Part I: Help Wanted, Apply Within

Vin sighed in relief when the town of Four Corners came into view at the top of the ridge. JD was a good kid, but he talked nonstop and it about drove Vin crazy. That little town meant food, rest, and JD somewhere else rather than plastered to his back.

JD was okay company, but Vin wasn't used to having someone around twenty-four hours a day, let alone someone who sat right behind him when he rode. JD didn't have a horse, though, and had lost the money he'd had to buy one. Getting JD away from that pig of a man Wickes without so much as a scratch on him had been tough enough. Vin hadn't been able to get both JD and his money to safety. So he'd just done the best he could to keep JD from talking his ear off-- without hurting the younger boy's feelings-- until they could find Four Corners and Vin could wrangle himself a little distance.

Now that he had the town in his sights, though, Vin felt the itch to get there as soon as he could.

"Hang on, JD," Vin warned so that JD would tighten his grip, and nudged Peso into a canter. Didn't want to run the horse too hard with two riders, but Vin really wanted to get settled for the night, and the sun was just about to set.

He brought Peso back down to a sedate walk once they were at the edge of town. It looked nice, Vin thought, clean. There was a pretty little house right at the beginning of the street, with a sturdy corral that wrapped around the side of the house and on around back. Vin envied the owners the views of both sunset and sunrise that the house's location gave them. A tall, black gelding with a little star on his head lifted his nose from a feed trough in the corral to greet them with a soft whinny. Peso answered back, friendly fella that he was, and Vin smiled. Seemed like a good sign to him.

Meandering along the main street in town, Vin looked ahead and took in more of the tidy little shops and businesses that lined the boardwalk. Behind some of the businesses and long a few alley-ways, more little houses snuggled together. Not far along the street, Vin spotted the livery barn, with the blacksmith's workshop right next to it.

"There it is, Vin," JD pointed out unecessarily. Vin just nodded and let the boy prattle on about how every town they'd stopped in, the livery had been in just about the same location. At fifteen, JD had seen just about enough that he had lots on his mind to prattle about, but didn't have enough sense to know when to keep some of it to himself. Vin hoped he could teach JD a thing or two about that before it got the two of them into trouble. Again.

In front of the livery barn's opened double-doors, JD slid off Peso, and Vin sighed with relief. The kid was husky, still carrying around a little of his baby fat, and tended to put out a little too much body heat sometimes. Vin hopped off then himself, and stretched his back, arching it till he felt a satisfying little pop. He'd never carried much baby fat himself, always tended toward the wiry side-- scrawny, some folks used to say. But between himself and JD, his poor gelding had earned a rest. He dropped an affectionate rub over Peso's muzzle, then led him inside to get him settled, fed and watered for the night.

Vin paid the liveryman, a big fella with a bushy beard and friendly eyes, and collected the saddle bags while JD hovered just outside. When he reached the younger boy, he nodded to the north and started walking that way, hopping up onto the boardwalk, knowing JD would follow.

"So when we gonna look for that Wilmington fella?" JD asked brightly-- and none too softly, and Vin winced.

Before he could answer, a tall man with a scruffy but gentle face stopped them with an arm on Vin's shoulder. His instinct was to jerk away, but he stifled it.

"You're looking for Buck Wilmington?" The man asked, and Vin saw curiosity and possibly concern in his eyes.

"Eventually," Vin answered vaguely.

"After you've rested and..." The man paused and gave a quick sweep of Vin's dusty appearance. "And after you've cleaned up a bit?"

Oh yeah, this fella knew what was what, and knew what it was Vin planned on talking to Wilmington about. "Is that gonna be a problem?" Vin asked carefully.

"Vin? Why do you have to be clean to ask for a job?" JD interrupted, and Vin couldn't miss the look of surprise on the man's face. Dammit, didn't JD ever shut up?

Now this stranger knew Vin's name and knew that the boy traveling with him had no idea what kind of work Vin did. That was too much advantage. Vin didn't like it when strangers had the advantage and power of information over him.

"Well, it's just polite, son," the man answered JD with a kind smile, and gave Vin a quick look that said he wouldn't be saying more. Vin was grateful, but felt a twinge of resentment. Now the man had an advantage over him and Vin owed him something, too.

"So you know where we can find Mr. Wilmington, then?" Vin asked with what he hoped was a civil tone. "I'd be looking to speak to him tomorrow."

"I do. And if you want to wait, that's fine. But if you're wanting a job, board would come with it, and you might save yourself some money you'd pay at the rooming house if you go on and talk to him tonight."

Vin hesitated, knowing the difference a first impression could make, especially with this kind of work.

"Don't worry none. Buck knows his business well enough not to judge by first sight," the man added when Vin still hadn't responded.

"Well, I'm still gonna have to pay for JD's room at the boarding house. He ain't the one looking for work," Vin finally said, knowing the man would understand that JD was not 'interviewing' to work for Wilmington.

"Sensible for you to think of that. But if you get board at Buck's, you can get JD a smaller room at Miz Travis'."

Vin saw the logic in that, but was thrown a bit by the man's willingness to be so helpful. Vin'd figured him for one of those church-going people who looked down on his kinda work.

"Vin, whatever you decide, can you decide soon? We ain't had anything to eat all day, and I'm hungry."

Vin dropped his chin to his chest. Things just couldn't get any worse. Now the man knew how damned desperate Vin had to be.

"Come on, boys, let's get you over to Buck's, and we'll see about getting some food in this one's belly," the man said and ushered them across the street with polite nudges to their shoulders. "Oh, and I'm Josiah; Josiah Sanchez. I'm the preacher in this here little town."

Josiah-- a preacher, of all things-- took them to what was obviously the back entrance. They passed a stable that was probably for Wilmington and his customers' own use, and entered a small room that had boots and coats lined up along the walls. Another door inside led them through to the kitchen.

It was a big one, but felt warm and cozy. There was a huge, heavy table with seats for eight people, and two big cast iron stoves that had a couple of big pots sitting on them.

"Inez, this is..."

"JD Dunne," JD answered for Josiah and held out his hand to the pretty Mexican woman.

"And this is Vin. Vin's here to talk to Buck about some work," Josiah said, and Vin watched the look of understanding pass between them. "Think you can spare a little of what you're cooking up? JD here could use a bit of a hot meal while Vin talks to Buck."

"Of course," Inez replied with a bright smile, and took JD to the table. "You have traveled far, no? You must be starving! A growing young man needs to eat. Don't you worry, Josiah. I have plenty for both of them."

"Oh, thank you ma'am, but I should see Mr. Wilmington first, I couldn't--"

"Nonsense," Inez said and reached for Vin, pulling him to the chair next to JD's. "Buck can wait a few minutes more, and you will feel better speaking to him after a good meal, no?"

"Well," Vin said and then paused, looking from Josiah to this Inez woman, none too sure about all this. There had to be a price. There was always a price for kindness, in Vin's experience. "JD here has more of an appetite than I do. I'll be just fine with waiting till I know how much I'm gonna owe."

Vin was pretty sure that was pity on Inez's face, but he knew better than to be beholden to anyone, especially strangers. Even pretty ones. Finally, she grinned and said, "All right, then. Twenty-five cents for both of you. If Buck hires you, then I'll take ten cents off the price."

"Ten cents? Vin, I don't eat that much more than you do. Do I?" JD added, suddenly a little uncertain. Vin just shook his head in defeat. Nothing to be done about JD's mouth tonight, Vin figured.

"All right, ma'am, you got yourself a deal."

Inez grinned, and Vin's instincts started sending him signals that it might just be possible these people were genuine. He didn't want to bank on it yet, but his gut was telling him he might someday.

Inez led Vin around the corner and to yet another room further inside the big house. From the doorway, Vin could see into the somewhat opulent main room, where customers and workers alike had begun to gather. Mostly women, with lots of feathers hanging off of them here and there, and two men in soft britches and little else, all wandered around with smiles and laughter. If things went how Vin wanted, he'd soon be mingling with them.

At that thought, Vin exhaled a soft snort. All this wasn't exactly what he wanted, but he knew it was what he needed, and so how much difference was there, really? At least he'd heard all good things about this Buck Wilmington fella. Lydia wouldn't have had any reason to lie about what it was like working for Buck. She'd told Vin the truth about what a bastard Wickes had been, so if Buck had been the same, Lydia would have said so.

Vin paced, still waiting for Wilmington to show, but allowed himself a brief smile as he remembered Lydia and Nora riding away on that wagon, heading for Frisco. He hoped they found some peace out there.

"Well now, you must be Vin Tanner," a friendly voice said, interrupting Vin's thoughts. He whipped around and faced a tall, lean man of about thirty, with a relaxed smile that sat below a thick mustache.

"That's me. You're Mr. Wilmington?" Vin asked and held out his hand.

Wilmington took it without hesitation and answered, "Hell, call me Buck. I hear you're looking for work?"

Vin nodded. Best to get down to business. "I been told if I'm looking, this would be the place to go."

Buck cocked his head in curiosity. "Oh yeah? I suppose you heard this from someone I know?"

"Smart and pretty lady by the name of Lydia," Vin answered, smiling again at the memory, despite his effort to stay professional.

From the fond expression on Buck's face, Vin guessed that Lydia was turning out to be a good reference. "Well, I'll be. So you know Lydia, huh? How's she doin?"

"Just fine, now. Had some trouble with a fella she did some work for. But she's on her way to Frisco now, and I think she's gonna be just fine."

Buck nodded, obviously pleased. "Good for her. So now, about you. I'm gettin the feeling you know what you're asking, and what you're gettin yourself into?"

Vin took a deep breath and answered. "I done it before, when I needed to, and I ain't never had a problem with it. All I need to know is what the house rules are, and what I'm expected to put up with."

He needed the work, but he had to be honest. If Buck ran a house where the workers had to put up with beatings, he'd just as soon take his chances with Judge Henry.

Buck didn't seem put off by the question, and that was a plus in Vin's book. The older man leaned against the doorframe, and pinned Vin with a serious look. "Vin, there's things to be expected in this line of work, and there's things nobody should have to put up with."

"That's for sure," Vin replied quickly.

"And customers who get out of line don't stay customers here. And that's that."

Vin agreed with a short nod. "Fair enough. So, you have a more... uh... formal way to interview? I mean, I'd planned to get myself cleaned up a bit before I come over--"

Buck straightened up and relaxed again. "Nah, it's fine. I been in this business long enough to be able to see underneath a little trail dust. Usual arrangement is that you stay a couple days, see how it goes. If the customers like ya, and if you think you want to keep at it, then the job's yours. Customers pay me, and you get your share after closing. You get room and board with your share."

"Sounds good," Vin said, and reached his hand out for another shake, to make the deal.

"All right, then." Buck turned towards the door but then paused and turned back again. "If you been on the trail all day, you'll be wanting to get settled in a room tonight, and you can start tomorrow. How's that?"

Vin cleared his throat and considered it. "Well... I do have to get my friend settled at the rooming house, but if you need someone else working the floor, I can be ready tonight."

"Yeah, I heard you come into town with a younger fella. He's a friend, huh?"

Vin bristled, not liking where this was headed. "He ain't looking for work-- least not this kind."

"Whoa, hold on now. I don't hire kids. I'd had my doubts about you at first glance, ya know."

Vin relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief. "JD don't know nothing about this. He's gonna find out soon enough, but I'd just as soon see him settled in a nice little rooming house before he does."

"I hear ya," Buck assured. "I was just gonna ask to say hello. I like to know who my workers run with."

"Makes sense enough. But I should ask... will JD have a harder time with folks in town, keeping company with me?" Vin had to know if JD was going to be shunned. If that was the case, he'd look after him best he could till he could send JD on somewhere else.

Buck tilted his head side to side, as if he was trying to figure out exactly what Vin had asked. "Well, that depends on what you mean by keeping company. What goes on in this house is one thing, and folks don't pay much mind. But if you start spending time up in his room--"

"He's just a kid, you said it yourself," Vin answered hotly, his face flushed.

To Vin's surprise, Buck only grinned. "Easy now, I didn't mean no offense. But Vin, you can't be too much older than he is."

"I'm eighteen, Buck. That ain't a kid anymore," Vin told him, really beginning to feel the wear of all that traveling.

"No, I suppose it ain't," Buck said, and Vin thought he looked maybe a touch sad.

Vin rubbed his hands over his face, wishing he could wipe away his exhaustion. "I reckon if you want to meet JD, it best be now. I should get him in his room for the night and see if I can get myself in shape to meet a customer or two."

"If you're ready," Buck said.

Vin nodded and followed Buck back to the kitchen. As he rounded the corner outside the office, Vin felt a cold tingle work down his spine. Felt like somebody was watching him. He glanced back into the slowly growing crowd on the main floor of the house, but didn't spot the eyes on him. He shook it off and kept following his new boss.

Chris shifted in his seat once Buck and the new boy were out of sight. So, that was the kid Lydia had written about. As usual, Lydia had been right on the mark. Vin Tanner was a fascinating mix of young and vulnerable with sharp and aware. Chris was surprised, and a little impressed, that Vin appeared to have sensed someone watching him. The kid had instincts, that was for sure.

Lydia had more than likely not exaggerated Vin's part in getting her and Nora, and JD Dunne apparently, out of Wickes' clutches. Not that Lydia had gushed; Lydia wasn't prone to gushing. But she had been pretty blunt. She'd written to Buck that she'd had the bad judgment to agree to work for a bastard named Wickes, a man quick to leave bruises and broken bones for his own amusement, and that a kid entirely too aware of the world for his age had gotten Wickes' unfortunate employees free of him, pretty much all on his own. She'd added that Buck shouldn't worry; Wickes wouldn't be coming back for revenge. Went without saying that Vin's way of freeing them all was permanent.

That didn't bother Chris at all. Lydia had said enough, and left enough unsaid, to make it clear Vin had done what he had to. And Lydia wouldn't have suggested that Buck hire Vin if she didn't believe it would be every bit as good for Buck as it would be for Vin. Lydia might owe Vin for getting her out of that scrape with Wickes, but she owed Buck, too, for what he'd done for her when she was working in Four Corners. Lydia didn't like to owe anybody, so Chris suspected this would clear her debt once and for all.

Her letter didn't include a lot of words about JD, but what she did say was enough; he was a dangerously naive boy who probably still didn't realize that what Vin had saved him from involved getting on his back-- or his belly. Her only other comment was that desite his lack of experience and his tendency to talk every waking moment, JD was loyal and had a good heart, and that Vin had taken it on himself to watch after him.

With Michael leaving, that really made it a good time for Vin to show up. It had just been Michael and Ezra there to handle the customers who had tastes other than women, and Ezra... well, he was getting on up to almost twenty-three years old, and the men who came looking for less curves on a whore tended to like them a bit younger. Ezra still had a customer or two, here and there, but Vin would really fill the necessary spot Buck needed, with Michael finally having earned enough money to head out on his own.

Chris took a sip of his beer, and as he plopped the mug on the bar, he caught a glimpse of Buck coming back into the room. Buck signalled with a slight jerk of his head for Chris to watch behind Buck's back. A split second later, Vin came into view again, and Chris nearly fell off his seat.

He'd gotten enough of a look earlier to see that Vin was a good looking boy and would likely be a good draw for particular customers. Now, Chris realized he'd underestimated Vin's allure by far. The brown britches looked buttery soft the way Vin moved in them, and the loose fitting white shirt, unbuttoned half-way down, revealed a toned and lightly tanned, smooth chest.

Vin's hair fell in rich, dark brown waves, almost to his shoulders, and it framed a clean, youthful face. Deep blue eyes scanned the room, and Chris could almost hear the kid's mind taking it all in and assessing what was what. Chris couldn't help himself, he was damned intrigued. He looked to Buck and raised an eyebrow. Buck grinned, real wide. Oh yeah, Lydia had evened the score between them, and then some.

Buck put a hand on Vin's shoulder, and steered him Chris' way.

