Pairing: Chris/Vin

Note: Thanks to Renegade and Kimber for looking this over for me.

Summary: Chris receives a visit from one of his siblings, and they both end up sharing their secrets.

~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~

Vin Tanner frowned as he entered the study to find his partner staring into space with a worried look on his face. “Chris? What’s up?”

Chris Larabee blinked, surprised to find the man who’d been sharing his home for the last two years and his life for the last five, in the doorway. “Sorry, didn’t hear you come in.”

“That’s okay. You look worried, anything wrong?”

Shrugging, the blond said, “I don’t know, honestly. Just got off the phone with my brother.”

“Your Mom okay?” Vin’s voice was concerned. He had only met Chris’ mother two years ago. She had been somewhat shocked at her son’s ‘new’ lifestyle choice but, after some soul searching, she had been happy that he had found love once again. Larabee’s father had passed away before Sarah and Adam had been killed, and he wasn’t especially close to his siblings, so Anna Larabee was the only one privy to his relationship with Chris.

“Mom’s fine. I’d probably know if she wasn’t before he would, anyway.”

“So Mark or Adam David?”

Mark. He’s going to be in the area next week, and wanted to know if he could visit for a few days.”

“You need me to clear out?”

His expression almost angry, the blond said, “No, I do not want you to clear out.”

Vin came to kneel before his chair, staring up at him. “Don’t get so defensive, Chris. I can camp out at Ezra’s, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

“Are you trying to give me time alone with him, or afraid of how he’d respond to us?” Despite his mounting frustration, Larabee reached out and stroked a hand down the other man’s face, running his thumb over the five o’clock shadow along one square jaw.

Reaching up to clasp that hand, Vin said, softly, “Whatever you need, I’ll do it, Chris.”

“What I need is right here,” Chris growled as he leaned forward and captured the other man’s lips, delivering a deep, lust-filled kiss. Pulling back, he added, “And I want you right here, no matter what. If Mark doesn’t like it, he can leave.”

With a broad grin, Vin replied simply, “Well, all righty, then.”

~o~

Chris found himself staring out the window, looking at nothing in particular. His mind was hundreds of miles away, in Indiana.

The family of Anna Grace and Adam Lee Larabee was large; Chris had been the middle child, but had also spent time as an “only” and an “oldest” thanks to the family configuration. He had three older siblings and four younger. Adam David, the oldest, had been out of the house before he’d reached two; and had been the object of his idolization. The older brother who swooped in from time to time, and took him out for a ride on his Harley, leaving his friends watching in slack jawed envy as they drove just a little too fast through town.

His sisters, Annalee and Kate, had been in high school at the time, and saw him as little more than a pest to be ignored until their friends came over. Then he was trotted out and “played with” as several teenage girls oohed and aahed over the mischievous little blond boy. They had moved out after high school, Annalee going to college and Kate getting married at the end of her senior year.

Chris was eight before another Larabee child made an appearance. Then, five years later he found himself entering his teen years, with three younger sisters and one younger brother; Rebecca, Grace, Jennifer and, finally, Mark; the “change of life” child. Mark had just been entering Kindergarten when he had left home to enter the Navy. Having lived in the landlocked Midwest his entire life, Chris yearned for the adventure and excitement of the open sea.

The next time he’d returned home, he’d brought Sarah, and they’d arrived just in time for his father’s funeral. Mark was nearly eleven; sullen and brooding, ignoring his older siblings for the most part. Mark hadn’t been the only “stranger” Chris had met that weekend, though. Adam David was now a starched CEO who couldn’t have ridden a bike thanks to the thick pole up his ass. Annalee was a quiet, easy going woman whose life was devoted to social services and a variety of related causes. Kate was, by that time, a mother of five children of her own; the oldest one just having entered high school. Rebecca, Grace and Jennifer, often referred to as “the stair steps” were giggling teenagers who were more interested in their boyfriends and make up than the fact that their father was being buried. He and Sarah, along with Annalee, had spent most of their time with Anna, making certain that she took care of herself during the tragedy of losing her spouse of over forty years. Afterwards they all returned to their individual lives, leaving his mother to finish raising her youngest children. He was there for her if she needed him, but otherwise their lives were lived on parallel paths. She had come for a visit after Adam had been born and, again, when he and his mother had been buried. Chris called her once a month to check in with her and he and Vin had gone for a weekend visit. Otherwise, life went on.

“Hey, Larabee!”

The voice called him back from his thoughts and Chris once again found Vin standing in the doorway, watching him. “Yeah?”

“Dude, where were you? I called you like five times. Mark’s on the phone.” To emphasize his point he held out the cordless, one hand covering the speaker.

Padding across the room, Larabee nodded and took the handset. “Hello.”

“Shit, sorry, lost track of time. Yeah, my calendar’s pretty open next week. When are you planning to come in?”

Hiding his shock at his brother’s decision to stay longer than overnight, Chris managed to say, “Sounds perfect. It’s been a long time.”

“Too long,” Mark said; the words barely audible.

