Ermm. *scratches the back of her head* There is a warning here for a reason just if I tell y'all what it is. Then I reckon y'all wouldn't be surprised or shocked. All's I'm saying is. wha'cha read, isn't entirely real *points to Chris and the guys then whistles innocently* Oh! That and my spelling and punctuation is terrible. I'm hoping this sucker was beta'd before y'all get a hold of it and tear it apart.

It started out just like any other morning. He woke at eight-thirty, showered, shaved, had a bite to eat and drank his coffee while reading the business section of the newspaper. Then he was off to work, stopping at starbucks along the way to get his daily does of designer coffee.

He should have know that something was amiss the moment he stepped into Team Seven's office, but he was too distracted with his thoughts to have noticed that nearly everyone of his team mates had stopped what they were doing to watch him.

As he made his way over towards his desk, which was situated across from Vin, Ezra set his cup down before sliding into his chair and switching on his computer so that he could begin his day.

If the southerner had been paying closer attention to the people around him, he would have realized that they were all acting a bit on the strange side. All of them except for Vin, the man that sat across from him day in and day out for the past three years. The same man that he had longed to tell his deepest, darkest secrets to. The man that had stolen his heart along with his soul.

As Ezra began work on one of the cases that the teams been working on, he suddenly became aware of eyes on him. As he turned around, he came face to face with a bouncing, grinning JD Dunne. The boy was so close to him that Ezra had to move his head back or else he would end up embarrassing himself and the boy if their lips were to accidentally meet. Not that that would have been a bad thing, but considering that JD wasn't his type and that Buck would kill him, Ezra opted to avoid the situation. It wasn't until JD moved closer and then spoke, that Ezra got the feeling that that was exactly what the boy had wanted to happen.

"Hi'ya Ez!"

"Mister Dunne..." Ezra started. He narrowed his eyes a bit when he noticed this strange, almost wild gleam in the younger mans eyes. "Is... there something I can help you with, Mister Dunne?" Ezra asked. Suddenly feeling a bit on the uncomfortable side at the boy's closeness. He glanced over at Vin to see if he had noticed JD's behavior, but the tracker was lost in his own world and wasn't paying attention to the one he resided in.

"Actually Ez... yeah, there is something you could help with." the younger man grinned at Ezra. Then, before the southerner had time to understand what was going on. JD had planted his lips right on top of Ezra's and proceeded to kiss the hell out of the undercover agent. When he was finished. He released a more than slightly dazed Ezra, smiled at his friend and then spoke. "Wow! That was fun Ez. Was wonderin' if maybe you'd like to go out sometime? Ya know... like on a date?" JD shifted nervously as he watched the still dazed southerner blink at him.

"A date?" Ezra finally managed to squeak out.

"Uh huh... ya know... go out. A movie or something? What do ya say, Ez? Ya wanna?" JD grinned cheerily as he waited.

Ezra, for his part, had no idea where in the hell this was coming from or what the heck was going on. As far as he knew. JD was seeing that lovely girl, Miss Wells.

Swallowing carefully, so that he didn't give the boy the wrong impression. Ezra chose his words very carefully as he tried to come up with an easy way to let the boy down.

"Mister Du... JD. Ah am flattered by the offer and maybe if I had been aware of your, um.... attraction sooner. I might have taken you up on it, but I don't think we should." Ezra tried to explain. Not really sure if what he was saying was right or not. By the look on JD's face, he wasn't sure what the boy wanted now. "Besides, ah thought you were dating the lovely Miss Wells?"

"Oh! I am... I jus... well...." JD shrugged and stood up from where he head perched himself on the corner of Ezra's desk. "kinda wanted to try my options from another angel. S'okay if ya don't wanna Ez. I'm cool with it. Prolly would have pissed Casey off anyway after I told her you and I had gone out. No big deal." JD grinned again and then walked away. Leaving a totally bewildered Ezra Standish sitting at his desk, watching as the young agent walked back over to his own and began to work on his assignment.

"That was rather odd..." Ezra muttered to himself before turning around and getting back to work.

An hour or so later, as Ezra was searching for something in the file room. He felt another presence and turned to see Josiah standing there, leaning up against one of the file cases, smiling at him. Ezra suddenly had the strange sense that he was being checked out, by Josiah, no less.

"Is there something that you need, Mister Sanchez?" Ezra asked, cautiously. After what happened with JD earlier. He was still a bit on the unnerved side and was weary of anyone sneaking up on him.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing, son." Josiah stated. Smiling wide before reaching out and stroking his hand lovingly over Ezra's cheek.

"Uh... I, um.... "Ezra was startled by the gesture and more than a tad bit uncomfortable by it as well.

"What's the matter, son? Cat got your tongue." Josiah's grin grew wider as did Ezra's eyes when he moved closer to the younger man, crowding him into a small corner of the room.