Vin's eyes locked with his, and Chris felt a jolt of tingles in his pants. If Vin knew the effect he was having on Chris, he didn't let on. Poker face. Chris was liking this kid more and more.

"Vin, meet Chris Larabee. He's the law in these parts."

Vin held out his hand, and Chris took it. Strong grip, but not so hard that he was trying to prove something. The kid had to trip up somewhere, Chris thought. Hadn't so far, but it would happen. Chris found himself strangely curious as to how it would happen.

"Vin," Chris said with a nod.

"Chris."

They let go, and Buck picked up his introduction again. "Chris here is usually more a customer at the bar than anything else, but we've known each other a long time. Hell, he was here for my grand opening eight years ago."

"You been the law here that long?" Vin asked, an interested light in his eyes.

"Hell, no," Chris answered with a grin. "Only took the job permanently a few months back. But I've got ties here, so it's not a new town for me."

Vin smiled, and tiny crinkles formed around his eyes, but then his expression cleared as he prepared to get back to business. "Well, it was nice meetin ya. I best be mingling a bit more on the floor."

Chris stopped him with a hand on the boy's arm. "No need to rush. It's your first night. Have a seat, I'll get you a drink."

He waved at the barkeep, and caught Buck's surprised expression in the mirror. Chris grinned again. He loved it when he did things Buck didn't see coming. "Jimmy, I'll have another beer, and Vin'll have?"

"Beer's fine," Vin answered smoothly, his face not giving away the confusion Chris knew he had to be feeling. At this point, Vin would be wondering if Chris was about to indulge in something Buck had just said was rare, or if Chris was being rude and keeping him from from finding his first customer.

Buck cleared his throat, and Chris and Vin both turned to him. "Boys, I'm just gonna go see if our new stable boy is all settled in, and if his ruffled feathers are smoothed down any. I'll be seeing you both later."

Chris and Vin nodded acknowledgment, then turned to each other. Chris cocked his head. "Ruffled feathers?"

Vin chuckled. "I ain't had time to explain all this yet to JD. His momma was a scullery maid, and so JD was a bit rankled that I got a job inside the 'hotel' while he's stuck in the stable." Vin rolled his eyes, amusement lighting his young face. "He actually told Buck it was probably in his blood to be working in here, inherited from a long line of lady Dunnes."

Chris laughed along with Vin, struck by the contrast of JD's extreme naivete with Vin's perceptiveness. "What'd you say to that?"

Vin sighed and shrugged. "Told him we'd talk about his heritage in the morning."

"Are you ready to explain it all?"

Vin's mouth curled into a half-grin. "I am now. Had to get him somewhat settled first. No way of telling how he'll take it. Didn't need him having fits while we was still traveling."

Chris snorted. "I can imagine."

Vin took another sip of his beer, and scanned the crowd with his eyes. There. Chris saw a small twitch and slightly uncertain shift that told him Vin still wasn't sure if Chris had plans to take him upstairs. Apparently, Vin wasn't used to customers who held actual conversations. While Chris was pleased he'd be different for Vin in that regard, he was also saddened that Vin hadn't had enough of that basic consideration.

He decided to put an end to the little test of Vin's weak spots. "Jimmy?" Chris called to the barkeep and shoved a handful of coins across the bar. "You wanna give that to Buck for me?"

Chris caught Vin's glance at the coins, and knew that only then did Vin know for sure they'd be going upstairs together. As Chris stood, his eyes met Vin's again, and those little jolts came rushing back to Chris' groin. He hadn't felt this kind of need in a long time, and in a way it scared him a little at just how intense that need came on, and how fast.

But looking into those intelligent and beautiful eyes, Chris didn't care. He wanted to get into this boy-- into his body and oddly enough, his mind.

Vin nodded, his smile growing wider, then turned to the stairs in the back. Chris followed without a word, his eyes glued to the sweet, generous curve of Vin's ass.

Vin pushed open the door, and let himself and Chris into his new room. He'd worked in a few of them over the years, and this one was better than Vin would ever have expected. Best thing about it was that it was clean, and not frilly the way the girls' rooms usually were. Fairly good sized, with a sturdy, slightly scratched dresser and mirror, it featured a nice, soft bed that would serve as both a place to work and sleep. Well, Vin thought, maybe just work. Couldn't see wanting to sleep where he'd been selling his body. He'd probably end up pulling the bedcovers and pillows onto the floor, to sleep under the window.

Vin walked to the middle of the room, and turned to Chris. Only then did he notice that Chris had snagged a bottle of whiskey from the bar before they came up. Vin slid open the top dressar drawer and pulled out the shot glass he'd found there earlier when getting dressed. He held it up and gave it a little wave for Chris to see, silently asking if he wanted it.

Chris nodded and reached out for it. Vin casually at the edge of the bed while Chris poured himself a shot. At first, Vin had thought Chris was a few years older than Buck. But looking at him closer, Vin changed his mind and decided he and Buck were likely about the same age. Living hard had probably roughened Chris up a bit, Vin decided.

Chris tossed his first shot back quickly, then poured another. Vin wondered if hard drinking had been part of the hard living that added a few extra years to the expressions on Chris' face. But there was a sadness etched into those expressions too, that told Vin that loss was just as responsoble. After his second shot, Chris held the glass out for Vin, eyebrow raised in question. "Maybe just one," Vin answered and accepted the drink. It went down smooth, but Vin wasn't a big drinker, and he immediately felt the liquor's buzz running through his veins.

He gave the glass back to Chris, who put it next to the bottle on the dresser.

Chris surprised him then, when instead of starting to pull off either of their clothes, he pulled the small wooden chair in the room from the wall, dragging it to face Vin. He sat down and eased against the short back. He flipped his hat onto the dresser, too, and wispy locks of blond hair fell over Chris' brow. He gave Vin an assessing look-- not just his body, though he'd done plenty of that-- and Vin got the feeling Chris intended to get more personal than even sex could get. Vin didn't quite know what to think of that. Chris was a good looking man, and Vin couldn't help but be drawn to his quiet strength; but that didn't mean Vin wanted to just hand over more than his body to the man.

"So, I'm just wondering, how'd you end up traveling around with a fifteen year-old greenhorn?"

"He's just a kid who got himself in a spot. Didn't put me out too much to look after him, so I did." Vin leaned back to rest on his elbows, knowing the position exposed more of his chest. He figured there were two things he ought to do. One, was not tell this Larabee fella too much, without being obvious that he was purposely being vague. The other was to find out just how interested the man was. Seemed to Vin that Chris did want to fuck him, but there was something else the man wanted, and Vin needed to figure out what it was.

Chris nodded at Vin's answer, and then had another question ready. "So, did you meet JD before you met Lydia, or after? Buck told me about Lydia sending you here," Chris added quickly, and Vin realized his face must have shown his surprise at Chris knowing this much already.

"'bout the same time. They were both having some trouble with the same fella. Except JD didn't have a clue just what that trouble was."

That whole subject made Vin uneasy. He didn't want to have to go into it, and didn't plan on it. But for some reason, Larabee seemed bent on finding out exactly what it was that brought him to Four Corners. Vin woulda told him this much without Chris having to pay for it, and Vin had the feeling Chris knew that.

Vin began to wonder if Chris was one of those who liked to control people by messing with their heads. There was some who did that. Fellas like Wickes messed with ya by threatening to break every bone in your body-- and proving he would do it. Some men messed with ya by playing games, making like you could be friends, but all the while letting you know that they held all the cards and the power, and that you were only friends as long as they wanted it that way.

"So how is it that Lydia and JD needed help with Wickes, and you didn't?" Chris asked.

Vin shrugged. "Wickes never had anything to hold over me." And neither will you, he added silently.

"Not even your job?" Chris asked with a smirk.

Vin snorted. "Hell, this ain't the only thing I can do." Obviously, Lydia and JD would have fewer options.

Chris grinned, wide and lecherous. "But I'm guessing you do it well."

Finally, Vin thought. Finally Chris was ready to get down to why they were there. Vin's mouth turned up in an answering smile. "Oh, I do it well enough."

He shifted on the bed again, real casual, like he was just shifting into a more comfortable position. But that shifting left Vin with his knees parted a little wider and his body leaning back a little further. Chris watched him, and the lust in his eyes grew heavier, but he made no move to join Vin on the bed. Chris had paid for him, so he obviously didn't need an invitation, but Vin had a suspicion that Chris wanted to feel seduced.

Well, he could do that. "Ya know, there's one thing in particular I do especially well," Vin said with slow grin.

"Oh yeah?" Chris asked, his voice getting deeper.

"Yeah."

"You gonna tell me what that is?"

Vin kept his eyes locked with Chris' when he answered. "Well, I could tell you... but I was thinking it might be more fun if I show you."

Chris slowly stood, and Vin noticed the bulge of an erection making itself known in the crotch of Chris' black pants. Oh yeah, Larabee wanted to fuck him, all right. "You gonna show me with those clothes on?"

Vin smiled. "Oh, no. The clothes come off for this."

He stood up in front of Chris and began working free the last few buttons on his shirt. When they were all undone, he slid it off his arms and tossed it to the chair. He toed off his boots, kicked them under the bed, and reached for the top button of his britches. Chris' hand on his wrist stopped him. He looked up into Chris' eyes, questioning.

"Turn around," Chris said, a husky catch in his voice. Vin did as he was told, and turned his back to Chris, careful not to move away when he did. Chris' hand left Vin's wrist and moved to the button on Vin's britches. Well, that wasn't all that unusual; Vin had had customers before who liked taking his clothes off.

Chris was close enough that his shirt brushed lightly against the skin of Vin's back. Chris' open mouth settled onto Vin's shoulder, his tongue laving, and lips closing slightly as he tasted. It was kinda nice, as long as Chris didn't decide to leave a mark. Wasn't good for customers to see evidence of each other. Most customers, anyway.

The buttons on Vin's britches all came undone under Chris' fingers, and Vin couldn't suppress a shiver as Chris slid the pants down Vin's legs, leaving him bare. They pooled at his ankles, and Vin deftly shoved them away with his feet, keeping his body close to Chris'.

Chris' mouth traveled up to Vin's neck, and the soft licks and kisses worked into nibbles and sucking. Vin shivered again, unable to help his body's responses. Chris' fingertips played over Vin's hip bones, teasing touches that barely touched his skin. Vin's breathing grew heavy, and he felt himself becoming aroused.

So this was how Chris planned on controlling him; make Vin like it just enough that he could almost forget he was doing it for money, not for pleasure. Well, Vin was liking it, no doubt. Chris sure as hell knew what to do with his hands and his tongue. But Vin never forgot who or what he was. He'd take the gentleness and the pleasure when offered, and be grateful for it when it was gone.

Chris' hands gripped Vin's hips, and he guided Vin onto the bed. "No need to get on all fours," Chris whispered into Vin's ear. "Just stay there on your knees."

Vin nodded, but didn't turn around. He heard the rustling of Chris' clothes as he took them off, and fought the urge to turn around and look. A moment later, Chris was back, kneeling behind him and reaching in front of Vin to run his hands up and down the length of Vin's chest and stomach. Chris' mouth returned to Vin's neck, sucking a little harder, and scraping a bit with his teeth.

Vin's dick was now hard, upright and flush against his belly. Chris' hands slowly dragged downward until he framed Vin's groin. Vin let his head fall back to Chris' shoulder, and reached for Chris' thighs behind him. Chris eased forward until Vin felt the weight of Chris' erection nudging the crack of his ass.

Vin sucked in a breath as Chris slipped a hand under Vin's balls and teased him with a flicker of his fingertips. Chris' other hand palmed Vin's dick and began to stroke, slow and tight. Vin clutched Chris' thighs harder, feeling the rasp of the sparse hair tickle his palms.

Chris pushed the tip of his tongue into Vin's ear, then blew softly into it, making Vin shudder head to toe. "I wanna see you come, Vin," Chris said, his voice low but rough. Vin groaned, nodded once and began to work his hips into Chris' strokes.

With every swivel backward, Chris' dick nudged against Vin's ass. Wouldn't be long, he knew, until that dick was buried up inside him. He couldn't help but wonder if Chris would take the same time and care fucking him as he was taking while jerking him off.

Chris' strokes sped up and his grip tightened. Vin closed his eyes and just let himself feel it; feel the slide of Chris' hand as Vin's pre-cum made Chris' palm slick; feel the rumble of Chris' chest against his back as the older man urged him on with softly voiced encouragement. "Come on, Vin. Come for me. Let me see."

Chris squeezed and stroked him with one hand while he fluttered the fingertips of his other hand over Vin's perineum. Tingles came to life in Vin's groin, growing to an intense hum in his balls. Teeth bit into Vin's shoulder, and the hand on his dick moved faster and faster, until sensation errupted from Vin, with a hoarse shout and a wild buck of his hips. Spurts gushed upward from the head of his dick, splashing his belly and chest, some of the thick drops landing back down on Chris' hand.

He gulped for air as Chris continued to stroke him, much slower, in a much lighter grip. Vin's hips jerked as the last spasms finally eased. Another hard exhalation, and Vin became more aware of the room around him. His breaths sounded so loud, and the room seemed so still...

Except for the subtle nudging of Chris' dick against Vin's crack. Well, his customer had gotten to watch him come undone. Now it was time to give the man what he really paid for. Vin reached forward for one of the cloths folded on the tiny wooden nightstand, bending at the waist just enough to taunt the hard dick pressed against his ass.

When he was upright again, he cleaned Chris' hand and wiped his chest and stomach clean, too. He pitched the cloth onto the floor, then slowly lowered himself to the bed, on his belly, and bent one knee to open up the view a little bit. "Whatcha waitin for, cowboy?"

He craned his neck to see Chris' reaction, and suppressed a smile at the lust radiating off of the man. His hard, lean body looked ready to explode into action any second. A slight flush gave a splash of color to the creamy skin of Chris' chest, and his erection stood long and stiff from the dirty-blond curls at the base.

Vin reached up for the little bottle of oil next to the cloths, then tossed it to Chris. "Slick up, and come on in."

Chris caught the bottle, then seemed to snap back to attention. He grinned at Vin. "This is that thing you do especially well, isn't it."

"Mmm. Yeah, as a matter of fact it is," Vin answered with a long drawl, and for effect, he burrowed into the bed covers a little under Chris' watchful gaze. Vin wasn't vain, but he was practical; he knew his ass was enticing, in clothes or out. He knew that men liked squeezing it, fondling it, and more than anything, fucking it. Vin knew that a subtle twist of his hips made his ass all the more irresistable. From the glance Vin had gotten at the coins Chris spent on him, he figured the man had earned a taste of irresistable.

Chris finally tore his gaze from Vin's behind, unscrewed the cap on the bottle and drizzled some of the oil onto his dick. He coated his erection then leaned over Vin's back, nuzzling his nose into Vin's hair as he put the oil back on the nightstand. Chris held his weight on one elbow, keeping his chest a breath away from Vin's back. With his other hand, he clutched Vin's ass, then ran the tip of his finger along the seam of his cheeks. Vin sucked in a gasp when that fingertip only lightly brushed over his hole, teasing him.

When Chris at last slid a finger inside of Vin, it went in easily. Vin wasn't dumb enough to try his first fuck of the night without preparing himself a little. No telling if he'd get someone too impatient, too inconsiderate, or too inexperienced to loosen him a little first.

A little crook of Chris' finger brought Vin's hips up from the bed with a surprised jolt. Chris sure as hell wasn' inexperienced, Vin knew. Chris fucked him with his finger, sliding in and out rapidly until Vin got into the rhythm, grunting softly as he shoved back against Chris' hand. Chris obviously wanted Vin to like this, and Vin believed in giving his customers what they wanted.

Chris sucked some more at Vin's neck, and Vin writhed under Chris' hot body, taunting him, daring him to press more of his weight onto and into Vin's own willing body. Chris pulled his mouth away from Vin's neck with a muted growl, then pushed himself up and grabbed Vin's hips in a tight grasp, dragging Vin to his knees. Vin's heart raced; he felt a rush of satisfaction for making Chris want him with such urgency.

