"GOT HIM! Now you're mine again, Ezra!" Borgo's crow of triumph met with silence.

Ezra stared down at the dark, collapsed shape on the empty track, unmoving. He and the shape didn't move. He edged closer to the front of the guard rail on his level of the viewing stand, hung there, staring down in despair. The rifle, so close now, burned another trail along the top of his shoulder, nearly at the joint with his neck this time. He toppled against the railing and sagged to his knees, eyes never leaving Buck. He'd thought he'd suffered before, when Gent had told him that Buck was dead, but now he discovered that it was nothing compared to actually seeing Buck hit, fall, and lay as if dead. Was he? No way to tell. Borgo was hitting his targets with precision. How could he not be dead? Ezra closed his eyes and let the anguish within feed the flames of his rage. After a heartbeat, two, he sprung to his feet, staggered and turned, staring up the remaining distance to where he could now see Borgo. The man was only two more flights of stairs up from him, at the top edge of the stands, an open observation deck area.

Ezra took a steadying breath and began to move, to climb. Eyes glued now to his adversary. He shook with so great an anger that he knew he was no longer really thinking at all. And, it didn't matter, nothing did now that Buck was gone. Licking his lips, the little con man half-dragged his body onward, upward, watching as Tony dropped his sniper's rifle and pulled out an automatic. Watched as the huge man grinned and lifted his arm, pointing directly at Standish, squinting down the sight, arm straight out.

"Come to play, pretty boy?" Tony crooned.

"Come to kill," Ezra hissed, not caring if Tony could hear him or not. Sig dropped as he was winged on his climb earlier, Ezra smoothly pulled his waist gun free from his back holster. "Wait for me, Tony," he whispered.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Chris and Josiah were already in the tunnels that funneled crowds into the seating when they heard Ezra's cry and the sound of a rifle shot. They shared a horrified glance, then ran toward the moonlight. Bursting from beneath the stands the two tall men stopped to look out on the open expanse of the track, both seeing Wilmington's unmoving body at the same moment. "Buck!" Chris' soft cry of pain was echoed by Josiah's "Oh, dear god, no." The two edged out into the open, ducking back into shadow as the rifle spoke again, only this time there was no sign that it was aimed downward. Josiah spotted the unfolding drama first. "Up there, Chris, near the top of the stands!" One long arm pointed unerringly to where Ezra was facing off Tony, like two titans of ancient mythology, it all came down to this.

Larabee spared one glance to the dueling pair and ran out to his downed friend. The blonde knelt beside his oldest friend and felt for a pulse. "Got it! Josiah," he called in a low voice, "He's alive. Looks like a head shot, just creased him. Probably concussed."

Sanchez spared his own last look upward before loping swiftly to Larabee's side. "Let's move him while we can." Together the two big men grabbed ankles and shoulders and moved Buck back into the shelter of the entrance that they'd appeared at themselves moments ago. They didn't know that they were repeating Ezra's own actions of taking a wounded friend to safety, in that very same spot, only a short time earlier.

Larabee propped up the unconscious Wilmington, patting one shoulder. "Hold on, Pard." He nodded to Josiah, "Let's go!" Looking back once at Buck's sagging profile, he spoke as penetratingly as he could. "Hold on, Buck, we'll be back, with Ezra."

Each heading to the side, the two men ran in dodging lines to reach the other side of the huge track, and land with their backs against the bottom enclosure walls. It occurred to both simultaneously that Tony and Ezra no longer had eyes for anyone other than each other. Both stood and looked up. Ezra was nearly to Borgo. They leapt over the low barrier, and headed for two bracketing exits, with staircases beyond.

Vin had melted away from the team at Larabee's nod. He'd run with easy, deceptive grace into the main track area, spotted the duo in confrontation even as he heard the shot and Ezra's cry to Buck. Cursing under his breath, Tanner headed for the far stands, keeping to the edge of the track until he was out of direct line of sight between Borgo's gun and Buck's body, figuring the man probably was working on limited focus at this point. Safely reaching the far side just as Borgo fired again, he looked up in time to see that Ezra had been hit, but was rallying. Heading up toward Tony's perch on the observation deck.

Shouldering his long gun, Vin climbed the stair cases, two and even three steps at a once, intent on getting up to where he could provide Ezra with back up in time.

Ezra tucked his gun into the front of his waistband and grabbed hold of the pipe railings and pulled himself up the final steps to the top deck, leaving damp red smears of blood on the rails where his hands had rested. Stumbling out onto the open deck he whirled to face Tony who stood, still as a sentinel, about 30 meters away, holding his own gun aimed at Ezra's body. "Hello, Ezra." He fired.

Standish had already started to move when the shot was fired, this time evading a hit. He dove and rolled, coming up partly behind a small concession stand counter that stood abandoned at the back edge of the deck. Ezra took the opportunity to take the automatic back into his hand and to drag air back into starved lungs. I can do this. For you, Buck, for JD, and for me. Ezra sat, gasping softly, back against the stand for another moment, then he inhaled sharply and sprung from the protection of the wooden counter and closer to Tony at an angle, keeping low. I am coming for you, Tony. Rage had given way to cold, flat vengeful savagery. Ezra would not be stayed.

"Come to me, Ezra." Tony's voice had a singsong quality now that was terrifying in its mindless quality.

"NEVER!" Ezra growled as he staggered erect and started across the remaining distance. Tony fired again, nipping at the cloth along one lower leg. Ezra kept coming. Tony fired lower, hitting the scuffed side of the heel of one shoe. Standish jumped slightly and limped on.

Finally, Tony seemed to begin to panic. He braced himself with both arms straight, clamping the pistol between the large hands and aimed for Ezra. "That's far enough!"

Ezra's eyes were weeping blood by now from a nick to his crown that was bleeding into his eye cavities. His head had struck a sharp metal step tred when one of Tony's earlier strikes had thrown him off his feet during his climb up the stands. Now he blinked away the thickening screen of blood that clouded his vision. Swaying slightly, still limping, he moved on hate and determination and vengeance. With only ten feet to go, Ezra went airborne, using his own body as a weapon, he soared up and toward Borgo. He was operating on a very basic level now, kill or be killed.

Tony aimed in startlement at the suddenly hurling body, heading his way. Firing once before Ezra's body collided with his own, he managed to miss completely. Then he was flying backwards to the deck, to land on his back with the smaller man on top, already shoving a gun under his chin. "Move and you're a dead man, Tony."

But Borgo had no intention of letting his little lover take control. With a surge of adrenaline and a fierce thrust, he was halfway to his feet, pushing Standish back off of him. "This is all your fault, Ezra, you fucked up again!" Tony charged back onto the smaller man who jumped to the side with effort.

"No, Tony, not mine. You did this to yourself." Ezra grunted as he circled, the two men now shuffling in a tight circle each man looking for an advantage. As if realizing the futility of their guns in such a battle, or perhaps, desiring something more intimate, both dropped their guns and drew knives from their persons.

Blades out to the sides, they faced each other, quick eyes assessing and shifting focus, looking for weaknesses.

Vin was on the deck now, his own rifle raised, looking for a shot, but the two men were so close together now, he daren't risk Ezra getting hit. He stalked closer, never lowering his weapon.

Chris and Josiah reached the deck just as Ezra screamed what had to be a Rebel yell from the Deep South. It stopped his scattered teammates cold, even as he ran directly at the behemoth in front of him. His charge pushed both men perilously close to the back edge of the deck where the railing was broken and hanging loosely. The two figures, one large, one small, pounded furiously at each other, knives swiping and catching in clothing, being equally discarded for knuckles and fists.

Madness drove Tony Borgo, a lost soul whose mind was gone. He punched and kicked and grappled with the little weasel who'd done this to him, driven him to his fall, to his own private hell. Ezra's adrenaline and anger kept him upright, his slender, compact body a David's to Goliath. He fought with everything he had, he fought without regard to any rules of combat. This was going to end soon because he was going to collapse, he could feel it. He had to end things now. Surging up inside the bear hug that Tony was trying to tighten around the smaller man, he drove both fists into Tony's neck just under the chin. The big man staggered.

Gagging and choking Borgo fell back, but didn't lose his footing. He wiped sweat from his brow and balled his fists, and tried to land a full body blow, only to once more find it deflected by talented, strong hands and arms.

By now Chris, Josiah, and Vin were all circling closer, cautious lest they interrupt Ezra's concentration, but ready to pull Borgo off when the chance might arise.

Ezra suddenly broke free and took a mincing step back, spinning his body weight low on one heel, the other leg thrown straight out as he rose in the spin, the whole leg becoming a deadly weapon as he spun to face Tony. The cocked foot's heel struck Borgo full in the face. He grunted and fell back but not down. Ezra dropped the leg only to execute a full body flip, avoiding Tony's flailing arms with sheer athletic precision, cutting through the air with an almost whistling speed, both feet crashing into the bigger man's chest, smashing ribs and solar plexus, driving bone into organs. Like a collapsed doll, Tony fell. The thrusting double kick shoved him back into air. With nothing to stop him, Borgo fell off the edge of the grand stand. Plummeted to the ground, 40 feet below, landing with a dull thud on cracked concrete.

