I'll Be Home for Christmas

by Kaed

Vin Tanner stretched out on the couch, pulling the warm afghan from the back and flipping it over his lean frame. He stared toward the window, or actually at the big tree in front of the window. The Texan had just turned on the lights, which twinkled in the faint, winter evening light. He lay there for several minutes, simply watching the lights flicker, his mind drifting from one thought to another. Christmas was less than a week away. The first Christmas he could remember looking forward to in his life. He had vague recollections of childhood excitement when his mother was alive, but those memories focused on toys dreamed of but rarely received. Yet another reason he had doubted his worth… no one explained to small children that the reason Santa didn't visit poor children had little to do with their behavior and much to do with the commercialism that had poisoned the season. Then, as an adult, the holiday season usually meant working overtime so that his married co-workers could have the time off.

But now there was Chris.

Tanner shifted on the couch, feeling his body respond to the very thought of his lover. He sighed contentedly, his mind drifting to thoughts of their coming reunion. Larabee had left a week ago, the morning after they had put up the tree. In his capacity as the senior agent of Team Seven, he had gone to a conference in Washington, DC. They had toyed with various reasons for Vin's presence so he could come along, but nothing seemed likely to work. In the end, they had said good-bye at the door, Vin watching as the blond disappeared down the road toward the nearby highway.

The days had gone by quickly, Team Seven busily wrapping things up so they could leave for the holidays without anything hanging over their heads. But the nights were long, as he tried to fall asleep alone in the big, empty bed.

The crunch of tires on snow brought Vin back to the present, and he smiled as he slipped his hands beneath the afghan to push his boxers off, shoving them toward the end of the couch with his foot. Sliding his hands over bare flesh from thigh to chest, he felt a trail of fire burn his flesh as he waited for his partner to appear in the doorway.

And waited.

After nearly ten minutes, he frowned, wrapped the afghan around him, and padded to the window, peering out. The evening gloom hid details, but he could tell that the big black truck was empty. “What th' hell?”

Then, without warning, he felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around his waist. He cursed, his body jerking as the instinct to get away took over. But then he felt it. That unnamed 'something' that connected him to his lover, and he relaxed against the familiar, broad chest. “Fucker.”

With a deep chuckle, Chris Larabee pulled the slim body closer, running warm lips along the long, strong neck. His tongue flicked along the golden flesh, causing goose bumps to rise in its wake. Reaching the junction where neck curved to shoulder, he sucked at the hollow with a growl. “Damn you taste good.”

“Took m' Saturday bath a day early,” he teased.

“For me?” Larabee responded, his hands finding the edges of the afghan and pulling it away. Tanner didn't resist, allowing him to remove the covering, revealing his nude lover to him in the soft light of sunset. His hands slid down the tight belly to trim hips.

A thousand smart alack responses crossed the younger man's mind, but all he could manage to put voice to was, “mmmm.”

Strong hands found themselves wrapped around Vin's growing cock and swelling balls. He began massaging them, feeling the lean body he was wrapped around tensing. For several minutes he simply teased and fondled the hardening flesh, neither man saying a word. The only noise that filled the air was the sound of ragged breathing.

As his lover's hands drove him wild, the Texan reached out and pressed his hands against the window frame. He found himself mesmerized by the reflection he found there. He watched as his body responded to his lover's ministrations, which excited him even more. He arched back, pressing against the other man, rubbing his ass against the bulge that was thrusting against him. He widened his stance, bracing them both as Chris lost himself in the moment.

Larabee was drowning in the smell, taste and feel of the body writhing in his arms. He drew in a deep breath, moaning softly as he took in the earthy smells he had come to equate with the younger man. He felt the familiar ache between his legs that told him he wasn't going to last much longer, and he could tell that Vin wasn't in any better shape. He released the twitching cock and stood back, leaving a trembling, cursing Texan leaning against the window as he nearly ripped his own clothes from his body. As soon as he could, Chris was wrapped back around Vin, his hard cock pressed against the other man's tight ass.

“Damn,” Tanner managed to growl. He opened his legs, pressing back against the other man, urging him on. “C'mon Chris… fuck me.”

Not willing to move away a second time, Larabee spit on his hand, rubbing it quickly over his thick shaft. Pressing his fingers into the tight, beckoning hole, he coaxed it open, smiling as his partner grunted in response. He positioned the head of his cock against Vin's ass, and slowly pushed it into the pulsing channel.

