For Karen. <g> A huge thank you to Tess for the brilliant beta'ing. Any final mistakes are mine. Spoilers for 'The Trial' and 'Chinatown'.

Nathan stood before the recent grave, too numb to feel the biting wind or the rain pouring down on him. He wouldn't be able to say how long the funeral had been over, only that he was finally alone; and grateful for it. He knew he should be thankful for the way his friends seemed to hover worryingly over him for the past two days, but somehow he felt nothing but resentment.

He had been surprised by the large crowd attending the funeral, but then, in the short time his father had resided in Four Corners, he had left his mark on a number of people.

Nevertheless, the raging storm had chased everyone away as soon as the casket was lowered to the ground. In a way, it was as if the skies were grieving with him, shedding heavy tears over his father's final resting place, the wind howling with the pain he himself was feeling inside.

He tried to read the name on the cross, knowing it said Obediah Jackson, but his vision kept blurring. A hand touched his arm gently, a voice speaking to him soothingly.

"Come on, brother. Time to get you out of this weather."

Josiah's voice.

He allowed the other man to take him away from the gravesite, knowing if he resisted they would only keep on trying until he finally surrendered. Somehow he knew he was moving forward, away from his father, but he couldn't make himself feel anything, hear anything. It hurt too much.

"'M hurtin', Ez." Nathan mumbled drunkenly, misery clear in his tone.

"I know, my friend." He squeezed the shoulder under his hand. "The pain will pass... in time. Come on, I will assist you in returning to the clinic."

He helped Nathan to stand, grunting as the bigger man swayed, leaning heavily against Ezra. Step by step, they exited the saloon, their pace maddeningly slow as they made their way to Nathan's clinic. By the time Ezra closed the door behind them, he was breathing hard from the effort of having to half-carry, half-drag the other man.

He sat Nathan on the bed, kneeling to take the healer's boots off. The hat and gun belt followed, as well as heavy coat. When he was certain Nathan would be comfortable enough to lie down, Ezra sat beside him.

"Are you going to be all right?" He whispered.

Nathan nodded slightly, slumping sideways until his head was resting on Ezra's shoulder. The southerner frowned abruptly, feeling soft lips brushing over his throat.

"Nathan?" He started, hearing the quiver in his own voice.

"S'okay, Ez," the healer slurred. "I know ya want to, I wan' it too."

Before Ezra could think of a thing to say, Nathan got hold of his shirt, pulling him close and kissing him full on the lips. He froze in shock, trying to resist the compelling mouth covering his, trying to ignore the fierce arousal suddenly taking over his body. He felt himself tilting his head, accepting the kiss, activity participating now, exploring the slick, whiskey flavored sweetness offered to him.

His conscience kicked in at that moment. Nathan was beyond intoxicated, grieving... It would be wrong to take advantage of the situation. Sighing into the other man's mouth, he pulled back, thumb ghosting over Nathan's lower lip in a feather-like caress.

"I don't think we should be doing this, Nathan."

The healer squinted at him. "Why tha hell not?" he asked breathlessly.

Ezra shook his head slowly. "It is not a good idea. You are inebriated, and probably not in your right frame of mind."

Nathan's jaw clenched in frustration. "I know wha' I'm doin', Ez," he insisted stubbornly.

"Perhaps," Ezra conceded. "How about a compromise? If you still desire this in the morning, we can discuss the matter."

Nathan sighed, but nodded tiredly. "'Kay."

"Let's get you in bed."

Ezra brought a nearly comatose man to his feet, rapidly pulling the bedding back and helping the healer to lie down. He snuggled the covers around Nathan, chuckling slightly as he heard the first snore coming from parted lips.

Grabbing a blanket for himself, he sat on the chair closest to the bed, and soon was joining the other man in sleep.

Sleepy green eyes fluttered open, confusion and drowsiness shining from within. "Nathan?" he rasped softly. "Something wrong?"

Nathan found himself smiling then, a wide, happy smile that he was certain would be forever imprinted in his face. "Nothin' wrong, Ez. Just... It's mornin' and... I still feel the same."

He saw understanding dawn in the green depths, a slow, sensual smile growing to match his own. And he as rose to capture Ezra's lips he knew they would be all right. For no matter how different they really were, no matter how much they ended up hurting each other, their love would always draw them together.