Brass Ring Series by KETanner

Chris cursed softly as he took a sip from the bottle of beer in his hand. What in the hell was he doing here? This was crazy. absolutely insane. He should be home tending to the ranch and feeding the horses, things that were normal and routine for him to do. Instead, he was sitting alone in a dark booth in a bar nursing a bottle of beer that had gone flat about twenty minutes ago and wondering how in the hell he'd ever talked himself in to doing this.

Actually, it was more like how in the hell had he ever let Buck talk him into doing this?

Shit!

He should've known better than to confide in Buck. He should've known even better than to listen to him. Because if he hadn't, he wouldn't be sitting here now desperately wishing he was someplace else where the music wasn't quite so loud, the bar less crowded and the service much faster. The headache building between his eyes was really starting to hurt.

On the whole, Chris supposed his day couldn't get much worse.

He was wrong.

"Hey, handsome. Buy a girl a beer?"

Chris looked up to find a rangy, long-legged brunette in a skintight mini skirt smiling invitingly at him. He ran an appraising eye from the top of the perfectly coiffured hair to the heavily painted face, noting the gaudy rainbow-colored sequins adorning a ruffled blouse, over the short black skirt and down the length of fishnet stockings to a pair of lethal looking three inch stiletto heels. All in all, he supposed some people might find the brunette attractive but for his part, it took a supreme effort of will for Chris not to laugh. He settled instead for another swallow of warm beer.

"Piss off, pal," Chris growled through clenched teeth.

"Well! I never!" responded the brunette before turning on one heel and stalking away.

"Yeah, that makes two of us," Chris muttered darkly.

But a small grin quirked the corner of his mouth as he watched 'it' flounce away in a huff. He shook his head silently and sighed. The last thing he needed was a transvestite dressed to the nines trying to hit on him. The biker dude in black leather and chains who'd commented on his 'nice tight ass' earlier was bad enough. The man had a good sixty pounds on Chris and smelled like he'd been in a wrestling match with a pile of pig manure. The senior ATF agent shuddered with revulsion.

Chris dared to risk another glance around the bar, his eyes moving quickly, avoiding direct eye contact. He didn't want to risk any more 'interest' being tossed his way. Because so far, he was up to five highly suggestive offers, three blatant invitations, one out-an-out 'let's do it on the table' and more lewd stares than Claudia Schiffer on even her best day. None of which was he inclined to follow up on.

So what in the hell was he doing here?

What was it Buck said? That he'd be satisfying his curiosity? But curiosity about what?

Well, he supposed Vin Tanner for one thing and the younger man's sexual preferences for the other. Not that Chris cared that his junior agent was gay. In fact, far from it. Vin's lifestyle choice was private and entirely up to him. Chris had made it clear that Vin's revelation didn't change the nature of their relationship, professionally or personally. He still regarded the man as one of the finest ATF agents he'd ever worked with and a valued close personal friend.

And it wasn't like Chris didn't have any firsthand knowledge of what went on between two men. Hell, he was human and after all, boys will be boys. There'd even been that time when he'd just got out of the SEALS that he and Buck had a go at each other. They'd both been stinking drunk and neither was sure that anything actually happened. But it was a sobering experience to wake up next to your best friend and find both of you buck-naked and hung-over to boot.

Chris shook his head slowly. No, Vin was just a close personal friend. That's all.

But that close personal friend had started turning up at night in Chris's dreams, and not just any dreams but heated, erotic, lust-filled images that left him hard, aching and empty. Chris had started to lose sleep over it.

And damn Buck for noticing!

###

"Dammit, Chris! What in the blue blazes is wrong with you?" Buck inquired as he entered the senior agent's office.

"What'dya want, Buck? I'm busy," Chris replied from amongst the paperwork littering his desk.

"I wanna know what the hell is going on?" the ladies man retorted as he closed the door behind him. What he had to say to Chris was private and there was no sense in letting the rest of the team listen in on it.

"I'm doing paperwork, Buck. What does it look like I'm doing?" Chris grumbled irritably.

"That ain't what I meant and you know it."

Chris sighed tiredly and lifted his gaze to meet that of his longtime friend. Larabee's desk was covered with performance review files and budget notes and weapons requisitions of countless size and number as well as an invitation for a luncheon meeting with the Mayor's Metropolitan Crime Task Force. He didn't have time for any of Buck's crap.

"You got something on your mind, Buck?"

"You're damn right I do!" Buck walked across the floor and plopped himself down on Chris's sofa. "I wanna know what the hell that thing with JD was all about?"

Chris pursed his lips and dropped his head into his hands. He took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, then dragged his palms over his face. JD had turned in a case report that morning and Larabee had been quick to find fault with it. His temper had gotten the best of him and he'd taken his frustrations out on their computer expert. The younger man had walked away with his head hanging low reminding Chris of a pup slinking off with its tail between its legs.

He supposed he owed JD an apology. There really hadn't been much wrong with the report. Just a couple of errors that were easy to fix.

"I'll apologize to JD if you think that'll help," Chris offered.

Buck snorted softly. "That'll do for starters but what about the rest of it?"

"What 'rest of it'?" Chris asked with a frown.

"Like what in the hell has got a burr up your backside?" Larabee started to shake his head in denial. "And don't go 'n tell me it's nothing cuz I know you better'n that. You ain't been yourself lately, not that you was ever more'n an ornery cuss to start with. But hell! Lately, you're damn near impossible!"

"Gee, thanks Buck!" Larabee snapped sarcastically.

"Oh, please!" Buck sighed with exasperation. "This is Buck, your old buddy, your old pal you're talking to now. So git down offa your high horse an' stop being an ass."

Chris stared angrily at his friend for a moment before giving in. Buck was right. He was being an ass, and jumping on JD that morning was just another symptom of the malady that was bothering him. The problem was, he didn't know which was worse. The disease. Or the cure?

"Ain't been sleeping too good lately," he admitted in a subdued voice.

"Yeah? Well, no shit, Larabee! You don't gotta be a rocket scientist ta see that one coming. You walk 'round here like you'd as soon slit someone's throat as look at 'em and then there are them big dark circles under your eyes. Folks get to scurryin' outta your way cuz you look like a rabid raccoon. All you need ta do now is snarl an' show your teeth!"

"Well Buck, maybe you should just shoot me and put me out of my misery," Chris sneered.

"It's crossed my mind," Buck admitted somberly. "At least once or twice."

That brought Chris up short and his heated reply died unspoken on his lips. Was he really that bad? Had this whole situation with Vin gotten so out of hand that it was now noticeable to the rest of the team? And if they noticed something was wrong, had Vin picked up on it as well?

"It's just. There's been a lot of stress lately and I ain't been sleeping well. I'll see about taking something tonight to try and get some rest. Will that do?"

Buck absently studied his fingernails. "You know, when a man ain't sleeping right, there's usually a reason. And you ain't been under no more stress than the rest of us so I gotta figure there's something bothering you. The question is what?"

Or who? Chris added silently, his gaze darting briefly to the window of his office and swiftly locating the cause of his sleeplessness.

Buck's sharp eyes were quick to notice the direction of Chris's gaze. Vin was standing beside Ezra's desk while the two men discussed a folder that the team's sharpshooter was holding. A brief smile of amusement flashed across Tanner's handsome face and Buck swore he could hear Chris suck in a sharp breath. But the senior agent turned away and focused his attention on his papers. A pensive look crossed Buck's features as he took note of the sudden high color on Chris's cheekbones and the now rapid rise and fall of the man's chest.

"Does this have something to do with Vin?" Buck inquired innocently. A brief silence filled the room.

"Does what have something to do with Vin?" Larabee answered dully.

"Oh, come on, Chris! Don't play dumb with me. I seen the way you look at him and the way he looks at you. Man would have ta be blind not ta notice it."

"What the hell are you talking about, Buck? Of course we look at each other. We're friends. We work together. We have to look at each other," Chris replied peevishly, deliberately ignoring the spin Buck was trying to put on it.

"That ain't what I'm talking 'bout, Chris, and you know it." Buck sighed again, a long-suffering expression on his face as he stretched against the back of the couch. "You can run, stud, but you can't hide."

He shook his head slowly. Buck had known about Vin long before the younger man confided his secret to his teammates. Had known and readily accepted Vin for who and what he was... a man Buck was proud to call 'friend' and whom he trusted with his life.

Chris glared hard at his friend, a look that Wilmington pointedly ignored. Rising from his seat, the senior agent headed towards his office door.

"I've had about enough of this, Buck. So if you don't mind, I've got some paperwork to finish."

"It's okay, Chris," Buck called softly, sympathetically.

Chris tensed with one hand on the doorknob. "What's okay?" he asked without turning.

"To need someone, to want someone. To fall in love again," Buck answered softly. "It's okay."

"I don't." Chris began but found the words leaden on his tongue. Feeling suddenly defeated, he bowed his head and rested it against the doorframe.

###

So here he was at The Bow and Arrow, Denver's newest adult club that crossed social barriers and catered to men of any sexual persuasion. If you couldn't find what you wanted here, you couldn't find it anywhere. Or so they said. Which to Chris Larabee's overtaxed mind, didn't amount to much at all. Because he sure as hell didn't know what he was looking for, but whatever it was, he wasn't going to find it here no matter how much Buck thought he might.

Chris swallowed the last of his warm beer, briefly debated leaving but then changed his mind and signaled the waitress for another bottle. What the hell did he have to go home to anyways? An empty house and two horse stalls full of manure. What could be more fun than that on a Friday night? Chris laughed softly but it was self-directed and full of bitterness. What was there indeed?

He found himself looking around again, nodding at the waitress who delivered another beer to his table. Ignoring her attempts to flirt with him. Tilting his head back, Chris took a pull from the bottle, lowering it again as he swallowed the cool liquid. His gaze came to rest on a couple sitting three booths over, one occupant obviously male with short light brown hair and his companion with shoulder length darker brown hair. Funny how it kind of reminded him of Vin.

The second person turned in profile and Chris was startled to see that the booth's other occupant was also male. He ignored the stab of relief that rushed through him though when he realized it wasn't Vin. Chris watched as the two men moved closer to each other and then pressed their lips together. He watched, fascinated in spite of himself, as they kissed and touched each other repeatedly. He stared as the two men exchanged tongues, tasting the other in what JD called a "tonsil washing". Hands threaded through hair, tugging and pulling, the kisses becoming more heated, more ravenous, heads twisting and turning to best advantage.

And Chris was enthralled by the sight. The noise and music and smoke of the bar faded away until all that was left was the silence of wet heated kisses and the blood rushing through his veins. Before him, the two faces blurred, their features indistinct and hazy, until they slowly coalesced into solid form again and Chris realized that he was watching himself kissing Vin.

His body's response was immediate, eagerly embracing the erotic images his mind provided, images that had previously only surfaced when he was asleep. Unconsciously, he licked his suddenly dry lips and eased a hand beneath the table to tug at the tight constriction of his pants. Chris groaned softly as the material scraped across the bulge of his erection.

He was startled from his fantasy by a soft rasping voice from over his left shoulder.

