but this one is giving me a hard time and since
ya'll helped to inspire Jo Ann Finish her 'Kindred Spirits' ... I had hoped you could do the same for me.. Thanks for Jo Ann doing a quick beta and to Kris for inspiring me to write in this fandom and twisting my arm to post them. A special thank you to LadyBard for the help with the summary (I'm terrible with the things).
Frozen
By Silver
He took one last look at his one night stand before turning to walk away. He couldn't do it again. Refused to do it again. He no longer allowed the pain of certain emotions to infiltrate his wall. He no longer felt, anything.
"Your wrong Ezra."
The huskiness of his new lover's soft drawl washed over him, for a moment he wished things could be different between them. Maybe he wished that things could be different *for* him? Maybe that *he* could be different? But that was no longer an option for him. His heart froze another degree as he shored up his defenses. Turning he faced his tracker with his poker face firmly in tact.
"No, Mr. Tanner. I've never been more right in my entire life, as I am about this." He turned away from the sad sapphire gaze. He put that sadness in those soulful blue eyes.
He had only wanted one night of heaven with the Texan that filled his dreams with such erotic pleasures each night. One night was all he asked. Not to have Vin fall in love with him. He could handle anything but that.
Or, maybe it was the other way around?
That this one night of heaven had caused him to fall in love with Vin. It was something he could no longer allow for himself. Putting his hand on the doorknob of the front door, his passport to freedom, to leave but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Your wrong Ez. You do have a heart. Isn't that why your running from me? Because your not as heartless as you thought and it's scaring you?"
He felt the tracker's breath against his neck making him shiver at the sensations it was causing. He turned the knob but Vin prevented him from opening it by pinning him against the door with his body. Ezra rested his head on the door, valiantly trying to ignore the hard body that was holding him to the door.
"At least be honest about why you're leaving, Ez." He shivered at the hot breath against his ear.
"I am being honest Mr. Tanner. I don't love you. Never will love you. You cannot love someone that does not have a soul, much less a heart. I have neither."
"Yes, you do Ez. You just won't let yourself feel either of them." The whispered reply ghosted along his earlobe before it was sucked into the Texan's moist mouth. He couldn't prevent the breathy moan that escaped his parted lips. He felt the trackers hands roaming his body. He was trembling as the hands pulled out his shirt tails, panting as calloused hands blazed a path to the front of his trousers, moaning as the same hands stroked his hardened flesh.
"I've been slowly tearing down that wall of ice around your heart, brick by frozen brick, and it terrifies you that you can't replace them fast enough. I'm breaking through and you can't stop me." The warm mouth moved down the side of his neck. "You want this Ezra. I can see the yearning, the desire..."
The voice stopped as he shook his head but the hands were relentless in driving him to the brink of insanity. No, he didn't want this. The chance of pain was too great for when Vin decided he no longer wanted him and Vin, like all the other's before him, would cast him aside in the end. He couldn't go through that. His body betraying him started to tremble more with the onset of his orgasm. His energy left him sagging against the tracker.
Vin pulled his lover tighter to him as he gently lowered them to the floor. Resting his chin on the chestnut locks as he ran a comforting, but always caressing, hand down the trembling body.
"I know that you don't believe me but I won't hurt you Ezra. Couldn't hurt you. You have my heart in your hands and I trust you not to hurt me. All I'm asking for is a chance to love you the way you were meant to be loved." He crooked his finger under the conman's chin tipping upwards to see the stormy tormented sea green eyes.
"Do something for me Ez, don't think about how you feel just feel with your heart."
Ezra pulled his chin away from the Texan only to have it more firmly gripped, "No Ezra I want you to look at me as I make love to you. If you let me show you..." Vin cupped Ezra's face firmly with both hands when he started to shake it. "Yes, Ez, you want this as much as you need this."
Vin began his gentle assault by kissing the resistant mouth, when the southerner opened up to him, moaning as Vin's tongue swept in to dueled with his. As Ezra responded to his kiss Vin's hands trailed down the graceful neck stopping at the top button of Ezra's silk shirt. He made short work of the buttons, quickly divesting the gambler of his coat and shirt. Vin ran his hands down the smooth chest, his fingers quickly finding the hardened nipples, rubbing both in between his thumb and forefinger. He never let up on the blatant assault on his lover's senses, knowing to give Ezra time to think would defeat his purposes. His hands skimmed his lovers sides down to still open slacks. Slipping his hands under the slacks pushing them down past his lovers hips until they were around his ankles. The proof of how much Ezra was attracted to him was laid out for him. He treated Ezra's hard cock much like a starving man would a banquet of food. He nibbled at the tip, sticking his tongue into the slit, tasting his lover's essence, then he took the head in his mouth suckling it before taking the entire length into his mouth. He began to suck harder as Ezra's pants turn into breathless moans. Vin pulled out of his pocket a tube of KY and slicked his fingers. First he slowly entered one finger and then another, until Ezra had accepted three fingers easily then he slicked his own rock hard cock up against the opening. As the tip of his erection touched Ezra's tight hole, he increased his suction bringing the gambler to the brink before he entered him in one thrust, at Ezra's sharp in drawn breath Vin stilled giving his lover time to adjust to him. When he started to move the Texan made sure he went slow and gentle, then demanded, "Ezra, open your eyes and see the truth for what it is."
When the stubborn southerner refused to look at him, he stopped his movements causing his lover to whimper at the loss.
"Look at me."
Ezra opened his eyes and met the loving sapphire gaze he had always wanted to see aimed at him. 'One night of pure heaven then he could leave and never look back' he silently promised himself. He met the tracker's gaze with no emotion in his own. As the tracker started to move again Ezra became entranced in the blue flames that burned so hot as the pleasure rock him to his core. Vin gazing down with so much love in his eyes was the last thing Ezra saw as he lost consciousness.
Vin knew Ezra was exhausted from the amount of love making they had shared, and the alcohol, as he picked up his unconscious lover carrying him into his bedroom, laying him gently on the bed. He quickly finished removing the rest of Ezra's cloths, folding them and laying them on the chair in the corner of the room. Then he quickly finished removing his, leaving them where they fell, as he climbed into the bed pulling the cover over them. He pulled his gambler into his arms, his arm held him tight to his chest and throwing his leg over Ezra's legs to anchor him to his side. He didn't want Ezra to leave without him knowing it. If he could just get Ezra to crave his touch, slowly getting him to depend on him for physical touch, then work his way up to getting his reluctant lover to admit how much he truly did love him.
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Ezra woke to a warm body, a warm *naked* body, that had him in a vise grip. His mind couldn't take it in. He tried to look around to see what had awoken him but everything was a pitch black inside the room. There was no noise except his lovers soft breath on the back of his neck and he would rather forget the sensations that it was causing. He had to think.
What happened last night?
He could remember going to the Saloon with the Team, then he had gone to a bar to get rip roaring drunk were his team mates wouldn't see him in such a state, which he must have failed to do because he didn't have a hang over.
Then what happened?
He remembered someone sitting down next to him, he had beautiful sapphire eyes and shoulder length hair...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Last Night at the Saloon
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Ezra couldn't take watching the one person he had made the mistake of having feelings for in a very long time, interact with his fellow teammates and never have the knowledge of being with him even for one night. He needed a drink, not the good stuff, he needed the rotgut whisky burning it's reality down his throat and heating his veins to the point of not caring whether he lived or died at that moment. One little problem, he couldn't do it with his teammates, his friends, watching him. The questions they would demand answers to if he did go on a suicidal binge in front of them, answers he could not nor would not give. Making up his mind to leave and not really caring where he ended up tonight.
"Gentlemen, I bid you good night. I have a cover to take care of and will see you in the morning."
He stood grabbing his coat, striding away from them, before anyone could say anything. He kept his pace as normal as possible, if he ran out the door it would only cause the men he now called friends, for the moment at least, to follow him and that was not an option for what he had planned. Safely entranced in his car he pulled out into the street, pointing towards the east side of town where he could get lost in a crowded bar and nobody would care what he was dressed like, since they would be drowning their own problems. So far gone into his depression he never noticed the battered jeep following him.
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They had all noticed the southerner's unusual quietness of the past few weeks. Ezra seemed to be withdrawing from them. At first it was his self-deprecating humor that seemed to be worse than before and then he became quieter with each passing day.
"What was that about?" JD asked.
"I think are brother is in some kind of trouble."
Buck scoffed at that, "Ez is always in trouble. Nothing new there."
"That's not the kind I meant. His soul is troubled." Josiah explained. "I think someone needs to have a talk with the boy."
Chris stood intent on getting answers from his undercover agent even if he had to beat it out of him. A hand on his arm stopped him, following the strong tanned hand to its owners face; he looked at his best friend.
Vin shook his head. "I think I better handle this one Cowboy. He isn't the most open person on a good day and it's been a rough couple of weeks. I think he'll open up to me a little better than having you trying to beat it out of him."
Vin knew Ezra could get their leader's temper going in heartbeat and by then Ezra will have distracted Chris from his original purpose, finding out what was going on with the southerner.
"All right if you think you can get somewhere with him. Go for it." Chris sat back down wondering what had caused Ezra to pull away from them and why. He also understood that if Ezra talked to anyone he would be more likely to open up to Vin.
Vin stood up and hurried out into the night so the southerner wouldn't get to far ahead of him. He had been concerned when he could feel Ezra pulling back from him. He knew the others thought it was the team that Ezra was pulling away from but it was him. He had caught Ezra watching him with an unguarded expression on his face of yearning and desire but when their eyes met Ezra's wall would slam down around him, his expression blank and bored. He had thought to let Ezra know he was interested in a relationship with him but anytime he approached the cagey southerner Ezra would quickly excuse himself and then he wouldn't be able to get close to him for days after that. He had finally backed off and let Ezra have his space but it looks like he might have handled it wrong.
Vin followed Ezra to, what appeared to be a run down bar, until you entered it. It was packed with people from all walks of life. Then the stench of stale beer and unwashed bodies hit him making him want to gag. The bar had once been a grand ballroom from the looks of it but now it was littered with people trying to forget their own problems.
He started for the bar only to pause as something told him Ezra wouldn't be found there. It wasn't his style; Ezra would be at a corner table where he could keep an eye on the room. Even if that eye was slightly unfocused. With that in mind Vin worked his way around the perimeter of the room, quickly spotting his gambler, sitting with his back to the wall, a bottle of whiskey his only company.
He approached the undercover agent carefully, much like he would a wounded animal. He stood there for a moment taking in Ezra's appearance. His suit was showing cresses, that normal he wouldn't allow, the normally well-groomed chestnut locks were sticking up, as though he had been running his hands threw his hair as his distress grew. Vin's heart constricted at seeing Ezra like this. He took a sit next too the hurting man waiting for Ezra to acknowledge him but he waited in vain, as Ezra slammed another shot down and was about to pour himself another when Vin grabbed the bottle putting it out of his reach.
