Universe – ATF
Pairings – Vin/Ezra  And a little C/B
Warnings – PG13 I guess on this one.  Again no beta so sorry for any typos or grammar faux pas. 
Notes -  The dakota fire is from the US Army survival book.  I got the idea for this story from reading Case files of the Tracker by Tom Brown, Jr.  





Back where I started


The shot still echoed in his ears.  He lay flat on the ground, breathing in the scent of grass and dirt.  His back burned.  He could feel blood oozing warmly down his side.  He didn’t move.  He lay as still as death, listening.  Slowly the sounds of the woods came back to live.  The birds singing and chirping let him know he was alone.  For the moment at least.  He slowly lifted his head enough to search the area.  He saw nothing.  He grunted as he lowered his head back into the dirt.  He’d made a mistake, an almost fatal one.  Luckily he’d heard the click of the gun and instinct had made him turn.  That had sent the bullet through his side instead of into his spine.  He realized he was rusty.  No, that wasn’t it, he had gotten cocky.  He was sure he was better than the man he was tracking and had almost lost his life because of it.

Vin laid there breathing in the scent of the dirt.  He closed his eyes, seeing the forest in his mind.  Okay, Tanner, what’s your next move?  But his mind wasn’t listening.  His mind started to wander to the day he’d left on this job.  Three days ago.  Ezra had insisted on taking him to the airport.  Vin had been surprised to say the least.  He had planned on leaving his jeep in the long-term parking but Ezra wouldn’t hear of it.  He even waited with him until it was time for the plane to take off.  Vin didn’t complain, in fact he was secretly pleased.  He hated flying, well no not the flying but the waiting.  It always reminded him in some way of being in the foster homes, waiting for the ‘adoption days’ as the kids called it.  All the kids were made to dress up and couples came to chose who they would adopt.  Vin never made a good impression on those days.  He was always too nervous and too shy.
He and Ezra had sat, sometimes quietly or sometimes just talking about nothing.  Vin and Ezra had slowly become friends since Ezra had joined the team.  Vin had liked him from the start but Ezra was slow to trust people.  That was something Vin understood and accepted.  
Boarding for his flight was announced and Ezra stood with him to wait in line.

“Call me when you are coming back and I’ll pick you up.”

 “Ain’t gotta do that.  I can get a taxi.”

Ezra placed his hand on Vin’s arm, gripping it tightly.

“Take care of yourself.”

Vin looked closely at Ezra.  He looked worried.

“Always do.”  Vin smiled.

Ezra pulled him into a hug, which alone shocked the hell out of Vin.  Ezra wasn’t one that liked people touching him and Vin had never seen him hug someone.   Ezra held him close, running one hand up and down his back.  

“Come home.”  Ezra whispered in his ear, and then pushed him away.

Vin saw sadness and something else he couldn’t place on Ezra’s face before Ezra smiled and it was gone.

“You better go.”  

Vin blinked and looked around.  He was next in line.

“See ya in a few days, Ez.”

Vin handed his ticket to the attendant and as he headed down the ramp he looked back.  Ezra was still standing there.  Again Vin saw the look of sadness and what, regret on his face.  Then Ezra smiled and waved.

Vin sat in his seat staring blindly out the window.  Thinking of Ezra then had made every part of his body tingle that had touched Ezra’s.  What the hell was that about?   He closed his eyes and could smell Ezra’s cologne and the smell of the man.  Vin shook himself, pulling out the folder for this case.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lying here now in the grass and dirt Vin could smell Ezra’s cologne and the scent of his skin.  He still could feel that tingle along the front of his body, though he still wasn’t sure what it all meant.  He didn’t have the time now to ponder it.

