replied, his voice colder than Chris had ever heard before.
By the time Vin had finished explaining about Ezra's kidnapping, Chris was as angry as his friend. "Damn her! How dare she steal a child from his parents? Who the hell does she think she is?" Chris snarled, thinking of his own son stolen from him through death.
"I know Chris, I ain't any happier with her than you are, but I got to think of Ezra right now. I could use your help actually, do you think you could have JD check and see if Ez's folks are still alive and where they are? Don't tell him why though, Ez ain't ready to have all the guys know the truth yet," Vin explained.
"Sure, I can do that. How's Ezra doing?"
"Okay I guess, he was in shock at first but now he's starting to get scared."
"Scared?"
"He's afraid that his real folks won't love him either. I'll tell ya Chris the only reason I ain't killing her is cause she's dying anyway," Vin admitted.
"Ain't surprised to hear that, don't blame ya either," Chris told him, knowing he would've felt the same if this had happened to Sarah.
"You need any help here?"
"Nah, I got it under control. Why don't you go on in a little early, maybe you can catch Buck goofing off," Vin suggested with a playful smile.
"Okay, I'll let ya know as soon as JD finds anything," Chris told him. Looking in his rearview mirror as he drove away, he saw Ezra stepped onto the porch. Silently promising the man that he wouldn't rest until they found his parents, Chris returned his attention to the road as the house behind him faded from sight.
"Was that Chris leaving?" Ezra asked, stepping into the barn and enjoying the sight of his lover as he tended to the horses.
"Yeah, I told him what's going on Ez. He's gonna have JD look for your folks, don't worry he ain't gonna tell him or any of the guys what's going on," Vin assured him, cutting off his protest.
"Thank you darlin', I don't know what I would do without you," Ezra softly said, slipping up behind Vin and wrapping his arms around him.
"And I don't aim to let you find out," Vin replied, turning in his lover's embrace and claiming his lips in a passionate kiss.
+ + + + + + +
Working his usual magic when it came to anything related to computers, JD found the information they were searching for in less than twenty-four hours. Surprised by what he saw, JD grabbed the printouts and headed to Chris' office the next morning.
"Come in."
"Chris, I got that information you wanted," JD said, handing the papers to the older agent. "I was just wondering why you had me look into these people, they don't seem to have anything to do wi..."
"JD, you don't get paid to question my orders," Chris snapped, cutting the young man off in mid word. "Aw hell, JD I'm sorry," Chris apologized when JD turned his patented whipped puppy look on him. "You're right it isn't related to a case, but I can't tell you what it's about, not yet."
"Okay, but you will tell me eventually?" JD asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I don't know JD, probably and please don't ask me anything else or tell the others anything...damn it JD! You already told Buck what you were looking for, didn't you?" Chris yelled, the guilty look on JD's face all the answer he needed.
"I didn't mean to Chris, I was working on it at home and Buck came up behind me. When he saw what I was doing, he asked about it, I didn't know you didn't want him to know. I thought it had to do with a case," JD explained.
"Alright, nevermind JD, it's my fault I should've told you to keep it quiet," Chris said, excusing JD's mistake. "Go on back to work and JD, thanks."
"You're welcome Chris," JD replied, opening the door and returning to the outer office.
Looking through the papers in his hand, Chris was glad to see that both of Ezra's parents were alive and still in Conyers. At least finding them had been easy, now though he had something to do that would be a little more difficult. Picking up the phone, he called Vin and Ezra to tell them what was going on. "Ezra, I know you didn't want the rest of the guys to know yet, but now that Buck's got the scent..."
"Yes, I see the dilemna. I suppose they will have to be told, you have my permission Mr. Larabee," Ezra agreed, knowing that Buck wouldn't stop until he got an answer.
"Chris, are Ez's folks still alive?" Vin asked when he saw that Ezra wasn't going to do so.
"Yes they are and they still live in Conyers. From what JD found out, they never had another child after you were kidnapped Ezra. It looks like they've spent every spare dime and minute searching for you," Chris explained, hoping it would calm Ezra's fears.
"They have?" Ezra asked, hardly daring to believe that perhaps there was a family out there that wanted him.
"Yep," Chris replied.
"Ez!" Vin called out. "Chris I got to go..."
"Is Ezra okay?"
"I ain't sure, thanks for the help cowboy," Vin answered, hanging up the phone a second later.
Walking outside, Vin was surprised to find that Ezra had stopped on the porch. Standing at the railing, he stared out across the land, a wistful look on his face.