"Hey, cowboy. Fancy meetin' you here!"

"Nice shot, Tanner!"

Vin Tanner straightened up from where he was bent over the pool table, a mischievous grin lighting his handsome face. "They don't call me sharpshooter fer nothin'!"

"Wanna go again? Loser buys the next round."

"Naw," Vin responded. "You an' Tony go ahead an' play. I gotcha covered."

Vin laid his pool cue down as he extracted a twenty-dollar bill from his jeans pocket. Ambling over to the side window of the bar, he ordered three more beers. Turning, he leaned against the wall to wait for change while watching his two friends rack up the billiard balls. Tony and Garrett were buddies of Vin's from his days as an Army Ranger. They had blown into town a few hours before and were quick to call Vin and invite him out for dinner and drinks. Knowing Tony and Garrett like he did, Vin suggested the hottest new place in town he could think of.

"No! The eight ball goes here," Tony insisted, slapping the black ball on the table.

"The eight ball goes anywhere I want it," Garrett replied with a menacing growl.

Vin laughed and shook his head over the pair's antics. The three friends went way back. Tony DeMarco was a slender Tom Cruise look-a-like while Garrett Justice should've played linebacker for the Denver Broncos. A more mismatched pair you could never find. But they were completely devoted to each other, as committed as any heterosexual couple Vin had ever seen, but that didn't mean they were adverse to adding others to their frequent sexual frolics, especially if the other person happened to be Vin.

He had been surprised and delighted to hear from the pair. A night out on the town and some hot sweaty sex were just what Tanner needed to take the edge off of an itch that was getting harder and harder to scratch - along with certain other parts of his anatomy that seemed to be beyond his control whenever a particular tall, lanky blond came to mind. Vin sighed with regret as he watched his friends flip a coin for the break.

The junior ATF agent had Chris Larabee on the brain and he was damned if he knew what to do about it. Chris had been married and fathered a child, for chrissakes! The man was a straight shooter and in all the time that Vin had known him, not once had Chris ever given any sign that he might prefer the company of men to women. In fact, quite the opposite if the office rumor mill was to be believed. His jealousy had nearly given Vin an ulcer after witnessing Chris kissing Mary Travis at the office Christmas party just a few months before.

But Vin was a practical man. He knew the best he could hope for was to remain close to the object of his secret desire and maintain the imperturbable façade of friendship and office camaraderie - even if it was slowly driving him crazy. Hell, he not only dreamed about Chris at night but his fantasies had started to invade the daytime as well. Just that morning, Vin had awakened from a highly erotic dream in which he and Chris were on a deserted Caribbean beach fucking each other's brains out. He'd had such a hard-on that it was all he could do to make it to the bathroom and finish himself. Vin had no doubt that if Chris had appeared in front of him at that moment, he'd have used a quick move to take the taller man to the floor and ravaged him from head to toe until they were both blind and senseless!

Feeling unaccountably warm, Vin tugged an absent finger at the collar of his blue polo shirt.

"Your change, sir. Sir?"

Vin started when he realized the barkeeper was trying to hand him his change. Turning, he accepted the dollar bills with a grateful nod of his head. He wrapped his fingers around the three longneck bottles and started to turn away when a flash of something familiar caught his eye. Pausing, Vin's mouth fell open in shock as he recognized the very man he'd been thinking of sitting in a booth on the far side of the bar. Stunned, he could only stand there and suck in a deep breath when he finally remembered to breathe again.

Good Lord! What was Chris doing here?

"Hey, Tanner! Hurry up with the beer," Garrett called out.

When Vin didn't respond, the pair exchanged a puzzled look. Tony turned and walked up behind Vin, taking note of the tension vibrating through the firm lean body and the sharp alert gaze.

"Hey, man. You okay?" he asked with no small amount of concern in his voice.

When Vin didn't answer, Tony peered over his shoulder, looking to see what had captured his friend's attention. Staring along the sharpshooter's line of sight, he quickly spied the source of distraction. There was a very handsome blond-headed man sitting alone in one of the booths.

"Oooohhh! Very nice, mi hermano, very nice indeed!" Tony smacked his lips appreciatively. Turning his head, he called out, "Hey, Garrett. come take a look at this."

The larger man moved to join them, at first not seeing what the others were staring at but giving a soft appreciative whistle when he finally did. "Definitely easy on the eyes," Garrett added with a wolfish grin. "You think maybe we could talk Blondie into making up a foursome with us? I know I wouldn't mind having a go at him."

"You're shameless, mi corazon, absolutely shameless. You don't mind having a go at anything wearing pants!" Tony teased his lover. "Still."

"No." The word was short, clipped and decisive.

"But Vin."

"I said no! Leave the man alone." Vin couldn't quite keep the edge out of his voice and Tony was quick to pick up on it.

"What is it, amigo? You know this man?" he queried, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Vin was silent a moment before nodding his head. "Yeah, I know 'im."

"Well, hell!" Garrett grumbled good-naturedly. "Why didn't you say so in the first place? He sure looks like he'd be a great fuck. Why don't you take us over and introduce us?"

Vin slammed the beer bottles down on the counter and spun around on one booted heel. Suddenly and inexplicably furious, he grabbed hold of Garrett's shirt and forcefully shoved the larger man backwards. He didn't stop until Garrett was backed up against the pool table.

"Guess ya don't hear too good, Garrett. I said leave the man alone, okay? You go anywheres near 'im an' so help me God, I'll cut yer dick three ways from Sunday 'fore I'm done!"

"Okay, okay, okay!" the big man replied hastily, stunned by the sudden certainty of bodily harm promised by the feral gleam of Vin's eyes. Garrett held up his hands in a conciliatory gesture of surrender. Vin released him with one last shove before turning to look in Chris's direction again.

"Easy, Vin," Tony soothed gently before placing a hand on the sharpshooter's shoulder. "If you don't want us to meet him, that's fine. Just take it easy, okay?"

"It's just. Aw, hell!" Vin exclaimed, his anger rapidly fading before he dropped his head in acute embarrassment. A rosy hue highlighted his cheeks and he could feel his face burning with heat. He'd more than likely just insulted Tony and Garrett and they were trying to pacify him. Vin supposed he owed them an explanation. He sighed heavily.

"He's my boss," Vin explained as his eyes drifted to the cap of golden blond hair. "Name's Chris Larabee."

Vin watched silently as a tall brunette stopped at the senior agent's table for a moment, briefly blocking Chris from his view. A few seconds later, the brunette turned on a stiletto heel and flounced off, a look of indignation wrinkling the harshly painted features. Vin's heart melted a little and did a flip-flop in his stomach at the small smirk that appeared on Larabee's face.

Tony and Garrett exchanged a knowing look at the naked emotion shining in Vin's eyes.

"So, hermano, you got a thing going with your boss? You know what they say about that, don't you? You gotta be careful, man. These days, that kinda stuff can get you fired," Tony offered teasingly.

Vin shook his head. "Naw, it ain't like that. Chris is straight. He used ta be married but his wife and kid got killed a few years back." He couldn't keep a note of disappointment from creeping into his voice as he said, "We're just good friends is all."

"Sounds like you wish it was something more." Tony observed thoughtfully.

"Don't matter none what I wish, Tony. That's all there is." Feeling suddenly depressed, Vin turned away and walked over to a chair against the wall. Sitting down with a heavy sigh, he slumped over until his hands hung between his bent legs, elbows resting on his thighs. Garrett and Tony came to stand in front of him.

Garrett spoke up next. "Just because he was married don't mean he don't like to play ball. Have you asked him if he'll fuck you?"

Tony slapped Garrett on the side of his head. "Just shut up, Garrett," he ordered. "Quit being a prick!" He knelt down in front of Vin and subjected the other man to an intense scrutiny. Finally, he sighed and said gently, "Oh my. Looks like our wandering Romeo is no longer wandering."

Vin looked up at that while Garrett seemed perplexed. There was a moment of silence before Tony quietly said, "You're in love with him, aren't you?"

Garrett started to laugh but Tony waved him off with a quick snap of his fingers. He loved the man more than life itself but there were times when Garrett could be a bit insensitive. Sensing that this was one of those moments, he decided to spare Vin's feelings and send his lover off somewhere else.

"Garrett, I'm getting kind of hungry. Why don't you go see if you can track down a menu and a waitress and let's get something to eat, bueno?"

The larger man dutifully departed while Tony continued to closely watch Vin's face.

"I can see it in your eyes, mi hermano. This man has stolen your heart. So why have you not done anything about it?"

Vin exhaled heavily and sat back. "Told ya, Tony. He's a straight shooter. Man like that wouldn't give someone like me a second look."

"I think you value yourself too lightly, amigo. Perhaps he has not had the opportunity to appreciate the real you. The man who hides behind a mask of friendship and denies himself his heart's desire?" Tony paused before asking, "Does he know?"

Vin nodded his head. "Yeah, I told Chris and the rest of the team 'bout a month ago and they said it didn't make no difference. What I did outside the office wasn't none of their business. Chris made it a point ta let me know he still considers me his best friend in spite of everything."

Tony shook his head and sank down onto his heels in front of Vin. "That wasn't what I meant, Vin. I was asking if this Chris Larabee knows you desire him?"

The junior ATF agent looked positively shocked by Tony's question. "Of course not! You think I'd go 'round sayin' that ta my best friend an' boss? Hell, he'd probably shoot me iffen I did!"

"Then what is he doing here, hermano? Why has he come to this bar and at this time? Could he be looking for you?"

Vin gave a snort of laughter. "Why would Chris be lookin' fer me? It's after working hours."

"Precisely, my friend," Tony replied sagely. "Then listen to me. Listen to what I am saying. This man, this love of yours, he comes here by himself. All alone with no woman. He is a widower. He comes to a place where men meet other men. He sits alone in a booth and drinks beer. He turns away all those who approach him and yet, how can you explain his presence here? What is it that he is looking for?"

"Hell if I know," Vin replied caustically. He really didn't want to listen to Tony but somehow, the man's words were making a strange sort of sense. Chris had been a bit withdrawn and sullen lately, the shadowed circles beneath his eyes evidence of the exhaustion that wrapped around him like a cloak. By all rights, the senior agent should be home tending the ranch and feeding his horses and yet.

"What d'ya think I oughta do?" Vin asked quietly.

Tony shrugged his shoulders expressively. "Well, the 'Vin Tanner' I used to know would have grabbed the brass ring and gone after what he wanted with a vengeance. Now. Who can say? Times change and so do people." He directed an inquiring gaze up into Vin's face. "Have you changed all that much, mi hermano? Or do you still believe in fighting for what you want?"

A few minutes later, Vin couldn't believe he was slipping out the back door of the bar and circling around to the front entrance. His palms were sweaty and his heart was beating a rapid tattoo in the back of his throat as he entered the door. Signaling the bartender for another beer, he tried to casually saunter in the direction of the booth occupied by Chris Larabee.

Waiting until he was a few feet from the man's shoulder, Vin drew in a nervous breath, pasted a smile on his face and drawled, "Hey, cowboy. Fancy meetin' you here!"

"Hey, cowboy. Fancy meetin' you here!"

