The Puzzle by Stacie

The plane jerked and twisted, then dropped suddenly before leveling off. Lightning flashed and wind whipped around the thin metal frame.

Vin Tanner gripped the armrests with white knuckles. How in the hell had he been talked into this? He hated flying, yet here he was, on a 20-goddamn-hour flight, about to die. If he made it out of here alive, he'd kill Ezra Standish and his sweetheart vacation deal with his bare hands.

Next to him, Chris Larabee did his best to remain calm. He didn't hate flying as much as Vin, but even he was nervous as the plane continued to fight the wind. Who the hell decided that going to Fiji during monsoon season was a good idea anyway? He knew the answer to that: he did. When Ezra had offered Chris and Vin the use of the suite his mother had access to only until her latest divorce was final, he'd jumped at the chance, even though he suspected Ezra was making a profit out of the deal. A vacation sounded like the perfect chance for Vin and him to be alone-really and truly alone-together for the first time. Although neither of them was counting, they had to have been together for at least six months now, and keeping a secret that big was wearing them down. It wasn't that they weren't getting along; in fact, Chris would welcome a fight. It almost seemed as if they were stuck in a rut, and neither of them had the energy to figure out how to get out. They both hoped a change of scenery would give them a chance to discover each other again. That brilliant idea was how they ended up landing in a fucking monsoon.

The pilot's voice crackled over the speaker. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said. "We are going to try to land. The winds will only strengthen and we don't have the fuel to wait it out. The flight attendants will show you the crash position."

"Holy Jesus," Vin said, turning a shade paler. The nervous flight attendants handed out pillows to the few passengers, and showed them how to place their heads between their knees. "Holy Jesus," Vin repeated.

Chris leaned across the aisle and asked a man anxiously tapping out a cigarette if he could bum a smoke. The man tossed him the pack and the matches. His hands were shaking too badly to light one.

"What are you doin'?" Vin asked as Chris lit a cigarette.

"If I'm going to die in a plane crash, why the hell did I quit smoking?" Chris answered, inhaling deeply.

"Holy Jesus," Vin said. "We're gonna die." As the plane began its descent, he leaned forward, as instructed by the flight attendants. He hated feeling this way. Not much in this world scared him, and he didn't think it was dying he was afraid of. He just had no control of the situation. He was at the mercy of the pilot, somebody he didn't know, who could be the best pilot Delta had or a royal fuck-up about to be fired. Either way, Vin couldn't do a damn thing to affect the situation except sit here and kiss his ass goodbye. He tensed as the plane dropped suddenly, bracing for impact, but the pilot leveled the plane off and continued to descend. Suddenly Vin felt Chris's hand on the back of his neck, massaging at the tension there. It wouldn't stop him from dying, but at least he was here with the one he loved. Love? Shit, now you're getting emotional, he thought. Next thing you know you'll be saying it out loud.

The pounding rain increased as the plane neared land, the wind trying to blow them into the ocean. The pilot brought them in at a steep angle to compensate. A strong gust blew the nose in the air but then the wheels touched down, and they were on the ground. The plane slowly rolled to a stop. Nobody moved or even breathed for a few seconds. Then a voice near the back shouted, "We made it!" and people began to sit up and look around, relieved grins on their faces.

Chris stood and reached for his bag, handing Vin his duffel.

"You all right?" he asked.

"No," Vin said. "I ain't never gettin' on a plane again."

"You planning on living here then?"

"Hell, I'll swim home first."

"Cheer up, Vin," Chris said. "It can only get better from here."

"Our luggage is where?"

The perky woman behind the Baggage Service desk mistook Chris's calm tone for understanding.

"Maui," she replied.

"Bet our luggage is havin' a better time than we are," Vin muttered.

"When will it arrive?" Chris asked.

"Well, no planes can land until this rain stops," the woman answered.

"When will that be?"

The woman laughed. "When God turns off the faucet." Seeing the look in Chris's eyes, she hastily looked back down at her console. "I'm sure it will be very soon," she said.

"And you'll of course give us money to buy clothes until it arrives?" Chris said.

"Of course." She handed him several sheets of paper. "Just call that number. They'll send you a check right away."

Chris barely glanced at the paper. "I'm sure they will, right after hell freezes over and monkeys fly out of my..."

"Chris, let's go," Vin said, pulling him away.