“You need directions?”

“Nah, got the address and a GPS.” He paused and then asked, almost hesitantly, “So, was that someone working at the ranch?”

Grinning when he realized the comment was aimed at Vin, he could see his partner’s face when he told him. “Nope, that was Vin. He lives here.”

Another pause and then a simple, “Oh. Well, I’ll see you Wednesday.”

Disconnecting the call, Chris wished he knew his little brother better, so he could decipher the tone in his voice. Looking up he saw Vin leaning against the doorframe, studying him. “He’s coming Wednesday, staying until Saturday.”

With a nod, Vin said, “Anything I need to add to the grocery list?”

Considering the question briefly, Chris shrugged and stared at his partner. “I honestly have no idea.” Then he grinned and dropped his voice as he said, “He thought you were my hired man.”

Returning the grin, Tanner then leered as he said, “Didn’t you play the hired man last time?”

~o~

Wednesday arrived and Vin seemed more anxious about their impending guest than Chris did. Larabee had made certain that the house and grounds were in order, but didn’t go out of his way to “spruce up” the place the way his partner expected him to. In fact, the blond made more of a fuss getting the house ready for the others to come over for a barbeque. While he didn’t say anything, he was confused about Chris’ response to a visit from his brother.

The two men returned home from the office to find a strange car sitting in the driveway. Pulling the Ram up beside the vehicle, Chris turned off the engine and the two men climbed out of the cab, just as the driver’s side door of the car opened and a man exited.

Vin was struck by the family resemblance immediately. Tall, blond, striking good looks. The only difference was that the other Larabee was slightly stockier than Chris. Mark Larabee came around the car, smiling as he held out his hand toward his older brother.

“Chris! Long time.”

Taking the proffered hand, Chris replied with, “That’s for sure. You were just a snot nosed kid, last time I saw you.”

With a chuckle, Mark offered, “Yeah, and you were a pain in the ass know-it-all.”

“Hate to tell you, but that ain’t changed,” Vin entered the conversation as he held out his own hand to shake. When Mark took it, he introduced himself, “Vin Tanner.”

“Nice to meet you, Vin.”

“Well, grab your stuff and I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping,” Chris instructed, adding, “Vin, would you mind checking on the horses?”

“Nope. I’ll catch up with you later, Mark. I’d love to hear more about your pain in the ass, know-it-all brother.” Dodging his partner’s swat, he jogged toward the barn.

There was nothing more said as Mark retrieved a single bag from the trunk of his car and followed Chris toward the house. The awkward silence continued as they moved through the house to the spare bedroom. Entering it, Chris said, “Here you go. There’s a bathroom through there, towels and everything’s in there as well, we just changed the bed, so it’s all fresh and ready for you. I’ll let you settle in while I go get dinner going.”

“Thanks, Chris. I hope I’m not putting Vin out or anything,” Mark turned from where he was opening his bag, only to find that his older brother had already left the room. Heaving a sigh and shaking his head, he returned to his suitcase.

~o~

Thanks to the soft jazz that was playing on the stereo there was some sound in the dining room while they ate dinner. The meal consisted of steak, baked potatoes and salad, with wine to drink. Vin noted that Mark kept stealing looks between him and Chris, as if he wanted to ask about them, but didn’t feel he could. Halfway through the dinner, Vin couldn’t take the quiet any longer.

“So, Mark, what do you do for a living?”

“I was teaching until the end of the last school year. Since then, I’ve just been kicking around.”

“So, why’d you leave teaching?”

With a shrug, the younger Larabee said, “It just seemed like time. Burn out, I guess.”

Nodding with understanding, Tanner said, “I can understand that. I do volunteer work with kids and, believe me, I know just how… taxing… they can be.”

With a grin, Mark replied with a question, “So where do you do your volunteer work?”

“PYC… the Purgutorio Youth Center. Urban kids, impoverished.”

“High risk.”

“Yeah, some of the highest, unfortunately.”

“Vin was attacked last year by one of the gangs.” Chris joined the conversation, love and pain glistening in his eyes as he continued in a soft voice. “Three of the kids he had been working with were killed.”

With a shocked expression, Mark said, “I… I’m sorry. That had to be awful.”

“Yeah,” Vin’s voice trembled, still feeling the pain of loss that lingered long after the physical pain he’d experienced had faded.

Cursing under his breath as he saw the pain his words had caused, he changed the subject, asking his brother, “So, have you seen Mom lately?”

“Uh, yeah, I’ve been using her place as a sort of home base since I left Boston, actually.”

Nodding, Chris bit down on the kneejerk reaction to make a comment about living off their mother, even though that was just what he assumed was going on. Instead he said, only, “How is she?”

“Okay. She’s talking about selling the farm – “

“What! No, she can’t sell home!”

Holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender, Mark continued to explain. “I told her the same thing, and so did Jenn. We’re the only two she’s said anything to about it. We think we’ve got it worked out for her, though.

“Good. Whatever I can do, just let me know.” Chris pledged.

“We will.”