Ezra was startled when his bottle was pulled out of his hands, his alcohol dazed eyes blearily tried to focus on the form in front of him. His vision slowly came into focus dwindling the numbers to the one form in front of him till he realized he was better off not knowing that the form in front of him had beautiful sienna locks, that when the sun kissed them it was like a flaming light in his dark world. The forms eyes were a startling vivid sapphire gaze that were so sharp that it could kill a man over 300 yards away and read a man's soul to determine his worth and intent.
It was his nightmare come true, to have Vin this close to him and not be able to taste those sweet lips or run his fingers through the beautiful hair.
"Well, Mr. Tanner to what do I owe this visit too? You lose the drawl?" His southern voice thick with the alcohol that burned through his veins.
"No, Ez, I didn't win no drawl. You're a friend and I just want to help you, if you'll let me."
Ezra snorted. "Well, then Mr. Tanner Hell must truly be freezing over if you are here on this hellish night offering your friendship. Care to have a drink with me? We can toast to trading one Hell for another."
"Ez, what are you talking about? Never mind I'm taking you home." Vin just didn't tell the southerner whose home he was going too.
"Thanks, but no, thanks. I don't need nor want a babysitter. So just go back to your little family and tell them you did your best and failed." Ezra reached for the bottle but Vin was quicker, grabbing the bottle and handing It to the table behind him.
"Here ya go. We won't be needing this any more and don't want it to go to waste."
"Thanks Mister." The older man raised his glass to Vin but he had already turned around only to find Ezra had gotten up and left. He stood up on the chair looking around and spotting Ezra heading towards the bar. Vin shook his head at the man's stubbornness and stepped down to follow him. He caught Ezra's arm turning him around to face him but Ezra had had a little too much to drink and lost his balance. Vin caught him by pulling him to his chest. He looked down into startled emerald eyes that seemed to struggle to take in what they were seeing.
Ezra's hands fisted themselves in the Texan's shirt, his breathing harsh as he looked up into Vin's vivid blue eyes that suddenly flared with passion. He shook his head no because he couldn't possibly be seeing what he thought he saw. But when Vin started to nod his head yes, he tried to back up but Vin held Ezra tightly to him. The Texan slowly lowered his head to Ezra's then took the undercover agent's lips in a hard kiss, his hand holding onto Ezra's neck when he went to pull away.
Ezra moaned deep in his throat, as he opened up to him and felt weak in the knees when Vin's tongue swept in laying claim as it went. He felt absolutely possessed by this incredible man that held him tight to his hard body. Ezra didn't believe this was real for a moment it had to be the mass amount of alcohol he had drunk but he was loath to call it quits from this dream. It felt so incredibly real to him.
Vin could taste the alcohol but he deepened the kiss searching for the taste that was uniquely Ezra. He found the sweetness and became addicted to the flavor. Vin came to his senses when Ezra moaned deep in his throat, tearing his mouth from the southerner's, both panting heavily as he held Ezra to him. He didn't want to move he had Ezra relaxed against him, the con man's head on his shoulder and he loved the feeling but what he would love even more was to have the con man hot, naked and straining beneath him. He hardened at the mental image that provoked him into action.
"Ez, let's go home and finish this in private." He whispered into Ezra's ear, his hot breath causing the southerner to shiver against him. Vin smiled at the telling action.
Vin turned Ezra around, holding his elbow in a firm grip, and started to move him towards the door. They had made it outside and Vin was leading him towards his Jeep when Ezra balked. The southerner tried to pull out of his grip, without success, as Vin held firm.
"Mr. Tanner I'm not leaving my precious vehicle here to be abused. Look I will follow you..." Ezra's words trailed off when the Texan shook his head no.
"Nope, if you're worried about your car we will just have to take it instead. So hand over the keys."
Vin held out his hand for the keys but Ezra shook his head and turn towards his car. Vin just yanked him off balance so that he could catch Ezra pulling him once again to his chest, with Ezra's back to his chest. Putting his lips to Ezra's ear he pulled the earlobe into his mouth gently sucking on it until he heard a breathy moan from his con man.
"Doesn't matter which car we take I'm driving." Having said that he slipped his free hand into Ezra's front pocket, searching for the keys to the Jag.
While searching for the keys he felt Ezra's semi-hard cock and he made sure he brushed against it till it was completely hard and had Ezra's head leaning back on his shoulder moaning from his touch. With Ezra being so compliant he released him putting his other hand in the southerner's other pocket, moving his hands in tandem to each other on the hard cock as his lips nipped and sucked the con man's exposed neck.
Ezra was in heaven. The sensations consumed him in heat that burned through his veins like a wild brush fire. He didn't care where he was as long as he could fulfill his hearts greatest desire in the most realistic dream he had ever experienced. He never wanted it to end.
Vin grabbed the keys before he pulled his hands out Ezra's pockets, groaning at the loss, he pushed Ezra away from his body but not letting him go. He had to get Ezra to his apartment and quickly since his self control seemed to have flown right out the window. Good thing nobody seemed to notice that. He led the way to Ezra's Jag, unlocking the passenger's side door and opening it for Ezra.
He loved how responsive Ezra was to him. It was possible that it was the alcohol that made the undercover agent responsive to his touch but he would like to believe it was him that caused it.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Present Time
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It hit like a ton of bricks, it was Vin who was holding him captive in his embrace.
What the *hell* had happened to his control last night?
He blushed as his memory took great delight in reminding him of every detail. Vin told him to open his heart to see the truth and he had seen the tracker's love but as with every relationship he had ever had it was a lie because in the end no matter what, Vin would leave him.
His body betrayed him as he started to tremble. He was vulnerable and his wall held no resistance against Vin. That scared him worse than the time his cousin had left him locked in the garden shed with the snakes his other cousin had gathered up. He had to leave, not just here but he had leave the ATF, Denver and his friends that had somehow become his family.
Suddenly felt Vin's hand caressing him in long comforting strokes down his chest, stopping at his navel and then back up again but he seemed to still be asleep. Vin was responding to his distress even in his sleep. Ezra couldn't take it anymore he had to get out here and quickly. He slowly started to shift away from the tracker's body only to find himself pulled even tighter to the hard body. He looked back to see if he had woken Vin but his eyes were still closed and his breathing still even. He tried to move away two more times before he finally realized he would have to wake the sharpshooter in order to gain his release.
But he wasn't ready to face the reality of last night. He had seen what Vin was offering him but he knew better than to trust that offer. Once bitten twice shy. That saying held more truth for him since he had learned the hard way never to believe in anyone or anything. His mind was churning with memories that cut deeper than flesh to bone. Memories that left a heart broken and bleeding. Leaving a soul barren and lonely as a desert surrounded by vast emptiness of space. He could feel the crumbling wall slowly repairing the cracks and crevices, the iciness that allowed him to feel nothing was winding it's way around the spark of hope he would never admit to, smothering it before it could cause him pain.
With his defenses once again in place it was time for him to leave here. Just one complication.
How was he going to get out Vin's embrace without waking him up?
Moving slowly he took Vin's hand and was slowly lifting up when he suddenly found himself trapped under the tracker's body. Startled at how quick Vin had moved and distracted by the hard body now laying flush on top his Ezra looked up into vivid blue eyes.
"Going somewhere Ez? You wouldn't be trying to leave without saying goodbye, would you?" Vin's voice was husky with sleep sending molten fire through the southerner's veins. Vin's hands cupped Ezra face, thumbs slowly stoking his lips before bending down to take his mouth in a kiss that was both loving and possessive. His tongue swept in when the southerner opened up to him. When Ezra started to respond to him he broke the kiss.
Vin sat up in bed, his breathing ragged. When he stood up he looked down at the confused passion dazed gambler. He took Ezra's hand in his, gently pulling him up also, when Ezra tried to speak Vin put a finger to his lips and shook his head. Then lead the way to the bathroom; he went to the shower adjusting the temperature of the water before he turned the spray on. Not giving Ezra the chance to say anything he stepped into the shower pulling Ezra with him. When Vin had Ezra under the water, he turned the southerner around to face the spray and pulled Ezra back against him. He moaned as Ezra's butt cheeks cuddled his hardness between them. It took a supreme effort on his part not to take advantage of the position, instead he forced himself to remember the special prize he would gain in the end, Ezra's love. He set his mind to his planned seduction.
Vin ran his hand through the chestnut locks making sure all the hair was wet before reaching for the shampoo, accidentally dropping it. He crouched down reaching for the bottle, turning his face towards Ezra's body, his tongue slowly reached out to trace the length of Ezra's hard member. At the southerner's sharp in take of breath he stopped, hiding his smile as he stood up with shampoo bottle in hand.
Pouring some of the shampoo in his hand he reached up, slowly massaging the shampoo into the wet locks of hair being careful not to get it into his eyes. Ezra had his hands on the wall bracing himself as had leaned his head back into the Texas's hands. Allowing the water to spray directly into his face.
"Okay, Ez, lean your head forward." He said huskily feeling Ezra tremble as he ran his hands up his neck and into the silky strands to help rinse the shampoo out.
Pulling the compliant undercover agent into his arms he started kissing the sweet spot between his lover's neck and shoulder, he wrapped one hand around Ezra's hard cock and started to stroke it slowly, while the other hand caressed the beautiful body.
Ezra's body was perfect like the chiseled Greek statues of marble he'd seen in some of the conman's books. Smooth well sculpted chest, down the toned abs, his hand mapped out all the contours of the sexy body in front of him. The sharpshooter increase*ed* his ministrations on his lover pushing the southerner over the edge of an orgasm. He held the trembling body close to him whispering to lovers nonsense words and caressing with only the intent to soothe the man he loved.
After his con man had regained a little of his balance, Vin leaned around him to shut the water off. When he stood up he pulled his lover closer and kissed him senseless. Hoping to keep him from thinking since Vin knew that when Ezra started to think about things he would start to distance himself again and he just couldn't let that happen right now. His lover's spirit was too fragile if he could just get him to crave his touch, his voice, his presence, then maybe they could go to the next step, to trust in him and his love.
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Ezra had been so startled by the tenderness that Vin had shown him, and that shower, dear lord, it had taken his breath away. But he was still puzzled by the whole thing. Vin hadn't taken his pleasure this morning. The sharpshooter had simply helped him out of the shower, dried him off and then helped dress him in the most sensual way he had ever experienced. As each expanse of his body was covered, the area had been caressed and kissed. His body tingled and burned for more. But he was at a loss as how to feel or how to interpret this encounter with this man who he had fallen in love with. His walls were almost nonexistent, the flame of hope was burning brightly. He watched as Vin dressed slow and strangely sexy as the ex-bounty hunter made and held eye contact with him. When finished, the long haired sharpshooter walked sensually towards him and the Texan took him into his arms and kiss the very breath out of him.
This was all very strange, too strange. Maybe he had had more to drink than he thought? Maybe he was still sleeping off the alcohol safely tucked in his bed and this was all a dream?
But he knew that wasn't even close to the truth. He had one rule he never broke; if he couldn't be honest with anyone else he could at least always be honest with himself. Right now he hated that rule of his because he really could use the lie about now.
Those talented mouth and hands were once again distracting him and not allowing him to think, to once again fortify his protective wall. He needed to get away and soon.