The Fiji Grand was 20 stories high, surrounded by lush tropical foliage, most of which was whipped into a frenzy by the monsoon winds. They'd had to pay a cab driver double to take them to the hotel after the complimentary shuttle never arrived. When the two men finally walked into the lobby, they were wet, cold, tired, and pissed, and empty darkness was not the sight they'd hoped to see.

"Hello?" Chris called out.

"You ever see 'The Shining?'" Vin asked.

"I don't think this place has a maze."

"Thank God."

A door opened behind the front counter and an older man stepped out, holding a candle and wearing a red blazer. "Hello, gentlemen. I'm Mr. Tak, the manager. Welcome to the Fiji Grand. We're working right now on restoring the power."

Chris signed them in and Mr. Tak handed him two keys.

"Real keys," Chris said, bouncing them in his hand.

"We like to be traditional," Mr. Tak said. "Your room is 1202. I'll show you the stairs."

Chris and Vin glanced at each other. "You got anythin' closer to the ground?" Vin asked.

"A lot of the lower floors have rain damage. Your room is undamaged, I assure you." He stepped from behind the counter and led them to a heavy door, then handed Chris the candle. "Enjoy your stay."

"Mr. Tak, how many guests do you have now?" Chris asked.

"Including you two and the skeleton staff, there are about 20 people here."

"It really is like 'The Shining,'" Chris said.

"Oh no, we don't have a maze," Mr. Tak said.

Chris and Vin trekked to the twelfth floor. Opening the door, Chris walked inside a large room with a king-size bed under a white canopy. The balcony overlooked the ocean, or it would if they could see anything through the pouring rain. Large comfortable chairs and a heavy wood writing desk were in one corner, and a TV and a dresser in the other.

Vin stepped in from the hall. "I ain't tryin' to be negative, but this place is creepy. I think we got the whole floor to ourselves."

Chris set the candle on a table. "You don't find that romantic?" he asked, tossing his bag on the bed.

Vin laughed. "I guess that means we can yell loud as we want and no one will call the cops. At least one of us planned ahead," he said. He reached into his bag and pulled out a wine bottle, tossing it to Chris.

Chris looked at the label. "Sparkling white grape juice?" he asked.

"No way!" Vin said, reaching for the bottle. "Shit, it looks like wine. Last time I buy wine at the Circle K."

Chris laughed. "You didn't pick up any Ding Dongs while you were there, did you?"

Vin reached into his bag again, pulling out several packages. "Of course," he said.

Chris stepped to the small mini bar, pulling on the door, saying, "And we can wash it down with something from the bar." But the door held fast. "As soon as the power comes back on."

Vin sat on the bed, tearing open a package of Ding Dongs. "You think Mr. Tacky knows anything about fuse boxes?" he asked.

Chris sat beside him, grabbing a chocolate hockey puck. "I'd be surprised."

"So all we can do is sit here in the dark, eatin' junk food?" Vin asked.

Chris looked at him. Vin had a smear of chocolate across his lips. "I can think of something else we can do." He leaned forward and licked off the chocolate. "Mmm, good."

Vin smiled. He took another bite of chocolate, making sure it smeared across his lips. "You're better than a napkin, Larabee," he said.

"Thanks, Vin," Chris replied, tracing Vin's lips gently with his tongue, tasting the chocolate and the wonderful taste of Vin. He stuck his tongue between Vin's lips, meeting Vin's tongue in a passionate swirl. God, he couldn't taste this man enough. He didn't know how he'd lived 40 years without it, but he was sure as hell going to spend this week making up for lost time.

Vin tossed the empty package and reached for the buttons on Chris's black shirt, slowly easing the material open to reveal ivory smooth skin illuminated golden by the flickering candlelight. The single flame brazened Chris's light hair red and gold, and his smoky eyes shone like jewels in the shadows. Damn, he was beautiful. Vin could stare at him all night, if there weren't something else he'd rather be doing.

Vin slipped the shirt off Chris' shoulders and gently pushed him back on the mattress. He ran his tongue across Chris's jaw, down his neck, nipping at the sensitive spot where neck met shoulder, before moving down to swirl his tongue around a pebbled nipple. He pulled the taut nub between his teeth, and Chris tensed. Vin moved lower, dipping his tongue into Chris's belly button. As he followed the trail of hair disappearing into the waistband of Chris's jeans, he saw Chris's stomach muscles twitch in anticipation. Vin slowly unbuttoned the tight denim, pulling down the zipper to free Chris's throbbing shaft. The blonde moaned as Vin took the head of his cock into his mouth. Drawing the shaft in further, he closed his eyes as he moved along the rigid muscle. He felt Chris's hand entwine in his hair, and he quickened the pace, allowing his hands to roam over the lean body that was writhing beneath his ministrations.