With a frown, the older Larabee asked, “So, is that why you came out here?”

“No, not exactly. Can’t I just come out for a visit?”

That only caused a deepening frown. “Any time, but… why now?”

Looking uncomfortable, Mark said quickly, “It was just the right time.”

Trying to lighten the mood, Vin said, “Well I, for one, am very happy to finally meet one of Chris’ brothers. I meant what I said, earlier, I’d love to hear about young Chris.”

“Well, he was thirteen when I was born, so I didn’t know him when he was real young. You’ll have to ask the older kids about that. But I do have some stories.” Mark seemed almost relieved to change the subject. He grinned and added, “And most of them I doubt my brother has ever shared with any of his friends.”

“Yeah? Well, just remember, mister chess club champion. I was in the SEALs…”

“Don’t let him scare you, he might have been a SEAL, but that was a long… loooooong time ago. Now? Well, he needs help just gettin’ up in the mornin’…”

“Vin, if you want to live to have a piece of the cake you picked out at the store, then I suggest you shut up… now,” Chris growled.

Vin chuckled, but said no more. The three men settled back to eating and the conversation stalled until they took slices of cake and retired to the den. Chris and Vin automatically settled into the twin recliners that sat near one another, leaving Mark to take one end of the couch. Taking a bite of the slice of red velvet cake, Chris started to reach for the remote, only to see that Vin was holding it and giving him a look that told him he’d lose a hand if he reached for it. Loosing a long sigh, he settled back and took another bite of cake.

They passed the rest of the evening in small talk, which focused primarily on sports, vehicles and other stereotypically male topics. In other words, they avoided anything that might be even close to personal. As the evening progressed, they seemed to be yawning more than talking. In fact, Vin had snuggled down in his chair and was snoring softly before they decided to call it a night.

“I started to ask earlier, am I putting Vin out, sleeping in the ‘guest’ room?” Mark asked. “I mean, if so, the couch is fine with me.”

“That is the guest room, Mark.” Chris stated, and then added, “Vin sleeps with me.”

Vin sat up, no longer dozing.

“Wondered when you were going to say something.” Mark said with a grin.

“You knew?” Chris voice was a mixture of shock and anger. Beside him Vin relaxed.

“Mom… well, she let it slip one evening. I wasn’t going to say anything, Chris, you know what Dad always said, ‘a man always tells his own story’. But it was beginning to feel like the elephant in the middle of the room.”

“Well, this elephant is just as happy that it’s no longer an issue, and I’m gonna go to bed. Don’t let him stay up too late, Mark, he gets cranky if he doesn’t get his beauty sleep.” Vin smacked his partner on the knee, saluted their guest, and left the den.

Chris shot a glare at his life partner, but it was ruined by the love that crept into the expression.

“How long have you two been together?” Mark asked.

“Well, we’ve known one another for five years; we started seeing one another three years ago. We made it official on New Year’s.”

“Where’d you meet?”

With a grin, Chris explained, “Damn fool almost ruined a bust we were making, so I got him hired onto the team so I could keep an eye on him.”

“You work together, too?”

“Yeah. So, are you okay with it?”

With a shrug, Mark said, “I’m fine with it.”

“That’s good because, if not, the only thing I’d ask is that you not do or say anything to hurt Vin…”

“Hey, I remember the time you beat the shit out of Dave Turner for calling Jenn a bitch. I’m not about to do anything to rain that down on me!” He was serious, but he was also smiling, giving Chris another indication that he truly was all right with the situation. “Anyway, I think I’m going to hit the hay myself, it’s been a long day.”

Nodding, Chris responded with, “Okay. I’ve got to go into work in the morning, but I’m taking the afternoon off, and the entire team’s going to have the day off on Friday. I thought we’d have a barbeque, so you could meet the rest of them.”

“Sounds great. Night.”

“Good night and, it really is good to see you, Mark.”

Turning at the door, the younger man smiled, “You too, big brother.”

~o~

Chris returned to the ranch just after one the next afternoon, to find Mark just waking up. “Damn, sleepy head! You really were wiped out.”

Scrubbing a hand through rumpled bed head, Mark simply smiled.

“So, hungry? I can fix you something while you get dressed. How’s a BLT sound; you could count it as breakfast and lunch.”

With a sleepy grin, Mark replied, “sounds good.”

~o~

Chris frowned; the makings for BLTs were set out on the table, but his brother still hadn’t come to the kitchen. He strode through the house, rapping a knuckle on the guest room door jamb as he entered the bedroom, only to find it empty. Seeing the bathroom door was open, he stepped to the doorway, poking his head in. “Hey, foods rea—“

Mark looked up with a start, from where he was sitting on the side of the tub, a syringe sticking from his stomach. “Chris!”

“What’s going on, kid?” the older Larabee asked, frowning as he took in the sight of his brother with a needle. He recalled their mother’s worry and concern about her youngest when he was in school, and drugs had been a large part of that concern. Then his gaze settled on the bathroom vanity. Sitting there was a pill reminder, along with vials, a small box of syringes, alcohol wipes and a red container with a “Hazardous materials” sticker on the side. “Mark? Talk to me.”