“Ahhhh… fuck,” Tanner moaned, arching against the pain, but welcoming it at the same time. As Chris rubbed against his gland, he cried out and felt his cock jerk in his lover's hand. Pain gave way to pleasure, and he began to push back against the strong body behind him. His eyes opened and focused, and once more he caught their reflection in the window. Two bodies melded to one as they moved in concert. Ass pressed to groin, back to chest, legs entwined. Larabee pumped, inside and out, as he brought them both ever closer to the edge of ecstasy.

“Oh damn… Vin… I've dreamed of this… all week. You feel… so… so good.” The blond looked up, slowly following the other man's line of sight. He smiled as he saw what Tanner was doing, saw the Texan smile back at him in the glass. The blond found himself drawn to the reflection as well.

Both men watched themselves in the window, their actions growing faster, grunts, groans and ragged cries of pleasure filling the room. Then, together, the lean, well-honed bodies stilled and, as one, both men came. Each cried out the others name.

Stroking the wilting cock in his hand, Chris wrapped his arm tight around Vin's waist and pulled him closer to him as his own cock began to soften inside the pulsing ass. After several minutes, he carefully withdrew, both of them moaning at the parting. Reaching down for the discarded afghan, he slipped an arm around the trembling body beside him and, together, they made their way to the couch on rubbery legs.

They curled up together, Larabee draping the cover over their cooling bodies. They drifted off to sleep in one another's arms, staring contentedly at the lighted tree.

Chris blinked open his eyes, trying to remember where he was. The memory of his homecoming reminded him, and he smiled as he registered the sated feeling that was a result of their love-making. Then the smile faded as he realized that he was alone on the couch. Pushing himself up on an elbow, he looked around. Then a clank and clatter came from the kitchen, telling him where the younger man was. He slipped cat-like from the cushions and padded into the other room, finding Vin standing at the stove. His partner had pulled boxers on, hiding the trim ass from view. Stepping up behind the other man, he once again slipped his arms around the narrow waist.

“Did I wake y' bangin' 'round in here?”

“Nope. What'cha makin'?” Larabee drawled in a fair imitation of his lover's accent.

Smiling, the younger man said, “figgered we could use somethin' t' keep our energy up. Y' hungry?”

“Did kind of work up an appetite earlier,” the blond decided.

Smiling, Tanner said, “well, wouldn't wan'cha t' pass out 'r anything. Y' wanna go git us somethin' t' drink, I'll bring th' plates int' th' den.”

“Yes, sir,” Larabee nipped playfully at the younger man's ear before moving away.

A few minutes later the two men were sprawled at opposite ends of the couch, the afghan spread across them. They ate while watching the sports channel on the big screen TV, occasionally commenting on one of the teams discussed by the athletes turned commentators. Finishing the light meal, they set the plates and beer bottles aside, Chris crooking a finger at his younger lover. Smiling broadly, the sharpshooter pulled back the afghan long enough to move toward the other man, coming to rest sprawled across the blond's body.

Pulling the cover back over them both, Tanner leaned on folded arms, looking up into the deep, hazel eyes. “Have a good trip?”

“Tolerable,” Larabee replied, reaching up to stroke the unruly curls back from the finely chiseled features. “Missed you.”

Smiling broadly, Vin replied, “missed you, too.”

Wrapping a hand around the back of Tanner's head, Chris pulled him forward, pressing his lips hard against the slightly opened mouth. For several moments they lay like that, mouths open, tongues darting back and forth as they teased one another.

Finally, Vin broke away, raising up to look into the flushed face. “Let's take this int' the bedroom, Cowboy.”

Thought you'd never ask,” Larabee growled.

They made love three more times that night, waking together in the late morning. Long limbs were splayed over well honed bodies, blankets and sheets twisted and wrapped around them. Tanner groaned softly as he moved, his body consumed by the deep ache of being fucked long and hard by his partner. He could tell he wouldn't be up to doing more than settling on the couch for an afternoon of television.

“You okay?” Larabee leaned up on an elbow, looking down at his life-mate.

“Ain't fer certain yet… think y' might a broke me, though,” Tanner rasped out teasingly.

