by Kaed

The obligatory comments: Don't claim to own them, just playing with them for a bit. We all know by now who holds the rights and all that. I do claim the rights to the Markhams, Feroz and Valor, all of whom first appeared in my story "Three Kings, Two Hearts". This is a slashfic, focusing on Chris Larabee and Vin Tanner in the ATF universe that was initiated by Mog.

Begun as a celebration of the Supreme Court's decision that marriage is between two, consenting adults, no matter their gender and orientation. Just a bit of sweet lovin' and a little h/c for one of my favorite couples!

+ + + + + + +

Chris Larabee blinked open sleepy eyes, smiling at the weight and heat that pressed against his left side. He heard the soft, deep breaths that brushed against his bare chest and sighed. He'd missed this for the past week.

He remembered back to the evening things had changed. June 26th, 2015. The Supreme Court ruled that gays could be legally married across the country. As soon as they heard the news, he knew what he wanted.

It hadn't been fairy tale, he knew how that would be met. Instead he looked deeply into that pair of impossibly blue eyes and asked, "so, you wanna..?"

Vin had gazed back at him, those eyes suddenly glistening. "Well, 'magine so."

They decided that the Fourth would be the perfect time to get married; a barbecue, fireworks and vows of eternal love. That had been the way Buck had put it, a wide grin sprouting under his mustache. Vin had insisted on moving out until the wedding night, packing a bag and spending the week at Josiah's.

They only had a little time to miss one another during the days that followed. Thankfully the Team was enjoying some down time between cases, because they both found themselves on the run. They managed to get the license - that had taken hours considering the lines - and plan the wedding and reception in record time.

The morning of the Fourth found him standing beneath yet another cold shower before he started his day. The other six were there shortly after sunrise to help with the preparations. Buck and Ezra seemed to enjoy keeping him and Vin separate just a little to much, something he would be addressing. Later.

Just after noon they had everything decorated in black, white and blue. The back lawn had been turned into a wedding chapel, beneath the canopy of a brilliant, cloudless blue sky. The air was filled with the smell of roasting food, thanks to the huge barbecue pit they had installed that spring. Beyond the chairs and makeshift alter they had set several round tables, covered in white cloth, four chairs at each table, with centerpieces that reflected the personalities of the two men. Silver boot planters that held bluebells and roses. At one side sat their picnic table, also covered in white cloth. In the center sat their cake.

Their nearby neighbor, Mary Markham, had created the cake to their specifications and their great pleasure. Round and three tiered, each layer was unique. The bottom was covered in fondant made to look like river stones. The next looked like it was made of prairie grass, with tiny wildflowers scattered among the shades of green. The top was the color of the sky, billowy clouds circling the cake as well as covering the very top. The cake toper was distinctive as well; two stallions, one deepest black and the second golden brown. The horses looked as if they were dancing amongst the clouds.

At one, the guests began to arrive. The Travis family arrived smiling and happy, Mary looking a little wistful when she looked their way. Raine, Casey and Nettie arrived together, the two younger women wrangling the two Jackson toddlers. Mary and her husband, Jake Markham, arrived and immediately took charge of Vin's two dogs; Feroz and Valor. Each pup, well trained by the quiet man, sat obediently in their laps. As more guests arrived, he and Vin slipped off to get changed. He wasn't really surprised when he tried the door to the guest bedroom and found it locked. He was sure he heard a soft chuckle on the other side, and vowed to get revenge on his husband to be soon.

Then, the moment arrived.

He appeared from one side of the house, dressed in black jeans and a white shirt, a blue brocade vest completing the ensemble. Dressed in jeans and a white shirt, Buck and JD walked on either side him.

As they entered the back lawn, he looked across to the other side of the house. Vin, Nathan and Ezra, dressed as he, Buck and JD were, appeared from the other corner. A beam of sunlight lent an air of otherworld to the proceedings as it gilded Vin in its light.

