Sequel to: Triptych: Ezra (1 of 3)

Vin held Chris' hand as he sat by his bedside. He was barely aware of the hovering team member, he just wished it was Ezra. He knew they were taking shifts sitting with him but surely it should be Ezra's turn soon, and surely Chris should wake up soon. Of course, theoretically, he was going to be fine but Vin wouldn't quite believe until Chris woke up. Gently laying his hand against one pale cheek, he tried to wake his lover by force of will.

He was ignoring Buck and Nathan arguing by the door over yet another shift change, when Chris eyelids fluttered. Vin leant closer; praying it would be real.

"Chris? Chris, you hear me?"

The hand he was lightly holding suddenly clenched.

"That's it Chris. Now open those eyes for me."

Ever so slowly the lashes fluttered back and confused hazel eyes squinted at him. Chris' lips tried to form words but his tongue had dried to the roof of his mouth. Vin winced at the struggle to speak and quickly grabbed a glass of water with a straw.

Chris took a long sip then spat the straw out. "Vin...?" he began.

"Yeah, it's me. You were shot, left shoulder, and cracked your head going down. You have to learn to duck better."

"Ezra?" demanded Chris.

"Ez is fine. He was as white as sheet but..." Vin trailed off, aware he hadn't been any better.

Chris tightened his grip on the hand he was holding. "So you are both all right?"

"We're fine."

"And everyone else?"

"Not a scratch on any of them."

The pair jumped as Buck leaned over the bed and beamed at Chris.

"Hey Pard." He turned back, calling, "See, he is awake."

Team Seven surged through the door. The next few minutes were a blur as the horde reassured themselves that Chris was okay. Eager to share his relief, Vin tried to spot Ezra but couldn't; he clutched Chris' hand harder.

Eventually Nathan called for a restoration of order,

"Quiet down you lot. Chris don't need you agitating him." Slowly, reluctantly, silence fell.

"Where's Ezra?" Chris demanded, as soon as he could be heard. He glared at Vin, silently accusing him of lying about Ezra's condition.

"He was fine," said Vin, glaring himself at the rest of team.

"He snuck off," snorted Nathan. "At least he had the decency to stay until you were in recovery."

"Vin," demanded Chris.

"I'll check on him Cowboy."

"Hey don't fret yourselves," said Buck, "He's okay, he just don't like hospitals."

Vin just smiled and stroked his thumb across Chris' knuckles, signalling his intention to check on their missing partner regardless.

Buck opened his mouth but before he could speak Josiah elbowed him and said loudly,

"We should all be off and leave Brother Chris to get some rest."

"Yes," agreed Nathan quickly, "Chris will be fine, he just needs sleep. As we all do, it's been a long week." He began to herd JD out the room. Buck and Josiah followed. Chris tugged on Vin's hand so he moved closer. "Chris?"

"Ez left?"

"Dunno why."

"Might be a good sign."

Vin said nothing. These last weeks Ezra seemed to be slipping away from them and he was beginning to lose hope. Still if Chris wanted to see Ezra's odd behaviour as a positive sign, well, it was better than him worrying all night that it was a bad sign.

Unfortunately, Chris knew exactly what he was thinking. He yanked his hand free from Vin's and made to sit up. Vin held him down with careful hands and, when he continued to struggle, very gently poked the thick bandages with one finger. Chris winced and conceded.

"Damn I wish I weren't stuck here."

"I'll talk to him."

"No bullying, ya hear."

"Chris!"

"I mean it."

"Couldn't any way," admitted Vin. Life would be much simpler if he loved either Chris or Ezra more. Then he could just threaten the other with castration if they didn't keep his lover happy. Unfortunately he loved them both and wanted them both happy. If only Ezra could be happy with them.

Chris continued to hope that Ezra would come around. Previously Vin had always found hope to be a wasteful emotion but he didn't see how Ezra could continue to resist Chris. The cowboy still looked damn good even stuck in a hospital bed, pale from blood loss and wearing one of those ridiculous hospital gowns.

Vin grinned that darn hope had bubbled up again and now he had an idea. Pressing a kiss to Chris' forehead, he ordered,

"You rest yerself."

"Got no choice," grumbled Chris, though he settled back in the bed. The hazel eyes grew narrow and intent. "What you thinking, Vin?"

"Thinking?"

"Yeah, you got that look in your eyes. What mischief are you planning?"

Vin put on his most innocent look, though he knew it wouldn't fool his lover at all. "I was reckoning we should go an' stay with Ez."

"How d'you reckon that?"

"Well Nate don't like you staying at the ranch when yer injured. The horses are too tempting or something."

"Pot, kettle."