Chris's head swung around sharply, his face flushing guiltily as he recognized the very man that he had been fantasizing about.

"Vin," he managed to reply in a somewhat normal voice.

"Mind if I join ya?" Vin asked as casually as he could manage with his heart racing a mile a minute. He took Chris's nod as a sign of assent and slid easily into the booth seat opposite him. Both men avoided eye contact for a moment, surreptitiously glancing around while taking another swallow of beer. Their gazes finally met and Vin managed a small smile that did nothing to ease the nearly painful swelling in Chris's groin.

"So," Vin began a tad nervously. "What brings ya down here? Thought fer sure you'd be spendin' Friday night at yer place."

Chris thought for a moment. There was no way in hell he was going to tell Vin that Buck had sent him down here because he'd been having erotic dreams about him. He needed another excuse. When a waitress walked by with a tray of food, Chris immediately seized upon it.

"Didn't much feel like cooking this evening so Buck suggested this place. Said the burgers were some of the best he'd ever tasted."

Vin absorbed that small piece of information but found himself wondering how and when Buck would have visited a place like this. The Bow and Arrow certainly didn't fit in with the usual places that the ladies man frequented. Besides, if a man as handsome as Buck Wilmington had shown up here, Vin was sure he would have heard about it. Something about Chris's statement didn't ring true and remembering Tony's words, it gave him cause for hope. He smiled again, unaware of the effect that the small quirking of his lips had on the man opposite him.

"Yeah, reckon they are good," Vin drawled, quick to notice the absence of a menu anywhere on the table. "Was you plannin' on orderin' soon or did ya not get a menu?"

Chris hid his consternation behind another sip of beer. Damn the man for noticing anyways! He almost choked on the cool liquid sliding down his throat.

"Was planning on a couple of beers first but I guess I could go ahead and order." Careful not to sound too eager, Chris asked, "Care to join me?"

Vin almost swallowed his tongue as an image of him and Chris joined as one, naked as the day they were born, flitted through his mind. He hid his reaction behind a light cough, the color of his face deepening despite his best efforts to remain casual. That smoky sandpaper-over-dirt voice of Chris's wasn't helping matters either. It was all too easy to imagine that same voice whispering suggestive comments in his ear. Vin took another deep breath and ordered his overheated body to behave.

"You buyin'?" he managed to ask with another small smile.

"Sure," Chris offered, hoping his voice sounded at least halfway normal. That smile of Vin's was doing things to his body temperature that should be outlawed and Chris was damned if he could figure out why. Buck had suggested he come here to satisfy his curiosity and yet, Chris was finding only more and more questions.

Turning, Vin lifted his left hand and with a low sharp whistle, signaled one of the waitresses to bring them menus. The small movement of his pursed lips fascinated Chris and the senior agent had to shake himself mentally to keep from staring.

Vin misinterpreted the slight frown that wrinkled Chris's brow. "S'okay, I know the owners," he offered by way of explanation, suddenly realizing how rude his actions must have seemed.

More color highlighted the younger agent's face, accentuating Vin's handsome good looks and Chris was hard pressed not to stare. Folding his arms and resting them on top of the table, he deliberately turned his head and let his gaze wander about the smoke-filled room. Everywhere Chris looked, there were men in pairs or small groups; everyone seemed to be with someone else. Some talking and smoking, others drinking and eating, the couple in the booth still sucking away at each other's faces. Everyone had someone. except for him. He'd been sitting alone waiting for what?

He wasn't sure.

But if everyone there had someone, then who was Vin here with?

Chris was surprised by the streak of jealousy that flared to life within him but it didn't deter him from trying to find out what he suddenly needed to know.

"So, what are you doing here, Vin? Just taking a Friday night off for yourself?"

During the spring, Vin usually spent his Friday evenings coaching basketball for the kids in his neighborhood. That was one reason why Chris had felt fairly safe in coming to the bar in the first place. If he'd had any idea that Vin would be there. well, Chris wasn't sure what he would have done.

"Nah," Vin answered politely. "Got a coupla friends in town an' figured this was as good a place as any ta bring 'em. 'Sides, the kids is all at a birthday party." He wiped the condensation from his beer with one long finger. "Seemed a waste ta sit home on a Friday evening anyways."

Fascinated by the movement of Vin's hand, Chris nodded his head in agreement and asked, "So where are your friends?"

The senior agent could have bitten his tongue off for that one. He didn't mean to go prying into Vin's personal life. He'd always made it painfully clear that what Vin did outside the office was his own business and no one else's. Now, here he was sticking his nose into it. Chris started to retract the question but Vin beat him to it.

"Tony an' Garrett are in the back playin' pool," Vin offered by way of explanation. "Thought I'd go git me a beer when I seen ya sittin' here. Wouldn't be polite if'n I didn't come over an' say howdy."

Belatedly, Vin realized that if Chris stopped to think, there was no way that he could have come from the back room without first passing by Chris's booth. Which would have meant that Vin didn't have time to get a beer before spying his boss.

Rushing to quickly cover his mistake, Vin added, "Me an' Tony an' Garrett go back aways. They was buddies of mine in the Army. Hadn't seen or heard from 'em in a while so I's a might surprised when they called. We jes been catchin' up on old times an' havin' a few beers."

"Won't they be missing you?" Chris inquired a bit reluctantly. He was surprised to find that the last thing he wanted to do was give up the pleasure of Vin's company in favor of some of the younger man's Army buddies.

Vin laughed softly, unaware of the physical response the gentle sound evoked in Chris's gut.

"Nah," he answered easily. "Tony an' Garrett don't need me ta entertain 'em. They's always been more'n enough fer each other."

Chris knew he should've been shocked by Vin's revelation but somehow the thought of two men together didn't seem nearly as unsettling as it should have. He didn't know if this was due to his newfound knowledge and understanding of his junior agent or the dreams that had come to haunt his nighttime rest. For whatever reason, Chris found himself unexpectedly wishing that he and Vin could be "more than enough for each other". The errant thought both startled and disgusted him.

An awkward silence descended between them before a blonde-headed waitress appeared beside their table with menus in hand. Chris could only smile as she greeted Vin like a long-lost friend.

"Vin, darling!" she gushed profusely. "How are you?" and leaned over to kiss him on both sides of his face. "It's been awhile since we've seen you around here. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?"

Turning, she spied Chris sitting in the opposite seat. "Oh my! Forget I even asked, darling! I can see why we've been missing you. Just who is this gorgeously handsome man and why haven't you brought him here before?"

The waitress tossed the menus carelessly onto the table and moved to sit on the edge of the bench next to Chris. Speechless, Vin watched as she leaned into the senior agent. Chris politely scooted sideways to make room for her. The smell of her perfume was cloyingly sweet, her right arm coming to rest around his shoulders and neck as her left hand picked at the top buttons of his shirt. A small rounded breast brushed warmly against his upper arm and yet Chris found himself strangely unaffected by it.

"I usually get to meet all of Vin's friends," she said throatily. "I just can't imagine where he's been hiding you all this time, handsome. I really should be quite cross with him for daring to keep you hidden from me but he's such a darling that it's hard to stay angry with him."

"Jody." Vin warned softly.

Her hand dropped down to caress the front of Chris's chest. "So tell me, how did you and Vin meet? I'm absolutely dying to hear all the details and don't leave out a single moment," she cooed in Chris's ear. "I want to hear every perfect. Intimate. Hot."

"Jody.!"

"Sexy."

"Jody!."

"Sweaty detail."

Under the table, she crossed her legs, one stocking-clad limb coming to rest over Chris's left knee. The waitress leaned into him further, her groin pressing against his thigh, her fingers trailing lower until she was practically draped all over Chris.

"You know, sugar, if Vin doesn't give you what you need, then I surely can," she whispered in Chris's ear as her hand drifted lower and grabbed hold of his crotch.

"Shit!"

Chris jumped, his thighs banging loudly against the underside of the table and upending his bottle of beer. He swiftly took firm hold of the woman's wrist and forcefully pried her hand off of his privates. Startled green eyes looked across the table for help.

Vin scowled at the woman and ordered harshly, "Leave off, Jody! Man ain't interested."

With a loud dramatic sigh, the woman reluctantly untangled herself from around Chris's lean frame and slid smoothly back to the edge of the bench. One hand rose to check that every strand of platinum blond hair remained in place before she gracefully rose to her feet. Turning, she cast an amused glance at the two men in the booth, one angry and irritated, the other embarrassed and more than a bit shocked.

"Either of you two gentlemen find there's something you want that's not on the menu, you just let me know. I'll be more than happy to get it for you." With that suggestive comment, she smiled brilliantly and walked away, the sway of her hips more exaggerated than either man found necessary.

An awkward silence descended as Chris straightened his clothing and resumed his seat. Vin had already pulled several napkins from the dispenser and was making an effort to clean up the foamy liquid on the table. He righted the empty beer bottle and swept the saturated napkins into a pile in the center. One final sweep and the tabletop in front of Chris was dry again.

"Sorry 'bout that, Chris," Vin finally offered, not quite daring to meet Chris's gaze. "Jody can be a real pain in the ass sometimes but usually he's harmless."

"He?" Chris gasped incredulously, still trying to put his world back in order after being publicly fondled and groped.

"Yeah," Vin nodded and scowled briefly. "Jody started taking hormone shots 'bout six months ago an' his doctors have got him scheduled for surgery day after next Tuesday. He's one of the guys what owns this place. Guess he just wanted ta have a bit of fun beforehand is all."

"S-surgery?" the senior agent stammered.

"Yeah," Vin answered again. "Jody's havin' a sex change operation. Seems his doctors agree he'd be better off spendin' his life as a woman than a man." Vin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Gotta tell ya though, makes me nervous jes thinkin' 'bout it," and he shuddered hard for emphasis.

Chris Larabee was at a complete loss for words.

Seeing the shell-shocked expression on his friend's face, Vin decided it was best if he got Chris out of there. Besides, there were too many other distractions that might interfere with Vin's plans. Because not for a minute did he believe that Buck had sent Chris to The Bow and Arrow to sample the food.

Battling a sudden case of nerves, Vin silently cleared his throat and said, "Look, Chris. It's gettin' kinda crowded in here. What say we go someplace else, okay?"

"What about your friends?" Chris managed to ask, finding himself more than a bit relieved by Vin's suggestion. This evening had so far been much more than he'd bargained for and he was going to have a few choice words to say to Buck Wilmington come Monday morning.

"Tony an' Garrett?" Vin shook his head and smiled. "They're big boys. I'm sure they kin find their way home without me."

The pair would more than likely have a couple of new friends along to boot. But Vin wasn't about to pass up an opportunity for an evening with Chris in favor of some casual sex with his buddies no matter how good he knew it would be. Tony was right. Vin's heart already belonged to the blond-headed man across from him.

The junior agent was relieved when Chris nodded his head and stood up. Vin watched as Chris fished inside his pants pocket, finding himself entirely too envious of that hand, before the senior agent pulled out a ten-dollar bill. Tossing it on the table, Chris waited for Vin to climb out of the booth then turned and headed to the front door. He was unaware of the other man's intense scrutiny of the 'nice tight ass' that had almost resulted in a fistfight earlier.

