"Woooowhee! Look at this place!" Buck's enthusiastic appreciation of the suite financed by the ATF rang back through the hall, reaching the rest of the Sevens' ears several seconds before they could see the room in question. "I'm tellin' ya, boys, this is gonna be one fine weekend! Chris, I'm glad ya suggested we come a day early."

Dropping his bags just inside the door, the tall, mustached agent went straight to the bar and pulled out an ice cold beer. Making a satisfied sound, he grinned as JD walked into the room shivering, silently tipping the bottle in inquiry toward his young friend.

"Cold beer, Buck?!" JD shuddered again. "Geeze I thought Boston was freezing." He grumbled. His regular enthusiasm quickly returned, however, as he looked around the room before him, taking in the tasteful but plentiful Christmas decorations (complete with tree), the roaring fire on the hearth and the hot tub steaming on the balcony beyond snow-dusted French doors.

Stepping over the bags carefully, the Team's hyper-dressed undercover specialist followed behind, grimacing as his foot slid on the strap of a carelessly forgotten garment bag. Sighing deeply, he looked up through lowered lashes with sparkling green eyes at the black haired, blue eyed charmer.

"Mr. Wilmington," the sweet southern drawl oozed, "would it be at all correct to presume that your childhood education did not contain counsel in domestic management?"

Buck twirled around, swallowing a throatful of the imported brew. Knitting his eyebrows in question, he grinned at Ezra. "Huh?"

Shaking his head with exasperation, the usually unflappable, dapper gentleman put down his luggage, clasped his hands in front of himself and stated, as clearly as possible; "I said ... did your mama raise you in a fucking barn?"

Shocked silence greeted Ezra's query as six sets of wide eyes snapped to his face and six jaws dropped. Even their leader, Chris Larabee -- blond-yet-somehow-dark, quiet and often forboding -- seemed at a complete loss for words, his mouth poised to catch flies with the rest of them.

Ezra burst into laughter, leaning over to retrieve his bag and moving toward the bedroom on the west side of the large common sitting room. "You all look like someone just walked on your grave ... and left a cherry pie!" Dissolving into peals of merriment once again, the handsome Southerner disappeared into the bedroom.

Buck stood there only a moment longer, his sudden guffaw and the slap of a hand to his thigh breaking the trance of the other five. All broke into amused smiles, chuckling as they realized the gentleman of the group had bested them all with Buck's own expression.

Thirty minutes later the seven friends and co-workers, having finally settled themselves into their perspective spaces, were once again headed toward the door. Hungry and relaxed, they made their way to the hotel restaurant for thick steaks and fine wine.

Buck and the youngest member of the Team wrestled their way down the hall as Chris and Josiah (the profiler and philosopher), strode side by side, deep in conversation. Nathan, medic and mother hen that he was, kept himself busy brushing lint off the back of the sweater hugging the broad shoulders of the Team sharpshooter. Vin shook off Nate's hand with affectionate annoyance. A murmured, "Thanks, ma" won a chuckle from both the good-looking black man and the stylishly dressed Ezra.

The stunning septet exited the elevator just as the lights went out. Battery powered emergency lamps cast an eerie glow over the lobby, and the falling snow outside the elegant entry doors suddenly became visible. It was clear the storm that had followed the men all through their drive from Denver had become a full-out blizzard.

"Wonderful." The team leader mumbled.

"Aw hell." Buck exclaimed.

"Relax, gentleman." Ezra said lightly as he continued to lead the way toward the restaurant. "Steaks are grilled, therefore requirement of electricity is nullified. Moreover, lest you heathens are unenlightened, a hearty burgundy requires no refrigeration."

"Hey, yeah!" JD chirped, his usual eagerness twice as keen with anticipation toward the conference that would begin the next day. "And it's a good thing, too! I'm starved!"

"Well isn't that a surprise." Ezra intoned dryly.

JD jumped to a halt in front of the pretty hostess with all the sophistication of a five-year-old. "Seven, please." He grinned at the smiling redhead.

"Certainly, sir, but I have to warn you that our menu - at the moment - is limited to salad and whatever we can make for you on the grill."