'Oh God! He's flirting with me. Josiah, the man who usually looks upon me as a son, is flirting with me!' Ezra's mind raced along with his heart. 'Okay Ezra... just calm down. There has to be a reasonable explanation for this. First Mister Dunne and now Mister Sanchez.... What in the HELL is going on!' his mind exclaimed as he backed up, away from Josiah.

"Mister Sanchez.... is there any particular reason why you have decided to advance upon my person? Further more causing me to be some what confined to this corner?" Ezra gulped slightly and pressed himself against the wall as Josiah leaned closer.

"Why, no Ezra. Just wanted to make sure everything was all right and to let you know that if there is anything and I mean anything that you might need. You can always come to me. I'd be more than willing to help you out... son." Josiah stated almost seductively as he brought his hand up and ran it gently through Ezra's hair and then back down to Ezra's chin, tilting it slightly and then placing a soft kiss on the younger mans lips. He smiled at as Ezra. A big toothy smile, his eyes gleaming as he took in the startled look on the undercover agents face before backing away and then strolling out of the file room, whistling a happy little tune and leaving Ezra standing there, blinking owlishly after him.

A good couple of minutes passed before Ezra dared to breath in relief and then venture back out into the bull pen. When he did. He spotted Josiah over at his desk happily working on his assignment, a huge grin playing on his lips. Ezra was starting to get the feeling that his friends were all playing some kind of cruel joke on him, but they wouldn't do that. They wouldn't go so far as to come on to him. Not Josiah and JD. Something else was going on, something that was making the two men act strangely where he was concerned.

Ezra glanced over towards JD and the younger man smiled happily at him and waved before turning his attention back towards his work. Ezra was just as confused as he was earlier when JD had kissed him and handed him that rose.

"Must be something wrong with the coffee... Mister Tanner has no doubt been making that vile concoction he calls coffee, again. I swear! That stuff should be labeled a toxic substance and used to interrogate the vile miscreants that we encounter on a day to day basis." Ezra muttered as he tried to figure out what was going on.

As he stood there, in the middle of the bull pen, watching Josiah and JD. Ezra was unaware that they were not the only admirers in the room. The young man nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt someone else brush up against him. once he got his heart rate back to a reasonable pounding, he turned to see Nathan standing less than a foot away from him. A look of concern shadowed with a look of hunger that seemed to be directed right at him.

"Ezra? You okay? You look a might peeked there?" Nathan asked as he moved closer to get a better look. "I think I better have a look at your arm again. Just to make sure that bullet wound is healing properly." Nathan announced as he gently grabbed Ezra by the elbow and steered him over towards the first aid room.

Bewildered by the uncharacteristic display of concern from their teams medic, Ezra wasn't sure how he should answer Nathan's question. And with all that went on with JD and Josiah that morning. Ezra was starting to become a tad bit paranoid.

"I assure you mister Jackson, that I'm a perfectly alright." Ezra assured as he effectively pulled his elbow out of Nathan's grasp. "The wound does not even hurt and...." he would have finished that sentence if Ezra had not suddenly found himself being pushed down on to the cot in the first aid room.

"Quit being a stubborn fool Ezra and let me check that arm of yours." Nathan then proceeded to unbutton Ezra's shirt so that he could have better access to the southerner's arm. As he did this. Ezra, who suddenly felt very uncomfortable, felt the older mans dark hand caress his now bare chest.

"Um... mister Jackson?" Ezra gulped as he realized that Nathan was started to get a little to friendly with his anatomy. "Sir? Would you be so kind as to tell me... what the hell you think you are doing?" Ezra jerked away from Nathan and pulled his dress shirt back together. Holding it closed, tightly and blinking in disbelief at Nathan.

"Now Ezra... I was just making sure that nothing else had gotten injured in that bust a couple days ago." Nathan explained before reaching out towards the weary undercover agent. "Now... let me just take a look at'cha and...."Nathan had moved even closer to Ezra and the younger man scrambled to get away.

"Mister Jackson. I assure you that I am as fit as a fiddle and that nothing is amiss with my person." Ezra rapidly started to rebutton his shirt while at the same time trying to avoid being rangled into the corner that Nathan seemed so intent on getting him in. "Now... if you'll excuse..." Ezra was cut off as Nathan's mouth latched onto his and began an intense and thorough check of his tonsils.

Stunned beyond comprehension, Ezra was only slightly aware of the fact that Nathan was trying to unbutton his shirt, once again. As Ezra felt Nathan's hands brush over one of his highly sensitive nipples. That's when the younger agent came back to reality and gently, but forcefully pushed Nathan away from.

Stumbling back enough so that Ezra had breathing room. Nathan looked upon the flushed face of his friend and co-worker and smiled. He started to advance towards him again, but Ezra's outstretched hand and lethal glare pretty much put the caboshes to that idea.

"Ezra?"