The head of Chris' cock nudged Vin's hole, and Vin forced himself to relax as much as he could. The flared head squeezed into him, and after a brief pause, Chris pressed all the way inside. The crunch of Chris' pubic hair rasped against Vin's ass as Chris swiveled his hips and grinded against him. God, Chris was in so deep!

Vin used the leverage of his elbows and forearms against the bed to push himself against Chris and join him in the slow grind. Chris kneaded Vin's ass cheeks, pulling them further apart with his thumbs and pushing them together again, then steadily pulled out of him. Once out as far as the tip of his cock, Chris shoved back inside.

The subdued moans coming from Chris' throat spurred Vin on. He wanted to hear Chris lose it. Hell, he wanted to feel Chris lose it. He pushed back against Chris, urging him into a fast rhythm. Vin fell into beat with him, surging backwards onto Chris' cock, and falling forward to feel it drag out of him.

It felt damn good, and Vin's groin was starting to tingle again, but he didn't have enough stimulation on his cock to get himself off. Couldn't spare a hand, either; he needed to keep his balance if he wanted to keep the rhythm going. And since this was about pleasing Chris, he didn't risk it. But he did throw more of his strength into moving on Chris' cock, getting ripples of pleasure and louder moans from Chris as his reward.

With a frustrated growl, Chris suddenly pushed Vin flat on the bed and covered him with the warm weight of his body. He encircled Vin's arms within his own, and used the leverage of Vin's body underneath him to thrust with the power of his hips. Hard, deep strokes ground Vin against the bed covers and provided more friction to his cock.

Chris began to groan, his chest rumbling against Vin's sweat-slick back, and his thrusts grew even faster and deeper. Vin clamped down on the hard cock inside him, and Chris cried out hoarsely. Two more powerful pushes inside of Vin, and Chris stopped thrusting and shuddered against him, squeezing Vin tight as he rode out the spasms and twitches that shook him as he emptied his seed deep in Vin's ass.

Seconds later, Chris was finally still; his body was dead weight over Vin, but Vin didn't mind. His erection began to wilt a little, but that was fine, too. Wouldn't feel too good to have his hard dick squished into the mattress, anyway. Besides that, he'd gotten his pleasure earlier, and he was grateful to have had that much at all.

Struck Vin odd, though, that he would feel that comfortable lying there with a customer draped over him like a blanket. Thought it was odd that a customer would feel that comfortable staying so close to him after he'd finished with him. Hell, Vin thought, if they were both so comfortable, why worry about it.

Vin's heartbeat gradually slowed down to normal, and Chris finally softened and slipped out of him. A trickle of oil tickled down Vin's balls and made him shiver. Chris let out a sleepy sigh and gave him a squeeze, but didn't move off of him. Vin didn't care. The room was feeling chilly now that the sweat was cooling on his body, and Chris provided him with bodily warmth.

Vin smiled lazily as he realized he and Chris both were providing the room with a rather ripe smell. Yeah, he'd christened his new room real proper, all right. He was pretty sure he'd been what Chris wanted, and that made him proud. He got the feeling not many people gave Chris exactly what he wanted or needed.

With the exertion of sex, Vin again began to feel the exhaustion of traveling. He let himself relax and just drift. Chris had paid enough for him that Vin didn't feel rushed to get back downstairs and see if there was another fella looking for a roll with him. It was only his first night, after all. Time enough to scare up the business he needed.

Chris sat back in the hard, little chair and sipped his whiskey, watching the rise and fall of Vin's chest as he slept. Chris hadn't bothered throwing any clothes on. He had every intention of crawling back into that bed soon, and he planned to get skin to skin with the young man currently sprawled on his back snoring softly. Vin had been out cold just seconds after Chris had come inside him, with the full weight of Chris' body still upon him, too. Chris would've liked to be able to crow that he'd worn the boy out with a good, hard fuck, but he knew better. Vin had the weariness of travel weighing him down, something that Chris knew to be tiring when you had someone with you to protect.

They still hadn't figured out what had happened to JD and Vin on the way from Cane Creek. From what Lydia had said in her letter, they had expected the two boys to find their way to Four Corners a week earlier, at least. Josiah had told Chris all about running into them on the boardwalk, and about JD's innocent but loud inquiry about Buck that had given them away.

Chris imagined that Vin had learned to take care of himself well enough, but that he hard time watching his back and JD's, too. A boy like JD, who by all accounts was all heart and little sense, would be a handful for anyone, let alone someone who was no longer a boy but didn't have the valuable years of experience of a man.

Just why Vin had taken on the responsibility was anyone's guess. Lots of people Chris knew had the kindness within them to do what Vin had done, but not many could afford to do it. Life could damned rough, and damned unforgiving in these parts, and the reality was that most people, even men who had those years behind them, had more than enough to do to keep themselves alive. So it was a puzzle, and interesting one, why Vin had taken the life and well-being of a wet-behind-the-ears fifteen year old boy upon his own shoulders.

Chris had been curious about that since he'd first heard of Vin through Lydia's letter to Buck. He hadn't suspected then that that curiosity would become so intense, or that he'd feel an immediate need to have Vin exposed to him mentally and physically once he laid eyes on him.

The burn of whiskey down Chris' throat reminded him of the burn in his groin that began the second Vin started pulling off his clothes. All that smooth skin wrapped around hard, wiry muscle made Chris' mouth water. Even now, with the bed covers barely up to Vin's hips, the sight of Vin's smooth, bare chest and narrow belly made Chris hungry for more; hungry to possess, in every sense of the word.

And that had Chris more than a little worried. As much as Chris' instincts told him that Vin was worth a whole lot more than a handful of coins, common sense smacked Chris in the head and told him to remember what Vin was, and why the younger man was here. Vin would be sharing his sweet, warm body with lots of other men, and Chris knew that he couldn't get used to nights like this one, where Vin was his alone.

There was always a reason when a smart, capable man like Vin chose to make a living selling his body, and the reason was seldom pleasant. The first thing to come to mind was that Vin desperately needed the money, and Chris' gut told him that had to be it. What exactly for, though, was something Chris couldn't begin to guess. Come morning, Buck would be coming to the same conclusion, Chris knew. They'd have to have a talk, see if they could get Vin to open up a little. Wasn't pure nosiness. Both Buck and Chris, each for reasons all his own, needed to know what kinds of trouble might come into town on the heels of new people, whether those people intended it or not. It was just best for all of them if nobody was caught off guard... or got too attached.

Morning and all it brought with it would be there soon enough, Chris decided, and placed the glass back on the dresser. Vin was just rolling over onto his belly, his bent knee dragging the bedcovers down a little lower to reveal the rounded swell of his ass. Chris grinned and stepped over to the other side of the bed to get a better view. Hell fire, even in his sleep Vin was pure seduction.

Chris eased onto the bed and slid on his side up next to Vin, sighing softly as he felt the heat from Vin's body against his own. Vin shifted a little, but didn't come awake. Either he was more worn out than Chris had first thought, or he got awfully comfortable sharing a bed with other men.

Chris most certainly didn't want to follow the path that that second thought would take him down, so he just shoved the entire thought aside and leaned into Vin's warmth. He draped a leg over Vin's, wrapped an arm around his waist, and nuzzled the back of his neck, taking in a deep breath of Vin's faint musk. Chris wanted to do a whole lot more, but the buzz of whiskey kept him lethargic, so he just let himself drift awhile, enjoying the feel of all that soft skin against his own.

Little sounds and nagging sensations conspired to drag Chris up from the bliss of sleep. Light splashing noises somehow connected to a growing pressure in his bladder, and the rustling of clothing connected to the feeling that he wasn't as warm as he'd just been. The haze began to lift, and despite himself, Chris became more oriented. Finally, he cracked open one eye, and was greeted with the sight of a sinewy back that led down to a shapely ass made golden by sunlight.

Sunlight? Hell. Chris woke further, stretched his long legs and glanced to the window briefly, before turning his sensitive eyes back to the darker comforts of the pillow. "Can't hide in that pillow forever," a soft voice rasped.

Chris shielded his eyes with a half-cupped hand on his brow and searched the room for that voice. He just managed to catch another glimpse of Vin's round rump before the soft britches covered it. "Guess I fell asleep on ya," Chris finally answered.

Vin raised his eyebrow at that, and Chris grinned, a little bit sheepish. "Literally, huh."

Vin shrugged then. "Don't matter none. I slept so deep I didn't realize it till I woke up a bit ago."

"I didn't intend to fall asleep so soon," Chris groused a bit. "I had... plans."

At that, Vin chuckled and headed towards the door, slipping his shirt on. "Sorry, cowboy. That train has passed. Have to ante up for the next one."

Chris groaned and flopped back to the pillow. "Hell."

Vin laughed out-right, and slipped out the door, closing it softly behind him. Chris shook his head and stared at the ceiling. He wouldn't kid himself. He'd back tonight, money in hand. He wasn't quite finished sampling Vin Tanner yet.

Shaved, cleaned up and having had his morning visit to the outhouse, Vin was ready to start the day, and see what had to be done about getting things settled with JD. The scent of bacon taunted him, and he followed his nose to the kitchen. A couple of women passed him in the hall just before the door that promised breakfast. A tall, slim woman with hair so red it had to be fake paused in front of him and traced a finger down his chest. She looked at him as if he was a calf at auction, tilting her head side to side as she peeked inside his shirt. The shorter brunette woman just rolled her eyes and held her hands on her hips. "You done yet, Greta?" she prodded.

Vin's lips curled into a half-smile. He knew the routine; the working girls sized up boys like him in a limited number of ways; this was just one of the more common of them. He looked the woman in the eye, letting his amusement show in his expression-- he hoped. "Mine ain't as big is yours. I can prove it, if'n you want?"

Greta chuckled at him and patted his face. "You'll do just fine, honey."

The brunette smiled, too. "Don't tempt her, sweetheart. She just might take you up on that offer." She snagged Greta's hand, and the two swayed off together, heads together, giggling.

Vin shook his head and turned back to the kitchen. Inside, JD and Buck sat at the table, just finishing up, by the looks of it.

"Morning, Vin," Buck greeted cheerfully. JD looked up at him, confusion and a lot of other things in the boy's wide eyes. Vin's heart sank. Automatically, he turned his gaze on Buck. Cheer disappeared and guilt took its place in Buck's expression.

"JD? You wanna see to the feeding now for me? You know where the grain is, right?" Buck spoke to JD but kept his eyes on Vin.

JD stood, the scrape of his chair on the floor sounding loud in contrast to the silence in the room. JD cleared his throat, and said, "Sure thing, Buck. I'll just, um, go do that." He turned to the back door, then paused, looking at Vin, but somehow avoiding his eyes. "Morning, Vin. I'll, uh, see ya later." Then he was gone, pulling the door shut firmly behind him.

Vin's cheeks felt hot, and he was breathing heavily through his nose, his mouth shut tight from the clench of his jaw. This man held his future-- at least the near future-- in his hands, and yet Vin couldn't suppress his anger.

Buck looked at him, swallowing hard but not speaking yet. He looked to be trying to keep himself calm, like Vin was some rambunctious colt he needed to be careful not to spook. Well, Buck didn't need to worry about spookin him. He needed to worry about not pissing him off.

"You crossed a line, Buck."

Buck closed his eyes, then opened them again to respond. "I know, and I'm sorry. It's just..."

"Just what? Wasn't your place to tell him. It's simple as that," Vin said, his voice cold. He sensed Chris hovering at the doorway, but didn't pay much mind to him. He vaguely wondered if Chris would butt in somehow, take up for Buck, but he didn't care.

"It wasn't that simple when I was getting JD settled in last night and he had all these questions," Buck said, still keeping that apologetic look on his face.

"Easy enough to tell the boy he'd had a long day, and that I'd be talking to him, explaining things in the morning. You and me both know you didn't have to tell him anything. You told him what you wanted, and I'll say it again. It. Wasn't. Your. Place." Vin stalked closer to Buck, and the older man sat back against his chair, relaxed and yet giving himself that many more inches difference in the space between them. Vin crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared.

Buck sighed and avoided Vin's eyes for several seconds. "You telling me you wanted to tell him yourself exactly what you do for money? You were looking forward to that? Well, now you don't have to, and he will be fine with it. He's just a little... surprised." Buck tried to smile, but when Vin didn't alter his own expression, Buck's fell.

"Just 'cause it wouldn't have been easy, don't make it any less my responsibility. My place," Vin hissed, leaning closer. "I don't need people making my decisions for me."

Buck blew out a hard breath and slowly stood. Vin kept his eyes locked on him all the way up, and even having to look up, Vin didn't back away. He wasn't intimidated by size; never had been. Buck shook his head, looking like he didn't know whether to be sorry, or just feel sorry for Vin. Neither sat well.

"Vin, I swear... I was just doing the best I could and taking things as they came."

"If taking more than people's jobs in your hands is how you just 'let things come', then we're gonna have a problem, here. I give up my body working here, but that is all you're entitled to. Nothing more."

Buck ran a hand through his hair, looked up for a second, then dropped his eyes back to Vin's. "I didn't think of it like that. I didnt... he's a good kid, Vin. I took a liking to him-- not like that--" Buck added, shock in his eyes, when Vin felt his face harden. Vin exhaled slowly and let Buck finish. "Just felt right, talking to him, helping him understand."

"You feelin like a papa all of a sudden doesn't make it all right. You weren't the one watching out for him the last two months. The one barely sleeping at night whenever we was out on the trail, knowing he'd shoot a tree for blowing the wrong way in the dark. The one listening to what he wants to do with his life and what scares him most. You weren't the one who risked everything just to keep that kid from turning himself into a whore before he even knew what the hell it meant."

Vin stopped talking, and paced, trying to calm himself.

"I'm sorry, Vin. I am. I can't take it back, but I am sorry."

Vin turned to Buck and narrowed his eyes. "You just understand one thing, Buck. I ain't about to turn that boy over to the first stranger who treats him nice. I might be spending long hours on my back, but you can be sure that every minute aside from that, I'll be keeping my eyes on JD."

Buck nodded. "I getcha. I'm backing off, Vin."

Vin nodded in return and sighed, suddenly tired again. The food on the table didn't look so good anymore, and the smell of the bacon didn't tease his stomach like it did earlier. "I got some things need seeing to."

"All right then, well, I'll see ya later, then," Buck said and sat back down at the table.

When Vin turned to the hall outside the kitchen door, Chris was gone.

Buck cleared the table and scraped the plates for leftovers for the barn cat, leaving the dishes for Inez to wash when she got back from Mary's. He was rattled, he had to admit. He'd known it wasn't his place to have that talk with JD. But he really had never imagined Vin would be as mad as he was. Buck hadn't intended to hurt anybody, and as far as he knew, he hadn't.

With a groan, Buck put down his coffee cup and headed towards his little office. He'd forgotten to give Vin his cut of Chris' payment for him. One more thing the younger man could get angry at him about, Buck supposed.

When he swung the office door open, he found Chris sitting back in his chair, booted feet crossed at the ankles on Buck's desk.

"I guess you heard all that in there?" Buck asked, closing the door.

"Every word," Chris said, a slight grin.

Buck shook his head. "I don't know whether to be impressed, or go to bed with a rifle instead of a woman tonight."

Chris chuckled. "Can't you do both?"

Buck grinned. "Women don't have as much fun when the third body in bed shoots real bullets, pard."

Chris snorted, but his grin widened. "You know what I meant."

"Well, yeah," Buck conceded. "But damn, Chris. I can understand him being protective of the boy, but he was so mad over this, that it worries me a tad."

"You meant well, Buck," Chris said with a sigh.

"Of course, I did."

"But you're forgetting two things," Chris added, leaning back further. "One, Vin doesn't know you any better than you know him. He has no way of knowing for sure if you really meant well or not. He's not gonna just trust you the first night you meet him; especially not with that boy he's been busting his tail to look after. He's gonna be cautious of us, same as we're cautious of him. Can't blame him for that."