Finishing his injection, Mark stood, dropped the syringe in the red container and began to hurriedly put the rest of the supplies into a small overnight bag. “Give me a minute, Chris, okay?”

Chris caught the word “Fuzeon” on one of the vials, while another said “sterile water”. He was educated enough to know that these things spelled “H.I.V.” He suddenly felt as if the world had just taken a step to the left without letting him know about it. With a hitching breath, he said, “Mark…”

The other man finished putting away his medications and started past his brother and headed toward the door that led to the hall. “Let’s talk about it while I eat, okay?”

A few minutes later they were sitting across the kitchen table from one another. Mark had put together a sandwich, but didn’t seem overly enthusiastic about eating it. Finally he sat it aside and clasped his hands together atop the table. “Chris, what you saw in there… there’s no easy way to put this… I’m HIV positive.”

“HIV… are you certain?” He regretted the words as soon as he’d said them.

Mark smiled indulgently. “Yeah, I’m certain. Believe me; I wouldn’t be going through this unless I was.”

Shaking his head and heaving a sigh under his breath, Chris said, “Yeah… sorry. It’s just…”

“Punch in the gut?”

“Yeah.”

Nodding, Mark replied, “Been there, done that. I’m sorry, I wish there was a different way to bring it up, but I haven’t found it.”

“God, Mark…” Chris trailed off, rubbing a hand over his face as he tried to assimilate the information his brother had just given him.

“So… questions?”

“I… yeah… I… I’m not sure where to start,” Chris stammered. He got up and paced around the kitchen, going to the refrigerator and pulling out two long necks, then putting them back and finally taking them out a second time. He paced back to the table and dropped to his chair, handing one of the beers to his brother. He still couldn’t form a coherent thought.

“Look, I figure you know that I had some problems back in high school and college and I wasn’t exactly smart about some dumb choices I made. It wasn’t until after I’d cleaned up my act and started teaching that I started noticing some… things… that sent me to get tested.”

“Is that why you left your job?”

“Yeah. I was teaching in a pretty conservative school, and someone found out about it. It was either resign or it would become public knowledge and I’d lose the confidence of my students.”

“Not to mention their parents, the other teachers, the administration…”

Shrugging, Mark said, “I guess but, honestly, the students were the only ones I was concerned with.”

Smiling, Chris said, “Yeah, Mom said you were a pretty awesome teacher.”

A blush crossed his features as the younger man said, “Well, I don’t know about that, but I loved working with them. It was amazing to get them interested in learning, to watch as they discovered things,” he sighed, “just amazing.”

“You could have fought to keep your job.”

“Chris, this isn’t the movies. Too many people are still far too freaked out about HIV and AIDs. Even though I could live another twenty years or so, I really don’t have a lot of hope that we’re going to see a big change in that. So, I decided to leave while I still had my students respect. Besides, now I can stay with Mom on the farm, and take care of it for her.”

“Well, I guess it’s a win-win situation, but I’m sorry that the kids are losing out on a great teacher.”

“There are others out there, the world won’t stop turning because I’m sick. Look, as far as Vin, it’s okay with me if you tell him; it’s only fair.”

“I appreciate that; he’d pick up on something being wrong and… well, I don’t lie well.”

Grinning, Mark said, “Yeah, we all know that. The girls and I used to… well, make use of that bit of information.”

Laughing now, Chris replied, “Oh my God! I remember the time you four ganged up on me and found out what you were getting for Christmas! You guys were ruthless!”

Joining the laughter, Mark said, “Well, yeah! We knew that, if there was something Mom and Dad were trying to keep secret, that we just had to keep at you until you gave in and told us the truth. Hell, not just them, but anyone. I remember Becca keeping at you when she was trying to find out if Wade Clifford liked her.”

Wincing at that memory, Chris said, “I wish I could have lied then. It broke her heart to find out that Wade thought of her as the annoying little sister of one of his friends. I mean she was only, what? Eight or nine, but she had such a crush on him. After I finally told her how he felt, I don’t think she came out of her room for three days.”

Taking a deep breath, Chris asked, “Mom knows?”

“Yeah. I actually went to her as soon as I found out. She was pretty shaken up, but… hell, she’s been my rock through it all. Most of my friends… well, they’re still in Boston, so we’ve all sort of drifted apart. Mom’s been there, though, thank God.”

With a grin, Chris said, “She always was, for any of us. When… well, when I lost Sarah and Adam, she came out and stayed with me for a couple weeks. I wasn’t the most pleasant person to be around back then, either.”

“She told me a little about it. Sounds like it hit you really hard.”

“Yeah…” Chris let the sentence go unfinished.

“I’m sorry the rest of us weren’t there for you.”

“We never were all that close,” he said with a shrug. “It happens.”