"Just stay right where you are, mister Jackson." Ezra commanded as he once again set about fixing his shirt. Once he was finished and satisfied that everything was perfectly in place. Ezra turned angry, but confused eyes towards the medic. "Would you care to explain to me... why you decided to stick your tongue down m'ah throat? Is that a new way to check for tonsillitis? And if it is... I want written and documented proof on that." Ezra really wanted to know.

"Aw Ez... I just..." Nathan started. Running a hand over the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. "You looked so nice today and all..." he started to say before Ezra cut him off.

"And sooo.... what? You decided that me looking nice is some kind of twisted turn on?" Ezra stared incredulously at Nathan as if the dark man had grown horns and tail.

"Now c'mon Ezra... it's not like Vin's ever gonna notice ya and..." Nathan winced at the hurt that suddenly showed on the younger man's face.

"Whether mister Tanner acknowledges my existence or not is none of your damn business." Ezra was visibly upset by the remark. "I am quite aware that mister Tanner doesn't share the same feelings for me as I do for him, but that doesn't give you or Mister's Dunne and Sanchez the right to manhandle my person because you all think I'm attainable." Ezra ranted as he moved further away from Nathan and more towards the door. "And since when have you, and the afore mentioned men given up woman? I thought you and Miss Rain were engaged to be married next month?" Ezra quirked a brow when Nathan fidgeted.

"Um... we are." Nathan admitted.

"Then why?" Ezra asked. It almost sounded like a whine.

"Because... I wanted to let ya know that I care about ya. I didn't mean anything by what I said about Vin not noticing you. Reckon I just wanted to bring a smile to your face." Nathan grinned when he noticed the confused look on the other mans face. It faded when Ezra frowned and then left the room muttering something under his breath.

"The day I start understanding these men will more than likely be the day that all of hell will freeze over." Ezra muttered as he entered the break room and headed straight for the coffee pot. After pouring himself a cup, Ezra carefully brought it up to his nose and took a whiff. Wondering if he could detect anything wrong with the brew. "Well... it smells like coffee." he said to himself.

"Of course it's coffee Ezra. I just made it." came a jovial sounding voice right up against Ezra's ear, startling the undercover agent enough to make him spill his hot coffee all over the counter and himself.

"Shit!" Ezra exclaimed before reaching for the paper towel to soak up the mess. "Damn it, Buck! Don't do that!" Ezra yelled at the taller man, forgetting his five dollar words as he tried to keep his clothes from staining too badly and to keep his skin from burning too much from the scalding liquid.

"Aw... 'm sorry Ez. I forgot how jumpy you can be sometimes. Here... let me help." Buck apologized as he reached for more paper towel and then proceeded to help clean up the younger man. He smirked when an undignified squeak escaped Ezra's lips as he ran the now sodden towels from Ezra's shirt down to his groin.

"N-no... that's quite alright mister Wilmington. I am quite capable of tending to my own cleaning duties. Your help is not required." Ezra stated as he batted Bucks hand away from the most sensitive part of his anatomy.

"But Ezzzz...." Buck sorta whined as he advanced seductively towards the undercover agent. He grinned like a cheshire cat when he had Ezra backed up against the wall of the break room.

"Oh good Lord! Not you too!" Ezra exclaimed as he saw the same look in Buck's eyes as the other three men before him had held in their own. He tried to squirm his way away from Buck, but the bigger man had pressed his body so close to his own that he barely had enough room to breath.

"You know Ez... Yer a mighty fine, handsome man. Why are you wasting all of yer time and energy in trying to get Vin ta notice ya? That boy, unless he's scanning for a target, is as blind as a bat when it comes to things like personal feelings and love." Buck commented as he leaned closer to Ezra. Shifting a bit so that his right knee slipped between Ezra's legs, forcing them a part some so that he could mold his own body even closer to the smaller mans body. "Besides.... you'd have a much better time with me." he stated before leaning forward to nip gently at Ezra's neck.

"Um..." Ezra gulped as he felt the taller, stronger man press against him. "That's a very tempting offer, mister Wilmington..." Ezra started as he shifted so that his groin wasn't pressed against Bucks knee. He then bit back a whimper of both pleasure and distress as Bucks began to show Ezra exactly why most woman find him irresistible. "... but... ah...."

"Shhh.... let me show you what you'd be missing, pard. If you had managed to attract Vin." Buck said, huskily. Pressing himself further against the slightly dazed southerner. Shifting so that he could rub his knee against Ezra's groin and then smiling when the younger man gasped and then groaned in pleasure. "You like that, don'cha Ez?" Buck then bent forward and captured Ezra's mouth before the younger man could answer him. Snaking his tongue inside when the other man gasped again, Buck continued to steadily rub himself against his friend. When he felt an urgent pressure against his chest, knowing it was Ezra trying to push him away and break their contact, Buck reached between their bodies and gathered both of Ezra's smaller hands into his much larger ones until both of the younger mans wrists were held captive, above Ezra's head in only one of Bucks strong hands.