He lifted his head again.  He was in a small clearing.  The grasses were knee high which gave him some cover as he laid there.  He could see a thicket to his left and started to inch his way toward it.  He felt the bleeding start again but kept his slow progress, ears alert to any noise that didn’t belong or indication from the birds that anyone else was around.   He made it to the thicket and shrugged out of his backpack.  He pulled his shirt out of his pants and unbuttoned it.  Well it could be worse he thought.  He could be dead.  He took off the bloody shirt.  He rummaged in his pack for a field dressing and wrapped it around his waist.  It was sloppy but it should do the trick.  He’d been lucky.  He wasn’t going to make the same mistake again.  He pulled out the thermal shirt he had in his pack and put it on.  Over that he pulled on his other camouflage shirt.  He hadn’t packed much; he hadn’t planned on being out in the woods long.   It had been three days so far.  He stuffed his bloody shirt back in his pack.  His hand felt a small box.  He smiled as he pulled it out, thinking back to when he’d found it.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He’d arrived in Charleston, WV later that day.  The local FBI had met his plane as it landed.  He’d been in meetings the rest of the day.  Tom Holloway was suspected to be hiding out in the woods.  He’d been on a killing spree.  Five people had been killed so far.  Some were locals and others had been vacationing in the area.  The first kills had been messy and they had found fingerprints belonging to Tom Holloway.  But Tom had been improving.  The FBI had been looking for someone to help track Tom and that is how Vin had become involved.  Judge Travis was old friends with the head of the local FBI here in Charleston and had offered to help.  

Vin was tired after the meetings.  The other men on the task force were gracious enough, seeing as another agency had been called in, and had offered to take Vin out but he’d declined.  He wanted to eat and prepare to head out in the morning.   The man who’d met him at the airport took him to get something to eat and then had taken him back to his room.  As Vin was repacking his bag, making sure he had everything he needed, he’d found a small box in his fatigue jacket.

He sat on the bed and opened it.  On top was a folded piece of paper and under that a compass.  Vin opened the note and read –

“This will help you find your way home.  Be careful.”

It was signed simply “E”.

Vin put the compass in a side pocket of his backpack.  That was the second time Ezra had said something about him coming home.  Vin thought it strange but it made him feel good too.  It was nice to have someone worry about him.  He knew the others might feel apprehensive about him being away and on a case alone but none of them would say it.  He picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey Ez, it’s me.  I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“It’s only nine here.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“You arrived all right?”

“Yeah, just got back to my room.  Been in meetings all day.  Thanks for the compass.”

Ezra was glad Vin couldn’t see him blush.

“I hope it may be useful.”

“It is.  Lost mine right before I moved to Denver.  Never got around to replacing it.”

“Can you talk about the case?”

“Looking for some crazy that’s running around shooting people.  Suppose to be some big hunter.  I head out in the morning.”

“Will you have any assistance?”

“Nah, don’t think I’ll need it.  Just one guy, he shouldn’t be too hard to find.”

Ezra paused.

“Ya still there?”

“Yes, I was just thinking.  Don’t they think it would be better for you to have some back up?”

“Got a walkie talkie for signaling ‘em when I catch up with the guy.  Don’t need a bunch of people traipsing through the woods.”

“I understand, it’s just...”  Ezra hesitated.  “We are usually there to back you up.”

Vin found himself smiling and he wasn’t sure why.
“It’ll be fine, Ez.  No need to worry.”

“But I do worry, Vin. “

“Ain’t nothing to worry about.  I got this lucky compass.  I know which way home is.”

It was Ezra’s turn to smile.

“See that you use it.  Call me when you’re heading home.”

“Looking forward to it.”  Vin found himself pacing the small room.  “Well I better go.  Wanna get an early start.  Just wanted to thank ya and....well let ya know I got here fine.”

“I’m glad you did.  It’s good to hear your voice.  Be careful.”

“I will.  Told ya, this is gonna be easy.”

“Don’t underestimate an opponent, Vin.  It can make you complacent.”

“I won’t.  Well, good night, Ez.”

“Good night.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Ezra had been right.  He had underestimated this guy, which was why he was now shot.  He thought again to their conversation.  It felt different.  Everything had felt different since this whole case had started.  But different in a good way.  He wished he had time to ponder it but it was time to move.  He closed his eyes and listened.  He heard the normal bird sounds, a crow cawing.  Somewhere in a nearby tree a blue jay called to its mate.  He could hear the wind rustling the trees.  It was time to move.

Vin put the strap of the compass over his head, stuffing the compass under his shirt.  He eased the backpack on.  His back protested but it was tolerable.  He brushed out any tracks he’d made while he’d bandaged his wound and then began to slowly crawl back in the direction he’d come.  After traveling about a football field he risked standing up.  He began to search the area for signs of Holloway’s trail.  It took a few minutes but he managed to find where Holloway had laid in wait and taken his shot.  The man made no attempt to hide his footprints but Vin wasn’t going to take any chances this time.  He followed the prints until he was pretty sure the direction Holloway was taking and then moved off the trail, cutting back from time to time to check he was still heading in the right direction.