When he felt Chris was getting close, Vin pulled his head away, sitting up and grinning. Chris sat up too, his chest gleaming sweat in the candlelight, his eyes piercing Vin's like a panther's in the dark. He grabbed Vin in a bruising kiss, pushing the sharpshooter back and covering him with his body, yanking off his and Vin's jeans before tearing off Vin's t-shirt. When they were free of clothing, he wrapped Vin's legs around him, pinning their straining cocks between them, rubbing the sensitive flesh together as he explored Vin's mouth, running his hands along Vin's strong thighs and finally moving his hand so he could trace the contours of his ass, circling the tight hole with his finger.

Chris broke the kiss. "Where?" he asked, breathless.

Vin was equally out of breath. "Bag," he answered. Chris pushed himself away, both of their bodies shocked by the sudden loss of heat, but was back again in seconds with a white tube.

Vin pulled his legs up, exposing his body's taut entranceway. Chris paused long enough to take in the beautiful gift offered to him before he coated his hands in lube, kneeling in between Vin's knees. He slowly rimmed the hole with his finger, teasing the pulsing orifice, while gently stroking Vin's cock, feathering his fingers along the ridges. It was Vin's turn to writhe and moan as Chris slid one finger inside him, the momentary shock overcome by blinding need. He pressed down on the digit, his body's need overtaking all rational thought. He needed more inside him, right now. His cock strained against Chris's gentle hand as the blonde slid in another finger, scissoring them to stretch the muscle.

"Now," Vin rasped. "Now."

Chris pulled his hands away and coated his cock with lube. Pulling Vin's legs over his shoulders, he eased inside him, grinding his teeth against the incredible tightness and warmth that enveloped him. He waited until Vin adjusted to his size, and he knew the instant Vin was ready, as his body opened and Vin started grinding against Chris's cock, looking for the spot he knew would overwhelm him with ecstasy.

Chris began slowly thrusting, sliding in and out all the way, priming Vin's body until he hit the place he knew so well, smiling as Vin howled and grasped the bedspread. Chris stroked the spot again, the clenches of Vin's ass around his cock filling him with equal pleasure. He sped up his rhythm, watching Vin as he thrust, loving the drops of sweat like diamonds in the candlelight, the quick low moans, the sharp intake of breath as Chris rode him.

When he was close, Chris wrapped his hand around Vin's cock, pumping the organ quickly, wanting Vin to come first. Vin's body arched into Chris's hand, letting Chris thrust deeper inside him. Vin's eyes flew open as he came, locking his gaze with Chris's, all the things they never said to each other expressed in that intense moment of wordless understanding, as Chris came right after, emptying himself into the tight channel clutching his cock. He collapsed onto Vin's chest, resting his head along Vin's shoulder, his body still humming. Vin wrapped his arms around his friend, never wanting the moment to end. No matter what happened any other time, this moment when they were closer than two people could ever hope to be mended everything. Slowly Chris's breathing slowed, and he rolled away, sliding up to the pillow. Vin followed, spooning around Chris's body, and they both slept.

The morning brought more rain. Chris opened his eyes slowly, trying to identify the crackling sound he heard. He finally admitted he was awake and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He looked up and saw Vin, still naked, opening another Ding Dong.

"How many of those things did you bring?" Chris asked, standing and stretching to ease the tightness in his back and knees.

"Not enough," Vin answered, watching Chris stretch. "Phones don't work, so no room service. Want some?" He held out a Ding Dong.

"You have a cast iron stomach." He shook his head as Vin opened the sparkling grape juice and took a swig. "Maybe they'll have breakfast downstairs." He slipped on the sweatpants he had packed in his carryon and a t-shirt.

Vin pulled on his jeans and shirt. "You checked out the shower?" he asked.

"No," Chris answered, stepping into the bathroom. "Wow." The shower was spacious, with black tile and glimmering silver faucets.

"The bench is a nice touch," Chris said.

"Why do ya need five shower heads?" Vin asked from behind him.

Chris leaned back into him. "I'm sure we can figure out a use for them," he said. He felt Vin's lips along his neck, and he closed his eyes as all the tension ran out of him. "In fact, I could do with a shower right now."

