The battered jeep pulled off the side of the road, onto the gravel track that led toward the forest. Vin Tanner, behind the wheel, turned to where his partner, Chris Larabee, lounged in the passenger seat. “We’re about there old man.”

“Good to hear, kid,” Larabee mumbled. He slid his sunglasses up onto his forehead and perused the trees right outside the window. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “The great outdoors. Nothing like it.”

“Amen,” the younger man agreed. A few minutes later, he parked the vehicle in an overgrown clearing. “We’re on foot from here.”

Smiling as he exited the jeep, the blond said, “Looks like you weren’t lying pard. Doesn’t look like anyone’s been around here for years.”

Handing the ATF leader part of their supplies, Vin winked and answered, “far as I know Chris, I’m the only one that even know it’s here. C’mon.” he led the way farther into the wooded terrain. Neither man said anything for some time as they hiked toward the little picnic area Tanner had promised his lover. They had managed to get some time off from work, and the team sharpshooter declared that the two of them needed a day away from civilization. He had wakened the blond from his first full night's sleep with the jeep already packed and ready to go. Almost child-like in his excitement, Tanner dragged the groggy and protesting man from the warm bed and shoved him into the shower. He escaped to fix breakfast under a barrage of curse words from the other man as the cold water exploded on his skin.

Less than an hour later they were in the jeep, the strains of country music competing with Vin’s voice as they traveled just over the speed limit down the road. Chris was just glad that his partner had a good voice. They spoke very little throughout the trip, nothing they weren’t used to. Lulled by the movement of the vehicle and the sounds of Vin in a duet with Patsy Cline, Chris dozed in his seat.

Pulling himself from his musings, Larabee stopped just before running into the lean, muscular back ahead of him. “Why are we stopping?”

“We’re here pard,” Vin said with a quiet reverence in his voice.

Looking over the younger man’s shoulder, Chris beheld a pristine clearing. The trees encircled it in a tight formation, making it almost impossible to find. Only Vin’s keen sense of direction, along with his love of nature had brought them here. “Damn,” the man said softly.

Chuckling, Tanner said, “Yep. That’s what I said first time I came on it. Figure this is about the most beautiful piece a real estate on the planet. I’ve been up here a few times since, whenever things get too close in town. Thought once about puttin’ a house up here, but wouldn’t wanna do anything t’ mess it up.”

“You’re right. Nothing should ever spoil this corner of the world,” Chris whispered into the other man’s ear. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”

Turning his head and looking sideways at the other man, Vin said softly, “You can have everything I got pard, you know that.”

With a smile, Larabee nuzzled his neck, nibbling the soft flesh there. “Thought I had already.”

“C’mon, let’s go put this stuff down over yonder,” Tanner led the way, feeling the crotch of his tight jeans becoming even tighter. The two men spread out blankets and pillows, setting a hamper and cooler nearby. Vin took a deep breath, not wanting things to go to quickly. He turned toward the little pond they had settled near and watched the breeze ruffle the calm water. As he breathed in the fresh air, he felt the other man come up behind him. Larabee had removed his own shirt, and now tugged at the T-shirt covering the younger man’s lean, muscular chest. He kissed the broad shoulder as he ran his hands over the tight, flat belly and the well formed chest. Chris wrapped his arms around the slender waist, pulling his lover closer. One hand slid downward, and he sighed deeply as he felt the hardening bulge between his lover’s legs. “Feels like someone’s ready for dessert before we get to the lunch.”

“Pard, when ain’t I ready for dessert?” Tanner growled the words, moaning softly as he felt the other man’s hand rub gently against his hard cock. “Oh, damn, y’ know how t’ curl my toes.”

Both hands moved to the younger man’s waist then, and undid the belt and fastenings. Sliding the jeans over the narrow hips, Chris slid one hand under the cheek of Vin’s ass, while the other continued to fondle the throbbing cock. He pushed the other man to the blanket on his back and knelt next to him. Gently squeezing the younger man’s balls, he smiled and slowly took the erect penis in his mouth.

“Ahhhh... shit,” Vin moaned. “Oh... damn!” He continued to gasp out his excitement as the older man sucked him into a frenzy. He wound the fingers of one hand through the long reddish-blond hair of his lover, while the other searched for Larabee’s cock. Finally making his way below the waistband of Chris’ pants, he smiled devilishly as he matched the other man’s rhythm; they both came very close to exploding in a mutual orgasm.