Evening was fast approaching.  The trees were thick which made it darker.  Vin found a small rock formation which had an indention in the bottom.  He checked it for signs of inhabitants and when he found none he decided to make his camp there.  He didn’t want to risk being seen but made a small dakota fire and heated some water.  He cleaned his wound and changed the bandage.  He made some coffee, as he drank he thought about how he’d gotten here.

3 days ago –

Vin had no trouble following Holloway’s trail.  It was a couple of days old but easy to see.  Holloway had made no move to cover it.  Vin had followed at a trot, as the day progressed, he felt more relaxed.  This reminded him of his days in the Army Rangers.  He’d joined young, lied about his age in fact.  They had taught him a lot but they found he had much to teach them in tracking.  He’d learned tracking and survival skills from an Indian tribe he’d lived with when he ran away from a foster home in Arizona.

Vin fell back into the past – memoirs and years racing by him as he traveled further into the woods.  He made a lean to that night.  He felt safe enough to start a small fire.  From Holloway’s tracks he was still a day ahead.  As Vin lay down to sleep after dinner his mind drifted only as far as Ezra.

Now that he had time to think he realized Ezra had been acting different for a few months.  Not in ways that stood out or that anyone else would notice.  Subtle ways.  So subtle that he hadn’t been aware of them until now, looking back.  
He had liked Ezra from the first time they’d met.  Ezra’s confidence and recklessness amazed Vin.  He seemed to be fearless.  As he had gotten to know Ezra, he’d learned it wasn’t fearlessness.  Ezra didn’t seem to value his own life; he seemed to place more importance on others than himself.  But Ezra let the outside world think he was only out for number one.  Vin was pleased when Ezra slowly let down his guard enough to show Vin glimpses of the real Ezra.  He’d learned that they were more alike than Vin had thought.

Looking back now, he realized Ezra had been seeking him out more.  Ezra would mention he was going somewhere and as an afterthought would ask Vin if he’d like to go.  They’d gone to a Native American exhibit that had come to the local museum, gone to dinner at a new Mexican restaurant.  Vin had even gone to the movies several times with Ezra, he hadn’t thought they would have similar tastes in movies but they did.  Ezra never brought these things up around the others, almost like he wanted it to be just the two of them.  Vin smiled into the darkness as he closed his eyes.  He pulled his jacket closer.  He had enjoyed it being just the two of them.  He had never suggested they ask any of the other to join them.

Vin woke to feel solid warmth behind him.  He turned to look and saw Ezra pressed to his back.  Ezra reached an arm around Vin’s waist and drew his closer.

“Ezra, what are you doing here?”

Ezra nuzzled his nose into Vin’s hair.  “I’m here to make sure you make it home safely.”  

Ezra’s hand began to travel slowly up Vin’s chest and then ever slower back down.  Vin jerked as Ezra’s hand touched him.
Vin woke to find he was lying in the lean to.  He glanced behind him and was disappointed that he was alone.  This surprised him.  He pulled his jacket closed and drifted back to sleep.

*******
Denver  Day One

Ezra wasn’t sure why this assignment of Vin’s had him worried.  Occasionally members of Team Seven were loaned out to other teams or agencies.  Something about this case bothered him.  He wasn’t sure if it was because Vin was out in the woods after a serial killer or the fact that he was doing it virtually alone.  Ezra knew Vin could handle himself.  He didn’t know all of the details of Vin’s background, Vin wasn’t one to discuss his past which Ezra respected, but he knew Vin was highly skilled.

“You’re gonna burn a hole in that monitor then you’re gonna have to pay for it.”

Buck’s voice in Ezra’s ear made him jump.

“What?”

“What’s wrong with you?  You’ve been acting like a cat in a room full of rockers or else staring off in space.”

Buck sat on the edge of Ezra’s desk, something that usually annoyed him.

“Nothing’s wrong.  Just thinking.” 
 Ezra began to add to the report he’d been staring at for the past twenty minutes.

“Try that on someone else.  You know if something’s wrong you can talk to ole Buck.”

Ezra stopped typing and grinned up at him.

“Thanks ole Buck, I’ll remember that.”

Buck clapped him on the back as he got up.

“See that you do.  He’ll be back before you know it.”