Once outside, Chris stopped and turned to look at Vin whose face remained slightly flushed.

"Who's driving or do you wanna take both cars?"

Vin's blue eyes were over bright as he answered, "Jeep's in the shop again so I hitched a ride with Tony an' Garrett. Reckon yer truck'll have ta do."

Chris nodded. "Parking lot was full so it's around the corner and over a couple of blocks."

Vin fell into step beside Chris as the two men headed down the street. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, its rosy golden hues glinting off of metal and glass before sparkling into a myriad of warm rainbows. The reflected light caught and captured the spun gold of Chris's hair, bathing him with its amber rays. Trying not to stare, Vin decided he had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. Chris took his breath away and sent his heart racing inside his chest.

Reaching the corner, they turned south onto the next block. They had gone no more than a dozen steps when Vin reached out with one hand and took hold of Chris's arm. Tugging gently, he pulled the other man to a halt and turned him so that they were facing each other. Chris looked at him questioningly.

"Chris, I..." Vin hadn't a clue what it was he wanted to say. The words just weren't there. How in the hell was he supposed to tell his best friend and boss that right at that moment, more than anything else in the entire world, all he wanted to do was kiss the man senseless? And keep on kissing him until one or the other of them begged for mercy. Just the thought of pressing his lips against Chris's mouth had Vin shifting uncomfortably within the confines of his jeans. He looked up to find Chris watching him, a curious expression on his face.

Vin wasn't sure afterward what prompted him to do it but he had no regrets. Stepping in to Chris, one hand swiftly tunneled through the short blond strands at the back of the taller man's head while the other moved to rest against Chris's chest. Pushing Chris back against the wall, Vin stretched upward and did what he'd wanted to do ever since they first met.

He kissed him.

Expertly applying his lips and tongue to the older man's mouth, Vin held Chris captive between the press of his body and the firm hand at the back of his head. Initially, he felt Chris stiffen with shock but then surprisingly, he relaxed beneath Vin's touch. And although Chris didn't return the kiss, neither did he object. Vin paused and drew back, his gaze darting upward trying to gauge Chris's reaction.

Confusion warred with curiosity in the depths of the older man's eyes but he remained silent, watching Vin as Vin watched him, the space of only a few inches separating them. Of its own accord, Chris's tongue snaked out to lick his suddenly dry lips, surprising him with a taste of the other man's mouth. He sampled it for a moment, surprised to find himself disappointed when it was quickly gone, surprised to find that he wanted to explore and savor this new experience. Trying to recover what he had lost, Chris licked his lips again.

Vin couldn't breathe. He desperately wanted that tongue in his mouth - needed it in his mouth more than he needed his next breath of air. Groaning softly, he sought to capture it and kissed Chris again. Vin opened his mouth, slanting across Chris's lips, tracing the crease with the point of his tongue, his actions encouraging the other man to return the kiss, to open his mouth beneath the pressure of Vin's lips.

Closing his eyes, Chris's mind whirled with a myriad of emotions. Shock that Vin was kissing him, stunned that he was letting Vin kiss him, terrified Vin might go on kissing him, horrified to find he didn't want Vin to stop kissing him, surprised to find he wanted to kiss Vin back!

Before he could stop himself, Chris's lips twitched slightly beneath Vin's mouth, the first faint stirrings of a response, hesitant and light. But Vin felt it just the same and thrilled to the feel of Larabee's lips moving tentatively beneath his own. His hand came around to cup the strong line of Chris's jaw, his thumb resting on the point of his chin. His fingers were warm against the whiskered skin of Chris's face.

Tenderly, he plied Chris's mouth open using gentle pressure from his thumb. Chris hesitated at first, opening slowly, unsure of himself. Unsure of Vin. But Vin encouraged him with frequent licks and nibbles against Chris's full lower lip. Open mouths then touched and drifted wetly back and forth, Vin inhaling as Chris exhaled, sharing the very breath of life between them.

Vin glanced up to find that Chris's smoky green eyes were closed, his mouth open and waiting, a flush of color riding high across the sharp line of his cheekbones. That tongue darted forward again and Vin was powerless to resist. He swooped in to capture it and thrust his own tongue into the waiting moist haven of Chris's mouth. Vin felt Chris gasp and stiffen at the invasion but any objection Chris might have had was soon swept away on a rising tide of heat and lust.

At first, Vin's tongue dominated the kiss, stroking the inside of Chris's mouth and running along the edge of palate and sharp white teeth. But an answering need flared to life somewhere deep inside Chris's body and he found himself responding to Vin with a passion he'd never dared dream possible. There was no time to question it as Vin's tongue circled his own and Chris thrust back, his tongue sliding between Vin's lips and into the younger man's mouth. He tasted deeply of all that Vin was offering him, wanting that closeness, that physical connection, craving the bond that let him know he was still alive.

It had been so long. so very long.

Chris's arms came up to circle around Vin's waist, pulling the younger man closer as Chris instinctively made room for him between his legs. The kiss continued, becoming hotter and more demanding, the need building inside them both and leaving them deaf and blind to the world beyond their own existence. Vin's hands dropped lower, sliding down the lean hard body, moving aggressively around to the backside and filling both his hands with Chris's ass. He squeezed hard and held on tight, eliciting a nearly painful groan from Chris as Vin thrust his groin against the other man's hip.

The loud blaring of a car horn caused both men to jump apart.

"Hey, fellas! Get a room!" yelled a car full of laughing teenagers as they sped past doing well above the posted speed limit.

Vin cursed softly and drew a shaking hand through the tangled mane of his hair. Gasping for breath, he turned to find Chris slumped halfway down the wall. Swiftly stepping forward, Vin grabbed him by the arm and hauled Larabee back to his feet. The glazed look in Chris's eyes convinced Vin that the man was in no condition to drive. He quickly checked Chris's pockets, locating the keys to the big black truck, before tugging on Chris's arm and heading off in search of the vehicle. Unresisting, Chris stumbled along after him on legs that were less than steady.

Only after he got Chris situated in the passenger seat did Vin give thought as to where they should go. He supposed it'd best if he took Chris straight home to the ranch but then again, there had to be an explanation behind why Chris was at the bar this evening and they certainly needed to talk about that kiss they had just shared.

No, the ranch wouldn't work. It was Chris's home territory and like any good hunter, Vin knew it was best to keep Chris just a bit off balance and unsettled if he wanted to get any truthful answers out of the man. Decision made, Vin started the truck and drove to his apartment.

"So, you gonna tell me what you was doin' there?"

Legs folded beneath him, Vin sat on the sofa to Chris's left, the other man having taken a seat in a large oversized chair that looked like it had been thrown off the back of a Goodwill truck.

The short ride to Vin's apartment had been accomplished in silence, neither man seeming the least bit inclined to speak. Not that they knew what to say to each other at that point anyway. Vin was still stunned by how good their kiss had been and the fact that Chris had started kissing him back. Chris was shocked that Vin had kissed him and couldn't seem to think any further than that.

They had entered Vin's apartment just as silently, the younger man retrieving two beers from his refrigerator, handing one to Chris, before disappearing down the hallway leading to his bedroom. When he returned a few moments later, Vin was dressed in a pair of baggy gray sweat pants and a navy blue muscle shirt. He had padded barefoot across the floor, a small inaudible sigh of relief escaping him when he saw that Chris was still there.

Chris frowned at Vin's question but was unable to answer before the younger man spoke again.

"An' don't gimme no line 'bout how great the food is. Buck ain't never set foot in that place an' you know it."

No, that much was definitely true. But Buck had told Chris what kind of a place it was and even offered his longtime friend some tips and advice. So why did he go? And why was Vin so interested?

"Buck told me about the place. Guess I was just curious."

The younger man managed to hide a small smile. "Curious 'bout what?"

Chris wasn't about to tell him. "Nothin' important. doesn't matter."

"Sure it does," Vin argued back. "Curious 'bout what? Curious 'bout gay men? Mebbe curious 'bout me? Cuz I know you ain't curious 'bout what a bar looks like." He was guessing at this point but given Chris's reluctance to answer his questions, Vin reckoned he had cause to hope.

"Yeah, I suppose," Chris muttered, his broad shoulders lifting and falling in a careless shrug.

Vin digested that small piece of information, secretly delighted but at the same time terrified of Chris's apparent interest. His heart did a little flip-flop in the back of his throat. "What'dya wanna know?" Vin asked softly.

Chris didn't answer. Didn't even look up.

Vin sighed. He wasn't sure just where this conversation was headed but he knew that to have a chance at any meaningful relationship with Chris, they had to build a foundation based on mutual trust, respect and honesty. As his boss and as his friend, Chris already had Vin's trust and respect. But if Vin wanted more than that, he knew he could do no less than offer the man his honesty.

"Hell, Chris. I ain't got no secrets from you. I been open and truthful 'bout this whole thing." He just hadn't told Chris everything. "Ya told me it didn't make no difference. Okay, so prove it. Tell me why you was there."

Chris sighed heavily and closed his eyes. Lord, but he was tired! He let his head fall back against the chair. "Buck thought it might help," was all he offered by way of explanation.

"Help what?" Vin asked with a puzzled frown upon his face.

Chris continued to stare at the back of his eyelids. "I ain't been sleeping too good lately."

And Buck thought it would help to go to a men's bar? Somewhere along the way, Vin knew that he'd missed a step because this was no cure for insomnia that he had ever heard of.

"How come you ain't sleepin'?" He was truly concerned about his friend. He'd noticed the dark circles of fatigue around the older man's eyes but whenever he tried to approach Chris about it, he received a careless shrug or a flippant remark intended to tell him to mind his own business.

"Just been having dreams." Chris sighed and pressed the heels of his hands against his closed eyes, rubbing hard against the grit and irritation that seemed to burn right through to the back of his skull. His arms then dropped heavily to his sides.

"Dreams 'bout what?" Vin rasped softly, curious to know what demons had been plaguing Larabee enough to disturb his rest.

Chris lifted his head and opened his eyes, but he didn't look at Vin. He couldn't look at Vin, not when vivid mental images of those very dreams were suddenly flashing right before his eyes. Not when his body was subconsciously reacting to those remembered images of him and Vin. Together. Naked. Bodies intertwined. Touching. Fucking.

It took a long time for Chris to answer and when he did, his words were so soft that Vin had to strain to hear them.

"You. And me," Chris answered as his face colored red with embarrassment.

Vin was speechless at first, shocked by Chris's admission. But then a light fluttery feeling like butterflies took up residence in his stomach and his heart started to beat faster. Chris had been dreaming about him. No, that wasn't right. He'd been dreaming about the two of them and Chris was losing sleep over it which meant that the two of them had to be in Chris's dreams.

Feeling suddenly lighthearted, a slow grin covered the lower half of Vin's face before he rasped gently, "I'm flattered."

"Don't be," Larabee snapped back, his control slipping just a bit as he saw the amusement on his friend's face. "And it ain't funny. God, I knew I shouldn't have said nothing!" And if possible, Chris sank even deeper into the chair, shoulders slumping forward while he avoided looking at the other man.