Drawing back, the man in black grinned evilly as he watched his lover squirming with pain. “Be patient, we aren’t done yet.” With that he pulled Vin’s boots and jeans the rest of the way off, following them with his own clothing. He leered at the glazed look in the other man’s blue eyes as he licked his lips. “Huh-uh, I’m putting this in another hole,” he growled as he rubbed his own cock.

“Oh god,” Tanner moaned, knowing what the man meant. He raised his legs, making himself relax.

Grabbing some lube, the blond used it on his own large and throbbing cock, as well as Vin’s ass. Feeling the younger man relax, he pushed the long legs back and upward, and eased himself inside the waiting orifice. “Ah, damn...damn but you’re tight. You like that? Want more of it?”

Tanner groaned loudly. “Yeah... fuck me Chris. Fuck me!” Time suspended for both men as the clearing filled with the wild sounds of their love-making. A final thrust of Larabee’s hips sent them both over the edge. While Larabee exploded inside Tanner, the younger man’s own orgasm soaked both men’s chests. Panting from the exertion, Chris withdrew and collapsed next to his lover. Both men slid quickly to a satisfied sleep, arms and legs wound around each other.

<:><:><:><:><:><:><:>

Vin stretched and yawned, reveling in the scents of both he and Chris that mingled on his skin. Rolling over, he saw that Larabee wasn’t anywhere to be seen. “Where you at, Larabee?” He called. Frowning when there was no answer to his call, he pushed himself to his feet and scanned the area. Moving to the little pond, he looked to see if the other man had decided to go swimming. “Chris?”

Suddenly he found himself forced roughly to the ground, his head shoved under the cold water. Pushing backward, he fought to free himself from several restraining arms. He had no idea of what was going on, only that something was very wrong. He knew he had only a few minutes before he lost the battle and drowned.

“Freakin' fags... doin' that... where decent folks... ought'a cut yer dick off right here...” The words came to him through the sounds of violence as he struggled time and again to the surface to catch a breath.

The fear of what had happened to his partner added to the fiery anger he felt, and his actions became more violent. Finding himself freed for a split second, the slender man rolled away from the pond.

“Don't let 'im go!” cried out one of his attackers.

The others were on him again then, hands and feet connecting with his nude body. A growl of anger through split and bloody lips announced the young man’s fury. Despite the fact that he counted four aggressors, Vin Tanner did not give up. They had him at a disadvantage from the beginning, though, and he soon fell beneath the sheer weight of the attack.

“God-damned faggot. Reckon you’ll think twice ‘fore y’ let some man stick his dick up yer ass,” one of the men growled with a final kick to the felled man’s ribs. He smiled as Vin cried out in pain. “C’mon boys. Lets get on outta here. His boyfriend ‘ll have ‘im a real surprise when he comes back.”

Laughter followed the hate-mongers from the little glade. Vin waited until he heard nothing, letting them get far away before he moved. After several tries, he managed to get as far as his hands and knees. One arm collapsed beneath him, jarring his battered ribs. In far too much pain to even cry out, he fought to get enough breath into his lungs so that he could move again. Finally making it back to his knees and one arm, he crawled painfully back to the blanket. Once there, he managed to retrieve a can of beer from the cooler, drinking it quickly in an effort to relieve the pain. Emptying the can, he lay on the blanket, pulling part of it up over him. He huddled there, fighting against the pain and wondering where his partner was.

<:><:><:><:><:><:><:>

“Vin? You still sleeping? Come on and wake up.” Larabee called out as he entered the clearing. He chuckled at the sight of the younger man curled up in the blanket. Then something set off his internal alarms. “Vin?”

“Ch-ch-chris,” came a painfully weak whisper.

Hurrying over, the man in black fell to his knees next to his lover. Pulling down the blanket, he cursed at the sight of the bloodied and bruised face that greeted him. “Oh my god Vin, what happened?”

“Wh-where were y’?” Tanner said in a tone of accusation and raw fear, “Where?”

“I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered tenderly, using a term he had never used with the other man before. “I went down to the jeep to look for the can opener. I wanted to surprise you by getting the lunch ready. I –“ he broke off, his voice trembling with emotion. “I’m so sorry, Vin, so sorry.”

“H-hurts, Chris... oh god... hurts.”

“I know it does. I’ll go call from the jeep, get an ambulance –“

“NO!” Tanner cried out in a fear that his life partner had never seen before. “D-don’t leave me... don’t leave me, okay? Th-they might come back... might... they saw... saw us, Chris... might attack you...” Bloody, trembling fingers clawed at the other man desperately.