"Me too," Vin said, moving his lips to Chris's ear. He stopped when he heard Chris's stomach growl. "Maybe after breakfast," he said. Chris grinned sheepishly.

They started down the twelve flights of stairs, and ended up racing the last seven flights. They poured out of the door into the lobby, panting.

"Not bad for an old guy," Vin said.

"I would have won if I didn't give you a head start."

"Gentlemen," Mr. Tak said from across the lobby. "You're right on time for breakfast." He led them to a table where bread, jam, fruit, and crackers were spread out. "I apologize for the choices, but without the power, we can't cook and I'd be afraid to use anything in the refrigerator."

"Don't worry about it. You can't control the weather," Vin said.

"Thank you, sir. When you've eaten, we've opened our rainy day closet, so please check if there's something there to amuse you."

"The shower's enough amusement for us," Vin said. Chris nudged him.

"Sir?"

"Nothin'."

Mr. Tak walked away. Chris grabbed some bread and Vin removed the lid from a jar of strawberry jam and dipped his fingers in.

"How do you not weigh 300 pounds?" Chris asked.

"High metabolism. Come on, let's check out the rainy day stuff." He walked over to where a few other guests gathered around a foldout card table with a few old board games on it. Soon chess, checkers, Clue and Risk were gone.

"Grab the cards," Chris called. Vin licked his fingers first, and before he could grab the deck, an old woman snatched them and shuffled one-handed.

"You up for a game?" she asked.

"You got a relative named Ezra?" Vin asked. The woman shook her head and walked away. When Chris joined him at the table, all that was left was Monopoly and a jigsaw puzzle. Chris picked up Monopoly, but Vin shook his head.

"Don't know if that's a good idea, cowboy," he said.

Chris looked at him. "You want the puzzle?"

"Not really, but you get a mite bit ornery when you haven't eaten, and I don't feel like gettin' shot 'cause you landed on one of my hotels."

Chris put the game down and picked up the puzzle. "I don't get ornery."

"Of course ya don't. Come on, we got a long climb."

Chris dropped the puzzle pieces on the linoleum in front of the balcony window. Outside, the rained seemed to be lessening, but they still couldn't see the ocean.

Vin grabbed the grape juice and sat cross-legged across from Chris. They worked in silence for a while, turning the puzzle pieces right side up.

"Vin?" Chris asked, hesitating over the question that had been bothering him since Denver. He treasured their relationship so much, but he didn't know how to define it. He felt there should be a next step; if Vin were a woman, they'd get engaged. But Vin was about as far from a woman as possible, despite his long hair, and marriage didn't fit them. Did Vin need definition like he did? Did he need to know that this was for keeps, and not some experimental fling? Chris sighed. He had no idea where to start.

"Yeah?" Vin said without looking up.

Chris decided to start on safer ground. "How long you figure we've been together?"

Vin paused, glancing up. "Goin' on four years, I reckon."

"No, I mean together together."

Vin sat up, thinking. "About nine months."

Chris leaned back against the window. "How do you figure?" he asked.

"Ezra's birthday."

Chris thought back to the wild party they'd thrown for the undercover agent that had ended up in a strip club. "Nothing happened at that party."

Vin grinned. "That's the first time ya noticed how good I look in my jeans."

Chris grinned too, remembering the sight of Vin dancing on a table above him. "True, but I didn't want to admit it."

Vin didn't reply, taking a sip of the grape juice.

"Actually nothing happened between us for another, what? Three months? At the conference in Seattle," Chris continued.

Vin shrugged. "That's true." He looked at Chris, wondering where Chris was headed. He knew how much Chris struggled with them being together. Not when they were actually together, because he participated in that with everything he had, but after, when he got to thinking. When Chris started thinking, that's when Vin would worry that one day he'd realize that Vin could never give him what Sarah did. He belonged with Chris, and Chris belonged with him, but he didn't know if that would be enough for a man who'd had a son calling him Pa. Besides, the conference in Seattle wasn't exactly a shining place to start their relationship.

"Do you even remember what happened in Seattle?" Vin asked.

"I remember waking up lying next to you, and we were both naked." He looked into Vin's eyes. "And I realized I didn't want to fight it anymore." The familiar feeling of warmth and belonging washed over him, as it always did when he saw Vin's feelings for him reflected in those sky blue eyes. "What did happen?" he asked. "After you got me drunk, that is."

Vin shook his head. "I had nothin' to do with that. That was you all by yerself. I just pulled ya out of that bar before you got yer ass kicked."