He moaned as Vin was sucking on his earlobe and gently nipping at it while his hands were slowing divesting him of the clothes the sharpshooter had just helped to put on him. His body was flushed with anticipation, excitement and worse, longing. How was he suppose to fight this constant assault on his senses and worse yet, his heart?
But it looked like he was back in Lady Luck's good graces. There was a pounding at the door and he knew only one person who could make the door rattle and windows shake, Chris Larabee. His salvation.
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Vin was slowly kissing his way down Ezra's body as he was removing the clothing he had just help put on and then back up the incredible body. He had the undercover agent moaning and thrashing below him as he was suckling on the sweet earlobe when the pounding on the door broke through his passion soaked brain.
He sighed as he levered himself off the dazed southerner. He knew he better go let Larabee in before he broke the door down. Damn man couldn't use the phone, oh hell no, that be to easy.
He untucked his shirt to cover up the bulge in his pants. "Hey, Ez, let me go get that before he breaks in the door."
The agent had sat up but had yet to look at him. Vin sighed as he slid back up to were Ezra was sitting, where they were chest to chest, against his head board.
"Ez," but the silent man still wouldn't look at him. Running his hand up his lovers neck and around to his chin, lifting it up trying to catch the elusive man's eyes.
"Look at me Ez." the soft command had the undercover agents eyes meeting his. "I'll be right back. Everything will be just fine. If you'll just give me a chance to prove it." With that he placed a soft chaste kiss on the sweet lips.
Ezra heard the loud banging stop and he couldn't hear the whispered conversation but could tell it was getting heated. Not really wanting stick around to see himself kicked off the team, as once again, someone he loved would tell him he wasn't good enough.
As he took stock of his surroundings, his walls slowly started to rebuild themselves with bricks of remembered pain and ice of past loves turned bitter. He walked over to the bedroom window, opening the curtains, he grimaced. He was not fond of heights but one must do what one must do. He sighed as he rebuttoned his shirt, he could still smell Vin's spicy woodsy scent and still feels his hands on him. Groaning as he grabbed onto the ledge and pulled himself out onto it. He would erase the memory later, now, he needed to disappear. He looked down, gauging the distance, three floors down, glancing up, one floor up and the drain pipe not to far out reach. He carefully gauged the distance. He would climb up and then worry about it from there.
Taking a deep breath, praying to God, he leapt for the drain pipe, his fingers not being able to stop his momentum but slowing him enough so that when his finger finally gave way, he was closer to the first floor apartments. When he finally landed, it only knocked the wind out of him. Getting up, he didn't bother to look up just took off running but stopped at the corner to peer around it. Not seeing anyone he headed deeper into purgatory.
Most would think he knew nothing about this place or it's people but they would be wrong. He was going to a place he had avoided since his first year in Denver. He was going to the devil himself but at least this devil owed him a huge favor.
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"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." Opening the door for his friend, he stepped back and let him in.
"Where the hell is Ezra?" The team leader wanted answers and he wanted them now.
"Well, morning to you too Cowboy." He said as he shut the door.
"He's not answering his phone and his car is here. Where is he and what did you find out?"
"First of all, he's here and fine, second keep your voice down. He doesn't need your hostility just your friendship."
Letting out a pent up breath of relief at just hearing his friend was safe, "Okay he's alright, physically, but what did he say?"
"It ain't that simple and you know it. I'm still trying to get by that damn wall of his," giving his best friend a dirty look, "I was doing pretty good till you started bang on my door. Now he's had time to hide behind that wall again," the sharpshooter sat down heavily on the couch, "and I'm not sure I can get back to even where I started from last night."
He felt a hand on his shoulder and when he looked up at his friend and saw a small smile. Vin quirked an eyebrow at his friend, in question.
"Just glad we have to stop watching you two dance around each other it was getting quite tiring." At Vin's blush, he nodded his head, "Yep, it's about time you two got together."
"Well, I'm still trying to convince him of that but there was a bit of a loud interruption. What's with all the banging anyway forget how to use a phone?"
"Nope, just worried and then there is that case we start in two days. Needed to make sure my undercover agent has his head on straight. Go get him so we can see if I need to switch off with Team Two."
"Look let me talk to him first make sure he's okay with you bargin' in and knowin' about us."
Larabee just nodded.
Vin walked back into his room but found it empty. He checked the bathroom already knowing that Ezra was gone. He gazed around the room looking for clues as to where the wily agent got off to. His eyes settled on the open window.
"Larabee get your sorry ass in here." Tanner's anger clear in his voice as he gazed out the window, watching the agent glance around the corner and disappear.
"What?" Larabee got a sinking feeling as the sharpshooter turned from the window. "He didn't?"
"He did. Do me a favor, next time use the phone." He sighed. Vin knew Chris was worried about Ezra, so he took a deep breath, letting go of his anger. "Com'on let's go find him before he runs into trouble."
The two agents ran out of the apartment, flying down the steps and separating once the hit the black asphalt. Vin took the short cut that was the quickest way out of Purgatory. Chris took the long way. Both searching for their seventh in every shadow and every closed door, unlocked or locked and the doors that were left open. They talked to every person they came across but no one had seen the southern agent leaving Purgatory.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
Ezra Standish, chameleon extraordinary, sulked in the shadows following the dark and dank alley into a deeper, soulless, part of town. Where one went when they had nothing left too give but the sorry existence of their lives. He knocked on a steel door that would seem to be the only thing holding up the dilated building. The little sliding door opened to reveal eyes so black they sent chills down the southerner's spine, which he quickly squelched and spoke the one word that gained him entrance into the gates of Hell.
"Jumbo"
The door opened to him, drawing the agent into it's welcoming warmth. The black eyes now glimmered with amusement.
"Jumbo to you to Hellion." Grinned the ebony giant as he closed the door behind the man he owed much of his status and continued flow of money.
"I have not gone by that since I left you last, Falcon." The suave agent kept walking towards the back the office. Taking in everything as he went.
It really hadn't changed much. It was still the cool southwestern colors that he had chosen when he had first refurbished the inside of the building.
When he had found this building years ago he had thought it would make a interesting invest, if not a front for undercover operations in the future. A
giant calling himself Falcon brought an interesting proposition to him that would help the community and make money for the kids that were cast offs and runaways. With his and Falcon's contacts they found homes for the kids that they could and gave jobs to those that didn't want to be in a foster home or they were older and didn't feel they needed a home. Those kids were taught trades from carpentry to driving trucks. Both men tried to keep the kids away from drugs by keeping them busy and giving them a place to sleep. The kids had few rules to follow inorder to stay in the make shift shelter. They had a curfew according to their age, they ate together, they had go to school on a regular basis, studied as a group at a regular time. The most important part was to make things safer for the kids on the street and give them a purpose.
"Hellion!" A teenager with blond, short cropped hair and clear blue eyes, ran up to Ezra hugging him. "It's good to see you back. Are you here to stay?"
"Marcus, how have you been? Staying out of trouble?" Ezra asked as he returned the hug.
"Yes sir. I'm even making good grades in school and working on the docks at a trucking company."
"That's great Marcus, look I need to talk to Falcon, okay? We'll catch up afterwards."
"Sure thing Hellion, I'll see you tonight at dinner, okay?"
"I'll see you at dinner, Marcus." Leading the way towards the office with Falcon following him. After shutting the door behind them, he took a seat in front of the desk. "How are things going?"
"Hellion, this me remember? What happened?"
Ezra sighed, he could never put anything past this man. "I'm - in rather a delicate bind." He got up, started pacing back and forth, running his hand through his hair. "I allowed someone to become to close." Ezra leaned up against the wall allowing his head to fall forward.
Falcon took in the slummed shoulders, mused up hair and rumbled clothing. "You finally did it, didn't you?"
Ezra never turned around, "Finally did what Falcon?"
"You finally allowed someone to get behind that wall you built around your heart. Was it one of those agents on your team?"
Standish turned around sharply and glared at the man seating behind the desk.
"What would you know of them?"
"I kept tabs on you. Made sure you were doing alright. Kids kept an eye on you too but mostly because they missed you. So, answer my question."
Ezra knew when the odds were against him, besides he knew he could trust Falcon. "Yes, it was one of my teammates ." He slumped into the chair
putting his head into his hands.
"And . . ."
"And it was more than I could handle."
"So, you ran and are now hiding? Here of all places?" Falcon heaved a sigh. "Hellion you can't run every time someone gets too close."
"First of all, the teammate in question lives in this neighborhood and second I could not handle what happened between us."
"ahhh, now I understand. By too close you mean . . ." Falcon left it open, knowing his friend needed to talk about what had happened.
"Anyone ever tell you you think too much?"
"Yeah you."
Ezra walked over and sat down heavily, with a bowed head "Not only did I allow them in I . . . I let a special person in."
"Then why are you here with me rather than with that special someone?"
"Because he broke down all of my walls. I have no defense against him."
"So . . ."
Ezra raised his head up, glaring at the man across from him, "So - So. What do you mean so?"
"Hellion, does it really matter that you have no defense? You let me and the children in. So why not take a chance on him or the thing you are afraid
of."
"You and the children are different. What happens when he doesn't want me anymore? Look at the disaster with the FBI. No - no I can't do it again."
"Okay, Hellion, stay the night with us and think on what you would be giving up. Besides the children would love to see again." With that Falcon left Ezra to himself. Hopefully thinking but knowing Hellion he would go over the books, just to make sure that the kids were comfortable and taken care of. Falcon knew these kids weren't lacking he and especially Ezra, had made sure of that.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
Dinner had been a special affair for Ezra. He got reacquainted with all the children and the new ones that had found their way here. It was good to laugh freely but there was something missing that he just couldn't put his finger on. By the time he went to bed he was physically and mentally exhausted but that didn't stop the onslaught of memories of what had happened between Vin and himself. He knew that know matter what, in his heart of hearts, he loved the Texan. He unconsciously shrugged his shoulders as he laid in bed staring at the ceiling. So what, if he loved the man? It really didn't matter that he could still feel the mans hands, lips, tongue ... he moaned as he rolled over, that had not helped. Maybe he needed to reach into his vault of pain and pull out the memories that would bring his heart back behind the walls of safety. Of course in doing that he would once again be the cold hearted bastard everyone believed him to be. He could live with that. Or so he deluded himself into believing.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
Falcon watched his friend from the shadows and shook his head at the emotions that crossed the unsuspecting agents face. He sighed to himself as realized he could possible be ruining his friendship with the southern cuss but he loved the man he had called brother years before he had even joined the ATF team. He had understood why Hellion couldn't risk anyone knowing about the sanctuary they had created for the children. At least when he had been with the FBI the danger had been in other states but he knew that Hellion was afraid for anyone to know about the children, afraid someone could hurt or use the kids against him.
But he wasn't about to let the agent pass up a chance to be happy. He knew all about Ezra's past from his childhood too his problems with the FBI. He'd give the southerner a chance to come to the conclusion of going back himself or he's do it for him. With that decision made Falcon sought his own bed.
Vin stood leaning against the window in the bullpen, watching the people below scurrying around trying to get ahead in the daily rat race but his mind was far away. He could still feel Ezra as he moved against him, like a ghost's touch whispering through his memories, torturing him. He knew he should be out there looking for his southern love but instead was here in with the moron that ran the accounting department.