Affecting a serious expression, Chris said, “well, that don't sound good. Think we need to take you in to the ER? Maybe they'll have to put you in a cast.”

The Texan laughed heartily. “Yeah, I can just see that… 'hey doc, c'n y' put a cast on m' butt?”

“Well, it does have a crack in it.”

Groaning, Vin scolded, “that's worse 'n one a JD's jokes. Don't quit yer day job.”

Pushing himself off the mattress, Chris joked, “well, hell, I was thinking about taking it on the road.”

“Don't think I c'ld survive too many homecomin's, pard.”

Smiling wolfishly at the other man, the blond said, “well, I'm gonna go start the shower. Come on in if you can drag your poor old broke body off the bed.”

Barely managing to duck the pillow that was launched after him, the blond threw over his shoulder, “helluva sharpshooter you are.”

Chris heard the shower door open, and a quick, cold breeze hit his back, only to be quickly consumed by the saturated heat of the shower. He smiled, but didn't turn around, continuing to stand beneath the pulsing nozzle, his hands pressed against the wall. The touch of rough hands sliding around his chest brought a soft groan from the blond. “Was beginning to think you were too broke to make it in here.”

“Hell, I'd crawl on m' belly 'n leave a trail a m' innards t' git t' you… figgered y' knew that,” came the raspy reply.

“That's a pretty picture,” Larabee said with a grimace, “no wonder they're always saying you're a poet.”

“Ol' man,” Tanner growled, clamping a hand on his lover's swelling cock and eliciting a yelp from him, “y' talk too much.”

Chris chuckled, then moaned as he felt his cock respond to the other man's touch. He braced himself as the slender Texan delivered an expert massage that threatened to send him screaming over the edge. “Ahhh… damn. Didn't think… I'd be able… to… to get… up for a… week… after… oh, God… after last… night.”

“Yer talkin' too much,” Vin said again, licking the drops of water from the long, sinewy neck. “Shut up.”

Neither man talked then, as the long haired man continued his erotic massage. While one hand continued stroking the thick cock, the other slid from the narrow waist and brushed a heated trail along the cleft of the tight ass pressing against him. Deftly finding the other man's puckered hole, he pressed a finger up inside. Finding the sensitive gland he sought, he pressed against it, rewarded by his lover crying out with pleasure. Smiling, he added his mouth to the mix, sucking hard at the hollow where long neck curved to broad shoulder.

The big blond cried out wordlessly, arching back and pressing down toward the finger that had breeched his ass. He jerked and shuddered as his body gathered itself for the last, earth shattering explosion. When it came he cried out, bucking back against his partner, arms locked at the elbow as he fought to keep his feet. His cock spasmed, spraying his cum against the wall, where it mixed with the water droplets there. He continued to rock, moaning as he was slowly drained by the younger man. Finally he leaned back against Vin, panting.

“Stay with me, cowboy,” Tanner whispered in the other man's ear, sucking at the lobe as he did. “Ain't done with y' yet.”

Suddenly aware of the hard cock grinding against his ass, Larabee swallowed hard. “Oh, damn.”

Vin pressed a second finger into his lover's ass, stroking and scissoring until the tight ring softened and relaxed. Reaching above them, he retrieved a bottle of liquid soap from the little shelf. Deftly opening the bottle one-handed, he poured a good amount at the base of his hardened cock. Dropping the bottle, he quickly rubbed the thick liquid over his long cock, then pressed the head against the beckoning opening. He felt Chris tense, and coaxed him to relax with soft words whispered into the blond's ear. As the older man calmed, he slowly pushed his shaft into the pulsing ass, feeling the muscles tighten around him. Larabee cried out in pain, and he stopped, waiting until his lover relaxed once again. Using every ounce of will-power he had, he moved slowly, not wanting to hurt the man he loved.

He knew he couldn't last long, but fought to put off the inevitable for as long as possible. The young man treasured the feel of his lover against him, the other man's heat surrounding him as he thrust upward as far as possible, straining to push even farther. “God… y' feel so… so good.”

As his partner's movements grew more frantic, Larabee arched with a cry, bowing his body in an effort to take the long shaft even deeper inside himself. He pressed his arms stiffly against the wall and widened his stance in an effort to keep them both from falling hard to the floor of the tub. Tanner's movements quickened and lost their rhythm, then slowed and became broader as he neared orgasm. Then, in a final burst of heady, sexual energy, he slammed again and again against Chris, both men crying out as the Texan's seed exploded inside the hidden channel of the blond's ass.

