By Kaed

Prolog

He had come to the bar to unwind… to get away from anything familiar, including the faces he saw reflected in the mirror a few feet in front of him. Things had been extremely stressful over the course of the previous five weeks, and it was beginning to tell on him. He had begun a new job, moved into a new home, and struggled to leave the past behind. He found himself having to prove himself to his new boss and co-workers at almost every turn. Despite the fact that he had been asked to join them, they seemed to question his capabilities.

Heaving a deep sigh, the dark-haired man pushed aside the thoughts of work, vowing that he would concentrate on having a good time. He scanned the bar, taking in the action and interactions with a mixture of amusement and bemusement. He had chosen this particular bar because it catered to a bi- and homosexual clientele, and he was hungry for male companionship at the moment.

Shaking his head, he realized that he had allowed himself to drift off toward thoughts of his new position once more. Taking a long draw of the whiskey sitting in front of him, he forced his mind back to the present by scanning the crowd once more. Then his gaze settled on one particular figure behind him, and he felt his heart skip a beat.

He was gorgeous.

The man in question was not particularly the "type" he normally gravitated toward, but strangely enough, that only seemed to make him more attractive. He was tall and trim, and it was quite obvious that he was well put together. The lean muscular arms that showed from the torn sleeves of his flannel shirt attested to that. The flannel shirt was a blue plaid which hung open over a ribbed tank top that was revealing without being too tight. It nicely accentuated the flat belly and well-defined six pack. He was wearing a pair of well worn jeans that were frayed, holes seeming to be strategically placed for attention. A pair of scuffed and comfortable boots completed the ensemble.

Chestnut hair, longer than current fashion dictated, swept around a devastatingly handsome face in loose waves. The face itself was the most incredible collection of features he'd seen. Straight nose, full lips, square jaw that shadowed a long, strong neck. And his eyes. A person could be lost in those eyes for a lifetime. Wide and blue, seeming at once very old and very young, the wisdom of the ages mixed with mischief.

And, oh lord, those eyes were staring right at him.

He felt a growing ache, a pool of heat focused at his groin. Shifting on the barstool, he took a deep breath, trying desperately to regain his composure. It was nearly impossible, though. He could feel himself blush, the color burning across his cheeks. Putting his discomfort aside, he mustered up every ounce of self-control and returned that gaze. Then the apparition smiled, and he feared that he was lost.

He leaned back against the wall, one thumb hooked in his belt loop and the other wrapped around the longneck he held against his thigh. He had felt himself being watched, and finally zeroed in on the man across the bar. He watched him peruse the crowd, obviously looking for someone to hook up with. This wasn't someone he'd normally give a second thought to, but something about this particular man grabbed his attention.

He was well-dressed… a lot better dressed than anyone else in the place. He was wearing a deep red, short-sleeved pullover with dark gray slacks, and a matching jacket hanging neatly over the back of his seat completed the look. He had short, reddish-brown hair precisely styled. The face he saw reflected in the mirror was handsome; clean-shaven and tanned. It was almost boyish, but something in the eyes spoke of a sense of world weariness.

He found himself caught up in those eyes. They were brilliant, a deep jade, almost painfully bright. He felt himself drawn into the other man's gaze, and waited to drown in the fathomless pools of green.

Shifting uncomfortably, he tried to hide the fact that the crotch of his jeans felt tight enough to split the material. He had come into the bar with thoughts of finding someone to have a good time with, but he couldn't picture this man giving him the time of day, let alone consent to having a good time with him.

He was just getting ready to start a new job, moving away from lousy memories, bad times, and an undeserved reputation. He had gravitated back to the city he'd known as a teenager, finding a place to stay in the neighborhood he had once fought so hard to leave. When he had been asked to interview for a new job, he'd jumped at it. Now he was nervous, concerned as to whether he would be accepted as he hadn't been before. He didn't have a lot of hope of that, knowing that more than likely he would find himself just as isolated as before.

Watching the other man for a few more minutes, he fought the urge to walk over and simply pull him off the high seat and drag him off for some wild and meaningless sex. That was what he hungered for. He had no use for making a commitment, he simply wanted someone to scratch an itch.

The two men watched one another for several minutes longer, neither making a move toward the other. Finally, the man with the beer shuffled off toward the pool room, and the man with the whiskey slipped off toward the dance floor. Neither expected to see the other again.

Neither one knew that Fate was also in the room, and she was about to show them just how wrong they could be.

Part 1

Monday morning. He hated Monday mornings. Monday mornings filled with meetings were even worse, if that was possible. He wasn't certain how they could be. Mondays sucked.

His expression dark, the tall, good-looking blond strode through the main room of the suite where he worked. Chris Larabee was rebuilding his team, and he hated it. He had assembled a decent, working crew of six just five months ago, only to have them torn apart three and a half months later. Three of his agents had been killed when they went after a vicious crime family. The fact that the family – two brothers and their sister – had died in a violent car wreck did little to satisfy him. The cost had been high. Along with the three agents killed, two more had been injured. His old friend and right hand man, Buck Wilmington, had only been laid up for two weeks. Nathan Jackson hadn't been so lucky. The big man would be off on medical leave for another two months at least.

They had made do ‘borrowing' agents from other teams to fill in the holes left by the losses, but there was no sense of cohesiveness. He knew that time was running short. If he wanted to resurrect Team Seven, he had to do it now.