Who just happened to have called an emergency meeting. Only a geek with no life would consider the monthly expenditures an emergency at 7:00 pm on a Saturday night.
"Mr. Tanner will you please be seated so we can finish this." The pencil neck stated firmly just wanting to get out of the presence of the most intimidating men he had had the misfortune to deal with. He had better things to do than to deal with men that the agency allowed Judge Travis to baby. So what if they had a impressive closure rate? He shrugged mentally. Time to get the battle over with. No doubt Agent Standish would claim several expensive suits plus anything else the suave southerner could come up with. Speaking of which...
"Where is Agent Standish? This was a..." The surprised squeak would've done a rat proud. "Wait ... wait ... just a mome..."
He never got to finish his sentence as he was unceremoniously thrown into the elevator {followed shortly} shortly followed by his paperwork. The paper pusher could only stare, mouth moving with silence, as the men in front of him pushed the button that send him back to his office floor. His mother never told him that he would have to deal with heathens like this when she sent him to accounting school.
JD and Nathan turned around to the clapping, and whistling, of their friends. Then without looking, they each took a bow.
Buck beamed proudly at his best friend. "Nice job Kid. Now let's go find us a southern pain in the ass. "
"So where do we start?" Nathan grabbed his coat up as he followed the other men into the stairwell.
"Same place we lost him. Purgatory." Chris said as he lead the way down the stairs.
"So how far did ya'll search before the meeting was called?" Josiah asked.
"Managed to search the blocks and buildings leading up to the main street. Asked some of the kids to keep a look out for him." The quiet tracker stated. It felt good to be moving towards his love instead of being still while the torturous thoughts pulled at him. There were just to many variables for him not to be concerned about his lover and to many questions.
Vin climbed into the Ram wishing he could stop his train of thought ... but he couldn't. He felt responsible for pushing his friend and lover to such drastic steps as running out on them, on him. All all because he wanted a relationship with the man?
It just wasn't worth it. Ezra putting himself in danger just to get away form him. Oh sure, he knew Ezra could take care of himself, there was no doubt in that ... but why would he go into Purgatory instead of out? Why go into the worst part of the city? The part he made no bones about not like? Why go towards the danger?
His instincts were screaming at him, telling him that Ezra had gone deeper into Purgatory - not out. There were no traces or evidence that he left that part of the city. Not even Ezra was that good. The southerner left in his suit that he had been wearing the night before ... someone would have noticed the well dressed agent.
What if he was out there somewhere hurt or bleeding? What if someone jumped him? What if they didn't get to him in time? It tore at Vin's heart because the worse thing was Ezra was all alone. No one was there to help him when he was in trouble. No one to confide in ... to listen to him explain why he felt he had to run.
They just had to find Ezra before his worst nightmarish thoughts came true.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
The other's were waiting in front of Vin's apartment building as the sharpshooter spoke to one of the kids that lived in the neighborhood. Chris had sent JD and Buck up to Vin's apartment when they had first arrived, just on the off chance the undercover agent had come back. It was more of a way to give his two most impatient agents something to occupy them than any real belief that the southerner had returned.
Vin returned frustrated. How could no one have seen the suave agent? "Shawn said that everyone he talked to hadn't seen him. He's going to check with a few of the gangs. He'll track us down afterwards."
"So where do we start Vin?" JD asked.
"Let's split up in pairs. Buck, you and the Kid go left towards the park. Nate, Josiah, head towards the tower. We'll head down towards the warehouse district. Ya'll circle around towards us and we'll meet at the sanctuary in an hour, before we lose all our light."
"Everybody watch your six, got it?" Chris received reassuring nods form all of his men.
He knew that the words weren't necessary but the sentiment behind them were. Watching out for each other was like breathing but he felt compelled to remind them as well as himself that they were a family and to return to the fold unharmed was extremely important.
"We'll meet ya at the sanctuary, pard." Buck slung his arm around JD's shoulders. "Com'on Kid let's get this show on the road."
JD just rolled his as he pulled away from his friend as he headed to the opposite side of the street from his gregarious friend. He and Buck were just a few blocks from meeting the others and he had one building left to check. He signaled to Buck that he was going into the building. Buck nodded his agreement as he leaned against a near by street sign.
JD entered the building taking in the empty, dusty, space, his footsteps ringing hollow as he walked across the floor. He brushed the cobwebs away from the only doorway just wanting to be sure he didn't miss anything. He started to open the door when a loud whack followed by laughter was heard. The noise had made his heart start to race but his hand was steady as a rock as he quietly pulled out his weapon. Pushing the door open slowly just enough to see into the room. He shook his head in disbelief as he watched four local teens alternate packaging white powder in a small bags and snorting the powder. Pulling the door shut he quietly backed up slowly JD made his way to the door he had come in. He signaled to Buck to keep quite as he made his way towards the ladies man.
"What's up kid?" Buck asked softly
"Four guys, snortin' and packaging narcotics." JD said as he pulled his cell phone out pushing one number. "Hey Chris, got some guys getting high while their packaging there stuff. Wasn't close enough to tell what it was just know they're snortin more than there packin'. Last building on the left on Walnut. Sure Chris will sit on it till ya get here." He snapped his phone shut, "Chris is calling the locals and Vin was calling Nate and Josiah."
Both men moved to the side of the building towards the back so they could watch the door. Buck peered around the corner while JD crouched down watching the entrance to the alley just encase someone saw them and decided to surprise them.
"Figures we'd run inta somethin'." Buck sighed. "Why ya think Ez took off?"
"Maybe he don't know how to be in a relationship. Could've of scared him somethin' fierce."
"True, look at Maude all ways gettin' hitched to a rich man then gettin' a divorce just to get his money. He being shuffled back and forth between all those families and mostly complete strangers at that. Hell, with that kind of role model no wonder Ez would have a hard time."
"I don't think it's just that. I mean we were his first real friends, his first real family, and he still has trouble with that concept. Not to mention that the only time Maude shows up is when she wants somethin' from him. Moms are suppose to be lovin', generous, carin', full of unconditional love, but she's just plain mercenary. Can you imagine findin' out someone loves you for you and doesn't want anything from you? If I had grown up like that I'd have trust issues too."
"We'll just have ta help him understand that he can't be runnin' off every time he gets spooked." Buck nudged JD's shoulder and pointed to were he saw Vin on the roof of the building. Chris joined them a few minutes later.
"Josiah and Nate went inside to cover the other door. They still in there?" Chris took his Beretta out checking the chambered round and then the clip as he spoke.
"Yep." Buck said as he also checked his weapon. JD checked his before he tucked into his holster and then ran his fingers threw his hair, mussing it up, giving him a disheveled appearance.
"Ready?" At their nod Chris signaled to Vin. Crouching low Buck lead the way to the door taking up his position on the far side of it. Chris stayed on the other side as he signaled for JD to move. JD took a deep breath as he opened the door and entered.
"Hey where's the party, man?" JD asked as he pretended to ignore the men in the room. The men jumped in surprise bringing their various weapons to bear on the intruder.
"Ain't no party here asshole so get a move on." A man with greasy hair and a long green duster demanded.
JD Just moved deeper into the room drawing attention away from both entrances. "Are ya sure? Cause G said ta meet him here."
"I said there ain't no party and if ya don't get ta movin' then I'm gunna start..." Greasy stopped as he felt a cold gun muzzle in his neck. He raised his hands in surrender as he glanced around to see his friends in the same position.
"Ya know it ain't nice ta threaten people." Buck said as he reached up taken the gun from the perp. Trying not to breath to much as he did so.
Chris chuckled at Buck's look of disgust as he clicked the handcuffs onto his own perp. He gave the man in front of him a push to get him moving towards his partners that the others had lined up against the wall.
Vin dropped down from the skylight where he had been covering the team. "Locals are a few blocks away."
Josiah went outside to wait for them as Nate and Buck watch the four prisoners. Chris watched as JD checked out the rest of the room. He glanced at the sharpshooter.
"We'll find him tomorrow Vin."
"I'm not so sure about that." Vin said as they moved to help the officers that just arrived, to get the prisoners loaded and to give their statements. It was going to be a long night full of questions, reports, logging in evidence and interviews. Giving Ezra more time to cover his tracks and possibly disappear for good. Right now all Vin had was hope and faith that love would win out in the end.
And for now, until he found and reclaimed his southern love, that would have to be enough.
Ezra laid in bed staring at the ceiling lost in memories of soft touches, steamy kisses and hard truths. He had given up trying to sleep long ago. He glanced at bedside clock and groaned; only 1:00 a.m.
Ezra pulled the comfort off as he sat up in bed, dropping his head into his hands, his shoulders slumped in defeat. When he had come here yesterday he had not thought beyond getting the hell out of dodge. The text book Neanderthal need to fend off an attack or flee to safety. Fight or flight.
And what did he chose to do anytime someone got within 20 feet of his comfort zone?
He fought. He used words as weapons and indifference as a shield.
What did he do when someone tried to slip pass the words and the walls?
He fought even harder with first hand knowledge of the interlopers personal demons. Striking without thought to the other person.
And when someone ignored all of the warning signs, all the words, and become one with his heart?
Well, he found that one out the hard way, didn't he?
He ran.
Why?
Because no one had ever gotten as close as Vin had.
So he ran like the devil was chasing him.
Getting to his feet he started pacing back and forth. He could admit to himself that it scared him that the sharpshooter slipped threw every defense he had ever had. What was Vin's favorite saying... Like lickin' butter off a knife.
He smiled to himself. Remembering the sexy smirk, running his fingers threw the soft silky sienna locks and the smoky blue eyes that took his breath away.
How could he have been such a simpleton? He sunk back onto the bed in utter defeat.
He had run out on Vin. He had run out on the team. His family.
Again.
Larabee had given him a second chance. And what did he do? He blew it. Now he wasn't so sure if he could get back what he had so recklessly thrown away. The worse thing is he had thrown away his only chance with Vin. And he had no idea how to get it back. He had never dealt with these emotions before.
Ezra walked over to the desk and sat down heavily in the chair. Flipping on the desk lamp the southerner pulled the phone towards him, debating whether to pick it up and make the call.
He couldn't do it. He had lost everything and now he had to deal with it. Pushing away from the desk Ezra got up and started pacing again. Occasionally, glancing at the phone.
Throwing up his hands in defeat he left the room, going into the gym. This had been one of the main rooms that he had put in, believing that the kids needed to be taught self-defense along with a place to practice it. Falcon had brought new skills and techniques for the children to learn and together they had given the kids a chance. Friday nights, when he was in residence, he and Falcon had a match of skills, unbeknownst to the children, they were showing them how the techniques could be of use to them, out there, on the streets, where the two of them couldn't protect them.
Putting on gloves he start punching the long bulky bag with every ounce of self hate and despair he felt. Imagining it was himself that he was hitting.
