The little voice in the back of his mind warned him anew there was something wrong. He'd only had a couple of drinks, he shouldn't be that drunk. He felt dizzy and off-kilter, his whole body tingled sensually. He was entranced by the colors and sounds assaulting him, the sweet scent of incense was strong in the night air.

A circle of dancers was forming around him, moving with the beat, pressing against him, touching him wantonly. He wondered briefly if he shouldn't mind the proximity, the invasion of his person, but he didn't have the will to care. To hell with the world. To hell with everyone. And especially to hell with Chris Larabee and his team. Ezra Standish was breaking free from his chains.

---

"I hate Mardi Gras!" Chris Larabee grumbled as he plunged into the wild crowd, glaring at the drunken, gyrating throng of people surrounding them.

Vin chuckled as he followed the other man. It was his first time in New Orleans and he was loving it -- especially the sights and sounds of Mardi Gras. He would forever keep in his mind the images of dancing and singing, the colorful costumes, the beautiful people, the imaginative parades.

He frowned. If only Chris hadn't ruined everything for them... The New Orleans ATF division had asked for Ezra's help. A man he'd helped arrest was out on the streets again and putting together a gun operation. They needed 'Eric Simpson' to infiltrate the gang. Chris and Vin had tagged along as the southerner's backup.

Everything had gone fine at first. The criminal, John Falcon, had never learned about Ezra's true identity. He was delighted to see the southerner, immediately asking him to join him. Things had taken a turn for the worse that afternoon, the day of the bust. Ezra had taken a bullet meant for Chris, and even though he was wearing a vest, Larabee had read him the riot act. As usual the blond man covered his concern with anger and Ezra had been the one to pay the price.

Finally tired of hearing what a maverick, smart-ass fool he was, Ezra had punched Chris and left the New Orleans ATF building fuming. That had been over five hours earlier. They hadn't heard from him since. He wasn't at their hotel. He wasn't answering his phone. He wasn't anywhere they'd looked.

So there they were, both men trying to control their anxiety for their missing friend, trying to find him within the sea of people enjoying the Mardi Gras. It was an impossible mission. The proverbial needle in the haystack. But they weren't done yet.

The partying was beginning to wind down when they stumbled upon what seemed to be an enormous street party. There were candles lit and placed all around the street, windows and doors of the houses. Some were in paper bags, some in glass votives, others in plastic containers coming in all colors and shapes. Their light gave an unearthly glow to their surroundings.

There was food and drinks everywhere. People of all ages and races were dancing and laughing. Some danced in circles, holding hands. There was incense and hemp burning.

"Welcome," a Creole woman greeted, the Jamaican accent strong in her voice. "Have a drink, gentlemen. Tonight we're celebrating love."

The two men exchanged a look, then Chris shrugged, reaching for one of the large mugs she was holding. Vin followed his example. The beer tasted good and he suddenly realized he was incredibly thirsty. He drank most of his beer in one swallow, sighing contentedly as he felt the liquid wash over him and invade his senses. Everything seemed brighter, the music sounded louder, the scents more acute to his nose.

He accepted the second and third mugs, watching lightheadedly as Chris did the same. He didn't question how the drinks kept appearing mysteriously in front of him. All he knew was that he had to quench the unbearable thirst clawing at him.

Vin blinked as he recognized one of the people dancing. It was Ezra. And by the look of him, he'd been there for a while. His jacket was gone, his white shirt was untucked and opened almost all the way down. He was within a circle of dancers, laughing and gyrating to the pulse of the beat, totally unaware of his surroundings.

"Chris, it's Ezra."

Vin watched as the dark-clad man took one look at the obviously intoxicated agent and marched into the circle, grabbing Ezra by the arm and turning him around. "Where the hell have you been?" Chris asked angrily.

"We were worried," Vin added with a frown. He really wished he could focus, he felt like he was floating.

"Chris..." Ezra purred, his voice sweet and seductive. "Dance with me?"

Before Chris utter a word, Ezra was already sliding against him, arms surrounding his neck and pulling him closer. Vin watched bemused, as their fearless leader meekly took Ezra in his arms, their hips pressing together as they moved with the music. He held his breath as Ezra brushed his lips against Chris' softly.

"Vin, join us!" Ezra called to him.