Larabee had counted himself lucky when he had convinced a disgruntled FBI agent to ‘defect' to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Ezra Standish was an underground legend as an undercover agent, able to infiltrate any group. To the senior agent's dismay, however, Standish had yet to mesh with the other members of the team. Buck Wilmington seemed to enjoy harassing and goading him into arguments. Josiah Sanchez, normally even tempered and accepting, looked at the smaller man with a rather suspicious gaze. JD Dunne seemed to at once admire and dislike the smooth talking man. And he couldn't say that he had gotten comfortable with the transplant from the South as yet, either.

"Hey, Chris!"

Jolted from his thoughts by Buck, the blond turned to regard his friend. "Yeah?"

"Tracey just called from the lobby. The new guy's on his way up."

"Good." Addressing the agents in general, the senior agent said, "we'll meet in the conference room in five minutes."

Leaning against the elevator wall, Vin Tanner tried not to fidget as he watched the numbers light in a frustratingly slow progression. He would have taken the stairs but, as was far too common, his old jeep hadn't wanted to start this morning. That left him arriving at the big government building only three minutes before his appointment. As slow as it was, the elevator would get him to the seventh floor quicker than running up the stairs.

As "7" lit up on the wall panel, Tanner breathed a deep sigh of relief. Mumbling his apologies, he pushed past the people ahead of him, hurrying out of the car. Once in the hall, he stopped, tugging at his tie. He looked down at himself, brushing at his suit jacket. It was old and out of style, but suited his purposes. He didn't get into such a get up for anything less than a trial appearance, a funeral, or meeting his new co-workers.

Running long fingers through his hair, he squared his shoulders and strode purposefully down the hallway, accompanied by the click of his boot heels on the hardwood floor.

Chris Larabee was waiting inside the large, open ‘bullpen' of the suite for the new arrival, having sent the others on into the conference room. He had picked up the man's underlying shyness during their interview, and didn't want to have him walk in to find himself immediately deluged by the other members of the team. Better to ease him into the shark pool gradually.

The door opened, and Larabee watched the lanky Texan enter and stop just inside the door, perusing the suite. Pushing off the wall he was leaning on, Chris sauntered across the room and stuck out his hand. As the ex-ranger took it, he said with a small smile, "the others are in the conference room. Figured I'd give you a moment to get your bearings before you meet them."

With a smile in return, the younger man said, "'Preciate that. Never did like gittin' th' once-over ‘til I've had a chance t' catch m' breath."

Nodding, Chris said, "well let me show you around… Vin, right?" He recalled the man's expression when he'd asked him if he preferred ‘Vincent' or ‘Vince'.

"Yep. Ain't no one called me anything but Vin since I left th' last group home."

The blond was secretly amazed at how nonchalantly the new team sharpshooter spoke of his childhood as a ward of the state of Texas. Without commenting on it, the senior agent gave the new man a brief tour of the suite, saving the conference room for last.

Entering the closed room that was dominated by a large, dark wooden table and reasonably comfortable chairs, Chris said, "and this is the rest of the team. This is Buck Wilmington… JD Dunne… Josiah Sanchez… and the man you're replacing as ‘the new guy', Ezra Standish."

Vin took in each face as his new supervisor pointed out the men, and was greeted by each in turn. As Chris got to the last man, who was standing at the coffee pot with his back to them, he stared at him curiously. Then, as Ezra Standish turned to greet him, both men stopped dead in their tracks.

Standish gave the other man a quick once over and registered the fact that he was being looked over as well. It took a few seconds for him to realize why the new man seemed so familiar. Then the sounds and smells of the bar returned to him forcefully, leading him to stifle a gasp. He saw the same shock reflected in the other man's face.

The silent exchange wasn't lost on the other members of Team Seven. They looked from one man to the other and back, seeing the faint blush rise on the newest arrival and the forcibly calm expression on the undercover agent.

A frown drawing blond brows together the senior agent said, "is there a problem?"

Shaking himself from the unguarded memories, Tanner said, "uh… no. Reckon Standish jist r'minds me a someone I met once."

Larabee turned to the other man. "Standish?"

"My mind… was elsewhere, I didn't realize that Mister… Tanner, was it?... had arrived."

Regarding the Texan then the Southerner, Larabee said, "so there's no problems you boys might have with one another?"

In harmony, the two men said, "no. No trouble at all."

They had been slipping around one another in an uncomfortable dance for over a week In truth it hadn't been all that difficult avoid one another. Vin was busy learning the ropes and finding his place within the team. To Standish's frustration, the quiet young Texan found it easily, while he still seemed to be struggling to prove himself worthy of being a part of Team Seven.

Then came the morning that forced them to face their secrets.

Ezra Standish had been gathering background on a new operation that was just setting up in the Denver area. The information he had managed to glean so far was that there were plans in the works to set up a base of operations for an international gunrunning operation within one of the abandoned warehouses at the edge of town. He hadn't as yet been able to discover exactly which building it was, but had narrowed it down to three.

Team Seven was gathered in the conference room, making plans to discover which warehouse they wanted before going any farther with their investigation. Looking at the aerial map leaning on the easel nearby, Larabee studied the three buildings that were identified by red circles drawn around them. They were all within a block of one another.

"We've got to find out for certain which warehouse the Pattersons' are planning to use for this operation. Standish, I need you to go do some recon on them… see if you can locate the right building. Take… Tanner with you," Chris instructed, hesitating only slightly. He wasn't happy at the idea of sending two untried men into the field together, but had little choice. Buck was still on light duty due to his injuries, while JD and Josiah would be wrapping up another operation. He would be handling surveillance himself.

Ezra and Vin exchanged quick looks, discomfort and something akin to panic shining in both pairs of eyes. Recovering quickly, however, they nodded in agreement. Larabee hadn't missed the silent exchange, however. Frowning, he said, "is there a problem?"

The two men only shook their heads.