“Well, we do have a few family memories. Hey, do you remember the last Christmas you were home, before you left home? Me and Jenn still believed in Santa Claus, and you and Dad said you were going to check something in the barn, but instead you climbed up on the porch roof and started stomping around, then Dad came runnin’ back in saying there was a man in a red suit on the roof, and we’d better get to bed if we wanted gifts.”

Chuckling, Chris said, “Yeah, but what I remember most was falling on the way back off the roof and twisting my ankle. Hurt like a son of a bitch!”

They continued reminiscing about days gone by, and the things that had gone on during the scant few years that they had lived under the same roof. After nearly an hour, Chris suggested, “Would you like a tour around the place? I’ll even introduce you to a couple of the orneriest horses on the face of the earth.”

“Hey, how could I say no to such an offer?” Mark smiled as his older brother joined him in laughter, and the two of them cleaned up the kitchen before he followed Chris out the door, heading toward the barn.

Both Peso and Pony behaved, at the very least tolerating the younger Larabee’s attention, for which Chris was grateful. They took their time walking the perimeter of the yard, Chris proudly telling his sibling about his property.

The two Larabees were still enjoying the afternoon, sitting on the back deck and talking, when Vin came home. He greeted both men, and then excused himself to go change out of his work clothes. Although he was dressed casually, Chris explained to Mark that, to Vin, it wasn’t casual enough to suit his partner.

A few minutes later Vin returned to join the other two men, dropping to the foot of the chaise lounge that Chris was sitting on. His slacks and polo had been replaced by jeans and a tee shirt. “So, you two been spending some quality time?”

Rolling his eyes at Tanner’s terminology, Chris said only, “Yeah, we have.”

“Good. How about I go fix us something for dinner?”

Nudging his partner with a foot, Chris said, “Thought we could take Mark to Bernie’s for dinner, if you’re interested?” He turned to his brother.

“Sounds great.”

“Good, well, you two get ready and let’s go, ‘cause I’m about starved!” Vin proclaimed.

Scowling at his partner, Chris asked, “And this is different, how?”

~o~

Dinner was filled with casual chat and Vin’s attempts to extract as much information about his partner as a child as he could. Mark could only chuckle as the man asked question after question. “I’m amazed that you’re not a lawyer, Vin, as many questions as you’re asking.”

“Yeah, wish he was as good at getting information from the bad guys,” Chris quipped in a sarcastic tone.

“Oh, hell, you know I’m damn near as good as Ezra at it.”

“Yeah, right.”

The banter continued even on the way home, at times the two men seeming to be growing angry with one another. Mark could hear the underlying tone of affection in their voices, however; could see the love shining in their expressions whenever they looked at one another.

Back home, they sat in the den watching the news, while they enjoyed a beer before retiring for the night.

Once in their bedroom, however, Chris’ demeanor changed. Without as much as a word, he pulled the covers back on their bed, striped out of his clothes, and settled on the mattress. Rolling to his side, he pulled the coverings up to his chest and closed his eyes.

Nearby, Vin frowned at the change. He followed suit, climbing into bed and sliding toward his partner. Stroking a hand over the man’s shoulders that he now noticed were trembling, he asked softly, “What is it?”

At first it didn’t seem that Chris was going to answer but, after several, long moments, he replied, “It’s Mark.”

“He say something… do something… to hurt you?”

Rolling onto his back, Larabee looked up into his lover’s face. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. Vin… Mark’s sick. He told me today… he’s HIV positive.”

Taken aback, Tanner could only stare into the other man’s eyes for several moments before he said, in a tone of shock and sadness, “Oh, shit.”

“Yeah, something like that.”

Seeing the look of sadness and defeat that crossed the older man’s features, Vin could only think to say, “I’m sorry.”

Nodding, Chris rolled back to his side, curling in on himself. Knowing that, for now, there was nothing more he could say, Vin settled in behind him; spooning his partner and wrapping an arm around his chest. The trembling continued for a few minutes, then he felt Larabee’s body tense as tears began to flow. Other than tightening his hold a little, Vin simply allowed the other man to grieve quietly.

~o~

The next morning the three men enjoyed breakfast together. Mark looked for signs that Vin was uncomfortable around him; wondering if his brother had shared his ‘news’. When Tanner didn’t seem any different he was to the point of deciding that he hadn’t, when the other man spoke up.

“If you’re wondering, Mark, yeah, Chris told me. I’m sorry… don’t really know what else to say. But, if there’s anything I can ever do… well, let me know, okay?”

Looking to see that Chris, who had gone to the kitchen to load the dishwasher, was still gone, Mark said, “Just make certain that he’s okay? Especially if… well, if anything happens to me. We may not have been as close as we could have been, but still…”

Reaching out, clasping the other man’s hand and squeezing it, Vin said, gently, “I promise, Mark.”

“Promise what?” Chris asked, as he entered the room.

Without hesitation, Vin retorted, “Promise to stop JD if he starts any of those damned jokes of his this afternoon.”

Shaking his head, Chris responded with, “Why don’t we just gag him as soon as he walks in the door?”

“Hell, he’d just chew through the gag.”