Ezra glanced at Buck as he walked away.  What had he meant by that remark?  How would Buck know he was worried about Vin?

“He doing okay?”
Josiah looked up from the paper he was reading in the break room as Buck entered.

“Says he is.  Anyone can see he’s worried about Vin.”

“Who’s worried about Vin?”

JD came in carrying a stack of computer reports.
“We all are.”  

Josiah moved his paper out of the way as JD’s pile slid across the table.

“Vin can take care of himself.”  

JD sound confident but he looked to Buck for reassurance.

“Course he can, kid.  We just like having our family all together.”

JD smiled and nodded as he poured a cup of coffee and starting sorting through his folders.

Ezra leaned back in his chair, tapping a pencil on his desk.  His eyes kept drifting to Vin’s desk.  There was Vin’s spur, the match to his.  Chris had given each of them a single spur one Christmas.  Buck and JD shared a set, as did Josiah and Nathan.  Vin loved to spin his as he worked on reports, said it helped him to think.  Ezra would always complain that the sound of the jingle bob distracted him but he just said that.  He enjoyed the look of mischief that would cross Vin’s face each time as he’d spin it more.  

A ghost of a smile crossed Ezra’s face.  He couldn’t really pinpoint the moment when he’d known he wanted to get to know Vin better, then when he’d wanted to be more than friends.  Though he knew that could never be.  He could have kicked himself for the way he’d acted at the airport.  Hell he’d practically confessed his love.  The pencil stopped.
Love.  He’d never allowed his mind to say that word in the same sentence with Vin.  It did no good for his emotions to go there.  While Ezra had one brief fling with a member of the same sex, if you could call it that even, he was 100% sure that idea had never crossed Vin’s mind.  Ezra snorted.  That would be like thinking Buck or Chris would check out some guy.

Ezra’s chair tilted precariously as he chuckled over that idea.

“What’s so funny?”

Ezra jumped again as this time Chris’ voice came from behind him.  Damn it, he had to stop letting his mind wander.

“Nothing, just thinking about some joke JD told.”

Chris rolled his eyes.  It was common knowledge that JD couldn’t tell a joke to save him.

“Just spoke to Travis.  No news from Vin but then they don’t expect anything this soon.  It’s only been one day.  Finish what you’re doing and let’s head to the Saloon.  I’ll fill everyone in on what we know so far.”

He placed a hand on Ezra’s shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze before leaving.  Ezra watched Chris head for the break room.  What was it with Chris and Buck?

*******
Chris stood at the bar later waiting for his order.  His eye caught sight of Buck talking to the new waitress by the jukebox.  He felt a stab of jealousy before he mentally shook his head.  What was wrong with him lately?  Ever since he’d started having those dreams things had felt different.  He let his mind wander back.  He’d been about to leave one night, later than usual to find Ezra and Vin still there.

“You fellas working late?”

“Leaving now.”  Vin had announced as he shut down his computer.  “We’re going to the new Native American exhibit.”

Chris had noticed Ezra shoot a worried look form Vin to Chris.

“I had mentioned it to Mr. Tanner; I thought he might be interested.”

Chris slid a glance at Ezra.  He sounded almost nervous, as if he expected Chris to question them.

Chris nodded.  “Well, have fun.”

Later as he drove home he thought about the conversation again.  He hadn’t really noticed before but Ezra and Vin had been spending more time together.  He wondered why Ezra would seem nervous.  Did Ezra think he would invite himself along?  Come to think of it, they usually did stuff alone and then mentioned it later.  Almost like – a light bulb had gone off in Chris’ head – almost like they were going on a date.  He got the sense that Ezra might think they were dates and maybe that is why he’d been nervous but did Vin?  Chris had never thought of either of them being interested in guys to tell the truth.  But thinking about it on the drive home there had been a time or two he’d seen a look on Ezra’s face for just a moment that made him think Ezra felt more for Vin than friendship.  He would have never thought of it before or had the idea when he’d witnessed them.  Now though it had all made sense.  That was the night he’d had the first dream.

He’d been in his kitchen cooking.  He was at the counter when he felt a pair of arms circle his waist and a kiss land on his neck.  He’d smiled and turned.
‘Buck’ he said smiling as Buck lowered his mouth to Chris’.  Chris had jerked awake.  As he laid there, heart pounding, he’d figured the realization he’d had about Ezra must have influenced the dream.