Vin felt like he was walking on air, as if all he'd ever wanted or dreamed of had suddenly been handed to him on a silver platter. The man he was secretly in love with was dreaming about him. And not just any dreams if the expression on Chris's face was anything to go by. But the kind of dreams that brought a flush of embarrassment to the lean features of a man whom Vin had previously only thought of as a straight shooter, a man he had never dared to hope that he could have and yet here he was.

What was it Josiah liked to say? Hope springs eternal.

Chris shifted uneasily beneath Vin's silent scrutiny, feeling more and more uncomfortable as the silence lengthened. Wanting to change the subject of their conversation, he mimicked Vin's earlier words.

"So, you gonna tell me why you kissed me?" Chris asked and could have kicked himself for wanting to know. He scowled inwardly. That wasn't exactly the change in topic he was after.

There was a moment's hesitation and a mischievous glint in the flashing blue eyes. "I's curious," Vin answered shortly, mimicking Chris's words in return. "You gonna tell me why you kissed me back?"

"Aw, hell! Damned if I know!" Chris threw up his hands in exasperation and sighed loudly, irritation evident in the taut line of his body. He was on the verge of getting up and leaving when Vin asked him another question.

"How long's it been?"

"What?"

"How long has it been?" the younger man persisted.

"Since what?" Chris responded dully.

Vin sighed and shook his head at Chris's stubbornness. "Since ya let anybody touch ya?"

Larabee's response was immediate and angry. "We are not having this conversation!" And with those words, he stood up to leave but Vin placed a restraining hand on the other man's arm.

"Chris, wait. please! Just sit down, okay?" Vin pleaded quietly. "I'm serious. Just tell me how long's it been. That's all I'm asking."

Exhaling heavily, Chris sat back down in the chair, the younger man's hand releasing his arm as Vin felt the tension leave the bunched muscles beneath his fingertips. Chris was silent, his expression pensive. thinking. remembering and Vin was content to wait. Finally, after a long silence, Chris raised his head, green eyes lifting to meet concerned blue ones.

"I been out a few times, here and there, no big deal. Nobody that mattered."

Chris shrugged one shoulder and quickly looked away. But not before Vin saw the sorrow and longing within those emerald depths. It tore at his heart and brought the hint of tears to his eyes, feeling Chris's pain and loneliness as if it were his own.

"When was the last time with somebody that mattered?" Vin rasped huskily. "With somebody ya cared about... an' who cared about you?"

Silence was his only answer.

Vin swallowed hard against the tight knot lodged in his throat, fighting back the emotions and the heartache he felt for Larabee's tormented soul. God, but there was so much he wanted to give to this man, to his friend. So many things about Chris that mattered to him and made him love Larabee with every beat of his heart. If only somehow he could ease his pain.

"Chris, it's okay to need somebody," Vin said earnestly, unknowingly echoing Buck's words. "There ain't no shame in wantin' ta be held an' touched by somebody who cares about ya. Ain't nothin' wrong or shameful or degradin' about it."

Chris remained silent, his head down, his expression unreadable, and Vin knew that he'd give the world to be able to bring light and love back into this man's life. To give him back his hopes and dreams. To shower Chris with his love. Vin's next words were so soft that the younger man could hardly believe he had even said them, let alone said them out loud.

"I do it real good, Chris."

Confused, Larabee glanced up, clearly not understanding what Vin was offering, watching silently as the younger man gathered his courage, slid off the sofa and came to kneel in front of him. Vin looked up at Chris, his hands resting on the other man's bent knees.

"Ya trust me, don't ya?" Vin asked solemnly.

"With my life but what's that got--"

"Want ya ta trust me now," Vin interjected, ignoring Chris's puzzled frown. He chewed on his lower lip a bit nervously, his tongue peeking out to wet the surface, his heart beating so loudly within his chest that he was sure Chris could hear it.

"Will ya trust me, Chris?" he asked again, blue eyes gleaming fervently.

Chris silently nodded his head, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that he trusted Vin but not entirely sure what he was trusting the younger man with. His mouth suddenly gone dry, Chris watched without speaking as Vin gently removed his shoes and socks and set them aside.

Vin's hands then moved to the hem of his own shirt, tugging it free from the waistband of his sweat pants. His eyes locked with Chris's as Vin rose ever so gracefully and eased himself upward into Chris's lap, his knees straddling the other man's thighs inside the confines of the bulky armchair. A soft secret smile meant for Chris alone spread across Vin's lips as he took in the startled expression on Larabee's face. He crossed his arms and tugged the shirt from his body, baring his chest just a few inches from the warmth he could feel radiating from Chris. With one hand, he then tilted the older man's head and slowly leaned down over him.

His voice whispered huskily across Chris's ear. "I kin make ya feel good, Chris."

Vin wasn't sure at what point in the evening he decided to seduce his best friend, but once he set his mind to it, nothing short of a well-placed fist was going to stop him from achieving his goal. He wanted Chris more than he'd ever wanted anything or anybody in his entire life. Needed him more than he'd ever imagined possible. And now for some reason, Chris seemed to need someone too. needed someone to hold him. Care for him. Care about him.

Vin was determined to be that someone.

Rising up on his knees, he looked down at Chris, his body crowding the older man back into the depths of the large chair as his legs straddled Chris's thighs. Vin smiled gently as his shirt floated heedlessly to the floor, the nipples on his chest puckering with exposure to the cooler air. Slowly lifting his hand, he took hold of Chris's chin, turning his head to one side, his fingers warm against the soft skin.

His mouth next to Chris's ear, Vin whispered, "I kin make ya feel good, Chris," before he trailed a line of slow tender kisses down one side of the other man's throat. Gently turning the blond head in the opposite direction, Vin whispered against Chris's other ear, his breath gusting hotly across sensitive flesh. "I kin make ya feel real good."

More kisses down the side of Chris's throat followed Vin's softly worded promise and Larabee found himself trembling beneath the caress of those firm lips. His mind and senses were reeling with the sudden turn of events and the closeness of Vin's warm body. That mouth against his skin was both heaven and hell and Chris had never felt more like a sinner in his entire life.

Because he wasn't entirely sure he didn't want this.

Oh, Chris knew it was wrong. Or at least, it was considered wrong by most of society's current mores and standards. It was possible he could be fired if his superiors found out. But that didn't seem to matter to his body. Just as it didn't matter that Chris had been dreaming of Vin doing exactly this... and so much more to him over the last few weeks. Heaven knew, the reality of the man kneeling above him was much more intense and disturbing than any nighttime imaginings that haunted Chris's conscience.

Chris wasn't sure what he'd expected when the evening began and he'd never before thought of himself in that way. Had never imagined, after loving and losing Sarah, that he could ever want someone again.

And yet, apparently he did. And that someone just happened to be his best friend.

So what did that mean? What kind of a man did that make Chris Larabee? His confused thoughts were interrupted by the touch of Vin's hands against the front of his shirt.

Light and delicate as a butterfly, long nimble fingers stroked smoothly over the material before taking hold of the top button. It was warm from the heat of Chris's body and Vin's fingers tingled with eagerness. He felt the older man stiffen beneath his touch and hesitated, dark blue eyes lifting to meet familiar spheres of crystal green.

"Trust me, Chris," he urged softly before touching his lips to the point of Chris's chin. "I ain't gonna hurt ya. Just wanna make ya feel good. Please?"

Chris stared wordlessly back at Vin, the warm kiss sending a light shiver rippling through him. The sharpshooter's capable hands rested at the base of his throat, waiting.

A moment of silence passed, time suspended as the two men gazed into each other's faces. One seeking and asking for permission, yet promising so much more within that earnest gaze. The other uncertain and searching, confused yet unable to deny the powerful feelings of need and want that had been awakened from nocturnal slumber.

Finally, Chris gave a slight nod of his head and prayed he wasn't making a mistake. He knew Vin would never purposefully hurt him but this was unfamiliar territory they were about to explore. a new facet to their relationship that neither man could possibly have anticipated. Or so Chris believed. He was blissfully unaware of the depth of Vin's true feelings for him, turning a blind eye to the light of love that shone clearly from the younger man's face.

Vin's hands shook slightly as his fingers made quick work of the buttons on Chris's shirt. Rocking back on his knees, he peeled the garment open, sliding the fabric across Chris's skin and exposing the smooth powerful chest he had often admired but never before dared to touch. Like a magnet, he was helplessly drawn to the sleek lines of taut muscle and hard bone, his hungry gaze drifting over the expanse of sparse blond chest hair. He licked his lips in anticipation of tasting the two small buds of male flesh nestled there.

Pushing gently at the shirt, Vin bared Chris's shoulders, his palms sliding over to cup the rounded jut of bone. His fingers skimmed across silken skin, his touch light and caressing, a whisper of sensation against warm supple flesh. Vin's hands swept downward, gliding over ribs and circling across the tight plane of ridged abdomen, feeling the muscles tense and bunch beneath his hands as Chris sucked in a sharp breath. A crooked smile flickered across his lips as the flat belly seemed to quiver beneath his fingertips.

With small circular motions, Vin massaged his way back up Chris's chest, his fingers combing through satiny chest hair while his palms played across responsive male nipples. Taking each between a thumb and forefinger, he pinched lightly, tugging playfully until they stood at attention. A quick glance at Chris's face, however, was nearly Vin's undoing, the heightened color and play of teeth against full lower lip evidence of the effect his caresses were having on the other man. Chris's shallow breathing was but a rapid staccato of movement, his chest rising and falling sharply beneath Vin's touch.

The feel of Vin's gentle hands moving over his body shocked Chris. His mind argued that this was wrong. He shouldn't be enjoying this. He shouldn't be wanting more. He should be disgusted, but Chris couldn't seem to bring himself to say the words that he knew would make Vin stop. The feelings elicited by the other man's touch were too wonderful. Too arousing. Too right.

Dear God! What was happening to him?

The stroke of those supple fingers against his torso, the scrape of callused fingertips plucking his nipples, sent waves of languid heat tumbling through Chris's body. He couldn't move, could barely breathe, for wanting more of the slow delicious torment that flowed from the man above him. Even the press of Vin's thighs against his own was a form of torture, the firm muscles encased in soft flannel holding him captive, dominating him, imprisoning him between a pair of steel bands and the depths of the chair.

When Vin's hands moved to cup his face, Chris couldn't hold back the shudder of anticipation that rippled up his spine. Closing his eyes, he licked his lips, surprised to find that his mouth was dry as Vin's fingers stroked along the length of his jaw. Chris gasped sharply when the younger man leaned into him and placed a soft, almost reverent kiss against his right temple. Then more gentle kisses followed, Vin's firm lips ghosting warmly across his forehead, teasing lightly over his cheekbones, flitting across his closed eyelids then trailing downward to the point of his chin.

What in the hell was Vin doing to him?

And then Vin's lips covered his and Chris couldn't think anymore, forgot to even breathe as the younger man's mouth moved softly against him. The kiss was warm. Inviting. Tender. Almost as if Vin was afraid of asking too much too soon. It was tempting. Seductive. The texture of Vin's lips a heady mixture of restrained passion and gentle supplication. Much to his surprise, Chris found himself groaning and wanting to respond to that sweet mouth.