Being as careful as possible, Larabee pulled the battered man into his arms, stroking his long hair and whispering to him. “Okay Vin, okay. I won’t leave you. Shh, now, it’s okay now. I’m here... I won’t let anyone hurt you again. Shh, it’s okay. Calm down now, calm down. It’s okay.” They sat like that for some time, Chris doing everything he could to comfort his partner. He watched around them as he did, preparing for the return of whoever had attacked Vin. No one appeared at the edges of the clearing, though, leaving them alone in the quiet forest once more. Larabee only wished the peace could return.

“Chris,” Vin whispered after some time, “take me home.”

“We need to get you in to the hospital,” Larabee said gently but firmly.

“No... wanna go home. Please Chris... wanna go home.” Hot tears washed over the dried blood, the younger man trembling with fear. “Don't want nobody... they'll ask questions... please...”

“Shhh, come on, it’s okay. We’ll go home, it’s okay. I’m gonna take you home, shhh.” Untangling the battered man from the blankets he managed to get Vin's clothes back on. Wrapping the blanket back around Tanner’s shivering form, he lifted the slender man to his feet, keeping a snug hold on him to keep him there.

“Chris... I can walk,” Vin mumbled.

“Shut up and let the old man take care of you,” the ATF leader said gently. He continued to talk quietly to his partner as he helped him down the trail, back toward the jeep. Stopping from time to time to allow Vin to catch his breath, Larabee managed to get them both back before the sun went completely down. Easing his friend into the passenger seat, he tucked the blanket snugly around Vin's shoulders. “It’s okay pard, we’re at the jeep.”

“Home Chris... wanna... wanna go home.”

“I’m going to call Nathan to meet us at the house, okay? We’re gonna go home, okay?” Tenderly stroking his lover’s hair back from his battered face, he said, “We’ll go home I promise.”

“”Kay,” Vin sighed. “Th-thanks... I l-love you.”

Kissing Tanner’s forehead and caressing his bruised cheek, he answered “I love you too.” Hurrying around to the driver’s side, Chris dug his cell phone out from beneath the seat. Punching in Nathan's number, he started the jeep and got the vehicle back onto the road while he waited for an answer.

“Jackson residence.”

“Raine? Is Nate there?”

“Chris, sure, just a minute.”

Dodging the deeper ruts in the road and driving slowly to reduce the jarring on the man beside him, Larabee waited for the former medic.

“Chris?”

“Nate, I hate to bother you, but I need you to meet us out at the ranch as soon as you can get there. I need you to bring your medical stuff with you, too.”

“What's happened now?”

“It’s Vin, Doc,” Chris used the agent's nickname. “He’s been attacked.”

“Bad?”

“Don’t know how it could be good,” the man snapped.

“Chris, ain’t no call for you to bite my head off.”

“Sorry Nathan.” Larabee said, taking a deep breath. “Look, I’m sorry. It's just that... whoever did it attacked him because... because of us Nate.”

When his meaning sank in, Jackson said simply, “Damn.”

“He's refusing to go to the hospital --”

“Chris --”

“I promised, Nate... I promised. We're going home”

There was a pause at the other end of the line and then, softly, “Okay. I'll meet you there.”

<:><:><:><:><:><:><:>

Chris sighed as the sprawling ranch house he shared with the younger man came into view at the end of the long, winding road. He looked over at Vin, who lay curled up in the passenger seat. Other than the occasional soft moan or the barely stifled cry, the battered man was silent. “Vin? We’re home.”

“’Kay,” Tanner mumbled.

Pulling up in front of the house, Chris hurried around to the passenger side. Opening the door, he unfastened the seat-belt and all but lifted the slender form from the seat. He helped the man to the house, surprised when Nathan opened the front door. Looking around, he said “Where’s the car?”

“Raine’s got it. She went for a couple things I missed.”

Nodding, the blond moved inside, settling Vin on the couch. The men set about unwrapping and undressing the beaten man, being as gentle as possible. When they were done, they both felt their hearts pounding at the sight before them. There was barely an inch of the lithe form that wasn’t bruised or bloodied.

“He needs to be in the hospital,” Jackson said matter-of-factly as he began cleaning the cuts.

“No,” Tanner muttered painfully, “no... hospital.”

Looking across to where the other man stood, Nathan expressed his opinion with his eyes. Larabee shook his head. “Made me promise not to take him to the hospital Nate. Thought if you could get him patched up some, we might get him there later.”

“No!” Vin struggled weakly, trying to get off the couch. “You promised... Chris, you... promised.”