Ezra's forward momentum and weakening state didn't allow for braking. His body continued to follow Tony's over the edge.

Larabee could see the end and predict Ezra's moves, he'd worked out with the agent upon occasion, knew what a risk taker he could be. Saw the spinning kick, the beginning of the flip, and knew in his heart what would happen. What couldn't be allowed to happen. He ran forward, then jumped, arms stretched even as Tony disappeared from sight and Ezra's body flew after. Chris' desperate leap and reach caught the flying con man and snagged him to the deck with a mighty crash. Ezra landed on his back, arm twisted painfully over his head, held by one wrist in Larabee's grasp. Ezra's legs dangled beyond view off the edge of the deck. Their motion and Ezra's falling body began to drag both men toward the edge.

Sanchez had seen what Chris was doing and was right behind him, his own long arms grappling at Larabee's waist, pulling him to the deck, then starting to draw the other two men back to safety. Vin had arrived by now and peered over the edge to see the rag doll that had been Tony Borgo splayed out on the ground, broken and still. He turned away, placing his weapon on the deck and joining Sanchez in pulling their teammates away from the edge of the building.

Larabee twisted and drew his legs back so that he could sit up, then pulled Ezra's body into his arms. "Ez?" Chris' chest hurt from the hard landing and his breathlessness. He wanted to go kick Borgo but a look at Vin told him Borgo was gone. "Hey? Ez?" His panting eased as he gently turned the man into his lap and carefully moved Ezra's head toward him. Standish looked like he'd been fighting forever, his entire body seemed to be bleeding from numerous wounds, none deep from the looks of it, thank god. "Ezra?" Finally green eyes blinked open and stared into hazel ones.

"Buck?"

"Alive. Concussed. We left him on the ground to come help you. Only, you didn't seem to need any." Chris' tone carried affectionate respect.

"Always need my friends, my team." Ezra smiled tiredly and leaned in to rest against his boss who was also his good friend. He smiled and squeezed back as Josiah gripped one of his hands and held tight. Looking up, he met Vin's bright blue eyes that gleamed down at him. Buck's alive. I am. Tony Borgo will not hurt anyone ever again. My world has been righted, for now at least. His smile dimpled wider and he tolerated Vin's hand mussing his cap of longish chestnut hair.

"Pard, think you're gonna need a haircut soon." Everyone grinned at that, the pronouncement by the team's most notoriously long-haired agent.

Ezra sank deeper into Larabee's arms. "Chris?" He sighed. "I just want to go home now, with Buck."

Chris gave his undercover agent a gentle hug. "We'll see what we can do, Ez, we'll see what we can do."

<><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the end, Chris and Josiah gently supported their undercover agent as they led the way back down out of the stands. Ezra had staunchly refused to be carried. "I can navigate on my own, gentlemen, thank you very much."

Vin had called some police detectives, who had worked with the ATF team in the past, for Tony Borgo's body. Then headed down the stairs, passing the slow moving trio, to check on Buck and let Nathan and JD know that all was well. Vin reached Buck as the other man was coming around. He knelt beside the surveillance expert and held on to one shoulder as Buck blinked up at him. "Vin?"

"Yep. How you doing, Bucklin?" Vin helped Wilmington rise from the cement floor of the exit tunnel. The taller man staggered slightly, bringing one hand to his head, then pulling it away to examine the blood on it as he wove in place.

"Not sure." Wilmington straightened and leaned against the cold wall. His uneven pupils were a give away that the man was concussed. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back, then suddenly jerked upright, eyes opening wildly. "Ezra!"

"Easy, Buck, easy. Ezra's okay. Got a few scrapes but he'll be fine. He's coming with Chris and Josiah, they're right behind me." Vin tried to be reassuring as Buck started to shuffle back towards the track.

At that moment the exit darkened against the faint light of the high security lights and the light of the moon. A triple silhouette moved awkwardly towards them. Then Buck spied Ezra in the center of the group.

"Ez!" Buck was off and stumbling.

Standish looked up and shrugged free of his friends' supporting hands at the sound of his name. He'd been watching the ground, watching where he placed his feet, his entire body shaking in shock by now. Seeing Buck coming towards him, he simply opened his arms wide and waited.

In a rush, Wilmington was upon him swooping him up in a huge body hug, and swirling them around only to stagger again as his center of gravity failed him with the concussion.

"Whoa, there Buck!" Josiah was on one side of the clinging couple and Chris on the other, both lending hands and arms to help keep their two injured friends upright.

Ezra and Buck, though, ignored their bolstering teammates and clung together, heads buried against each other's necks, fisting each other's shirts. Their silence was more eloquent than any disclaimers of love or devotion, they simply existed because each had the other once more. It was enough.

Chris met Josiah's eyes, then looked over at Vin and nodded towards the vehicles beyond the short tunnel. Vin headed off to find Nathan, and Chris and Josiah gently turned and herded the oblivious duo with them, following after Vin.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Buck had been relegated to the carpeted floor of the van, with Ezra sitting propped up beside him, swathed in temporary bandages care of their very own medic. JD continued to sit, albeit groggily, in one of the two captain's chairs in the back of the van. Nathan, at the wheel, headed for the nearest emergency room.

Vin was driving Buck's pickup and following. Chris stayed behind at the scene with Josiah, they'd talk to the police and ID the body, then head out with Josiah's wagon and Chris' truck, meet the rest at the hospital.

"Eh, Ez?" Buck turned his head painfully to look up at Ezra who was leaning back against the van's interior wall, with Wilmington's head in his lap.

"Um?" Ezra tenderly stroked Buck's unmarked temple, content to just 'be' with Buck beside him.

"How bad are you hurt, anyway?" Buck craned his head a bit to see more of the southerner. "You look like a damn mummy."

"Yeah, like in 'Night of the Living Dead.'" JD contributed from his perch.

Buck shot the youngster an annoyed look. "Those were zombies, not mummies, kid."

JD grinned unrepentantly. "Whatever." It felt good to be bickering with Buck again, not trying to change him or fight the changes he'd been making. And, with newly opened eyes, JD could see the deep love that had sprung up nearly overnight between the two men in front of him. Two of his good friends.

Ezra listened with a half-smile on his face. He could tell that JD was now alright with them, with Buck and him. It was as if the final blessing had been given. He let his fingers stray into Buck's soft blackish wing of hair, sifted it through his fingers with textural pleasure.

"Ez? You haven't answered me yet." Buck's eyes were crossing and he knew he needed to rest, his head was pounding, but he could also see the pain in Ezra's eyes. His friend was hurting too and he wanted to know how bad. Did he need to worry?

"Only scrapes and bruises, Buck. Tony was a true sharpshooter, he aimed to brush me with his shots and he did."

"Christ, Ezra, you were damn near covered in blood."

"Just grazes, my love, nothing endangering." Ezra leaned down and planted a kiss on the wrinkled forehead, smoothing it out again. "Rest easy."

But Buck was not through. Reassured about Ezra, at least for the moment, he turned his head toward JD. "How about you, kid? How bad you hurt?"

Dunne blushed. He really didn't deserve the concern he heard in Buck's voice, not after the way he'd treated him. But, he was damn glad that Buck's big heart still had room for a little brother. "I'll be okay. Mostly just sore. Borgo beat on me for a while." He gingerly touched one finger to his currently misshapen face. "Bit of a concussion, too, and then my hands and feet were numb from being tied up, but that's getting better now." JD looked over at Ezra. "Thank you again, Ezra."

"My pleasure, Mr. Dunne." Ezra looked pleased, too. JD was happy to believe the southerner and feel the comfort of a return to their earlier relationship, friendship. Challenged and surviving, the friendship was only stronger for the test, JD decided with relief.

Nathan, driving the van, had been quietly listening to his three friends mending fences in the back. He smiled to himself, thinking that the team would be that much tighter for this strange and scary case. And, Ezra was now free of Tony Borgo and safely in the arms of the inimitable Wilmington, a more kind and caring man Nathan could not name. Yes, all was right with his world again - or soon would be, once he got these men patched up at the ER. He shook his head in good humor. That in itself was going to be interesting. Especially since Chris had sent Vin of all people to help him herd the injured at the health facility. Oh, well, he already knew that all three were battered but essentially fine and in no danger from their wounds and bruises.

Nathan turned the wheel over and pulled into the covered portico of the ER at St. Mary's. A doctor and some nurses were clustered at the entrance, waiting for them. Chris must have called ahead, Nate thought with a grin. Like most of the medical facilities in the greater Denver area, this one had had more than a passing acquaintance with Team Seven. No wonder they waited at the curb. Nathan's grin grew wider as he turned off the motor and announced to his friends in the back, "We're here."