"Penny for your thoughts babe," Vin spoke, stepping behind him and wrapping his arms around the smaller man.
"A penny? Why I'm insulted sir," Ezra replied with mock outrage.
"Nickel?" Vin offered, uping the ante.
"Well, normally I would demand more, but you don't look as though you could afford it," Ezra teased. "I can't believe this is really happening Vin. My parents are alive and they've been looking for me. All these years, I've thought nobody could ever love me and then you found me. I know it wasn't easy, and I'm certainly glad that you wouldn't give up until I believed in your love. Slowly, I learned to accept that the rest of the team truly cared about me...not because of you or because of my skills as an undercover agent, just me."
Vin felt his heart breaking at the disbelieving, wistful tone of his lover's voice and once again cursed Maude Standish to the lowest levels of hell.
"Now, after all these years I find that in addition to a man who loves me with an intensity I never dreamt possible and brothers who are always there for me, I am to be given more. Do you know Vin that I used to dream that Maude wasn't really my mother? It's ironic really, I used to pretend she was a witch and I was a prince whom she had stolen from his rightful parents." Ezra told him, chuckling softly at the irony. "I just hope they won't be disappointed in me," he whispered, the fear of rejection still exerting a strong pull on his heart and soul.
"They won't babe, how could they be? They'll love you, just like I do, you just need to give them a chance."
"If you're sure that I should, I will," Ezra agreed, willing to do anything with Vin's love and support.
"Do you want to go to them, or should we bring them here?"
"I think I'd rather go to them," Ezra replied after several minutes of thought. "Will you come with me?"
"Wild horses couldn't keep me away Ez, when do you want to do this?"
"The sooner the better I suppose."
"Then let's go call the airline and get a flight," Vin said, leading his lover inside the house.
Chapter 3
Driving up to the small house on a tree lined street in Conyers, Georgia, Vin parked the rental car and turned to his lover."Ez, you ready?" Vin asked, reaching out to brush gentle fingers down his lover's cheek.
"As I'll ever be, they know we're coming?"
"You heard me call them Ez, it'll be alright babe, you'll see," Vin tried to soothe the other man.
Fighting off the urge to run, Ezra gave Vin's hand a gentle squeeze, silently thanking him. "Of course it will, they wouldn't dare make a liar of you." Taking a steadying breath, Ezra opened the door and shakily climbed from the car.
Joining Ezra on the sidewalk, Vin gently nudged him towards the house. Walking silently beside his lover, Vin offered quiet support, hoping it would be enough.
Reaching the front door, Ezra rang the bell with a trembling finger and nervously waited for the door to open. Within seconds, the door swung open to reveal a small woman with auburn hair and beautiful blue eyes.
"Mrs. Tolliver?"
"Yes, oh my yes," the small woman replied with a trembling voice as she took in the sight of a son she'd never expected to see again. "Ezra? You are Ezra aren't you?"
"Ye...yes I am, oomph," Ezra grunted as Mrs. Tolliver suddenly wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry dear," she apologized, hearing the small grunt of discomfort. "I'm just so excited, I never gave up but I had very little hope left. To see you, to know that you're really here..."
"It's alright, I quite understand," Ezra replied.
"Oh where are my manners, come in, come in," Elizabeth Tolliver said, stepping aside and allowing them to enter the house.
"Thank you, oh and this is my partner Vin Tanner," Ezra quietly introduced, his usual confident manner conspiciously absent.
"Hello Mr. Tanner, it's a pleasure to meet you," Elizabeth greeted, holding out a hand towards Vin.
"Call me Vin, Mrs. Tolliver," Vin replied, taking the hand and giving it a gentle shake.
"Only if you'll call me Elizabeth," she replied, leading them into the living room where her husband waited.
Stepping into the room, they saw a tall man standing next to the fireplace. As he turned towards them, Ezra sucked in a sudden breath. Looking back at him from across the room were the same emerald green eyes he saw in the mirror every morning. Studying his father, he noted the light brown hair and the dimple in his chin, the strong jaw showed Ezra where his stubborn streak came from. Though he suspected that his mother, small as she was would win any argument his father was foolish enough to attempt.
"Allan? This is Ezra, our Ezra Al, he's come home," Elizabeth needlessly introduced as the two men stared at each other.
Moving forward, Ezra didn't realize he had left the doorway until he stood in front of the man who had fathered him. "Mr. Tolliver?"