But he’d had more involving Buck.  Each one a little longer and more detailed.  He woke frustrated and confused.  Buck was his oldest friend.  Why had he started having erotic dreams about him?  Now here he was feeling jealous cause Buck was, well being Buck.

“Here you are Senor Chris.  I will bring the nachos in a moment.”

Inez brought him out of his brooding, thank God.

“Thanks, Inez.”

Chris grabbed the two pitchers and headed for the table.

*******

WV Day 2

Vin woke when the sun was just ready to rise.  It was a habit he’d picked up living with the Indians.  He enjoyed getting up before the day began.  He closed his eyes again and listened.  The birds were still asleep.  In the distance he heard an owl hoot.  He’d missed being this close to nature.  He felt so cut off living in the city.  He opened his eyes and crawled quietly out of his lean to.  The air had a chill to it.  He restarted the small fire in his dakota hole and put some water on to boil.  He’d never admit it to Ezra but he’d like to have some of that fancy espresso Ezra liked.  As he waited for the water he thought of his dream.  The Indians he’d lived with put a lot of stock in dreams.  In fact, each morning as they’d gathered around their fire, they would share their dreams and the Shaman would help interpret them.
Vin supposed his dream was due to Ezra’s comments when he’d left and again when they had spoken.  And he could say some of the rest was because it had been cold but that didn’t explain Vin’s reactions to it.  Nor the reaction he’d had when Ezra had hugged him.  Even now he could feel the heat of Ezra’s body flush with his.  He could recreate the feeling of Ezra snuggled up behind him in his dream.  Vin had had a male lover living with the Indians.  Well, lover wasn’t the right word as they’d never gotten farther than kissing and caressing before social services had found him again and dragged him back to foster care.  He had never had any interest in another man before Ezra.  That thought stopped him.  He hadn’t thought of Ezra as anything but a friend – at least consciously.  Did Ezra have feelings for him?  Is that what the dream was trying to tell him or was that wishful thinking?
A squirrel fussed at him from a nearby limb bringing him back to the present.  Now wasn’t the time to think on it.  He needed to be sharp and get this job down.  Then go home to Ezra and find out.

Vin trotted through the woods following Holloway’s trail.  He was catching up.  Not much longer now.  Vin decided to stop for awhile around noon.  He pulled some beef jerky out of his pack and a package of Hostess cupcakes, the chocolate ones.  As usual lately, when he had a free moment his thoughts drifted to Ezra.  He wondered what he was doing now.  Was Ezra anxious for him to come home as Vin was to get there?  Won’t be long now, Ez.

*******

Vin didn’t stop again until that evening.  He could have tracked longer but he was very close now.  He’d wait till morning.  He dug into his pack and pulled out a can from the bottom.  A smiled flickered across his face.  Beef A Roni.  His favorite.  He’d splurged and brought a few cans of food.  He dug out a hole for his dakota fire and poured the contents of the can in his small pan.  He again made a small lean to out of limbs and leaves.  He pulled a chunk of wood out of his pack and his knife out of its sheath.  He worked on the carving he had started that afternoon.  The idea had come to him in another dream.  When his food was hot he ate then heated water for coffee.  He sat by the small fire awhile sipping his coffee and working on his carving.  After the moon had risen, he put the fire out and went to bed.   

*******

WV Day 3

Vin had started out early.  He hoped to end this today.  Tracking Holloway had been too easy.  Maybe if he’d pushed a little harder he could have caught up with him yesterday.  It was almost noon when he stopped to examine a track.  He knelt down; it was less than an hour old.  The hairs on the back of his neck tingled.  Something wasn’t right.  He touched the print.  Something was off but he wasn’t sure what.  He suddenly started to rise and turn when he heard the gunshot and felt the bullet strike.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Which brought him back to the present.  He was sick of this shit.  Sick of following this man and angry with his self for getting shot.  He had important business back in Denver.

He pulled his gun out of his pack, checked it and strapped it to his leg.  Time to end this.  He crept through the forest.  The farther he went, the quieter it became.  He stopped.  He smelled a whiff of smoke.  He moved further.  He could see a thin line of smoke rising through the trees ahead.  He got down and began to crawl.

Tom Holloway sat in a clearing, fire blazing.  Vin was sure that Holloway thought Vin was dead.  He silently crept closer, then pulled his gun, aimed and fired.  Holloway jumped, and then reached his arms around trying to feel what had hit him.  He couldn’t reach the tranquilizer dart.  He suddenly keeled over, landing on his face.