<><><><><><><><><><><>

By the time that Chris and Josiah arrived at St. Mary's, Vin was sitting beside a tired JD in the waiting area. The kid had a mottled appearance from the medicated paste that had been applied to his battered face in splotches. Between the pinkish-white spots of cream, his skin was darkening with a rainbow of colors from the bruising. He sported a white bandage around his head for the two head injuries, one from the motorcycle crash, when Tony Borgo had rear-ended him, and one from Borgo himself. JD sat slumped in his seat next to a small brown bag of his medications for pain.

Vin greeted the new arrivals in a relaxed manner that clearly signaled all three of the team's wounded were alright. Chris moved to the nurse's station for more information while Josiah came to sit beside JD and across from Vin.

"How do you feel, JD?"

"Not too bad, Josiah, got me a few stitches," he pointed unnecessarily to cut and mended cheek bones and along one jaw. "The doctor said they won't leave scars, though." He tried to open his still swelling eyes wider. "You and Chris get everything done back there?"

Josiah nodded peacefully. "Team Four arrived before we left." He met Vin's eyes sadly. "They were okay with it, not angry, just sorry. Tony had always been a bit rough, and his calls to Tom Nelson and Jerry Ortega, there at the end, had evidently severed the few remaining ties." Josiah sadly shook his head at the tragedy of that sick man's life and death. "They don't blame Ezra or Buck. In fact, Jerry said to tell Ezra that he understands."

JD, to Josiah's side, spoke again. "That's good 'cause Ez and Buck need to put this behind them."

Vin raised an eyebrow, then lowered it as a small smile lit his face. He realized at that moment that JD had finally come around and was gonna be okay with Ez and Buck, with him and Chris. He silently agreed with the kid, his eyes already wandering back over to where Chris was leaning on the counter by the on-duty nurse. She had just returned with a doctor.

"If you lads will excuse me," Josiah rose and walked over to stand solidly behind his boss. Listening, he learned that Ezra was still undergoing treatment and that Buck, who'd been patched up and was simply being observed for a bit, had refused to leave the ER cubicle where Ezra was getting cleaned up and stitched up.

Chris shook hands with the ER doctor and nodded to the nurse, then turned to face the rest of the team. Josiah had been beside him to hear the news and he figured that JD and Vin already knew from their relaxed slumping forms. At that moment, Nathan appeared around the barrier of the nurse's station.

"Hey Chris," he said quietly in greeting, looking weary as well.

"Nate." Larabee studied the team medic. "You okay?"

"Yes. Just tired. Had to do a little fast shuffling to keep Buck and Ezra together in there." He gestured mildly back over his shoulder. "Once the folks here understood that it wouldn't do them any good to try to separate those two, things went a lot smoother." He grinned slowly. "Actually, with Buck in there hovering, Ezra is being a model patient."

That earned chuckles from the rest of the team who knew that, like Vin Tanner, Ezra Standish was never a good patient. In fact, that very term - patient, NEVER applied to their undercover agent when it came to medical treatment, especially in a hospital.

Nathan walked over to sit beside JD, giving him a visual once over but saying nothing, clearly recognizing that the boy was fine, just needed time to heal. He looked approvingly at the medications already picked up, Vin must have done that. He nodded his thanks to their sharpshooter who returned it was a small grin.

He leaned in and spoke directly to JD. "Tonight, JD, you're coming home with me." He waited for an explosion, a protest, but the boy simply nodded tiredly.

"Thanks, Nathan." JD clearly knew that Buck would be otherwise engaged and not able to look after him. Despite what he'd said, he did feel wobbly and wouldn't mind someone looking after things for a bit. He could be independent tomorrow.

That settled, Jackson looked up and smiled as Josiah and Chris walked over to join them. Josiah sat down on JD's other side while Chris sank into a chair beside Vin who promptly tipped a bit to the side, so that his shoulder rested against the blonde's. Nothing too obvious to strangers, but the other team members now recognized the quiet comfort the two men were giving each other.

Now all they had to do was wait.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Buck rubbed unthinkingly at his head, trying to scratch at the stitches that rose over one temple. The large pad of bandage and the swath around his head, securing it, prevented his wandering fingers from doing any damage.

Then Ezra's sharp command stilled his hand. "Buck, leave that alone!"

Guiltily, Wilmington ducked his head, then smiled at the southerner. "Just wasn't thinking, Ez."

"Then, my friend, it's time you started once more to do that." Ezra sounded tired, but relaxed, all tension gone.

Buck, who was perched on a shiny silvered steel stool, ducked back as the nurse and doctor shifted to a new spot on Ezra's body where he lay on the gurney. He managed to maintain his white-knuckled grip on Ezra's hand, their physical connection as necessary as breathing. So far, the medical personnel had cleaned all the places they could reach on Ezra's front side, putting in stitches in several locations and giving the smaller man some medication to fight infection and pain through an IV currently attached to one hand.

"Mr. Standish, we're going to help you turn over now."

Ezra sighed and silently complied with the strong, guiding hands. He would not fight this. It simply wasn't worth it, especially since when he had started to fuss, early on, Buck had become very agitated. He wanted to keep Wilmington calm.

The back of Ezra revealed several more bullet grazes and one deeper, still bleeding gouge in one upper back thigh. Both the doctor and the nurse had refrained from unnecessary comments but their wide eyes and indrawn breaths of surprise and dismay went a long way to convincing both Ezra and Buck that the treatment was needed.

It was nearly an hour later that Doctor Barnes and Nurse Fuentes finally stepped back, peeling off their surgical rubber gloves. Barnes met Wilmington's eyes. "He'll be fine, nothing was endangering, though it would have been serious if untreated. Mr. Standish should be fine in about two weeks. Right now he needs bed rest, fluids, and have him follow the medication directions, keep him as stress-free as possible.

Buck nodded, trying to ignore the irritated grimace on Ezra's face at the doctor's words. "I am still in the room, Doctor," Standish reminded acerbically.

"Oh, yes, Mr. Standish, but I just thought since Mr. Wilmington is here that it might be best to share the information. You will need a caregiver for a few days, to change dressings and assist you." Barnes spotted the rebellion on the closed face. "Mr. Standish. I could have you admitted, keep you here for observation and treatment." Before Standish could interrupt with defiance, he delivered his final blow, "I'd just speak to Mr. Larabee, your boss, I believe? Who is sitting out in the waiting area even as we speak."

Ezra closed his mouth, his comments silenced by the threat. Chris could make him stay here. He did NOT want to stay here, he wanted to go home with Buck and simply heal in his lover's arms. Rethinking his response, he said, "Doctor, I apologize. Thank you for sharing your directions with Mr. Wilmington."

Buck hid a grin behind a hand that scratched his mustache. That was old Ez, alright, ever ready to worm his way out of a hole he'd dug for himself. He looked up as the doctor now addressed him again.

"Mr. Wilmington? Do you want to help Mr. Standish get dressed or shall I have a nurse do it?"

Buck met flashing green eyes and smiled reassuringly. "I can handle it, Doc."

Barnes nodded and left, the nurse trailing after him.

Buck stood up and helped Ezra to a sitting position on the gurney, his legs dangling off the side. With a hop and the help of his arms, Buck was up on the gurney at Ezra's side. "Hey, Pard, you 'bout ready to blow this joint?"

Ezra smiled secretively. He'd have Buck to himself again soon and no case to interfere, no crazy ex-lover out to get them. He leaned into the bigger man at his side. "Yes."

Buck swung one long arm up and around Ezra's shoulders and drew him even closer, turning them slightly so that he could kiss him. "Good 'cause I want to get you somewheres private where I can take real good care of you." He kissed the compliant man at his side again, enjoying the answering warmth in their kiss.

When they left the cubicle some time later, Ezra now dressed in his black, torn clothing once more, they made their way out to their waiting friends.

Nathan had already retrieved the prescriptions each man would need and had them filled at the pharmacy counter. He was waiting with two more small brown bags. Everyone stood up when their last two team mates appeared from the back of the ER. Ezra was nestled in the guiding arm of his taller companion, both walking slowly, carefully. Both smiling.

Chris sighed. He hated to do it, but there was no way they could be left to their own devices for the next few days. The doctor had explained in sufficient detail that he knew, despite anything they might say, that both men needed to be watched and would need some assistance. Stepping forward, he cut through the greetings of the other team members. "Ready?"

Ezra looked up at Wilmington who looked down at him. Both turned to stare at Larabee in silent question.

"You two are coming out to the ranch with Vin and me." Before protests could begin, he continued. "It's that or stay here. I already spoke to Doctor Barnes." He noted with satisfaction that both men now appeared subdued. He'd have to ask the good doctor later what threat he'd used to get such a cowed reaction from his stubborn men. Oh, and he better make sure that Buck didn't worry. "JD's gonna go home with Nate for at least overnight."

"Or, until Casey can come by and stay with me." JD added with a smile. If the rest of the team's raised eyebrows penetrated, he was not giving that away. "You just keep an eye on Ez, Buck."