“True.” And with that, the issue seemed to have been sidestepped. The three men returned to cleaning the house in preparation for the afternoon’s gathering.

~o~

The other five members of ATF Team Seven, along with Casey Wells, Raine and Nathanial Jackson, were at the ranch just before noon. Chris had the grill going, with hamburgers, pork steaks, hot dogs and chicken strips filling the air with aromas that had everyone’s stomach growling. The long table that ran from the grill to the steps along the back deck was soon filled with potato, macaroni, green and fruit salads, along with pie, cake and brownies. Raine had already chased Vin away from the desserts twice, scolding him for setting a bad example for his two year old nephew. Pulling a face, Vin simply picked the giggling toddler up and tossed him over his shoulder as he walked away, informing ‘Thanial that they were going to find something fun to do away from his grumpy mother. Behind them Raine, just beginning to “show” with her second child, couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of her son quietly wiping a bit of chocolate off his little fingers, onto Tanner’s shirt.

“I’m not gonna tell him,” Chris said from where he stood near the grill, “He can find out for himself tonight.”

“Just don’t let him sit back on the furniture,” Mark quipped from where he found himself involved in a poker game with Ezra, Nathan and Josiah. Tossing his hand onto the table, he groaned, “I’m out.”

“Now, certainly, Mr. Larabee, the younger…” Ezra began.

“Ezra, you try and fleece my baby brother and I will personally make certain that your next expense report never gets submitted,” Chris growled in mock-anger.

“I would never! Mr. Larabee, the elder, I am wounded!”

“Wounded, my ass, and stow the elder shit, I know exactly how old you are, too.”

“I… believe I’ll abdicate my spot at the table and go in search of refreshments.” Standish moved quickly away, heading for the kitchen.

“Haven’t seen him move that fast for a while,” Buck announced as he slid into the vacated seat and picked up the discarded hand, letting out a low whistle as he announced, “And certainly not with a hand like this!”

“I’m out,” Josiah proclaimed, tossing his cards onto the table.

Nathan tossed his hand onto the table as well, stating, “Me, too,” as he stood. “Think I’ll go see what sort of trouble Nathanial’s gettin’ into with Vin.”

“Good idea, husband,” Raine agreed. She and Casey were sitting at the other end of the deck, discussing the baby shower that Casey wanted to throw for the Jacksons. JD, much to his dismay, had been recruited to “take notes” as the two women discussed the details.

Mark, watching as Ezra disappeared into the house, asked no one in particular, “Does he always talk like that?”

“Like a walking thesaurus?” Josiah responded.

“No, he only does it until he gets to know you, then he talks like a real boy,” Chris sniped.

“Unless he wants to piss someone off,” Buck added, looking meaningfully at his boss and old friend.

“Yeah, well, I’m gonna be pissed off if you people don’t eat all of this,” Chris proclaimed as he placed the last hamburger on the tray. Pitching his voice loud enough that everyone could hear he called out, “Come and get it!”

With a war hoop, Vin was quickly jogging across the broad lawn, Nathanial giggling in his arms. Nathan followed at a somewhat more sedate pace. A few minutes later the deck was alive with activity as the gathering began to fill plates and glasses. Everyone found a place to sit, Chris near his brother, and Vin at his side.

After they had all eaten their fill, and more, they all sat and talked. Mark shared a little of his life in Boston and answered their questions about his brother as honestly as he could without giving too much away or causing Chris undue embarrassment. On their part, the others regaled him with stories about their work at the ATF, only embellishing Chris’ role from time to time.

Mark couldn’t help but smile when he looked over to see Vin with his arm on the back of Chris’ chair, his hand gently rubbing along the man’s back from time to time. On his part, his brother didn’t acknowledge the actions, but seemed more at ease and comfortable than he had since Wednesday evening.

As the sun began to set, the party began to break up. The women, declaring that they needed a break from all the testosterone, had done a great deal of the cleaning up. Inside, Raine had settled Nathanial in front of the big screen TV in the den, leaving the toddler to be enamored by a bigger than life Spongebob Squarepants while she and Casey put things away and filled the dishwasher.

Mark said his good-byes to the gathering, thanking them for a wonderful time, and excused himself. Vin and Chris walked their friends to their cars, thanking the two women profusely for taking care of the cleanup. As they neared the Jackson SUV, Vin reluctantly placed the sleeping toddler in his car seat, doing his best not to rouse the child.

Arms draped loosely across one another’s shoulders, the partners headed for the corral to check on the horses as soon as the last vehicle had pulled away. It was over an hour later when they finished up and went into the house. Chris moved down the hall when he saw that Mark wasn’t in the Den. He found his younger brother stretched out across the bed, head pillowed on crossed arms. “You okay?”

“Mm?” Mark rose up, blinking owlishly at his brother. “Yeah, I’m okay. Just planned to stretch out across the bed for a few minutes… guess I fell asleep.”

“Guess so. Why don’t you hit the shower and go on to bed? You’re gonna need your rest if you’re leaving tomorrow. If you want, and have time before you leave, I thought maybe we could go for a ride in the morning.”