"I could have taken those guys."

"Sure ya could."

"So how did we end up in bed?"

"Well," Vin said, stretching out his legs. "We made it to the elevator before ya threw up all over the both of us." He took another swig of juice. "I told ya not to eat all them oysters."

Chris winced. "I don't remember that," he said.

"I took us back to yer room and threw ya in the shower, except you dragged me with ya. I ended up just takin' off our clothes in there, 'cause they were soakin' wet."

Chris grinned. "And then?"

"Don't flatter yerself, cowboy. After ya puked on me, takin' advantage of ya was the furthest thing from my mind. Besides, ya passed out on the bed. I must have fallen asleep next to ya, makin' sure ya didn't choke."

Chris looked down at his hands. "That's the last time I was that drunk," he said quietly. He looked back up at his best friend. "Thanks, Vin."

"Hell, you'd have done the same fer me."

"Oysters? I don't know about that." He reached over and ran his hand along Vin's jaw. "Happy Anniversary," he said.

Vin leaned into the gentle touch, then his eyes opened wide and he snapped together two pieces of the puzzle. "Found one! That's one for me and none for you, Larabee," he said.

Chris pulled his hand away, looking down at the scattered pieces. Then he looked back up at Vin, a cocky smile on his face. "It's on," he said.

The jigsaw puzzle was 5000 pieces. The picture they were putting together was M&Ms, hundreds, maybe thousands of them, actual size, in only the colors red, brown, green and yellow.

"Freakin' every goddamn M&M on the planet," Vin said, trying to find a piece. After three days of constant rain and no electricity, they were about two-thirds finished with the puzzle. It had become not only a challenge, but a fight to the death. When Chris had suggested they stop for the night, Vin had said, "If ya need to sleep, go ahead." Chris Larabee wasn't about to ignore a jab like that, and they'd worked all night, eating Ding Dongs with one hand while they searched for elusive pieces with the other.

Soon after daybreak, the rain stopped.

"Rain stopped," Vin said.

"Yep," Chris answered. They kept working on the puzzle.

At lunch there was a knock on the door. "Maid service," a voice called.

"Go away," Chris and Vin yelled together, and the maid hurried off.

At dinnertime the Ding Dongs ran out. And all hell broke loose.

"What the hell are you doing? A green piece can't go on a brown piece," Chris said.

"Better than you tryin' to cram that piece in. Damn near broke it in half."

"The piece was warped."

"I'll tell you what's warped," Vin said.

"You don't know shit about puzzles. Everybody knows you do the edges first, then fill in the rest."

Vin tossed down the piece he was holding. "I guess I must have been absent the day they taught the Law of Puzzles."

"I guess you were. Oh, and for the record, next time you buy wine, make sure it's not next to Cheetos."

Vin met Chris's glare. "I just thought since all we were celebrating was the anniversary of our first fuck, I shouldn't go all out."

"What does that mean?" Chris asked.

"Nothin'." Vin stood and walked back to the bedroom.

Chris followed. "What does that mean?" he asked again.

"It means you don't treat this like a real relationship. It's like you think because I'm a guy you don't have to pay attention."

"What do you want? Flowers and candy?"

"No, I want...ferget it." He started picking up clothes from the floor and stuffing them in his bag.

Chris ran his hands through his hair. Here it was, the discussion he'd wanted and dreaded at the same time, except they weren't talking; they were yelling.

"Vin, wait," he said, stepping closer. "Please."

Vin stopped and looked up.

"I don't know what to do," Chris said. "I don't want to mess this up."

Vin dropped the bag and sat on the bed. Chris sat next to him.

"Are you ashamed of this, Chris?" Vin asked.

"God, no," Chris replied. "You want to tell the others?"

Vin shook his head. "No, not yet."

"I am in for the long haul," Chris said. "If you are."

Vin looked at the man he loved more than everything. He knew Chris Larabee better than he knew himself, and he knew that Chris wouldn't hurt him on purpose. "We'll figure it out, cowboy," he said. "Maybe."

Chris smiled. "Definitely." He leaned in and kissed Vin gently. "You want to figure it out in the shower?"

Vin swirled his tongue around Chris's. "Mmm-hmm."

Chris stood and led the way to the bathroom. He lit another candle and turned on the shower. Water sprayed out of five faucets. He turned back to Vin, gently pulling off the sharpshooter's t-shirt, running his hands along the planes of his chest and the ripples of his stomach, gliding his lips over Vin's collarbone. He then pulled his own shirt over his head and tested the water in the shower. It was still ice cold.