"Fine. You'll go check them out tomorrow. That should give you enough time to draw up whatever plans you need to make before we take down the operation." Again twin nods of affirmation were his only answer. With an uneasy feeling in his gut, the senior agent nodded in return, leaving the two men to discuss strategy.

Tanner stood before the closed door, feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable on the neat little stoop. He had decided that there were things that he and the Southerner needed to discuss away from the ATF office and, after presenting his case to the other man, Standish had agreed. As soon as he gave his address, the former feebie had offered his own home for their after-hours meeting. He didn't take offense at the sophisticated man's response to his Purgatorio address, most people reacted similarly.

The door opened to reveal Ezra Standish, looking as well put together as ever. He had changed into a pair of pale cream slacks with a mint green short sleeved shirt. The fact that he was standing there in the same pair of jeans and faded Henley he'd worn to work crossed Tanner's mind, but he dismissed it. He was who he was, and he certainly didn't have anything to apologize for.

Motioning the other man inside, Ezra closed the door. "I took the liberty of fixing dinner, I didn't know if you'd eat before you came or not."

Shrugging, Vin said, "grabbed a burger on th' way over, but I've always got room."

Standish couldn't help but smile. They had all learned quickly that Vin Tanner was something of a ‘bottomless pit'. "Well it's light so I don't suppose it will conflict with you ‘burger'. Follow me."

They made uncomfortable small talk while they ate a dinner consisting of salads, rolls and grilled trout. Ezra chastised himself for being amazed at Tanner's table manners. He was embarrassed to admit to himself that he had expected the rough-cut Texan to shovel food in with his hands, picking the crumbs from the napkin tucked under his chin to poke them into his mouth as well. He came to the conclusion that much of the ‘wild and woolley' mannerisms were more for show than anything else.

Finishing the dinner with desserts of chocolate éclairs, the men took their coffee into the living room. Ezra settled in on one side of the couch, finding himself somewhat uncomfortable when Vin settled in on the other.

Taking the bull by the horns, Tanner said, "reckon we need t' clear th' air on things… figger out how we're gonna handle working t'gether ‘n all."

"It seems to me that we've done an adequate job thus far."

"Y' gonna sit there ‘n tell me it don't bother y'? Am I th' only one feelin' like there's somethin' unfinished in all this?"

"With all due respect, we did nothing more than stare at one another across a crowded bar."

"Yeah, an' how'd y' feel when y' found out we's gonna be workin' t'gether?"

He considered denying that he felt anything, but found himself unable to look into those amazingly blue eyes and say anything but the truth. "I found myself decidedly unnerved at the thought. However, we are teammates now. It would behoove us not to muddy things with an off-duty relationship."

Shrugging his wide shoulders, the other man said, "ain't lookin' fer no off-duty relationship here, Standish. Ain't lookin' fer a relationship a'tall. All I'm feelin's horny."

Feeling his face color at the other man's rather crude assessment, he found himself relieved. He had allowed himself to become involved with a co-worker only once, and it had ended badly. He wasn't about to make that mistake again, and he certainly wasn't interested in complicating things even farther with a same-sex relationship. "Yes, well, I too find myself… "

"Horny?" Tanner supplied when the other man hesitated.

"I prefer the term aroused but, yes, that is an apt description."

Grinning broadly, Vin said, "well that's easy t' fix."

Ezra watched as the lean man stood, pulled his shirt out of his waistband, and began to lift the long sleeved pull-over over his head. Stammering his words, the Southerner said, "uh… Vin… I, uh… wh-what are you d-doing?"

Discarding his shirt, the Texan dropped back to the couch, this time right beside the other man. With a sensual smile, he said, "jist thought I'd git comfortable."

"I… oh," he found himself mesmerized, staring hungrily at the lean, well muscled, chest.

"Like what'cha see?" Vin asked softly, reaching out to run his hand down the pale colored shirt. "Why'n't we git'cha comfortable, too?"

"I… Vin… I… " he wasn't certain where the sudden case of nerves had come from, but he found himself unable to think clearly. He had dreamed of this several times since spotting Tanner in the bar, but never expected to make it a reality.

Frowning, the Texan said, "y' don't wanna? I'm sorry, I thought y' wanted th' same thing. I… apologize."

Shaking his head and taking the other man's hand, Standish said, "Don't apologize, Tanner. It is I who should apologize to you. You didn't misread anything, I very much want to engage in a physical encounter. However, I can't help but be concerned as to what will happen to our work relationship… after."

Heaving a sigh, Vin said, "might make things a bit uncomfortable… might make ‘m easier. Ain't fer certain a what's been on yer mind since I signed on, but I've been havin' a hard time keepin' m' mind on work. All m' blood keeps leavin' m' brain… settlin' ‘tween m' legs."

To emphasize his point, Tanner ran his hand along his own thigh, rubbing seductively at the bulge in his jeans. Smiling when he saw that his movements had the other man's undivided attention, he said in a hoarse rasp, "reckon th' best way a gittin' that t' stop's jist t' up ‘n git ‘t over with."

With a breathless chuckle, Standish said, "you do have a way with words, Mister Tanner, I will give you that."

Grinning broadly, the long-haired man said, "it's a gift."

Shaking his head, Ezra said, "this is a risky proposition, Vin, it could lead to some pretty serious complications."

"Well hell, pard, th' worlds fulla complications. ‘S a risk, no doubt about ‘t. Reckon I jist thought it'd be worth ‘t."

Frowning, the Southerner said, "it could cost one… or both of us… our jobs. I suppose you have considered that."

Sighing, the Texan said, "yeah, I did. Look, if there's one thing I've learned ‘bout y', Standish, yer a gambler."