Knowing he was probably making a mistake, but unable to stop himself, Vin moved closer, wrapping his arms around Ezra's waist from behind. The three men danced together, teasing and flirting and enticing each other. Each focused solely on the other two. They were completely unaware of the human circle forming around them, or the hands stripping off their clothing.

---

Chris knew they had been drugged. Some small part of his still thinking brain knew that fact as clearly as he knew his own name. There was nothing he could do about it. He was powerless to stop himself, to prevent what was happening.

He kissed Ezra passionately, ravishing the sweet mouth, as he slid his hand between the southerner's legs. He rubbed the hardened shaft, tracing his finger over its already weeping slit, enjoying the wanton way Ezra moaned into their kiss. He pulled back from the delicious lips, watching as Vin caressed Ezra's body, thumbing the hard nipples at the same time as he lapped at the smaller man's neck.

Chris growled as Ezra tipped his head back, surrendering to them. He abruptly grabbed Ezra's knees and watched him fall into Vin's arms. Together they laid him down on the ground on his back. Chris spread Ezra's legs apart while Vin straddled the southerner's head, his cock within reach of the moist mouth.

Ezra whimpered, beginning to work his tongue over Vin's shaft. Chris snatched the tube of KY handed out to him and impaled the southerner with a coated finger, stretching the tight passage for his use. He inserted another finger to his explorations, grinning as Ezra arched his back, taking Vin's cock deep within him, then pushed down onto Chris' digits, groaning around his full mouth.

Once he was certain Ezra was ready for him, Chris guided himself into Ezra, thrusting into him repeatedly, making the southerner give muffled cries at every stroke. The vibration caused Vin to throw his head back and shout in pleasure, convulsing powerfully as he came inside Ezra's mouth. Ezra bucked beneath Chris, his own orgasm triggering the other man's. Together they cried out and lost consciousness.

---

Ezra woke up slowly, his whole body felt sore and he had what felt like his worst hangover in years. He tried to turn over, but he was blocked by something. He opened his eyes, looking straight into Vin's smiling eyes. He sighed warily as he realized the body at his back had to be Chris'.

"Where are we?" He whispered. They were lying on the floor, in what looked like an abandoned warehouse.

"Don't know, we just woke up ourselves," Chris replied just as softly. "We're indoors, for which I'm thankful. Last thing I remember we were in the middle of the street."

"Do you know how we got here?"

"No idea," This time it was Vin who answered. "We've been trying to figure that out. What do you remember of last night, Ez?"

The Texan's careful tone made Ezra look at him suspiciously. He narrowed his eyes, trying to think back on the previous day. "I recall leaving the ATF office. A street party, then..." His eyes widened, his face flushing brightly as the memories began to flood his mind. "Oh, Lord!"

He sat up with a swift motion, but a hand on his chest -- his *naked* chest -- prevented him from standing. He looked into Chris' concerned eyes. "Are you okay? I... I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Flushing even brighter as he realized exactly *why* Chris was asking that question, he nevertheless managed to grit out, "No, Mr. Larabee. You did not hurt me, I'm perfectly alright. So, who was it that saw fit to disrobe us and supply us with the uh, lube?" Ezra asked, careful not to look at the other men.

"I figured it was those people dancing in the street," Vin replied. "I just wish I knew why. They seem to have disappeared, so I guess we'll never know."

Ezra watched as Chris stood up and grabbed their clothes, which were resting in a corner. He got dressed, thankful for the warm cloth against his chilled skin.

"Now what?"

"We get out of this damn place!" Chris growled. "If someone so much as asks if I enjoyed Mardi Gras or New Orleans I'll shoot them!"

"That's not what I meant. I... I enjoyed what happened between us," Vin remarked, obviously uncomfortable with having to express his feelings. "I can't go back to the way things were before."

Chris sighed, shoulders slumping noticeably. "Yeah. I can't either." He turned shrewd eyes on Ezra. "What about you?"

Ezra swallowed as he found himself pinned by two intense stares. "I don't know. We were drugged and --"

"The feelings were there, Ez," Vin interjected. "It wasn't just the drugs. I care for you both."

"And so do I," Chris assured, moving closer to the southerner. "I'm sorry about all the things I said yesterday. I didn't mean them. It's just... When I saw you take that bullet... I can't bear the idea of losing you. I've lost enough people I cared about, I can't lose you either. And damnit, Ezra! You take such chances with your life! You're not alone anymore, you can't keep doing this. You have six people who care for you, who love you, and who would be destroyed if you died."