Wilmington nodded. Looked like Chris and the others were already on the job, taking care of them. He hugged Ezra to him, gently, careful of all the treated injuries. His eyes had been like saucers as he'd watched the wounds revealed and dressed in back in the ER. Ezra was literally covered with small scary bullet grazes. He didn't know whether to be grateful or not that Borgo had been such a good shot. Now, all he wanted was to get out of here and somewhere where he could cuddle with his Ezra. "Okay, Pard, then let's get this here show on the road. Let's get out of here!"

The rest of Team Seven grinned, taking the time to pat or touch both men, and JD. Reassuring themselves that all was well again. Then the team headed out. JD, Ezra, and Buck among them, watchful, caring brothers flanking them.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

With Vin and Chris in the front, Buck had cradled Ezra in his arms in the small backseat of the king cab of the Ram. They'd made it up to the ranch in slow, easy time, Vin reading out loud the directions on all of Buck's and Ezra's medications. Chris listened as he drove, suspecting that the silence from the back seat didn't necessarily mean that his other two friends were also listening with glued attention. Far from it. He smirked.

Once the truck was parked in front of the ranch house, the two injured men were eased out of the back and into the house, down the hall to the guest room. Before either could make much comment, they were stripped of everything except boxers, in Buck's case, and jockey shorts, in Ezra's, and tucked into the queen-size bed. Vin quietly closed the door on the tired men, already cuddling close and drowsing.

Chris was out in the living room, stoking a fire in the fireplace. "Drink, cowboy?" Vin asked, stopping beside his partner to stroke the curve of spine exposed at the moment.

Larabee looked up over his shoulder at the rangy Texan, "Yeah, a beer would be nice." He turned back to finish coaxing a blaze from the starter twigs and small kindling. He had a couple of larger pine logs ready to go in as soon as the fire was firmly going.

Rising to his feet, he accepted the bottle of cold beer from Vin and wandered out on to the back porch, knowing that Vin would follow. Together they sat on one of the comfortable padded benches, staring up at the early dawn sky, stars fading now, full moon having drifted from sight. Rows of the Rocky Mountain ranges marched away toward the horizon, looking pale and pastel colored in the just flaring morning sunlight from somewhere in front of the ranch house.

Chris put a comfortable arm over and around Vin, snagging him closer. The younger man leaned in to the hug, resting his head in his normal position on Chris' shoulder. They sipped their beers in silence, enjoying the sight and the sounds of morning in the high foothills.

When Chris spoke, it was almost hesitantly. "I could have asked Josiah to keep them at his place, or even at Ezra's."

Vin listened, hearing both what was said and what wasn't. He rubbed his chin against Chris' chest and resettled on the shoulder, smiling gently. "Nope. This was best. They don't have to pretend or anything with us. And," Vin's smile grew wider, "they can explore each other without fear of offending anyone."

Larabee shifted back further into the bench pillows, putting down his bottle to bring his other arm up around Tanner and hug him tighter. "Yep, that's what I thought. Just wanted to make sure you were okay with it."

"I'm fine, Chris."

Chris nodded against the soft, golden brown hair. "Should be interesting few days." That got a chuckle from his companion. "Josiah's gonna bring up some clothes for each of them tomorrow."

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Buck listened as Vin and Chris faded out of the room, heard the soft click of the door close. He turned to pull Ezra into his arms and settle the southerner against his chest. He felt the warm, small body relax in his arms and a soft kiss touch his chest.

"Sorry, Buck, but I'm so tired." Ezra's confession charmed the tall ATF agent.

"'s alright, Pard, you jest sleep for a bit, think I need some too after the last few days." He planted a kiss on Ezra's forehead and closed his eyes.

It was several hours later, with brilliant morning sunshine streaming into the bedroom, that Buck finally woke. He was lying on his back, arms and legs spread widely. It felt warm and comfortable, there was no reason to rush off and do something. Only needed to stay right where he was. The warmth on his chest and hips was particularly heartwarming at the moment as he realized that Ezra had crawled up completely on top of him and was sprawled on there in sleeping abandon, snoring ever so softly. Buck smiled with satisfaction. This was how he wanted to wake up for the rest of his life. With Ezra on top of him, around him, beside him. He laid a large hand squarely on the smaller man's back, and pressed lightly, rubbing in small circles. With his other hand, he captured the dear face of his companion and eased it towards his own. Seeing the sleep conquered face, he was careful not to startle his prize as he guided the man's lips up to his own. With pleasure beyond any he'd ever known, he put little butterfly kisses on those tender lips, still sleep-parted.

Ezra huffed and grunted softly. Then blinked open those amazingly green, green eyes. Buck was entranced once more. He continued nipping and kissing the small mouth, eliciting a groan of pleasure now. Ezra's eyes suddenly took on life, intelligence, love and humor. The spark was undeniable and it was clearly directed at Buck who grinned back in delight.

"Morning, sleepy head." Buck didn't allow for an immediate response as he captured those moist lips and pressed in more firmly with a wake-up kiss that had Ezra smiling when he withdrew enough to check.

"Good morning, sweet Buck." Ezra raised up a bit on top of his friend and placed folded arms on Buck's chest, elbows pressing into Buck's flat brown tits. Ezra blinked again to clear his eyes and then began to rotate his hips on top of Buck's pelvic region.

Buck's eyes widened in surprise and then appreciation. "Whoa, Pard, don't go too fast!" He put a big hand down on top of the slowly wriggling ass and held tight. "You got some healing to do before we get too active, baby."

Ezra managed a lovely little pout just for Buck. He unfolded his arms and slid them down and under Buck's neck so that he could bring the big man's head up closer to his own. "Oh, very well," he murmured against the mustached lips beneath his own. "I'll just have to settle for some cuddling, hum?" Then he lowered his lips on to Buck's and forced his tongue inside, sweeping over the welcoming tongue within, curling back to wipe at teeth and inner cheeks. Buck didn't remain impassive, starting to suck on the invader and pulling it tightly within his mouth. Ezra moaned again with enjoyment.

Buck's free hand speared through the chestnut curls on Ezra's head and he wallowed in the feeling of love that surrounded them. When Ezra finally raised his head to take a deep breath, Buck licked at the sweet, firm chin and grinned at the questioning eyes. "Can't get enough of you, baby. Gonna die happy with you in my arms."

A cloud passed over the green eyes, then dissipated. "Just don't die soon, Buck, I need you." Ezra paused, then added daringly, "I love you."

"Oh, god, baby, I love you too! I love you so damn much it hurts." Buck abandoned his strategy of gentle touches to grab fiercely and hug Ezra to him so tightly that the smaller man gave a squeak of surprise. Instantly, remorsefully, Buck loosened his hold but didn't relinquish his captive. "Sorry, Ez, just so happy that I could go shout it out to the world. Want to hold on so tight that I squeeze you inside o' me."

Buck wished he knew the words to convey just how deeply and how thoroughly he loved this man. He had never ever felt like this before and it was liberating to feel so completely bound to his baby. The strange conflicting senses of this didn't phase the exuberant man, he just relished the feeling of completeness, wholeness that his new relationship with Ezra P. provided. He sighed deeply and opened his mouth for Ezra's returning, probing tongue, loving the security that allowed the other man to take control and have no fear. He'd seen the light of joy in those wondrous green eyes. I want to keep them like that always.

Ezra had never had this feeling of surety and confidence before in a relationship. Never had he felt bold enough to take over during a session of loving, always he'd been the passive receiver, or the obedient leman. Now he basked in the assurance that he was loved for just being himself. He didn't have to perform or obey to try to win a moment's caress or closeness. No, it was freely granted and he reveled in the love that Buck graced him with. "Never be sorry for loving me, Bucklin Wilmington." Ezra smeared another kiss sloppily across the smiling face below his own. "I give my heart to you freely. I trust you to keep it and me safe."

"Oh, god, Ez, always! Always you'll be safe with me." The promise was breathed on hitched breath as Buck felt a huge bubble of joy press on his ribs, lungs and heart from the inside, the pressure intense and incredible. Joy, he was sure of it. He was filled with joy! He tensed his neck muscles to raise his head enough to return the kisses being indiscriminately smooshed all over his face. He brought up both arms and snagged Ezra's neck, pulling his head down as Buck relaxed back against the pillow again. "Gotcha!" he muttered and started munching on those lovely lips.

It was some time later before the initial euphoria wore off enough that the two men settled into a comfortable embrace, Ezra still on top of his Buck. Both sets of eyes opened in surprise when a joint rumbling sounded from their stomach areas.

Buck flashed a grin as he met Ezra's eyes. "Guess it's time we got up, faced the world, huh, baby?"

Ezra let himself slide to the side of his friend's body and traced small circles on Buck's chest. "Are you going to call me that in front of the others?"

Buck pushed himself up on one elbow to better face his sweet Ezra. "Hadn't given it any thought." He cocked his head, licking his lips and smiling at the small southerner lying out like Goya's Maja. One stray finger found it's way to the delicate dip at the base of Ezra's throat. "Does it bother you?"