Buck scuffed at the floor with the toe of his boot, thinking about what Chris said. Made sense, he had to admit. Vin was only going to trust Lydia's word so far, same as Buck himself. "All right. So what's the second thing I'm forgetting?"

"That whole mess with Nathan and Rain," Chris answered, leaning forward with a tight expression.

Buck closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest for a long few seconds. "I haven't forgotten."

"Buck, it's the same thing. I know you're trying to help, but taking people's freedom to make their own choices is just a little too much like slavery. It was Vin's call as to who told JD and how, when it comes to how Vin makes his living. Just like it was Nathan's place--"

"Chris, not now." Buck didn't want open up that sore again. It'd been ugly and just plain painful. As it was, things between he and Nathan were still often strained, and probably would stay that way even when Rain decides once and for all to quit working at the house.

"I ain't asking you to talk about it, Buck. I'm just saying the two situations have some things in common."

Buck closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "So maybe I don't always think things through, first."

Chris startled him with a chuckle, and Buck looked up, a little bit annoyed. Chris grinned at him, looking for all the world like none of this was serious. "You got a good heart, Bucklin. Using it so damned much just gets you into hot water now and then, is all."

Buck huffed a little at that, then said with a grin, "Can't help it, Chris."

Chris stood and stretched his back. "Just be careful you don't overdo it with JD. My gut tells me Vin's all right, but we don't know him enough just yet to be stirring up a hornets nest with him. Save it for people you're sure won't end up tanning your sorry hide, ya hear?"

Buck's lips twisted into a sarcastic smile. "Why, thank you for that little jewel of wisdom."

Chris laughed as he plopped his hat on his head and headed for the door. "I'll be seeing you later, Buck. I'll be back early this evening, so I can have a little talk with Vin."

Buck looked up in surprise. "I thought we were gonna talk to him together?"

Chris shook his head. "After your little run-in this morning, I think it'll be easier to get things out of him if you're not around. Sorry, Buck."

Buck groaned. Of course, Chris was right. "Fine, see ya later."

Vin settled his anger a bit by getting what little things he owned situated in his room, and airing out the bed clothes some. But while his anger eased, his nerves actually grated a little more, just being in there. He'd scared himself a little, falling asleep so deeply with Chris in bed with him. Part of it was that he was just so tired right down to his bones. The other part-- the frightening part-- was that he'd been so comfortable having Chris' body wrapped around him so tight.

Chris was a customer, no more no less. He was more considerate than most, for certain, and actually took some time to see that Vin got some pleasure out of their arrangement... but he was still a customer and virtually a stranger. Not someone to get cozy and comfortable with. Vin couldn't afford to let his guard down, and he felt like a naive kid again to have let it happen.

The anxious knot in his belly got worse the more time he spent in that room, so as soon as he had things pretty well clean and in their place, he crept back downstairs and let himself out the back door. He'd planned on taking a little walk around town, check things out a bit and maybe take Peso out for a ride before returning him to the livery.

As he made his way past the barn, a soft voice stopped him. "Hey, Vin?"

He turned to see JD standing just inside the barn door, fingering the brim of his hat. Vin's cheeks flushed, but he couldn't just walk away. He owed it to JD to let him say what was on his mind.

"Hey, JD."

"Come on in here, check out this barn and the corrals. It's pretty nice," JD said, and met Vin's eyes. There was something of an apology in them, and that confused Vin.

He took a deep breath, shrugged and followed JD inside. JD showed him the stalls, some of the horses, including Buck's big gray mare, and the yearling that apparently had just taken a roll in the dust of one of the small corrals. Finally, JD hopped onto the back of an unhitched wagon to sit down. He lifted his chin and pointed next to himself with his head, asking Vin to sit with him.

"I think I know what's on your mind, JD," Vin said quietly as he eased next to his friend.

"Well, you know part of it, that's for sure," JD answered with a somewhat nervous little laugh. "But there's stuff I think I need to say that you might not know."

"All right, then," Vin said, his throat tight.

"I just... I don't know if I ever said thank you the way I should have."

Vin wasn't expecting that. "What do you mean? You've said thanks."

"Yeah, but when I said it, I didn't even know what all I was thanking you for," JD said, his voice sounding a little sad.

"There was things I didn't want you having to worry about yet. Didn't know how you'd take it, to tell ya the truth," Vin confessed.

"I don't blame you, Vin. I mean, I feel bad you couldn't just tell me, but I don't blame you for it. Hell, even now, I get the feeling I'm missing something. All I know about what... you do... is stuff I heard when my mother and the other chamber maids used to read to each other at night. Stuff about Paris and courtesans..."

Vin chuckled, and snuck a peek at JD's blushing face. "JD, I been called lotsa things, but I never been called a courtesan."

JD grinned back at him, but his cheeks were still rosy. "I haven't seen a lot, Vin. There's lotsa things I just don't get at all."

"I know, kid. And someday you'll start seeing those things. There's just some things that you shouldn't be in a rush to see. I just wanted to spare you that," Vin said, feeling a wistful smile on his mouth.

"You weren't spared, were ya." JD said it so soft, Vin might have missed it, but he didn't and he felt all the color wash from his face. "I'm sorry Vin, I didn't mean... hell. I'm not asking you to tell me anything."

Vin swallowed and looked over at JD. "One of these days, I'll tell ya. Just... not now."

"Fair enough," JD said, relief lighting his face.

Vin sighed and looked skyward. Pretty day coming on. Things were getting better with JD, but there was just too much on Vin's mind for him to appreciate the sunshine and warmth of the new day.

"JD? I wanna ask you something."

"Sure," JD said quickly.

"I want you to be careful. So far, Buck seems okay--"

"Are you kidding? Buck's great! I got my own little room right out here that connects to the house but keeps me near the barn, and I--"

"JD!" Vin interrupted and slapped the boy with his hat, right in the mouth. "Take a breath and let me finish, will ya?" At JD's sheepish nod, Vin went on. "That's just what I mean. I know he's been good to ya so far. But I just want you to be careful. Not everybody's as kind as they first seem. I don't want to see you get hurt by trusting so soon. Just... be careful, is all."

JD sighed. "Vin, I know I'm pretty naive. But I'm not stupid."

"I know that, JD. Being smart don't have anything to do with it. Smartest man in the world can fall for a line, though. So just... you know..."

JD studied his face for a minute, and Vin wondered what the boy was thinking. Finally JD grinned, a pretty big one. "I'll be careful, Vin. I promise."

"Good." Vin wasn't sure what was going on in that head of JD's, but he'd take the boy at his word that he'd at least try not to leave himself wide open for a big kind of hurt.

"So, where were you headed just now, Vin?" JD asked, and Vin wasn't fooled for a minute; JD wanted to change the subject. He gave the kid a sideways look, which JD didn't flinch under. Vin couldn't help but grin. Maybe JD was right, and they'd done enough talking.

"I was gonna take a walk around, size up this little town. You got stuff to do, or do you wanna come with me?" Vin asked, hopping off the wagon.

JD looked unsure for a minute. "You sure? I mean, you been stuck with me for--"

"Yeah, I'm sure," Vin interrupted. "Wasn't all that bad being stuck with ya." Vin dodged JD's half-hearted jab at Vin's ribs, and laughed, walking toward the street. JD hopped off the wagon then, too, and followed after Vin.

Chris sat on his usual stool, nursing his beer, keeping a subtle eye on things with occasional glances at the big mirror on the wall behind the bar. Looking toward the back hall, he thought he caught a glimpse of JD's dark head bobbing toward the kitchen. Chris grinned to himself. He'd tried to talk to the boy earlier, but apparently Chris was lacking in Buck's easy charm. The kid stuttered polite but short answers to Chris' casual questions, his eyes wide and his hands twisting his hat, till he'd finally muttered something about a pitchfork and a rooster and run off to the barn. It'd been amusing, but hadn't resulted in any useful information. Looked like Chris would have to stick to his plan and try to get something out of Vin himself.

He had a feeling it wouldn't be as difficult as he'd thought this morning. Chris had seen Vin and JD walking down the boardwalk early in the day, and from the looks of their easy camaraderie, JD had accepted the news about Vin's profession. If that hadn't been the case, Vin would be a lot less likely to loosen up and talk about himself, Chris was sure.

Another glance at the mirror showed Vin delivering drinks to two men at a cozy table in the corner. They weren't shopping for anything Vin had to offer, Chris could tell, and that made him relax. He didn't want Vin running off with a customer before he had a chance to sit him down and get him talking. Vin pointed toward two of the ladies who'd just come downstairs, and from the smiles on the men's faces, that was exactly what they'd come to buy. Vin casually intercepted the girls, grinned at them, and subtly sent them in the direction of the corner table.

A moment later, Vin returned the drink tray to the bar, and Chris had his chance.

"Evening, Vin."

"Chris," Vin acknowledged suspiciously. Chris chuckled.

"I understand wanting to watch your back, being new in town, but hell!"

Vin smirked, shaking his head. "I done heard about you puttin' a scare into JD today. You're nosier than some of them old church women, you know that?"

Chris grinned. "I was just making conversation. But somehow, that boy got the idea I'm the devil himself."

Vin rolled his eyes. "I suppose that's my doing. I warned him this morning to be careful about trusting people so fast. Looks like he listened to me, for once. So if'n you're wanting to get information about me, you're gonna have to ask me yourself."

Chris raised his eyebrows. "And you'll actually answer?"

Vin grinned at him, a boyish but wicked light in his eyes. "I didn't say that. But you can ask-- if it don't take me away from workin', mind."

Chris leaned back at the bar, and cocked his head, trying to figure Vin out. Suspicious one minute, teasing and full of mischief the next. Chris got the feeling that it was much more in Vin's nature to be open, but that circumstances had forced him into habits of caution. Hell, if Chris was intrigued the night before, he was downright fascinated, now.

He lit on an idea then, and thought that maybe he could have some fun with this. "What if you're earning money while I get my information out of you?"

One eyebrow arched up on Vin's forehead. "How so?"

"Have a seat. We'll start with the easy ones. A penny a question."

Vin looked at him with narrow eyes, considering. Finally, he shrugged, and sat. Chris suppressed the triumphant grin that wanted to curl up on his lips. He slid a penny across the bar, midway between them. "Where ya from?"

Face straight, Vin answered, "Texas." Then he swiped the penny in front of himself.

Chris growled softly, but slid another penny out. "Where, in Texas?"

Vin laughed. "Panhandle. Lotsa different little places around there." He moved the penny to join the first.

"How old are you-- exactly?" Chris added before he slid another penny forward.

"Got my nineteenth birthday coming up next month. The seventh."

God, so young, still. But then again, if Vin had been a woman, he'd just as likely as not been married off at that age, maybe even with a baby on his hip. That thought got Chris chuckling, and he moved on to figuring out how to go about the next few questions.

"What's the best thing about the Texas panhandle?" Chris pushed another penny onto the bar and waited, while Vin sighed and thought about it.

"The Comanche," he finally said, looking at Chris with an open face that might just as well have said 'the weather.'

Chris shook his head, boggled by that answer, and this time plunked a nickel onto the bar. "This, I have got to hear."

Vin smiled, a little sadly, Chris thought, before he answered. "Lived with 'em for a time. Made myself some good friends there, learned a thing or two about how to survive in a world that would just as soon see ya dead."

Chris just nodded, trying to reconcile the boy he saw in front of him with a boy who'd learned survival from a Comanche tribe. Chris realized he could go broke and still not know enough about Vin to really satisfy himself. At last, Chris cleared his throat and offered up another nickel. "Why'd you leave 'em, if living with 'em had been good?"

Vin took a deep breath, and let it slow. "I didn't belong. Not really. They'd have let me stay, but we all knew my place just wasn't with 'em. Leaving those people was probably the hardest thing I ever done."

Chris knew he was getting into a sensitive subject, but he wanted-- somehow needed-- to know. Two more nickels slid onto the bar. "What happened to your father and mother?"

Vin snapped a sharp look at him. He glanced at the coins, then back at Chris' face, obviously trying to decide if this game was still worth it. His jaw clenched for a long moment, then he turned his eyes over the bar, so they wouldn't be locked with Chris'. "Don't need details, Vin. Just wanna know why you learned the things you did from Comanche instead of your own parents, is all. Wanna just start with your father?"

Vin didn't look at him, but finally answered. "Got killed in the war. He was drafted by the Confederates. Hell, hardly a man in Texas who didn't have to join at one time or another. I was barely outta diapers when it happened. Don't remember him none."

Chris nodded in sympathy. It was a familiar story. Too familiar. "And your momma?" Chris prompted as gently as he knew how.

Vin looked at him, then, something of a light in his eyes. "Died when I was five. She had to keep things going, all by herself. Did a hell of a job, till putrid fever finally got her."

"Sounds like she was a fighter."

A small, private smile tugged at Vin's generous lips. "She was."

Chris smiled back and put some more coins on the bar. At Vin's suspicious look at them, Chris laughed. "I think this next one will be easier. What the devil held you up in Cane's Creek?"

Vin laughed, then, too. "JD happened. Again. Kid's got a mouth as big as the dang Rio Grande."

Chris plopped a few more coins on the bar, making Vin raise an eyebrow at him again. "I want details," Chris explained with a grin. "I get the feeling this is good!"

Vin shook his head, chuckling again. "Coupla fellas were hintin' around that they wanted to make an arrangement with me. They came up to me in the alley to the rooming house we was staying in. JD, not knowing up from down, thought they was giving me a hard time. Fool kid come in that alley with my six-shooter to 'back me up,' or so he said later."

Chris took advantage of Vin's pause to wave over Jimmy and get them both a beer. Although Vin seemed amused now, from the sounds of it, it coulda gotten ugly. "I'm guessing those fellas didn't think it was all that funny?"

Vin took a long drink and shook his head. "Nope, they didn't think it was funny at all. Especially when JD went runnin' at the mouth about how I could shoot the hats off their heads if they kept giving me a rough time, and they better mind who they're messin' with."

Chris winced, but his grin still stayed on his face. "Ouch."

"Yeah," Vin said, his own grin sheepish for a second, till he went on telling his story. "They decided not to give me a chance to show 'em for sure if I could shoot, and they marched over to JD and started messin' with him, swinging at his hat to knock it off his head, stuff like that. But they was looking to get that gun outta his hands, and I wasn't gonna lose that gun."

Chris cocked his head and asked, "So what'd ya do?"

Vin glanced around left and right before leaning forward, the mischief back in his eyes. "I pulled out my other six-shooter and shot the hats off their heads."

Chris laughed, picturing it in his own mind. "I guess they were none too pleased?"

Vin sighed, still smiling, though. "Nope. And it turned out one of them was the sheriff's nephew. Made up some crazy story about me and JD trying to rob them in the alley. Sheriff knew it was all a lie, but he had three days before the man would be on the stage to go back to his sister's. So I ended up sittin' in a jail cell for three damned nights."

Chris' eyebrows shot up. "He arrested you?"

Vin nodded. "He as much as told me it was to keep his damn nephew from gettin' back at me. Didn't wanna have to explain to his sister about arresting her only boy for murder."

Chris wasn't that surprised, really. "Sorry to hear that, Vin."

Vin shrugged. "That wasn't the worst part."

Now, Chris was curious. "What was?"

"JD spent every damned night outside the jail, just outside my window, talking my damn ear off. Said it was only fair, since he got me in that mess, that he should keep me company."

Chris couldn't help it. He'd just taken a sip of beer, and he nearly spewed it all over Vin.

Vin kept smiling at him, looking more relaxed than Chris had seen him since he first laid eyes on him. "So that held you up a few days, then, and I imagine you weren't in the best of moods when the sheriff sprung ya?"