Ezra cleared his throat, his eyes locked on the dusty floor. "I apologize. I guess... I'm used to being on my own."

Vin wrapped his arms around him and kissed him gently while Chris' warm body hugged him from behind. "You're not on your own anymore. We're here. All six of us. Try to cut out the heroic stunts, okay?"

Ezra smiled gently up at the Texan. "Okay. And uh... I believe I would also like to see where this 'thing' might lead us."

"Good," Chris purred as he nuzzled Ezra's silken hair. "Let's go back to the hotel and see how we do without the drugs."

"So long as we make use of the bed in the room, gentlemen," Ezra drawled with a teasing smile. "I'm already sore from being on the ground for so long, the last thing I need is to suffer carpet burns. Or course... One of you can always be bottom."

And with that he winked and sauntered to the door while the others chased after him with wide grins plastered on their faces. Life would certainly never be boring with Ezra Standish around.

THE END

Chris Larabee fought his way slowly back to consciousness. His whole body was sore and he felt weak as a kitten. His mind still sluggish, he tried to recall the reason why he was currently sandwiched between his two lovers naked bodies.

He remembered the hectic case load of the last months, and DA Travis' decision to send them on a week retreat into the wilderness to 'relax', even under Ezra's solemn promise of revenge. It would be a week living at their most basic -- no modern commodities, luxury or technology to help them out in any way.

Just a tent, sleeping bags, and the necessary tools to allow them to hunt, fish or gather whatever fruits they could find. The Seven had then been divided into two teams; Chris, Vin, and Ezra on one side. Josiah, Nathan, Buck, and JD on the other.

The first few days had been surprisingly agreeable, even if Ezra had complained relentlessly about having to be there. Two days earlier, things had gone sour. The weather had changed radically, rain pouring down from the skies from morning till night. The scarce food they'd managed to collect was soon gone. They'd been forced to leave the meager shelter the tent provided to search for further nourishment.

And thus his trouble had began. The three men had decided to fish. Reaching the river, and while setting the gear, Chris had suddenly slipped on a rock and plunged into the icy waters. When the other two had finally managed to get him out, he was frozen to the bone and in serious danger of dying of hypothermia.

Semiconscious, he'd felt Vin and Ezra drag him back to their camp and strip him of his clothes -- and theirs -- in an effort to share body heat, the best way to rise his temperature.

So there he was, hours later. He was no longer cold. In fact he was feeling quite warm and comfortable. Lying on top of Ezra, arms wrapped loosely around the southerner's waist, Vin draped over his back and gently nuzzling his hair.

He tried, he really tried. To ignore the slow, shallow breaths against his cheek, the two hard cocks currently poking at him. But he couldn't. Moaning softly, he undulated his body sensually, rubbing against Ezra's warm frame and feeling Vin's shaft slip between his cheeks.

Grinning wickedly at the sudden panting coming from both of his lovers, he moved again, bucking backwards against Vin, then thrusting into Ezra. He felt Vin shift, brushing his hair softly. "Cowboy?"

His answer was to nuzzle his face into Ezra's chest, licking the smooth flesh with slow, catlike strokes. He tasted a cinnamon nipple, causing Ezra to moan and writhe beneath him as he moved from one hard nub to the other. He knew he'd been understood when Vin's fingers trailed across the cleft of his ass.

Lost in the pleasure, Chris captured Ezra's soft lips, dueling with the younger man's tongue and moaning helplessly as Vin nibbled his ear, grinding his hips against his ass. Vin's movements pushed him further into Ezra, both men crying out into the kiss as their cocks ground together.

His lips were abruptly released, giving him barely enough time to hold his weight on his hands as both Ezra and Vin suddenly moved down. He whimpered loudly as his lovers licked and nipped their way down his body, one at the front, the other at the back. He cried out as Vin's tongue darted out, tasting the puckered entrance to his body. Ezra nibbled on his stomach, playing with his belly button, licking his balls and the insides of his thighs before taking his shaft into his mouth.