Ezra blushed and ducked his head, only to have it gently raised as Buck's finger traced up the line of Ezra's throat and pushed lightly under the firm chin. In a husky tone, he answered, "No, I like it." Then Ezra lowered his eyelids slightly as he added, "No one's ever called me that before. In fact, no one's ever called me any special names before," he confessed in a very small voice.

Buck's heart broke and was mended in the moments it took to pull Ezra close in a comforting, loving embrace. "Oh, Ez, you are my baby, my love, my sweetness, my light. Sweetheart, I'll always be finding new names for you, and they'll all mean the same thing - that you are the most precious thing in my life." He hugged the small southerner to him and prayed that Ezra believed him because he only spoke the truth but he knew his friend, knew how the southerner was a real skeptic at all times. Trust me, believe in me, Buck silently urged.

Ezra lay in Buck's arms, absorbing the words of love, listening to the big man breath around him and felt as if chains that had snarled around his heart broke and crumbled, leaving him stronger, tougher, and more confident than ever. He was loved by this marvelous, strong man. He was cherished, that was clear, and conveyed with charming sincerity with the small endearments as well as the words and touches that Buck was using. His joy burst through his tense, untrusting nature and he felt free for the first time in his life. "Oh, my," he muttered into Buck's neck, where his head had been tucked by the embrace. "Oh, Buck, thank you." He began to cry without even knowing it. The tears flowing freely down his face and dampening Buck's chest.

Wilmington felt the changes in Ezra there in his arms. Felt the tension, then the sudden relaxation and the slight slumping release as the man gave himself up into the embrace. Then, to his dismay, Buck felt moisture on his chest. Tears! Ezra's crying. Buck was suddenly scared, no terrified. What had he done? He pulled back and forced one hand in to catch and lift Ezra's wet face so he could see him. "Ezra? Why are you crying, baby?"

Red-rimmed eyes, awash in tears that showed no signs of slowing, looked into Buck's dark blue worried ones. Ezra swallowed with obvious difficulty. "I just feel so free. I feel," Ezra tried to find the perfect word and failed miserably, realizing such words existed only for those who were familiar with the sensations that were so new to him, "I feel as if you have opened a prison gate inside of me and let me out." He couldn't begin to convey the true depth of that feeling, only hope that Buck would understand enough to know that it was a good feeling.

The bigger man studied his friend's face anxiously. With a insight that few had ever given him credit for, Buck realized just how tight Ezra's control had been. How completely the man had held himself in, never allowing any real feelings to express themselves. He had done this - given Ezra this freedom from that. Given him love that was deep enough, big enough, sure enough, to free him. Aw, Ez, he thought with sad conviction, you ain't ever gonna have to go back inside that prison, cause I have the key. Aloud, he said only, "I love you, Ezra P. and I always will, this is forever."

Ezra sank back against Buck's shoulder and held tight even as Buck held him. Together they waited out Ezra's tears.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Chris and Vin traded off time away from the ranch house, doing chores. Feeding stock, working with the horses belonging to the seven team members, doing repairs. There was always plenty to be done and being home on a weekday made this a good time to get ahead on what was usually reserved for weekends. Both had agreed, however, that until they knew how Buck and Ezra were doing that it was unwise to leave them alone in the house.

So, it was Chris who sat working on files at the kitchen table, sipping coffee, who first saw Buck and Ezra wander out into the main part of the house. Ezra looked a bit peaked and had tear reddened eyes, but neither man seemed upset. Larabee remained silent as the two men pulled out chairs at the table and joined him.

Buck had managed to get Ezra's chair out before he could and guided him to his seat, earning a look of exasperation. "Buck, I can do that myself."

"I know, sweet pea, but I wanted to." Buck grinned happily and kissed Ezra on the top of his head before dragging out the neighboring chair and plopping down on it. His grin broadened as Ezra blushed at the newest endearment.

Chris decided it was time he intervened. "How you two feelin'?"

"I'm feeling good," Buck answered, leaning back in his chair and casually gathering Ezra close with a sweep of one arm, adding, "And old Ez here, he feels great!"

"Buck!" Clearly scandalized, their undercover agent straightened a bit in his seat and eyed his friend with raised eyebrows. "You know perfectly well that is NOT what Mr. Larabee meant."

"Maybe, maybe not." Buck winked at Larabee, blithely ignoring a low growl from the man now tucked in at his side. "You do, though." He clarified magnanimously, "feel great, that is."

Ezra sighed and turned to face his boss. His face told Larabee that the smaller man was very happy and trying without much success to control the emotion. He positively glowed. Chris decided it was a very good thing that he and Vin were a settled couple or he'd be fighting the urge to compete with Buck right now. He shifted slightly in his seat, nonetheless, shaking his head helplessly at the smiling men facing him.

"Okay, how 'bout we try this. You two hungry?"

Buck smiled brightly and opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Ezra answered quickly. "Yes, Mr. Larabee, we are both starving. Our intestinal tracks have already so informed us."

"Hungry for you, too, Ez." Buck said more softly, directly into one small ear. Then he licked it. Eliciting a sharp groan and tiny jump from his victim. "Later, baby." Buck kissed the ear and turned to face Chris, his happiness bubbling over.

"Yep, Pard, some grub would go down well right now."

Ezra shuddered for effect and said with distaste, "I do hope you have something that is more fitting of consumption than mere 'grub.'"

Larabee leaned back and smiled at his friends, relieved that they were so relaxed, playful, clearly putting the trauma of the last few days behind. It was almost manic, though, he thought privately. Best keep an eye on both of them. Almost too easy, how they let go of all that mess so fast. "Got some steaks thawed out. Potatoes in the oven. Vin's setting up the grill on the porch."

"Manna from heaven!" Ezra declared, rubbing his stomach, then batting away Buck's hand that tried to join his in the tummy rub. "Buck!"

"What?" Buck winked again at Chris, then turned in his chair and enveloped the smaller man in a giant hug, slurpily kissing him and rising, pulling the other up with him. "Think I'll just start with a little old appetizer."

Larabee choked on his coffee, a spurt of laughter at the gurgling growl from his undercover agent having him stand abruptly and flee for the porch and Vin. Time for a strategic - and fast - exit, he thought with amusement.

Vin looked up from the red coals he'd just finished heating. "They up?"

Larabee, still red-faced with contained laughter, nodded, smiling. "I'll say." He grinned, striding over to pull his lover into his arms. Looking down at Vin's smiling, slightly puzzled face, he stole a kiss before adding, "And old Buck is horny as a toad in the spring."

Vin shook his head. "They best wait, afore they do anything stupid." Chris stiffened, stared into Vin's sky blue eyes and suddenly reality crashed down on him.

"Oh, fuck!"

"Best hope they haven't."

"I better go back in there. Cool them off some." Regretfully, Larabee freed his lover and stalked back to the sliding door and on in to the living room. He could see Buck still in a clench with Ezra in the kitchen, as if they'd never noticed he'd left.

"Buck?" Larabee cleared his throat and tried again, louder. "Wilmington!!"

The tall man stiffened and released Standish, turning on one heel to face his old friend, shoving Ezra behind him protectively. He had not liked Larabee's tone. "Something wrong, Pard?"

Chris hated to do it but better now. "Hope you and Ezra ain't done anything foolish yet?" He paused and when the dark blue eyes staring into his remained confused with anger beginning to bloom, he continued, "Best wait for Nate, hear the blood test results."

"Oh, god!" It was Ezra, suddenly staggering to one side of Buck, hand to his mouth. He rushed from the room, heading for the back of the house and the nearest bathroom.

Buck flashed a look of comprehension and pain at Larabee, pausing only long enough to say, "We ain't stupid, Chris. Just foolin' around some, that's all." Then he, too was gone, running after Ezra.

Larabee leaned against the room divider, lightly tapping the doorframe with the back of his head, eyes closed. Damn, he hadn't wanted to do that. Then Vin was there. "Easy, Chris. You did right."

"I know." The blonde opened his eyes to gaze into the understanding eyes of his friend and lover. "Damn, why does life have to be so damn complicated?" He pulled Vin close and held him. Neither spoke as they waited for their friends to re-emerge.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Jackson had settled JD into the guest room bed of his apartment before heading for the phone to call Rain, tell her he couldn't see her tonight. The answering machine light was blinking. Three calls. The first was some telephone solicitor for some insurance scheme. He deleted it with an impatient finger. The second was Rain. He smiled as he listened to her voice. She was canceling tonight. Her father had called and needed her for a community event. Nathan decided he'd still call her later, talk for a while. His smile grew at that thought. The third call was from the Medical Examiner, his personal friend, Terrance Bolten. Bolten spoke briefly, only saying he hadn't been able to get through to Nate's cell phone. Please call when he could.

Nathan Jackson went from dreamy lover to concerned friend in a heartbeat. This had to be about those corpses, those bikers who had assaulted Ezra Standish. The blood tests. He quickly dialed Bolten's number.