After a while, Ezra dropped to his knees drained of all emotions but raw honesty. He understood why he had run. If he allowed Vin into his heart then he would have to deal with the inevitable heartache of the sharpshooter leaving in one form or another, just as everyone else in his life had. But that didn't matter anymore because he knew that Vin had been in his heart since the first day they had met. He just never dreamed that his feelings would be returned. Nothing in his life had prepared him for the shock and terror this had filled him with. He had always allowed his demons, his fears, and his experiences to rule his life. That wasn't something that was going to change but it didn't mean he couldn't temper it a little. Falcon was right he had let him and the children in. He just had to find away to do that with Vin.
Tomorrow he would call and let the team know he was alright then he would just take it minute by minute until he felt safe enough to move it up to hour by hour and hopefully he could move it up to day by day in a couple of years. He snorted to himself. Who was he kidding? He was a total mental
case. It would take decades to get to the day by day. Ezra made his way back to his room, hoping he could get a few hours of sleep.
The southerner never noticed the shadows of the two that felt compelled to protect him, even from himself. Falcon watched the southerner leave the room. He had formed a strong bond with the southerner in the bloody trenches of the daily fighting with gangs for the children that nobody wanted, to give them stability in a very unstable and volatile neighborhood. So, he had known the agent wouldn't be able to sleep, which meant he couldn't sleep. Turning towards the his shorter companion. "Well, what do you think?"
The man was a few years younger than him. Had been with Hellion from the beginning. He was world wise from his time on the streets and easily passed as a teenager because of his youthful boyish looks. He had long blond hair and clear green eyes that showed a wealth of intelligence when he let his guard down. "I think it's up to Hellion and we shouldn't interfere."
"This could be his only shot at true happiness. And you would do nothing because..."
The younger man turned towards Falcon. "Hellion is one of us. The FBI nearly killed his soul with their hatred and lies. When he came here after that I could see it in his eyes, the pain, the sorrow that it caused. I watched him withdraw from us! Like he was afraid we would cause the same hurt that they did! When he left I thought we would never see him again." The blond sighed. "Then every time he showed up that first year with the ATF I held my breath afraid I'd see that same look. Then he stopped coming because he didn't want anyone to hurt us because of him, I shadowed him making sure that he was happy, well, at least, what passed for happy for Hellion, anyway. I saw it tonight, Falc, I saw the pain again. I won't let him get hurt anymore than he already is."
Falcon pulled the man into his arms hugging him hard. "Shawn, he is hurting but not because they hurt 'im but because he's afraid of the love he feels for someone. He just doesn't know how to show it or how to let that someone in. He needs us to help him."
Shawn pulled away from the comforting embrace. "Are you sure that bringing the one he wanted to escape from here is such a good idea? This is Hellion we're talking about, Falc. He hates it when you butt in, remember?"
"I remember. He'll get over it just like before. So are you in?"
The blond allowed himself to be pulled back into the welcome embrace. "Yeah, I'll do my part. But you have to protect me when he finds out who brought him here." Shawn snuggled up closer to the dark skin man.
"No problem, Shaw. Now, it's a few hours before you can bring him here. Go grab some sleep and I'll keep watch over Hellion until then." He gently pushed Shawn towards the barracks.
Falcon watch as Shawn made his way to his bed before he turned back towards the pool room which gave a perfect view of the office he shared with Hellion. Shawn was right about Hellion not being happy with his interference, hell that was an understatement. Last time he had butted in was when the southerner was still with the FBI. He had gone to Atlanta to be a silent backup for Hellion when the rumors and lies escalated to viscous pranks and out right threats.
Falcon hadn't intended to make his presence known but when the suave undercover agent was jumped by some of his coworkers one night, he had no choice but to join the fight. He hadn't expected Hellion to be grateful for his interference but he hadn't expected him to be so angry either.
Hellion had tried to get his point across that Falcon's help was not wanted or needed. But Falcon had stood firm and remained with the stubborn southerner until Hellion had agreed to return to the sanctuary with him, to wait for the outcome of his suspension from the FBI. It had taken them a few rounds in the ring before they came to an unspoken agreement that Hellion didn't need any help and Falcon would always be there to interfere when he thought the undercover agent did, much like he was now. Of course, Hellion hadn't known that he had followed him back to Atlanta. Which would be a good thing because he had made his own impressions upon the undercover agent's supervising agents. He hadn't known at the time that the ATF was also making an impression on the same officials.
That had been an interesting turn of events.
He had his run-ins with Tanner and his fellow ATF members before Hellion had joined them. Not always pleasant encounters but nothing that he hadn't been able to handle. When Hellion had told him that he would be working with the infamous team he hadn't been happy about it, but, he had hoped that his friend would finally find someone that could get past his defenses. And it seemed he had. Not the person he would have picked but that didn't really matter.
Laying down on the couch Falcon watched a light flicker on in the office. He had nothing against Tanner, he just didn't like him, that didn't matter either. He and Shawn had taken great pains to keep Tanner from finding out who Hellion really was when the Texan had started to nose around that first year Hellion had been with the ATF. It wasn't easy, but, at least, Hellion had finally taken a back seat to the everyday fight in Purgatory. Didn't matter that Hellion thought he was protecting them from harm but that they could keep the team from finding out who Hellion was.
Maybe that made them selfish, not wanting to share the special person that Hellion really was, especially, with people that clearly didn't appreciate him.
But, maybe, he had wrong about them? He snorted at that thought.
Falcon got up, walking to the office, becoming tired of the shadow that paced back and forth. Giving a curtsy knock on the door as he opened it. "So?"
Ezra gave up trying to sleep as his thoughts kept tormenting him. He knew that his teammates would be up by now but he couldn't make up himself pick up the phone. He took a deep breath, setting his shoulders, he walked determinately towards the phone, jumping when he heard the knock on the door, yanking his hand back from the phone like he had been burned. "What?"
Falcon moved into the office going over to sit on the bed. "I said so... are you going to call them. Let them know you alright? Let *Tanner* know that you alright?"
"You ... you know about Vin?" Ezra was momentarily stunned but the more he thought about it he could see it was an easy conclusion. "Never mind." Waving away his own question. Running his fingers through his already spiked hair. "No... not yet."
"Why?"
"Just can't."
Going over to the desk, Falcon punched some numbers and held the handset out towards the agent. Ezra took the phone, glaring at his friend, after three rings the phone was picked up on the other end.
"Hello?"
Ezra's glare intensified. Falcon stared back passively. "Hello, Mr. Sanchez."
"Ezra! Where are you? How are you? Are you alright? Tell me where you are and I'll come get you."
"I'm fine Mr. Sanchez. I just needed to be by myself... to get my thoughts in order."
"Ezra just tell me where you are! I'll be right there."
"Mr. Sanchez I doesn't matter where I am just that I am fine and safe. I'll contact you later."
"Standish don't..."
Ezra hung up the phone. "Mind telling me where you got that number?"
Falcon just shrugged meeting Ezra's stare.
Ezra sighed. "Guess it doesn't matter."
"Why didn't you tell him?"
"I'm not ready ... to deal with the consequences of my actions." Ezra sat down heavily onto the bed.
"Do you love Tanner?"
Ezra leaned back resting against the wall. "God, yes! And there in lies my problem. Falcon, I ... I ... aw hell!" The southerner dropped his head into his hands.
The bed dipped as Falcon sat down next to his friend, laying his had on the agent's shoulder. He knew all too well what the undercover agent felt. They shared a similar past. Though he hadn't been shuffled from one bad situation to another like the southerner had but it had left them both with trust issues.
"Hellion, I know this is hard but you have to let go of the past ... let yourself feel what's in your heart and act on it," Falcon brushed the chestnut curls back from the southerner's forehead, "don't think ... don't analyze ... just act on what you feel at that moment."
"What if I screw it up?"
The soft drawl sounded so lost it broke Falcon's heart. "You won't, my friend, just as you haven't screwed up with me or the kids. You've never done anything but protect us, given us a home, a purpose, and you have loved us. You've never let us down or disappointed us. Now what if we..." There was a knock on the door. "Come In." Both men stood to greet their visitor.
Shawn entered the room. "Hellion, long time no see." He grinned as he walked over and enveloped the agent in a hard embrace.
"Great to see you again, Shaw." Ezra returned the embrace. "How have you been?"
"Fine, Hellion, just fine." Shawn glanced sideways at Falcon.
Ezra smiled at his two friends. "Good to see I was right about you two."
"Don't gloat Hellion, it's unnerving. Makes me think you're up to something again." Shawn cringed remembering a prank he pulled on the southerner only to have it turned against him by Hellion. "There are a few anxious kids out there that said you would teach them some tricks and seem to think you have spent way too much time in here."
"Well, we can't have that now can we?" Ezra ran his finger through his hair, trying to make it look half way decent. He walked over to the desk pulling a drawer out, getting a pack of cards out. "Are they in the game room?"
"Nope can't have that. Told them you'd be right out, for them so to sit tight in the game room."
"Great." Ezra smiled as he left the room. He had really missed spending his time with the children. Watching as their jaded, world wear looks were replaced with looks of joy and wonder. Yes, this was just what he needed to take his mind off his paltry problems.
Falcon stood shoulder to shoulder with Shawn at the door, as they watched their friend disappear into another room.
"Any problems?"
Shawn gave a derisive snort. "Are you kidding? That team is nothing but trouble! But, no, Tanner didn't give me any trouble. He's waiting for us in the loft."
"How much did you tell him?" Falcon asked as they walked up the stairs to the room they shared.
"Just told him that I knew someone that had information and wanted to see him in person. Course, he let the others know. Did you have to force Hellion to make the call?"
"Yep. Told Sanchez that he was alright but wouldn't give up the location." Falcon look at his partner as he put his hand on the doorknob. Opening it after he received a nod.
Tanner stood looking out the window, turning as the door was open. His stance tense and alert. Falcon and Shawn stood as a untied front, blocking the only way out.
"Where is he?" Tanner's voice was terse.
"I'll get to that in a moment but first I need you to hear me out."
Vin moved threateningly towards the tall black man, at the same moment, Shawn stepped in front of Falcon ready to defend him. Falcon laid a hand on his would be protector's shoulder, but spoke to the Texan, that had stopped at the defensive move.
"Look, Tanner, there are some things that you have to understand about your Ezra before you talk to him."
"Fine I'll listen but I make no promises. But I have to know if he's alright first."
"He's fine and he's here, with us." Falcon watched as the Texan absorbed the information.
"You called 'im *my Ezra*. Why?"
"We don't know him as Ezra. He has and always will be Hellion to us."
"No. He can't be."
Shawn had been quiet and watchful up till now. "Why can't he? Because he's not good enough now that you know he's Hellion?"
Vin grabbed the front of Shawn's shirt as he snarled into the man's face. "I don't care who the hell he is, or was, and understand this, no matter what *he* *is* *mine*!"
Shawn grinned, pushing the sharpshooter's hands away from him. "Guess you better start explaining to him, Falcon. I still don't like it, or him, but I'll help. See you downstairs." Without looking back he left the room.
"What will it take for me to see him?" Vin seemed causal as he leaned against the desk, his crossed arms and ticking jaw the only outward sign that the sharpshooter was anything but relaxed.
Falcon sat down behind his desk. "Do you know the history of the sanctuary?"