Cheerfully ignoring the interruption, Vin continued, "And the lift's out at my place. Ez's is our best bet. We should be able to stay with him for at least a fortnight."

"And that will give us time to work through whatever's caused him to baulk."

"'Xactly."

"Like the way you think. Now get going. Check he's okay."

"You okay?"

"Vin. I'm fine."

"Never believe me when I say that."

"That's cause it's never true. Honestly Vin, I'm all right. They'll let me out tomorrow, assuming of course someone quits yapping and I get some sleep."

"Yeah, yeah. Be seeing you."

"Be seeing you too, Cowboy. Now get going. We got us a gambler to rope."

Laughing, Vin kissed him again and then hurried after the rest of the team. Josiah was speaking to Buck,

"...Dealing with Ezra will keep Vin from fretting about Chris all night."

Vin sighed as Buck enthusiastically supported the plan and then fell silent as soon as they saw him. He didn't say anything though. If it allowed him to see Ezra without any fuss he was all for it.

Buck had dropped him at Ezra's condo and Vin ran all the way up the stairs. He had just turned the key when he came to a shuddering halt. Was this one of Ezra's invisible boundaries that Chris and he were always anxious about overstepping. Ezra was a nightmare of trips and traps, the most innocuous comment could have shying away like a startled bird and it would take days to coax him out from under his protective covering of words.

However Ezra's unusual behaviour worried him and, regardless of anything else, Ezra was his friend, deserving of all the help he could offer. That thought gave him the impetus to push open the door and enter the apartment.

Looking around, Vin couldn't see Ezra but he did spot the empty bottles.

Oh Shit.

A quick check of the bedroom and he moved onto the bathroom. He almost missed Ezra. The conman was fast asleep, wedged between the toilet and the wall.

"Aw Ez, you don't want to be sleeping there. Come on, up you get." He leant down and gently shook Ezra's shoulder. Ezra flinched back from his hands, banging his head against the cistern.

"Ow," snapped Ezra, irritably rubbing his head with one hand and his eyes with the other.

"Ezra."

"Vin?" Ezra smiled up at him, his eyes fuzzy and confused but clearly pleased to see him.

"Yeah, it's good to see you too, Ez. Now let's get you up." Vin stretched out his hand. Ezra just blinked at the hand hovering in front of his face. Vin sighed,

"Ez, can you concentrate for just a minute?"

Ezra looked a little hurt at the sharp tone. His brows drew together and he gnawed on his lower lip as his eyes flitted from Vin's face to his hand and back again. Vin sighed again and wondered if jump leads would be needed kick-start Ezra's brain. Then Ezra worked out Vin and the hand were connected and his green eyes lit up.

"Vin," he cried happily and wrapped the hand between both of his tugging until he could cradle it against his chest.

Vin's heart melted. That was their Ezra, didn't matter how tricky or infuriating the man was, he was definitely worth it. He moved his fingers to get a good grip on Ezra's left wrist.

"Ready?" he asked, then leant back and pulled. Ezra staggered upright and into his arms and, before Vin had recovered his balance, Ezra was kissing him hungrily. Unsolicited affection from Ezra was very rare and Vin knew he shouldn't complain but he yanked his mouth away.

"God Ezra, you need mouth wash."

"Oops," giggled Ezra.

Vin turned Ezra around to face the sink and trapped him there; Ezra's body propped against his. Ezra automatically picked up the toothpaste and brush in shaky hands. After a moment, Vin shook his head and caught the hand with the tube, unclipped the cap, then ensured at least some toothpaste ended up on the brush. Pre- programming took over again and Ezra brushed, spit and rinsed. Vin provided mouthwash and reminded him not to swallow. Instead he gargled professionally, winked at Vin, and choked. Directing the small green fountain into the sink, Vin cackled, he was going to enjoy reminding Ezra of this tomorrow.

Ezra wasn't in the least subdued. He just waved at Vin's reflection in the mirror. Vin waved back. Ezra turned in his arms and grinned pie-eyed.

"All minty fresh now," he prompted. Vin took the hint and kissed him. Ezra's mouth was indeed minty fresh and he took his time searching out every last tang. Ezra co-operated enthusiastically, pressing closer and looping his arms around Vin's neck.

Taking a breath, he realised Ezra was using his shoulders as a lever so he could peer behind him.

"Ez?"

Turning his head and not seeing anything, he wondered what Ezra was looking for. Obviously not finding it Ezra turned right around, giving a disgruntled huff when he found the sink was still there.

"What ya looking for Ez?"

"Chris," said Ezra, checking the ceiling.

"Uh Ez..."

"What? Where's Chris?" Ezra had screwed his head round to stare at him, eyes huge with apprehension. Vin couldn't think of anything to say. Green eyes blinked slowly and, all of a sudden, memory returned.