Hanging up the telephone with a shaking hand, Nathan sat slowly down on the sofa. He wiped his face, finding an errant tear there. Damn, he'd been more strung out about all this than he'd even realized. It had been preying on the back of his mind, and now it was out, in the open. He breathed deeply. Better call Chris. He can tell them. Nathan thought about driving out to deliver the news himself but he had JD to worry about too. No, he'd call. They deserved to know, soon as possible.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Ezra hung over the toilet, on his knees, retching bodily. Everything that he had inside him seemed to peel loose and end up in the toilet bowl. What a mess. He stared hard at the blue tiled wall behind the porcelain bowl and swallowed. Then Buck was there, wiping his mouth with a damp cloth, rubbing his back, offering a glass of water. Silently supportive.

Ezra took the glass in two shaking hands and brought it to his mouth, trembling so hard that the glass rattled against his teeth. A large hand settled over his, steadying them, allowing him to take controlled sips of the water. "Easy, baby."

Ezra grimaced at the taste in his mouth. Then the glass went away and returned with some greenish liquid. Mouthwash. Bless Buck. He took a sip from the offered glass, gladly rinsing his mouth and spitting. The cloth was back to wipe away any drips, then Buck was pulling him back, into the big man's lap, there on the bathroom floor. One long arm reached up and flushed the toilet, whisking away the smell and sight of his sickness. Ezra relaxed into the comfort of his companion. His eyes remained open, though, staring into a possibly dead-end future.

"We wait and see." Buck's normal tones were calm, sure. "Face it together, whatever it is."

Somehow, Ezra knew that Buck still blamed himself for not being there to stop those men from taking him, from hurting him, raping him. Ezra shuddered again. The whole sordid scene coming vividly to life in his memory again. God, please, let me rest from this torment, he pleaded silently. Or so he thought. For then Buck was answering.

"Oh, Ezra. I'm so sorry. You don't deserve that 'torment,' it weren't your fault!" He held the smaller man tightly, rubbing his own forehead against the back of Ezra's head.

"Buck, it wasn't your fault either." Ezra twisted on Buck's lap and raised a hand to cup the sorrowful face. "Please, Buck, forgive yourself, please. I don't even have to because I've never blamed you."

"Ezra, baby, I love you so much. I'm so sorry for what happened."

"Buck," Ezra's voice took on a firmer tone as he sharply patted his friend's face, "Stop this." He eased his pats to strokes, continuing, "Stop this now. I'm sorry I reacted so badly to Chris' reminder. It was just that I'd not thought about it for a while and that brought it all back." Ezra hung his head in shame at his self-pity.

Wilmington crawled out of his own mire of guilt and saw, really saw, the panic and fear and sadness in Ezra's face. Sweet Jesus, this dear man does NOT deserve this. "Ezra, you had every right to react and we'll make it all right somehow, I promise."

Ezra nodded, willing to let Buck's statement stand, though in his heart he knew that it was not a promise that Buck had the power to keep. Everything rested on fate now, or as Josiah might say, in god's hands. He rested against Buck and closed his eyes.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

The telephone rang out in the living room. Chris released Vin and walked slowly into the larger room, picking up on the fourth ring. "Larabee."

He listened, slowly straightening, shoulders stiffening and squaring back, then slumping. He nodded a few times as if the person on the other end of the telephone could see him. He swallowed bile and nodded again, finally finding his voice. "Thanks, Nate. Yeah. You do that." He listened. "No, you did right. I'll tell them. They need to know."

Vin was by now standing behind Chris, arms tight around his waist, trying to be supportive as his own heart froze in fear. Then Chris hung up. "Chris?"

"Just a minute, Vin, I gotta go speak with Buck and Ezra."

Vin nodded silently and padded down the hallway after Larabee, a silent shadow. Wanting to hear but not get in the way.

Chris found them in the bathroom, Buck with his back to the bathtub, not far from the toilet. A damp face cloth lay on the floor near Buck's leg. Ezra was cuddled close in Wilmington's lap, looking like he belonged there always. Chris smiled a bit at the sight, then cleared his throat.

"Buck? Ez?" He waited. Wilmington looked up at his oldest friend without a word. Ezra lifted his head from the crook of Buck's neck and faced his boss and friend.

"I got a call just now from Nathan." Comprehension lit both sets of eyes. Fear and hope vied for supremacy. Chris spoke quickly, not wanting to prolong the torture of another moment. "The tests came back. Those men? The bikers were messed up health-wise, but none had anything you need to worry about. You're clean, Ezra."

Two sets of eyes closed, two sets of hands tightened their grips and two sets of throats swallowed back tears of relief. "Thanks, Pard," Buck spoke hoarsely.

Chris nodded, then withdrew, closing the door behind him. Turned only to find Vin standing there looking at him. "They're safe, Vin. It's gonna be alright." He walked into Vin's arms and held on, relaxing in the comfort offered. Somehow, he'd figured they'd be celebrating, but maybe that would come later. Right now, all he felt was relief, just like the relief he'd seen in those two sets of eyes, just before they'd closed, green and dark blue, tranquility replacing fear.

He gripped Vin Tanner tighter to him, grateful they'd never had to face that particular fear. "Best bank those coals, may be a while before they come out," he murmured into his partner's ear.

Vin pulled back a bit and nodded, understanding. "Good news can be just as hard to take sometimes, cowboy." Chris smiled at his lover's wisdom and kissed him.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Josiah got the first call. JD and Nathan got the second one. All three men were on their way out to Larabee's ranch shortly thereafter. Nathan packed JD into the back of his SUV and, after talking with Josiah, swung by to pick up the profiler. The three men made it to the ranch by early evening, Nathan sharing the good news with his teammates.

Vin greeted them at the front porch with a smile and cold beers. Tramping through the house, the newest arrivals wandered out on to the back porch where Chris was presiding over the grill, poking the coals with a professional elan. He nodded greetings graciously, a smile lurking at the corners of his mouth.

Josiah and Nathan wandered back into the kitchen, quickly discovering the baked potatoes getting a bit ragged. The men made quick work of scooping the innards out and mashing them with cheddar cheese and garlic powder before returning them to their skin shells for a final re-heating in the microwave at the last minute. JD poked his head in as Nathan started dicing tomatoes for a salad, Josiah tearing greens. The youngest of the Seven quickly faded back out of sight with raised eyebrows. He wasn't ready to become kitchen help.

Vin had joined Chris on the porch, smiling at the man with the cheroot clenched in gritted teeth. "Hey, Cowboy, think I should go check on them?"

Larabee nodded, eyes on the distant mountain peaks, relaxed and happy. Hoping that his two men were too.

Vin tapped on the guest room door. "Hey, Buck? Ez? You guys decent?"

Buck opened the door, yawning and squinting. "Vin?"

"The rest of the guys are here. Chris and I decided a celebration was in order."

"Everyone's here?"

"Yep. 'cept you and Ezra. Think you can come out for a spell?"

Buck looked back over his shoulder, his expression softening. "Ezra?" He called softly.

There was an indeterminate sound from within the room, then Buck moved back to face Vin. "We'll be out in a few minutes." He met Vin's eyes. "Took a bit out of us, everything, then the news." He shrugged. "We've just been sleeping, if you can believe it."

Vin nodded, believing it. He had sensed the waves of exhaustion from the two men earlier. Buck looked better now, more rested, the lines of stress melting away. Hope Ez looks that way, Vin thought, wondering though, since the southerner had a lot more to cope with.

"Let us know when to put on the steaks."

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Chris sat back on the porch bench, boot heels resting on the railing, ankles crossed. He had a longneck in one hand, another cheroot smoldered in the other. He smiled benignly at his team. The men were relaxed and surfeit, having feasted on plenty of freshly grilled steak, the 'twice baked' potatoes and the hearty salads that Josiah and Nathan had thrown together. Everyone was digesting now, chatting in desultory fashion, or gazing out at the twilit sky, watching the stars emerge like a lace embroidered edging to the sharp teeth of the high peaks beyond. The faintest traces of pink lingered along the edges where the last remnants of the dying sunset back lit those mountains.

Vin had raked out the coals a while back and now was working Peso in the large corral ring below the porch. He'd be taking the horse back into the barn in a few minutes, it was getting dangerously dark for such work, for both horse and rider. Nathan was on the other porch bench, chatting quietly into his cell phone, unable to resist a few moments with Rain, even long distance. He kept one eye on JD Dunne who was huddled with Buck Wilmington. The two had had their heads together for the past twenty minutes. Now that was curious, Chris thought idly, sparing a glance over at where Ezra sat, cross-legged on the porch planks, next to Josiah Sanchez. The big profiler was sitting on a lower step leading from the porch to the yard beyond. Both had been watching Vin, but Chris had noted the way their heads often strayed from the view in front of them to each other, as they spoke quietly.

Larabee found the dynamics of his team to be fascinating. The team had accommodated his and Vin's unique friendship, bond, long before they'd known that the twosome were really a couple. Neither he nor Vin had any desire to change their actions in front of others. They were both private men and their love was their own affair, not for voyeuristic consumption, not even the tolerant and no doubt affectionate attention of their own teammates. Chris puffed on the cheroot, blowing out a smoke ring and then watching it drift over Ezra's head.