Slowly they calmed, their breathing becoming less ragged as their bodies relaxed. They leaned tiredly against one another, each supporting the other as they struggled to keep their rubbery legs under them.

“Oh… damn,” the older man whispered hoarsely. “I think we're both broke now.”

When the two men finally emerged from the shower, dressed and left the comfort of their bedroom, they were shocked to find that winter had turned the world beyond the walls of the ranch house blindingly white. Standing at the wide window of the den, arm draped around his partner's shoulders, Chris surveyed the broad expanse of pristine snow. “Looks like it's been snowing hard all night.”

Nodding, Tanner explained, “weather channel's been callin' for it, but didn't expect it t' be this heavy. Looks t' be at least two foot 'r more, an' still comin'.”

They watched the thick white flakes fall from the heavens, joining the rest of their family to cover the imperfections of the earth in a blanket of crystalline white. The men stood for long minutes, simply watching Nature's floor show.

Finally Larabee pulled himself from his reverie. Moving slightly away, but not relinquishing his contact with the other man, he said softly, “I'll go take care of the horses if you'll fix us something to eat.”

Looking out at the icy landscape, feeling it seep into his bones, the Texan nodded. “Sounds like a deal.”

Chris stomped into the barn, shaking the thick coating of snow from his coat, hat and gloves. Wiping a hand over his face, he swept away the melting snow there. At a soft whicker, he turned toward the stalls on one side of the heated building. He smiled as both Peso and Pony regarded him, telling him quite plainly that they were growing impatient for food. The sound of the growing wind outside prompted him to hurry, the thought of returning to the warm house – and Vin's arms – pressed him forward.

Deciding that the animals deserved a special treat, he strode across the barn toward the ladder that would take him to the loft. Deftly moving up the rungs, he chuckled at the sounds behind him. The horses had come to know that seeing one of the men climbing the ladder meant the sweet taste of dried apples and molasses. Half way up, Larabee shuddered as a particularly strong battered the wall nearest him. Quickening his pace, he soon gained the loft floor and started across toward the metal trunk where they kept the special treats safe from prowling mice.

Filling a small burlap bag half full of the fruit and sweet confection, Chris spun on his heel and started back toward the ladder. It was then that a violent, arctic blast, slammed into the barn wall, ripping the loft door open with such force that it was nearly wrenched from its hinges. Caught unprepared, the lean blond found himself propelled hard over the edge of the loft. He struggled, fighting hard to grab hold of something to stop his fall, but his scrabbling grasp found nothing but chilling air. As he met the hard floor below, he registered an ominous crack and felt a searing pain in his right arm just as his head slammed against the concrete and sent him into nothingness.

Vin had lost track of time, not realizing how much had passed until he had their dinner ready to put on the table. He wondered what it was that kept his mate in the barn. He had mucked out the stalls only yesterday, in preparation for his reunion with the other man. Worrying that something was wrong with one of the horses, or the heating system in the barn, he reached for the phone. He wasn't yet worried enough to brave the elements in search of the blond, but a quick call to the other building could quiet those concerns and be disguised as a call to dinner. Cursing when all he got was static on the handset, he sighed. He would have to go outside after all.

Quickly donning his boots, heavy coat, gloves and hat, the slender young man pushed the back door open against the snow and wind. His breath caught in his throat, the storm even more violent than he had expected. Pouncing over the edge of the deck, he sank past his knees in the drifted, unbroken snow. Cursing as it filled his boots, he struggled on, moving toward the barn as quickly as possible. There had better be something very wrong if he was going through all this.

He would wish over and over in the days to come that he had never had such a thought. As he entered the barn, he felt the cold bite of the air greet him where warmth should be, but that wasn't what chilled his blood. His vision focused on the crumpled form at the other side of the big building. “CHRIS!”

Vin stumbled across the broad expanse of the barn, falling to his knees next to his partner. Reaching out a trembling hand, he felt along the long neck, choking back a cry of relief when he felt a pulse. His hand stroked along the too-cool flesh, cupping the strong jaw tenderly. “Chris?”

Dark lashes fluttered, lids struggled to open, then slid closed once more. A breath of a voice murmured, “Viiiiiiin?”

