9:00 a.m. EDT - Washington D.C.

Ezra Standish was bored. Which is was never a good thing. And he was homesick. Which was totally unexpected, but kind of nice. Well, not homesick exactly, he corrected. It was more like he was Vin-sick, he thought with an unseen smile. He missed the other man terribly. Every other thought was of his other half.

Only a couple of more hours, he reminded himself as he glanced at his watch. This conference would be over and he'd be on his way home to Vin. The conference had been scheduled to be held at one of the convention centers in town, but due to a ruptured water vain it had to be moved. And since the small group of people attending had top-level security clearance it had been moved to the Pentagon.

Glancing at his watch once again Ezra sighed as he saw that it was now half past the hour. He would just be getting up if he were in Denver. Or, he thought with a grin, he'd be trying to convince Vin to call in sick, so they could stay home and play.

A change in topic broke Ezra out of his musings.

"If you gentlemen will follow me I'll show you the renovations that are being done to the west side of the Pentagon."

Ezra eagerly followed. He had always enjoyed his visits to the Pentagon. It was on a tour of these hallowed halls while still in high school that Ezra toyed with the idea of a career in the military, but was glad he'd chosen law enforcement instead. He may not have met Vin or the others if he hadn't.

I wonder if Vin's ever been here, he thought to himself. I bet he'd love this place. Ezra made a mental note to asked him once he got home.

They had just reached the renovation site when they heard what sounded like an approaching airliner. The six men looked at each other in question then the building violently shook and they were thrown back as the building suddenly exploded and the area began filling with smoke. A dark heavy smoke.

"Vin," he mumbled just before he lost consciousness.

A few minutes later Ezra groaned then winced as his ribs protested the movement. He didn't believe anything was broken, but took only short shallow breaths for a couple of minutes just to be on the safe side. Slowly opening his eyes he feared for a moment that he'd gone blind as he could see nothing. It was as black as night. The smell of jet fuel stung his eyes and throat causing him to cough, which had him holding his side as pain erupted in his chest. After a few moments the paid subsided, pulling the handkerchief from his pocket he tied it around his mouth and nose. Light was finally beginning to penetrate the haze and Ezra could just make out a figure beside him.

"Are you all right?" Ezra asked.

"Yeah," a man croaked out. "What h..happened?"

"I'm not s..sure," he replied.

"Come on let's get out of here," someone else said.

Ezra struggled to his feet then paused. "Wait. Did you hear something?"

"No."

"Hello?" he called out. He thought he heard something, but wasn't sure. "Look you get him out of here ..."

"What about you?"

"I'm going to check for survivors," Ezra said then disappeared further into the black smoke. "Hello? Hello? Is anyone there?"

"H..help us," a weak voice replied to his left.

"Keep talking <cough> so I can find you," he replied. Following the voice Ezra almost stumbled on them. "Are you hurt?"

"I think Betty is," a woman voice answered.

"My leg hurts," another voice said, "but I don't think it's broken."

"It's okay. I'll get you out of here. Both of you, I promise," Ezra reassured them. Carefully lifting the injured woman in his arms he ignored the pain it caused his bruised ribs. He slowly made his to where he hoped the door was, making a point to talk to her the whole time. Up ahead they saw light filtering through the heavy smoke. Just as Ezra reached the opening a paramedic appeared and he sighed in relief.

"Thank you," she whispered as she was handed over.

"Anytime," he replied then lifted her grimy hand and gave it a kiss.

"Come on," a paramedic said holding out a helping hand.

"No. There's <cough> someone else back there ..."

"We'll get them ..."

"I <cough> gave her <cough> my word," Ezra told him. "I know <cough> just <cough> where she is. It'll b..be <cough> faster if <cough> I do it. Just give me your air tank." Then without waiting for a response Ezra disappeared in the smoke.

"Hello?" he called out a few minutes later.

"H..here. I'm h..here."

The heat had intensified indicating that the fire was spreading. Working as quickly as possible Ezra placed the air mask over the lady's face. "I was beginning to <cough> think you had let <cough> someone else rescue you ..."

"N..never."

"Glad to hear it," Ezra told her. "Now let's get <cough> out of here." He reached for her only to freeze as she suddenly cried out in pain. "You're hurt," he stated. "Why didn't you say <cough> something? I'd have taken you first."

"Betty's older than m..me and ..."

"It's okay," he told her. Where's Nathan when I need him? He thought. And Vin? He could use Vin's calming influence right now. No. No, he didn't want Vin here. In this. Didn't want the others here either. "What's your name?"

"A..my."

"Let's <cough> try this again," Ezra suggested. "I promise to be more <cough> careful this time, Miss Amy." Gently lifting her again he moved as quickly as he could toward the light. Just then the building gave a violent shake knocking them both to the floor. Ezra covered the lady in an effort to protect her. "Are you <cough> all right?" he asked in a breathless voice.

"I ... I think so," she whispered. "You?"

"Don't ... worry ... about me," he wheezed.

They both of them flinched as a light suddenly hit them in the face.

"Are you two okay?" a fireman asked as he knelt beside them.

"Yeah," Ezra managed to say even though his ribs and head hurt like hell. I want to go home, he silently whined.

"There's an opening's just around this corner!" the man told him as he lifted the lady. They had just reached the opening when the building violently shook and debris began to fall.