"JD was sure happy to see me get outta there. Hard to be mad at that. He's just a kid. He was trying to watch my back, the way I was watching his. He just don't have the first idea how to do that, yet. I wasn't happy that it took another couple days after that to get money for supplies to move on. But I didn't let on to JD. He felt guilty enough."

Chris sipped some more of his beer, and he and Vin sat for minute in comfortable silence. He caught Vin watching a group of men playing cards, and knew that the younger man was assessing them for a potential customer. Chris also knew that now was probably too soon for him to expect Vin to open up about why he had chosen to do this for money. More than that, Chris knew he wasn't going to let Vin go off with anyone else tonight.

"I have another idea," Chris said, breaking the silence.

Vin grinned. "I bet you do."

"Why don't we take this game to your room, up the stakes a little?"

Vin looked pleased at the suggestion, and Chris found himself wondering if it was genuine, or if Vin was just very, very good at his job. At that second, Chris knew that the answer to that question mattered, and that worried him. But not enough to keep him from grinning when Vin stood, ready to go.

Chris reached over the bar and left the money for Buck for having Vin a second night. When he turned back, Vin was dividing the coins on the bar, obviously intending to leave some for Buck. "You don't have to do that, Vin. That's yours. Buck would be the first to agree."

Vin looked at Chris, then back at the coins, still unsure. Chris nodded, encouraging, and Vin finally swept them up and put them in his pocket. "All right, cowboy. Let's see about this game of yours."

"God, god, god... Vin!" Chris arched his back, but Vin kept up the maddening rhythm on his cock, stroking firmly, licking the head softly each time his hand moved down and out of the way. The boy was trying to kill him, Chris just knew it.

Vin had taken to Chris' game quickly, and had even suggested his own variation. At first, each time Vin guessed correctly at something Chris liked, Vin lost a piece of clothing. Vin's suggestion was that each time he was wrong, Chris lost a piece. Chris had been naked within moments, Vin not hiding very well the fact that he was trying to lose. It hadn't taken him long though, to guess a number of things that Chris liked very, very much, and before long, Vin was doing those things.

The talented mouth left the head of Chris' dick, only to return to his balls. Vin's lips caressed and kissed, while his tongue laved and flickered. And still, that hand kept up the same, steady stroking on his cock.

"You're killing me, Vin Tanner!" Chris growled.

Vin grinned up at him, looking sinful and yet somehow... innocent, even from his place between Chris' legs. "You're gonna thank me for it," he answered then moved up to reach the oil on the bedside table. He was lighter with his touch when he slicked up Chris' dick, both knowing it could set Chris off before he got what he really wanted.

Chris threw a puzzled look at Vin when he sat up and began shoving pillows behind Chris' back so that he was propped up a little. "You're gonna like this. Trust me," he added with a devilish wink.

Chris grinned; when Vin wanted to, he could figure out pretty quickly what Chris liked.

Finally getting Chris how he wanted him, Vin straddled his groin, with his back to Chris' chest. He braced himself with one hand on the mattress and used the other to guide Chris' cock into the tight, slick warmth of his ass. He leaned back then against Chris' chest, wrapped his arm around Chris' neck, and began to ride, slow and easy.

Chris grasped Vin's hip with one hand and caressed his upper body with the other. Hot, alive and agile, Vin's body performed a sensual dance on his cock that wrung sensation from him with each graceful rise and fall. Straining his neck a little, Chris could almost reach Vin's nipple with his tongue. With a soft grunt that gave Chris shivers, Vin twisted his upper body so that Chris could reach him. His tongue flickered over the little nub of flesh, and Chris pulled back just enough to see it tighten further, then went back to fluttering his tongue over it.

He tweaked the other one between his fingers, and Vin moved up and down on him a little faster, the lean muscles on his thighs hard and straining with the effort. Leaving the stiff little nipple, Chris' hand mapped Vin's chest and belly, running lightly over the small ripples of muscle on Vin's stomach. He reached down a little further, and to his pleasant surprise, found Vin's cock hard and leaking. He took it in his palm and gave it a firm stroke, earning a shudder and soft moan from Vin.

Chris continued stroking, a steady rhythm that matched Vin's rise and fall on his cock, and as Vin moved on him, the younger man's labored breathing became louder, mixed with sighs and whimpers. The feel of Vin writhing on top of him combined with the lusty sounds coming from him made the urgency in Chris' groin more insistent. He began to thrust upward in time with Vin's movement, speeding them up. Vin's body shook, and his cries got louder, urging Chris on even more.

He squeezed Vin's cock a little tighter, too, as their fucking became more frenzied. He felt Vin's shaft throb in his palm, and knew he was close. He began grunting himself, wanting to be as deep inside Vin as he could get, as fast as he could get there. When Vin's body tensed even further, and his rhythm faltered, Chris stroked him faster and mouthed more urgently on his chest, occasionally capturing the nearby nipple.

Vin's entire body quaked, and Chris watched in facination as creamy drops shot from Vin's cock to splatter his stomach and chest, one pearly glob landing as far as Vin's arched neck. All the while, Chris continued his upward thrusts into the tight heat of Vin's ass, burying himself as deeply as he could each time.

He let go of Vin's softening cock and grabbed him by the hips with both hands to keep him where he wanted him, then let loose a flurry of lunges, driving himself hard and fast to feel the incredible burn of wet friction. Hot sparks ignited in Chris' balls, and he came with forceful bursts, unloading deep inside Vin's quivering body.

Panting harshly, Chris lifted Vin from his cock, and the younger man collapsed next to him, on his side. Chris still tingled head to toe from his orgasm, and needed skin on skin till it eased. He pressed up against Vin's back, enjoying the slide of their sweaty bodies. When he caught his breath, he leaned over Vin to the stack of cloths on the bed table. With a tug on Vin's shoulder, he had the younger man on his back. Vin watched him curiously as Chris wiped him clean of the quickly cooling semen. Vin blushed a little when Chris swiped away the dollop on his neck, and Chris grinned at him.

Chris tossed the cloth aside when he was done and fell back to the bed, yawning hugely. Vin chuckled softly, but curled next him and sighed. "Don't tell me you're as worn out as I am?" Chris said, a little proud that he'd managed to outpace the energetic Vin.

"Nope," Vin said against Chris' chest. "Just bein' lazy, and biding my time."

"Biding your time for what?" Chris asked, eyes closed and feeling lazy himself.

"To get a piece a information out of you, this time," Vin answered casually, breath stirring against Chris' nipple.

"Hmm? What would that be?" Chris was near fading, but curious anyway.

"Just how did you know I'd been held up at Cane Creek?"

Chris froze, and his eyes flew open. In a flash, though, Vin was on top of him, had Chris' wrists pinned above his head in one hand, and had Chris' softened cock in the other. There was a slight tug at the corner of Vin's mouth that told Chris that Vin wasn't genuinely upset, but the squeeze on his tender dick told him Vin wanted an answer anyway. "Dammit! Ease up a little, wouldya? Give an old man a break!"

Vin's smile grew sly. "Old man, hell. Don't give me that, and don't try changin' the subject. How'd you know about Cane Creek? How'd you know I stopped in there?"

Chris sighed. "Lydia wrote to Buck before you got here. Told him you were dependable, and that if Buck had any sense, he'd hire you."

Vin looked surprised, as though that wasn't what he'd been expecting. "Ya coulda told me you knew something of me when I got here."

Chris suppressed a groan. "Ease up on the goods and let me explain?" Vin loosened his grip-- fractionally-- and Chris blew out a breath of relief. "Vin, we trust Lydia, but we had to be sure about you ourselves. You got JD to look after, but hell... we got a whole town to look after."

Vin frowned. "Don't blame you for that. But you coulda done it without lyin' to me."

"We didn't lie, Vin. We just held something back. There's stuff you haven't told us yet, so how is that any different?" Chris tried to reason. The clench around his dick tightened, though.

"It's different, 'cause what I ain't told you ain't got nothing to do with you. It's my private business," Vin hissed.

"Owww, jesus... Vin!"

Finally, the younger man let go of Chris' wrists and cock and turned away from him, sitting on the edge of the bed. He held his head in his hands and let out a long breath. It hadn't occurred to Chris that not telling Vin or JD about the letter would be a breach of trust. But trying to see it from where Vin sat, he could understand it now.

"Vin. If it makes any difference at all, I'm sorry."

Vin snorted a little, but didn't turn around.

"It wasn't meant to be something to use against you. It was just us being cautious. For the town, for Buck, for everyone who works here."

Vin sighed, then finally turned. Under the hard expression on his face was hurt. "Don't do it again."

"I won't," Chris promised, and he meant it. He'd already seen proof enough that honesty and trust were important to Vin. That being the case, he felt it wouldn't be a hardship to offer a little of that to Vin in return.

He reached for Vin's arm, touching him lightly. "Hey, come on back? Relax a bit?" Chris asked. Vin squinted at him, as if trying to puzzle him out. "I got some more stops coming to me on that train fare I sprung for downstairs," Chris said, trying to tease some levity from Vin.

Vin rolled his eyes, but eased back on the bed next to Chris. "You got plans for this train ride?" he finally asked, a ghost of his mellow humor back.

Chris grinned. "I plan on seeing what else I can do to get you making those noises you made earlier."

Vin's eyebrows rose in surprise. "That so?"

"Oh yeah," Chris said and leaned over Vin, eyes raking over Vin's chest and stomach. When his gaze reached Vin's face again, he saw bewilderment there. He wasn't sure what Vin was so confused about, and at the moment he didn't care; he had to admit that it did something to him, though. Made him want to bend Vin, just a little, to his will. He wanted to see that confusion turn into something akin to submission. If only for the amount of time his money bought for him, Chris wanted to feel like Vin was his.

His eyes focused on Vin's mouth, staring at his full lips. One thing Chris hadn't done was kiss him, and he realized that that was exactly what he had to do. He leaned a little closer, watching Vin's expression turn from perplexed to surprised. Closer still, till he couldn't read Vin's expression, but could feel Vin's breath on his own lips. Chris flicked the tip of his tongue over Vin's bottom lip, painting it with the lightest of touches. Vin shuddered underneath him, but didn't move away.

Chris kissed him then, lips on lips, softly, then settled his mouth more firmly on Vin's, thrilled when Vin opened enough for him to slip his tongue in, and taste. Warm and sweet, with a faint beer flavor, Vin's mouth was a carnival for his own. He swept in deeper and coaxed Vin's tongue into playing with his, till they were teasing, twining, and teasing again. When Chris finally pulled back, it was with one last tug of Vin's bottom lip between his own.

Without pause, Chris moved down to Vin's neck, sucking on his Adam's apple, then skimming down to lick and nip at his smooth, hard chest. He moved down further still, and settled between Vin's legs, hooking one of Vin's thighs under his arm. With his other hand, he swirled his fingertips over the warm skin of Vin's belly, caressing him and watching the flutter of his flat stomach as his cock grew firm before Chris' eyes.

When he looked back up to Vin's face, he saw what he'd wanted; Vin was silently captivated by what Chris was doing. For tonight, Vin belonged to Chris, and Chris intended to show Vin just how good being his could feel. As he bent his head to the musky warmth of Vin's groin, Chris heard the first of what he knew would be many whimpers before the night was over.

Vin drifted in a quiet haze, where he was neither asleep nor awake, but someplace in between. He heard movement in the waking world, but wanted to stay wrapped in the warmth and softness of the dreams he was floating in. He caught a whiff of fresh, night air and wondered if it was real, or just part of the dream. Didn't matter, he decided, and snuggled deeper into his pillow.

A chuckle penetrated the haze then, and the pull of wakefulness became too strong to ignore, though he didn't open his eyes. The muted thud of boots didn't alarm him as it usually would; he knew it was Chris. Wasn't sure exactly how he knew, but he did. Fingertips, gentle and light, moved across his forehead, and he sighed. A moment later, the sound of the boots carried toward the door to his room, then Vin heard the soft click of it closing.

Vin rolled onto his back and let himself float a little longer. That night air was real, he realized. Chris must've opened the window a crack before he left. Still sleepy, Vin grinned. The room had begun to smell pretty ripe, the scent of sex so thick it was almost like a fog. No wonder Chris needed air.

Vin took a bigger breath, enjoying the crisp feel of the night breeze as he sucked it down into his lungs. He had to admit that it also felt good to be able to sleep in a bed for a change, two nights in a row, no less. He hadn't felt the need to pull clean blankets onto the floor and leave the sweat of sex behind him, as he did with most customers. If Chris Larabee was one thing, it was nothing like any other customer Vin had had, especially tonight.

At first it had been troublesome, the way Chris had touched him, touched his body like it was a plaything; see if he could get it to do this, see if he could get it to do that. But after a few moments and a close look at the expression in Chris' eyes, Vin didn't feel like a thing anymore. He felt like a person; someone who fascinated the quiet, serious man who was responsible for the safety of this entire town. Vin couldn't remember anyone being that interested in him beyond what his body could do for them.

Not that Chris wasn't interested in his body; he was downright hungry for it, Vin knew. But he also knew that it was more than that. It didn't worry him the way it had at first, beyond the concern of it being unfamiliar territory. But hell, Vin's whole life was an exercise in wandering into the unknown. Why should this be any different?

A glance toward the window showed him a faint orange on the horizon that said dawn approached. Maybe with the new day, less of the town and its people would seem less undiscovered. Maybe Vin would find out some more about the man who'd paid to have him in bed two whole nights in a row. Ready to walk on unfamiliar ground was fine, but Vin wasn't stupid. He was going in armed.

Vin rolled back into the pillow, reminded of Lydia's letter to Buck. That had stung. Not that Lydia wrote it, but that they all pretended not to know about him and JD when they got there. In a way, it felt like a betrayal. But then again, a person could only be betrayed if they'd extended trust in the first place, and Vin hadn't done that. Had he? He wasn't sure anymore.

He thought about the things Lydia had told him about Four Corners and some of the folks there. Details had been few. Lydia wasn't one to gossip. Vin wondered if maybe not telling folks that he'd heard stuff about them was the same thing Chris and Buck had done, not telling him about Lydia's letter. Nah, that wasn't the same thing at all, he decided. What was he gonna do, walk up to Nathan and say, "Just so's ya know, Lydia done told me you're the closest thing to a doctor 'round here." And then what, maybe go up to Mary Travis and say, "Just so's ya know, Lydia done told me you used to work for Buck before you got that roomin' house of yours." Vin couldn't see that happening. He hadn't met Ms. Travis yet, but if Lydia's nickname for her was Little Miss Muffett, Vin was sure she wouldn't appreciate being told Vin had heard about her from Lydia. And anyway, knowing Lydia had sent him, wouldn't they all have expected that she'd have told him at least something about some of them?

Nope, his getting a few bits of information about towns folk wasn't the same thing at all as pretending you'd never heard of someone. But whether it stung or not, Vin was ready to let it go. He couldn't forget the look in Chris' eyes after he'd apologized. When Vin had finally looked at him, he'd seen that it was genuine. Having someone care that much that he'd done Vin wrong was going to make it harder to take the kinds of customers who didn't give a damn what Vin thought or felt.

He was going to have to enjoy this, 'cause it wasn't gonna last. He tucked the blanket up under his chin and let himself drift again, letting himself soak up a little peace before facing a day that would likely change things for him, for better or worse.

Vin swirled his bar towel through another glass then placed it along side the others, happy enough to help out behind the bar while Jimmy got more supplies unloaded. Part of his job anyway, to make sure patrons had something to drink if they needed it. One thing he learned real early was that the boys working in a house like this had to be able to look busy doing about anything practical, if need be. Everybody knew that the pleasures to be had in a house like this weren't limited to women, but a house damned itself if it made that fact too obvious. That being the case, Vin could tend bar, serve drinks, and deal with the rowdy customers every bit as good as he could fuck.

With every glass that went on the shelf, Vin flicked a look toward the front of the house, expecting to see Chris come through the entryway any second. Vin dusted about his twelfth glass, glanced to the entry, and froze. Chris wasn't there, but Vin was seized by the realization that he didn't just expect him to be there. He wanted him to be there.