"Hot water heater still not workin'?" Vin asked.

"Nope, and a cold shower isn't what I had in mind." He turned off the water.

Vin glanced around him. "No use that bench goin' to waste," he said.

Chris pulled Vin by the waistband of his jeans into the shower. He sat down on the tiled bench and positioned Vin between his legs. He looked up into Vin's eyes as he unbuttoned his fly. "God, you're beautiful," he said.

Vin looked away, feeling himself blush.

"You really are," Chris muttered, pressing his lips against Vin's stomach, inhaling the musky scent of Vin's arousal. He pushed the jeans down and lapped at the precum on the tip of Vin's cock. Taking the head into his mouth, he hummed slightly and smiled as Vin jumped. He moved his hands to Vin's balls, fondling the heavy sacs as he sucked harder, opening his throat so he could take in all of Vin's cock, then pulling away and repeating the action. He stroked the sensitive spot behind the balls with his finger, then pressed against his puckered hole.

Vin thought his legs were going to give out. "Jesus, Chris, I want ya. I need ya now," he said, his hands holding Chris's head on his cock, contradicting his words. He was close, and as Chris deep throated him again, he felt a slick finger enter his hole, and it was too much. He came with a ragged cry, shooting his seed down his best friend's throat and moaning as Chris sucked him dry.

Chris released his cock but kept his finger inside, stretching the muscle.

"I'm ready, cowboy," Vin said.

Chris stood and Vin pulled him in for a kiss, tasting himself on Chris's lips. With a sly grin he bent over the bench, resting his hands on the ebony tile and shaking his ass back and forth. "Reckon this is why they put this thing here?" he asked.

Chris couldn't reply. He removed his sweat pants so fast he nearly tore the material and bent down to place kisses on those tight white globes before him. Vin shivered when Chris ran his tongue up and down his crack, stopping to swirl his tongue over Vin's hole. He couldn't believe what that man did to him. He was hard again, and ready to beg Chris to fuck him senseless. His entire existence was narrowed to the tongue and hands and love of the man behind him. "Chris," he whispered.

Chris stood quickly. He didn't have to be asked twice. He coated his cock with soap and slowly eased inside his friend, groaning. "Vin," he moaned as his whole length disappeared in the tight channel.

"Go, go," Vin said. "Go hard."

As Chris began to move, he closed his eyes, letting the intensity wash over him. They moved as one as Chris pounded into him and Vin pushed back to meet him, moans escaping with each breath. Chris could feel Vin's body tightening and he reached around to grab his cock, stroking the rigid muscle in time to his thrusts. They came at the exact same time, Chris calling Vin's name as his hot seed shot into that pulsing canal. He leaned against Vin's back, placing kisses along his spine.

"You're beautiful, too," Vin said, leaning back into him. He felt Chris smile against his back.

"Nine months," Chris said. "You're right. Nine months."

They slept for a while. When Vin awoke, Chris wasn't in bed next to him. He sat up and saw his friend sitting in front of the window, working on the puzzle. Vin had never seen a more beautiful sight. The slowly lightening day encased him with a soft light that played over his ivory skin and illuminated the gold in his hair. Vin climbed out of bed and sat beside him, their knees touching. They worked on the puzzle in companionable silence, handing each other pieces, searching for certain colors together, laughing when a piece didn't fit or grinning when it did. The morning passed quickly, and soon the puzzle was nearly finished. Chris held one piece and Vin another, and the box was empty.

After Chris snapped his piece into place and Vin added his, they both looked at each other in surprise. There were still pieces missing.

"No way," Chris said, standing. "Check the box." He shook the material of his sweatpants, but nothing fell out. Vin checked under the box, then also stood and checked his clothing.

"There are three pieces missing," Vin said. The holes in the puzzle looked as big as the Grand Canyon to them.

"They must be here somewhere,' Chris said. He checked the nearby carpet and into the bedroom. "Son of a bitch," he said, coming up empty.

"They gave us a defective puzzle," Vin said. "That ain't nice."

Chris looked at him, then grabbed a key and stormed to the door. Vin followed, both oblivious to the fact that they were shirtless and shoeless and had bed hair. Twelve floors later, in the lobby, a young man leaned against the counter wearing a red jacket and a bored look.

"Can I help you?" he asked, not sounding as if he actually cared.