They met at the far end of the aisle, entwining their arms as they walked toward the other end of the white paper walkway. The other four men fell in line behind them. Ahead, Josiah was waiting at the alter. He was dressed in black, a heavy, silver cross hanging from a glittering chain his only adornment.

The ceremony was pretty traditional, they hadn't had time to plan anything elaborate. For himself, he had never had much of a talent with words. Although Vin had been discovered to be quite the poet, he had declined as well, explaining that there was too much he wanted to say, but he couldn't put it in words. And, when they came to the point of exchanging rings, he wasn't certain who's hands were shaking more; his, Vin's or Josiah's!

As they shared their first kiss as a married couple, he found himself ready to melt at the feel and taste of Vin's lips on his. It took everything he had not to drag his partner... no, his HUSBAND... into the house. Walking back down the aisle beside Vin was difficult on wobbly legs.

The rest of the afternoon was a whirlwind of enjoyment. Inez and one of her cooks had turned out every manner of grilled meat and there was a table filled with salads, corn on the cob, and a varied collection of side dishes. Soon the gathering was filled with the sounds of satisfaction as everyone filled their plates and then their bellies. Buck manned the sound system, playing music that, like the rest of the day, reflected the happy couple. From time to time, though, he slipped in an Elvis Presley song, lip syncing and swiveling his hips to the delight of himself as well as the crowd.

Casey had videotaped the ceremony, and she continued to tape the reception. JD joined her, taking shot after shot of everything happening. They would have an amazing collection to look back on. Providing JD remembered to load the camera.

The dogs, allowed now to join the gathering, followed Vin as if he were a mother duck and they his ducklings. Both dogs had been groomed , and wore bandanas that matched the mens vests. from time to time they could hear the whicker and neigh of Peso and Pony from the corral; the horses seeming to celebrate with them as well.

They did all the traditional things, other than throwing the bouquet and garter. They danced to Unchained Melody as their first dance. They cut the cake... after Jake assured them that he had taken pictures of it the night before just in case. He had enjoyed shoving a too large piece of the chocolate confection into Tanner's mouth, nearly choking the man to the hoots and cat calls of those around them. Vin had gotten his revenge, though, and both of them ended up wearing a fair bit on their shirts as well as their faces.

They had planned to open the gifts later, but Judge Travis insisted they open the envelope he carried. It was a notice that they had the next week off, with a promise that only a national emergency would garner them a call. There was also a set of keys, which Evie Travis informed them was to the Travis cabin far up in the mountains.

As the sun dropped below the horizon, the next event began. JD, Buck and Nathan began setting off fireworks in the nearby meadow. Chris couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of seeing Josiah and Ezra standing by with fire extinguishers.

The night finally drew to a close, despite Buck's attempts to get the party to remain for "a good ol' shivaree" in a bid to destroy their wedding night. Nathaniel and Ethan Jackson, as well as Billy Travis, were carried to the waiting cars, limp in sleep. Last to leave, the other five men of ATF Team Seven promised to return the next morning to clean everything up. Buck would be staying at the ranch while they were gone to take care of the horses, while Feroz and Valor went home with their "Grandparents" to spend the week with them, their mother and sister. Wilmington swore that all signs of any parties he held would be gone, and he'd change the sheets before they returned the following Saturday. Chris wasn't holding his breath.

Finally!

Finally they were alone for the first time in a week. They hadn't even made it back into the house, making love for the first time as a married couple in the grass near the back deck before the final vehicle had disappeared down the drive. They had eventually managed to get back into the house, stumbling through the rooms as they groped one another. The lovemaking, the sex, had continued until the sun was peeking through the windows of the bedroom.

And now... now they would be heading for the cabin as soon as Vin woke up. Suddenly Chris was ready to go. He shifted and delivered a soft kiss to the forehead of the man he had vowed to be with forever. "Vin?"

"Mm?" Tanner shifted slightly.

"You ready?" He felt a soft kiss delivered to his chest.

"Fer what?" his other half drawled.

"He smiled broadly, "For the rest of our lives."