Once Ezra was able to regain control of himself and take in the situation, he began to panic and push against Buck's chest so that he could break the contact. But all that accomplished was getting his wrists trapped in one of Bucks big, strong hands. Then the older man pressed on and Ezra's panic increased.

'What in the hell is going on here!' Ezra's mind screamed as he tried desperately to break contact. 'Did someone send out a memo this morning? Is it fuck Ezra day or something? What's gotten into m'ah colleagues.... m'ah friends! This has got to be some kind of sick, twisted joke.' Ezra thought. And the more he thought about it, the more hurt and upset he got. And the more hurt and upset he got... the madder he got, until....

"Mister Wilmington!" Ezra exclaimed as he finally managed to wrench his mouth away from Buck's needy one. "Stop! NOW!" Ezra commanded as he tried to get free. Struggling to break the tight hold that Buck had on him.

"Aww... c'mon Ez... you know it feels good. Just relax and, Ooof!" Buck started to say before his eyes bugged out and he suddenly felt as if his entire world was crashing in on him. "Mmmm...." Buck whimpered before releasing Ezra's wrists so that he could cup his aching groin as he slides to the floor.

"Now, mister Wilmington. Ah don't know what the hell is going on with you and everyone one else around here, but the next time ah tell you to stop manhandling me, ah expect you to comply with m'ah wishes. Do I make m'ah self clear?" Ezra angrily glared down at he other man. He almost smirked outwardly as he took in the site of big ole teddy bear, Buck. Holding his groin and whimpering like a kicked puppy.

"Chrystal..." Buck gasped through clenched teeth. He whimpered again as he shifted to move. "Oh God.... they may never work again." Buck's eyes teared up at the thought.

"Good! Serves you right if they don't!" Ezra exclaimed before stalking out of the break room and back into the bull pen. Once there, he headed straight for his desk, keeping an eye out for further attacks. As Ezra took his seat; across from Vin, he noticed that the quiet sharpshooter had stopped typing and was looking at him. "Is... is there something ah may assist you with, mister Tanner?" Ezra asked as turned his full attention towards the other man. Hoping against hope that Vin had something to say about what's been going around here and that maybe he's upset about it. However, his heart fell to his feet when the object of his affection spoke.

"Need t' barrow that dictionary of yours, Ez. 'm stuck on somethin'" Vin totally missed the deflated look in Ezra's eyes as the other man turned away from him before leaning down to open the bottom drawer of his desk to extract the item that Vin had asked to barrow.

"Certainly, mister Tanner." Ezra said as he took out the item in question and then handed it over to Vin.

"Thanks, Ez." Vin muttered as he took the book and started leafing through it.

While Vin looked up whatever word he needed, Ezra, with a tired, sad little sigh, turned back towards his work. Intent on getting his mind off Vin and the crazy day he's had. Just as Ezra had started typing and working his report, that's when Chris bellowed from his doorway.

"Ezra! Get yer ass in here. NOW!"

"Great.... now what?" Ezra mumbled as he stood to head into Chris' office. As he walked past Vin's desk, hoping that the other man would notice him, but being disappointed when Vin ignored him. Ezra noticed that Buck had rejoined the group and was grinning wolfishly at him. "That man is a walking billboard for safe sex." he muttered to himself as he walked over to where Chris was waiting; impatiently I might add, for him.

As Ezra stepped passed Chris, he was over come with an overwhelming sense of dread. Getting called into your bosses office was never a good sign. Especially when Chris Larabee is your boss.

"You wished to see me, mister Larabee?" Ezra questioned as he made his way inside and took a seat on the sofa that Chris had in his office for when the kids--his team, give him a headache and he needs to lie down to stop the pounding in his head while contemplating weather or not he needs to go out into the bullpen and shoot people.

"Yeah, I do." Chris answered as he shut the door to the office and then pulled the blinds shut. A move that suddenly had Ezra wondering what it was that Chris wanted to talk to him about.

As Ezra watched his boss move towards him, he caught a glimpse of the same look the other four men had in their eyes right before they pounced on him. Jumping up, realizing that the sofa is probably not the best place to sit, Ezra moved more towards Chris' desk and away from the comfortable, confining couch.

"What... what was it you needed to talk to me about, mister Larabee?" Ezra shifted nervously as he resisted the urge to run from the office and right out the building. 'Ah knew I should have stayed in bed this morning.' the younger agent thought to himself.

Ezra watched as Chris approached him. The older man still had the look in his eyes, but Ezra could tell that he was trying to keep it contained. Not liking the fact that his own boss was throwing him the same looks as the other four men had that day, Ezra made sure he had full view and access to the door at all times.

