Main Characters: Chris and Vin

Dedication: To Nin… happy birthday hon and thank you for all that you do!

Webmaster Note This story was previously hosted at another website and was moved to blackraptor in July 2012.

He dragged one foot in front of the other, slowly making his way across the ground. Managing to raise his head, he saw the endpoint… his destination. A tired smile graced his full lips as he focused on the soft light that glowed there.

Just a few more steps.

He lifted his right foot, and began the laborious climb that took him the last few feet. Right… left… right… left… he sighed as he reached the final barrier. Fumbling he managed to move it aside and step beyond it.

Victory.

Another long, drawn out sigh and he simply stood. Shoulders down, head back, legs planted wide enough apart to keep him upright. He drew a deep breath. Let it out. Drew another.

“Home.”

Chris Larabee lowered his head, taking in his dimly lit surroundings. He was in the back entry of his ranch house, just outside the kitchen. He began to move once more, footsteps heavy and scuffing, the man too tired to lift his feet as he walked down the hall, searching.

A soft glow that he knew was his fireplace called him toward the den. As he paused just outside the door, he smiled. The fire was crackling a welcome to him with a soft, golden glow. That glow fell upon an even more welcome sight.

Vin sat in the middle of the couch, long legs folded beneath him and long arms draped across them. His head was down; golden brown hair obscuring his finely chiseled features. His entire body spoke of total relaxation and Chris knew that he was sleeping.

With a smile, the blond stepped across the room, coming to stand before his lover. Reaching out, he stroked a hand through the long, silken locks. He watched as a quick, deep breath announced Vin’s waking. “Hey, sleepyhead.”

Tanner looked up, blinking big, blue eyes as he registered the fact that the man he had been waiting for was standing before him. With a surprised hitch in his voice, he whispered, “Chris!”

Leaning down, Larabee gently kissed the upturned face. “You didn’t have to wait up for me.”

Smiling sheepishly, the younger man said, “Wanted to. Wanted ta take care of ya when ya got home.”

Returning the smile, the tired man said, “All I need is you, Tanner.”

“Ya know ya got me,” Vin drawled. “But I know ya gotta be exhausted. What time is it, anyway?”

Heaving a sigh, the older man said, “A little after three.”

Shaking his head, the Texan said, “Ain’t right. Did ya get it all taken care of?”

“Yeah, finally,” Chris nodded then yawned widely.

Tanner unfolded his legs and stood before the other man. Reaching down, he took the briefcase Larabee carried. Pulling it from the other man’s grasp, he sat it aside. Then he slipped the long, black coat from the broad shoulders. Removing the duster, he tossed it in the direction of the recliner nearby.

“Vin…” Larabee began.

Pressing his fingers against the full lips, the Texan shook his head. “Ain’t tryin’ ta seduce ya, Cowboy. Gonna take care of ya.”

Smiling against those long digits, the blond kissed them before he said, “You are?”

Nodding, Vin said, “Ya ain’t had a moment’s rest in a month, Chris. Now it’s over and I’m here ta make sure ya git yer rest. Ya ain’t gonna have ta move a muscle all weekend.”

With a pleased groan, the bigger man wrapped his arms loosely around the other man’s shoulders. Leaning down to kiss the smiling lips, he said, “Oh yeah?”

Returning the kiss, Tanner reassured, “Yeah.”

Larabee’s smile widened and his eyes raked over the other man with love. He thought about responding, but simply nodded and leaned against his lover, head on the broad shoulder.

Rubbing a hand over the other man’s back, Vin coaxed softly, “C’mere.” He nudged Chris back slightly and tugged at the already loosened tie, pulling it off and tossing it aside. Next he began undoing the buttons of the blond’s dress shirt, tugging it out of his waistband and tossing it after the tie. He paused to kiss the warm flesh he had just exposed, in the hollow at the base of the long, bare neck.

“Mm,” Larabee moaned softly.

Smiling, Vin resumed his work, slipping his hands beneath the other man’s undershirt. Sliding the cotton up the lean, well muscled chest, he pulled it off and dropped it to the floor as well. Then, turning Larabee, he gently pushed him backward so that he landed on the couch. Dropping to his knees, he reached down and pulled off one of the man’s dress shoes, following it with his sock. Reaching behind him, he retrieved a bottle of oil that had been warming near the hearth. Pouring a little in his hand, he lifted the bare foot and began to massage it with the heated oil.