Vin swore at himself softly and tore his eyes away from the front of the house. What the hell was he thinking? He knew better than this. Take the good when it comes along, but don't let yourself get used to it. It was another thing he'd learned long ago; don't go getting attached to customers! They're there fuck ya, they ain't there to court ya. No matter how good lookin' they are, and even they're decent folk. No matter if they smell good and spend lots of time making your body feel a hundred different kinds of good.

Vin groaned quietly to himself, sighed hard and then scanned the early evening crowd, looking for a distraction. He needed to take his mind off of Chris, and fast. Too soon for it to start getting busy, and only a couple girls worked the floor already, and they were mostly just serving drinks and doing a little bit of flirting.

At a table in the middle of the room, Ezra sat with a fella playing cards. Vin knew that Ezra wasn't fixing to take the man upstairs. He was there waiting for Greta. Ezra was just keeping him occupied till Greta came down to start her night.

Now there, that was something interesting to study on. Vin hadn't talked much with Ezra yet, just long enough to know that when there was a longer word for something, Ezra would use that rather than just say what he meant. And it was always 'Mr. Tanner this, and Mr. Tanner that,' like Ezra thought using 'Mister' was gonna make any of them respectable. Once he thought on it, though, Vin decided that maybe for Ezra, fooling himself was the best way to start fooling other people.

Vin cocked his head and moved from behind the bar to one of the tables closer to Ezra and that fella. He wiped his bar rag on the table, like he was cleaning it, but he really wanted to get a closer look at what Ezra was up to. Vin had seen enough card games to know what a stiff hand meant when holding cards, and it made Vin just a tad nervous. He wiped down that table till Greta's customer won that hand, then he moved off to the next table down.

It was hard to be subtle; Vin didn't want to stare, so he couldn't keep his eyes on Ezra the whole time. At just the second Vin turned sideways from Ezra, he heard it; a little swish that told him Ezra hadn't dealt the card on top of the deck. He glanced sideways in time for Ezra to very quickly raise an eyebrow at him, though the customer was too busy looking over his cards to notice.

Vin scowled at Ezra, but kept up the pretense of cleaning tables.

"Well now, Mr. Barnett, you have the smile of a man who yet again has Lady Luck smiling upon him. I'm tempted to fold now before your skill separates me from a week's earnings."

The other man laughed a little, sounding comfortable enough. "Aw, Mr. Standish, that would take all the fun out of it, wouldn't it? Folding so soon?"

Vin held back a snort. He didn't know what the devil Ezra was up to, and he wasn't sure now that he wanted to know. He didn't like to accuse, especially when it was someone Buck apparently trusted not to make trouble in his house. But he couldn't help it that Ezra still making him antsy. Only time he ever heard of someone palming and second-dealing to cause the other player to win, was when they was working at taking a bigger pot.

"Perhaps a bit of refreshment will imbue this dreadful hand with more enjoyment," Ezra said to Barnett thoughtfully. "Young man? Young man, if you please?"

Vin rolled his eyes. So that was Ezra's game... playing at being another customer waiting for his favorite girl, and having a few hands at cards to pass his time. Vin cleared his throat and turned to the two men, keeping his face as neutral as he could.

"What can I get ya's?"

"I fear nothing but a brandy will suffice. An Armangac for each of us, dear boy, if you please?" Ezra said with a haughty smile. Vin nodded, but before he could turn to go fetch the drinks, Ezra stopped him with a hand on his forearm. "Forgive me if I'm out of line, but I should probably advise you that the brandy needs to poured into a special kind of glass--"

"Appreciate the tip, but I know what a brandy snifter is, Mr. Standish. Wasn't plannin' on serving your brandy in a mug," Vin said, trying to keep the irritation off of his face. "Won't be a minute, Mr. Barnett," he said to the customer with a genuine grin. He headed for the bar, but made sure to turn a sour look back on Ezra, who ignored it and kept smiling, of course.

Underneath Ezra's game with Barnett was another game familiar to Vin, and that was something he called Whorehouse Pecking Order. Vin wasn't in a mood to play along with either of them. Just like with Greta, Vin had to make it clear he could, and would, hold his own.

Taking a quick survey of the glasses available, Vin felt the beginnings of an idea spark to life. He flipped open the door to the lower cabinet behind the bar, finding a set of the fancier brandy snifters lined up in a pretty row, nice and clean, ready for use. The little landscape etchings on them would be just enough to make the exact color of the contents hard to distinguish.

He quickly poured Barnett's drink, then slipped to the end of the bar for the glasses Jimmy and JD had abandoned when they'd gone out back to help Buck unload. Vin had Ezra's special concoction prepared in no time at all.

Drinks on the serving tray, Vin was back at the table pretty fast. "Ah, here we are. Most expeditious of you. I'll be certain to mention your explemplary service to the proprieter of this establishment," Ezra told him with a tilt of his head that Ezra probably thought looked real generous.

"That's awful of nice of ya, Mr. Standish," Vin answered, allowing a bit of a smirk to twitch his lips. He set Barnett's glass in front of him. "Here ya are, Mr. Barnett. It's Buck's best."

The man picked up the glass, swirled the contents briefly, then took a small sip. "Excellent!" he said, smiling in genuine pleasure, Vin saw.

Vin turned to Ezra then, and placed the glass in front of him. "Thank you, young man." Ezra picked up the glass, swirled like Barnett said, then took a sip. Ezra's face froze for a long moment, then he finally swallowed, the bob of his throat exaggerated as the contents went down.

Barnett snickered just a little bit. "It's an acquired taste, Mr. Standish. Someday you'll enjoy drinking it as much as you enjoy ordering it."

"No, no," Ezra said, trying to smile, though his eyes were watering. "It's quite wonderful. So wonderful, I very nearly weep with joy."

"I'm glad you like it, Mr. Standish," Vin said, and held out his hand, palm up. To his credit, Ezra didn't wait too long, then handed over money appropriate for two expensive glasses of Buck's best brandy. "Much obliged. If'n either of ya needs another, just let me know, and I'll bring it right on over."

"You're too kind," Ezra replied, his faltering smile enough to widen Vin's.

Back at the bar, Vin dumped out the rest of JD's lemonade and Jimmy's apple cider. He chuckled softly as he picked up the bottle of McIlhenny's Tabasco, then slid it out of view. He looked up to Ezra and Barnett, catching Ezra's speculative glance at him. Vin gave him a subtle wave of his bar rag, and a big smile.

Vin surveyed the rest of the room, making sure nobody else was needing a drink while he was off plotting against Ezra. His eyes were caught and held as they reached the front entryway. Chris stood there, staring straight at him. Warmth blossomed in his stomach, and Vin felt himself flush, just a little.

Ah hell, just enough, he realized from Chris' wicked grin. He mighta distracted himself playing games with Ezra, but there was no escaping it; Chris did things to him, and not all of them were in bed.

Damn, but Inez had a way with her biscuits, Vin thought, chewing a hefty, moist mouthful.

A chuckle from Buck brought his eyes up from his plate.

"You're about as bad as JD, you know that? It's a wonder you can close your mouth around all that!" Buck told him, the corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement.

"s'good!" Vin said, trying not to spit as he spoke.

Buck laughed harder. "Oh, I know. And there's plenty more, so don't choke yourself."

Vin winked and chewed happily, and Buck just shook his head, smearing some of his own biscuit into the yolks of his eggs. Buck probably understood well enough what had Vin in such a good mood, but was surprisingly subtle in not ribbing Vin about it.

The pleasant ache in Vin's ass was a constant reminder of the night before, Chris fucking him so slow and deep that Vin thought he'd lose his mind. It had been the fourth night in a row that Chris had kept him all to himself, and it had been a night filled with hours of some of the most intense sex of Vin's life. He didn't really understand it, but Chris seemed to have an obsession with getting Vin to respond to his touches. Chris had this thing with wanting to hear Vin cry out, see him needful, and feel his body shiver. Chris had been damned successful at all three, and Vin could tell that Chris took pride in the sincerity of those responses. It had been a remarkable and rare experience for Vin, having someone genuinely care what his responses were. Most customers knew when he was faking pleasure, but fooled themselves about it, or just plain didn't care. Chris, though... Chris was no ordinary customer, for damn sure.

The money definitely bothered Vin now, though. A couple nights was one thing, but four was just... unheard of. Vin knew he'd have to put a stop to it or Chris would go broke, and Vin didn't want that on his conscience. He needed an income, and he needed to start seeing other customers in order to get it. The sooner, the better, too. Wouldn't do either one of them any good to pretend Chris was his only customer. Didn't mean Vin couldn't revel in the memories of the last few nights, though-- even if that reveling made him hungry enough to eat a slow-roasted buffalo.

Vin had just taken a big bite of bacon when JD came clomping in from the back door, a box of supplies in his arms. Vin scooted his chair back to help, but Buck held him back with an open palm. "I got this. You go on and finish, seein' as how you're eatin' like it's your last meal on this earth." Vin grinned around his mouthful of bacon and nodded his thanks.

"I got everything on Inez's list, Buck," JD said proudly, scooting the box onto the counter top.

"You sure did," Buck said absently, rummaging through the contents. "And you got Mary's stuff to her okay?"

"Yeah," JD answered a little more softly than was usual.

"Somethin' wrong?" Buck asked, and Vin raised an eyebrow, curious himself.

"No. I just... I don't think Ms. Travis likes me too much," JD said.

"Why do you say that?" Buck asked, sounding surprised.

"She wasn't... mean... exactly. She was just kinda... I hate to say it..."

"Just spit it out," Vin said, a little less food in his mouth now.

JD looked at both him and Buck, then said with a blush. "She was kinda uppity."

Buck cackled, and Vin stifled a laugh of his own.

"What's so dang funny?" JD demanded.

"Mary's just tryin' to be proper is all," Buck explained.

"Why?" JD asked with sincerity that made Vin laugh harder. "I mean, why would she have to try? She's already proper, isn't she?"

At that, Buck grabbed his stomach, he was laughing so hard. JD's face scrunched up, not happy they were having a joke at his expense. "Have a seat, JD, before you bust a seam on them fancy clothes. It's time ole' Buck here explained to you about 'proper' ladies."

JD rolled his eyes, but pulled out a chair and plopped into it.

"See," Buck began while Vin snagged another biscuit from the basket on the table. "Mary just feels like she has to work harder to be proper than some other ladies in town."

"All right..." JD said, waiting for more explanation.

"Mary has a past that makes her feel like she has to be that way so that people think more about how she is now than she was then."

Damn, but the bacon was good, too. He took a nice, crispy bite and listened to Buck and JD, trying not to get too smug a look on his face.

"So, what was this past that she don't want people to think about?"

Buck rolled his head back and stretched his neck. "She used to work right here, in this house. She was one of the first girls I hired when I opened the place."

JD's mouth hung open, and Vin chewed harder to avoid his grin.

"She...?"

Buck blew out a hard breath. "Oh yeah."

JD looked from Vin to Buck and back to Vin again. He narrowed his eyes at Vin. "You knew, didn't ya?"

Vin tilted his head side to side, considering how to answer, as he swallowed. "Lydia mighta mentioned it."

"Mighta?" JD said, exasperated.

Vin winked and took another bite of his bacon. "Damn, this is good. Don't know how Inez does it, cookin' here and at the rooming house, too."

JD scooted his chair back from the table. "You never tell me nothin', Vin."

Vin shrugged. "Weren't my place, JD."

"Yeah, yeah," JD groused and went back to unpacking the box. When finished, he headed to the back door again. "Gonna get Peso brushed for ya, Vin."

"Appreciate it, JD," Vin called, and JD tossed him a grin on his way out, letting Vin know all was forgiven. He hesitated at opening the door thoough, and looked at Vin curiously.

"Something on your mind?" Vin asked.

"Maybe. Don't know if it's my place to say anything, though," JD added, just a bit sarcastic, mostly teasing.

"Out with it," Vin ordered as he picked up his cup for a sip of coffee.

"I just... I get the feeling Ms. Travis doesn't like you, much either," JD said, and ducked his head.

Vin just raised his eyebrow. He hadn't even met her, so if JD was right, it had be by way of reputation. "That so?"

JD sighed. "I think it's on account of her wanting Mr. Larabee to marry her."

Vin spewed coffee into his napkin as JD looked on with wide eyes and Buck laughed. "Worst kept secret in town, boys, so don't worry about it none. But don't go repeating that to anyone else, JD, ya here?" Buck said.

"I hear. I'll see to Peso, now," JD said, grinning, and finally left.

So, Little Miss-- Ms. Travis-- was sweet on Chris? Vin had to admit it caused a teeny pang inside to hear that. But if Chris wanted her, too, it didn't have anything to do with him. Didn't make the last four nights anything less that what they'd been, and whether or not Ms. Travis had got wind of it and didn't like him, Vin didn't care. Nobody could take away what he felt about those nights.

He was about to dig back into his eggs when caught Buck pinning a half-way stern look on him. "What?"

"Anything else Lydia tell you that I should know about?"

Vin smiled. "Nope. You know Lydia ain't one to run at the mouth that much. She painted a picture of this place for me, is all."

"I get the feeling she painted an interesting one of Mary," Buck said with a teasing smile, coaxing Vin to tell him what Lydia had said.

"All she said was that 'Little Miss Muffett runs the rooming house, but don't let her fool ya. She was one of us, once.' I didn't ask anything more about it."

Buck chuckled. "Now, those two... talk about two women who couldn't get along for nothin'!"

"Knowing Lydia, and from what I hear of Ms. Travis, I can believe it," Vin said, shaking his head and then taking a sip of his coffee.

Buck took a sip of his own, and Vin could tell from the way he was shifting in his seat that he was working up to asking him something.

"So, Vin."

Yep. Vin was good at figuring what people thought.

"Uh huh?" Vin asked, paying as much attention to Buck as he was his food.

"Lydia tell you anything about Chris?"

Vin grinned. "Not a word. I'd have told ya by now, Buck."

"I was just askin', is all," Buck said.

"I know. And I know I'm gonna have to have another talk with him," Vin added, fixing Buck with a look of his own that he hoped Buck would pay attention to, and back off.

"He's my friend, Vin," Buck said quietly.

Vin sighed, and put down his fork. "I know that. And I know he can't keep this up. I'm drawing the line, Buck. I have to. For me, as much as for him."

"I just don't want to see either of ya... you know... get hurt over this, that's all."

Buck was a nosy son-of-a-gun, but he did mean well, as Vin was finding out. Hard to fault a man for having a decent heart, even if Vin wanted to growl at him a little. Sometimes.

"I know, Buck." Vin finally pushed his plate back, his belly truly full for the first time in a while. He cleared his throat as he stood and took his dishes to the counter. "I'm gonna take a ride on the outskirts of town."

Fortunately, Buck accepted the change in subject. "It's pretty country out here. Good that you're gonna get to know it."

Vin nodded at Buck and slipped out the back door to find JD and Peso.

Chris sat comfortably on his porch chair, ankles crossed, and sipped his coffee as he kept a casual eye on the town. Mid-mornings were usually pretty quiet; people were out and about, but the troublemakers were generally still sleeping it off. From the vantage point of his house at the top of the main street, Chris had a view of the busiest businesses, and yet didn't feel confined, having the wide-open and nothing but in the opposite direction of town.

Oddly, he felt at peace, given the confusion that had been swirling in his head. His quick attachment to Vin had surprised him, its intensity even more so. He hadn't thought he had that much feeling left inside. Losing his wife and son two years earlier had left him bitter and dangerous for a time, but lately just... numb.

Coming back to Four Corners wasn't planned; it just happened. Chris supposed that his heart just finally took him someplace safe once he'd wrung all the hurt out of it that he could. He'd known Buck since he was somewhere between JD's and Vin's age, and he was the closest thing he had to family. Nothing felt safer than family, after all, Chris thought.