"There's a few things I want to discuss with you Ezra, why don't you have a seat.... the sofa would be more comfortable." Chris smiled at the younger man, causing a shiver of fear to shoot up through his spine.

"Ah think I'll just stick with the chair, if you don't mind, mister Larabee." Ezra answered as he took a seat in the chair next to Chris' desk.

Chris tried to hold back a growl as he stalked over to his chair and sat down. But the look that Ezra had seen in the other men's eyes was still there. He was startled out of his reverie when he caught wind of Chris' next question.

"So, you and Vin get together yet?" Chris smirked at the look that crossed Ezra's face.

"With all do respect, sir. I don't see where that's any..." Ezra started but was cut off by Chris.

"I make things like this my business, Ezra." Chris stated as he rose from he seat and made his way around his desk towards Ezra. "I like to know if the competition has won or not. Are you and Vin together?" Chris moved closer to Ezra, making the undercover agent even more uncomfortable.

Shifting nervously in his seat, Ezra opted to answer the question honestly.

"No, mister Larabee. Mister Tanner and I are not together. What we have obviously is different that what I want with him." Ezra looked away. Sadness filling his eyes as he thought about the truth in that statement.

"Then Vin is a fool, Ezra." Chris breathed.

Ezra jerked his head towards Chris only to find that the older man was only inches away from his face. 'Damn! When in the hell did he get so close?' He thought as he shifted so that Chris didn't appear to be so close.

"Mister Larabee?" Ezra started, but was cut off and then off guard when Chris pinned him in his seat and then took his lips for his own in an aggressive, hungry assault.

Stunning the man into silence, Chris continued his assault on the younger mans mouth as he reached down to undo the belt on Ezra's pants. He was shocked when he suddenly found himself flat on his ass and an angry Standish standing over him.

"Ezra?"

"I do not know what has gotten into you and the rest of the men on this team today, but I would greatly appreciate it if y'all would keep your damn hands to your selves!" Ezra raged as he moved towards the door. However, in his moment of anger, he failed to see Chris pick himself up off the floor until he felt a hand on his arm and he was suddenly ripped away from the door and then thrown onto the couch. "What the...." Ezra started, but was cut off when Chris straddled his legs and then pinned his hands above his head.

"You ain't going anywhere, Ezra. I'm calling the shots now." Chris then leaned down and forced his mouth over the younger mans again. Ezra's struggles and fearful noises did not faze the leader of Team Seven.

"Chris! Stop!" Ezra managed to cry out, but was stopped from saying anymore when Chris snaked his tongue down his throat, nearly choking the other man.

Both men were too caught up in what was going on to have noticed when the door to the office opened and in walked the lanky sharpshooter, until the other man spoke, that is.

"Hey Chris?" Vin called out.

Chris stopped his assault on Ezra long enough to turn his head to see what it was that Vin wanted. While at the same time, Ezra turned pleading eyes towards Vin in hopes that he would help him. He was stunned silent when Vin appeared to not even notice what was going on.

"Yeah? Wha'cha need, pard?" Chris asked as he tightened his hold on Ezra.

"I need your key int' the evidence room. Something I got'ta check out. Reckon you could tell me where it is, so's y'all don't have t' stop what yer doing." Vin stated casually, almost bored.

"Mister Tanner, help me!" Ezra suddenly shouted from underneath his boss.

Vin appeared to have no heard him as he waited for Chris' reply.

"Top drawer of my desk Vin. Make sure you bring it back when yer done with it, okay?" Chris said as he watched the younger man walk over to the desk to get the key.

"Sure thing, cowboy." Vin grinned as he pulled open the drawer and to retrieve the key. Across the room, on the sofa, Ezra continued to struggle to break free from Chris while at the same time calling out to Vin for help.

"Vin! Please, help me!" Ezra cried out as he watched the man he loved head for the door and leave. "No!" Ezra nearly screamed as the door shut behind the sharpshooter.

"Now, where were we?" Chris grinned down at the younger man he had pinned underneath him before forcing himself back onto Ezra.

Realizing that Vin wasn't going to help him and that it was obvious the other man didn't care anything about him anymore. Ezra let loose a pain filled cry.

"NO!!!!!!!!"

Ezra screamed as he bolted upright in the bed. His chest heaved with fear as he tried to catch his breath. He looked around to see where he was and realized that he was home, in his bed. Taking a shaky breathy to calm himself after his unusual nightmare, Ezra turned to look at the man lying in the same bed. But from the distance that the other man slept away from him. He might as well have been sleeping in another room.

Remembering his nightmare and all the twisted things that went on in it and then to remember how the man he loved hadn't done a damn thing in the end to stop their boss from taking him in the dream, Ezra let the anger that he had been feeling over the past month, boil over.

Reaching for his heavy feather pillow, Ezra lifted it up and brought it down hard. Smacking the other man in his bed and waking him up.

