This is the first story that I've written set in the Old West. I've wanted to write something involving the pardon that Judge Travis promised Ezra for protecting Four Corners for 30 days. Still want to do another one where Ezra leaves town after receiving his pardon while Chris is away from town, and the gunslinger goes after him.

Ezra Standish dropped down on the bed in his hotel room in Eagle Bend, his winnings tucked safely in the inner pocket of his jacket. Not that he stayed long at the gaming tables. The pickings were the same as in Four Corners even though that was his reason for leaving town when Judge Travis handed him his pardon. His first instinct was to quit his job as one of the seven peacekeepers and leave the dusty town behind him, but Chris Larabee along with Buck Wilmington was escorting a prisoner to Yuma prison. He didn't want the gunslinger to think that he had run out on him once again. He wanted to tell the gunslinger that he was quitting to his face to see the man that he lost his heart to one last time before he left.

It had been mistake to come to Eagle Bend where his only company would was his thoughts. At least in Four Corners he would have the others to distract him from his plans for leaving

Thud! Thud!

Ezra sat up with a jerk. He hadn't ordered room service.

Rolling to his feet, Ezra leveled his Remington at the door. "Who's there?"

"Ezra, it's Chris."

Ezra dropped his gun back into its holster, crossing the room to the door in three floor-eating strides. "Mr. Larabee, has something happened back in Four Corners?" he asked as he yanked open the door. When he left the dusty town, Judge Travis assured him that the other regulators would be able to look after the town until he returned from the poker tables in Eagle Bend.

Chris stepped through the door, his black hat gripped tightly in his hands. "No, there isn't any trouble back home. Heard Travis gave you your pardon."

Ezra turned away so Chris couldn't see the trembling in his hands. // So this is how it ends. "Thanks for your help and all, but we don't need your kind in town. Don't bother to come back." //

"I need to return to gather my belongings then I'll leave."

He didn't realize he spoke his thoughts out loud until he felt Chris' hand on his shoulder, turning him around to face the ex-gunslinger.

"Is this that why you think I'm here? To tell you not to come back?" Chris cupped Ezra's jaw with his hand. "I want you to stay. That's why I came here to let you know before you made any plans. Let you know that you're needed and wanted."

Green eyes captured his. He couldn't bring himself to look away. " I know that my skills as a gambler and a con have proven useful in the past, but I know I am not wanted. I have been invited to leave too many towns in the past to believe that anyone wants me to stay."

Chris gripped his shoulders with both hands. "I want you to stay." His stance was wide as he trailed his hands down to the small of Ezra's back and pulled him into the cradle of his body. "I need you to stay."

Ezra looked up in surprise as Chris bent his head down, capturing Ezra's lips with his. Ezra anchored himself by clutching onto the gunslinger's shoulders. The kiss started off slow until he felt the glide of Chris' tongue against his mouth. His lips parted and his fingers dug into Chris' shoulders. Their tongues mated as Chris tugged Ezra's shirt free from his pants, his hand slipping underneath the garment to taunt a nipple with his thumb.

Ezra shuddered as Chris wrenched his lips away from him. "Chris..." Chris captured the pulse that beat at the base of his throat with his mouth.

Chris took a deep breath as he straightened, holding Ezra tightly in his arms. "Ezra, I want you."

Closing his eyes, he leaned against Chris, listening to the heartbeat thundering underneath his ear. This might be his one chance to make love with the man he had fallen in love with in the Seminole village. But how much of his heart and soul would he lose to this man? Would the memories of this man be enough when Chris no longer wanted him.

He made his decision. Tilting back his head, Ezra looked into hazel eyes. "I want you also."

Quickly, they stripped the clothing from each other's body, eager to get to the skin underneath. Together they tumbled onto the bed. Chris rolled him onto his back, bringing their erections together. Soon they lay spent on the bed, Chris draped over Ezra's body. Ezra ran his hands up the sweat slick back of the older man. Chris pushed himself up in his elbows and started to roll over on his side. Ezra tightened his hold.

"I'm too heavy for you."

"No, you're not."

Chris lowered himself back on him, wrapping his arms around Ezra's waist, rolling them both on their sides. Ezra snuggled against him.

The second time they made love, they took their time. Ezra mapped Chris' body with his mouth and tongue and hands. Chris was just as thorough in his explorations with a gentleness that Ezra would never have thought possible from the gunslinger.

When the time came, Chris gently prepared Ezra. And then Ezra was lost as Chris pushed his away inside him.

Minutes that seemed like a lifetime, Ezra lay with Chris spooned up behind him, arms wrapped around his waist, passion spent and bodies slick with sweat.

"Why?"

Chris pushed himself up on his elbow and leaned over Ezra. "Hell, Ezra, I've wanted you since I met you."

"Even after l ran out on you?"

Chris kissed the top of his head. "I knew you'd come back even though I was praying you wouldn't." Ezra turned puzzled eyes to Chris. "By then I'd fallen in love with you."

"You love me. I don't understand. I didn't even think you liked me."

"I was afraid of losing you. Still am." Chris placed his finger over Ezra's mouth when he started to speak. "I know that the only the reason you were staying was so you'd get the pardon that Travis promised you, so I kept my feelings to myself. But I couldn't let you leave without letting you know I felt and making love to one time. When you ride out of town for the last time, I will at least have the memory of how it felt to make love to you instead of regretting that I never did."

Chris pulled back his finger, dropped a quick kiss on Ezra's lips and rolled out of bed.

Ezra scooted up in bed. "Where are you going?"

"Get a drink. Find a room." Chris picked his jeans off the floor.

"I love you."

Green eyes widened with surprise. "You love me?"

Ezra considered throwing his pillow at his lover for a second, but he had been as clueless as Chris. He hadn't seen that Chris loved him as much as he loved Chris. "Yes, I love you. Why do you think I rode with you?'

"The article in The Clarion..."

"Was an excuse. I didn't think it was possible to fall in love with someone after so brief a meeting. Especially when one is trying to keep from being shot." Ezra raked a hand through no longer perfectly groomed hair. "The day I leave Four Corners for the last time, you will be at my side. I love you, Chris Larabee, and I plan on loving you forever."

Chris sat on the bed beside him, wrapping his arms around his waist, burying his face against Ezra's neck. "Promise?"

"Promise." And it was a promise that he never intended to break.