+ + + + + + +

"Well, hell, you boys don't look rode hard or put up wet at all!" Buck feigned surprise, one hand over his heart. "Don't tell me the honeymoon's over all ready!"

"Shut up, Bucklin," Vin growled good-naturedly, taking a swat at the bigger man.

Laughing hardily as he passed Tanner, who was standing on the deck with a mug of coffee, carrying his bags into the house . By the time he returned, the other four men were there as well, all of them wearing smiles that never quite left their faces. Working together, they quickly, though with a melancholy air, removed all signs of the wedding.

Josiah put together a brunch from some of the left overs from the day before and they settled on the back deck in companionable silence while they ate. After everyone had eaten their fill, Chris and Vin excused themselves and went to pack for the trip. When they went to store them in the Ram, they were chagrined to see other, somewhat suspicious looking, parcels in the bed of the truck. Add to that the soaped "Just Married" on the back window and it was a race to see which newlywed turned the reddest.

"Now, come on, you can't tell me you don't wanna announce it to the world!" JD teased, making certain that he kept Buck between him and the other two men.

"We put together a little 'survival kit' for you boys," Josiah said, explaining the other parcels in the truck bed. "I don't lay claim to all of it. Ezra and I picked up some of the stuff... Buck and JD made their own contributions."

"I just chipped in, I'm not claimin' any of it as my idea," Nathan grinned. The family man had left the shopping to his single friends.

Shaking his head, Chris said simply, "See you boys in a week."

They settled into the cab of the Ram, driving away from their friends down the long access road. Neither man could completely ignore the catcalls and rebel yells that followed them. They had entered the highway before their faces had returned to their natural color.

Halfway through their trip, they stopped at a filling station. While Chris gassed up the truck, Vin bounced across the asphalt and entered the little convenience store. Larabee found himself simply standing there, watching that well packed pair of jeans and the man it clothed. With a self conscious grin, he shook his head and returned his attention to the truck. While it filled, he checked over the packages in the bed. There was a large picnic hamper and a cooler even larger. He knew that they wouldn't have to worry about much in the food department. Providing Josiah and Ezra had been in charge of that portion of the surprise, at least. There were other packages that he wasn't completely certain he wanted to investigate. Those, he was pretty certain, had been supplied by his oldest friend, and the big man's minion.

Just as he topped off the tank, he caught sight of Vin coming back to the truck. He could tell by the man's posture, even before he saw his face, that something had happened to dampen Tanner's mood. He kept quiet until they were both back in the truck. As he started the big, black vehicle, he turned to his partner and said, "What?"

"Nothin'... just a couple assholes in there tryin' to start something."

"Vin?" He prompted when it didn't seem the other man would continue.

With a sigh, Tanner said, "Saw the sign on the back of the truck and had to start talkin' about "fags" and "queers"."

Chris looked back at the little store, seeing three men staring out the door, hate filled grins on their faces. "We need to go have a talk?" He moved to turn off the truck.

"Naw," Vin said decisively, "Fuck 'em. Not gonna drop to their level. Sides, they ain't gonna ruin our trip... our honeymoon."

He smiled. "Damn straight. And for the record, you're the only one I'm interested in fucking." Both men laughed as they pulled away from the pump and re-entered the highway.

+ + + + + + +

Chris let out a low whistle, rousing his partner from a light doze. Vin blinked, straightened in his seat, and answered that sound in kind, following it with "Damn."

"You got that right." They were facing a large dwelling that did not fit the name "cabin". It was made in the log cabin style, but there the similarities disappeared. It was the size of the ranch house, with a large, wraparound porch disappearing on both sides. Chris pulled up as close as he could, parked, and they both got out and began to unload the truck bed. They piled everything up on the porch before entering the dwelling. As they passed the threshold, they both repeated the appreciative whistles.