"Bastard!" Ezra exclaimed as he smacked the other man with his pillow.

"Ezra?!" the other man squeaked sleepily as he sat up in bed to see what was wrong with his lover and to find out why the man had just hit him with his pillow.

"You bastard!" Ezra repeated as once again swung his pillow at the other man. This time hitting him upside the head with it. "You didn't even care enough to wake up when I cried out. Don't tell me you didn't hear me either. You sleep with one ear open." Ezra ranted. His voice may have held anger and resentment, but his face and eyes held pain and sadness.

Before Vin could fully understand what Ezra was talking about, the other man climbed out of bed. Tossing the pillow onto the bed with a soft thump and made his way angrily out of the room he shared with his lover.

Vin was at a loss for words, not that that wasn't normal. This was a man of very few words, but he knew enough to know that Ezra was upset and that it was somehow him that he was upset with. After wiping the sleep out of his eyes and clearing his head some, Vin got out of bed and then padded softly out of the room in search of his lover.

He found Ezra, bare-chested, leaning against the window sill in the living room with his head resting against the cool glass, just staring out into the dark sky. From where he stood, leaning against the entrance to the living area, Vin could see how upset his lover was. 'This is my fault, somehow. He wouldn't be this upset if it wasn't.' Vin reasoned with himself before pushing off the door frame and padded across the room to where his lover stood in despair.

"Ezra?" Vin called softly as he made his way across the room to his love. He was dismayed when Ezra didn't even acknowledge him. He just continued to stare out the window, lost in thought. "Ezra?" Vin called again as he came up behind the other man so that he could wrap his arms around him. Vin was taken aback, slightly, when Ezra made to move away from him, but wasn't about to let this man. The man he loved, throw up his walls and shut him out.

Wrapping his arms around the slightly smaller man, Vin pulled Ezra back against him and waited for the fight his lover put up, to die down and relax against him. He was amazed at how much fight Ezra had in him over this, but was relieved when Ezra finally settled down and slumped back against him. His relief was short-lived, however, when Ezra spoke.

"If you do not release me this very instant, Mr. Tanner..." Ezra stated, leaving the threat opened and unwavering.

"Ezra? Talk t' me... please." Vin pleaded as he held onto the other man as tightly as he could without hurting him. "What's wrong? Does it have something t' do with your dream? Did I do something wrong?" Vin questioned as he tried to calm his lover down. However, he was not expecting what came next.

"When are you planning on leaving me?" Ezra asked. The crack in his voice betraying the calmness of the words.

"Leaving you?" Vin was startled by the question. Never in a million years would he have thought to have to answer that question. He realized now, that what was bothering his lover, was more than a simple nightmare.

"Yes! Leaving me!" Ezra shouted, angrily. He then wrenched himself out of the other man's arms and moved away. "When do you plan on telling me that it's over? That it's been fun and all, but I'm not interested in being with you anymore?" Ezra questioned. His five dollar words flying out the window as his anger, fear and despair rose higher and higher.

Vin just stared at Ezra in disbelief. 'Where in the hell is this comin' from? Why does he think I'm plannin' on leaving him? Did someone say something to him?' Vin thought as he watched his lover pace back and forth. The look in Ezra's eyes causing Vin to nearly tear up. 'God! He actually believes that I'm gonna leave him.' Vin crossed the room to where Ezra had stopped pacing and was now staring out the other window. He looked so sad to Vin. He could tell that the smaller man was fighting to keep the tears at bay, but seeing the moisture building up in Ezra's eyes, he knew that it wouldn't be long before the damn broke.

"Ezra? Why on earth would you think I was gonna leave ya? I don't understand what's going on. What's botherin' you so much that you think I'm goin' t' up and leave?" Vin resisted the urge to pull his lover into his arms as he saw the near devastation in the other mans eyes.

"Because, Mr. Tanner. You don't love me." Ezra stated as if it was a well known fact. Shocking Vin in the process.

"Ezra?" Vin breathed as he moved closer to the other man.

"It's quite alright, Mr. Tanner. I knew you would leave me, eventually." Ezra admitted as he turned his gaze towards Vin. The sadness in Ezra's eyes forced Vin to see that Ezra truly believed that he did not love him. "I just hadn't expected it to be this soon. But since you've been pulling away from me this past month... acting as if I was nothing more than a mere acquaintance. Then I guess I should not be so surprised." Ezra then turned his sorrowful gaze back towards the window and stared hopelessly out.

Thinking back on all the times the two have spent alone together over the past six months of their relationship, Vin realized that Ezra does have just cause in believing that he does not love him. 'Oh God... I am an idiot.' Vin thought sadly to himself as he looked at the floor. He never realized, till just this very moment, that he had never told the other man how he truly feels about him. And with all the stress and chaos that has been going on the past month. Vin never even realized that his actions seemed to tell his lover that he was nothing more than a way to pass time.