The fireman managed to keep his feet and quickly handed over the woman. But when he turned to help the man he wasn't there. The only thing behind him was a cloud of black smoke.

7:00 a.m. MDT - Denver

Vin Tanner shifted for what had to be the millionth time trying to find a more comfortable spot. "Damn," he muttered under his breath, "I don't know how Ezra stands it." The perp he'd chased down two days ago lost his footing causing them both to slam into a wall. And of course, the 'bad-guy' walked away unscathed while he 'the good-guy' wound up with a dislocated shoulder. The doctor and Nathan wanted him to stay in the hospital at least one night, but he figured if Ezra could handle it then so could he. Boy was he wrong! Last night the pain had gotten so bad at one point that Vin actually took the pain medicine the doctor gave him. Which probably explained why he was still in bed.

Thoughts of his lover brought a dreamy smile to his handsome face. It's been only three months since they confessed their feelings to each other and were still in the learning phase of their brand-new relationship. Learning had never been so much fun, Vin thought with a smile. His smile widened as he remembered when Ezra first approached him.

Josiah, him, and Ezra were working on a case when they were taken hostage. After being roughed up a little they were thrown into a room. A very small room. Vin shuddered as he remembered the confined space. He was barely hanging onto his control when he heard Josiah tell Ezra that he needed some kind of distraction. Something to keep his mind off the situation.

Vin watched as Ezra cocked his head to the left as if in thought then with a shrug stepped closer to the sharpshooter invading his precious personal space. At first when the undercover agent raised his hand Vin thought that he was gonna knock him out so he wouldn't suffer, but to his immense surprise ... Ezra gently caressed his cheek instead.

Taking it as an unusual show of comfort Vin lowered his head not wanting to misread anything. But then Ezra pressed his body into Vin's and gave him a kiss Vin knew that he wasn't miss reading anything. Well, it was a simple brushing of lips, but it was a kiss none the less. With a sigh Ezra nuzzled the side of his neck then whispered in his ear, "Think about this instead."

Vin's eyes nearly rolled back in his head as Ezra took his ear lobe into his mouth. Wanting another taste of those lips he clutched the Southerner's hips trying to bring him closer, but Ezra pulled back and said, "I'm sorry, Vin, but when we kiss for the first time it's going to be without an audience. And when we have time to do it properly."

Having lost his ability to speak Vin eagerly nodded his head and concentrated on the feel of Ezra's hand in his while they waited to be rescued. Which Chris and the others did within the hour. In the days following their rescue Vin found himself thinking of nothing except those two hours they spent in that not so small room. He thought of the gentle caress of Ezra's fingers against his cheek. The warm hard body pressing into his. The brushing of lips. The feel of soft chestnut colored hair nuzzling his neck. The Southern accented whisper in his ear. All these sensations consumed his thoughts and mind.

But it was the anticipation of their first kiss ... of them finally being able to be alone that almost proved to be his undoing.

Vin had just gotten home and with a sigh flopped down on the couch. Then groaned as someone knocked at his door. Getting to his feet he leaned against the door and asked, "Who is it?"

"Me."

The sharpshooter's pulse began to race. He'd recognize that 'me' anywhere and yanked open the door.

"Hi," Ezra said with a smile.

"Hey," Vin said with an answering smile. Then suddenly felt very nervous and stepped back as Ezra stepped forward. Stopping only when the backs his legs hit the couch. He even jumped as the door was shut and then locked.

"I'm here for our kiss," the Southerner said reaching out and gently taking one of Vin's hands. "Unless you've changed your mind?" Ezra went on to ask.

Vin shook his head no and took a step closer.

"Cat got your tongue," Ezra teased as he ran the tip of his finger across Vin's jaw then down his neck to rest against the wildly beating pulse at the base.

Again Vin could only shake his head, no.

Ezra stepped closer then cupped the back of Vin's head in his hand and whispered, "Then can I have it."

Vin's blue eyes widened and with a nod he stepped closer still. They both trembled as their lips met. Timidly at first their lips parted neither wanting to frighten the other with too much passion too soon. Panting they both pulled back smiling at each other. Feeling a little bolder. A little more sure of their passion. Their lips met again. This time they eagerly feed from each other. Trying to quench a thirst that was fast consuming them.

The next thing Vin knew they were on the couch and he was straddling Ezra's lap. He hadn't even missed his shirt until he felt Ezra lick and tease his nipples causing him to moan deep within his throat.

Vin groaned as images of Ezra filtered through his mind. He smiled as he pictured Ezra with his gold plated contagious grin. He loved that grin. He loved Ezra and he was gonna show him just as soon as he got home.

The smile fell from his face and the sexual haze left his mind as a wave of apprehension hit him like a blow making him double up as if in pain. Heedless of the pain in his shoulder Vin sprang off the bed and screamed, "EZRA!!"

Sparing but a glance at the clock, 7:45, Vin reached for the phone and quickly calculated the two-hour time difference. Punching in the number Vin swore as he got nothing but static.

"Dammit!" he swore and flung the phone across the room. Vin quickly dressed and ran out of the apartment figuring that he'd be able to use the phones at the office in order to reach Ezra. The lack of traffic barely registered as he hurried across town.

"Vin!" Chris bellowed as soon as he walked into their office a few minutes later.