Leaning over the back of the couch, Chris soothed, “It’s okay, I know I promised. Now, lay down and let Nathan take care of you, or we won’t have a choice in the matter. Hear me? Lay still now.”

Slumping back to the couch, Tanner allowed the dark healer to finish his examination. That done, he enlisted the quiet man hovering over them both to help him begin making repairs to the abused body. While they worked, Nathan’s beautiful young wife returned with the forgotten supplies. She gasped at the sight of the battered agent, but recovered quickly and assisted in finishing the ministrations to Vin. It took nearly three hours for them to clean, stitch, splint and bind the injuries. Nathan’s promise that none of the injuries appeared life-threatening gave the blond some hope, but the fear was still evident in his pain-filled hazel eyes.

“Chris?”

He turned to find Raine standing beside him, offering him a cup of coffee. “Thanks,” he said with a shallow smile.

Brushing an errant strand of blond hair back, the dark beauty said, “you’re welcome. Why don’t you go sit down and enjoy it. I’ll help Nathan clean everything up.”

“I should sit with Vin, I –“

Pressing a finger to her lips, the woman said, “You need to take a break. You’re going to fold up and be worthless to take care of him if you don’t. Now, go sit down and let us handle things for awhile.” With that she gently pushed him toward the nearest chair.

Lowering himself into the overstuffed chair nearby, Larabee perched on it stiffly, his eyes intently watching each breath his lover took. A ringing phone caused him to nearly choke on the hot liquid. Recovering, he identified it as the nearby cordless, retrieved it, and spoke shortly into the receiver. “Larabee.”

“Hey Chris,” came Buck Wilmington’s voice. “You boys got back in on piece, huh?”

“Buck, I – “

Long years of friendship meant that the other man was immediately aware that something had happened. “Chris? What’s wrong pard?”

“Vin... it’s Vin, Buck.” His voice sounded hollow, even to his ears.

“Chris, what’s wrong?” The big ladies man repeated.

“They hurt him, Buck. They hurt him.”

“Who? Chris, talk to me.”

Raine rescued the phone from Larabee. “Hello?”

“Raine? It’s Buck. What’s goin’ on darlin’?”

Quickly she filled him in on everything as well as she could. By the end of the conversation, the labile agent was fuming, his voice loud enough to carry beyond the phone. He was on his way out the door and would be right over with the others. They would find out who had injured Vin, and they would take care of the situation. Before anyone could stop him, Wilmington was off the phone.

“We’ll calm him down when he gets here,” Nathan said quietly.

“Maybe,” Larabee responded.

<:><:><:><:><:><:><:>

Vin opened his eyes slowly, trying to figure out where he was. Slowly the familiar room came into focus around him. He was in the bedroom he had shared with Chris for the past few months, lying on the bed where they had pledged their love and entered a relationship that neither of them had sought out or expected. Their relationship had from the beginning been one of firsts for the younger man, and a male to male sexual experience was one of the bigger ones on that list. He had to think for several minutes to recall why every inch of his body hurt so badly. When he did, he voiced his pain in a strangled curse that ended in a groan.

“Vin?”

Looking around him, Tanner finally settled on the shadowy figure in the big rocking chair nearby. “Chris?”

Larabee came to him, kneeling next to the bed. “Good to see those beautiful blue eyes open. It’s been awhile.”

“How long?” Vin suddenly became aware of the dryness of his throat. As if reading his mind, the blond brought him a glass of water and helped him drink it.

“Almost twenty-four hours. Nathan doped you up pretty well. How bad’s the pain?”

“Tolerable,” Tanner whispered, unable to take his eyes off the other man.

“I’ll get Nathan to give you something,” Chris pushed to his feet and started out the door.

“Chris,” came the call from the bed.

“Yeah,” Larabee answered.

“Don’t. I’m okay.”

“Sure?”

“Yeah. Chris, come lay here with me. I... I don’t wanna be alone,” he struggled with the admission.

Hurrying back to the big bed, the blond carefully moved to lower himself to the mattress. As gently as he could, he curled himself around the younger man. He stroked the pain-etched face, whispering to the injured man. “I’m right here, Vin. Go on back to sleep, okay? I’ll stay right here with you. No one’s going to hurt you now, I won’t let them. Not ever again.”

The tears began to fall then, streaking the finely chiseled face in hot streams as they flowed. He spoke brokenly, between sobbing breaths. “I was so scared Chris. Not for what they were doin’ to me, but cause I didn’t know where you were, or what they’d done to you. I was afraid they’d killed you.”