"My boy, you're home," Allan whispered, suddenly grabbing Ezra into a strong hug, his second in the space of minutes. Releasing Ezra after a long hug, Allan gently led him to the sofa and helped him to sit down. "So tell us all about yourself, where have you been all these years? Have you been safe?"
"Well as I told you on the phone, I was taken by a woman named Maude Standish who was unable to have children of her own. What I didn't tell you was the reason she took me, it wasn't from a deep desire to have a child, though she never abused me," Ezra quickly assured them when he saw the flash of concern in their eyes. "Maude is...was a conwoman," Ezra said.
"Was?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, she passed away yesterday, the result of injuries she received in a car wreck. It was in fact because of those injuries that I learned the truth. You see her kidney's were damaged and because of the possible need for a transplant I agreed to be tested. Of course the test showed that I wasn't her son, when I confronted her, she admitted the truth and told me who I really was. Now where was I? Oh yes, Maude took me to use in a con she was running. When she saw how well it worked, she kept me and trained me to be a conman and a gambler."
"So you're a conman?" Allan asked, trying hard not to sound as though he were judging Ezra.
"No, oh I was until I acheived adulthood and was able to escape Maude by attending college. After college, perhaps in part because I knew she would hate it, I joined the FBI. In fact I even worked for several years in Atlanta, however due to circumstances that I'd rather not get into I am now with the ATF. Specifically Team 7 which is based in Denver, Colorado," Ezra explained, giving them the short version.
"What do you do for them?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm the undercover agent for the team," Ezra replied.
"Well that's wonderful, we're proud of you," Allan told him, proving Vin right.
"Now what about you're personal life Ezra, do you have a special lady in your life?" Elizabeth asked.
Taking a deep breath, Ezra knew the moment of truth had arrived. "No, no lady, but there is somebody very special in my life."
"No lady? Then who...?"
"Elizabeth dear, I think Ezra is telling you he's gay," Allan explained, showing that he possessed the same quick intelligence as his son.
"Oh, that's what you meant when you introduced Vin as your partner isn't it?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes it is, Vin is the someone special I spoke of. I know that I'm not what you expected and..."
"No you're not, but then the truth is we never really expected to see you alive again. Ezra dear I won't deny that I'm a bit uncomfortable with the idea of my son being gay, but after thirty-two years without you, I'm not about to let you go again. I want the only thing that any mother ever wants for her child, I want you to be happy and if Vin makes you happy, I'm happy."
"What about you sir?"
"Ezra, you have an unusual name, did the Standish woman tell you that it is in fact your name?"
"Yes, she said it was part of the reason she took me," Ezra replied.
"Well, even in the deep south, Ezra is an odd name anymore. However I insisted that you be given the name out of respect for the man who raised me. Your grandparents died when I was only eight years old, my older brother had just turned twenty. He was young, had his whole life planned out, but he gave up his plans to take care of me. I found out when I was sixteen that he was gay, now as difficult as it can be nowadays , back then it was even worse. I could see the terror in his eyes when I walked in on him and his lover. I think that upset me more than anything, I didn't know if he thought I would hurt him for loving a man or what, but it hurt me to see that fear. Three years later, his secret was discovered and he was beaten to death by a group of good ol' boys. I promised him at his grave that I would do all I could to fight the kind of senseless prejudice that had led to his death. So, no Ezra I don't have any problem at all with who you love, life is too short to spend it alone," Allan explained, pulling Ezra from the couch and into a fatherly hug. Turning to Vin, he held out his hand, "Welcome to the family Vin."
"Thank you sir," Vin replied, a huge smile on his face as he watched the man he loved finally reunited with the parents he had been stolen from.
Later that night, lying in the guestroom of the Tolliver home, Vin held Ezra tightly in his embrace. "So, guess fairy tales do come true," he observed, remembing Ezra's childhood fantasy.
"I guess they do," Ezra replied with a chuckle. "Vin, thank you for encouraging me to come here, without your help I don't think the prince would've ever returned."
"You're welcome babe, I'm just glad it all worked out," Vin replied, lowering his head and taking Ezra's lips in a gentle kiss. "So, why don't you thank me properly," he suggested with a suggestive smile.
"Gladly," Ezra answered.
Later, as they lay together, Ezra noticed that for the first time in days, no in his life, he felt truly at peace. Lying his head on his lover's chest, he allowed the steady beat of Vin's heart soothe him to sleep and as he felt himself surrounded by a deep, abiding love he knew he could face anything with Vin by his side.
THE END