"Look, don't start with me. I know I'm not suppose to be here," Vin quickly warned him. "I just need to use the phone ..."

"Vin ..."

"I gotta call Ezra ..."

"Vin ..."

"There was nothing but static on mine at home ..."

"VIN!"

"What?!" The sharpshooter looked at his friends noticing for the first time how white their faces were, especially Josiah. "What's wrong Josiah? Has something happened to your sister?"

"Didn't you have the television or radio on this morning?" Nathan asked him.

"N..no."

Chris closed his eyes, sighed, and walked up to him then took his arm. "There's no easy way to say this, but ... at 9:45 a passenger jet c..crashed into the west side of the Pentagon ..."

Whatever else Chris said got lost in the haze that suddenly filled Vin's mind. The only thought that he was able to process was that Ezra was at the Pentagon. Vin stumbled back a couple of steps and probably would have fallen if Chris hadn't still had his arm.

"We gotta go get him ..."

"I'm afraid you can't do that," a voice said from behind him.

Vin turned at looked at Judge Travis in shock. "And why the hell not!"

"Because as a Federal agent your first responsibility is here ..."

"Bullshit!" he countered. "My first responsibility is to Ezra."

"Vin I understand that you're upset, we all are, but all Federal agencies have been placed on high alert incase of another attack ..."

"You never liked Ezra!" Vin accused out of the blue.

"I'm going to ignore that ... this time," the judge warned him. "I have some contacts in Washington and I'll see what I can find out."

"Maybe he got out," JD said in a hopeful voice.

Vin nodded his head. "Yeah, but that wouldn't stop him from going back in. You guys know that he's right in the middle of it ... if he's p..physically able."

They all jumped as the Judge's cell phone suddenly rang. "Travis," he said. "Are you sure you want to do that? Yes, sir. I'll take care of it." Clicking his phone off he looked at his men and said, "That was the governor. He wants all Federal office buildings evacuated."

Chris nodded. "If you'll tell the other teams then we'll get started," he offered. "Okay, let's split up into pairs and start spreading the word."

It took them a couple of hours, but they finally had the building cleared. The only ones remaining were the ATF teams and security people.

Vin stood staring out the window, but didn't see a damn thing.

"Vin?"

"Huh?"

"You need to eat something ..."

"I'm not hungry."

"Vin ..."

"I'm ... not ... hungry," he stressed not turning from the window.

"How's your shoulder?" Nathan asked hoping to change the conversation.

"Fine."

"He needs to eat ..."

"Dammit, Chris, leave him alone!" Josiah cried and jumped to his feet. "If he doesn't want to eat then he doesn't have to," he said.

"Fine! Then let him starve!"

Vin tensed as he heard Josiah walked over to him. As the only person who knew of his and Ezra's secret Vin had been avoiding him so that he wouldn't lose what little control he'd managed to hold on to.

"Ezra's gonna be fine," Josiah told him and even managed to smile. "He's to stubborn to d..die at the hands of those cowards. When Ezra's time comes he'll go out in a blaze of glory," he said. "Oh, God," he whispered as he realized what he said. "My boy's in a b..blaze now ..."

"Don't you dare give up on him Josiah," Vin warned him and gave to older man a hard shove. "He's coming home, dammit! He's coming home."

Once they were told they could go home it was decided that they would all go to Josiah's house. Not only because it was the closest to work, but because it was more than big enough for each of them to have a room to themselves.

"Take your pick, boys," Josiah told them when they walked through the door. "You can have any room you want, except the one at the one at the end of the hall ... that's one Ezra's."

Vin started to make a bee line for it when he heard JD shout, "Hey, guys! Come here! They're gonna talk to some people at the Pentagon!"

They all sat huddled around the television and you could have heard a pin drop as they listened the reporter talk to some survivors. Vin was starting to get a bad feeling and wasn't sure if he wanted to listen to what was coming. The reporter moved to two women.

"Can you tell us what happened?"

"We ... were walking down the corridor when the b..building exploded and we were thrown forward with the blast," the older woman said.

"I thought we were going to die," the younger added. "We called and called for help and just as we were about to give up ... someone found us ..."

"He had the sweetest southern voice I'd ever heard ..."

"He wasn't a fireman. He was like us ... a regular person ..."

"He carried me. Talked to me the whole way. Even managed to make me laugh," the older woman said with a watery smile. "And once we got outside ... he k..kissed my h..hand ... He insisted on going back to get Amy himself. Didn't even wait for the fireman. I never asked his name. I ... I know he had green eyes, b..but I never ... got his n..name."

"That's Ezra! I know it!" Vin suddenly said. "Ezra has a sweet southern voice and he's always saying things to make us laugh and ... and it's just like Ezra to kiss a lady's hand ..." his voice trailed off as he heard the other lady was saying.

"He came back for me just like he said he would. Just like he promised ..."

"Can you tell us what happened?" the report asked.

The younger lady shook her head no. "I don't know. We ... we ran into a fireman and he carried me the rest of the way. I could hear the other man c..coughing behind us, b..but when we got outside ... he wasn't t..there. The ... the fireman h..handed me over and went right back inside and ... and there was another e..explosion or s..something and they d..didn't come out."