They were standing in a small foyer that led up two steps to a richly appointed great room. Directly across from them, the wall was filled with a large fireplace that was faced by a couch and two, heavily cushioned chairs. To their left, against the front wall, was a small bar. One side was lined with four, leather covered barstools. On the other side was a well stocked liquor cabinet. At the far end of the room was a small conversation pit, filled with comfortable furniture and thick pillows. The wall there consisted of a long, built in bookcase. Larabee knew that, at some point, he was going to have to explore both the bookcase and the liquor cabinet. But not right now.

To their right was the kitchen and dining area; breakfast bar and state of the art appliances shone in the light coming through a series of floor to ceiling windows. The duo brought in the packages, hampers, coolers and bags quickly, putting away the food before they silently agreed to explore the rest of the home.

Behind the kitchen was a utility room, that led in turn to a mud room. There was also a small bathroom that housed a toilet, sink and stall shower. Down a short hall they found the master suite, complete with king size, four poster bed, a smaller fireplace, and French doors that looked out on a private deck. At one end of the deck was an eight person hot tub that brought a grin to the face of both men.

The master bath was roughly half the size of Vin's old apartment in Purgatorio. It boasted a walk in shower that had built in seats along the back, and shower heads that offered a full body spray without the person needing to move at all. There was also a garden tub and a small sauna.

"Chris? You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"

Afraid to comment quite yet, Larabee asked, "What?"

"That either the old man makes a helluva lot more money than we do, or he's on the take."

Chris choked, laughing hard at the thought of Orin Travis doing anything even slightly illegal. "I'm not even gonna dignify that with a response."

They completed their investigation, finding a second suite that included two bedrooms with a shared bath. Nothing particularly special, and they decided that this was probably where Mary and Billy stayed when they were out. One bedroom held a queen size bed while the other, a set of bunk beds.

Completing their investigation, they finished moving their things into the master suite and began to look through the things their friends had sent with them. Two sets of sheets, a rich comforter along with a more utilitarian spread. Boxes of candles, holders, incense and oils. There were even a few new toys for them to add to their collection. Vin, the toy enthusiast of the couple, spent his time checking them over. There were also silk boxers, condoms and a case of energy drinks. Across the top of the plastic covering of this last, someone had scrawled "hydrate!".

"Shit, we'll have to stay out here a month to go through all this," Chris said with a shake of his head.

"Y' wanna test that theory?" Vin asked, giving his new husband a very lascivious leer.

"Oh, sweet Jesus," Chris moaned softly.

+ + + + + + +

Chris stared out of the open window with an expression of sleepy contentment. taking a sip from the mug in his hand, he reveled in the rich taste before he returned his attention to the world outside the window. They were surrounded by woods of deep, rich greens and warm browns. He breathed in the heady scents of earth and nature; flowers, trees, even animal musk blended with the rest.

He wondered how Orin and Evie Travis could bring themselves to ever leave this place. There was only the sound of the wind in the trees, and bird song filled the air. He could easily imagine living right here for the rest of his life, content and alone.

Well, almost alone.

The blond smiled, as if on cue, he heard someone entering the living area where he stood. Turning, he stopped, almost stunned, at the sight before him. Vin Tanner shuffled into the room, yawning. He was dressed only in a pair of sleep pants that rode low on his hips. His long hair was a mass of chestnut tangles and waves. Softly, as if speaking to a wild creature, he said, "Good morning."

"Mornin'. Any more of that?" He indicated the mug of steaming coffee Larabee held.

"Yep. I'll get you some... let's go sit on the porch."

A few minutes later they were sitting together at the small, wrought iron table, in the matching chairs. Vin smiled at the first taste of his coffee, which was nearly the consistency of fudge and twice as sweet. "Yer gonna make someone a fine wife one 'a these days."

Chris leveled a glare, but it held no heat and he was soon smiling. "Figured I'd better keep my man happy and this is the way to start." Vin smiled back, and they lapsed into silence once more.

After coffee, accompanied by some Danish they had picked up on the drive up, they returned to the house, and to bed. They spent their first, whole day, as husbands, there. From time to time one or the other would go for drink or food, and once they took their lovemaking to the thick carpet of grass behind the cabin.