The warm mouth pleasuring him and the tongue piercing him were driving him quickly to the edge of orgasm. It'd been a long time since the three had been able to indulge in wild, unrestrained sex, and he knew he wouldn't last long. He growled low in his throat as Ezra swirled his tongue over his cock wantonly, playing with him, while Vin spread his cheeks wider and pushed his tongue deeper.

"God!" He whimpered, his sweat-sheened body straining between the two men holding him captive. He wanted the torture to stop; he needed the pleasure to never end.

He felt Vin searching for something in their gear, then suddenly Ezra drew away, moving up until he was back beneath him. Chris smiled down into the green eyes gazing up lovingly at him, then gasped as his legs were spread apart and a coated finger slipped inside him. He moaned, thrusting down into Ezra, desperate to increase the friction between their bodies.

Ezra chuckled and grabbed his hips, holding him immobile as Vin stretched him. He strained against the restraint, hips bucking as a second finger followed the first, rubbing his prostate. A third digit joined the others and he was prepared carefully, aroused to the brink of madness, until he was left whimpering between the two men who held his body as they held his heart. Securely.

The fingers were removed, hands tenderly stroked up and down his flanks, banking the fire within. Movement from behind him, then Vin pushed inside him in one smooth slide, making him growl again. Vin began to thrust, almost pulling out, then sliding back in with gentle thrusts at first, building up to a driving beat that drove Chris into Ezra, their weeping shafts rubbing together.

He met each thrust, bucking into Vin, feeling Ezra arch up to match his rhythm. His mouth latched onto the side of Ezra's neck, sucking gently, feeling the other man thrashing wildly beneath him as he orgasmed, his seed bathing both their bodies.

The feeling of Ezra's come on his skin was the final bit of stimulation, and he came explosively with a muffled moan, his whole body convulsing, Vin following close behind, coming deeply inside his body.

They fell into the sleeping bag in a tangled heap, panting for air, hands caressing cooling skin in a reaffirmation of their love. He sighed contentedly in the middle, feeling his lovers snuggling closer.

"Still wish you were somewhere else, Ezra?" He finally asked.

"Not at the moment, no. But I'll still get my revenge on DA Travis. We could be doing this somewhere else entirely. Preferably somewhere with a soft bed and room-service."

Vin chuckled. "Just consider yourself lucky we didn't have an audience like last time, Ez. Havin' sex while drugged out of our minds, in the middle of the street and during Mardi Gras, wasn't exactly one of our finest moments."

"No," Chris agreed. "But I enjoyed the benefits. The three of us coming together. No pun intended," he finished with a grin. He frown suspiciously at Ezra's pensive expression. "What?"

Ezra leered, then winked at him. "Just wondering where out next tryst will be. I do believe it's Vin's turn to... uh, accommodate us."

Vin looked almost scared. "Don't get any ideas, Ez. The only place I'll ever accommodate you both is behind closed doors."

"Oh, I don't know," Chris purred. "I was thinking we could join the 'Mile High Club'. Always wanted to do it in a plane."

"There's absolutely no way the three of us would fit in those small cubicles, Chris. I was thinking more in the lines of trying the public toilet in that new gay club, 'Siren'. Maybe in the locker room at the gym, or the sauna," Ezra said, grinning.

"Good idea," Chris piped in. "Or on the beach, first row at the movies, the library Nettie and Casey rent books from... What else?" He asked, pretending to ignore Vin's horrified expression.

"I know!" Ezra beamed suddenly. "DA Travis' office!"

"No!" Vin shouted.

"Yes!" Chris smirked.

"Oh, no... Guys, come on. Ya kiddin', right? Chris? Ez? Please? Not the DA's office! Please?"

THE END?

Linda watched the three men exiting the elevator. She loved working as DA Travis' secretary and, if she was true to herself, one of the reasons was because she got to be close to the magnificent men that made up team 7. Especially the three walking towards her at the moment, who were to die for.

"Good morning, gentlemen," she greeted with a smile. "The DA had to leave for an unexpected meeting with the Mayor and the Police Commissioner. He shouldn't be long now."

Chris Larabee nodded. "Mind if we wait in his office?" He asked.

"Not at all," she replied. "Want me to bring you anything? Coffee? Tea?"

"No, thank you. We already had breakfast," Ezra Standish told her, a slight smile dancing on his lips.

She watched the two men enter Orrin Travis' office, closely followed by Vin Tanner, who simply nodded at her before disappearing into the room and closing the door. She sighed dreamily. Those three would definitely drive a nun to sin.