Vin covered his face with his hands as he lost the battle to control his tears. Once they started there was not stopping them. He resisted the hands pulling him for a second, but gave in and accepted the comfort they offered. "I ... I c.can't ... I ... c..can't lose h..him," he stuttered out.

"You w..won't," Josiah whispered with tears streaming down his own face.

"I'm s..scared Josiah ..."

"Me too. Me too."

"I j..just f..found him," Vin said trying to regain control. "I l..love him so much."

"He loves you too," Josiah reassured him.

"We all love him ..." Chris said.

Vin pulled away from Josiah and after wiping his tears away said, "No, Chris. I don't just love Ezra. I'm 'in love' with him. I ... I w..want to spend the r..rest of my l..life with him. I ... don't know how it happened. All I do k..know is that one day I looked into h..his g..green eyes and knew ..."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Chris asked.

"He's saying that him and Ezra are in love with each other," Josiah explained.

"That's great!" Nathan said with a smile.

"Yeah," JD added with a smile of his own.

"You mean your ... your ..."

"Gay, a fairy, a fag, a homosexual ... Take your pick," Vin told him.

"No, Vin!" Chris muttered. "It doesn't matter to me that you and Ezra are ... are ..."

"Lovers."

"Whatever," the blonde said with a wave of his hand. "But if this gets out ..."

"We've been real careful," Vin assured him. "I love Ezra and will not give him up. Not for this job. Not even for the team," he vowed.

"You won't have to," Buck assured him. "We got your back."

"Buck's right. But ya gotta give me a little time to get used to it," Chris told him. "Okay?"

"Okay," Vin agreed with a nod of his head.

"I wish these damned people would get off the f** phone!" Vin cried two days later when they still hadn't heard anything or been able to get through to anyone. They were once again at Josiah's. "That's it! I'll give them one more day then I'm going to Washington with or without any of you! And if you get in my way ... I'll run your ass over!"

Chris watched as Vin stormed from the room and he shook his head. "We're losing him aren't we?"

"If we lose Ezra ... then yeah," Nathan said.

"We're not losing Ezra!" Josiah bellowed. "We can't! I can't," he said then rushed from the room.

"Aww hell," Chris muttered as his eyes filled with tears. "I pray you're right Josiah. I pray you're right."

Later that night Vin lay in bed tossing and turning unable to get comfortable. Unable to get past the fear that was clutching at his heart. This was different from all the times that him or Ezra had silently agonized as one of them lay in the hospital suffering from a gun shot wound. During those time Vin had 'seen' that Ezra was a..alive, b..but now ... now he had no idea.

"Ezra," he sobbed burying his face in the pillow.

Ezra groaned and blinked open his eyes. "Vin?" he whispered. Then suddenly remembered where he was and what happened. Caught up in the images in his head Ezra never heard the nurse enter the room. He gasped when she touched him which in turn made her gasp in surprise.

"Oh, good you're awake," she said with a smile. "How do you feel?" the nurse asked then buzzed for the doctor.

"Well enough to go home," Ezra told her.

"Do you know where home is, Mister ... ?"

"Of course, I do and it's ..."

The doctor walking in prevented him from saying more.

"I'm Doctor Green. How do you feel?"

"I want to go home."

"I imagine you do," the doctor said. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Don't you know my name?"

"Are you saying you don't know your name?"

"No. I know my name. I was wondering why you people don't already know my name?" Ezra explained.

"You've been unconscious for almost three days and quiet frankly with everything's that happened ... we haven't had time to do any checking. So, please, just tell us your name?"

"It's Ezra Standish."

"Great. Now we can take your name off our unaccounted for list," the nurse said.

"Do you remember what happened?"

Ezra stared at his hands for a long moment then nodded his head, yes.

"If you feel up to it there's someone one outside that really wants to see you," the nurse told him.

"Vin?"

"No. I think his name's Eric. He's a fireman. You saved his life ..."

"There's no one else?"

"We didn't know who you were so we didn't know who to contact," she explained. "I can do that for you now. If you like?"

"No, I'd rather do it myself," Ezra replied. "When can I go home?" He desperately needed to see Vin.

"In a couple of days," the doctor told him.

Ezra nodded his head, closed his eyes, and promptly fell asleep.

He jerked awake early the next morning. Breathing heavy Ezra tried to recall his dream, but couldn't. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to. With a heavy sigh he turned his head and immediately reached for the phone and frowned at the busy signal.

"Good morning," the nurse asked as she walked in. "How are you feeling?"

"What's wrong with the phone?"

The nurse hesitated for a moment then said, "I forgot, you've missed the last three days haven't you." She walked over to the television then turned to look at him and said, "Brace yourself." Then switched it on.

At first Ezra didn't understand what was going on. He watched in horror as two planes crashed into the World Trade Centers. Found out it was a plane that hit the Pentagon. That the passengers of another plane overtook their hijackers causing that plane to crash in Pennsylvania. Silent tears streaked down his face as he realized that what he was seeing was 'real'. That it actually happened. And it happened here ... in America.

"Mr. Standish?"

Ezra jerked his hand away from her. He didn't want her comforting him. He needed Vin. He needed his family.

"I want to be alone," he whispered and watched as she nodded then left.

Reaching for the phone Ezra quickly punched in the number when he heard the dial tone. "Come on Vin, answer the phone," he pleaded after the fifth ring.