Smiling through hot tears, the frightened man said, “I'm here. C'n y' open yer eyes fer me?”

“Mm… tired… head… head hurts. OH SHIT!” The blond cried out as he felt hot pokers of pain slash through him. The agony nearly sent him back into oblivion.

“Shh… shhh, lay still.” Leaving his partner where he lay, Tanner moved quickly to the tack room, returning with several blankets that he gently placed over the injured man. Then he hurried up the ladder to re-secure the short door of the loft, shoving a bale of hay against it as an added measure. Coming back to the main floor, he dropped down beside the other man again. Reaching out, he tenderly stroked the short blond hair, eliciting a weak smile from his lover. Then the smile faded.

“What… what happened?”

“Was hopin' you c'ld tell me, cowboy. Look, we'll figger 't out later. Right now I gotta git y' t' th' hospital.”

“Am… ambulance?”

Shaking his head, the younger man said, “phone's out. Th' storms gittin' worse by th' minute.”

“Don't… don't drive… wait for the… the storm… die down…” Larabee struggled to keep his thoughts together.

Gently caressing the strong, handsome face, the younger man said, “can't risk it, pard. Yer hurt.”

“I'm… I'm not that… bad. Don't… risk us b… both… in the… storm.”

Tanner sighed. He knew Chris was right as far as trying to drive the hour into town during the winter storm that raged outside. But he couldn't tell how bad the man's injuries were to judge the necessity of immediate care. Scrubbing a hand across his handsome features, he said, “let's git y' inside so I c'n get a look at'cha. If it seems y' can hold on, we'll wait'll th' storm dies down. If not, we're headin' out now.”

“'Kay,” was all the older man could manage.

Vin carefully helped the injured man up, discovering the broken right arm in the process. Slipping the limb into Larabee's coat, he took as much of his weight as he helped him through the barn and across the yard toward the house. Twice they stopped when movement became too much for the blond, and nausea caused him to vomit into the deepening snow. Tanner struggled to take more of his weight, nearly carrying his partner by the time they reached the deck. Pushing the door open, he guided Chris into the warmth of their home.

They made it as far as the den, the blond collapsing on the sofa with a pain-filled cry. Moving as quickly and carefully as possible, Vin stripped the soaked clothing from the trim body. Using special care when he came to the broken arm, he held it gingerly as he eased the coat and shirt sleeves from it. Looking up, he saw his partner suffering the pain in silence, eyes and jaw clinched tight. Dropping the clothing to the floor, he reached up and tenderly stroked the broad jaw. “I'm done, cowboy… I'm sorry I hurt y'.”

“S'okay,” Chris managed through a tight jaw.

Continuing to stroke a hand along the handsome face until his lover relaxed, Vin said, “yer back's bruised, but not too bad, yer coat cushioned 't I 'magine. other 'n yer arm and yer head, I cain't find anything else.”

“Con… concussion,” the other man commented, his head dropping back to rest on the couch's cushioned back.

“Imagine, y' must 'a been out a good while. I'll clean up th' cut 'n wrap 't up best I can, an' I'll splint yer arm. We'll see where we go from there.”

Chris nodded slightly, taking a shallow breath as the movement brought on another wave of nausea. He lay perfectly still, listening to Vin move around the house, losing track of him at times when the wind battered the house. At some point he drifted off, coming back toward consciousness when he felt himself lifted forward. He groaned as the fire burning at the back of his head was met with an icy sting that bit into his flesh. Then something was wrapped around his head, and it was eased back to the deep cushion.

Next he felt his throbbing arm lifted from where it lay across his chest and placed gently on something firm and unyielding, a second one placed over the top of his throbbing limb. The entire thing was bound, and his arm was placed back on his chest. Then strong fingers stroked gently along his face and neck, and warm lips brushed across his own. He managed a faint smile and forced his eyes open a crack. Wide, soul-stealing blue eyes looked into his.

“'M… I'm okay,” he managed to croak.

“No, y' ain't,” Tanner scolded. “”N I need y' t' be honest with me, 'else we're jist gonna git int' th' truck right now. Y' still feelin' sick t' yer stomach?”

“Yeah,” Larabee admitted begrudgingly.

“Yer vision blurry?”

“A little.”

“Hows th' headache?”