"That's okay," JD grinned wider. "We're all some serious meateaters, and Ezra says red wine doesn't need any ice."

"Wonderful," the hostess smiled. "This way, please, gentlemen."

Ezra rolled his eyes and shook his head, determined to make a concerted effort when they returned home to educate the young turk. His thoughts were interrupted as the smooth stylings of Buck "I-Love-Anything-Female" Wilmington began his frontal assault.

Stepping smoothly in front of JD, Buck launched a Cheshire-cat smile at the young woman leading them through candle lit tables. Placing his hand gently on her elbow, he leaned close and said in a low, sweet voice, "Darlin' you can bet that where you lead, I will follow."

That she continued smiling and somehow resisted rolling her eyes at the unveiled come on was a credit to her professionalism. Looking the tall charmer in the eye she said pleasantly, "Well indeed it seems you did, sir. Here's your table. Tristan will be with you shortly, and will be taking care of you this evening. Please enjoy your dinner." Extricating herself smoothly from Buck's grasp, she disappeared like a puff of smoke.

JD burst into laughter, slapping his hand against Buck's back. "That's the way to show her, Buck!"

Satisfied and mellow after their shared meal, the Team headed up to the suite. All were looking forward to a few card games, some good whiskey (or root beer) and a smooth cigar. Good-natured teasing followed Buck after his crash-and-burn with the restaurant hostess.

Battery powered emergency lights still lit the way up to the seventh floor, testament to the power outage still affecting the hotel. That none of the seven men were huffing after climbing the shadowed stairwell was testament to their active lives and self-care.

A suit-wearing hotel security officer checked Ezra's ID before overriding the card access lock with his master key. Holding the door open politely, he explained that housekeeping had already prepared their room in an effort to make them as comfortable as possible despite the lack of electricity.

They entered the room and smiled their approval. Lit by dozens of candles, oil lamps and the roaring fire, the room glowed with warmth while the blizzard raged outside. Flickering light bounced off the ornaments of the tree and it seemed to come alive even without the usual electric strands highlighting it.

JD grinned with the enthusiasm of a child and grabbed Buck's lapel. Pulling the tall man down to whisper in his ear, Buck listened for a minute before chuckling and murmuring his agreement.

Ezra looked over at Chris, his amused smile and raised eyebrows suggesting they should watch themselves. Chris, unusually relaxed, leaned against a nearby chair and crossed his arms and ankles. An answering grin conveyed his willingness to wait to see what the fearsome twosome had in mind.

Vin chuckled and glanced from beneath lowered eyelashes at his chestnut-haired friend. Ezra turned his attention toward his sharpshooter and his smile changed to a look full of mystery. Vin cocked his head slightly to one side, watching the master silently. Feeling his gut tighten and his cock start to stir, he looked away, afraid of what his eyes would reveal. He went in search of a bottle of whiskey with a gleam in his eye.

Nathan smiled in amusement and disappeared into his room, a phone call to Rain the only thing on his mind. He wasn't sure what was in store for tonight, but the boys had that aura about them that suggested things weren't gonna be tame. He closed the door behind him and settled onto the bed for a long, sexy phone call with his vixen of a wife.

Josiah watched the healer disappear and grinned to himself. A classic escape. He looked around at the other Team members, smiling at this makeshift family that had come to mean so much to him. His eyes glowed with humor and anticipation, somehow knowing tonight would be a night for changes.

Buck and JD reappeared within a minute, dragging the mattress off of one of the double beds from their room. Dropping it on the floor in front of the fireplace, they returned for the second. The rest of the team looked at each other, shrugged and started off to the other two rooms to add to the pile. Before long they had a pallet of comfy mattresses, soft pillows and several sets of sheets and comforters.

JD grinned at the fruit of their efforts and jumped into the center. With a nod, he exclaimed, "Now we'll stay warm tonight!"

Several rounds and a few shots later, the relaxed Team threw in yet another hand as Ezra swept up his winnings with a grin.

"Why gentlemen, you all appear a bit disgruntled regarding my good fortune."