But. Oh, God!. This is Vin!

Vin felt the hint of movement of Chris's lips beneath his own. Hesitant and shy, a delicate fluttering, no more than a subtle shifting of one against the other, not a kiss and yet. Vin felt his own body tremble eagerly in response. Moving carefully. Patiently. He pressed against Chris's mouth with purpose, slowly deepening his kiss and asking for more in return. Vin's hands slid into the silky blond hair, his fingers threading through the golden crown and taking firm hold of Chris's head. Tugging gently, he tilted the handsome face upward, bowing the length of Chris's neck. With his tongue, Vin traced the seam between the older man's lips, seeking entrance and praying for surrender. He wasn't surprised though when Chris resisted and Vin resumed his tender dance of courtship against Chris's mouth.

For long moments, he simply kissed Chris, letting his lips slant across the other man's mouth time and time again. Comforting. caressing. touching. wooing. until Vin thought he would surely go mad if Chris didn't kiss him back. He wanted more, so much more, than this one-sided giving that left him feeling empty and unsatisfied. Gently breaking the kiss, Vin leaned back to gaze into Chris's face, not sure what he expected to see but fervently hoping to find at least a trace of desire burning within the depths of Chris's eyes.

Chris slowly licked his lips and opened his eyes, the taste of Vin's mouth spicy and strong upon his tongue. He felt Vin watching him, blue eyes dark and still, a silent yearning within the sharp lines of the handsome face that haunted his dreams. Chris finally remembered to breathe, his aching lungs desperate for air, his senses spinning from the heady intoxication of Vin's kiss. He inhaled deeply, then slowly released his breath.

Vin sat watching him. watching. and waiting.

All Chris had to do was say "no" and Vin would stop. The question was did he want Vin to stop?

Of its own accord, one hand lifted to the back of Vin's head, long fingers tunneling through the auburn strands. Chris stretched upward even as he applied pressure with his hand, pulling the younger man to him. His eyes remained locked on Vin's as Chris closed the distance between them, waiting before he finally looked down at the softly parted lips. Their mouths touched and Chris's eyes slid closed, the pressure from his hand increasing even as Vin smiled against his lips.

A sharp thrill of triumph shot through Vin when he felt Chris's kiss and he responded to it with a fiery passion. Vin's tongue pressed forward eagerly and Chris granted him entrance, gasping sharply at the invasion of his mouth. Chris knew he should be shocked and disgusted, sucking another man's tongue, and yet, there was this incredible sense of rightness. Of finally coming home. It felt good. Hot. Arousing. He wanted more and Chris groaned low in his throat.

Vin angled his head to deepen the kiss, his momentary surprise at Chris taking the lead vanishing beneath the spicy taste of the other man's mouth. Thrusting his tongue deeply inside the warm moist recess, he raked across teeth and palate, loving the feel of soft cheek and firm tongue. He coaxed Chris into playing with him, a desperate dance of dueling tongues. Sucking then licking. Thrusting then withdrawing. Opening and inviting Chris into his mouth. He eagerly accepted the older man's tongue, sucking hard upon it and moaning with the pleasure of tasting Chris so intimately.

A firm arm encircled Vin's back, a hand flattening against his lower spine, pulling him close. He willingly let his body shift forward; the feel of Chris's skin against his own was almost more than he could bear. Vin shuddered hard, his hands gripping Chris's shoulders as he wantonly rubbed himself against the firmly muscled torso, his nipples scraping across warm sensitive flesh. The arm around his back moved lower, pulling him closer so that Vin bent his knees and sat in Chris's lap. Rolling his hips, he stroked his groin across Chris's lower belly.

Chris gasped at the feel of the hard column of flesh rubbing across his abdomen, lighting sparks wherever it touched and shooting flames straight to his groin. The knowledge that only a layer of cloth separated him from Vin's cock was both strangely exciting and yet also disconcerting. Was this really what he wanted? To tread this new and dangerous ground with Vin as his guide? It was one thing to have kissed the younger man, tasted him with his tongue, touched his skin but did Chris really want Vin to fuck him?

"Oh, God! Yesss!" Chris breathed as Vin's mouth moved to nuzzle the sensitive spot behind his ear, the mobile lips playing wetly over the delicate outer shell.

He turned his head, arching his neck and back, letting Vin explore. Taste. Arouse. Sharp teeth nipped the soft bulb of his earlobe and Chris yelped in surprise at the sudden flash of pain. Soothing strokes of Vin's tongue followed and sent shivers racing up and down his spine. The younger man captured the offended flesh, deftly taking it into his mouth and suckling gently.

Both of Chris's hands moved to Vin's back, his fingers stroking the warm skin, fingertips digging into firm muscle while he pressed Vin closer. Sliding downward, he cupped Vin's ass through the material of his sweat pants, squeezing then releasing, rubbing the firm mounds beneath his palms, enjoying the deliciously wicked feel of Vin's body writhing against him.

Vin was surprised by Chris's touch against his buttocks and he groaned as strong sure fingers worked his body. His arousal became painful as those deft hands massaged him and Vin could feel he was rapidly losing control. He had tried to deny himself this, yet he had wanted Chris for so long, that the reality of finally having the man he loved was almost overwhelming. There was so much he wanted to do to Chris. so much he wanted to give him. So much he wanted Chris to do to him.

Taking hold of Chris's arms, he pried them from around his body, feeling the resistance in the straining muscles beneath his grip. He placed them on the arms of the chair, keeping them there with his hands around Chris's wrists. Using his own arms for leverage, Vin eased himself backwards, his knees sliding along the outside length of Chris's thighs. His mouth moved lower to nuzzle in the hollow of one shoulder, a brief smile crossing his face at the soft murmur of protest that followed the separation of their bodies.

Vin trailed hungry kisses down Chris's chest, tasting the salt of his sweat and the warm flavor of his skin. He paused to lap at a male nipple, taking it between his teeth and tugging gently. He felt Chris's body jerk, a harsh gasp filling the heated silence between them, as Vin laved the ready bud with his tongue. His senses tuned to Chris's slightest response, Vin could feel every breath swirling through his lungs, every lift of that powerful chest, every tremor of his aroused body.

Because there was no doubt that Chris was aroused. It was there in the lines of his handsome face; the grimace of pleasure that furrowed his brow; the trembling lower lip that was kiss-swollen and crimson. Chris's pale skin glistened with a fine layer of sweat and a flush of color rode hard across the angles of his cheekbones, down his neck and onto his chest. Then there was the rather large bulge beneath the fly of his pants. Vin could feel it rubbing against him as he moved lower. A shudder of hungry satisfaction rippled through him with the knowledge that he was the cause of it.

Continuing to slide backward, Vin let his knees hit the floor as he trailed more kisses down the sculpted chest and abdomen. He kept a firm grip on the other man's wrists, feeling the power of hard muscle as Chris's fingers dug convulsively into the fabric of the armchair. He placed one last kiss against the quivering silken skin at the waistband of Chris's pants before leaning back on his knees to admire the view.

Ensnared by passion and breathing raggedly, Chris was a sight to behold and Vin knew he had never seen anyone so beautiful as this. It was a vision he would cherish and hold close to his heart until his dying day. But for now, for however long this lasted, this beauty. This passion. This man... was his for the taking. Except Vin realized that he didn't want to just take. He wanted to give and to keep on giving until his name fell from Chris's lips in an agonized plea for mercy.

Releasing Chris's wrists, Vin moved his hands to Chris's knees, gently pushing them apart. He then scooted forward, kneeling between the long legs even as his hands reached for the belt at the blonde's waist. Chris sucked in a sharp breath at the touch of those fingers against leather and cloth and Vin looked up to find himself trapped by the intensity of the older man's gaze.

Chris's eyes burned with a fiery light, the pupils dark and enlarged by the powerful emotions coursing through him. But for all the passion and heat and desire contained within those depths, there was also hesitation. A wariness. A silent question searching for an answer. Vin saw it and recognized the uncertainty behind that look. He hastened to reassure this man whom he wanted above all others.

Vin placed another kiss against the flat plane of Chris's abdomen, a circle of moisture left behind to cool the heated skin just above his waist. Vin's fingers moved to the buckle, his eyes seeking permission as he intoned softly, "Trust me, Chris. Please!"

A slight nod from Chris soon followed and Vin was able to breathe again, unaware he had been holding his breath. Long fingers flew nimbly over the fastening, easing the leather aside and reaching for the button at Chris's waist. Flipping it open, he took the catch of the zipper in the fingers of his right hand. His eyes locked with Chris's, Vin eased the metal catch downward.

Eager fingers pushed aside the material covering Chris's groin, the dark layer of his briefs the one final barrier that remained. Wordlessly, Vin urged Chris to lift his hips, tugging both pants and briefs downward. The material caught on Chris's erection, stretching the cloth and wringing a heartfelt groan from Larabee's lips. Easing him back down, Vin reached for the waistband of Chris's briefs, slipped his hand inside and curled his fingers around Chris's cock. He felt the blond stiffen and jerk beneath his touch as he carefully freed the length of Chris's erection.

Vin smiled with genuine pleasure at the thick organ filling his hand. It was long, beautiful and hard, just like the man himself. And Vin touched it reverently, worshipfully, the hot silken skin in sharp contrast to the firm length of steel that lay beneath. He admired the shiny purple head, the swollen distended vein, the plump curving fullness and the small drop of glistening fluid at the tip that beckoned him to sip of its nectar. Lowering his head, Vin's tongue stretched out to taste, stroking lightly, like a cat lapping at a saucer of milk. Chris's body reacted instantly.

"Shit!"

Chris cursed as his body jerked beneath Vin's touch. Startled eyes opened wide and looked down at the bent head of the man between his legs. Had Vin just licked him? Good God! Chris was shocked and yet at the same time highly aroused by the rough caress of Vin's tongue sliding over the head of his cock. Chris knew then he didn't care if it was right or wrong. He wanted more. He shifted restlessly in the chair praying fervently for more.

Holding Chris's cock in one hand, Vin delved between his legs again, his other hand searching for and finding the warm rounded spheres of Chris's testicles. They were heavy and swollen and Vin eased them into his palm. He played over them with his fingers, squeezing gently and releasing, rolling them back and forth, lifting his eyes to watch Chris's face, hearing the faint breathless cries that escaped from kiss-swollen lips.

"Vinnn." Chris moaned softly.

"Shhhh." Vin soothed before leaning down to take Chris into his mouth.

"Ahhh...!"

Chris's body bucked violently into the welcoming heat of Vin's mouth. His fingers gripped the chair, finding purchase as a firm tongue snaked intimately around him. Dark blue eyes locked on glazed green as Vin then slowly withdrew along the length of Chris's shaft, his tongue stroking and caressing as his lips worked the rigid pole. Returning to the blunt head, Vin slowly released Chris with a wet sucking sound that ended in a moist smack. A gleam of mischief in his eyes, Vin licked his lips and watched as Chris struggled to breathe.