"Ezra?" Vin spoke softly as he once again, came up behind his lover and wrapped his arms around the other man.

"Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to make you do this?" Ezra asked, brokenly. Leaning back against the man that he had given his heart and soul to. The same man that he believed could never love him back. The man whose arms he just wanted to feel around him, one last time. Before the Texan told him that it was over between them.

"Ezra. I ain't doin' nothin' t' ya. You've got it all wrong." Vin started to explain to the man he dreamt about spending the rest of his life with.

"And pray tell, what is it that I have wrong? Is it the fact that you don't love me? Or the fact that you are leaving me?" Ezra pushed as he tried to detangle himself from his lover's grasps.

However, this time. Vin had no intentions of letting him go. Not until he has had the chance to explain his feelings to the stubborn southerner for the stubborn southerner.

"Damn it, Ezra! Just shut up and listen t' me!" Vin growled, spinning his tormented lover around so that he could look into the man's beautiful green eyes. "For once, jest listen t' what I have t' say. Alright?" Vin nearly pleaded.

Ezra, in a bit of shock after his lover yelled at him and then spun him around so that they could see eye to eye, just nodded. What he had seen in his lover's eyes, told him that he needed to listen. That he needed to hear what Vin had to say or else he could quite possibly be making the biggest mistake of his and Vin's life.

Knowing that he had the smaller man's full attention, Vin couldn't help the smile that graced his handsome, young features. As he spoke, Vin made sure to keep his tone gentle and filled with love and compassion. After all... he was dealing with Ezra. A man that was just as skittish as a newborn foal.

"Ezra... I Love ya. I know I ain't said it yet, but I do love ya." Vin confessed as he looked into Ezra's eyes. Vin could see that Ezra was fighting the declaration. That, he didn't want to believe him. "It's true Ezra. I Love ya and I've been a damn fool too. I never realized that, during all the times you've said the words t' me, I've never once said them back. I jest figured... I jest figured ya knew." Vin paused and wrapped his arms around his love. He could feel the smaller man begin to tremble and he knew that Ezra wanted to believe. "This past month has jest been hell, Ez. I never meant for it t' seem t' ya, like I was pullin' away from ya. I never realized that ya would mistake my actions t' me that I don't love ya and that I wanted out of what we have, t'gether. That is the farthest thing from my mind, Ezra." Vin stated as he spoke from his heart.

Ezra didn't know what to think. What to believe. All his life he has never had any actually tell him that they loved him. His own mother always seemed to avoid the L word. The woman never married for love, nor did she know what the word truly meant. And Ezra had never had anyone in his life that cared enough to tell him that they loved and cherished him. That is, until now.

"Why?" The question was simple, but it seemed to throw Vin for a loop.

"Why? Why what?" Vin replied. He watched as Ezra shifted, nervously.

"Why do you love me, Mr. Tan.... Vin?" Ezra needed to know. Needed to understand how this beautiful creature could love him. Could declare his love for him when no one else in his life had ever dared to.

As Vin looked deeply into the other man's soul. Vin thought about the question. He knew that whatever he said could mean the end or the beginning of something that he had dreamt of the moment he had laid eyes on the cunning con man. He had the man of his dreams. Now, he needed to make sure he kept him.

"God Ez! There are so many things about you that I love. I don't even know where t' start." Taking a deep breath. Vin began to list off all the reason why he wanted to spend the rest of his life with this man. "First of all... you're beautiful, Ezra. And I don't just mean your outer appearance, neither. I'm talking about what's inside ya, here." Vin laid his hand against Ezra's heart and lightly patted it. "You have so much love inside ya. So much compassion in that ticker of yours that you don't even see it. But I do. It comes out every time you bend down t' pet a stray pooch and you want nothing more than t' take it home with ya and let it know that it's loved. Or every time you see a homeless child that ya need t' help, in some way. It comes out in the way you would give your life for any of your team mates without even a second thought t' your own self." Vin knew he was getting to Ezra when the southerner leaned into his body and listened. "Then, there are your eyes, Ezra. The window's t' your soul. It's your eyes that tell me what I need t' know. You may be good at conning the bad guys and our friends, but you could never con me with those beautiful green orbs of yours." Vin held up his hand to stop Ezra from saying what it was that he was about to say. "I know, Ez. I know that I haven't taken a real good look int' your heart and int' your soul this past month. And, I'm sorry. I never meant for you t' think that I was fixin' t' run out on ya. I swear t' ya, it wasn't intentional. It's jest.... the last two cases were a bit overwhelming and everythin' has been so chaotic, what with the internal affairs investigation an' all." Vin hung his head. Ashamed that he had ever let this man doubt how much he truly did love and want to be with him.