Vin took a seat across from the desk. "A few years back rumors started floatin' around that the devil was livin' in purgatory. Locals called 'im Hellion. Rumors say he started ta give the local gangs such a hard time that some relocated and made the rest sorry they hadn't left. Saved a lot of kids by keeping them out of the gangs. Street kids that had been homeless now had a place ta stay. Ya'll found real homes for as many as possible, found jobs for those that wanted ta work, made sure they went ta school or homed schooled them."
"Not bad for an outsider. A lot more goes on here than the world out there thinks. None of it would have been possible if Hellion ...your Ezra ..had not been undercover in a local mob family that dealt a local gang here in Purgatory. The deal went bad, Hellion, was shot left for dead in this very building. If Shawn hadn't found him when he did..." Falcon let the Texan draw his own conclusion.
"When can I see him?"
"When we're done, I'll take you to him. We wanted to make sure you loved Hellion and I believe you proved you did." Falcon rested his crossed arms on the desk top. "He doesn't know that we asked you here."
"Why did you ask me here? What's in for you?" Vin asked, his distrust very clear in his tone.
"Nothing!" Falcon snarled. "I could have followed his wishes however I choose to make him happy no matter the consequences, or the people I have to work with to pull it off."
"Do I get to see him, now?" Vin was eager to see his southerner.
"Wait here, I'll be back with him as soon as I can pry him away from the kids." Falcon walked towards the door but stopped with his hand on the doorknob, he turned back to face the Texan. "Be prepared Tanner his defenses have been fortified with time nevertheless he is very vulnerable. *Do* *not* make me regret this Tanner. Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
Falcon nodded at the Texan's clipped response. Closing the door behind him the ebony giant took his time going down the stairs. He would stall to postpone the meeting between the two lovers. He didn't hate Tanner, just didn't like the man. "Suppose I'll have to get over that." Falcon grumbled under his breath.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
Sanchez walked into Team 7's bullpen, noticing their team leader was pacing and glaring at anyone that got to close to his path. Taking a seat at his desk, he continued to watch for a few more minutes before he dropped his bombshell.
"Ezra called this morning." Josiah's words stopped all movement in the room.
"Where is he?" Larabee was the first to break the silence. "Is he alright?"
"He wouldn't say where he was, just that he was fine and perfectly safe. Said he had to sort out his feelings and he would call again in a few days. Where's Vin?"
"Well, we don't know that." At Josiah's raised eyebrow Buck filled him in on the rest of the details, while Chris had resumed his pacing. "Seems that kid, Shawn, came through with some information. Only hitch is the guy wanted ta talk to Vin in person. That'd be why ol' Chris is pacin' a hole in the floor and we ain't heard back yet."
Chris glared at Buck. The Ladies Man just chuckled.
"How'd he sound, Josiah?" The ex-medic asked.
"Like he was stressed, worried, and distant."
Buck snorted. "He's always distant... ow..."
"Damn it Buck, he ain't as distant as he was when he first joined the team. He's just been distracted lately, that's all. Has a lot on his mind, is all." JD defended.
"Ya, know I didn't mean anything by it, Kid." Buck look contrite.
"Chris why don't we check out the sanctuary while Vin's checking out his lead? One of the kids was bound to have seen Ezra." The profiler asked.
"No way Falcon will lets us talk to them. Vin's the only one that could get anywhere with that guy. What makes you think we can get anything out of him?" Nathan asked. Falcon was an enigma to them. They couldn't find anything on the man. It was like he didn't exist. The kids that lived there were just as protective of Falcon as he was of them.
"Doesn't matter, he won't have a choice. We'll give Vin another thirty minutes, then we'll check out the sanctuary ourselves." Larabee stated forcefully, as he finally sat down at Ezra's desk, picking up the ringing phone, "Larabee."
"Hey, cowboy ya can call off the search." Vin settled into the leather couch.
Larabee pushed the speaker button letting the others hear what the Texan had to say. "Where's he been?"
"At the sanctuary. Falcon's been hidin' him"
"Have you talked to him yet? Is he okay?" JD wanted to know.
"No but Falcon said he was fine and went to go get him."
"Why would he go there of all places?" Josiah inquired.
"Seems he has a bit of a past with the sanctuary."
"What kind of past?" Chris wanted to know if there was going to be any trouble. Of course for some reason trouble seem to follow the other members of his team.
"Not really sure but whatever, it is, it's his story, not mine. Do you remember any FBI cases that involved Ezra here in Denver before the team?"
"Yeah several. He managed to piss off his boss often enough to be loaned out to the local agency as punishment."
"Nothin' new there." Buck snorted.
Chris glared the others into silence when they snickered.
"I'll call later ta let ya know how it's going."
"Be careful and if we don't hear from you in an hour we'll be coming to get ya both." Chris stated.
"Make sure you bring that stubborn cuss home, Vin." Buck added.
Chris hung up the phone, leaning back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Guess we're waitin' again."
"Let's wait at the Saloon, Nathan's buyin'!" Buck tossed over his shoulder heading towards the stairs to give him a head start.
"Sweet! Thanks Nate!" JD said following Buck.
"Buck!" Nathan yelled.
"Com'on, Nate it'll be your good deed for the day." Josiah said as he slung his arm around the ex-medic's shoulders.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
Hellion wasn't with the children like Falcon had thought but going over the books. The man always made sure that the sanctuary was well within the black at all times. "Some things never change."
"Admit it... you wouldn't know what do if I wasn't so predictable." Ezra continued to add the column of numbers.
"Admit it you're just anal." Falcon snorted.
Ezra just ignored his friend's statement. This was an old argument between them. "Do you have the investment folder?"
Falcon grinned, Hellion just walked into his plan, now he didn't have to make up an excuse. "It's in the loft, I'd go get it but I promised Shawn I'd help him."
Ezra waived away Falcon's explanation as he headed out the door. "I needed a little break anyway."
If the ebony giant was honest with himself, it was a trap and one that he was sending his friend into unprepared for. Sure he felt guilty but only a little bit. Granted he had wanted to set the southerner up with his cousin Jared but just couldn't seem to get the timing right. Guess he and Shawn should have a few practice rounds encase Tanner screws up again. Then again, Hellion, might just want his pound of flesh for his interfering once again in Hellion's life. Didn't really matter either way he and Shawn would handle the fallout, it wouldn't be the first, nor the last.
The southerner didn't help himself at all when it came to relationships with others. The man went out of his way to make people hate him, pushing buttons, driving people away, but the children could see right through him. Seemed Tanner could do the same.
Still Falcon thought that his cousin would have made a better match.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
Vin tensed as Ezra walked into the room, over to the desk, looking through stacks of papers, the southerner never turned around. His lover had never looked so good or relaxed. Not in his usual expensive suits, instead, he was wearing jeans and a T-shirt that an unfamiliar logo on the back. Guessing Falcon hadn't told the southern agent he waiting Vin decided alert Ezra to his presence.
"Hello, Hellion."
He'd know that voice anywhere and he should have known that if anyone was going to be able to find him then it would be this man. Ezra dropped his head to his chest, leaning heavily on the desk but didn't turn around. "What do want Mr. Tanner? Did you come here out of some misguided sense of honor?"
Vin walked over to his lover, standing close enough to feel the southerner's body heat, but he didn't touch him. "I want you." Vin whispered next to his lover's ear, grinning as Ezra shivered. "I'm not misguided Ezra I'm in love with you and I ain't going anywhere without you. I also want to hear about you came ta be the infamous Hellion."
Vin stepped closer molding his body to the southerner's stiff body, his arms going around his waist. Resting his chin on the tense undercover agent's shoulder. "Ez, when you left me the other morning and I realized that you went deeper inta Purgatory it took ten years of my life. I didn't know if you were hurt or maybe bleeding, I didn't know if I'd even find you alive and that scared me more than anything else that's happened ta me in my life, ceptin, when you pull those dumb stunts and end up in the hospital."
"The same could be said for you too." The suave agent stated, stalling for time. Ezra tried to pull out of the sharpshooter's embrace but Vin wasn't budging. This was bringing back too many memories for Ezra. Things that were better forgotten.
"You goin' to tell me, now?" Vin huskily whispered into his conman's ear. Enjoying the shiver that ran through the man in his arms.
"Why do you want to know?" Ezra sighed tiredly. "It's in the past." He shrugged his shoulders.
Vin turned the southern agent around too face him. "Because, Ezra, it's not just the past, it's your past and not only that it's something that's close to your heart." Blue eyes meet green as the sharpshooter laid his hand over the southerner's heart. "And, that, my love, is where I want to be and to never leave that special place again unprotected."
The Texan brushed his lips against his soul mates, nibbling on the lower lip, seeking permission before slipping his tongue into the his green eyed sorcerer's sweet mouth. Ezra groaned surrendering to the sharpshooter's touch, craving it, like an addiction that he would never be able to escape. One he wasn't sure he wanted to escape from anymore. Vin broke off the kiss, resting his forehead against his mates, both men breathing harshly.
"Tell me about this place, the men that care so much about you, that are such a huge part of your life. Help me understand," he pleaded, framing his beloved's face in his hands. "Most of all Ez, please, let me be the protector of your heart?" Vin stared pleadingly into the emerald eyes that filled with tears that never fell.
"I'm not sure that I know how. I . . . I've never done this before. Ezra pulled away from Vin, needing some distance. He stared out the window, not seeing anything beyond his pain. "Sure, there have been others but it was never about love, at least not for them. I've never dealt with a relationship where that the feelings were reciprocated."
Vin, step up behind his lover, wrapping his arms loosely around Ezra's waist. "Then let me show how good it could be to have forever and how great love can be. Let me show you that I'm not like the others. You and me, Ez, we can do this together... just don't give up on us before we've had a chance to get started."
Standish could hear the truth in the Texan's voice but wasn't sure if he trusted his judgment enough in this situation. How many times had he been burned by his decisions in this area? Too many but there was something in Vin's voice that pulled at his soul making him want to accept what the sharpshooter said. How many people had ever hunted him down when he disappeared without explaination or even a gentlemanly good-bye? No one. Not even his Mother. Maybe it was time to throw caution to the winds, take a gamble on this incredible man that held him now.
"Could we take it slow?" Ezra asked hesitantly.
"We'll go as slow as you want, take it one day at a time, my love." Vin hugged the man in his arms tightly to him.
"Mr Tanner air is an necessity to breathing." The southern agent stated breathlessly but he didn't even try to contain his chuckle.
"Sorry Ez," Vin loosened his hold. "and it's Vin from now on, okay?"
"Alright, Vin, let's sit and I'll answer your questions."
Ezra pulled out of the embrace, grabbing the sharpshooter's hand, leading him over towards the couch. Ezra sat down sideways facing the Texan as he sat down but avoided the intense gaze he felt being aimed at him. "When I got tired of the bullshit from the Atlanta FBI branch or needed a change I found the best way to do that was make my superiors so angry that the sent me away as punishment. They were aware that I hated the cold and fortunately the Anchorage office didn't have openings." Ezra looked at Vin, smirking. The Texan grinned knowing how much his lover despised the wet, chill to the bone, kind of cold. He pulled the southerner into his arms, with Ezra's back to his chest.