JD rolled his eyes and stretched out, his back against Buck's arm. "Luck," he snorted playfully. "Yeah, right."

Ezra just smiled and extended his legs as well, propping himself up with the couch. He looked around at the accepting faces of his friends and thought - not for the first time tonight - how lucky he was to be a part of this impromptu family. The whiskey, candlelight and piles of covers combined to soften the guard he usually kept ready and raised. He felt himself truly relaxing, perhaps for the first time in his life.

Buck looked down at JD and smiled at the top of his best friends head. "Ya comfortable, brat?"

JD turned his head and raised dancing eyes to Buck. "Yeah old man. You make a good pillow." A suddenly tickling match ensued, ending when the younger man whispered something to the older man, conveying an unspoken threat to reveal one of his secrets.

JD settled back against Buck and the tall, mustached agent rested his arm companionably over the computer genius' shoulder.

Chris chuckled and lightly kicked Ezra's leg with a sock-covered foot. Green eyes turned to green eyes, and the Team leader was quietly thrilled to see the open trust in Ezra's face.

"What else ya got, pretty boy? I'm tired'a poker."

Vin looked up through lowered lashes and glanced between the two men he most admired. Spinning an empty whiskey bottle absentmindedly on the coffee table, he looked around and cataloged this moment. He was full, warm, dry, clean, wearing clothes with no holes and he was surrounded by people who he trusted and, if only admitting it to himself, loved. It was two weeks before Christmas, he had money in the bank, presents under the tree for this wonderful family of brothers and he was sitting in a room decked out for the season. He was unaware that his gratitude was tracing a path down his cheek in the form of a single tear until the soft, gentle voice of the Southerner reached his ears.

"Mr. Tanner? Is everything all right?"

Wiping the tear away impatiently and laughing with embarrassment, Vin nodded and closed his eyes for a moment. Taking a deep breath he smiled, "Yeah, just thinking about how grateful I am."

Six hands reached out to touch his shoulder. Six smiles welcomed him all over again.

Ezra spoke again, taking in everyone with his glance around the group. "I know what you mean, Mr. Tanner. I know just what you mean."

Vin sucked up his emotions and looked down at the bottle in his hands. Ready to take the focus off his uncharacteristic display of emotion, he suddenly grinned an evil, laughing grin and raised dancing eyes to the group.

"I reck'n I know what we can do, " he began, his Texas drawl thick with mischeviousness. "Let's play spin the bottle."

Accenting his words with a quick flick of his wrist, he sent the bottle spinning, his eyes growing more devilish when it landed pointing toward the Southerner. Green eyes met indigo blue and the usually unflappable gentleman agent suddenly swallowed deeply, his eyes flashing with something akin to trepidation.

Silence met the sharpshooter's suggestion as the others suddenly found other places in the room to look. Before long, though, the possibilities of the suggestion began to flash in the eyes of all concerned, green catching blue catching brown catching grey before blushing and becoming extraordinarily interested in the bottom of their beer bottles.

Nathan, lounging on the couch and nursing his first and only brew, stretched and yawned, breaking the silence but very little of the tension.

"Um... I think I'd best turn in, before I get myself into trouble." Clasping Vin on the shoulder one more time, he laughed at the faces of the others. "Ya never know, boys. The Texan may have something, there."

Settling deeper into the huge, soft couch he prepared to watch the drama unfold before him as he drifted off, knowing that the others would respect his right to pass on this particular activity. Snuggling under the covers, he chuckled to himself and wondered who would be the first to give in.

A soft, husky voice began to speak, only to have to pause while the Southerner cleared his throat. "Well, Mr. Tanner, as you seem well versed on the particulars of this parlor diversion, why don't you share the details with the remainder of us."

Vin flushed hotly and ducked his head. "Aw hell, Ez, everbody knows how to play Spin the Bottle."

Taking the bottle in hand once again, he grabbed a coffee table book and set it in the middle of the loose circle the remaining six had created. Glancing around the circle, head still lowered, he set the bottle whirling. It stopped on Josiah.