“Still pounding.”

“Yer arm?”

“Aches, but it's not bad.” He watched Vin study him intently. “I'm telling the truth, it's not bad.”

Watching his partner another moment, the Texan nodded, seeming to be satisfied for the moment. “All right. Yer back?”

“A little stiff, a little sore, but nothing to worry about. It's only… bruised.” He winced as struggled against a sudden burst of pain from his arm.

“Lay still,” Tanner ordered. “I'm gonna go get somethin' t' cover up yer skinny ass, then we'll see how 't looks outside.”

Before Larabee could find the breath to form a reply, the slender man was gone. He returned a few minutes later, sweats and a thermal shirt in on hand, boxers, socks and an undershirt in the other. Moving carefully, he eased the clothes onto the other man, taking special care when he came to the crudely splinted arm. He had split the long sleeve of the outer shirt, pinning it together when he had finished dressing the blond.

Chris did his best to help, but for the most part just let the other man do the work. He felt himself shifted around on the couch until he was resting on a stack of pillows he couldn't remember seeing earlier. Something heavy was spread over him, and he felt a welcome warmth push aside the bone-deep cold. He sighed, melting bonelessly into the thick cushions. Then a gentle hand cupped his jaw and, from a great distance, he heard the voice of his life partner.

“Need y' t' wake up, cowboy. Open them eyes fer me another minute.”

“I wanna… wanna sleep,” the injured man slurred.

“In a minute, I promise.” Vin held the beloved face tenderly, waiting for the other man's eyes to finally blink open. He smiled, and offered the man a cup. Tanner watched as Chris' eyes widened a second as he registered the fact that he was being fed whiskey. He let the blond drain the cup before he released his hold. “That ought 'a take th' edge off th' pain. You sleep now. I'm gonna go check things out… if it looks like th' storm's passin', I'll git yer truck cleaned off 'n warmed up.”

Larabee mumbled a response before drifting into the warm darkness of sleep. Watching him another minute, Vin pushed himself up, wearily padding across the room to stare out the window. He sighed as he beheld white out conditions beyond the frost-covered glass. Leaning against the window pane, he fought the urge to push on… to face the elements in an effort to get his lover to help. Taking half a dozen deep breaths, he pushed away from the window and went to the phone. Picking it up, he found no miracle there. The phone was still dead. Turning on the television, he found that it, too, had deserted them. Suddenly needing some sort of noise for company, he turned on the stereo. As the gentle strains of Christmas music filled the room, he found himself calmed. With a deep breath, he moved through the house, quickly striping off his own wet clothes, drying, and changing into warm, dry sweats. That done, he went to the kitchen and fixed himself a plate from the dinner he'd prepared earlier. Eating it quickly without tasting the rich food, he put the rest away, and cleaned up the room before returning to the den.

Chris lay as he had nearly half an hour earlier, but Vin could see a slight hint of color in the ruggedly handsome features. A gentle touch at the base of his throat revealed a stronger pulse. Tanner slumped in relief, leaning his head against the broad chest and allowing himself a moment's rest.

He blinked his eyes opened, needing a minute to find his bearings. Then he jerked awake as he realized that he had drifted asleep kneeling next to the couch, with his head on Chris' chest. Lifting a heavy head, he scrubbed the sleep from his eyes and stared hard at his life partner. Larabee had yet to move, but his eyes were moving rapidly beneath pale lids. Reaching out, he touched the older man's face, frowning when he detected a growing fever there. “Hey, cowboy, you with me?”

After an eternity, the blond responded, his eyes sliding open to half-mast. “Yeah… think… I think so.”

“How y' feelin'?”

“Tired… hot… hu…everything hurts.”

Gently brushing his fingers through the short blond locks, Tanner said, “I'm gonna go check outside. If th' storm's calmed down, we're getting' outta here 'n headin' fer th' hospital.”

“'Kay,” Chris said, not arguing this time.

Pushing himself to his feet, Vin moved once more to the window. He smiled, slumping against the window frame with relief as he saw that the storm had finally passed. Going to the closet, he pulled out heavy boots, cramming his feet into them. Pulling on his still damp coat, hat and gloves, he grabbed up the broom and the keys to Larabee's truck.