Vin got up and moved silently to the fire.    He nudged Tom with his toe but he didn’t move.  Vin rolled him over and pulled out his walkie talkie.

He poured a cup of Holloway’s coffee, grimacing at the bitter taste.  It would be about twenty minutes before the chopper arrived but the dart would keep him out for at least an hour.  Finally this case was over.

Denver Day 4

Ezra woke from a dream.  He ran a hand over his sweaty face but didn’t turn on the light.  He had dreamed Vin had been killed.  He couldn’t remember the entire dream, just looking at Vin lying in a coffin.  He laid there until his heartbeat slowed.  It was just a dream, he repeated over and over.  Finally he dozed back off.

The phone woke him later.  He looked at the clock.  5 am.  No one called him at that time.  It had to be bad news.  He instantly thought of his dream.  The phone continued to ring, reluctantly he answered it.

“Hello?”

“Ezra?”

“Vin?”

“Yeah.  I was beginning to wonder if you were home.”  
He tried to hide his relief.  For a moment he had pictured Ezra out with another man.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah, just finished up.  My plane is leaving at 8.  Wondered if ya still wanted to pick me up?”

Ezra tried to think.  His heart still raced from the fear he’d felt.

“Of course.  What time does your plane arrive?”

Vin read him the information off his ticket.

“Ezra... can you take the day off and not mention I’m coming back to the others?”

Ezra hesitated a moment.  “I don’t think that would be a problem.  Vin, is everything all right?”

“Just need to talk to ya, that’s all.  I’d better go.  See you in a couple hours.”

Ezra stared at the phone as he heard the line click.

*******

Vin fidgeted on the plane.  He wanted a drink but it was only 8 am.  What was he going to say to Ezra?  What if he was all wrong?  Maybe Ezra wasn’t interested.  Would Ezra punch him out or shoot him?  He wanted to pace.  He jiggled his leg and drummed his fingers on his tray table until the stewardess made him stop.

Ezra paced up and down outside the gate.  Thirty more minutes before Vin’s plane was due.  What did he want to talk about?  Was Vin mad over the way he had acted when he left?  Had Vin guessed how he felt?  Would he tell him that they could no longer be friends?

Ezra continued to pace, coffee cup in hand.

*******

Vin took a deep breath as they were allowed to deplane.  His stomach was in a knot.  Part of him wanted to just say nothing, the other part wanted to grab Ezra and kiss him the moment he saw him.  

Ezra stared at all the people as they came out of the gate.  Where was Vin?  Then he saw him.  Vin wore his Army fatigue jacket and jeans.  He looked tired.  He saw Vin glance around and then Vin spotted him.  A wide smile creased his face and Ezra smiled back.  

Ezra was rooted to the spot.  Vin’s smile was dazzling; he’d forgotten how good he looked.  He watched as Vin came closer and closer.  Vin stopped in front of him, dropped his bag and hugged him.  Ezra was speechless.

Vin pulled Ezra close.  It felt good to be holding him for real.  He brushed his lips along Ezra’s neck.

“Missed you.”  He whispered in his ear.

Ezra slowly raised his arms to encircle Vin’s waist.  His hand brushed the bandage and Vin pulled back.

“You’re hurt!”

“Ain’t bad.  Just a couple stitches.”

“What happened?”

“Let’s get out of here.  I need a strong, hot cup of coffee.”

Vin bent to pick up his bag but Ezra beat him to it.  

“I’ll carry that.”

“I ain’t hurt, Ez.”

“Humor me.”

Vin grinned as he followed Ezra out of the terminal.  He wanted to grab him and never let go.  He was enjoying watching him walk though.  Ezra was dressed casually in tight jeans and a sweat shirt.  He looked mighty fine.
Ezra led the way to his Jag.  He popped the trunk and tossed Vin’s bag inside.  As he headed out of the airport he turned to Vin.

“Starbucks?”

“You got coffee at home?”

Ezra felt a flutter in his stomach.

“Yes, I do.”

“That’ll be fine then.”

Vin leaned the seat back, shifting to get comfortable.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?”

“Let’s wait till we get home, okay?  I’m gonna shut my eyes for a few minutes.”

“Do you have something for the pain?”

“Yeah, I’ll take it later.”