"There are pieces missing from the puzzle you gave us," Chris said.

The kid shrugged. "Sorry."

A telltale vein appeared on Chris's forehead. "Get your boss," he said quietly, stifling the urge to jump over the counter and get the man himself. The kid's eyes widened and he hurried away.

Mr. Tak appeared shortly after. "Is there a problem, gentlemen?" he asked.

"Yes, there's a problem. That 5000 piece puzzle from your rainy day closet only has 4997 pieces."

"That's a mean trick," Vin added.

"I'm very sorry," Mr. Tak said. "I assure you I didn't know. I don't think anybody has put together the entire puzzle before." He smiled, but it faded in the face of two glares. "I'll be happy to buy a new puzzle, the same one, and you can find the missing pieces," he offered.

His eyes met Chris's, and he took a step backward at the intensity of the glare. "No, I can see that's not an option. Again, I'm sorry. I'll immediately remove the puzzle from our selection."

"We're keeping the damn puzzle," Chris said, then strode back to the stairs, followed by Vin.

Back in the room, they stood in front of the unfinished M&Ms.

"Reckon we might of overreacted?" Vin said.

Chris grinned. "Maybe a bit."

"You're the only person alive who can make some fool fear for his life because of a stupid puzzle."

"I did scare the shit out of him, didn't I?" Chris said. "I feel better, anyway."

They looked at the puzzle at their feet.

"What are we going to do with a broken puzzle?" Vin asked. "Since we're keepin' the damn thing and all."

Chris's smile got devious. "Maybe I'll lock Ezra in a room and tell him he can't come out until it's finished."

"Hell, that ain't punishment," Vin said. "Lock him in there with Buck and JD."

Chris laughed. "I guess we better tear this damn thing down," he said, kneeling on the linoleum.

Vin knelt beside him. "Wait, I got an idea." He tore apart one corner of the puzzle and placed the pieces in the box, then shook them up. "You get one chance to fit a piece. If ya don't, you got to remove a piece of clothing."

Chris glanced down at his sweat pants. "Gonna be a short game," he said.

"That's the idea."

"Strip Monopoly would be easier," Chris said but reached in the box. He pulled out a piece, studied it, then looked at the unfinished edges of the puzzle. He lined up two green parts and snapped the piece into place. "Look at that." He grinned. "Looks like I'm keeping my sweats."

"Show off," Vin said. "My turn." He pulled a piece from the box and looked it over, then smiled. He snapped the piece in.

Chris shook his head and grabbed another piece. He looked at it and placed it next to another. It didn't fit.

"Take 'em off, cowboy," Vin said.

Chris stood and turned around. He slowly eased his sweats over his hips, then down his legs, revealing muscular ass and thighs to Vin's hungry gaze. He stepped out of the pants and turned back around. Vin licked his lips at the sight of Chris's cock hanging between his legs.

"Your turn," Chris said, sitting back down, one leg drawn to his chest.

"What?"

"Your turn. Pick a piece," Chris answered.

"Right." Vin grabbed a piece and placed it against another without looking at it. Chris laughed when it snapped into place.

"Shit," Vin said. He started to undo his jeans anyway.

"Nope, rules are rules, Vin." Chris grabbed another piece and lay it next to the one Vin had just placed. "Doesn't fit, and I don't have anything left to take off," he said. "What else should I do?"

"Do the thing with my toes," Vin said breathlessly.

Chris smiled. "As you wish." He moved forward and placed Vin's right foot in his lap, massaging first the ball of the foot then the heel and ankle. Vin leaned back and sighed. Chris massaged each toe, tugging on them slightly, then pressed his thumbs against the arch. Vin felt like his bones had turned to Jell-o when Chris raised his foot and placed Vin's big toe in his mouth. He had to undo his jeans to free his rock hard cock as Chris gently sucked and nibbled each toe, teasing each with his tongue. As Chris repeated his actions on his left foot, Vin lightly stroked his own cock, enjoying the overwhelmingly erotic feeling of Chris's tongue swirling around his toes.

"Does this mean I win?" Chris asked as he placed a light kiss on Vin's instep then lowered his foot.

"Sure ya did," Vin said. He lifted his hips so Chris could pull off his jeans, then moved forward, pushing Chris back and sprawling on top of him, their mouths meeting in a passionate kiss. They rolled on the linoleum, tongues dueling, hands exploring, as puzzle pieces stuck to their sweaty skin. Vin lay on top of Chris, nibbling his sensitive ear.