Ezra's face went white and his knees gave way. Vin cursed but with some fancy footwork he kept them both upright. He walked them out of bathroom. As they moved Ezra slowly regained his balance and no longer sagged in Vin's hands. Finally he pulled away and Vin let him go. Ezra turned to face him.

"Chris?" he asked as if he didn't want know.

"Chris is fine," soothed Vin.

"He got shot!"

"Doc's have patched him up. With luck he'll be here tomorrow."

"Honest?" begged Ezra

"Honest." Vin followed his words with a kiss. Dropping onto the sofa, he pulled Ezra down with him to sit crossways on his lap. Ezra leant back and studied for a moment.

"Ez?"

"You wouldn't be..." he made a complicated gesture with his left hand, "With me, if Chris were at risk."

"Well if that's the only way to convince you," said Vin. Giddy with relief that Chris was still alive and joy at Ezra's welcome, he was more than happy to keep kissing.

He caught Ezra's head between his hands and brought their lips together. Ezra accepted the kiss with a sigh as the last of the tension left his body. Vin tightened his arms around the suddenly boneless body and stroked his hand down Ezra's back. He coaxed Ezra's tongue into his mouth and sucked on it gently. Ezra growled low in his throat. Twisting, he drew his knees up and tried to turn so he could face Vin. Vin winced, removed the knee from his groin and made sure Ezra safely straddled his lap. Oblivious to his manoeuvre, Ezra clutched at his hair, holding him still to be devoured. Vin gasped as a tongue thrust into his mouth and traced the arc of his teeth. Greedily Ezra went deeper, mashing Vin's lips until, finally, their teeth clacked together. Vin pushed him back, needing to breathe.

Hands tugged impatiently at his t-shirt and Vin hurriedly removed it before Ezra strangled him with it. He struggled with Ezra's shirt buttons but Ezra just pressed closer, grinding his pelvis against Vin's. His ravenous mouth was everywhere, licking the hollow of his throat, marking the soft flesh of his shoulder and biting at his nipples. The clumsy passion was so unlike Ezra's normal controlled skill that Vin could only stare in amazed delight. This was really real. He and Chris were going to have to get Ezra drunk again, soon.

Ezra slithered down Vin's legs to kneel on the floor. Vin howled as Ezra's slick tongue circled and stabbed his navel, before licking and chewing across to just above his hip for a fierce, burning bite that stole another shriek. Fingers slipped below his waistband and then Ezra leant back to struggle with the zip. He stroked the bulge beneath it firmly, bending his head to heat it with his breath.

Vin lifted his hips and frantically yanked the cloth out of the way. His erection sprang free and Ezra slid his mouth around it. Hollowing his cheeks, Ezra drew his head back until Vin's cock came free with a pop of air. His hips bucked trying to follow that mouth. Ezra's hands grabbed his hips with bruising force so Vin could only squirm when Ezra turned his attention to his inner thighs, nipping and sucking the tender skin. He lost all coherent thought when Ezra's hot mouth returned to his cock, attacking it hungrily. His world began to spiral into black. Finally Ezra swallowed him whole; Vin threw his head back and screamed. Ezra pulled back, rocked forwards and then swallowed hard. Vin grabbed at Ezra's hair, desperate for something to hold onto as the world roared and went dark.

When Vin recovered sufficiently to focus, he found Ezra was looking up at him with a very satisfied grin. As he watched, Ezra's face slackened, his eyes drifted shut and, slowly, he toppled backwards. Vin scrambled catching him, so his head only gently thunked the floor. However his jeans tangled around his knees and he toppled into Ezra. Ezra huffed softly, wrapping both arms around him. Vin struggled up, wriggling and kicking his way loose of jeans, boxers and socks.

Sitting across Ezra's thighs he undid the fancy belt and the pants, damp and sticky from Ezra's cum. He moved down Ezra's legs, tugging the material loose. Ezra mumbled something and tried to sit up. Bunching and tossing the clothes, he leant back to pet Ezra's face soothingly.

"Sssh Ez, it's okay."

A sloshed smile crept across Ezra's face. Vin reached up and grabbed the throw off the sofa, drawing it across them. Ezra purred at the closeness, looping arms and legs around him. Vin allowed himself to be tugged so he rested against Ezra's chest. He knew he should get up, Ezra wouldn't be happy about spending the night on the floor. Steeling himself to move, he stopped when Ezra gave a contented sigh and nestled his head in the crook of Vin's neck. It was such a happy sound Vin couldn't bring himself to disturb him. Instead, he tucked the throw in tighter. The day's events were catching up; he could feel his eyelids drifting closed. With a contended sigh of his own he rubbed his cheek against Ezra's and fell asleep.