“Oh, that sounds good but…”

“You need to leave,” Chris guessed, trying not to let his disappointment show.

“Yeah, thought I’d take off around nine. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment first thing Monday morning, so I need to get home.”

“Well, then, next time, you need to plan on being out here longer,” the older brother scolded.

With a grin, the younger brother snapped a mock salute and said, “Yes, sir!” as he pushed himself up from the bed and started toward the bathroom.

Assuming that Mark was going to shower and go to bed, Chris left the room, entering the den a minute later. Vin was stretched out on the couch, aimlessly flipping channels with one hand, while the other was rubbing his noticeably distended stomach.

“Damn, are you sure Raine’s the one who’s pregnant?” Larabee teased, laughing when he received a lazy, one finger salute in answer. Stepping across to the couch, he ordered, “Move over.”

“I jist got comf’table,” Vin drawled, drawing his feet up with a groan.

Chris settled at the end of the couch, pulling Tanner’s feet up across his lap. “What are you watching?”

“Nothing.” Vin yawned as he continued to flip through the channels.

“Want to pick something soon?” Larabee groused as he pulled his partner’s socks off and dropped them to the floor. Retrieving a bottle of lotion from the end table drawer, he spread some in his palms and then began to massage Vin’s feet.

“Oooooo, damn! That feels good!”

Chris grinned and continued the massage, whispering comments about what else he’d like to “massage” when they got to the bedroom. Vin could only grin and then groan as his jeans began to tighten in the crotch. He began to reply in kind and things were just heating up when a sound caused the two men to look toward the open doorway. Mark stood there, his face flushed with embarrassment.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to… interrupt anything.”

Vin moved toward the other end of the couch and Chris was nearly as red-faced as his brother as he responded, “No, you’re fine. I thought you were going to bed.”

“Well, I thought I’d come in and visit for a little while, but… you know, I really do think I’ll go on to bed. Night!” He turned and hurried back down the hall.

Behind him, Vin and Chris turned to one another, both of them caught between feeling like they were caught – literally – with their pants down, and ready to burst out laughing at the entire situation. Then Larabee caught sight of his partner’s very obvious hard-on. Reaching out and not quite touching it, he said, “I think you scared him.”

~o~

Mark woke at seven, stretching as he worked to clear the fog from his mind. He could smell, however faintly, coffee brewing. With a yawn, he headed toward the bathroom and was padding down the hallway a few minutes later. Just as he entered the kitchen, he could hear Vin speaking.

“… so I’ve got to be at Washington Park at six in the morning, so I can help them get the registration table set up.”

Chris groaned, “Six… on a Sunday morning… that’s just cruel. If it wasn’t for such a worthy cause, I’d make you go alone.”

“So, you’re sayin’ you’re gonna come help us out?”

“It’s a fundraiser for the pediatric cancer center, Vin, of course I’m going to come help out. Hopefully they’ll meet their goal.” He looked up from where he was stirring something on the stove to find his brother watching him. “Good morning, sleepyhead. And, yeah, it’s safe, so you can come in.”

Turning from where he was reading the Denver Post at the kitchen table, Vin added, “Mornin’. Yeah, we’re… well, mostly decent anyway.”

With a slightly self-conscious chuckle, Mark entered the room completely and went directly to the coffee maker. Retrieving a mug, he filled it as he listened to Chris and his partner as they continued to discuss their plans for the weekend.

“I told you I’m staying after to help with the kids’ fair, didn’t I?”

“No, you didn’t. How long do you think you’ll be?”

“I just signed up ‘til noon.”

“Okay, I’ve got some errands to run, so I’ll take care of them and come back and meet you at the entrance around 12:30, then.”

“Don’t trust me to be on time?”

“Not when there are kids around.” Chris picked up a platter and began placing breakfast sausages on it.

“I noticed you spent a lot of time with… Nathanial?... yesterday,” Mark remarked.

“Yeah, the only one that’s a bigger soft touch with little ones is Ezra.” Chris informed his brother.

“Really? I’d never have guessed that.”

With a grin, Vin said, “Too bad you’ve got to leave today, otherwise you’d get to meet “Ezra the Magnificent” at the fair tomorrow. He’ll be entertaining the kids with card tricks and the like.”

The conversation continued through breakfast, which consisted of the sausages, biscuits and gravy. Mark tried to keep his portions to a minimum, not wanting to feel logy for his drive, but it was nearly impossible. “I never knew you were such a good cook, Chris.”

“Yeah, well, I learned out of desperation. Sarah was a wonderful person, but she was raised by her dad and a nanny, so she never really learned to cook. It was either learn myself, or live on salad and cereal.”

~o~

Chris found himself feeling melancholy as 9:00 drew near. Mark had packed his things the night before so all he had to do was carry the bag to the car. Vin said his good-byes and excused himself to go check on the horses, leaving the two brothers alone.

“Wish you didn’t have to leave. It was nice to finally have a chance to really talk to you.” Chris lamented over a cup of coffee. He and Mark were sitting on the deck, sharing a last cup together. Beside Mark, on the deck, was a large thermos that his brother had also filled with the drink.