---

Vin looked out of the DA's window. It was a beautiful sunny day, providing him with a clear view of most of the city. One of the things he liked in the modern, tall buildings such as the ATF headquarters, was the chance to go up on the roof and gaze for miles, enjoying what little freedom a growing city such as Denver afforded.

He heard Chris clear his throat and turned around, his back to the wall. Chris was sitting on Travis' desk, Ezra on the couch. They'd been there for five minutes and already were bored with the wait. They were men of action, sitting around didn't suit any of them.

"What?" He asked Chris.

"I want to ask you something," the man in black replied.

"What's on your mind, Cowboy?" He asked, joining Ezra on the couch.

"I've been meaning to ask if maybe... Hell! I want you two to move in with me."

After an amazed silence in which obviously neither he nor Ezra knew what to say, Vin finally found his voice. "What gave you that idea?" He asked, softly.

"I'm not a man comfortable with emotional stuff, you know that. But..." Chris took a deep breath. "We've been lovers for six months now. After Sarah and Adam, I thought I'd never find 'home' again, that I'd never love anyone again," he said awkwardly. "But I did, I do. The others haven't said anything, but it's obvious they know about us. We've given them more than enough proof. When one of us gets hurt, the others go ballistic."

Chris glared at Vin, who felt his face warming at the words. Soon after they'd become lovers, Chris had been in a car accident. Vin had threatened doctors and nurses, had tried to sneak into the recovery room, basically making a nuisance of himself until he'd been told how the blond man was doing. He suspected Chris had been released earlier just so the hospital staff didn't have to deal with him anymore.

"A case of the pot calling the kettle, Mr. Larabee?" Ezra finally asked, amusement clear in his tone. "I seem to recall hearing of a certain team leader who had to be removed from the surgery room by none other than four security guards the last time I got shot."

"Yeah, well. They wouldn't tell me how you were doin'," Chris replied ruefully. "Well?"

"I don't know what to say to that," Ezra said. "Have you given this serious thought, Chris? If it gets out, any one of us can be used to hurt the others. And DA Travis --"

"I want to tell him," Chris interjected. "The only person we answer to is him. If we tell him, there's no chance of anyone tryin' to blackmail us. We'll be careful. Our strength is our closeness to each other, to the team. The way we protect each other. That's not going to change."

"And if Travis doesn't accept it?" Vin asked.

"We find something else to do," Chris replied firmly. "There's a brand new world out there for men with our background. Detectives, bodyguards, bounty hunters, mercenaries if we have to. But the main thing is we'll be together."

Vin nodded. "I'm in."

"Ezra?"

"I'm not certain," Ezra answered.

Vin watched him rise and walk to the window, looking down at the street below. "Why not?" He asked softly, standing up and moving closer to the other man.

The southerner shook his head. "I've been alone most of my live. Living with you... I don't wish to ruin what we have now."

"You won't," Chris assured. "Ezra, we've been together for six months."

"Six months don't erase a lifetime, Chris," Ezra told them, the sorrow plain to see in the green eyes. "We've been living separately, meeting only occasionally, although we work together. Spending nearly twenty-four hours in close quarters will be somewhat different."

"Yeah. We'll have to adjust and compromise. It won't be easy at first. But are ya sayin' you're better off alone?" Vin asked gently.

Ezra smiled ruefully at him. "No. I guess I shall give it a try then." He grinned at Chris. "We should celebrate."

Vin gulped at the sudden mood change. The way the other two were grinning at him was positively wicked. "What?" He mumbled.

"Remember two months ago when I almost died of hypothermia? We ended up trying to decide the best place to do you."

"As I recall, it was decided the best suitable place would be the DA's office," Ezra piped in helpfully.

"Wait a God damn minute! I didn't decide anythin'!" Vin scowled at his lovers. "Ya two were blabbering about it, but I didn't agree to any of it. There's no way we're going to do it here, ya hear me? The DA could walk in at any minute, ya heard Linda."

"Good. Adds danger to the pleasure," Chris grinned. "The forbidden fruit and all that."

Before Vin could utter another word, Ezra brought his hands up in front of him and cuffs were snapped onto his wrists. "Ezra!"

"Don't worry, I have the key," Ezra smirked.

