Christmas in a New York minute

 

 

 

Universe - ATF

Pairing - E/V of course   C/B hinted at

Warnings - None, except this isn't beta-ed and I got the idea 10 mins ago!

 

 

It had been a horrible month.  The case that was suppose to last 3 days at most had lasted weeks.  The cars had been damaged and no one was accepting blame.  A pair of night vision goggles had gone missing.  Ezra suspected Buck and JD but he wasn't sure.  And Buck had been injured.  Nothing serious, a badly twisted ankle and some fractured bones in his foot.  Chris had insisted he stay out with him at the ranch.

 

Ezra was driving Vin home.  They had stopped at Starbucks on the way.  Vin was sorting through the CDs when something caught his eye.  Ezra was staggering out, carrying the drinks.  Vin had his gun drawn when Ezra opened the car door. 

 

"What's wrong?  Are you hurt?"

 

Vin took the two pumpkin lattes from Ezra and placed them in the cup holders, his gun in his lap.

 

"Do you realize what day it is?"

 

Vin was confused.  Had Ezra suffered some kind of head wound in the 10 minutes he'd been gone.

 

"It's Friday.  What is wrong with you?"

 

"It' Christmas Eve!"

 

Vin's mouth dropped open.  Christmas eve?  That couldn't be right.  That was what, at least two weeks away.  He looked at his watch.  Damn,  it said December 24.

 

"How did that happen?"

 

Ezra shook his head, picking up his cup to take a sip. 

 

"This case took over our lives.  I guess we all lost track of time."

 

"We gotta do something, Ez."

 

Vin didn't say it but it was their first Christmas together.  Each year they all gathered at Chris' ranch but he'd wanted to make it special for them too.

 

Vin saw a smile flicker on Ezra's beautiful mouth that soon spread into a grin.

 

"Ya got an idea."

 

"Yes,  here call everyone, except Chris.  Spread the word.  We are on a crusade."

 

Ezra pulled out of the parking lot as Vin began to call the others on Ezra's cell phone.  He was finishing up talking to Josiah as they pulled into a Christmas tree lot.

 

"Ain't much to choose from." 

 

Ezra reached over and patted Vin's knee. 

 

"Fear not, Vin.   Marco here is a friend of mine.  I'm sure he'll have something adequate."

 

Vin smiled.  He knew Ezra would think of something.  He got out, pulling his coat up around his ears.  The wind had picked up.  It had snowed earlier but it was just cold now.  He wandered around looking at the slim pickings as Ezra talked to Marco.  There was lots of gesturing and smiles and then Marco threw up his hands smiling.  Ezra waved him over.

 

"We'll need to get your jeep.  Marco has the perfect tree for us at another lot."

 

They got back in Ezra's Jag and headed for Vin's apartment.  Vin ran into his apartment and came back out with a bag. There was another round of phone calls as Vin drove to the next lot.  Vin sat in the jeep as Ezra talked to the man standing by a barrel fire.  Vin glanced around this lot but he didn't see any 'perfect' trees here.  Ezra and the man disappeared and came back a few minutes later.  Vin could barely see them for the seven foot tree they carried.  Perfect wasn't the word.  This tree was magnificent.  Vin got out and helped them get it on the roof and tie it down.  Soon they were headed for the ranch.

 

"Everybody ready?"

 

"Yes,  we are meeting at the end of the road and heading in en mass."

 

Vin reached over to hold Ezra's hand. 

 

"Knew you'd think of something."

 

Ezra kissed his knuckles.

 

"We thought of something.  You know we are a formidable team."

 

"Damn straight."

 

They spotted Josiah's car waiting at the end of the road.  They saw JD sticking his head out the window and waving as they pulled up.  A few minutes later Nathan's car pulled in behind them.

 

"Are we ready gentlemen?"

 

They head down the road to Chris' ranch single file.  They cut their lights as they approached.  Chris' house was dark, a thin line of smoke rose from the fireplace.  They cut the engines and drifted quietly in.  Ezra opened the front door with his key.  Silently they entered.  Vin, being the quietest, crept back to Chris' bedroom to close the door.  He smiled as he saw Chris and Buck entwined.  No one else in the team suspected about the latest 'couple' as he wasn't going to give them away. 

 

Ezra smiled at Vin as he came back down the hall giving the thumbs up.  JD had wanted to barge in and surprise Chris and Buck but Ezra had vetoed that suggestion.  He wanted this holiday to be special, not shock to the rest of the team.  They were adjusting to him and Vin.  Let Chris and Buck tell the others when they were ready.

 

He was surprised they managed to get the tree up and decorated without waking either man.  Ezra guessed Buck had taken some pain pills but Chris usually slept like a cat.  Nathan and Josiah had put the food in the refrigerator.  They all sat around the tree watching the lights twinkle.

 

"Hey, look.  It's snowing again."

 

JD pointed out the window.  They all got up to watch the snow fall.  Josiah put more wood on the fire. 

 

"I haven't ever seen such ugly elves in my life."

 

They all turned to see Chris standing at the end of the hall, a big smile on his face.

 

"Merry Christmas, Chris." 

 

Everyone shushed JD, who blushed.

 

"I don't think you'll wake Buck.  Those pain pills really knocked him out."

 

Chris turned to look at Vin and Ezra and gave them a small nod of thanks.

 

"I'd forgotten what day it was."  

 

Chris stood looking at the tree.  He noticed there were even presents underneath.

 

"How did you...?"

 

"It's amazing what you can do under pressure."

 

Josiah grinned as he guided JD down the hall.

 

"I think it's time we all turned in.  Santa can't arrive if we are all awake."

 

Everyone said their good nights as they headed off to the guest rooms.  Vin and Ezra sat on the couch watching the fire.  Vin got up and retrieved his bag from the jeep.

 

"It ain't much.  I got it before we got caught up in that case."

 

He handed Ezra a small box.   Vin grinned at the surprised look on Ezra's face.  He unwrapped it with shaky fingers.  Inside was a leather wallet.  Ezra's initials were engraved in the corner.  When he opened it there was a picture of the two of them riding double on Peso.  Chris had taken the picture that fall.

 

"It's beautiful."

 

Ezra's eyes brimmed with tears as he leaned over to kiss Vin.

 

"I have something for you, too.  I ordered this earlier."

 

Vin looked surprised when Ezra got up and went to Chris' coat closet.  He pulled out a large box.  He grinned as he handed it to Vin.

 

"Merry Christmas, love."

 

Vin looked from the box to Ezra.  What on earth could it be?  He ripped off the paper and then the lid.  He froze.  Inside was a buckskin coat.  But not a plain coat.  It was beaded with different Indian designs.  He ran his hand over it.  Then he looked closer.  Over the heart area were their initials, designed in a medicine wheel.

 

"Ez, this is....how did you...?"

 

"You like it, then?"

 

Vin stood up and pulled him close. 

 

"I love it, almost as much as I love you."

 

Vin kissed him then.  He poured all the love he was feeling, all the love he had experienced since Ezra had become his.  Slowly he pulled back.

 

"Merry Christmas, Vin."  Ezra whispered breathlessly.

 

"Merry Christmas, babe."

 

 

The End