"'lo?"

"V..vin?"

"Ezra!" Vin cried and bolted straight up in bed. "Thank you, Lord," he said. "Where are you? Are you okay? Oh, God, Ez don't you ever scare me like this a..again." There was only silence on the other end. "Ezra? Ezra? Are you there? Say something, please," he begged.

"I l..love you," Ezra told him.

That did it. Those three broken words broke the dam holding back his tears. "I l..love you, too," he managed to say. "You have n..no idea h..how h..hard these l..last few d..days have b..been," he couldn't get anything else past the lump in his throat. Jumping to his feet he ran to the door only to have it open. "Josiah, it's Ezra," Vin managed to say.

"Oh, Ezra," Josiah said with tears in his eyes. "Are you okay, son? Are you h..hurt" Seeing the others walk in the older man said, "It's Ezra."

"Put it on speaker," Buck told him as they all gathered around the older man.

"Ezra, we're gonna put you on speaker, so hold on," Josiah told him then switched him over. "You still there, son?"

"I'm here," Ezra replied. "Look ... guys I know that I can be a real pain in the ass. And that I drive you crazy at time ... especially you Chris, but ... well ... I ... you guys are the only f..family I've ever had and I ... w..wanted to say that ... well I ... I love you guys. And I thank you f..for making me apart of this family," he said.

All that could be heard was some sniffling.

"We love you too, son," Josiah finally said in a gruff voice.

They heard Ezra clear his throat then say, "Of course, I'm still going to be a pain in the ass. And will probably drive you even more crazy then I ever have before."

"We wouldn't have you any other way," Chris told him.

"So?" Nathan asked.

"What?"

"Ezra?"

"Nathan?"

"How badly are you hurt?" Nathan growled.

"Just the usual."

"Ezra ..."

"That's minus the gun shots wounds, of course."

"E z r a," Nathan warned.

"Cuts, bruises, and a slight head injury ..."

"You mean a concussion," the medic corrected. "I want to talk to your doctor."

"I'm sorry Nathan, but he's not available ..."

They heard someone walk in.

"Do you mind? This is a private conversation ... Hey!"

"Hello, this is Doctor Green, may I help you?"

"Dr. Green, my name's Nathan Jackson and ..."

"And you want to know about Mr. Standish's condition," the doctor finished for him. "Well seeing as he was unconscious for nearly three days I think I can do that ..."

"Three days!" Nathan cried. "A slight head injury, he says. I should have known better because nothing is ever slight with Ezra."

While Nathan talked with the doctor Vin tried to regain some measure of control. He wanted to be able to talk to Ezra without crying, but it looked to be a lost cause.

"Thanks a lot Nathan," Ezra muttered. "Just tell him all my secrets why don't you!"

"Someone needs to keep an eye on you," Nathan pointed out.

"Son, you sit tight and I'll be there to get you as soon as I can ..."

"No, Josiah ..."

"What?"

"I'm flying," Ezra told them.

"Like hell!" Vin cried. "We're coming to get you ..."

"No, Vin, you are not," he said in a firm voice. "I know what happened in New York and Pennsylvania and as much as I want to see you ... all of you I will not let those bastards win. I don't care what it costs. I don't care how far I have to go to find an airport that's opened. I'll do what I have to do. I refuse to allow them to dedicate how I live."

"But Ezra ..."

"Please don't argue with me, Vin," Ezra told him. "I can go when I'm officially released. Or I can go now. It's up to you."

"Dammit Ezra, don't you go leaving that hospital before they tell ya can," Vin warned him.

"Vin ..."

"We can go to Washington and fly back with you ..."

"No!"

"But why?" Vin cried. "I miss you Ezra. I ... I n..need to be with you ..."

"Vin ... the others ..."

"It's okay, Ezra we know," Chris told him, "and you have our support and approval if you need it."

"Thank you. That means a lot," Ezra said. "Look Vin I don't want to hurt you, but ... but this is something I need to do on my own. Please try and understand that."

Vin couldn't get anything past the lump in his throat so motioned for JD to talk for him.

"He's crying," JD said. Then yelped as Vin hit him on the arm. "I mean, he's says okay he'll try."

"Thank you, JD ... uh Vin," the Southerner said. "I ... I love you Vin and I am coming home ... to you."

"He says he loves ya too," JD told him. "And that you had better."

They talked to each other as often as they could over the next two days. Ezra had just ended a call when two men talked in. One had his left arm taped to his chest and walked with a limp. The other had a few cuts and bruises and was moving kind of stiff. Like he had some sore ribs or something.

"May I help you gentlemen?" he asked.

"I wanted to thank you for saving my life," the one with the limp said. He was tall with broad shoulders, had green eyes, and light brown hair.

Ezra looked at the man for a long time and then finally smiled as recognition dawned. "You're the fireman!" he said holding out his hand. "I seem to recall that the rescue was mutual so I thank you as well."

"He might not owe you," the other man said, "but I do. Thank you." He was about Ezra's height with a slender build and dark brown hair and blue eyes.

"I just did what had to be done," Ezra told him and shook his hand.

"I'm Eric and this is my ... friend Tony."

Ezra looked at them and could easily see the affection they had for each other. And found himself smiling. "I have a 'friend' just like yours waiting for me in Denver."