Looking into the wide blue eyes that stared back at him, Ezra groaned. The smaller man carefully undid the buttons of his shirt and pulled the tail out of his waistband. Pulling it up over his head, he laid it neatly across the back of the couch. Running his fingers through his hair he frowned as he saw the expression on the other man's face. "What?"

"Damn, Standish… y' take this much time gittin' undressed, we're gonna be late fer work in th' mornin'."

Huffing in exasperation, the Southerner said, "then do it yourself."

"All righty, then, I will."

Tanner pulled off his scuffed boots, then removed Standish's loafers. His jeans were followed by the other man's slacks. He moved back and forth, until they both sat on the supple leather couch, completely nude. Stretching cat-like against the rich feel of the cream colored cushions, he said, "soft."

Ezra's eyes flashed and a retort died on his lips when he realized that Vin was speaking of the furniture and not his physique. He knew that often people perceived him as a rather effeminate and pampered man, although it was far from true.

As if reading his mind, the blue-eyed man reached out and ran his hand along the agent's firm bicep. With a lazy grin, he said softly, "nice. Y' must spend a good amount a time in th' gym."

Shrugging, Ezra said, "not as often as I'd like sometimes."

They both grew quiet then, as if realizing that they were making awkward small talk to cover for their unease at being together like this. Once more, Tanner took the lead. Leaning in, he captured the other's full bottom lip, nipping and suckling it before engaging him in a deep kiss. Stopping from time to time, he began moving along the well-honed body, nipping, sucking and kissing as he went. Reaching the dark brown nipples, he ran the stubble of his jaw over the hardening flesh, then clamped down to suck hard at the pebbled nub.

Ezra moaned softly as Tanner's actions brought him fully erect. He leaned heavily against the thick cushions behind and beneath him. Looking down, he ran his fingers through the thick, loose chestnut waves of the other man's hair.

"Vin… please," he groaned. He wanted the other man's attentions focused on the throbbing pain between his legs… wanted to be delivered to blessed relief beneath the Texan's broad mouth. "Please."

Looking up into the other man's flushed face, Tanner smiled. He moved down, eyes beholding the heavy shaft of flesh that had grown under his ministrations. To say that the other man was well endowed was an understatement. "Damn, pard."

Standish was beyond words now, and could only moan as the other man took his throbbing cock in his talented mouth. Vin moved slowly up and down the thick cock, taking his time in consuming his erection, driving him wild as he slid his tongue across the bulging head. He shuddered as excitement ran through him in waves.

Vin stroked his thumb along one thigh of satin covered steel. He marveled at the feel of the man beneath him; thrilled at the size of the cock he was torturing with his mouth, teeth and tongue. He took the thick shaft as far as he could, feeling it slip down his throat. Tanner swallowed and heard the other man cry out in pleasure. He swallowed twice more and felt Standish tense, thrusting his hips toward him as he neared the edge of an orgasm.

The Texan sought out the Southerner's sacs', finding the swollen balls and lightly closing his hand around them. He heard Ezra groan, almost whimpering from the exquisite pain of what was happening. Finally, sensing that Standish was on the verge, he delivered the other man toward orgasm with a series of quick thrusts and a steady squeeze.

Back arching, head burrowed into the cushions, the former FBI agent cried out as he felt his cum erupt from his swollen cock. He jerked, quivering as the tension fled, leaving him sated and relaxed. With a long sigh, he sprawled limply on the couch.

Watching blissful satisfaction appear on the handsome face, Tanner couldn't help but smile. Allowing the smaller man a few minutes to recover from the experience, he reached out and gently slapped one bare thigh. "Don't think we're done yet, Standish."

A lazy grin appeared on the flushed face, and Standish quipped, "of course. What sort of host would I be if I didn't see to the needs of my guests?"

Running a hand along the well honed leg beside him, Vin looked into the jade shaded eyes. "What's yer pleasure, pard?"

His grin taking on a wicked edge, Standish said, "let me see if I have any condoms."

A short time later, Standish had spread several thick comforters on the living room floor. He added pillows and piled condoms and lubricant at the edge of the pallet. Then they dropped to makeshift bed, stretching out side by side.

Vin wasted no time, his erection making his movements impatient. He found the lube, spreading some on his hand. Watching the other man's face, he pressed his middle finger into Standish's ass. The Southerner grunted softly, then smiled up at him. He moved the finger in and out, then it was joined by a second finger. These two moved in unison, pressing against the clenching muscles of the passageway they cavorted in. As Ezra drew his legs up, making himself more accessible, he pushed a third finger into the tight hole. The man beneath him groaned long and low, pushing back toward the invading digits.

For several minutes there was no sound other than the rapid breathing and occasional groans of one or the other of the men. When Tanner felt the tight ring of muscles relax, he withdrew his fingers, quickly donning a condom and spreading a generous amount of lubricant along his covered cock. Coaxing Standish up onto his hands and knees, he positioned himself between the man's spread legs. Pressing the head of his cock against the taut ass, he waited for sign that the other man had changed his mind. Seeing nothing, he pressed the swollen head past the ring of muscles, listening to the barely stifled cry as Ezra responded to his actions.

Stilling the other man with hands rubbing gently along the tight ass and hips, he waited until his partner relaxed. Then he began rocking, thrust and retreat, in and out of the hot channel. "Ah… damn. Y' feel good."

Ezra didn't respond, too busy remembering to breathe as the thick cock filled him. Fists white knuckled in the blankets, he acclimated to the feeling of fullness and the cramping sensations that spread through his belly. Then the pain gave way to exhilaration, and he began to push back toward the other man.