Grinning, Vin got to his knees, leaned over and kissed the large profiler on the cheek. Sitting back down quickly, he glanced at Ezra.

"See. It's easy."

"Yes, indeed," the Southerner drawled. "Easy." He swallowed deeply.

Josiah looked around the circle, his eyes the only movement. Making a decision, he slowly reached out and spun the dark glass arrow. A moment later he was taking JD's face in his hands firmly and giving him a playful, loud smack on the lips.

JD rolled his eyes and couldn't help but giggle. A little tipsy, he eagerly reached for the bottle and gave it an enthusiastic spin. Seconds later he was looking up into the amused eyes of the group's ladies' man.

Buck raised an eyebrow, smiling at the younger man's sudden discomfort. JD licked his lips nervously. Suddenly the suave charmer felt his throat tighten and he was surprised at the frisson of excitement that touched his belly.

JD turned around and looked at his best friend. Leaning forward, he gently laid his slightly parted lips against Buck's full, moist mouth. The kiss was chaste, but the countenance in the room changed when it lingered a bit longer than any expected. Blushing hotly, JD dropped his head and moved an inch or so away from the tall, handsome rake.

"Well hell, little brother, who'da thought ya had such soft lips?!" Buck laughed shakily. Trying to regain his equilibrium, he gave the bottle a hearty spin, taking a deep breath when it pointed once again to JD.

"Now, now ... Ain't there some rule about twice in a row?" Buck asked weakly.

Chris chuckled at Buck's unusual lack of composure, shaking his head in the negative. "Oh no, pard ... no such rule."

JD looked a tiny bit hurt until his eyes widened comically as Buck pulled him across his lap, supporting his back with one arm. The lady-killer's mischievous grin was back as he looked down at the prone partner in his embrace.

"Well then," he whispered softly. "I guess I'll at least do it right."

Cradling the side of JD's face in his hand, Buck brushed a thumb over the younger man's soft, full mouth. Running his tongue over his own lips, he leaned down and gently captured JD's bottom fold of flesh with his teeth. JD shuddered softly and opened his mouth to this man who he trusted like no other. Buck made a soft, encouraging sound and slid his tongue inside. JD gasped and rubbed his tongue over Buck's, his heart beating wildly. Buck gave a final, tiny nip to his best friend's chin and pulled his head back.

"Now," Buck drawled huskily. "That's a kiss."

Easing JD off of his lap and back to his place, he looked around at the other members of his Team with a challenging glance. "Let's play."

JD reached a trembling hand out and twisted the bottle. He blinked when it landed solidly pointing to Chris. He groaned silently. 'Not our boss ...' he thought desperately.

Chris, his head lowered a bit, raised his eyes to the dark haired man, watching that angelic face fight his indecision. With a crook of his finger, he beckoned JD to him and leaned forward, supporting himself on one hand as he gently grazed the computer genius's lips.

Smiling reassuringly at JD, he reached for the bottle. He was suddenly very curious to see where the next shoe would fall. And he found himself wishing, just a little bit, that he could direct it.

The glass sliding to a smooth stop brought the fruition of Chris's unvoiced - and nearly subconscious - wish. He narrowed his eyes a bit, green sparks flying as he focused on the man who soothed him with his philosophy, challenged him with his intellect and excited him with one of the few bodies that could make him feel encompassed and safe. Josiah smiled a slow, sexy smile and winked. Holding out his hand, the big profiler invited the gruff leader to join him on his side of the circle, and Chris accepted.

The kiss was gentle. Tender. Exploratory. And hot as hell. Josiah finally pulled away, resting his forehead against the blonde's. Quietly, so only Chris could hear, he whispered a promise that this had only just begun, and suggested they wait for a bit of privacy before exploring their feelings. Chris nodded and sat down beside him, warmed by the arm that remained across his shoulders.

Vin glanced at Ezra, quirking a corner of his lip up in a smile. Ezra matched his look, chuckling softly. Josiah watched them both for second, then smiled a dangerous smile.

"Well, gentlemen, I think it's time we raised the stakes a bit," his soft, deep voice rumbled.