"Really?" Tony asked.

"Really," Ezra confirmed. "Vin's got legs that won't quit. Brown shoulder length hair. Blue eyes. A sweet Texas accent. And is everything I'm not. Which means he good and decent and I'm bad and well ... a little wicked," he told them with a wink.

"Sounds like a perfect match," Tony said with a laugh.

"Have the two of you been together long?" Eric asked.

"We've known each other for two years and have secretly pined for each other for almost as long," Ezra told them with a smile. "But we've only been 'friends' for three months," his voice trailed off as visions of Vin filled his head. The Southerner knew that he probably shouldn't have shared something so personal with these two men, but for some reason he felt ... comfortable with them. Felt he could trust them.

"Eric and I have been together for about six months," Tony said taking the other man's hand.

"Is Vin coming to get you?"

"No. I'm flying home ..."

"Flying?"

"Good for you," Tony said. "If had somewhere to go I'd fly in a heartbeat."

Ezra enjoyed his visit with the two men. They had even exchanged phone numbers and addresses. Deciding that once things settled down that the four of them would get together. Ezra knew that Vin would want to met Eric.

And he was right. When Ezra told Vin about his visitors, the other man had insisted on meeting both of them.

Later the next day Eric and Tony walked in just as the Doctor finished his examination.

"Sorry," Eric said and was about to leave when Ezra told them they could stay.

"There are some reporters out front wanting to interview some of the victims ..."

"Tell them to look elsewhere," Ezra said, "because I am not a victim. Nor am I not a statistic. I am a survivor. Which also, happens to be a Federal agent with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and as such cannot have my picture broadcasted all over the world."

"You're a Fed?" Tony asked after the doctor left.

"Yes, but it's not contagious," Ezra told them.

"Sorry, but it just that you don't look like a Fed ..."

"Dare I ask what I do look like?"

Eric shrugged then with a smile said, "A model."

"A model!" Ezra exclaimed and felt his face heat up. "No. Not my cup of tea," he said. The Southerner noticed the suitcase in Tony's hand. "Is that my clothes?"

"Oh, yeah," he said laying the case on the bed.

The Southern looked at Tony and asked, "You're a paramedic, aren't you?"

"I am."

"Wonderful," he said. "Don't suppose you'd be kind enough to remove this ... this offending piece of equipment from my person. Would you?"

"No."

"I'm just a fireman, so don't even look at me," Eric told him.

"Very well, then I'll do it myself," Ezra said pulling a pair of blunt scissors and a bandage from underneath the covers. "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies," he told them as they watched him.

"Don't go getting no ideas Eric," Tony warned his lover. "Vin lets you get away this sort of thing?"

"Excuse me," Ezra said, "but I've done this 'for' Vin. He dislikes hospitals almost as much as I do." He looked at them in triumph. "Look no blood. I'm getting better."

Ezra slid from the bed and was about to remove his hospital gown when he noticed Eric and Tony watching him. "Do mind?"

"Sorry," they both mumbled.

He pulled some clothes from his suitcase and quickly dressed. "Now then gentlemen I need a ride to an airport."

"Okay, but you tell Vin that you twisted our arms," Tony told him.

"Look, it's not a problem," Ezra said. "I told Vin was going to be released today ..."

"If you're ..."

"I lied," he told them. "I need to go home," he quickly added before they could offer any arguments. "Eric's had you to hold him when the nightmares start. Has had you to hold him and tell him everything's going to be all right. I ... need those same reassurances."

"Don't worry Ezra," Eric told him. "We understand. Now let's go. The closest airport opened is two hours away."

Vin had been pacing for the last two hours. Ezra was finally coming home. Vin would finally get to see for himself that Ezra was indeed all right. That he hadn't lost him. He could hold him. Touch him. Smell him. Taste him. Love him.

He heard Josiah whisper Ezra's name and whipped around and felt his breath catch as he saw his battered and bruised lover headed their way. Without thinking Vin took off running and snatched the shorted man up and held him.

"Ezra," he sighed and almost kissed him, but knew he couldn't. Not yet. Vin did however pull his trembling lover closer as the others surrounded them.

Later that night Vin laid beside his lover and just simply watched him. He smiled as he remembered Josiah and the others pampering and doting on Ezra. The Southerner had allowed it for about an hour then gave Vin a pleading look that had him shooing the others away.

"I can't sleep with you watching me, Vin," Ezra told him opening his eyes and a smile playing at his lips.

"I'm sorry, Ez," Vin said as tears once again filled his eyes. "It's just ... that I t..thought I'd l..lost you."

"But you didn't," the Southerner stated brushing the tears away. "And you watching me doesn't bother me so much as it 'bothers' me. Your eyes feels as they're caressing my skin," he said in a husky voice then twined his fingers with Vin's. "And if you hadn't given Nathan your word then we could do something about the heat in those eyes."

Vin ignored that and smiled then gave him a heated kiss. "I love you Ezra."

"I love you too, Vin."

The Texan then laid his head over Ezra's heart and allowed it's steady beat to lull him to sleep. A couple of hours later Vin was awakened as his lover started moaning. At first he thought that Ezra was in pain, but when he started mumbling something under his breath Vin knew that he was having a nightmare.