Now that was surely a cosmic jest, he thought wryly, watching the smoke ring become for a short instant, a halo over the smallest's crown. The man was many things, but he was no angel. Though, with what he'd suffered most of his life, and what Chris himself had seen the last year, and finally this terrible time during the last case and with the rabid agent gone bad, with all of that, Ezra had most certainly earned the right to title of a martyr or saint, he decided. So, maybe the halo wasn't so funny after all. He wondered what Josiah and Ezra had found to chat so quietly about, so intently, and so seriously, for so long.

"And the stocks should mature in about forty days." Ezra cleared his throat, smiling fondly at the big man staring up at him so earnestly. "Don't worry, my friend will not steer your mission committee wrong. Their funds will grow at a steady and slow rate, very conservatively."

Josiah sighed in satisfaction, tucking the small notepad back into his hip pocket, a new name and telephone number now added. "Ezra, thank you, the sisters will be relieved. They were very worried about the performance of their current portfolio, and the three neighborhood centers depend on that income."

"Do not fear, my friend. I'll personally guarantee their investments myself, if you want."

Sanchez shook his head. "You just gave me a mini-lesson in economics and investment, plus the name of a reliable broker, I really can't ask for anything more."

Chris figured Josiah was probably giving Ezra a little fatherly advice on his future with Buck. Larabee quirked a small amused smile. Good thing he knew his team so well, it was part of what kept it functioning with such a great mesh of strengths. He turned his head slightly, now what was that about? Buck was clapping JD on the shoulder, grinning and speaking into the younger man's ear. JD was blushing furiously and shrugging. Don't tell me he's going on about the merits of same sex bedding? He knew that Buck never seemed to stop talking about his female conquests in the past, and now that he'd crossed over, so to speak to a male/male relationship, Chris wondered if his old friend was trying the same trick with that. Naw. He shook his head. Not even Buck would do that, especially after what he told me about how he felt about Ezra and him. So, must be he's still up to his old tricks, giving JD pointers for success with his girl.

"That settles it, then, kid, Casey moves in as soon as she settles up her account at her dorm. I'll stay with Ezra until we figure out what we want to do. Once you and Case are married," here Buck paused as JD blushed bright red and shrugged, clearly not comfortable announcing the plan to the world yet. Buck nodded and lowered his voice, "Once you and Case are married," he repeated, "you can use our apartment until you find your own place. Then Ez and I will decide about it, not sure we need two places in town, but might want something out this way, up in the hills for ourselves. Sure is peaceful out here." He turned away from JD, staring into the growing darkness. He stole a glance over at where Ezra had been talking deeply with Sanchez for some time. Not a problem, he decided, having studied the southerner's calm posture and smiling face. He felt a warmth grow inside him, just watching Ezra. He had to ask JD to repeat himself when the kid's words were lost in his warm buzz.

"Just think it's time you got over there and kept your man company, is all," JD chided with a smile of his own.

Buck raised both eyebrows in surprise and then smiled with gratitude at his young friend, seeing the caring in JD's eyes. "Yeah, sounds like a mighty fine idea, kid." Tipping his half-empty bottle toward JD, Buck rose to his feet with that dancer's grace that always attracted women, and in two long steps was standing behind the small southerner.

"Hey Ez, Josiah. Mind if I join you?" He didn't wait, sinking down on to his heels behind Ezra, then straddling the seated man, he brought his long legs out and around the smaller, seated form.

"You're welcome, Brother Buck," Josiah said, rising to stretch and then rub his buttocks, numb from the prolonged seating on the wooden steps. "Think I could use another beer. You two?"

Both Buck and Ezra shook their heads no, even as Ezra leaned back against the solid wall of Buck's chest and drew comfort from the loving arms that came around to hold him close. That's how Vin found them when he strode up the shallow incline from the barn. He simply smiled at the lovers and moved on, suddenly tempted to break his and Chris' silent vow of no exhibitions in front of the troops. Why not? They all know. It would feel good to snuggle up to the cowboy just now anyway. With new lightness, Vin walked boldly up to where his partner sat and joined him, sitting snuggly beside the man, snaking an arm around the blonde's waist. "Vin?" Chris' startled question was worth the price of admission, Vin decided with delight.

"Just asked myself, why not?" Vin's pithy remark elicited a snort from Larabee and then after a contemplative moment, a long arm drew Vin in even closer and the taller man's head came to rest on Vin's soft golden hair.

"Guess we got a thing or two to learn from them, hum?" Chris sounded pleased and mildly surprised.

"Yep."

Nate clicked off his cell phone and saw that Josiah was coming back out on the porch with extra beers. He joined him, side-stepping the two couples with a tolerant smile. Tipping beers to clink them, he and Josiah each drank with contentment. JD joined them, sipping at a giant Pepsi, having switched off beer now. "Think it might be time for us to head home?"

The bigger men exchanged looks of agreement, their youngest had the way of it. "Yes, little brother, I think that might be wisest." Josiah spoke with amusement as his eyes swept the porch once more.

Nathan patted both friends on the back, "Come on, let's go and let the love birds nest a while."

Both Josiah and JD looked at the usually quiet, somber medic in surprise, then laughed outright. Josiah calling to Larabee, "Brother Chris? We'll be heading down to the city now. See you tomorrow."

Larabee raised his head to check his men. Saw the smiles on the three men standing by the kitchen door, realized that he and Vin, and Ezra and Buck had drifted away from the 'party.' "That okay with all of you?" he asked, making certain there was no discord.

Three heads nodded, smiling and clearly happy. "Okay, then, see you tomorrow," he added as he tucked his head back down on to Vin's. This was not bad at all. Rather nice, actually. Normal. Right. Chris smiled into Vin's hair as he listened to the other team members move into his house on their way out and home. Buck and Ezra made a single shape near the steps of the back porch and showed no signs of moving. He was ready to move into bed, though, and a look at Vin confirmed his lover felt the same.

"Buck? Ezra?" A slight movement in the dark shape indicated he had their attention. "Vin and I are going to bed. See you in the morning."

"Good night, Mr. Larabee, Mr. Tanner."

"Night, Pard, Vin."

The sound of Nathan's SUV motor gunning into life out front was partnered by the door to the kitchen closing behind Chris and Vin.

"Alone, at last." Buck spoke in a stage whisper into Ezra's ear. Then licked at it.

Ezra shivered in pleasure and arousal, letting himself feel the second for the first time with Buck. Feel it and enjoy it, not try to suppress it or control it. He wriggled his body back against the big man, feeling the hardened erection pressing against his back through their clothing. "Maybe we should follow the same course of action? Go to bed?"

Buck kissed the face now turned in profile to him. "Let's."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Buck climbed to his feet, still entwined with Ezra, the night sounds like a concert as they stood, swaying on the top step of Chris' back porch. Buck hunched over the smaller Standish, crossing his arms over Ezra's chest, tucking his hands into the man's waistband, his long fingers playing with the soft skin above hipbones. He rubbed his chin against Ezra's cheek, savoring his freedom to do this, to show his love to this very special man. "Shall we, then?"

Ezra craned his neck so that he could look back and up at Buck. "Buck? This is all new for you." He wasn't asking, he'd learned enough about the older man to know he'd never before swung this way. It still amazed him that the man was so willing to do it now. "What do you want to do?"

Wilmington thought about that. He knew what he'd do if Ezra was a woman. Would it really be so very different? He felt for Ezra everything he'd felt for the most attractive of his women friends -- and a whole lot more. He loved Ezra and he'd never used that word with any of his lady friends. He was totally committed to making this work for both of them, but Ezra had evidently always been gay, probably knew exactly what he wanted. Buck sighed. Hope I can manage to please him. Let him know how much I love him. Want to love him.

Ezra sensed the thoughtfulness in the quiet. Buck wasn't not responding so much as taking his time, thinking things through. For some reason, that just made Ezra even happier. Buck really, really cared. Ezra smiled. The rest would take care of itself. "It will take care of itself." He extended his slender neck so that he could peck a small kiss on Buck's lips. "We'll just let things happen and it will be fine, love."

Buck hugged his armful tightly for a moment. Ezra had finally called him 'love' -- a real endearment, a nickname! Never had he heard the smaller agent use such a term. Nudging with one shoulder, he led the quietly back into the house and on into the guest bedroom.

Clothing melted away.

Bedclothes levitated free.

The air became warmer, almost balmy.

Skin glistened, shone with sweat, reflecting tones varying from light tan to deep mahogany where sun had visited it, golden highlights gleamed in the soft nightlights.

White teeth glistened as smiles parted lips.

Eyes sparkled and danced with affection, laughter, love, and adventure.