They filled the air with the sounds and smell of raw sex. Vin continued to pump his cock into the other man's ass, enjoying the sensation of finally releasing the needs that had built up over the course of the previous week. Finally he felt his body tensing, growing still as he moved toward orgasm. Grabbing Standish's hips, he thrust three more times, each with growing intensity, then cried out as he felt his seed spill out into the condom's reservoir.

Feeling his cock going limp, Tanner grabbed the condom's base and withdrew carefully from the other man. As he did, Standish sighed and collapsed onto the thick blankets. With a smile he pushed himself to his feet and went in search of the bathroom. Coming back a few minutes later, he had disposed of the condom, and brought a wet, warm washcloth with him. Dropping to his knees, he began to bathe the Southerner's ass and groin, washing away the dried and drying cum and lube.

Settling back, Vin smiled tiredly. He pulled the edges of the comforter up over the prone form before him. Reaching down, he stroked a hand through the mussed auburn locks. Ezra didn't respond, or chose not to at any rate, he simply lay there, a small smile playing across his lips.

Tanner watched the shabby form that entered the warehouse from his vantage point of the shadowy doorway. His mind drifted for a minute as he spotted a flash of trim ass beneath the filthy clothes, but pulled himself away from the fantasy that threatened, forcing himself back to the business at hand.

Beneath the clothes of a street person was Ezra Standish. They had tossed a coin, the Southerner ‘losing' and therefore having to don the fetid garments to get an ‘up close and personal' look inside each of the warehouses. He had searched one, finding nothing. They hoped they had better luck with number two.

"Tanner, you awake?"

Flinching slightly at the sound of the voice in his ears, Vin spoke into the mic hidden in his collar. "Yeah, I'm awake."

"Mind answering me, then? What's going on?" Larabee didn't sound happy, and Tanner worried that he was losing points with his new boss.

"Standish is just enterin' the building. Ain't nothin' much else goin' on. Ain't nobody around far ‘s I c'n see. Prob'ly jist another dud."

"Right. I want updates every three minutes, regardless. Got it?"

"Yep." He could see the blond in his mind's eye, glaring at him from where he sat in the surveillance van parked at the far end of the warehouse complex. He wondered momentarily if Larabee had figured out what he and Ezra had done the night before. Vin had let his new boss know about his sexuality up front, not wanting the information to come back and bite him in the ass as it had in the Marshals. He also knew that Standish hadn't shared his own sexuality with the senior agent, and respected that. But, if Chris had an inkling…

Shots rang out, and Tanner jerked upright, calling softly into his mic, "somethin's goin' down! Ezra? Standish, do you copy? EZRA!"

"Signal might be blocked… I'm on my way!" Larabee assured him.

"I'm goin' in!" Tanner called back, as he leapt from his hiding place and started toward the warehouse. As he neared the door, he slowed, sliding to a halt against the exterior wall. Carefully he crept toward the opening, gun at the ready.

Peering around the edge of the door, Vin tried to locate the smaller man. To his dismay, he found the view obstructed by equipment and interior walls. Growling, he slipped inside, edging along the shadows as he surveyed the area. As another shot rang out, he was able to better pinpoint the whereabouts of the shooters and the other agent. Keeping himself as safe as possible, the Texan moved toward his destination as stealthily as an alley cat. It took only a minute or two to reach the place, but it felt like hours. Pressing himself tight against a false wall, he managed to find the Southerner.

Ezra was leaning heavily against a large machine, obviously in pain as he continued to exchange the occasional shot with his attackers.

Vin moved slowly along the wall until he could see the agent's opponents. He was happy to see that there were only two, from the looks of them, minor players in the operation. They had most likely been placed there to keep the warehouse clear until the operation was set up. Into his mic he whispered, "Ezra, y' copy?"

A soft voice, edged with pain, responded, "your timing is impeccable."

"Hang tight, I'm b'hind ‘m… think I c'n take ‘m out."

"Copy that."

It took only a few seconds from the time he identified himself and ordered the men to drop their guns until the time both men lay on the cold concrete floor, each with one of Tanner's bullets in their bodies. Sprinting from cover, the lean man made certain that neither man could reach their guns, finding them both writhing on the floor in agony, but still alive. He jumped at a sound, turning to find Larabee jogging up to join him. Nodding, he said, "reckon if there ‘s any more around, they'd a come around by now."

Nodding in agreement, Larabee pulled out his handcuffs as he asked, "Standish?"

Retrieving his own ‘cuffs, Tanner handed them over and said, "looked t' be hurt."

"Go check on him, I've got this trash."

He didn't need to be told twice. The slender Texan pounded across the floor, coming to a halt next to the injured agent. Standish was slumped on the floor, looking as pale as a living person could look. Vin dropped down beside him, gently taking the handsome face in his hand. Slowly the other man's eyes opened, managing to focus on him. "Hey, pard. Where'd they git'cha?"

Rather than saying anything, the Southerner reached up and pulled away the filthy clothes he wore.

Grimacing, Tanner saw the crimson stain that was growing along the right side of the other man's shoulder and upper chest. Carefully he helped the injured man to sit up a little straighter. Finding a clean cloth in his jacket pocket, the Texan pressed it against the wound. He pulled his cell phone and started to call 9-1-1 before remembering that something was blocking the signals. Taking the smaller man's trembling hand and placing it over the wound, he said carefully, "keep pressure on it. I gotta go outside t' git a signal."

Ezra nodded, leaning his head back against the dirty metal machine with a soft groan. It seemed like just a few seconds before the trim Texan was back, kneeling beside him. he managed to pull his eyelids open and, with a groan as every movement threatened to send him reeling with nausea, he focused on the blue eyed man.