Smoke. That's all he could see. Could smell or even taste. Thick black smoke that stung his eyes and burned his throat. Ashes clung to his clothes and coated his skin. Suddenly the earth shook knocking him to his knees. A small shimmer of light penetrated the darkness like a beacon of hope and gave him the strength to struggle to his feet.

But as he neared to the light he heard a cry for help. Stopping he listened and could barely hear it. 'Where are you?' he screamed. 'I can't find you!'

'Help me,' he heard.

'Tell me where you are!' He turned but could find no one. Could see nothing. Could no longer hear anything. He jumped as someone suddenly touched him. As he turned the building shook again sending them both to the floor. He heard someone cry out in pain. Suddenly he knew that they were running out of time. Ignoring his own pain he helped the stranger to his feet and together they hurried toward the light.

Both collapsed in a heap as soon as they reached the opening. Then just before he gave into the exhaustion over taking his body, he looked behind him and shivered as the darkness called his name.

"Ezra," Vin repeated for the hundredth time and gave him yet another shake. He didn't want to hurt Ezra, but the man was starting to scare him. Just as Vin was about to go get Nathan, Ezra bolted straight up in bed gasping for air.

"Ezra," he said reaching out a tentative hand, but still his lover jumped. "It's all right," he promised and gathered him in his arms. "It's all right."

"Vin?" Ezra whispered in a pitiful voice.

"I'm here Ezra," Vin told him. "I'm here."

"It's was too dark!" Ezra cried with tears streaming down his face. "I couldn't find him! It was too dark! And the s..smoke was t..too thick!"

Vin just tightened his hold and began rocking him.

"I failed ..."

"No!" Vin said taking Ezra's face in his hands. "No, Ezra you didn't fail. You saved those two women. That fireman. And most important ... yourself," he told him with tears in his own eyes.

"But I c..couldn't find him ..."

"I'm so sorry, Ezra," the Texan repeated over and over again as the Southerner cried until he had no tears left and they both fell into fitful asleep.

The next morning Vin woke up alone. Jumping to his feet he quickly dressed then hurried from the room. "Ezra?" he called out. "Where's Ezra?" he asked as soon as he walked into the kitchen.

"Outside with Josiah," Chris told him, but blocked him from going to him. "It might be best if you left them alone ..."

"Why?"

"'Cause right now he needs Josiah's help more than yours," Nathan said.

Vin looked at his friends for a long time knowing they were right. Last night he told his lover that everything was going to be all right and now Ezra needed Josiah to tell him the same thing. Walking over to the door he leaned against it and waited.

"I heard a voice," Ezra said. "But I couldn't find him. Couldn't save him."

"A lot of people lost their lives that day, Ezra ..."

"Maybe if I had ..."

"No, Ezra. You cannot live your life on maybe's. What if's. Or should have's," Josiah told him. "You and thousands like you tried. And like it or not that's all anyone can ask of you."

The older man pulled the Southerner into his arms and gave him a fierce hug. "If you have to question fate then think of it like this ... if you hadn't been there then those two ladies and that fireman may not have survived, but because of you they did ..."

Ezra pulled away from him and vigorously shook his head. "You make it sound as if I did it all by myself, but I didn't. Eric carried that one woman ..."

"But you carried him ..."

"No. We carried each other ..."

"And together you made a difference," Josiah reminded him. "You made a difference, Ezra."

"Thanks Josiah," Ezra whispered with tears in his eyes.

Josiah pressed a kiss to Ezra's forehead and grinned as the younger man began to protest. He now knew that everything was going to be just fine.

"Mr. Sanchez, how many times must I tell you that I do not care for public displays of affection," the Southerner fussed.

"What public? There's only you and me!"

"Vin is standing at the door."

"I've seen you kiss him in public ..."

"You did not!"

"Oh, yeah, then what was that ..."

"That was not a kiss," Ezra quickly told him. "That was a ... was a ... that wasn't a kiss." Turning on his heel he winced as his ribs protested, but still he walked away.

"Where ya going?"

"I'm putting an end to this ridiculous conversation. Good morning, Vin," he said as he stepped past him and into the kitchen with Josiah right on his heels.

"Oh, so you're saying that you couldn't kiss Vin in public," Josiah dared him.

Ezra stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around. "I could to!" he responded just managing to resist the urge to stomp his foot.

"Prove it."

"No. Our relationship is not a spectator sport. I have to much respect for Vin to use him in any regard especially to prove a point."

"I feel the same way, Ez," Vin put in. "But I don't have a problem with it ... just this once."

"You heard the man. Kiss him," Buck said as him and JD walked into the room.

Ezra squared his shoulders and raised his chin more than ready to accept the challenge laid at his feet. Walking over to Vin he felt his body respond to the heat in those blue eyes. "Kiss me," he heard Vin plead.

Cupping the taller man's head in his hand Ezra placed the other on Vin's slim waist then pressed his lips against Vin's. When those lips parted on a sigh Ezra slipped his tongue into the Texan's mouth slowly deepening the kiss. Twining his tongue with Vin's he gently sucked on the muscle until they were both breathing heavily. Almost panting. The Southerner wanted ... needed to reclaim what was his and be claimed in return.

The delicious feel of Vin rubbing against him had Ezra stepping away from his lover. It was either that or risk coming in his pants and in front of their friends. He placed a hand on Vin's chest stopping him when he made to follow.