Vin closed his eyes and Ezra sighed.  Vin had mentioned twice them going home.  What did that mean?  It sounded promising, didn’t it?  He glanced at Vin and stepped on the gas.
*******

Ezra pulled up outside his condo.  He reached over and laid a hand on Vin’s leg.  Then he pulled it back.

“We’re here.”

Vin’s face broke into a smile again.  Ezra could see he was still tired and in pain.  He got out and grabbed Vin’s bag from the trunk.   He followed Vin to the front door.  Ezra dropped Vin’s bag by the door and went to make coffee.  Vin sat at the kitchen table, watching Ezra.

“Wondered if I was gonna make it back here.”

Ezra turned to look at him but said nothing.  Vin smiled his half smile.

“You were right.  I got too cocky, thought I was better than him.  Almost got me killed.  Luckily I hear the gun or sensed it....I don’t know.  But I turned just in time.  It went through and through.”  Vin gestured to his side.

Ezra continued to make coffee but said nothing.  His hands shook.

“Days weren’t too bad.  Being out there brought back lots of memories, good and bad.  I had lots of time to think at night.  Thought about you.”

Ezra risked a look at Vin.  Vin was staring at him.  His gaze steady, that smile still on his face.  He watched as Vin go up and walked toward him.
“Thought about what you said when I left.  All the time we’ve spent together lately.  Had some dreams about you.  Figured I need to make things clear.”

Ezra’s heart at first beating wildly, stopped.  Vin stood right in front of him.  Their slight difference in height had Ezra looking up.  Those blue eyes looked right to his soul.  

Vin could see the pulse at the base of Ezra’s neck beating wildly.  He smiled again, moving a little closer.  Then he lowered his mouth to Ezra’s.

Ezra’s mouth was warm and soft under his.  Vin moved his arms around Ezra’s shoulders and stepped closer till there bodies touched.  His own heart began beating faster as Ezra opened his mouth to him.   Vin was sure that he was touching heaven.

Vin pressed Ezra back against the cabinets.  He wanted to get as close to Ezra as he could.  He tightened his arms around him.   He felt Ezra’s hand move to the back of his neck then Ezra was pulling his mouth down, kissing him deeply.  Vin moaned.

Vin wasn’t aware at first he had begun to move his hips from side to side.  Ezra moved his leg between Vin’s and Vin felt Ezra’s answering erection.  
Vin pulled back.

“Ezra, I dreamed of this.”

Vin kissed along Ezra’s neck and then laughed.
“Well, I don’t mean us doing it in your kitchen.” 

Vin stepped back reluctantly, breathing hard.  Ezra left his hands on Vin’s hips.  

“I have been thinking about us.  Been hoping that I’ve read the signs right and you want me as much as I want you.”

Ezra smile was shy.  He played with a loop on Vin’s jeans.

“I had hoped too but never imagined you’d ever feel the same towards me.”

Vin pulled Ezra close to him again and sighed.

“You don’t know how happy you’ve made me.  I couldn’t wait to get back here and talk to you but then I was afraid I’d been reading too much into it.”

Ezra felt Vin flinch again as Ezra moved his arm around Vin’s back.  He pushed Vin back.

“You need to take something.  Go sit.  I’ll bring the coffee.”

Vin grinned as Ezra pushed him towards the living room.  He planted a quick kiss on Ezra’s mouth.  He fished his pain pills out of his jacket pocket.  Ezra brought out a cup of coffee and a glass of water, sitting them on the coffee table.

“Sit.”

Vin eased down on the couch and shook two pills out.  He washed them down with water and then leaned back with his coffee.  Ezra came back in, sitting on the other end.  Vin patted the couch beside him.

“I promise not to jump ya.  I’m too sore.”

Ezra grinned and moved closer.

“Guess I’ll have to promise not to be the ‘jump-er’ then.  For now.  What’s that?”
He gestured to the table where Vin had placed his carving.

“Made it for you.”

Ezra picked it up.  It was oval shaped.  Two wolf heads, chins resting on the others shoulders.

“It’s beautiful.”

“It’s us.  Came to me in a dream.”

Vin leaned to rest his shoulder against Ezra.  He sipped his coffee and then sighed.

“Just give me a couple days to heal, Ez and then we’ll see who can jump who first.”

“I like the sound of that, Mr. Tanner.”


The End










 









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