By evening, they were sated, sore and satisfied. They decided it was time for fresh linen for the bed, and while Vin made the bed up and aired out the room, Chris took the other set to the laundry and tossed it into the washer. Starting the machine, he put together a dinner that promised to replenish their strength and, he hoped, give them the energy to continue through the night.

He couldn't help the flush that spread across his features. Even when he had begun to think of spending forever with the lanky Texas smart ass, he never imagined that it would be like this. He had never entertained feeling that "everything's new" thrill again. That had been the beginning of his life with Sarah. No matter how much he knew that he was deeply, hopelessly, in love with the other man, he expected it to be... different. Now? He wasn't certain why he thought that.

While dinner finished up and the sheets went to the spin cycle, he took a quick shower. Wrapping a towel around his hips, he returned to the kitchen just in time to switch the bedding to the dryer and put their food on the large, bed tray. He had a sudden mental picture of Orin and Evie having done something similar, but shook his head and quickly banished those thoughts about his staid and straight laced supervisor and his very matronly wife.

Returning to the bedroom, he stopped just over the threshold. Vin had transformed the room into a warm and sensual love nest. There were candles on every surface, the satin comforter on the bed, and his husband stretched out, completely nude, on the mattress. With a low, guttural sound, he balanced the tray on one arm while he reached down and discarded the towel he was wearing with an eager flip.

+ + + + + + +

By mid-morning the next day, they both knew that, no matter what their mind and desires might be pushing them to do, their bodies needed a break. They showered, cleaned up the room, and moved together to the kitchen area. While Vin rooted around the cabinets, Chris put together a meal for them to share. Thoughts of eating on the deck were put on hold when they were surprised by a loud crack of thunder. Vin moved to the nearest window.

"Reckon we're gonna have to stay inside, least for now." Outside, rain was coming down in heavy sheets.

Coming over to join Tanner, Chris wrapped his arms around the other man and leaned against his back. "Well, reckon we're gonna have to."

"Love the rain," Vin murmured. "Always have. Even... well, even when I was on the streets, I enjoyed it. Not as much, mind ya."

Chris unconsciously tugged Tanner a little tighter at the man's words. Even after so long, he couldn't help but feel pain for the rough life his husband had endured as a teen. He knew a little about it, but Vin refused to talk much about those days. His philosophy was that it was in the past, and that was where it needed to stay.

"Hmmm, I got an idea," Vin broke the silence. Without another word, he left the kitchen area and headed for the great room. Intrigued, Chris stared after him curiously, before he returned to finishing the omelets he was preparing. That done, he filled the tray once more and followed where Vin had led.

Smiling when he entered the great room, Larabee saw that Tanner had started a fire in the fireplace. He settled the tray on the floor between the couch and the blazing fire, where Vin already sat. Dropping down beside him, they ate breakfast leaning back against the couch, feet propped against the warm hearth, as they watched the flames dancing across the wood.

The day was quiet and restful. Chris had a chance to peruse the library and they spent some time sitting before the fire, Vin with his head in Larabee's lap, while he read aloud from To Kill a Mockingbird. It was only when the fire began to die that they stopped, going to find that the rain had stopped as well. With silent agreement, they headed for the hot tub, striping off what little they were wearing before entering the heated, bubbling water.

Evening was drawing near when they finally left the warmth, running back into the cabin and heading for the bathroom. There they shared the large shower, soaping, rinsing and toweling one another off before sliding into the silk boxers they had brought and stretching out on the bed together. There was no heated, passionate, wild or acrobatic love making. They simply spooned together and shared a contented nap.

+ + + + + + +

They were newly married. They were deeply in love. But most of all, they were men of action. By the third day, both men were suffering from cabin fever and restless. So, after breakfast and a short discussion, they dressed for the outdoors and decided to take a walk.