"Okay, so I guess you can kiss Vin in public," Josiah softly said. But the two men paid him no mind. They stood staring at each other, the depth of their love easily seen by those around them.

"Let's go home," Vin suddenly said pushing against that hand.

Ezra clutched a fist full of Vin's t-shirt as he fought the urge to throw the man down on the kitchen table and take him then and there. Friends be damned.

"We'll lock the door," Vin said raising his hand so he could gently caressed his face. "Close the blinds," he whispered as he tried to get closer. "Find ourselves in each other," he breathed.

The Southerner growled, jerked Vin against him, and gave him a quick hard kiss. Pulling back he said in gruff voice, "We'll see you when we see you."

The other five men watched the go with a dazed look on their faces.

"Damn," Buck swore, "that was ... was ..."

"Hot," JD said then began backing toward the door. "I think I'm gonna go and see Casey," he mumbled.

"That's a damned good idea," Buck said. "I'll go with you ..."

"What?"

Buck shook his head. "No! I meant I'm gonna go as well," then hurried from the room.

"Rain's out of town," Nathan said in a disappointed tone.

"Ya'll wanna go shoot some hoops?" Josiah suggested.

"Hell, might as well, since we don't have anything better to do," Chris mumbled.

As soon as they stepped into the townhouse Vin pushed Ezra up against the door and immediately winced as Ezra did. "I'm sorry, Ez," he apologized. Then began planting kisses all over his face. "I forgot. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Ezra sighed as Vin nibbled on the side of his neck. "We ... just can't ... do the r..rough ... and tumble s..stuff," he panted as the Texan put a hand down his pants.

"I can do slow and easy," Vin said with a wicked grin. Grabbing Ezra's hand and together they walked into their room where they quickly stripped. Climbing onto the bed Vin stretched out beside his lover and gently began kissing his battered chest.

The Southerner moaned and clutched at the sheets as Vin nipped at his navel. He arched then had to grab his ribs as his shaft was engulfed. Squeezing his eyes shut Ezra felt a gentle hand cupping his cheek. Blinking his eyes opened he saw worried blue eyes watching him.

"Maybe we shouldn't do this," Vin said in a concerned voice.

"Yes, we should," Ezra replied. "I need you, Vin. I ... was so s..scared that I'd n..never see you again ..."

"Me too," the Texan said in a harsh voice. "But I don't want to hurt you Ezra. It tears me up something awful to cause you pain ..."

"I know. It's the same for me," he whispered. "But I don't believe I'll last until my ribs are better ..."

"Then we do this my way," Vin told him. Then sat up and straddled Ezra's waist resting most of his weight on his legs. Reaching under himself he quickly prepared his body. Vin bit his lip as he lowered himself onto Ezra's shaft.

Ezra held his breath as he was engulfed in a tight delicious heat. Then began to pant at the slow and easy rhythm Vin set. Ezra ran his hands up those strong thighs until he reached Vin's penis, which was pulsing and leaking with need. Taking that dripping rod in one hand he fondled Vin's heavy sacs with the other and launched his own sensual assault.

Vin moaned and picked up the pace. Leaning down he trapped one of Ezra's hands between them while the other clutched at the back of his head and shared an almost savage kiss as a fever pulsed through their veins. Gasping against Ezra's lips Vin then buried his face in his lover's neck as molten hot seed was shot deep within him. Vin shuddered as he too erupted coating both their chests with his pleasure.

It was several minutes before Vin was able to roll to the side. He placed a kiss on Ezra's cheek then reached for the bottle of the wipes they kept by the bed.

Ezra followed Vin's every movement with is eyes. His breath caught as at the emotions he could see in his lover's eyes. The love, passion, and pleasure blended together to turn Vin's all ready extraordinary azure eyes into a breathtaking reflection of his soul.

Vin looked up and immediately blushed at the way Ezra was looking at him. "What?" he whispered self-consciously.

"You have the most incredible eyes," the Southerner told him in a thick accent. Vin shook his head no and went to turn away. "No," Ezra said cupping Vin's cheek in his hand, "don't turn away. I don't mean to embarrass you, Vin. It's just that ... while gorgeous everyday, right now they reflect the beauty of your soul in such a way that it steals my breath." Pulling Vin down, Ezra gave him a deep kiss then whispered, "You take my breath away."

"Damn, Ezra," Vin whispered against his lips and with tears stinging his eyes. "God, I love you Ezra," he said after wiping his tears away. "But what you see in my eyes is only a mirror image of what I see in your eyes every time you look at me."

They shared a slow sweet kiss then Ezra tucked Vin's head under his chin and after a moment said, "I'm so lucky to have you in my life, Vin ..."

"No, I'm the lucky one."

"You didn't see what I saw ..." Ezra said then trailed off. "I think about what's h..happened this past week ... all the lives that were lost. And c..can only think about the t..time I w..wasted by not telling you how I felt ..."

"That's time we both wasted," Vin corrected him. "Not just you."

"Let's promise to make the most of our time together," the Southerner said tightening his hold on his lover.

"I promise," the Texan whispered.

Sealing their promise with a kiss the two lovers pressed their foreheads together and with their arms wrapped around each other they drifted off to sleep secure in the feeling that in that moment their love would last forever.

The End