"Stakes, Mr. Sanchez?" Ezra replied with interest.

"I knew that would get your attention, Brother Ezra. I propose a game of "Spin the Tail on the Bottle."

"Huh?" JD asked, perplexed.

The others looked to Josiah for an explanation, all intrigued at the unusual mischievous spirit they saw in his eyes. He stretched, though still keeping his arm about the shoulders of their leader, and explained the game.

"Easy, really. As in "Pin the Tail on the Donkey", each man is blindfolded for this game, after they spin the bottle, of course. The kisser, unable to see, simply has to kiss whatever body part he runs into once he finds the kissee."

Fueled by the playful atmosphere, the testosterone raging madly about the room, and the warm, comfortable cocoon, JD agreed immediately. "What'll we use for a blindfold?" he asked excitedly.

Ezra, his eyes roaming over Vin, pulled a clean handkerchief from his pocket. "I believe this will do, Mr. Dunne."

JD grabbed the cloth and grinned at Josiah. "Guess you're first, Josiah."

"Brother, perhaps we should leave that honor to one of the two who haven't had a kiss, yet."

JD smiled wider and looked at Ezra. "Yeah! Go on, Ezra. You spin."

Ezra raised a cultured brow and nodded once slowly. His voice was slightly husky, and the rasp combined with the southern drawl to ooze sensuality as he spoke softly. "Indeed, Mr. Dunne, I believe I will."

Leaning forward, Ezra took hold of the bottle and closed his eyes for a moment. His heart was already speeding up, his breath a little deeper in his chest. This night was already more than he could ever have dreamed. Could it be it would also contain the culmination of months of fantasy, as well? Old fears threatened to overtake him, and he tamped them down with a strength born of the affection he'd learned to accept from his friends.

Setting the bottle spinning, the undercover specialist leaned back against the couch once more, watching with held breath. It seemed forever before the tool of his fate slowed to a stop before the long-haired, blue-eyed sharpshooter.

Verdant eyes raised to glowing sapphire, which were quickly turning to smoky indigo. Ezra kept his eyes on Vin's as JD crawled over to eagerly cover the Southerner's eyes. Darkness replaced his vision of inner light as the soft cloth closed around him.

The sight of Ezra licking his lips beneath the makeshift blindfold only acted to incite the passion rising in Vin with each moment. He had dreamed of feeling Ezra's lips on his own, never allowing himself to believe it would happen someday.

Moving forward hestitantly, Ezra aimed for the sharpshooter's lips ... and, tangled in covers, fell face first into Vin's sweatpant covered lap. Vin's eyes widened as a muffled, "Oh my" issued forth from between his legs and he felt teeth gently take hold of the tender flesh on the inside of his thigh through thin, knit fabric. Sucking in his breath, he closed his eyes as blood poured into his cock.

Defeated in the fight against his feelings for the handsome Texan, Ezra rested his forhead against Vin's leg, sighing softly. Breathing deeply, he began nuzzling his way quickly up Vin's body. He took the sharpshooter's face in his hands, fingers carefully finding the lips his eyes could not see, but his heart already knew.

"Vin." The choked whisper was both a plea and a prayer, more an utterance of desperate hope than a spoken word.

Vin moaned softly, his 'yes' both an answer and a promise. Tired of secret longing, he pulled the green-eyed temptor close to him, his hand sweeping through the golden brown hair to peel off the blindfold. "Mine!" He suddenly growled, slamming his mouth down upon the lips of the startled gentleman.

Ezra whimpered deep in his throat, clawing at Vin's clothes to get closer. "God, Vin!" he forced through a haze of excitement as they parted for a split second for air.

Vin swept the Southerner into his arms, standing and kicking free of the comforter threatening their freedom. Ezra clutched at him tightly, burying his face against the neck of his dream. Vin's voice was hot in Ezra's ear, harsh with passion denied too long, yet too soft to carry beyond their hearing.

"Do you understand, Ezra?" He whispered through clenched teeth. "Do you know that when I take ya there's no going back?"