"Vin," Chris gasped. "I want you to fuck me."

Vin lifted his head, looking into the stormy green eyes. "You sure? Been a while."

"Too long," Chris replied, pulling his head back for another kiss.

Vin broke the kiss and rushed for the lube, then straddled Chris's legs. He leaned forward, tickling Chris's belly button with his tongue before sucking on his cock. He changed positions, kneeling between Chris's legs as he continued licking the hard shaft, easing his coated finger inside Chris. He usually preferred being on the bottom; he loved the feel of being stroked inside and out at the same time, loved grinding Chris's cock against his prostate. But as he added a second finger, he remembered why being on top was nice, too. Chris was so tight and hot, he couldn't wait to fill him. He pulled his hand away, then raised Chris's ass with a pillow from the bed before lining up his cock. He watched Chris's face as he slid inside, seeing his discomfort melt into pleasure as his body adjusted and demanded more. Vin leaned forward, placing his hands on either side of Chris's chest and began thrusting, groaning with Chris as he hit the sensitive nub and Chris clenched his cock in reaction. He tried to keep control of the rhythm, but he was losing the battle as Chris pushed against him, holding him inside so the passage was even tighter. He moved one hand to Chris's cock, stroking the hard shaft. Chris's body tensed as Vin touched him, and he came calling Vin's name. The already tight canal closed around Vin's cock, and he shot his seed deep inside, his whole body frozen as he came and the pleasure stimulated every cell in ecstasy, Chris's spasms of orgasm squeezing him dry.

Chris watched Vin as he came, treasuring the sheer pleasure on the beautiful face and the warmth coating his insides. He'd never let anyone get inside him as Vin had. Vin knew every inch of him, not just his body but his soul as well, and instead of loving him in spite of his flaws, he loved him for them. They fit together like the puzzle they'd spent so much time working on. Every once in a while a piece got warped, but in the end it all fit together.

Vin pulled out of him and leaned forward, licking the cum splashed on Chris's chest before laying close beside him, his head nuzzled on Chris's chest. He rested a hand over Chris's heart.

"Did you really have a terrible time this week, Vin?" Chris asked, thinking this had turned out to be the best vacation he'd ever had.

Vin shook his head. "Nope. In fact, I can't remember a better time. Of course, we'll have ta make somethin' up to tell the others."

Chris glanced down at him. "We don't have to keep up the secret if you don't want to."

Vin thought it over. "It's not so much a secret as it is ours. It belongs to us. Nobody else can interfere, and nobody can tell us it ain't right."

"It's very right. I don't know where I'd be without you, Vin."

Vin lifted his head. "I'd be lost without ya, cowboy. If we don't have anniversaries or hold hands or any of that romantic junk, that don't bother me none. Just so long as I got you." He kissed Chris gently. "Besides, I don't think anybody else'd want us anyway."

Chris laughed. "You got a point. We're doing the world a favor."

Vin lay his head back down. "That we are."

The next morning they were awakened by the bright Fiji sun streaming into the open window, just as the power-and all the lights-came back on.

Vin groaned and hid his head under the pillow.

"We're leaving today," Chris said, covering his eyes with his arm.

"'Bout time. I'll be happy to see Denver."

"Me too. I was thinking, we should get Ezra a souvenir for sending us to this fine establishment during monsoon season."

"A shrunken head?" Vin suggested.

"I was thinking more along the lines of a near-fatal case of diarrhea."

A knock on the door caused them both to look. Vin hid his head under the pillow again as Chris stood to open the door. There was no one there, only two suitcases.

"Our luggage made it," he said, checking the labels on the bags. "Maui, Sicily, Athens, Johannesburg. Maybe our luggage did have a better time than we did."

Vin appeared beside him. "Hand me mine. I got more Ding Dongs in there."

They stood in front of the window, munching on Ding Dongs.

"You really can see the ocean," Vin said.

"It's magnificent." Chris stepped back, his foot landing on the puzzle. "We should probably just leave this here," he said, pushing some pieces with his toes.

Vin looked at the scattered pieces, and the partially completed puzzle. "Let's take it. Just 'cause it's missin' a few pieces, don't mean it's not worth puttin' together."

Chris looked at him and smiled. "You're a wise man, Vin Tanner."

"I got a good teacher," Vin replied. They scooped the puzzle pieces into the box, packed their clothes, took a long hot shower, and said good riddance to the Fiji Grand.

THE END