“Ah, damn it Vin. I am so sorry. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have left. I’m sorry.” His own tears threatened to run as well.

“No... no. You couldn’t have known, there was no way you could have. Don’t you dare blame yourself. It was them dirty, sick bastards that are t’ blame. Chris, I know this might not be what y’ wanna hear, but soon as I’m better, I wanna go track ‘em down.”

“No Vin, you –“

“Chris, them bastards did enough as it was. They done this t’ me and they ruined the most beautiful piece of property I’ve ever known. I wanna hurt ‘em for that, and for what they could’a done t’ you. I’m angry Chris. They did this cause a what you mean t’ me... what I mean to you. They don’t have a right, pard.”

“I agree,” Larabee said, stroking the square jaw and brushing back the tousled brown curls. “They don’t have a right to do what they did, and they’re not going to get away with it. You don’t have to worry about getting them, though. Buck and the others came over last night. They’ve been out at the clearing, looking for clues as to who the men are. We’re going to get them, don’t worry about it. By the time you’re back on your feet we’ll have them.”

Vin settled down, relaxing against his lover’s shoulder. He felt the love from the other man, basked in the feeling of having someone who meant so much, and that he meant so much to. Buck and the others would make certain that the men who had done the things that they had to him. They would take care of it; make things right again. As right as they could. Thoughts swirling, he realized that some things would never be right again. Turning, he buried his face into the broad shoulder beside him and slipped back to sleep.

<:><:><:><:><:><:><:>

It had been almost a month since the attack. Vin had made slow progress in healing, anf had relented and allowed them to take him to the hospital the next day. His injuries had been bad, but with care and rest he would make a full recovery. Both he and Larabee had taken time away from the office so that the team leader could take care of his partner. The other men brought the work to him, taking his orders just as they would at the office.

Vin was up and hobbling around within three days, walking as if he had aged by several decades. Chris hovered over him, seeing to his every need. The younger agent wouldn’t hear of the other man sleeping on the couch, insisting that they sleep just as they had since he had moved in – together. A few times his pain-shortened temper caused him to lash out at Larabee, and their arguments could be heard out into the yard. The others took it as a good sign, things would be fine.

They had indeed found the four men who had attacked the young sharpshooter. Four drunken, narrow-minded hunters who gave a bad name to anything they were even vaguely attached to. None of the men wished their friends relationship to come under public scrutiny, but there were other ways to make certain what they had done to Vin Tanner. Leaving Raine to watch over Vin, the other six men left to confront the attackers. When they finished, the men were more than apologetic and three of them decided to relocate to another state. The remaining man, tied to the area by a wife and child, became a quiet and cautionary citizen. Not many people could stand long before the combined persuasive powers of Team Seven.

<:><:><:><:><:><:><:>

Chris came out onto the rear deck, smiling in relief when he saw the familiar form sitting on the steps. In a t-shirt and jeans that had become too big for him since the attack, Vin leaned against the short upright, staring off into the woods behind the ranch house. “Dinner’s going to be ready in a few minutes.”

“’Kay,” Vin said absently.

Coming to sit down next to his partner, the older man said, “Penny for your thoughts.”

“Ain’t worth that much,” Vin said with a small smile.

“Yeah? You looked awfully intent just now. Seems like something is weighing pretty heavily on you. Sure you don’t want to talk about it?”

“Just thinking about that little clearing.”

“The clearing. Do you want to go back there?”

Jumping to his feet as quickly as he could, the still-healing man began pacing. “No. I don’t wanna go out there now... probably not ever again. They ruined it, pard. Those bastards ruined everything about it, and it’s never gonna be the same.”

Leaping to his feet now, Larabee caught up with the pacing man and grabbed hold of his shoulders. Turning the younger man to face him, he said, “Vin, listen to me. I know you won’t believe me right now, but we will get through this... me and you. And when the time is right, we’ll go back there. When we do, I’m going to curl your toes like they’ve never been curled before.”

“Chris, I—“

Taking the man into his arms, he caressed his cheek then kissed him passionately. “Don’t say anything right now, okay? Everything’s too fresh right now, too raw. Give it some time, and let yourself heal. We both need to heal right now I think, but you have to believe that things won’t be like this forever.”

Leaning against his partner, the sharpshooter sighed. “But I don’t want some things to change.”

Chuckling, Larabee said, “Those things won’t ever change, Vin. The good things are forever.” He kissed Tanner on the lips once more, then ran a finger along his square jaw line. “I promise you that. The good things are forever.”

The End