As Vin spoke, Ezra listened. He heard the words. He felt his love's arms around him. He could hear the pain and desperation in Vin's voice. He could see that Vin truly did love him. That he would always love him and that made his heart swell with joy and happiness and it made his eyes begin to fill with tears. 'He love's me. Vin truly does love me. God! I almost screwed it up. I almost pushed him out of my life all because I doubted him. all because I was to blind to have seen what he wasn't telling me.' Ezra's mind reeled as he finally began to see that Vin honestly and truly did love him.

"Vin?" Ezra started, but was cut off when Vin shushed him by placing a gentle finger against his lips. At the same time. The lean sharpshooter brushed away the tears that had silently started to fall down Ezra's cheeks.

"I know you love me, Ezra. Even if you had never said the words t' me, I knew. I would always know." Vin said. He frowned when Ezra lowered his head and refused to look into his eyes. "Now Ez. You ain't got nothin' t' be ashamed of. I should have know that you needed t' hear the words now and then. Considerin' the way ya were raised, I reckon I should have figured it out a long time ago. If anyone here should feel ashamed, it's me." Vin reasoned as he pulled Ezra closer and then lifted the slightly shorter man's chin. "Ezra P. Standish. I love you. I loved ya from the day I first saw ya and I will love ya way beyond my last breath. Never doubt that again." Vin said as he brushed more warm tears from Ezra's face.

"Never. I shall never doubt your love for me again, Vin." Ezra whispered as he wrapped his arms around his lover and held him close. "I am sorry I ever doubted you in the first place." He confessed.

"T'wern't yer fault, love. I made it real easy for you t' doubt how I truly feel about ya. I promise, though. You will never have reason to doubt my love for you, again." Vin stated just before he leaned down and captured Ezra's lips. The Texan put all the love and compassion he had into that kiss. He knew he had a lot to make up for and he was going to spend every waking moment doing just that. "C'mon Ez..." Vin order, gently after breaking the kiss. He was practically holding the smaller man up when his love became weak in the knees. "... let's go back to bed so that I can show ya, in my own way, jest how much I love ya." Vin grinned at the look that passed through Ezra's eyes and the shiver that coursed through the smaller man's body.

"Yes, Vin. Lets take this into the bedroom. I think we both have a lot of lost time to make up for. Don't you agree?" Ezra asked, seductively as he and his lover made their way towards their room.

"Yeah, Ez. I think we do have a lot of lost time to make up for." And before Ezra knew it, Vin lifted him up and threw him over his shoulder before continuing into the bedroom.

"Vin!" Ezra squawked as he felt himself lifted and then flung over his lover's shoulders like a sack of potato's.

"No time to talk, Ez. I have plans to ravish your beautiful body for the rest of the night and we've already wasted to much damn time." Vin stated as he carried Ezra into the room. Kicked the door shut with his foot and then gently lowered his mate onto the bed. Where he then proceeded to show Ezra just how MUCH he loves him.

"Mr. Tanner!"

"What?!"

"Don't stop."

"Hadn't planned on it, Ez. Hadn't planned on it."

Soon, the only sounds that could be heard, were the sounds of love.

{Tiny Epilogue}

The following morning, two very exhausted, but happy looking agents strolled casually into team seven's den. Neither of them noticed the looks they received as they talked and laughed quietly to one another on their way to their desks. The way they leaned into each other spoke volumes to the other five men that were witnessing something that they had hoped to see again.

Their two lovebirds, happy....

As they made their way over to their area. Ezra stopped; when he felt so many eyes on them, and took a look around. Suddenly, he felt as though he was back inside his dream again and he unconsciously moved closer to Vin, who had also stopped when he did. Seeing the others all staring at them, Vin wrapped his arms around Ezra, growled slightly and then shot a look to each and every man in the room; Especially to Chris. A look that spoke volumes. A look that seemed to scream,

'He's mine. Don't TOUCH! Hell! Don't even look!'

With his claim staked and his mate held close. Vin continued to lead his lover over to their work area. Leaving five incredibly stunned agents and friends staring after them in shock.

"It seems, brothers. That two of our flock have finally come to an understanding." Josiah piped in.

"What understandin'? Hell! We all knew those two had hooked up. We were jest waiting for them to show it." Nathan stated as he too looked after Vin and Ezra.

"Did Vin just growl at us?" JD questioned as he continued to stare after their two friends.

"Yep! Sure as hell sounded like a growl to me. I'm thinking that he's just letting us know that Ezra is officially off limits. " Buck grinned as he also watched the two love birds. Both men seem completely oblivious to them.

"Well, boys. I for one, think it's about damn time." Chris Larabee stated before turning away and heading back to his office. He paused long enough outside his door to say one more thing. "Alright! Everyone get back to work! We ain't getting paid to sit around on our ass's and do nothing!" Chris barked before entering his office and shutting the door.

The other four men turned, from watching Vin and Ezra, to stare at their boss. They all smiled at Chris before the man went into his office and shut the door.

Today, was going to be a good day....