Moving quickly to the driveway, Vin spent the next half hour digging the truck out. He was forced to retrieve a shovel to remove some of the heavier drifts, piling it into the bed of the truck. They would need all the weight back there they could find. Clearing the driver's side door, he climbed inside and started the engine. It was sluggish and complained loudly before it caught on the sixth try. He moved tiredly from the seat and returned to finish the job. A short time later, Tanner coaxed the big truck through the drifts, bringing it to a stop as close to the back door as possible. Climbing out, he stomped his way into the house, grabbing up Larabee's coat as he moved toward the den. The injured man was once more sleeping, and harder to wake this time. Concern spurring him on, the Texan slipped an arm beneath his lover and lifted him up. Struggling to get Chris into his coat, he tucked the man's broken arm inside the fleece-lined jacket.

It took several minutes to get the injured man awake enough to move, and for them to get him through the house and out onto the porch. Vin guided the semi-conscious blond into the truck, making him as comfortable as possible on the bench seat. Buckling Larabee in, he closed the cab door and hurried back into the house. Quickly he gathered up blankets and pillows, and both their wallets. Grabbing up two bottles of water and a box of crackers, he returned to the truck. His partner carried a winter emergency kit behind the seat, so they would be able to survive the cold if by chance they went off the road.

But the real concern would be whether or not Chris Larabee would survive his injuries if that happened.

Pushing aside such thoughts, the sharpshooter deposited the water and crackers on the seat, and spread the blankets over the trembling body in the passenger seat. He placed one of the pillows behind the listless head, and used the others to protect the broken limb. By the time Tanner pulled himself up behind the wheel, he was fighting exhaustion from working so hard in the cold and the snow. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he started them off.

It took nearly half an hour to get to the main road, a trip that typically took less than five minutes. Despite the weight of the truck, it bounced along, struggling through the deep drifts of snow. From time to time the action grew violent enough to elicit a response from the unconscious man. Each sound of pain ripped through the younger man, and he apologized over and over, although he knew Chris couldn't hear him. He would apologize again, when the blond was awake.

And, dear Lord God, he had to wake.

Night was closing in on them by the time Vin pulled the truck into the emergency entrance of the hospital. They had crept along the road slowly, not even passing emergency road crews until they were nearly at the edge of Denver itself. Twice they had nearly gone off the road, only Tanner's expert driving saving them from being cast over the edge.

Moving stiffly from the truck, the younger man moved around to the other side, helping his injured lover out. Together they got Larabee into the ER, startling the medical staff as they entered. They took Chris out of his arms and lifted him onto a narrow gurney before they rushed him into a cubicle. Another group moved to take Vin into another examination area, but the lean man shrugged them off. He shuffled outside to move the big, black vehicle out of the drive, then returned to check on his friend and partner. It wasn't until the medical team let him know they would be taking the injured blond for x-rays that the stubborn man gave in to his exhaustion. He was only vaguely aware of them checking him over for signs of exposure. He knew he was all right, just tired, but didn't have the energy to argue the point.

They released him from the ER a short time later, wrapped in a blanket and drinking hot chocolate from the vending machine. He shuffled across the waiting room, pulling a chair up next to the payphone, and lifted the handset from its cradle. At least the service in town was still available.

Shoving some coins into the slot, he pressed buttons with slightly trembling hands. Buck Wilmington picked up on the third ring, and he quickly filled him in on what happened. Promising to call the others, Buck informed him that he would be coming to join him as soon as possible. Too tired to argue the point, Tanner simply acknowledged it and replaced the handset. Pushing his weary body from the chair, he moved to find out how Chris was, and what room he would be in.

He opened his eyes, wincing when light assaulted them after so many hours of being bathed in darkness. Blinking as the light was dimmed, he managed to focus on his surroundings. Groaning, he recognized the sterile surroundings. In a croaking voice, he whispered, “hos… hospital?”

“Well, howdy, stud,” a long-time familiar voice greeted him. It was a welcome sound, but not the voice he had expected.

“Buck?”

“In the all-too beautiful flesh,” the big man declared.

Larabee managed to focus on his old friend, smiling weakly and lifting a trembling hand. Wilmington grasped the hand, squeezing it gently before placing it back beneath the covers. “It's about time you woke up.”

“How… long?”

“Well, Vin brought y' in Saturday evenin', and it's early Monday morning now.”