Four days ago, everything changed, and Chris found himself thinking beyond the safety of letting life happen to him, to thinking of where he wanted to take his life. Wasn't easy, letting yourself want things. But somehow, Vin sparked a place inside he thought was dead, a place brave enough to hope that he could go after something, and either get it and be happy, or not get it and still survive.

Chris grinned over the rim of his cup. Things sure as hell have changed, if he was sitting there thinking stuff like that rather than the usual muddled thoughts of who was likely to be raising hell that night at the saloon. He drank down the rest of the coffee before it got too cold, then leaned down to put his cup on the porch.

When he pulled himself back up, he saw a rider on a black-brown gelding poking along his way. Took him a minute to recognize Vin on the horse; he'd never seen him with a hat on his head. In the light of day, up in the saddle, Vin looked nothing like the young man who'd enticed him into doing things he hadn't realized he knew how to do. Well, he still looked like Vin, just a different Vin. Chris shook his head, hoping to quickly rid it of the morning cobwebs that were making rational thought difficult.

When Vin reached the porch, he pulled up his horse and smiled down at him. "Mornin', Chris."

"Morning, yourself. Headed anyplace in particular?"

Vin scanned the countryside, an enthralled expression on his face, then looked back at him. "Nah, not really. Just wanted to get out and see land and open sky again, is all. Wanna come along for the ride?"

"Sure. Give me a few minutes to get saddled up," Chris said, almost without thinking, and hopped up to head to the little tack room next to his barn.

Vin nodded, looking genuinely pleased he'd said yes. "Take your time."

Chris reined his horse around the side of the house and met Vin by the corral. "Got anyplace you have to be today?"

Vin grinned. "Nope."

"I know a place a decent ride from here, pretty little canyon that lets out into a shaded creek. Gonna be a hot one today. How about a swim?"

Vin smiled even wider, and Chris knew he'd come on a good idea. "Lead the way," Vin said.

They said little as they made their way further from town, starting south, then heading east toward a range of gradually sharpening hills. Chris had suggested going the long way to the canyon, to show Vin a little area called Seco Ridge, and Vin had gone along with a shrug and an easy 'why not?'

Vin took a lot of notice of the landscape, and Chris quickly realized that Vin paid attention to things most people wouldn't bother to notice. He seemed to sense firmer ground from softer without being warned, and watched the terrain at the sides of their trail as well as ahead of it. More than that, Vin's facial expressions showed an appreciation for areas of the land that others dismissed as barren, lifeless and downright ugly.

Hills and slopes spotted with dry brush gradually mingled with jagged plateaus in red-earth layers and steep buttes. Far off to the north, Chris could see the flattened, orange peaks of the imposing Superstition Mountains. A glance at Vin told him he was equally enthralled. As they made their way upward, the natural pathway narrowed to allow only one rider, and Chris found that Vin had somehow managed to end up in front of him.

"That horse of yours seems to know what he's doing," Chris said, admiring the sure-footedness of Vin's gelding.

"Peso cut his teeth learning the terrain of the Chisos Mountains and the southeastern Texas badlands," Vin replied, tossing a grin over his shoulder.

"Thought you said you were from the panhandle?" Chris said.

"Didn't say I never went nowhere else," Vin said with a casual shrug, amusement in his voice.

"True enough," Chris chuckled. "So when did you get him?"

Vin sighed, and Chris saw him shift a little in the saddle. But soon enough, he answered. "I was twelve. Had a grandfather, used to earn a living selling dried buffalo meat to folks following the Overland mail route. Right before he died, he bought Peso for me. Said me and him was gonna have to do some growin' up together. He was right."

Chris didn't know what to say. Sorry just didn't seem right. Vin was silent for a long while after that, until Chris heard him give a soft whistle, and Chris realized Vin had about reached the top of the peak, and was looking out at the view of the valley on the other side. After a moment, Chris caught up and they shared the view, side by side. Chris turned his eyes to Vin and froze, struck by the awe on his face. He knew Vin had seen landscapes as magnificent as this one; that Vin was captivated anyway touched him inside.

Still neither of them said a word, just sitting on the horses, close enough to knock their boots together if they wanted, soaking in the view. After a long moment of silent respect for the gifts of nature before them, Chris slid off his horse, and Vin did the same, the two of them heading for a nearby overhang for shade. They leaned against the rocky wall of the bluff, holding the reins of the horses' bridles loosely.

Chris took a deep breath and asked softly, "So, you and Peso, you did what when your grandfather died?"

Vin shrugged again, this one less casual somehow. "We just went off together. Crafty old bastard left me enough in coins that I could get by when we came across a town. I'd pretend I was sent from camp by my ma to buy stuff for her, and when I handed over the money, they gave me what I wanted. Then me and Peso, we'd head back into the mountains, or wherever we felt like."

Chris could hardly imagine it, being on his own at twelve years old, no matter how Vin might try to make it sound like it was nothing. He sought Vin's eyes, willing him to not look away. "Couldn't have been easy as that?"

Vin breathed out hard, the conversation obviously not an easy one for him, but he went on again after a moment anyway. "No, Chris, it wasn't. Not all them folks I met in town were real honest, and I didn't hang on to that money as long as I coulda. Keeping Peso fed took a lot, too." Vin snorted a little, and added, "Hell, I think the damn horse ate better than I did during them months. I was just skin and bones, couldn't carry sacks of grain very far, so I'd get him a few pounds of sweet feed whenever I could, say it for my ma's chickens."

Chris shook his head, confused. From the sly expression on Vin's face, he knew Chris didn't understand.

"Well? It was kinda like this... I had to stash Peso away somewheres before I came into town. Twelve year old boy, with a nice horse like that, by himself? I woulda got too much attention. Somebody woulda took him for sure. So whatever I bought, I'd have to carry it back to wherever I left him. Those times weren't exactly a Sunday picnic for a kid. But Peso, he took me everywhere, learned fast gettin' me there, and never got mean on me. It felt good, taking care of him best I could."

Chris finally got it. It was heartbreaking, the things Vin had to learn on his own. He could barely picture it, a skinny little kid trying to carry enough feed to keep his horse from starving, probably in some pretty blistering heat at times. And mostly so that he could have a reason to be proud of himself, a reason to feel as if there was something in that hard world out there that he could control.

Little beads of sweat broke out on Vin's forehead, and Chris watched as Vin's gaze grew more and more distant. Made Chris wonder if Vin was remembering the Texas heat at that moment and his struggles to be a man too many years before he was ready. Watching Vin made Chris that much more anxious to get to the creek at the canyon. With the heat of the past as well as the day ahead, they both needed the soothing of the cool water.

Chris laid a gentle hand on Vin's shoulder, easing him back from the past. Vin turned to look at him, took a second to come back to himself, then waited for Chris to say something.

Chris pointed out past the valley. "Over there's the road to Eagle Bend. The trail from town is easier, of course, and actually faster, considering the kinda ground you have to cover going this way. So it ain't much of a shortcut. Especially coming back again. It's a hell of a lot steeper on that side than it is on this one."

Vin nodded. "Good to know. I'll be having to go to Eagle Bend next week, matter of fact."

"Oh yeah?" Chris was surprised. "Why's that?"

Vin slid a sly grin his way. "I got business there. Personal."

Chris chuckled and nodded, respecting Vin's wish to leave his past and his personal life to himself. For now, at least, Chris knew. Vin would open up some more when he felt it was time.

"Ready to find that creek?" Chris asked.

Vin sighed, nodded yes, and reached up to rub Peso's nose "I think these horses are about ready, too."

They followed the ridge, the valley sweeping to their left, and the hard stone of the bluff to their right. The trail gradually began to descend again, as it twisted south and back toward the west again. Soon, it was steep enough that they needed to give the horses a long rein and give them their heads to pick their own footing.

When the trail was level again, the canyon wall next to them rose at least a hundred feet above them, the stone a deep gray, inlaid with swirls of blue like the night sky. At last, the cayon wall sloped to an end, and once they reined inside of it, they faced a large, still pool of sparkling water that was the basin for the creek that had followed beside them along the other side of the canyon wall.

A few barren trees and the canyon walls themselves provided shaded relief from the sun, and the temperature again felt comfortable. "Chris, it's beautiful."

Chris grinned widely. "I know. And the best thing? I don't think more than ten people in the territory even knows it's here."

"Well, hell, then. What're we waitin' for?" Vin laughed and hopped out of the saddle.

Within moments, they had the horses untacked, and their saddle bags under a tree. Chris led the two sweaty animals a little further downstream to drink, and watched, subtly, he hoped, as Vin spread out a thin bedroll and then proceeded to whip off every stitch of his clothing, leaving them in a pile next to his saddle bags.

Naked as the day he was born, Vin stepped cautiously but quickly over the rocks and pebbles to the edge of the water. Chris had gotten the horses loosely tied and had only barely begun tugging off his own clothes by the time Vin was in up to his knees. Barefoot and shirtless, just reaching for the buttons on his britches, Chris froze when Vin twisted his agile torso around to look at him. Tight, lean muscles rippled at Vin's waist, and his firm, rounded behind was reflected on the water's surface.

A wicked smile lit his young face as he hollered out to him, "Hurry it up, old man!"

"Old?" Chris scowled, trying to hide his grin and go along with the game.

Vin chuckled and shook his head. "Yep. I spotted a few gray hairs on that thick head of yours this morning, 'fore you snuck out."

Chris' eyebrows climbed his forehead. "Gray? Gray hairs? You little..."

Vin laughed then, and splashed his way further into the water as Chris did double time to get his pants off and chase after him. Finally free of his clothes, Chris hopped and picked his own way over the stones and headed straight for Vin.

The water got about chest-high in its deepest spot, and that's where Vin had swum to. Chris nearly got hold of him, but he lost his grip on the younger man's slippery ankle, and he slithered away, reminding Chris of a big tadpole. Vin had exerted a little more energy than necessary on his first few escapes, though, and laughing so damned much hadn't helped. So it wasn't long before he was slowing down just a bit and gasping for breath.

Chris seized the opportunity, and seized Vin, wrapping his arms around him from behind, and holding tightly to his wiry, hard body. "Who's old now, huh?" Chris growled into Vin's ear.

"You are!" Vin answered breathlessly, struggling in Chris' grasp.

"Wrong answer!" Chris pulled them both under for a moment then dragged them to the surface again.

"Try again, Tanner. Who's old?"

Laughing and sputtering, Vin predictably answered, "You are!"

Under they went again, Vin writhing and jerking in Chris' arms, and before too long, Chris brought them back up again.

"One more time. Who's old?"

Vin's body shook with even more laughter. "All right, all right! How about... Buck?"

Chris coughed on a laugh of his own, and Vin broke free, sending a deliberate, hard splash of big drops in Chris' face. "You're never gonna learn, are ya," Chris said, wiping water from his eyes.

"I reckon not, old-timer," Vin answered, devilish twinkle lighting his eyes, and dove under the surface to swim away. And the game began anew.

It was just cool enough in the shade to make his skin prickle a bit, but warm enough to be comfortable. Chris' bedroll lay next to Vin's, with the two of them sprawled on their bellies on top. Chris rested his cheek on his forearms, and across from him, Vin did the same.

"It's peaceful here. I like it," Vin said.

"It is," Chris agreed.

"Reminds me of a little place near Palo Duro Canyon," Vin whispered, closing his eyes, looking completely relaxed.

"That in the southwest?" Chris asked.

"Nope. Panhandle," Vin answered, eyes still closed.

"I always thought the panhandle was flat as a poker table?" Chris said, smiling.

Vin snorted a bit. "Hell, a lot of it is. Not all, though. Head East along Cashe Creek and you can lose yourself in the Washita Mountains. If'n the Comanche don't gitcha, anyways," he added with a small, mischievous grin.

"So... how long did it take you to end up with 'em?" Chris asked.

Vin didn't answer for long while, and Chris was beginning to wonder if he ever would.

"From the time me and Peso was on our own, I reckon it was about six months before I was living with 'em," he finally said, his voice so quiet Chris had to strain to hear.

"How'd it happen?"

"I reckon I just needed to head north again, back to where I started out in life," Vin said softly. "I just ended up there, not really planning it. So Peso and me, we just headed North, is all. Can't explain it."

Chris shivered, realizing the parallel of Vin instinctly heading toward family, the same as he had done, coming back to Four Corners to be near Buck, his only family.

"I remember..." Vin started, then stopped, cleared his throat, and started again, his eyes turning toward the water's edge. "I remember getting there, but I didn't know what to do next. I wandered the countryside, trying to figure out what to do with myself. One day, I caught a few little fish in this pretty little creek, way out in the middle of nowhere. I was just too tired to cook 'em, though. Tired inside as much as anything," Vin added.

"Vin?" Did he really want to be telling Chris this? Was Chris really wanting to hear it? Did he want to hear that this was where the parallel ended? Chris had had Buck to turn to. Vin had gone back to home with nobody there.

Solemn blue eyes turned in his direction. Chris had asked, and now Vin was going to answer. Simple as that. "I pulled off Peso's saddle and bridle, and the saddle bags, and left him to go where he wanted. Then I curled up next to that creek and just tried to sleep. When I closed my eyes, I could almost picture what my ma looked like. Brown hair curling around down her shoulders. Couldn't quite make out her face, though. It's not like I'd decided to just, you know... let life end. I was only twelve. I just didn't know what to do, so I just laid there, trying to remember her eyes, and didn't do anything else."

Chris swallowed, finding his mouth too dry to dry to speak.

"I remember someone picking me up, like I was a little kid again. The face lookin' down at me was old-- lines of life were deep in his skin. I couldn't understand what he was sayin' to me. I was too tired to really listen, though. He was an old medicine man, I knew that somehow."

Vin paused and looked over to the creek again.

"He took you to his village?" Chris asked, his throat feeling tight.

"Yeah. Don't remember getting there. I think I'd picked myself up some kinda fever. I just remember sleeping a lot, and whenever I woke, that old man was there, chanting and shaking this colored stick over my body. Don't know how long he kept that up, till one time I woke up and the old man wasn't there. There was a boy about my age sittin' there, lookin' at me like I was a mule with five legs. That was Chanu. Couldn't have been more than two days before he was my best friend. He found Peso for me. Made me his blood brother."

Chris let out a breath, not realizing he'd been holding it. Vin had found a kind of family there after all. He wanted to ask more. He was curious about the life Vin led with them, but he sensed that it'd be best to wait. He was enjoying this time with Vin too much to risk hitting another sore spot in the younger man's troubled past. "I guess it was hard to leave him," Chris finally said.

Vin gave him a half-smile. "Hardest thing I ever done."

"How old were you when you left?"

Vin's smile turned sheepish. "About JD's age."

Chris felt his eyes go wide. "You were still just a boy!"

"Don't I know it. There was no telling me that then, though."

Chris laughed. "I reckon not."

Vin sighed and turned over onto his back. At just that moment, his stomach gurgled, loudly, and it set Chris into a fit of chuckles. "Guess we oughta put some food in that belly of yours?"

"I wouldn't argue," Vin said, his smile genuinely peaceful again, and Chris was pleased.

He sat up and pulled his saddle bag closer while Vin reached for their canteens.

Chris placed between them, on their bedrolls, several tightly wrapped kerchiefs filled with biscuits and fried chicken. He smirked a little at the gleam in Vin's eyes as he began to pull apart the knots in the kerchiefs and Vin got his first glance at their lunch.

"Courtesy of Inez, left over from supper last night at Mary's," Chris explained before taking a bite of chicken.

He noticed a strange twitching on Vin's lips as he dug into a plump piece for himself. Chris didn't say anything, though, just watched Vin eat and wondered what was going on in that head of his. "It's good, that's for sure," Vin said once he'd swallowed a huge bite.

"Nobody cooks like Inez," Chris said, chewing on a piece of biscuit.

"So," Vin said between bites, "between Inez and Mary, they manage to keep you fed?"

Chris laughed hard. Vin had apparently finally gotten wind of Mary's intentions of marriage.