Vin reached out and gently brushed back an errant strand of thick hair. With concern burning in his wide eyes, he said softly, "how y' doin'?"

"I've been… better," Standish said with a grimace. He felt Tanner pull his hand away, pressing his own against the seeping wound.

"'Magine y' have. Amb'lance should be here in ‘bout 10 minutes ‘r so."

Sighing, Ezra whispered, "could you help me… then?"

Frowning, Tanner said, "help y' what?"

Pulling weakly at the soiled garments, the usually well-dressed man asked, "could you help me… take th-these… off?"

Chuckling, Vin said, "ah hell, Ezra, what's th' matter… ‘fraid a what it'll do t' yer rep.?"

Not seeing anything humorous in his request, the smaller man said, "yes… precisely."

Despite his feverish attempts to cajole the other two agents into helping him slip out of the disgusting disguise, they remained more interested in stopping the bleeding. He was grateful that, at least, they removed the frayed and oil-stained coat he wore. They settled him prone on the floor, Vin carefully lifting his head and shoulders into his lap. The long haired man slipped his hand into the other man's, coaxing him to squeeze it in an effort to ease the pain in the only way he knew how.

"C'mon Ezra, y' got my hand. Squeeze it hard ‘s y' want. Hear me?"

"Ye… yes." He felt the warm hand surrounding his, and gripped it as tightly as he could. He sighed as the pain lessened, and relaxed against the slender body. He felt the fingers of Vin's other hand stroke through his hair, and without thinking, he nuzzled against the gentle touch.

The corner's of Tanner's mouth turned up in a tight smile as the Southerner relaxed against him. He noticed Chris giving them sideways glances, and could read the questions in the hazel depths. He wasn't about to make any sort of ‘confession' to the blond before speaking to Standish, though. As with most of his life, he kept his sexuality private, and Vin respected that. Looking down at the nearly translucent face, he just hoped the other man would stick around long enough for that talk.

By the time the ambulance arrived, Ezra had gone into shock, the state of his appearance becoming only a faint memory. He lay in Vin's arms, soft moans coming from slack, bloodless lips. The Texan did his best to keep him calm, worried at the weakening grip on his hand.

The EMTs carefully lifted the injured man onto the stretcher and prepared to transport him. Vin watched, barely keeping himself in check as Standish moaned, his hand weakly moving as he sought something to hold onto. Emotive blue eyes looked at the blond agent nearby.

Nodding, Chris said, "go with them. I'll take care of things here. Team Three's here to help finish things."

With a thankful grin, Tanner sprinted after the departing stretcher.

Vin yawned, stretching in the marginally cushioned chair that had to have been made by a masochist. The room was dark except for the faint glow of the light above and behind Standish's hospital bed. He hated how much paler Ezra seemed in the blue-white light, the dim illumination making the dark circles beneath his eyes stand out as a stark reminder of his injuries.

The bullet had broken his collarbone and come to rest against his shoulder blade. The blood loss had been the worst, though. He was still far too pale, and his flesh was far to cool to the touch. He had been unconscious since they had brought him in, over a day earlier. Vin had been there the entire time, not wanting the man to wake up alone.

Josiah, Buck and JD had each called to see how the Southerner was doing. Chris had checked in, and came by after they had finished with business at the warehouse. He brought in take out, sitting with the younger man while he ate, and smiling at how quickly the bag of greasy food disappeared. They sat together for a while in companionable silence, waiting to see if the injured man was going to wake.

"He's had a hard time of it, fitting in with the team," Larabee said softly.

"Reckon some folks jist take a bit longer t' find their place," Tanner replied, finding himself feeling the need to defend the other man.

Nodding, Chris settled back in the chair. "Suppose so. Looks like the two of you've hit it off, though."

Shrugging non-commitally, the Texan didn't comment. Instead he said, "did y' git hold a his fam'ly?"

"He's only got his mother." With a snort, Larabee shook his head. "She's a piece of work. We finally located her… in Greece."

"She comin' in?"

"No," the blond growled his answer. In a sarcastic tone, he continued. "She sends her love and hope he feels better soon."

Anger burned through the finely chiseled features. "What th' hell kind ‘a mother does such ‘s that?"

"That's… Maude's style," came a faint voice from the bed. Tanner pushed himself from the chair and came to stand beside the bed. He looked down to see a pair of unfocused jade eyes staring up at him.

Trying unsuccessfully to hide his emotions over what he saw as a mother's abandonment, Vin took the cool, limp hand in his. It wasn't the time to get into a conversation about the other man's emotional baggage from childhood or anything else that didn't help him heal. "Well, we ain't gonna worry ‘bout that right now. How y' feelin'?"

"Not… for certain. Could I trouble… you for some water?"

A half full foam cup with a jointed straw appeared beside him, and Vin nodded his thanks to Larabee. He pressed the button to raise the bed, apologizing as the movement caused the pain to flare. As the other man came to a stop at an angle, he carefully helped him to drink.

With a contented sigh, Ezra dropped back against the pillow. "Thank… you."

"Yer welcome." Tanner lowered the bed slightly, stopping when the movement once more increased the other man's pain. His hand wrapped around the limp fingers and he said softly, "grab hold ‘n squeeze."

One corner of the pale lips lifted in a grateful smile and Ezra allowed his eyes to close. He had registered the presence of Chris Larabee near the foot of his bed and said wearily, "I apologize for… cutting down the team… even more."

With a wry chuckle, Larabee said, "I'm beginning to get used to it. For some reason I seem to pick men who attract bullets."

"Well, hell, least me ‘n you's still in one piece," Vin teased, grinning at the senior agent.