There was a path that grew fainter the farther they got away from the dwelling, and, after half an hour, they were forging their own path. Chris let Vin take the lead, knowing the other man's innate sense would serve them well as they pushed aside thin limbs, climbed over logs, and avoided thick stands of mud.

They didn't stop until the sun informed them that it was mid day; settling on a fall of stone while they ate a lunch of cold sandwiches and chips, washing it down with bottles of the energy drink the others had supplied them with. Neither man spoke much, a word or two here and there as they explored nature in all her glory, that was all. But then, that was all they had ever needed.

Finishing lunch, they stowed the wrappers and empty containers in the light bag, Chris carried, and moved out once more.

"You know, it's gonna be evening before we get back," Larabee mentioned.

"I'll protect ya from the boogeyman," Vin joked, striking a heroic pose. "Yer my man, after all, ain't gonna let anything hurt ya."

Reaching out and smacking the man on the back of the head, the blond said, "Who's gonna protect your scrawny ass from me?"

Turning and delivering a look that was at once sultry and teasing, Vin replied, "Who says I need t' be saved from ya?"

Grabbing the younger man, he pulled him close, delivering a long, hungry kiss that had both of them dropping to their knees amongst the long grass and flowers that surrounded them. They began to make love once more, the air soon filled with the sounds of wont and desire as they took pleasure and gave one another pleasure over the next hour. When they finally lay, spent, panting and trembling as all the heat seemed to have left their bodies, Chris managed to lever himself up on one elbow.

"Still gonna be close to dark by the time we get back."

Vin simply smiled. Both of them were covered in dirt, mud, grass and leaves. They struggled to dress, finding the task almost daunting enough to return to the cabin wearing nothing but their boots. Finally, though, they managed. Vin stood, reached down, and pulled Chris to his feet. They began to retrace their steps, focusing more on getting there than the journey this time.

Tanner judged that they were nearing the cabin when he suddenly heard a startled cry behind him. Turning quickly, he sought out his husband. "Where the hell?"

"Down here."

Chris had stepped wrong, taking a tumble into a tangle of grass and the roots from a nearby tree. He looked up to find the blue eyes twinkling and a smirk on his partner's face. "Shut up."

"Didn't utter a mutter," Vin replied in a pseudo-hurt tone. He reached out and once more offered the other man a hand up. As Chris gained his feet, he gasped in pain. "What?"

"Fuck," Larabee's tone was one of frustration rather than pain now. "Ankle."

"Can ya walk?"

"Yeah, damn it, I can walk!"

"Don't be takin' out your frustrations on me, ol' man. I'll walk away and let ya get back on your own." Despite the words, there was only love in his voice.

Holding out his hands, Larabee said, "Sorry. Just... pissed."

"Well, c'mon, lets get ya back inside, cleaned up and see what'cha did. At your age, we can't risk a brok--"

"Piss off, Tanner!"

Gentle laughter rang through the trees as Vin helped his lover hobble back to the big cabin. He got them both inside and into the shower, settling Chris on the molded bench at the back. He got them both out of their clothes and then turned on the shower, the room soon filling with steam.

He helped Chris clean up while showering his own, mud covered body, then he settled on the floor of the shower and tenderly began to examine Larabee's ankle. After several minutes, he nodded and said, "reckon it's just twisted, don't seem to be broke. I'll go get some ice, be right back."

Chris leaned back against the wall, sighing. It didn't seem that they could ever manage to enjoy any length of time without one or the other of them having an injury. He simply sat there until the sound of his partner returning pulled him from his thoughts.

Vin loosely wrapped a towel covered bag of ice around Larabee's injured foot, then moved back into the bedroom. A few minutes later he returned, carrying an ace bandage.

"Where'd you find that?" Chris asked.

With a chuckle, Tanner replied, "Hell, I never travel without a few supplies any more, 'cause sure as shootin' one of us is gonna get hurt."

Larabee joined him laughing, having been pondering that very thing. Vin bound his ankle, and carefully pulled him to his feet. Together they moved back into the bedroom where Vin grinned wickedly as he helped Chris settle in the big bed. Propping the injured leg on a pillow, he lamented that "as usual, I reckon I'll be doin' all the hard work".