"What's so damn funny?" Vin asked, his brows knit together in irritation.

"Small town, Vin. You were bound to hear rumors sooner or later-- sooner more likely. But just so ya know, and just between you, me, and well, everyone in town except Mary... I don't ever plan on getting married to that woman."

Vin's face flushed, but he was holding back a grin, Chris could tell. "Wouldn'ta been my business even if ya did. You know, plan on marrying her."

Chris slid him a sideways grin, amused at Vin's hesitance to even bring up the topic. That shy streak of his bubbled to the surface at the oddest times, Chris thought.

They finished the food with little more conversation, but plenty of contented smiles. It was turning out to be one of the most relaxing days Chris had had in a long time, even if it'd seen its share hurtful memories.

It was later in the afternoon than Chris had planned by the time they started back to town. But he could tell Vin had gotten as much out of the day as he had, so it was worth it. As they came around the front way from Seco Ridge this time, the horizon was just beginning to get those vivid mixes of blues and oranges from the setting sun. They stopped yet again, to watch the colored layers of clouds as they met the crest of the ridge in the distance.

"Ya know," Vin said, toeing his boot in the sand absently. "You ain't told me hardly anything about you growin' up. How you got here, and all. Don't hardly seem fair."

Chris looked at Vin, surprised. It hadn't really occurred to him, actually. "Not like it's on purpose. Just didn't cross my mind to say anything," Chris said, shrugging.

"You can say something now, though, can't ya?" Vin asked, his head cocked to the side, looking curious.

Chris shook his head. "Not much to tell."

Vin raised an eyebrow. "Tell it anyway."

Chris rolled his eyes at that. As an order, it lacked a definite air of authority. But Chris felt compelled anyway, and he suspected that that was by design. Vin had his methods, and they were effective.

"Came west from Indiana when I was just about a year younger than you. I was supposed to learn cattle ranching from a man who knew my father. I met Buck, and I forgot all about cattle. Got work when I needed it, doing what I knew, and that was horses. Seasonal ranch hand don't pay much, but it let me do some carousing."

Vin smiled, and Chris could tell from the light in his eyes that it was genuine. "I imagine you two made quite a pair."

Chris smiled back. "We did at that. Eventually, Buck had the money to open that house, and I had the money to get a little parcel of land out past Eagle Bend and buy a couple horses of my own. About six months after Buck opened the house, I married Sarah. Wasn't a year after that, she had Adam."

Chris saw the shock on Vin's face, and knew he had to get through this part quickly. He didn't want to watch that shock turn to pity. "They died two years ago. Fire."

"Ain't fair when life does that to good people," Vin said, and it was Chris' turn to be shocked. He'd expected the usual 'I'm sorry' and such.

"No, it isn't," Chris agreed. "I probably wasn't fair to a lot of people myself, after that. For a long time. But I earned myself enough reputation for fighting fair-- and winning-- to get offered the job as sheriff in Four Corners some months back."

Vin nodded. "So now here we are, huh?"

Chris smiled. "That's about it. Told you there wasn't much to tell."

Vin narrowed his eyes at him for that. "There's more, all right. But I reckon I can be patient and get it out of ya some other time."

Chris laughed. "I imagine you will, too... So, you ready to tell me why you'll be going to Eagle Bend next week?"

Vin blew out an exasperated breath. "No, but I might as well get it over with. Bound to find out sooner or later."

That last part worried Chris a bit. He leaned forward a little, and gave Vin an expectant look, encouraging him to go on.

Vin's face hardened. "I got to wire money to a judge in Colorado. Every month, I wire him twenty dollars, and that's one more month he decides not to release a wanted poster with my name and face on it."

Blackmail? What the hell? "What in god's name happened?" Chris asked, his voice harsh, he knew.

"Judge Tyler Henry happened, is what. I shoulda never let myself get curious about Colorado," Vin said, then looked at the ground, and for a while kicked more sand with the toe of his boot. After a moment, he looked up again. "The man knew what I was. He wanted to try me out. I didn't like it. Next time he came around, I said no. He didn't like that. He got... petulent about it. It got physical." Vin stopped, obviously frustrated.

"Vin?" Chris' head spun. If Vin had trouble with a judge, it could be trouble for the whole town, too. Whatever the situation was, Chris had to know-- for all their sakes.

"He broke a couple of my ribs and I got a nasty crack on the head. I went down fightin', though. He ended up with a split lip and a black eye... and a need to show me he'd always have the upper hand."

Chris breathed a sigh of relief. If that was the worst of their confrontation, then whatever this man had cooked up, it couldn't be that bad. "So what's the money every month for? What can he possibly put on a wanted poster that could have you doing what he wants?"

"All he's got to put on it is 'wanted for prostitution', Chris," Vin grated, like Chris was slow in the head.

"So what? Hell, most fines are just the twenty dollars he's making you send every month. Why not let him release the poster, go pay the fine, and get him off your back?" Chris said, wondering why the hell Vin hadn't thought of that himself.

Vin sighed. "Chris, if the wrong judge gets hold of ya, they put men in jail for doing what I do. How long you think a boy whore is gonna last in a territorial prison? Anyway, he ordered me out of Colorado. If he doesn't get his money every month, he releases the poster. How long you think I'll last with any bounty hunter who bothers to pick up a whore, anyway? Either way, he's settin' me up so that I don't live through any normal sentence the court might give me, if I even live to get sentenced. A twenty dollar fine and a month in prison is just enough to get me dead. And I guarantee, it won't be quick or pretty."

Chris was stunned. He couldn't believe how neatly Vin had been trapped. There had to be a way out of it.

"Ain't no gettin' around it, Chris. You think I ain't thought about it till my head hurts? He always knows what part of the country to start sending those posters, 'cause of where the wires come from. One day late, and those posters go out."

Chris hardly knew what to say. Had to be something, though. "If you started running the day after a wire, it gives you a month's head start."

Vin gave him a sad smile. "And go where? I don't wanna run, Chris. I had enough of that when I was a kid. I don't ever wanna feel that tired again."

That made Chris' throat tighten. "All right. So for now, you do what you have to do, and we'll come up with something."

"We?" Vin asked, eyebrow raised. Again.

"Yes, we," Chris replied sternly.

Vin shook his head no. "It's my problem, Chris. I don't let other people get in between trouble and me. Ain't fair."

"Nothing about this is fair, Vin. I might be able to help. Don't be so fast to say no, when we don't even know yet what it is I might be able to do."

Vin stared out into the sunbaked valley, considering. "All right then. And who knows? Maybe one day we will figure a way out of this, and I'll end up getting the last laugh."

"Good," Chris said, feeling like he'd won a small victory. "I think I'd like that."

"Ya know," Vin said, and Chris got the feeling from Vin's tone that he wouldn't like this. "There is one way you can help me out."

"How's that?" Chris asked, suspicious.

"You can start spending more time at the saloon during working hours at the house," Vin replied, his voice soft. He'd also turned his head again.

Chris felt his stomach turn over, even though he'd known this was coming. "Vin... I..."

"I know, Chris," Vin said, catching his eyes again with his own. "I know. Me too. But I have to do this, and me and you both know you can't afford to keep handing out money for me every night. And I wouldn't let ya if you could. If I don't start taking other customers, I won't be making what I need to pay Henry."

"I don't like it," Chris said, his turn to stare at his boots. A snort from Vin brought his head up again.

"You ain't the only one. But this is how it has to be."

"You're right. But I still don't like it."

Vin smiled again. "I uh, I kinda like it that you don't like it."

Chris laughed, and Vin blushed, just a little. Now that, Chris liked.

"Okay, Tanner. Let's get these guys back to town and settled. It's getting pretty damned late out here."

"Yep," Vin said, and pushed his hat down harder on his head.

Instead of moving over to his horse, Chris moved closer to Vin, pushing him against his saddle. He bent his head just enough to brush his lips against Vin's ear. "I'm gonna be thinking real, real hard about a way of this. Ya hear?"

Vin looked up at him, eyes shining, though his face held determination of his own. He gave a Chris one, short nod of understanding, and Chris returned it, his a promise.

They mounted the horses, gathered up their reins, and after one more look at the sunset, headed back towards town.

Chris paced the anteroom that led to the main floor of Buck's-- the working floor. He'd watched from the street as more and more men variously wandered, stumbled or stampeded their way in, the night looking to be the busiest for business in a long while. The knot in his stomach had finally gotten so tight, his feet had eventually dragged him this much closer, inside the house. He knew, deep in the pit of his stomach he knew, that one of those men would be with Vin, up in his room, any time now. If they weren't there already.

He'd never cared before if some other man had used Ella, Mary, Ezra, or any of the other countless others he'd paid for in his life. They were whores, it was what they did. But he cared, and cared a hell of a lot more than he could have imagined, that some man was going to use Vin. He could say the words, 'Vin is a whore, too,' but they didn't sound right; they sounded like a lie.

But hell, even if the words did have a ring of truth, it didn't matter to Chris. It wouldn't have mattered to Chris if Vin had been used by countless men... before. It was from the day Chris met him that counted in Chris' eyes. He couldn't explain it to himself, but he and Vin had connected, and since they had, it ate a hole in Chris' belly at the thought of anyone else laying their hands on Vin's body. After learning all he had about Vin's past, that feeling was more intense than ever.

On the ride back to town, it had begun to sink in how Vin's life had been one incident after another of losing family and learning to adjust to that. It became clear to him then just why Vin had taken JD under his wing and protected him so diligently; he'd recognized another young soul who'd lost what he'd lost, and had given JD a new family of sorts, something he hadn't found for himself yet.

Crazy as it sounded in Chris' head, he'd pretty much realized he was setting himself up to do the same thing for Vin. It'd been years before Chris realized Buck felt like family, and after only four days, he was feeling as strongly about Vin?

Crazy, maybe, but there it was. And there Vin was, just beyond those doors, about to give his body to someone else. There wasn't a damn thing Chris could do to stop it, and it wouldn't be his place if there was. He couldn't march in there and pull Vin away, but he couldn't make himself leave, either.

The hand on his shoulder startled him. He whipped around and was faced with a mournful pair of dark brown eyes. "Don't do this to yourself, Chris," Buck said quietly.

"What am I supposed to do, Buck?" Chris growled.

"Let him do what he has to do, and don't make him feel any worse for it than what he does," Buck said, apparently no more intimidated by Chris' surly attitude than he ever was.

Chris shook his head and turned away, but Buck pulled him back around again. "I swear, it's like he knows you're here. Whatever it is with you two, this is just as hard for him as it is for you, believe me. You don't have to make it harder than it is already. For either of you."

Chris dropped his chin. He knew Buck was right. Well, his head knew it. Now if he could just get the rest of himself to accept it. Hell, there'd be no accepting it. Best he could hope for was to live with it.

"I guess I'll head over to the saloon. Have a drink. Or four."

Buck grinned at him. "Don't do anything to make us get the law on you," Buck teased.

Chris snorted at the bad joke, but managed to tear himself away from the door to the main room.

He didn't know exactly why, but something made him stop. He turned, and peeked into the room, his eyes immediately going to the stairs. A tall, husky man wearing a long duster had just reached the top, and looked over his shoulder at the smaller man following. Chris could see Vin's face, but not the other man's. Vin wore a saucy grin, and shooed the man forward, pointing toward the hall that led to his room. When Vin reached the top, the man had rounded the corner, and Vin's expression fell, the mask of horny, willing young man gone, leaving instead emptiness.

Chris' stomach turned over. It was selfish. He knew it was the most selfish thing ever to enter his mind, but he was relieved at seeing the evidence that Vin didn't want to be doing that anymore than Chris wanted him to.

When Chris got to the saloon, he'd be getting himself a whole damned bottle.

Shadows kept him hidden as he watched the last of the customers stagger from Buck's. He'd bought an entire bottle all right, even if he'd only finished about half of it. He still held it, gripped in his left hand, as he waited to be sure everyone who had to be out of the house, was.

When Buck straightened from the doorway and turned to go back in, Chris knew that was it. He turned the corner and into the moonlight before Buck had the door closed. Buck jumped and swore quietly, but Chris ignored him. He just went on past him, and past the anteroom.

"You know what you're doing?" Buck asked behind him.

"You gonna mind your own business?" Chris answered.

"Chris."

"Chris!"

He stopped at the bottom of the steps and finally turned around. He couldn't read the expression on Buck's face. Worry, maybe? For Chris? Vin? Business? That wasn't fair, and he knew it. But he wasn't in the mood for fair.

"How many?" Chris asked.

"Two," Buck answered flatly. "The second one left about twenty minutes ago."

Chris nodded, his stomach in knots that the whiskey couldn't untwist. "You seen him since?"

"No, I haven't. I was about to go take him his cut."

Chris swallowed a hard lump and held out his free hand. "I'll take it to him."

Buck frowned and cocked his head considering, then finally sighed and came forward. He plunked a couple of bills and some coins into Chris' hand, but his eyes never left Chris'. "The second one was kinda the rowdy type. He's gonna need some rest. Mind you let him get it," Buck said, then turned and made his way to the bar, shoulders slumped. The words were like a knife twisting in Chris' gut, but they did the job Buck most likely intended, and reminded him that his own hurt over what Vin had had to do that night wasn't as important as Vin's hurt.

"Buck," Chris called out, and waited till his friend turned again. "I do know what I'm doing."

Buck nodded, but didn't look convinced. Chris curled his fist tight around the money, and headed up the stairs. Buck wasn't the one who needed convincing of anything, anyway.

The door to Vin's room creaked just a bit when he opened it. "Vin?" He poked his head in, but didn't see him anywhere. He dropped the money on the dresser, put the whiskey next to it, and closed the door behind him.

"Down here," Vin answered after a second.

Chris walked to the other side of the bed, and looked down. Vin lay curled on his side, wrapped in a blanket under the opened window. Chris knelt quickly, and brushed his fingers over Vin's bare shoulder, his heart thumping. "You all right? What happened?"

Vin turned onto his back, his face twisted in disbelief. "What happened? Whatta ya think happened?"

Chris drew back, confused. "I don't mean that. I mean... you're on the floor. Jesus, Vin you had me worried."

Vin sighed, and his face softened into sadness. "Sorry, Chris. I just... I don't sleep in the same bed where I... you know... do business."

Chris sat then, his tired, half-drunken legs unable to hold him like that much longer. He wasn't so drunk that he didn't get the importance of what Vin said. Chris had spent most of the four nights before this one, right there in that bed with Vin. He wasn't so insecure that he had to wonder about the last couple nights... but the first one? second night? Had Vin been waiting for Chris to leave so that he could sleep anywhere but the place he'd had to let Chris fuck him?

"You stayin' awhile?" Vin asked, bringing Chris' eyes back to his.

Chris smiled. Or tried to. "Yeah."

"Well then, git them clothes off and climb in here," Vin said, a half-hearted smile of his own. Suddenly, it didn't matter who slept where those first two nights. What mattered was where they slept from then on out, how often Chris didn't have to do it without Vin, and that he knew Vin truly wanted it now, if not then.

Chris did as he was told, and pulled off his clothes. He spooned up behind Vin and pulled the blanket up to their waists. The little quilt they were lying on didn't offer much cushion on the hard wood of the floor, but it was soft enough. At least they wouldn't get splinters in their bare asses, Chris thought.

He sighed, and pushed his nose into Vin's hair, near his temple. "I'm gettin' too old for the floor, Vin."

The slim body in his arms shook a little with a chuckle. "Now you admit you're old? Coulda saved yourself a fight earlier."

"Get some sleep, you heathen, and if my back isn't killing me tomorrow, we'll do something about a decent bed for you," Chris said, his smile genuine again.

"I ain't the one complaining," Vin reminded him, amusement still in his voice.

"Fine, it's for me. Happy?" He squeezed Vin to him a little tighter as he asked.

"Matter of fact, yeah."

The night breeze brought fresh air into the room, and for the first time in hours, Chris felt like he could breathe again.

The End
Part II: By the Short & Curlies