It was nearly sunset when Vin came riding back into town. He had just finished patrol and was ready for a quiet evening with his favorite gambler. He still couldn't believe it. They had been together for almost a month, and the tracker had never been happier. After bedding down his horse for the night, he headed for the salon, were he knew Ezra would be waiting for him. Vin smiled over their hushed good-byes only four hours before. He quickened his steps to get back to his love. He saw Chris walking over to meet him, his expression tight. Vin immediately knew something was wrong.

"What is it? Did something happen?" Vin asked, worriedly.

"No one was hurt. But, something happened to Ezra," Chris answered. The gunslinger watched the color drain from his best friends face.

"What?! Is he alright? Where is he? I need to get to him," Vin exclaimed excitedly, trying to push past Chris.

"Calm down, Vin. He's at the church. Josiah found him there a couple hours ago. Hasn't said a word, and no one knows what happened. Now, maybe he'll talk. Nat's been kinda worried about him. He's just sittin', rockin', and starin' into space. JD thinks it musta been something bad to push him that far into his shell," Chris exclaimed, as the two men walked toward the church. Buck and JD sat on the steps, keeping watch. They nodded as the other two stalked past. Nathan looked up as they entered the room. He walked back to greet them.

"Any change?" Chris asked, concerned.

"No, but he's not trying to pull away from us anymore. It's good you're here, Vin. He keeps mumbling your name," the healer answered. The three men looked to where the gambler was sitting, curled up on the pew. Josaih sat bedside him, one large arm wrapped around the slender shoulders. Vin nodded and headed toward them. The preacher looked up and smiled slightly at the tracker. He gently untangled himself from Ezra, after pressing a soft kiss to his chestnut curls. He clapped Vin on the shoulder as he passed him and left the church with the others. Vin waited until he heard the doors shut, then sat beside his love. Ezra was rocking gently, lips moving soundlessly. Vin tenderly caressed the pale cheek and felt the moisture there.

"Ezra?" he whispered, placing a sweet kiss on the other man's temple. The Southerner moved slightly, his liquid green gaze finding Vin.

"Vin?" he gasped, afraid it wasn't real. The tracker nodded. Ezra eyes filled with tears as he fell into Vin's waiting arms. He wrapped his strong arms around the smaller man who cried like his heart was breaking.

"It's ok, love. It's ok," Vin murmured in Ezra's ear, rubbing his back soothingly. He felt the other man shake his head against his shoulder. "What happened, Ez? Who hurt you?" the ex-bounty hunter asked, confused. He felt the smaller man tense in his arms.

"It's nothing," Ezra said, attempting to divert his hunter's attention.

"Don't. Tell me what happened. I want to know who did this to you," Vin demanded, gently. He was mad someone had hurt the tender man and angry the man wouldn't tell him who did it.

"They probably aren't here anymore. I'm sure they would have left by now," the Southern replied, knowing this wouldn't placate the taller man. Knowing Vin like he did, the tracker would hunt the fools down and the others would help.

"Ezra, tell me," Vin whispered, pulling the other man's face up so he could look in his beautiful green eyes, eyes that could not lie to him. Ezra knew it over then. He stared into the blue depths and took a deep breath.

"They were a couple of men that my mother was acquainted with when I was a child. They always delighted in terrorizing me, and quite happy to see me here. They've always known exactly what to say to hurt me. It didn't help that they saw the two of us together earlier. They like to point out how no one could ever love me, not a 'two-bit conman'. I don't know why I let them get to me; I've heard it all before. But, this was so different. They used you against me, and I let them hurt me again," Ezra's voice was a small whisper by the time he finished. He didn't dare meet Vin's eyes. He was afraid of what he would see. They were right, he was weak. He didn't deserve love, didn't deserve Vin, and didn't deserve to be alive. Vin's silence was unknowingly agreeing with Ezra's arrant thoughts. The smaller man trembled and began to pull away from his lover. Vin felt this and tightened his grip. He looked down into tear-filled emerald eyes, and saw what the other man was thinking. He mentally berated himself. 'Damn,' he said to himself.

"Oh, love. You're not weak, you do deserve me, and you do deserve to live you own life. You can't let a couple of petty old men tell you other wise. I won't let them hurt you ever again, even if it means hunting them down and beating them within an inch of their miserable lives," Vin told the man in his arms.

"I knew you were going to say that," Ezra giggled slightly. Vin smiled.

"You did, did you?" he asked, still smiling. The Southerner nodded, looking up at the man who had captured his heart.

"I know you far too well, my love," he said, with a glint in his eyes.

"Really? What am I thinking now?" Vin wondered, the mischievous glint entering his eyes.

"You're thinking how much you would love to take me up to my room, and make love to me," Ezra whispered, placing a soft, sweet kiss on the taller man's lush lips.

"You'd be right. But, you have to assure our friends that you're all right. They've been worried," Vin told him, kissing the man again.

"Guess we better go tell them," Ezra said, before deepening the kiss. The sound of the door opening and the need for air, forced them to end the kiss.

"Well, I guess Ezra is feeling better," Buck laughed. The gambler shot the ladies man a glare. Nathan came up and knelt in front of the younger man.

"You alright now, Ez?" he asked, examining him carefully.

"I'm fine, Mr. Jackson. Thank you. But, I find I am rather tired. So, I think I will be off to my room for a short rest," Ezra told the other man, blushing under the knowing looks from the other men. Vin just smiled.

"If you will excused us," he said, still smiling as he grabbed Ezra's hand and let him out of the church. The other five just happy their gambler was smiling again.

In Ezra's room, the two lovers' lay wrapped in each other's arms.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Vin asked. He was still worried about his lover's tender feelings. Ezra pulled his head up, placed a sweet kiss on Vin's lips, and answered, "I have you; everything is right in my world."

"And I have you. I love you," Vin smiled returning the kiss.

"I love you, too," Ezra whispered against his lips. They exchanged several more kisses, both men being too tired to do much else. Ezra curled tightly next to the keeper and protector of his heart; and Vin held his tightly in his arms.