“Yeah, I feel the same way, Chris. Growing up the way we did… well, sometimes I forget that I’ve got so many siblings. Sad, but true.”

“Yeah, I know. But, shit, could you imagine if all of us had been in the house at the same time?”

Feigning a shudder, Mark responded, “I don’t even want to think about it.”

Sobering, Chris asked, “So… are you going to visit everyone?”

“I’m not sure yet,” his brother replied with a shrug. “Jenn knows; she’s back living with Mom, too.”

“Yeah, I heard she and… what’s his name?”

“Al.”

“Yeah, heard they’d split up.”

“Yeah, he thought that she was supposed to be his personal servant and she had other ideas.”

“Hell, being Mom’s girl, it’s a wonder they stayed together for as long as they did.”

“Yeah. Anyway, I needed to tell her, since she’s around. And Becca knows, because she’s helping me with benefits and stuff. Grace is supposed to be coming down for a visit next month, so I’ll talk to her then. As for the others… I really don’t know. They don’t really know me, and I don’t really know them.”

“You could say the same for you and I, though, too, Mark.”

“I know, but… well, Mom said that, uh… well, that it was sort of like you not sharing your relationship with Vin with all of us.”

With an embarrassed grin, Chris understood. “Makes sense and, well, you’ve got to do what’s best for you.”

“And Mom. What’s best for her is always going to be at the top of the list.”

“And if not, your older brother will come and kick your ass.”

Holding up his hands defensively, the younger man said, “I sure as hell don’t want that! Well, look, I’d better get going.”

Standing as his brother did, Chris said, “look, I’m not sure if I can make it work, but I’m going to try to get a couple weeks off for Vin and myself in October. We’ll come out and visit… maybe take Vin to the Covered Bridge Festival, I know he’ll love that, for the food if nothing else.”

His grin broadening, Mark said, “That sounds great!”

They walked in companionable silence to the car, Chris with his hand on his brother’s shoulder. As they stopped, Mark turned and regarded his brother, eye glistening with unshed tears. “Chris… thank you.”

“For what?”

“For not judging me. For… well, just for accepting things for what they are.”

Shaking his head, Chris replied softly, “I’m not sure I want to accept it, Mark. I don’t want to think about… damn it, kid, you’d better take good care of yourself, because you need to be around for a long time to come.”

A single tear ran down Mark’s face, despite the smile that grew wide. “I intend to. Look, we’re all going to die at some point, I’ve just got more… insider information… than most people.”

“Yeah,” Chris replied, his voice rough with emotion. “Look, thank you, too. For not judging me… Vin… what we have.”

“Hell, most people would kill for what the two of you have!” Mark reached out and lightly slapped his brother on the arm. “I’m glad you and he are together. It’s plain to see that the two of you’ve got something very special. I think I’m jealous!”

The two brothers shared a laugh that dispelled the pain they were both feeling. Then, with a sigh, the younger man said, “Okay, I’ve really got to go. Let us know about October, okay? And give Mom enough advance notice that she can start baking.”

“Oh hell, Vin’ll never leave once he gets a taste of her apple pie. And her rolls… chocolate cake… chocolate chip cookies… damn, he’s gonna gain fifty pounds!”

Sharing another laugh, the two men hugged, the embrace tight and warm. Finally pulling away, Mark nodded, tossed his suitcase in the backseat, and climbed behind the wheel. Rolling down the window as he started the car, he extended a hand for a final wave as he started down the drive.

Chris stood, watching as his brother drove away. A pair of arms slipped around his waist, and he clasped his hands over his partner’s hands as he leaned into the embrace. He tried to keep the emotion out of his voice as he said, “Told him we’d try and get out there in October.”

“October in Indiana. Hear it’s pretty there in the fall.”

“Yeah, it is. And, believe me, you’d better take some loose jeans because you’re going to put on more than a pound with Mom’s cooking.”

With a chuckle, Vin tightened his hold on his partner, knowing that Chris needed that comfort right now. “She as good as Nettie was?”

“At least.” Chris turned, moving out of the embrace, only to drape an arm across Tanner’s shoulders as he began walking toward the barn. “So, want to go for a ride?”

“Yep. Horses are ready and, yes, I locked up the house, so we’re good to go.”

Reaching up to brush at the tears that had been falling since Mark had pulled away, Chris nodded, giving Vin a squeeze as they continued walking across the yard together. Taking a deep breath in an effort to calm himself, Chris leaned over and delivered a light kiss to the other man’s temple. Parting only when they reached the horses that were waiting at the corral fence, they mounted, took up the reins, and headed the animals toward the wide meadows beyond the yard. As they rode, side by side, Vin spoke up.

“You know, it’s the damndest thing. I found some chocolate stains on the back of the shirt I was wearin’ yesterday.” He turned a curious look at his partner, who was suddenly laughing hard enough to nearly fall off his horse.

The End

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November 10, 2010