Ezra picked up where he left off as he got settled into Vin's arms. "The Denver office was looking for an undercover agent at the time so my supervisor sent me here. My first assignment, I was sent into a gun deal with gang members. There was an equipment dysfunction, my cover was blown and the team I was on then, lost me in the shuffle some how. I almost died, would have too, but..." Ezra paused when his Texan, and that was what Vin really was, his, tensed. Ezra glanced behind him seeing the anger in the blue eyes, thinking it was aimed towards himself, the southerner tried to pull out of the stiff embrace.
Vin wasn't angry he was furious. How could Ezra's former team just lose him in the shuffle of a bust? Ezra's safety . . . hell his very life, should have been their main priority. He realized his anger had misread by his mate as Ezra tried to pull out of his arms and was quick to reassure the smaller man.
"Sorry Ez," The Texan tightened his grip on the southern man. "Just angry that your team could be so careless with your safety." Vin buried his nose in the suave agent's neck, inhaling the special scent of the man he loved. "I could've lost you before we ever met."
Ezra accepted his Texan's explanation and settled back into Vin's arms. "Then you should thank Shawn. He saved me that day, pulled from the gunfight and brought me here. Managed to patch me up in more than way. He and the local children gave me back some of my humanity I had lost. I purchased the building they were staying, thinking it would make a good investment. The kids came to mean... a great deal to me. Not realizing it but Shawn had already laid down the ground work for the sanctuary."
"So, you kept pissing your bosses off to get sent back here and they never figured it out?" Vin asked.
"Hell no," Ezra snorted. "All I had to do was continually bemoan my fate at being sent to the frozen wasteland of Colorado a few months before I pulled something to get sent back here. My superior had something on the head of the Denver office, therefore, the FBI here couldn't stand me so they would put me on some small time cases, paperwork, anything to bore me, trying to get me to go away. I would tread carefully, using all my time to help out here."
"When did Falcon get involved?" Vin nuzzled the conman's neck. He just couldn't resist the temptation and was pleased when Ezra groaned, rolling his neck to give the sharpshooter better access. Vin pulled away before asking Ezra to continue. "You were saying?"
Ezra was dazed for moment. "Huh?"
"When did Falcon join your operation?" Vin prompted Ezra.
"Falcon was the one who brought the idea to me. Having seen the possibilities that had been right under my nose that I hadn't seen. With the help of Shawn and his connections to the kids and the streets. Between Falcons and my contacts in other areas we were able to make this into the sanctuary meant to give kids that had no hope, a fighting chance and the hope life had taken away from them."
"What about Hellion? How did you get to become the infamous legend?"
"Our major problem was the gangs. In order to save some of the hard cases, the gangs had to come to understand that they stood no chance of taking me on, much less, winning. They challenged me at every corner so, I turned up the heat on them. I made their lives hell. The drug bust went up 90%. Then they started playing hardball, tried to kill me so many times I lost count. I managed to keep Falcon and Shawn out of the war for the most part. Course during any war there are losses. Our side had a few tragic causalities but not compared to theirs. Most ended up behind bars, other died, the rest I was able to come to an... understanding. The sanctuary was off limits as were the kids living here and any others I claimed as ours. That's how Hellion came about." Ezra turned in Vin's arms to see how his story had been received.
Vin caressed the cheek of his lover, his eyes softened. "Ezra, there is nothing that would drive me away from you. I don't care about your past. My only concern with hearing you were Hellion was that I'd heard all about your exploits from neighborhood kids. Tell the truth it terrified me but at the same time I was so proud of you."
"Really?" Ezra couldn't believe what he was hearing. Vin was proud of him. No one had ever been proud of him before, certainly not his mother. She always let him no exactly how disappointed in him she was. No matter what it was he always failed in her eyes and like all children, he had constantly tried to change her opinion of him. He wanted to be more to her than a tool of her trade or schemes, more than a means to an end, to be more than inconvenience to her. His elusive dream to be loved for himself, accepted for who was and is and having someone proud of him was like a gift from God. But was it real? Or was he imagining it? Were his dreams for acceptance and love coloring what Vin was offering? Would Vin be like the others in his lonely life?
Ezra looked into the open depths of his Texan's blue eyes, seeking the truth to send his doubts that plagued him into the fiery depths of hell.
Vin caressed his southerner's cheek allowing his fingers to follow the jaw line, to then tangle in chestnut locks. He could easily read the doubts in his lover's eyes. Once again he wanted to strangle Maude Standish for causing his southern mate so much pain. "Oh, Ez, of course I'm proud of you because you help these kids, even when it caused you unbelievable personal problems. You never gave up on them. You gave them so much more than hope, you gave them security, stability, and most of all you gave them your love. Ezra, you have to know there is nothing that I wouldn't do for you. I believe in you. Most of all, Ez, you have to know that I love you and there is nothing that you can ever do that would make me stop loving you."
Vin scooted down on the couch as he pulled Ezra down on top of him, tangling his fingers again in the soft locks, pulling the southerner down for a kiss, stopping a hairs breath from his lover's lips "I love you Ezra P. Standish, now and forever."
Their lips met, the kiss was hot as each man sought something from the other. Vin sought to bring their connection full circle, wanting to give the southern agent reassurance of his true feelings. Ezra seeking the future he saw promised in those blue eyes that were flaming with desire, for him. This kiss deepened further as hands began to roam over warm, hard bodies.
Both men groaned as there was a knock on the door.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
"Hellion, you better be decent cause I'm coming in." Shawn stated.
Neither man had enough time to move before the man came in. "Sorry to break up the reunion but we got a problem at the front and Falcon is about to blow."
Ezra gave Vin a quick kiss before standing up, walking out the door, straightening his clothes as he went. Never looking back because he knew without a doubt Vin would be following him.
"Okay, Shawn what's happening?"
"Your team showed up demanding to see you, Falcon told them that he would give you the message that you were talking to someone and it might be a while. Well, that went over like a lead balloon. Thought I better come get you to run interference before things got out of hand."
Shawn had seen the passionate embrace the two lovers were in and could see the happiness on his friends face. He'd talk to Hellion later to make sure everything was really alright between the two. Guess that meant he was going to have to learn to tolerate Tanner, but hell was going to freeze over before he even tolerated the rest of team. They were all arrogant, mouthy and insufferable. Shawn chose to ignore that Hellion shared these same traits. To him Hellion was his best friend, well after Falcon, but that was a given, and he loved them both, just in a different way. Hellion saved his life, and the lives of the children, but most importantly, Hellion had given him Falcon and for that he would love and protect Hellion with his life, as would his Falcon. The three of them were a family that supported and loved the children that were apart of their family. Shawn sighed, it was an extremely unpleasant to think he'd have to learn to like the Texan and the rest of the team, but he'd do it for Hellion's sake.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
From the beginning he and Falcon had made sure their was several lines of defense before anyone got anywhere near the children. They had found it was easier to protect the children from outsiders if they were prevented from entering the actual sanctuary. And to date, no one had. Ezra had no doubt that Falcon would not allow his teammates to pass that last wall of protection without his consent. Ezra could hear the argument before he even entered the receiving area.
Ezra took a deep breath as he took hold of the doorknob, he turned to look back over shoulder when he felt a hand on the small of his back. Vin smiled reassuringly back at his lover. The undercover agent pushed the door open taking in the scene in a glance. Josiah was holding Chris back, Nathan had a hold on Buck and JD was in the middle trying to be the mediator for their group. JD seemed to be losing his grip on his own temper.
Most people underestimated the computer genius but he knew better. JD was a very competent and skilled agent, it was hard to rile the young man but when JD thought a friend was in trouble he became as quick tempered as the rest of them. Which sometimes was a good thing but not when trying to be diplomatic in an already volatile situation. It seemed that he should spend more time JD to maybe help with his diplomacy because they all knew that Larabee didn't have a drop of diplomacy in him. He'd shoot first, shoot some more and then ask questions, which made a very deplorable diplomat. Mr. Sanchez was good, terrible temper once it was provoked, but his size and strength were sometimes a better use of Josiah's talents. Mr. Jackson was a healer first and foremost, as it should it be. Mr. Wilmington was about as subtle as the provable bull in the China shop. His Vin was a silent enforcer. JD had the most potential if he could learn to control his temper.
Ezra stepped up beside Falcon with Vin and Shawn flanking them, presenting a united front. The men in front of him winced at the icy glare the southern was giving them.. It was as cold and unfriendly as the frozen tundra.
"I would appreciate it if you gentlemen, and at the moment, I use that term very loosely, would desist in this attempt to bully your way into the
sanctuary." Ezra's voice was glacier. Making sure he had everyone's attention he continued. "The children here are guaranteed complete safety, to the best of our ability, from the outside world. If you are to continue in this manner you *WILL* leave. If you will behave and follow the rules you will be allowed entrance."
"Your sure that's a good idea Hellion?" Falcon asked, enjoyed seeing the surprised looks on the men'˜s faces.
"Hellion?!" Was the only word echoing in the room. Surprise and shock vying for domination on each team members face.
Ezra inwardly groaned at Falcon's slip. Falcon was dead first chance he got, because he wasn't ready to deal with the team knowing just yet. He knew Falcon did that to provoke his team members and being honest with himself, he kind of enjoyed it but it should have been his admission, not Falcons. "I'm sure if they want answers to their questions they'll behave, won't you?"
"We'll, behave brother. We wouldn't want to upset the children." Josiah answered for the group, all nodding in agreement. Keeping quite would get them answers and this was a gold mind of knowledge. None of them wanted pass this chance up, it might be a long time before they had another glimpse into their undercover agent's past.
Chris met Vin's reassuring gaze and nodded. He trusted Ezra and if Vin felt everything would be worked out then that was good enough for him. Though he did feel uncomfortable with Ezra being Hellion, then again that did explained a lot. If even a third of the stories floating around about Hellion then the damn stunts Ezra pulled all the time, since joining the team, was minor compared to what could've been happening.
Damn they were in big trouble if Ezra ever lived up to his reputation as Hellion.
Ezra lead the way to the schoolroom where the team could talk in private and made to understand the rules and promised not to interfere with the sanctuary. Falcon and Shawn had slipped out to make sure the children were some place else until Ezra felt it was safe for both sets of his family to met. A day he had been both dreading and looking forward to… but mostly dreading.
Ezra held the door allowing the other men to enter first followed by Falcon.
Falcon knew that Shawn would have some of the older kids to help him and he prefered to be with Hellion encase his friend needed more support than Tanner could give. The fact he didn't trust the Texan had everything to do with it. He was big enough to admit that.
"Have a seat. So were do we start gentlemen?" Instantly question were fired at the southerner.
"How did you become Hellion?" JD asked.
"Are the stories true?" Buck demanded.
"How'd you become a part of the sanctuary son?" Josiah inquired.
Ezra sat down behind the desk folding his hands in front of him. Vin and Falcon each sat on a corner of the desk. The undercover agent held up his hand. He was a little disconcerted because Chris and Nathan had both been quiet. "One question at a time please. How about I start then you can ask questions afterwards?"