+ + + + + + +

He limped down the hall, cloth wrapped bag of ice in one hand and two opened long necks in the other. Entering the bedroom, he couldn't help but shake his head at the sight before him. Vin lay in the same position he'd left him in, curled in pain as he held tight to his upper thigh, cursing in a variety of languages.

"Here." He interrupted the tirade, handing over the ice pack. Vin took it, straightened up slightly, and placed it gently on his groin. Chris grinned as the other man groaned.

"Told ya, I'd be doin' all the heavy liftin'," Tanner lay back, his free arm draped across his eyes.

"Don't remember asking you to get all acrobatic, dear," Larabee teased.

"Hell, figured somebody ought ta move."

"Fuck you, Tanner."

"Yeah, that was the point." Vin grinned as he reached out to take one of the bottles. "You remember the Aleve?"

Retrieving the plastic container from his jeans pocket, he tossed it to the prone man. From the other pocket he retrieved another elastic bandage. "Glad you brought more than one. You sure we don't need to take you to the hospital?"

"Ain't my first rodeo, Chris. Hurts like a son bitch, but ain't bad. Just don't think I'll be doin' any ridin' for a few days."

With a worried expression, Larabee said, "I'm not sure I want to know just how well you know this particular rodeo."

"Oh, the stories I could tell..." Vin leered at his husband as the other man settled on the bed beside him.

"Well, don't think either of us is going to be up to doing much of anything else, so... no, on the other hand, I really don't want to know."

"Sure?"

Studying the other man for a minute, Chris said with an air of finality, "Positive. Don't really care what happened before. Just interested in what happens next."

Shifting until he was laying with his head on the other man's chest, Vin said softly, "Me, too, pard. Me too."

+ + + + + + +

"Oh, great," Chris groaned as they pulled up to the Ranch. The area in front of the garage looked like a parking lot, and he could smell meat grilling on the barbecue. "Looks like we've got guests."

Rousing himself from a doze, Vin muttered, "Reckon we can get past 'em and just go ta bed?"

With a chuff, the blond turned off the truck as he said, "I doubt it. C'mon, let's face the music."

Five men lounged on the broad deck, drinking beer and talking. Then they noticed the two men limping to join them. Larabee was favoring his left leg and they saw that, rather than his familiar black boot, he was wearing a house slipper, a bandage evident around his ankle. Beside him, Vin was walking awkwardly, his right hand clenched to his leg. Rather than the tight jeans he normally wore, he was wearing pajama pants, the bulge of a bandage showing beneath the bright blue plaid.

"Jesus, boys!" Buck called out. "What the hell happened?"

"Not a damn thing!" The newly married couple called back in unison. The words, delivered in a threatening tone did nothing to stop the questions, however. Finally, with only as much detail as they could stop more questions with, they told their friends about the mishaps during their honeymoon.

"You sure you don't need to go have things checked out?" Nathan, always the worry wart, asked both men.

"Damn, can't we trust you two alone for more than a day?" Buck scolded.

"Oh, let them be," JD began to intercede on the couple's behalf. Then he grinned devilishly as he added, "the way they're going who knows how long they've got?"

"Piss off," Vin growled, but he couldn't help but grin a bit himself.

After the teasing became boring, the group of men settled in for a dinner worthy of seven men of action; steaks, potatoes and, in deference to the health conscious Jackson, salad. Afterward, their five friends insisted on bringing in the bundles from the truck, allowing Chris and Vin the chance to slip off to tend one another's injuries.

Saying good night a short time later, thanking the others for making certain that things were squared away, Chris led Vin toward the bedroom, both men limping slowly. Carefully undressing one another, they slipped beneath the covers, drawn toward the middle of the big bed. Other than whispered "good night"s and "love you"s, nothing more was said, as the couple drifted off to sleep.

The End
September 14, 2015