“Oh… damn… that feels so… so good,” Chris groaned with pleasure.

Smiling, Tanner continued the massage, then slipped off the other shoe and sock and repeated his ministrations on the other foot.

The blond lay limply against the deep cushions, feeling the pressures of the previous month beginning to drift away. Things had been hell for more than four weeks. He hadn’t had a day off, and those days had been ten to twelve hours long. The rest of the team had been working long hours as well, but Chris’ duties as SAC kept him in the office long after they had gone home. Many times over the last four weeks he had slept at the office, too tired to make the drive home.

Vin had taken care of things at the ranch, bringing his partner a change of clothes the next morning. He had done whatever else he could to lighten Larabee’s load, they all had. But the long hours continued and took their toll on the senior agent.

Finishing the foot massage, Tanner wiped his hands on a towel he’d left beside the oil. He moved to the couch, settling in beside the drowsing blond. Running a hand over the well muscled chest, he coaxed, “Sit up a bit.”

Under his lover’s guidance, Chris leaned forward and turned slightly on the couch. Behind him now, Vin coated his hands with fresh oil and began to knead the tight muscles of the other man’s neck and shoulders. With firm, slow movements, he worked on each muscle, massaging it until he felt the tension release. Then he moved to the next one and began all over again.

Larabee sat with head down, nestled against his chest, feeling the tightness that seemed to be bone deep throughout his body, began to ease. He nearly sobbed with pure unadulterated pleasure as the younger man pressed and rubbed his aching body.

As Vin slowly worked his way down the muscular back, he smiled as he watched the bigger man relaxing more and more. By the time he reached the curve of Chris’ waist, he could feel the body beneath his hands twitch and shiver slightly. The man’s breathing was deep and slow, and he knew Larabee was going to sleep.

Gently tugging the limp body up, Tanner said, “Hey, Cowboy, stay with me here. Don’t think I can carry ya to bed.”

A soft chuff of laughter was his response, followed by, “Better put me to bed now, then.”

Standing, Vin reached down and pulled the older man to his feet. “Tell ya what, why don’t you go stand under a hot shower for a few minutes and I’ll put out the fire and lock up the house.”

“Mm… might wake me up,” Chris muttered.

With a chuckle, Tanner said, “Pard, don’t think an explosion would wake you up right now. C’mon.”

Larabee felt himself pulled forward, forcing his feet to move. Vin guided him across the room and into the hall, giving him a slight nudge there.

“Go on now; I’ll be in, in a minute.”

“’Kay,” was the sleepy answer.

~o~

A few minutes later, Vin entered the master bedroom and crossed it to the bathroom. Chris was still in the shower, the room heavy with steam. He watched the lean body through the frosted glass, feeling his cock respond to the sensual movements as his lover bathed himself. He entertained the thought of joining Larabee in the shower, but restrained himself. The blond needed rest at the moment, not a quickie.

The sound of falling water ceased and the sliding door was pushed aside. Vin held out a thick towel and wrapped the other man in it. As Chris leaned against him, he rubbed the lean body dry. Dropping to his knees, he ran the cloth along the long, muscular legs. It took every ounce of willpower for him to finish the job as he found himself staring at the other man’s semi-erect cock.

“Later, Tanner,” Vin growled at himself as he pushed back to his feet.

Next the younger man helped his half-asleep partner into a pair of pajama pants and led him back into the bedroom. He had turned the covers back earlier, so he eased Chris down onto the mattress and lifted his legs up for him. He looked up to see hazel eyes half-open, watching him. Leaning forward, he kissed the smiling mouth, tugging at the full bottom lip with his teeth. Straightening, he pulled the covers up even as Larabee shifted onto his side.

Turning the lights off, Vin slipped into bed beside the blond. Spooning against his partner, he slid an arm over the broad chest. He felt Larabee’s breathing slow and even out, a sure sign he was asleep now. Smiling in the darkness, he gently kissed the other man’s shoulder and curled against him, drifting off to sleep himself.

The End

Comments to: lara_mee@yahoo.com
March 20, 2005