"Sure Ez." Answered JD impatiently, making a 'go ahead' motion with his hand. He was finally going to learn something about his friends without the usual evasiveness. He loved Ezra like a brother but damn if it wasn't like pulling teeth to get any personal information about him.
"I'm sure by now all of you know some of my history with the local FBI?" Ezra asked.
"You mean that you pissed off your boss to the boiling point and he sent you here as punishment?" Nathan responded with an amused smirk.
Ezra grimaced. "Yes, Mr. Jackson that would be some of it. Anything else?"
"That ya have a penchant for being a trouble magnet?" Buck suggested, not hiding his grin.
"No, Mr. Wilmington, that wasn't an option." Ezra retorted.
"But it's true." Buck laughed. "And ya know it. Why don't ya just tell how ya became Hellion."
The southerner snorted. He was no more a trouble magnet than the rest of the team but he knew it was useless to point that out to his misguided friend. "Fine, Mr. Wilmington. Do you remember the 666 gang?"
"I remember them. They almost turn this neighborhood into a complete war zone. Didn't they blow up several hideouts belonging to rival gangs?" Nathan had been a reserve EMT at the time. He'd been with the team for a year when he had been called in to help with the causalities, the Judge had sent the rest of the team to help where they could.
"Yes, but they were more of a cult than a gang. They practice devil worship and saw the other gangs as sacrifices." Ezra shook his head at the stupidity in human beings. "The sanctuary had been in it's infancy and the children's trust was tenuous at best. At the time the 666 was the biggest threat to the children, the only option was to take them out and prove to the children that we were worthy of their trust."
Falcon picked up the story. "Hellion had taken some time off and was with us when it started. It had been rough week already when the building next us was blown up. We managed to save the sanctuary but we lost several children because they had been close to the building when it went up. We found proof and Hellion sent it to the locals, lot of good it did. The locals ignored the information and the bombing continued. Hellion decided to go into the lion's den, so to speak."
"I had help Falcon. Shawn was the one to find out about the ritual, time and place. You were the one to suggest they met the devil they worshiped." Ezra argued.
"Yes, Hellion but you were the one to pose as that devil."
"Well, I couldn't let you put yourself or Shawn in danger, so I was the logical choice. Even though it didn't go like I had planned."
Vin's heart constricted. His lover had taken so many chances and without the team to back him up. Thank god he had Falcon and Shawn or else he may never have had this chance with his southern love. Guess he owed those two a lot but he still wasn't sure he liked the two men that much. Falcon had been protecting his home and family, he would of done the same, maybe it was time to let the past go.
"So what happened Ez?" JD's inpatients getting the best of him.
"Well, Mr. Dunn, I had planned to pose as the devil, borrowed the FX effects from an acquaintance, the rest was supposed to be smoke and mirrors. The only problem was that this FX specialist neglected to mention that the explosive mixture shouldn't be used in close quarters. I made a grand entrance with smoke and flames. Told them that if they wanted to enter the gates of Dante then they would go to my true place of worship, Mohave desert. Needless to say that went over like feeding a tiger tofu instead of meat."
"And you had insisted that no back up would be a good idea." Falcon snorted in disgust. "If Shawn hadn't followed you and thrown that smoke bomb you wouldn't be here now."
Ezra had been watching his quiet black clad team leader to see how he was dealing with the story of Hellion's origins, seeing Chris's eyes narrowing, having a good idea what his leader was thinking, he quickly jumped in, trying for damage control. "It wasn't that dire. If Shawn hadn't thrown in the smoke bomb then, I did have something up my sleeve."
"Having a flame thrower isn't exactly an ace, Hellion."
"It would have worked Falcon. But that doesn't really matter now, it's over and done with. Shawn threw what he thought was a smoke bomb. It was actually a bomb with an explosive charge that went off on impact. I used the explosion to my advantage, took out the leader and by the time the locals showed up, the 666 gang was tied up and babbling like a bunch of lunatics. Word got out about someone posing as the devil and had left a calling card. The rest is history." Ezra finished it not planning on revealing all the details.
Larabee had been quiet, wanting to hear all the facts first. He knew the agent was leaving something out. "What aren't you saying Ezra?"
Ezra flinched at the black clad leader's tone. He was about to direct the conversation somewhere else but Falcon, the traitor, spoke up. "There were a few members from other gangs when Hellion came out taking off his devil suit that still had flames coming off it. They watched as the 666 was loaded up into a van by the locals so they heard one of the call him the devil's son Hellion. Then there was that calling card Hellion left." Falcon grinned at Ezra's groan but it was Josiah that answered the unspoken question he saw in his friends eyes.
"A phoenix rising up out of the flames of hell. Interesting metaphor son."
"I had a inspired moment that I fear will haunt me forever now." Ezra moaned, dropping his head into his hands.
Vin walked around and laid a comforting hand on his southern love's shoulder. "Ain't that bad Ez."
"Ezra what happened when the gangs found out?" Chris inquired almost pleasantly, well, what could pass for pleasant for Larabee, anyway.
The southerner looked up and glared at Chris. "At first, they thought that getting rid of me would be a good initiation but when they lost more recruits to the sanctuary, then I became a bigger threat to them and they just wanted me dead. Every time they tried I would retaliate against them and finally was able to set up a peace negotiation with them. The symbol became a clear warning to any gang that if they caused trouble to me or mine, lets just say, they would forfeit more than they could afford to lose." Ezra's voice pure cold steel and his eyes were hard ice chips.
"So, Hellion was born, the sanctuary was protected and the children safe. End of story. How about we go introduce all of you too the children?" Ezra started to rise but Vin's hand prevented him from doing so. Ezra looked up at his Texan with a questioning look on his face.
"Ez, what about the rumor that Hellion was a new player in town about a 8 months before you joined the team?" Vin asked his southern love.
"I had hoped you had forgotten that little tidbit." Ezra sighed.
"You mean the FAD task force case?" JD remembered it because he had spent more time in the computer labs doing research with his counterparts from the other agencies, then with his team. He'd like to do that again about as much as he would like a root canal.
"Might as well tell them everything Hellion." Falcon supplied helpfully.
Ezra glared at his very helpful friend, the scoundrel, a little too helpful, the rat. "Fine, I started the rumor to get the agencies involved. I made sure the gangs were at the meet with drugs for the DEA, guns for the ATF and laundered money for the FBI. I wanted them out of the picture as much as possible and that seemed the best way to do it, not to mention, getting the aforementioned product off the streets."
"How come we never saw you?" Nathan racked his brain and couldn’t for the life of him remember seeing the undercover agent anywhere during that investigation.
"I don't remember seeing ya either Ez." Buck said as he looked at the rest of them in confusion. "Any of you remember seeing him?"
One by one they each shook their heads. None of them saw the southern agent during that case.
"You wouldn't have I was regulated to paperwork in the file room during that stay and not allowed to participate in the FAD taskforce. When it came to the bust I just dressed like the rest of them to blend in until it was time to make my presents known. I stood before them and announced that all the gangs were going to organize in order to pull in more capital."
Vin interrupted. "What were you wearing?"
"I had a black shirt with a orange flannel shirt over it and camo pants. Why?"
Vin's face paled and he swayed where he stood next to Ezra. The undercover agent reacted fast pulling the sharpshooter into the chair he just vacated. "Vin what's wrong?"
The southerner looked at Falcon, knowing he would understand the message. "Let's go meet the children while these two talk.
Chris stalled any arguments knowing what Vin was remembering. "Lead the way."
Ezra never noticed the men leave he was totally focused on his lover. Taking Vin's face in his hands when the sharpshooter wouldn't look at him. "Vin look at me! Tell what's wrong, please?"
Vin looked into the beautiful emerald eyes wondering if this would be the last time his southerner looked at him with the concern or most importantly with love and desire for him. He bit the bullet that might soon be aimed at his soul. "That day at the rally I almost shot you."
"Ah, that..." Ezra caressed the cheek of his lover, now understanding what had distressed his lover. "It's alright Vin.."
Vin exploded out of the chair, going to stand on the far side of the desk, away from his lover. "*THE HELL IT IS!*" Vin tried to take a calming breath. It didn't work. "Did you hear me? *I* *ALMOST* *KILLED* *YOU*!"
"I'm not deaf I heard you but it's no reason to be upset. You did..." Ezra found himself pinned to the wall he had been leaning against by an enraged Vin.
"Not a reason to be upset?" Vin was deceptively calm. "I was ready to shoot you when the order came. I almost killed you. With a single shot I would have killed my soul mate and never known it. And you say there is no reason to be upset?" Vin's voice had slowly risen as he spoke.
Ezra wasn't sure what to say to that, his words failing him, instead he kissed Vin putting all his love into the kiss. He swept in dominating the sweet mouth. Every time his Texan tried to pull away he followed, never allowing the kiss to break until he felt Vin give himself over to the kiss, leaving him breathless.
Panting Ezra tried to explain his point of view to his lover. "Vin you are a sharpshooter. It's your job, your life, your very nature and you can not defy the law of nature, no matter who are. The order was never given right?"
The sharpshooter nodded.
"Then you did nothing wrong, as I am still here so it no longer matters. We are where we are meant to be, by each other's sides. The order was not given because we were destined to belong to each other for all time."
Ezra framed the sharpshooter's face in his hands, wiping away the tears that fell. "Don't you know that I love you and what happened in the past stays
there, alright?"
Vin looked into his beloved's expressive green eyes. "I don't know if I can forgive or forget that I almost killed you, Ez."
"Almost doesn't count in the scheme of things, love, just that you are here with me and love me even for all my faults. Do it for me, please? " Ezra looked into his tracker's tearful indigo eyes, trying to reassure his lover.
"I do love you Ez. It's just that when I think of what could have happened..."
Ezra stilled the words with a finger to the tracker's lips. "Then don't think about it because it didn't happen and it won't happen. Look, Vin, it's doesn't matter because it didn't happen, accept it and let's get on with our lives."
Vin kissed the finger before snaking his tongue out, capturing the digit and pulling it into his mouth, slowly sucking on it. Pushing the slick finger out of his mouth merely to draw it back in. Tracing each contour of the appendage with his tongue.
Ezra groaned, moving closer to lover before he removed his finger only to replace it with his lips. The southern agent deepened the kiss. His tongue sliding and intertwining with the sharpshooters. Moving his body even closer, the undercover agent wound his arms around the wiry Texan trying to get even closer, trying to become one with the love of his heart.
There was a knock at the door. Then men separated, trying to catch their breath and compose themselves before they even thought about answering the door.
Vin looked at the wet, bruised lips, swollen from his kisses. It was a complete turned on, making him even harder than he already was. It also made him realized how much he really loved this man. Ezra was right 'almost' didn't count and the important thing was they were together and truly and deeply loved each other. "I love you Ez, more than anything else in this world. Nothing is or will ever be as important to me as you are you." Vin took his lover's lips in a quick passionate kiss before the southern agent could say anything.
The knocking became persistent.
"Give us a minute!" Vin yelled but the knocking continued.
Sighing Ezra pulled away from his Texas love, saying as he did so. "We will pick this up at a later time." Ezra pulled Vin down for a quick hard kiss
before he let go to answer the door.
END PART 27