Glancing down at his watch, he specified, “it's 3:25 right now. You've been in and out of it for about a day and a half.”

“What… what happened?”

“Near as Vin can figure, you fell from the hayloft. Evidently you tried to stop your fall, 'cause your arm's broken in two places. You suffered a severe concussion, too, which is why you've been drifting in and out. Do you remember talking to me earlier?”

The blond simply shook his head, and the big man continued. “You've also got some pretty bad bruises along your back, but there's no deep tissue damage or fractures of any kind. They were worried you'd develop pneumonia, but so far your lungs are clear. The doctor said that, as long as there aren't any complications, he'll consider letting you go home tomorrow evening.”

“Tomorrow… Christmas Eve?”

Wilmington chuckled at the broad grin that graced the still-pale features. “Yeah. The staff here knows us well enough, they figured you'd just sneak out if you put your mind to being out of here then.”

Managing a laugh, the man on the bed said matter-of-factly, “it's about time they got a clue.” Sobering, he asked, “where's Vin?”

Pretending to check his watch, the big man said, “damn, pard, took you almost two minutes to ask. He's over at our place, JD drove him over about 10 last night so he could get some sleep. Stubborn mule wouldn't leave 'til the doctor could tell him honestly that you'd be all right. I promised I'd call him when you woke up.”

Lifting his head, the blond said, “don't. Let him sleep. We… well, we didn't get much sleep Friday night, and I doubt he's slept much since. Let him rest.”

Smiling and waggling his dark brows, the mustached man said, “not much sleep Friday night, huh? Wanna share the details?”

“No,” Chris scolded, attempting a glare in the man's direction. His head hurt too much to sustain it, however, and he was forced to close his eyes.

Wilmington reached out and gently squeezed the blond's shoulder. “You get some more sleep, too, pard. Reckon you earned it yourself.”

It was amazing what changes a few days could bring. It was Christmas night, and the big house had finally quieted. Chris had been home less than 24 hours, and had been able to enjoy Team Seven's holiday celebration. Just after dawn, he and Vin had exchanged those special presents private to their relationship. Tanner fixed breakfast, making certain things were placed on the laptop tray so Larabee could reach everything with his left hand. The phone rang from time to time, each of their teammates calling to wish them Merry Christmas and asking about any last minute shopping they might need to do before coming to the ranch. They had all gathered at the big house just after noon, spending the rest of the day together. Vin had gotten the road and driveway cleared by one of their neighbors lucky enough to have a plow. The main roads had already been cleared by the highway crews, allowing the visitors to arrive safely.

Gifts had been exchanged, JD passing them out while sporting a red Santa hat. Chris had been ensconced in one of the recliners, surrounded by pillows and covered with a blanket. Vin had helped him open his gifts, whispering comments about each one in the blond's ear. If the others saw the occasional loving glance or tender touch, they didn't say anything.

Dinner was served, Chris settled in at the dinning room table in his computer chair, which would cushion and support his stiffened body far more than the dining room chairs. After everyone had eaten their fill, Vin guided a drowsy Larabee back to the den and to the couch. The convalescing blond had watched bits and pieces of the football game the others watched, drifting in and out of sleep as his still-healing body craved rest. He rallied to shuffle to the door beside Tanner to wave good night to the caravan, as their friends left for home. Then they moved back through the house together, Vin leading him to their bedroom. The Texan helped him get ready for bed, then settled him beneath the thick comforter.

Vin left his partner long enough to check to make certain doors were locked and lights turned out. He returned to the bedroom, slipped through to get ready for bed himself, then climbed into bed beside the dozing man. Music played softly in the background, and he watched his friend and lover for several minutes. He couldn't help but smile as he recognized the song that began playing. “I'll Be Home For Christmas.” It fit only too well, although their homecoming went beyond any dreams.

He loosed a long, grateful sigh as the fears and concerns of the last several days slowly slipped from his shoulders. Of all the gifts he could ever ask for and receive, he was laying beside the only one that truly counted. Leaning forward, he placed a kiss on the warm, slightly parted lips. Larabee stirred, mumbling softly, but didn't awaken. Stroking his hand along the handsome face, he whispered softly, quieting the older man. As the blond drifted back toward sleep, he shifted back so he could take in the wonder that was Chris Larabee. Yes, he had definitely gotten everything he wanted for Christmas this year.

The End