Rolling his eyes, Chris said, "well, let's hope it stays that way."

The hospital was as quiet as a hospital ever got, only the occasional footfall or voice in the stillness of the deep night. Vin scrubbed a hand over his face as he slipped into the bedside chair once more. He'd gone out into the waiting room at the end of visiting hours, left alone by the medical staff because he seemed to belong there. The young man found himself unwilling to go home, even though Ezra was out of danger, and he was resting comfortably.

When things grew quiet, he slipped from the waiting area to return to the other man's room, ready to continue his vigil. Despite his declaration that he didn't want to develop a relationship, he felt a fondness growing for the pompous acting former FBI agent.

Soft mutterings came from the bed, and he leaned forward to place a gentle hand over the one that fidgeted atop the thermal blanket. He watched the green eyes dance beneath closed lids, the full lips moving as Ezra talked in his sleep.

"Sh, yer okay. G'on back t' sleep." Then he heard the words, and felt something in his heart reach out to the injured man.

"Mama? Where… I can't… can't find you. Mama? I'm scared… please… can you find me?"

The voice was small, carrying with it the innocence of a small child. Tanner realized that Ezra was reliving some other abandonment, one that had taken place long ago when he was a frightened child. Looking into the handsome face, he could see traces of that child in the pale and haggard features. Squeezing the cool hand, he said, "s'okay, Ezra. Yer safe. Y' ain't alone. Ain't never gonna be alone long ‘s I'm here."

The muttering continued for another minute or so, then the smaller man slowly quieted as Tanner's soft drawl offered him comfort and reassurance. With a contented sigh, he grew still, slipping deeper toward sleep.

Vin tenderly stroked his fingers through the tousled hair, smiling as he watched Standish relax on the bed. Stealing a glance behind him, he leaned up and placed a soft kiss on the pale forehead.

Tanner poked his head into the room, grinning as he watched the activity inside. The nurse was trying unsuccessfully to get the Southerner into his clothes. Or, more precisely, the clothes he had arrived in. Ezra was just as adamantly refusing to even touch the tattered garments. With a chuckle, Vin entered the room, holding up a leather bag. "Reckon he'd be a mite more comfortable in these."

Standish collapsed back on the mattress with a huff. "I suppose this was your doing… leaving me with nothing to wear but those… those… things!"

"Ah, hell, Ezra, jist a harmless joke."

The nurse looked from one to the other, shaking her head. Somehow she knew that they would be putting up with a lot from these two and the other men who had visited during the past several days.

With a sheepish grin spreading across his downcast face, Tanner said, "'m real sorry, miss. Didn't mean t' make things difficult fer y'. Look, if y' want, I c'n help this grouchy bear git ‘is clothes on. ‘S th' least I c'n do."

"Yes… it is," she said, her anger only slightly diffused by his act of contrition. Dropping the ragged clothes to the floor, she walked stiffly from the little room.

Unable to keep the amusement out of his voice, Tanner said, "reckon I'd best keep m'self healthy… don't reckon she's gonna be happy t' see me any time soon."

"Yes, well, some of us won't have that option I suppose… having you around that is."

Despite the irritation in Ezra's voice, Vin could hear something else. He looked to see shadows of fear and hope in the jade shaded eyes, and knew he was being asked not to abandon his friend. Reaching out, he cupped a hand beneath the other man's chin. Looking deep into the troubled eyes, he made a promise with his own blue ones. But, all he said was, "reckon y' won't, pard."

A short time later Vin had Ezra ready to go. He wasn't about to admit to the other man that he'd had Chris help him pick out the wardrobe. He didn't want Standish to know how unsure he felt in going through the well appointed closet.

By the time he was dressed, Ezra felt as if he had run in a marathon. He didn't even argue when Vin eased him back on the stiff mattress and put his shoes and socks on. He just lay there, waiting for the world to stop spinning.

They couldn't get his shirt on over the bulky bandages that held his right arm immobile, so settled for draping it over his shoulder and buttoning the top button. Vin helped him sit back up, letting Standish lean against him as nausea once more threatened to overcome him. While he stood waiting, he eyed a huge bouquet of deep red roses on the table. With a smile he said, "secret admirer?"

Seeing where Vin was looking, Ezra snickered. "Secret mother."

"Huh?"

"They're from my Mother… Maude. They arrived this morning."

"Oh," Vin replied coolly.

Noting the change in the other man's mood, Standish said, "she is who she is, Vin. I learned to accept that years ago."

"Shouldn't ought ‘a have t' ‘accept' it when yer mama cain't see fit t' be there fer y'."

Finding himself in the odd position of defending his mother's actions, Ezra said, "I take that to mean… should you be incapacitated… that we'll be meeting the esteemed Mother Tanner?"

Pain flaring in his face, Vin said shortly, "no. She's gone… died when I's a little ‘n."

With a soft groan that had little to do with the pain he was feeling, the smaller man said, "I'm sorry, Vin… I didn't – "

Gently squeezing the man's uninjured shoulder, Tanner said, "fergit about ‘t…y' didn't know. Look, how ‘bout we declare a truce ‘n don't talk about our mamas any time soon?"

"Sounds like a good idea."

"So, y' want me t' carry yer flowers, or do you want th' honor?"

Shaking his head, Standish said, "leave them. Better yet, let's ask that they distribute them amongst the nursing staff. A ‘thank you' for their fine care."

Nodding, Vin said, "sounds like a nice idea. Real generous."

With a wry grin, the smaller man said, "not really… I detest roses."