"You better!" He sputtered, beginning to enjoy himself in spite of his protests. He was suddenly grateful that the office was mostly soundproof. He had a feeling he was going to be given the ride of a lifetime.

Vin was pulled tight to Ezra's body by the waist of his jeans. "My, these are tight," Ezra purred, running his hands along Vin's ass.

Vin moaned as the southerner licked the nape of his neck, biting gently, clever hands unbuttoning his shirt and letting it fall open. His breath caught in his chest as Ezra knelt before him and opened his jeans.

"Ezra," he whispered softly.

Ezra grinned up at him, helping him get rid of the cowboy boots and socks, then pulling the jeans down to pool at his ankles. The pants were soon gone, and the southerner mouthed his cock through the fabric of his boxers, making him whimper. He felt Ezra remove his underwear, then stand to his full height in front of him.

He allowed the southerner to guide him to the large desk, bending him at the waist over the smooth wooden surface. On the other side, pants down and with a wicked leer, was Chris. Vin moved forward, gazing up at Chris with a grin before licking his lips. Slowly, teasingly, he took Chris' cock into his mouth, sucking and licking it, enjoying the way the other man moaned at his ministrations.

Two fingers eased into his puckered opening, stretching him slowly. He didn't question where Ezra had gotten the lubricant. They were careful, but occasionally indulged in sex in the most unusual places, which meant having something always at hand. Three digits were now working at his anus, loosening him up, making him ready for the pleasure to come. He pushed back onto Ezra's fingers, trembling, as they brushed his prostate repeatedly.

He ran his tongue up to the head of Chris' shaft, flicking it across the tip, then sucked it again, faster and deeper until Chris was groaning continuously. He varied the speed, keeping the blond man guessing, until finally he relented and in one swift move deep-throated his lover. Chris gave a muffled curse and came into his mouth, whimpering weakly as Vin licked him clean.

Chris sunk to his knees and they kissed passionately, tongues touching and exploring, sharing taste and heat. When they moved apart, Vin looked over his shoulder and nodded to Ezra. He was ready.

Ezra forced his feet further apart, moving to stand behind him. He pressed his cock into Vin slowly, sheathing himself completely within his body, both of them moaning at the feeling. The southerner began to move, pulling nearly out and thrusting back in. Each impact dragged a grunt from Vin, but he moved back, bucking against Ezra, taking each thrust and meeting it.

He watched Chris disappear beneath the desk, then lips were engulfing his hard cock, sinking to the hilt, taking all of him into that warm, moist mouth. He moaned and Ezra picked up speed, thrusting harder and deeper into his body, rubbing against his prostate until Vin thought he was going to either explode or lose his mind.

Chris was clinging to his thighs, holding on to keep his shaft in his mouth even as he continued to suck him off. The wild, frantic rhythm was too much for him. He came into Chris' mouth whimpering both of his lovers' names, hearing Ezra's growl of completion from behind him.

When he finally opened his eyes, he was lying on the floor with both of his lovers panting beside him. "God!" He moaned. "One of these days we'll kill each other."

Chris chuckled. "Yeah. But what a way ta go!"

They rose from the carpeted floor and Ezra released him from the cuffs. "See, I told you it would be perfectly safe," the southerner drawled as they finished dressing.

"You're insane. Both of ya. What if Travis had walked in?"

Neither of his lovers had a chance to answer. The door opened suddenly and Linda walked in. "Gentlemen, I'm afraid the DA will be unable to meet with you this morning. He's going to be tied up all morning with the Mayor. Your meeting will be rescheduled for tomorrow. Is that alright?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'll walk you out then."

As they were moving past her, she frowned at Vin. "Are you okay, Mr. Tanner? You look a little flustered!"

Ignoring his lovers' snickering and his increasing blush valiantly, Vin nodded. "I'm fine, ma'am, thank you. Good day." He followed the others to the elevator. "You're going to pay for that." He promised as Chris pressed the seventh floor button.

"Promises, promises," Ezra sighed. "You gentlemen hear what Linda said?"

"What?" Chris asked.

"She mentioned the DA was going to be 'tied up' with the Mayor all morning. Now that brings some wild ideas to mind! We never tried --"

Vin and Chris groaned. "Ezra!"

"What?!"

THE END
This is it, no more! Honest!