Naked, Ezra and Buck came together for the very first time, standing at the foot of the nearly stripped bed, fitting themselves against each other like two parts of a jigsaw puzzle. Open palms drifted along the surface of hypersensitive skin, barely brushing it, leaving tingles of sensation behind. Ezra shivered and a tiny moan escaped. It had never been this gentle, this tender for him. He wanted to live in this moment forever.

Buck watched as the dark areoles hardened and nub out in high relief as he burnished Ezra's chest with his finger pads. He angled his head to lean in and down, fasten his lips to Ezra's shoulder and suck, hard. He let the edges of his front teeth scrape the skin beneath them, then withdrew. His eyes darkened and grew serious, the blue deepening to nearly black. Ezra was his now. It was both a joy and an incredible responsibility for Buck who knew he was still learning 'Ezra,' still discovering the multi-layered, richly faceted personality that glowed like a diamond within the reserved façade. Ezra had laid aside his reserves, opened himself trustingly to Buck. I'll never betray this trust, Ez, he silently promised, face now equally sincere, serious with the honor that this sweet, gentle, ever so fragile spirit had given him.

Ezra exulted in the clean, beautiful lines of his new lover. No, he stopped himself. Not new lover. His love. His dear, wonderful, and courageous love. I will protect you always, Bucklin Wilmington, this I vow. Ezra let his eyes speak as he lifted his head from where he'd been laving Buck's smoothly muscled chest. "Come with me, Buck." He caught up a large yet gentile hand, tugging lightly, he pulled the other man on to the bed, and on down, beside him.

They lay there facing each other, each sure the other was the most beautiful creature in the world. Tentative touches left trails of fire behind, stirring deeper responses that warmed muscles and hardened their poles. Ezra moved closer, letting his wand bump and rub, almost playfully, against Buck's. Buck let out a groan of sheer pleasure. He grabbed at the southerner's upper arms, holding the teasing body still for a moment while he caught his breath, then Buck pulled Ezra closer, enfolding him in his arms, treasuring the feel of the sleek, smaller body sliding easily against his.

A rhythm as old as time itself began to strengthen and move through them, as Buck started chanting softly, "love you, love you, love you," against Ezra's ear. Ezra licked and lapped at Buck's clavicle, along the top edges of his shoulders, and down his chest, broad and solid, muscles well developed and reassuring. Ezra's hands found Buck's growing manhood, hands smaller than his own trusty ones, they squeezed and pulled, stoking his fires, then began to move with the rhythm of their bodies, only in counterpoint, stretching the supple, sensitive skin, then compressing it, the movements making Buck harder than he ever remembered being. His member began to throb with the pressure of blood and expanded, filling cells. He began to leak and Ezra's greedy fingers scooped up the gelatinous drips and strings and ferreted them away, god knows where. Buck felt Ezra's body torque against him, obviously straining, but Buck was so lost in the moment that he didn't have anything left to question with. He simply felt.

Ezra scraped sweaty skin and captured leaking pre-cum from both their shafts and groins, making sure that Buck's pole was slick and moist, then twisting enough to slip one of his hands in his own pucker, forcing it open, pushing and stretching muscle that was familiar with this touch. He relaxed his muscles as much as he could and made sure he was as lubricated as he could be with just natural fluids at hand. He wanted this more than he'd ever wanted anything in his life. He wanted to hold Buck within him, feel the man enter and become part of him. He yearned for the joining, for once doing the choosing himself.

Just when Buck was certain that he would explode from the wonderful sensations of Ezra's skin against his, suede-like shaft caressing his, hands moving over him with magical touches, Ezra slid down and twisted in his grasp, returning but now facing away from Buck. Wilmington was confused but grateful to have Ezra return to the circle of his arms. "Ez? What?"

"Just relax and 'be,' Buck. Let it happen." Ezra's soft voice was blurred with a sexy cadence now, almost erotic in its rough edges. He let himself slide up Buck's torso, his spine aligned with the center of the tall man's chest. He managed to get one hand behind himself and grasp Buck's heat, hard and swollen, slick and smooth. He pulled his legs up slightly as they lay there on their sides, spooned together, then he released a pent up breath and pushed, hard, down, his aim true. With a gasp and a sigh, he had Buck broaching his entrance, then in and penetrating. Buck gave a breathless, feral scream that was nearly outside of human range, not loud, but absolutely primal. Ezra hooked his ankles behind Buck's calves, keeping them tight together as Buck rocked and shook with surprise and fear. "EZRA!" The tight, harsh groan nearly destroyed Ezra's conviction that this was right. He waited it out. Buck, taut as a violin string, gradually relaxed, his erection, which had begun to fade, hardening now within that delicious warm, moist containment. "ezra," now a whisper, Buck wrapped his arms around the body in front of him, unable to think or move. Ezra is right, all I can do is 'be.'

Ezra felt the changes and knew that it would be alright. He slowly, carefully, began to rock them, using the strength of his thigh muscles and his pelvic cage to increase the movement. He knew the moment he'd found the right angle, touched the sweet spot within Buck, because the taller man let out another groan and began to move with him, jerkily at first and then more smoothly, faster and -- "Harder, Buck!" Ezra savagely thrust downward, then yanked himself almost free, then down again, "I won't break! Please, please, Buck, do it!"

Buck was nearly whimpering now with a profound pleasure unlike any he'd ever experienced before. He was burning from within, explosions of light blinded him, his skin was radiating heat, his nerves tingled throughout his body as wave after wave of shivering ecstasy washed over him. "Please, Ezra, tell me what to do for you, baby! I want to share thisss --" the words ended in a hiss as he gasped through another wave of incredible heat. His hands groped downward instinctively, finally capturing Ezra's own erection, waving painfully in the air in front of them, nearly bent up and back against his flat belly. Holding tightly, Buck began to beat the organ to the internal rhythm that Ezra had set up for them.

Lasting hours, days, minutes, eons, seconds, years, heartbeats, they spiraled into a hot, wet place of animalistic joy, spasming in orgasms, Buck followed Ezra as he arched and came, his clenching muscles pushing Buck over the edge into equal spurts of cum, buried deep within his little baby.

Ezra woke slowly, feeling subdued and cautious, even as he woke, instantly recalling their love-making and wondering how Buck was doing. He felt those comforting arms, those large reassuring hands, surrounding him, holding him safe. He raised his hands to hold on to two strong, flexing forearms. "Buck?" he murmured not wanting to wake the man if his senses misled him into thinking a sleeping man awake.

Buck sighed and kissed Ezra behind one ear. "Here, Pard."

"Is everything," Ezra paused, not certain how to phrase it. He tried again. "Is everything alright?" Not very original, but Buck would understand. He hoped.

"Baby, I am fine. I am absolutely the finest." Buck's mustache was tickling the nape of Ezra's neck. A kiss told Ezra that Buck meant what he said. "What was that?"

Ezra was speechless. Firstly because Buck was okay with what they'd done, secondly because Buck was fine with what they'd done, very fine, in fact, and thirdly because Buck apparently didn't really know what they'd just done. Or, rather, what Ezra had done to Buck. "That, darlin', was a sample of the love-makin' that two men can experience, that two --"

Buck whispered, interrupting, "--lovers can find." He kissed anything near his lips, liking the way Ezra arched up against him yet again, a soft sound of contentment sighing in a growly sound from deep within.

"Baby, I like your style." Buck licked along the collar bone. "Next time, I want to feel you inside me."

Ezra chilled, freezing in Buck's arms. "You want ME to --?" He was astounded. Touched. Excited.

"Sure, Ez. You love me's much as I love you, figger we're pardners in this here lovin' business." Buck turned the smaller man around and drew him close, capturing soft parting lips with his own, feeling two firm arms raise up and wrap around his neck. He smiled into shining, wet green eyes. So green, so full of love. "It's gonna take me a lifetime or two, Ezra P. Standish, to love you proper, like you deserve."

"Me?" Ezra was still astonished and thrilled, trying to find a spot to stand his spinning, off-kilter psyche. He was loved! Buck loved him so dearly and completely that it was overwhelming him. He smiled widely and hummed against the mouth consuming him now. When freed again, he answered, "Darlin' --" then shook his head helplessly, at a loss for words to say how loved he felt, how possessed and treasured, and, how he in turn, loved Buck, with an intensity that he'd never even suspected himself capable of. "I would not only die for you, Buck, I will live for you, my love."

"Ah, Ez, thank god, 'cause I want us to do a whole heap of living and loving for a powerful long time to come." Buck tenderly caressed Ezra's face, tracing a finger down his temple to cheek to jaw, claiming the man in his heart.

"Oh, yes." Ezra thought back to that night, such a short time ago, a lifetime ago in its own way, when he'd knocked on Buck's door, thinking 'nothing ventured, nothing gained.' It's the gambler in me, he thought as he cuddled contentedly in Buck's strong arms. I just took that chance, ventured my soul, my spirit, my bruised heart on the kindness and courage of this man, and won, gaining not only all of that, but unforeseen, Buck gave me his love. Ezra kissed the precious column of throat so close to his lips, then nuzzled against it, smiling drowsily. Everything ventured, even more gained.

fini