Vin nervously chauffeured the injured man home through the mid-morning traffic. He wasn't so much nervous about being responsible for Standish's care as he was about the fact that he was driving the man's sports car. He would have much preferred to be behind the wheel of his rundown jeep, but the ride would have been rough enough that he'd have probably had to take Ezra back to the hospital.

Parking at the man's townhouse, Tanner heaved a sigh of relief that they'd gotten there without incident. He exited the chrome and leather vehicle and swiftly moved around to open the passenger side door. He looked down with a slight smile as he took in the sight of Ezra Standish sprawled in the passenger seat, head back against the seat and mouth open. Reaching down, he gently shook the man. "Hey, sleepin' beauty. Time t' git up… we're home."

Green eyes opened to blink owlishly at the other man as Ezra tried to clear the fog from his mind. Finally where they were registered, and he allowed Vin to help him from the car. Leaning on the taller man, he moved slowly toward his front door.

Tanner unlocked the door, guided Standish inside, and reset the alarm on the wall of the foyer. Keeping one hand locked around the man's uninjured arm and the other loosely around his waist, he helped Ezra through the neat and expensive looking home and to his bedroom. There he helped the smaller man out of his clothes and into bed. Vin carefully placed a pillow to support the injured shoulder, then pulled the blankets up over the supine form. He simply shook his head when he discovered that Ezra was already asleep. Reaching up, he brushed back an errant strand of hair before padding from the room.

Ezra woke to find the room nearly dark, only a faint light from his bathroom illuminating the room. He sighed as he realized that he was alone in the room. It shouldn't have come as a surprise that Vin would have considered his duties over, but it did. He had come to rely on the rough spoken, kind hearted Texan's compassion during his days in the hospital.

Gingerly pulling himself upright, he groaned softly as the movement sent arrows of pain through his shoulder and waves of nausea threatened to overwhelm him. Taking a few shallow breaths, he slowly pushed himself to his feet and walked unsteadily to the bathroom in search of his pain medication. A few minutes later he exited the room with a frown, the amber bottle of relief nowhere to be found.

Slowly Standish made his way through the house, hoping that Tanner had left the medication, and hadn't taken it with him by mistake. As he neared the main living area, he heard the soft sound of the television. He was surprised to feel his heard quicken with relief as he found Tanner asleep on the couch. Reaching down awkwardly, he gently nudged the snoring man. Blue eyes blinked open as Vin startled awake.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

"Y' didn't," Tanner answered in a sleepy rasp. "Y' okay?"

"I was looking for my pain medication."

"Oh… shit," the slender man cursed as he glanced as his watch. "I should ‘a given ‘t to y' over an hour ago. I'm sorry, Ezra."

"It's all right, honestly, I just… " he trailed off as a wave of pain radiated from his shoulder, causing him to sway as if caught in a stiff breeze. When he recovered, he found Vin supporting him, a look of concern in his handsome face.

"C'mon… you sit down here, ‘n I'll git'cher meds." Gently Vin helped Standish settle on the couch, lifting his legs up onto the cushions. He draped a blanket over the smaller man before hurrying from the room. A minute later he returned, a glass of water in one hand, the medication in the other.

Taking the pill and chasing it with half the glass of cool water, Ezra settled back and smiled up at the other man. "Thank you."

"Yer welcome. You catch yer breath an' I'll help y' back t' bed."

Ezra found himself hating the idea. While his bed was decidedly more comfortable than the couch, it was also very lonely. Chiding himself inwardly for his weakness, the Southerner said only, "I would appreciate it."

"Y' could a jist hollered, y' know. Y' don't need t' be traipsin' around by yerself quite yet. Th' last thing y' need is t' git dizzy ‘n fall ‘r somethin'."

"Yes, I suppose you're right. I appreciate the concern, Vin. I just… I didn't realize you were still here."

Tanner frowned at the look in the man's face, and once more heard the cries of the child Ezra had once been, back in the hospital. He knew only too well how it felt to have no one to rely on, and recognized that look only too well. Kneeling beside the couch, he looked into the weary eyes and said softly, "course I'm still here, Ezra. Y' ain't ready t' be on yer own quite yet. Hope y' don't mind if I camp out here fer a few days t' make sure yer all right. I mean if y' got someone else y'd rather have come over – "

"No!" Standish said quickly. "I mean, yes… I mean… I accept your kind offer gratefully, Vin."

With a smile, Vin said, "well, all righty then. Let's git'cha back t' bed ‘fore that pain pill knocks y' out, okay?"

Accepting the other man's hand, Standish said, "That sounds wonderful."

Tanner carefully pulled him to his feet, then guided the smaller man back to his bedroom. Easing him onto the mattress, he helped Ezra get comfortable. Pulling the coverings up over the other man, he once more saw the little boy lost in the handsome face. With a compassionate smile, the Texan said, "y' know, that couch ain't th' worst place I've ever slept, but it sure ain't doin' a lot fer m' back. Mind if I sleep in here th' rest a th' night?"

Unable to hide the relief that filled his pale features, Standish said, "no… I wouldn't mind at all."

Slipping around to the other side of the big bed, Tanner carefully climbed in beside the injured man. Uncertainly, he stretched out on the mattress, pulling the covers up over himself. He couldn't help but smile when the other man's hand appeared above the comforter, reaching for him. Vin took the hand, giving it a brief squeeze before he curled up beside the smaller man. He carefully laid his arm over Ezra's chest, below the bandages. Leaning across the pillow, he delivered a gentle kiss.

The ghost of a smile played across the Southerner's lips. He relaxed into the loose embrace, relishing the feel of the other man beside him. And for one of the first time in his life, Ezra Standish did not feel alone.

By Kaed

Prolog

Part 1

The End