Ezra's answer was almost a sob, relief and a heat so powerful it threatened to consume him, in every syllable. "Yes, God, yes. No one else's. Never anyone else's."

Vin kicked the partially open door, slamming it against the wall behind. As it moved to close behind them, he nudged it with his foot, smiling dangerously as it clicked shut. "No turning back now, Ez."

Passion grew in Ezra until the whimpering turned into a growl. Ready to believe, he began to give back the sweet punishment, fastening his teeth on the tender flesh at the apex of the sharpshooter's neck and shoulder.

"Yes, that's it... " Vin hissed, "Fuck the polite, careful approach. Mark me!"

Ezra's hand raked up the side of the Texan's face, tangling impatiently in the long shining hair. Matching Vin's seething heat, Ezra bit and sucked at his partner's jaw, his body restless with the need to be filled by the man who held his heart.

Dropping the Southerner onto the bed that remained intact, Vin immediately covered Ezra's body, capturing his sweet mouth hungrily while his hands divested them both of their clothes. Breathing harshly, he raised himself up to shed the sweatpants and release his aching cock.

"God you are beautiful." He snarled against Ezra's chest, his mouth painting trails of moist warmth down to his lover's waist.

Lifting Ezra's leg over his shoulder, Vin nipped and bit the Southerner's belly as he reached for the bottle of hand lotion next to the bed. Making a mess in his passionate haste, Vin coated his fingers with the thick cream, immediately sliding one into the sweet, tight ass that lay waiting for no one but him.

"That's it, Love .. open up for me." He murmured roughly. "Let me in."

"Yes!" Ezra gasped, lost in the knowledge that this was his Vin.

Vin slid two more fingers into the writhing man before him, opening him with quick, careful precision.

"God Vin, now! Please"

Vin rose and swept Ezra's mouth into a bruising kiss, his tongue punishing and seducing at once as he pushed into the slick entrance offered by every moan and whimper from his lover's throat.

Unable to control the passion that had built so long, he nipped his way to Ezra's ear and pleaded with the gentleman jaggedly. "Ride it, Baby... I'll make it good for you, just ride the pain for now. I've got ya."

Ezra cried out, the Texas drawl in his ear carrying him further than the body taking him could. His cries redoubled, climbing to mindless keening as his body adjusted and embraced the glorious creature changing his life.

"GOD, VIN!" He screamed as he poured out his seed onto his own belly with only the slightest touch of Vin's leg against his cock.

"Yes, Ezra, yes baby..." Vin mewled softly, sobbing as he reached toward completion with the obsession of a starving man fighting for the last crust of bread.

Throwing his head back, Vin's gutteral cry tore deep from his throat, filling the quiet, cold room. Slamming his head onto the beautiful man's chest, his hips bucking wildly, he fought for breath as the world threatened to go black around him.

Tears poured down Vin's cheeks as his body jerked and shuddered with the fulfillment of a dream. Gasps for air slowing to harsh panting, he struggled to hold himself upright, his forehead still resting against his Southern man.

Raising his head, his eyes still on fire, he caught the green gaze still full of want and suddenly exploded with energy once again.

Rolling over onto his side, he pulled Ezra tightly against him, trying to get into him, to merge and become one. Pumping fiercely against him, pulling back then filling him over and over, Vin loved all the doubt, all the worry, all the thoughts of unworthiness out of the green-eyed adonis in his arms. When both had cried out into the darkness again, Vin clapsed in exhaustion and fell into an instant sleep, arms still locked around his new lover.

Ezra wiped a grateful tear from his cheek as he gazed in wonder at the man who held him. Pulling the only remaining blanket in the room over them both, he gave a stuttered, fulfilled sigh and closed his eyes, knowing he would sleep as he never had before.

The other room was quiet for a moment as the last of the cries reached their ears. Five mischevious smiles crept onto five crafty faces.

"Well, Brothers," Josiah said contentedly. "I believe it worked."

Five chuckles filled the room as five bodies raced to blow out lamps and candles, then snuggle deeper into the nest of mattresses. In the dark, Buck reached out to JD, and Josiah pulled Chris against him. They slept.