"V-Vin.?"

Releasing Chris's balls, Vin withdrew his hand to rub it soothingly along the older man's thigh.

"Easy, Chris. S'all right. Promise. Jes lemme take care of ya," Vin urged softly before leaning forward to press his tongue into the small slit-like opening. tasting.

"Ahhh!" Chris bucked and cried out again, his face twisting into an almost painful grimace with the shards of white heat piercing his body.

Seeing the look on Chris's face, Vin hesitated.

"Ya want me ta stop?" he rasped in a soft voice, hoping and praying Chris would not deny him.

Stunned, Chris stared down at the younger man between his legs, absolutely shocked by the incredible pleasure he was feeling. Did he want Vin to stop? Or was there more? God, he hoped there was more. But did he want more? Could he take much more of this and still live through it?

"Chris?"

"Yesss," Chris panted harshly, his arms trembling with the strain on his body. "N-no, I mean. Oh, God! Vin!" he stammered helplessly, his feverish eyes pleading with Vin to understand his need.

A wicked smile of triumph quirked one corner of Vin's mouth. "Trust me, Chris. Jes leave ever'thing ta me," he whispered softly, knowing now there would be no turning back.

He went down on Chris again, this time taking him deep, fighting against the urge to gag as the tip of Chris's shaft touched the back of his throat. He heard Chris's muffled sob, felt the rapid beating of his heart through the distended organ filling his mouth, felt the body around him tense even as a hand moved to cradle the back of his head. Relaxing his throat muscles, Vin took Chris's rigid length deeper, one hand still wrapped around the base of his long cock. He swallowed, Chris's responding groan all the encouragement Vin needed to begin a slow subtle rhythm. Withdrawing slightly, he waited until Chris joined him before increasing the pace.

Chris was drowning in the feel of Vin's hot wet mouth surrounding him. It was incredible, unlike anything else he had ever experienced and he wanted it to go on and on and on. One of Vin's hands held his hip, a gentle restraint to keep him from thrusting too hard. But then there was almost no need for Chris to move at all as Vin sucked rhythmically upon him, the younger man's head bobbing up and down, Chris's cock sliding in and out, auburn curls drifting softly across Chris's thighs.

Faster and harder Vin sucked, his lips, throat and tongue expertly working Chris's thick flesh, loving the feel and the taste of the responsive body beneath his hands and mouth. His ears rang with the guttural cries torn from Chris's throat, sweet music blended with the pounding beat of his own heart. The hand on the back of his head pulled him closer, driving Chris deeper even as Vin felt the lean hips start to lift and thrust.

A sharp pain hit the back of Vin's throat, choking him and he started to cough and sputter. His hand instantly took a firmer hold on Chris's hips, holding him still until Vin could resume his rhythm. He continued to hold Chris down, not entirely sure the other man could summon the control needed to keep from injuring his partner's throat.

Chris heard Vin gag and choke, knew he was the cause of it and struggled not to thrust into the hot mouth surrounding him. He felt Vin's fingers dig into his hip, holding him down while lips and tongue resumed their dance across his flesh. Vin continued to work him until Chris could feel the familiar tingling growing at the base of his spine. His fingers tightened around the silken strands of Vin's hair, pressing him closer, needing him in ways Chris had never dreamed possible. Biting down on his lip, he reveled in the sensations assaulting him from inside and out.

The warm tingling continued to spread, his body coiling tighter and higher as Vin sucked him, driving Chris towards a mindless ecstasy. He could feel the wave of his impending release rushing upwards. He tried to warn Vin, both hands moving to cup the dark head in an attempt to push him away. But Vin would have none of it, stubbornly staying his course despite Chris's frantic pleas.

"Vin, wait! Vin. I'm. stop!"

In desperation, he tugged on Vin's hair, tried to jerk his hips away, tried to move. Anything to keep from embarrassing himself by coming in Vin's mouth. In return, Vin tightened his hold on Chris's hips and growled low in his throat, the sound both a warning and a catalyst for Chris's release. It rumbled through the length of his pulsing shaft, setting off sparks of wild hunger deep in his gut until his climax exploded through him with all the force of a Texas whirlwind.

"Vinnnn.!"

Chris screamed his name, the blond head snapping suddenly backwards, throat taut and mouth open as he gasped for air. The long lean body trembled and arched, like a tightly drawn bow caressed by the hands of a master craftsman. Creamy white liquid jetted into the younger man's mouth and he quickly swallowed, savoring the unique flavor, greedy for every precious life-giving drop. Even after Chris's sated body collapsed back into the chair, Vin continued to suckle him until he'd drained the last of the warm fluid. He then let the softened cock slip from his mouth and licked away the remaining traces of Chris's passion.

Vin pulled Chris's hands from his hair and looked up at the man he had just pleasured, an immense feeling of satisfaction coursing through him at the expression on Chris's face. The smoky green eyes were closed; Chris's head was thrown back. His mouth was open as he gasped raggedly for air; the red flush of passion still covered his glistening skin. He looked like a man who'd been well satisfied and Vin knew he could never tire of seeing that look upon the lean and handsome face.

Unable to resist the lure of swollen crimson lips, Vin moved back up into Chris's lap, kneeling over him again. He pressed his lips against the open mouth, kissing him tenderly, thrusting his tongue inside and letting Chris taste himself from Vin's mouth. With a soft moan, Chris responded to the kiss, his head spinning and his body still thrumming with the powerful force of his release. He'd never felt anything like it in his life.

It was simply... incredible.

Larabee could think of no other word for it and even this one was woefully inadequate.

Chris's lips moved lazily beneath Vin's, stroking and tasting, a delicious lassitude stealing over his mind and body. His arms felt heavy even as he lifted them to circle around the younger man's back. He pulled Vin to him again, enjoying the closeness, the shared warmth, the beating of two hearts, the mingling of two breaths. His fingers caressed warm skin, tracing muscle and bone and he felt Vin shiver in his arms. Something hard prodded him in the lower chest and it took Chris a moment to realize what it was.

Opening his eyes, he broke the kiss and pulled back so that he could look into Vin's face. One hand came up to lightly touch the younger man's cheek.

"What about you?" Chris rasped softly.

Vin was sure that his heart stopped at Chris's question, only to start beating again as if he'd just run the fastest race of his life. Was Chris offering what Vin thought he was offering? To return the favor, one on one? Surely not, his mind argued, while his body trembled with eagerness at the thought of Chris's mouth on his flesh. Did the man even realize what he was offering? Or was he perhaps offering out of a misguided sense of obligation, or worse yet - gratitude - and not from any real desire to make love to Vin?

God, please no! Vin knew he couldn't bear that.

Deciding he couldn't take that risk, Vin shook his head, smiled briefly and replied, "I'm all right. I kin take care of this myself."

Releasing Chris, Vin started to climb out of the oversized chair when two strong arms forcefully pulled him back. Surprised, he looked down to find a pair of solemn green eyes regarding him steadily. Vin stared back, a silent question in his own.

After a moment, Chris slowly shook his head and whispered huskily, "No, show me."

Vin was shocked. Thrilled. And highly aroused all at once, his heart beating wildly within his chest while he struggled to force air into constricted lungs. His cock twitched with anticipation beneath the layer of his sweat pants and with his body pressed so close to Chris's, Vin knew the other man had felt it too. Just the thought of thrusting himself into Chris's mouth was nearly enough to make Vin come. But a small voice in the back of his mind warned him that despite his words, Chris probably wasn't ready for that just yet. And Vin didn't want to push Chris any farther than he was prepared to go.

He gently kissed Chris again, whispering softly against the sweet lips, "Gimme yer hand."

Vin felt Chris's right arm slide from his back, callused fingertips lifting to touch his cheek. Taking hold of Chris's hand, Vin intertwined their fingers, his gaze locked on Chris's face. With his other hand, Vin opened the waistband of his sweats, trembling with eagerness as he slid Chris's hand inside. He wrapped Chris's fingers around his erection, a heartfelt groan escaping him at the warm touch. He covered Chris's hand with his own, squeezing slightly and gasping at the sensations winging through his body.

"Do me," he rasped softly, moving his hand over Chris's and beginning a slow gentle rhythm.

Understanding quickly what Vin wanted, Chris's long graceful fingers wrapped more firmly around the solid length of flesh. Impossibly, it grew even larger beneath his touch and a heady sense of power filled him at the enthusiastic response of Vin's body. Stroking slowly at first, Chris gradually increased the pace, his hand moving faster and harder until Vin was breathlessly moaning in ecstasy.

Desperate to find release, Vin began to thrust furiously against Chris, his body sliding in and out of the ring of Chris's strong fingers, pearly drops of liquid slicking the length of his cock and easing the passage. Vin's hand still covered Chris's, his fingers urging Chris to grip harder. stroke faster. until a series of shudders quaked through Vin's body.

Groaning, Vin threw his head back, long auburn hair cascading over his shoulders and down his back as he welcomed the feel of his impending climax. Chris's hand continued to work his cock and Vin let himself go, trusting, flying freely. his release an explosion of milky white fluid spurting from deep within his body, coating Chris's belly and chest. As the last of his orgasm drained from him, Vin curled into Chris, burying his face against Chris's neck and marking the soft skin with his teeth.

For long minutes, they stayed that way. Neither man having the energy nor the inclination to move. Content for now just to be. The only sounds were the beating of their hearts and the rasp of air flowing in and out of their lungs.

Finally, Vin shivered as the sweat dried from his skin, cooling his body even as he huddled into Chris's warmth. Reluctantly, he pulled away, freeing himself from Chris's grasp before climbing out of the chair.

Standing in front of Chris, he eased his sweat pants the rest of the way off, naked as he extended a hand to the blond. After a moment's hesitation, Chris took hold of Vin's hand and let the younger man pull him from the chair. Moving slowly, Vin wiped the creamy residue from Chris's skin with the soft flannel material. Dropping the garment to the floor, he then reached for the opened waistband of Chris's pants, pushing the jeans and briefs the rest of the way down as the older man stepped out of them. Naked, they silently faced each other before Vin reached up to slide his fingers through Chris's hair. Angling his head, he placed a soft kiss upon Chris's mouth, pleased to find that his kiss was returned with as much warmth as it was given.

Taking hold of Chris's hand, Vin turned and led him into the bedroom. Once there, Vin tossed back the covers on his bed. Moving gracefully, he settled on his back in the middle of the mattress, a hand extended towards Chris in invitation. He watched through hooded eyes as the blond crawled across the sheets on his hands and knees. Chris settled on his stomach, his head resting in the hollow of Vin's shoulder, a sigh escaping his lips as his eyes drifted closed.

Vin felt the other man's body relaxing into his and couldn't resist a small smile of pleasure. He'd lost count of the number of times he had dreamed of falling asleep with Chris in his arms. And that's all it had been until now. a dream. Reality was so much better, he decided with a small sigh. He also had at least a million questions that he wanted to ask of his new lover but one glimpse at the lines of exhaustion around Chris's closed eyes convinced Vin to wait. For now, he was simply content to enjoy this moment and let tomorrow take care of itself.

Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny, rays of yellow light sifting through the slatted blinds, dust motes dancing in midair. Waking early as usual, Vin was momentarily caught between sleep and true wakefulness, comfortably drowsy and warm in his bed, a lazy contentment causing him to stretch his legs until his toes curled. A heavy arm lay across his waist and he grinned happily as he remembered who that arm belonged to.

Chris.

Turning his head, Vin let his eyes feast on the tousled blond hair and handsome features of his new lover. Chris lay facing him on his side, one bare shoulder peeking out from beneath the covers, the skin warm and smooth in the golden light, rising and falling slightly as he breathed. Soft shadows covered the upper portion of his chest and Vin didn't have to touch Chris to know what the skin there felt like as well. He sighed happily, a small smile quirking one corner of his mouth upward.

Vin had dreamt of this moment so often. Of waking to find Chris lying beside him. The reality was even better than he could have possibly imagined. Now, all that was left to make it complete was for Chris to awaken, look at him with those smoky green eyes of his and the two of them would make love over and over all day long until they were too tired to even move!

But Chris's eyes remained closed, the lines of his face relaxed in deep slumber. Vin would have liked nothing better than to make love with him again, but he knew how exhausted Chris was. He had watched in growing concern as the lines of fatigue that shadowed the older man's face had grown deeper and darker over the last week. At one point, Nathan had suggested that perhaps Chris was having trouble sleeping. But Vin could personally vouch for the fact that Chris had enjoyed a deep and dreamless rest last night.

Rolling gently towards his bed partner, Vin used his hand to push back the curtain of golden hair covering Chris's forehead. He placed a light kiss against Chris's temple before moving lower to capture the slightly parted lips, tasting once again the unique flavor he now knew belonged to Chris alone. In response, the blond-headed man mumbled softly, his words indistinct, before he sighed quietly and nuzzled his face deeper into the pillow.

Deciding not to wake him, Vin eased out from beneath Chris's arm and the covers of his bed. Standing nude at the bedside, he silently stretched along the entire length of his body. Well, almost silently, he admitted ruefully. His lower back popped loudly but a quick glance over his shoulder assured Vin that Chris remained fast asleep. The image of Chris lying naked in his bed stayed with him as he headed for the bathroom and a leisurely morning shower.

The soft click of tumblers in the door lock went unheard by either of the two men inside Vin's apartment, one lost in the arms of sweet Morpheus while the other heard only the beating of water against his skin. Neither man heard the door swing silently open or saw the two figures that entered.

Tony DeMarco and Garrett Justice, Vin's army buddies, just as silently closed the door to the apartment behind them. A cocky grin crossed Tony's face as he congratulated himself again on keeping his lock-picking skills sharp. He gave Garrett a lopsided wink as if to say he never knew when or where that particular talent would come in handy.

Vin would later make him regret using that particular talent.

Both men had hangovers and were bleary eyed from partying all night. Otherwise, they might have noticed the clothes lying strewn on the den floor. As it was, Tony opted to make coffee and headed for Vin's kitchen. His stomach couldn't handle that toxic brew Vin made and Tony was determined to beat his friend to the coffeemaker. Garrett had a more pressing need, a big yawn covering his face as he turned to head for Vin's bathroom.

Rounding the corner of the hall, Garrett heard water running and on some level, was vaguely aware that Vin was awake and taking a shower. It never entered his mind that Vin might not welcome his company that early in the morning. And Garrett certainly hadn't considered that Vin might have someone else in his bed. Walking through the bedroom door, the big man took three steps into the room before stopping dead in his tracks.

Surprise was his first and foremost reaction. Garrett didn't know when Vin left the club the night before and he hadn't known Vin left with anyone. A step closer to the bed and recognition came next. It was the hunky looking blond guy from the bar, the one Vin been staring at. Garrett couldn't remember his name or how it was that Vin knew him but he was pleased to see that his old buddy had definitely scored. One look at the bare shoulder and partially hidden face and Garrett decided he wouldn't mind scoring either. Besides, Vin had never minded sharing in the past.

Garrett would learn the hard way that this time was different.

Fumbling with his clothes, he stripped down and threw them carelessly on the floor. Advancing silently toward the bed, Garrett reached down and took his thick cock into one hand, stroking himself to hardness as he contemplated the best way to approach the sleeping blond. Hangover forgotten, he grinned with eagerness as he felt his body lengthening and thickening within his palm.

Reaching out with his other hand, Garrett slowly pulled back the covers, snickering silently as he tried not to wake the other man. He couldn't help but give a low whistle of appreciation as the naked body beneath was slowly exposed to his lustful gaze. A quick glance confirmed that the small noise had gone unheard and Garrett could feel his big body responding eagerly. The sight of a pair of pale rounded butt cheeks and long muscular legs had him itching to ram his cock between them. Aroused and aching, he eased himself down onto the bed.

Sliding up against the smaller man's back, Garrett tucked himself in the crease between those firm globes and propped himself up on one elbow. Reaching around with his other hand, he slid his fingers upward, taking a male nipple between thumb and forefinger. Squeezing and tugging lightly, he toyed with it while watching the other man for a response.

The blond-headed man sighed softly at the play of Garrett's fingers on his nipple but remained otherwise asleep. Garrett moved his hand across the smooth chest, stroking and caressing, sliding lower to rub across the flat belly and into the nest of dark gold pubic hair. With his mouth, he began to kiss the back of one shoulder before running his tongue upward to lick at an ear. He could feel the slight stirring of the body next to him and grinned with anticipation. His hand moved downward, his thick fingers easily encircling the other man's cock as Garrett began to stroke him.

Chris came awake slowly, surfacing from beneath the thick layer of clouds that shrouded his brain, drawing him from the first restful sleep he had known in weeks. He felt a hand running over his chest and belly, circling lower, warm fingers touching his cock. The covers were pulled down and he was naked upon the sheets but the warmth at his back kept him from feeling chilled. He sighed softly again, a slow smile curving his lips as he felt Vin's fingers playing over his body.

Wriggling backward, pressing against the warm chest, Chris murmured softly, "Vinnn."

A low chuckle sounded in his ear as Chris felt his cock begin to swell. "Nope. Just you 'n me, Blondie. What say we have some fun?"

"SON OF A BITCH!"

Vin heard Chris's roar above the noise of the rushing water and the loud impact that followed. In the kitchen, Tony heard it as well and dropped the coffee carafe onto the floor, shattering it into a hundred pieces. He took off at a dead run for Vin's room. In the shower, Vin hastily shut off the water and grabbed the nearest towel. Both men entered the bedroom at about the same time, shocked at the sight that greeted their eyes.

Chris Larabee, shaking with fury, stood poised over the slumped figure of Garrett Justice.

Neither man wore a stitch of clothing.

"Ooowww!" Garrett groaned softly from where he sat against the wall. His nose was bloodied; his lower lip was split and bleeding. His brown eyes were open but glazed and unfocused. He was breathing heavily but seemed to otherwise be all right.

Chris, on the other hand, stood towering over the bigger man, his lean frame tense and ready for battle. He too was breathing heavily but his normally cool green eyes were diamond hard and blazing with a furious light. He held his fists up in front of him, knuckles of one hand already raw and bleeding as he balanced on the balls of his feet, poised to strike much like a snake anticipating its prey. Defensively, he swung part way around when the man in the open doorway moved farther into the room.

"Chris?" Vin called rather uncertainly, his gaze moving back and forth from one man to the other. "What th'hell is goin' on here?" he asked as he wrapped and secured the towel around his waist.

Chris answered him without turning around. "That's precisely what I'd like to know," he snarled.

The blond did turn his head then and pinned the younger man where he stood with his wintry gaze. "I wake up to find this bastard in the bed with his hands all over me. What I want to know is why?"

Quickly sizing up the situation, Tony took advantage of the distraction to ease his way over to where Garrett still sat on the floor. Talking softly to his lover, he pried the man's hands away from his face to look at the damage wrought by the other man's fists.

"Vin, throw me a towel. I think his nose is broken," Tony requested as he poked and prodded at Garrett's nose and mouth, earning another painful groan from his partner.

Still a bit shocked but starting to recover, Vin reached inside the bathroom door and pulled a towel from the rack. He tossed it over to Tony before turning his attention back to Chris.

"Who are these guys?" Chris growled menacingly.

The younger man had a sinking feeling that he'd just made a very big mistake and he wasn't entirely sure what to do about it. There was a definite edge in Chris's voice that set his hackles on end, warning him. Vin swallowed hard before answering.

"The big one's Garrett an' that's Tony with the towel, my buddies from the Rangers. I told you 'bout them last night, remember?"

"Yeah, you did," Chris agreed shortly as he glanced over at the other pair, finding himself wondering just what kind of buddies the three men were. His sharp mind quickly supplied the answer. Obviously, they were good enough buddies to where the big one felt safe enough to come into Vin's bedroom, strip down and crawl into Vin's bed with a man he didn't even know! And all that with Vin just a few feet away!

Yeah, they were buddies all right, Chris decided angrily. Vin obviously had no qualms about sharing his bed with others, let alone his bed partner.

So where did that leave him?

Chris looked back and forth between the trio, his temper seething and doing a rapid burn as hurt, jealousy, rage and confusion simmered and boiled inside him. He wanted to hit. To strike out. To hurt someone or something. Make them hurt as bad as he himself was hurting. Anything to ease the pain building inside his chest that threatened to choke him. He'd used his fists on Garrett but something kept him from using them on Vin. Instead, Chris struck out in the only way left to him. with words.

"Damn, Vin. You should of told me I had to take a number," Chris hissed venomously, wanting to inflict his own brand of pain and anger. "'Fraid I don't have enough cash in my pocket at the moment, but then maybe you'd be willing to knock a bit off the top for services rendered? What'dya say? For old times sake?" he sneered malevolently.

All the color drained from Vin's face, leaving him pale and shaken as the impact of Chris's words tore through him. He glanced helplessly at Tony and Garrett, his mouth opening to speak but closing again as he found himself at a loss for words. The morning had started so wonderfully with Chris sleeping peacefully in his arms. Now, the man he loved was ripping his guts out and leaving him to bleed with words of anger and hatred. How had everything gone so wrong?

"No, Chris, please! I--" Vin began, unsure what he was going to say, but Chris interrupted him.

"Save it, Tanner! Ain't nothing you got to say that I want to hear."

With those words, Chris turned on one heel and stalked naked out of Vin's bedroom. Passing the sofa, he stopped briefly to pick up his clothes, sliding his pants on before heading for the door. He could sense movement behind him and knew that Vin had followed him into the den.

"Chris, wait! Let me explain."

Chris turned with his hand on the doorknob, his insolent gaze raking over Vin's towel-clad body. "You boys be sure and enjoy yourselves now," he taunted derisively. Then, with a flick of his wrist, Chris was gone, rapidly disappearing down the stairway leaving a stunned Vin Tanner in his wake.

Shocked, Vin stood there, unmoving, his long hair dripping water all over the floor, until Tony appeared at his side and removed his hand from the still open door. He closed it gently while tugging on Vin's arm, pulling him back inside the apartment. Seeing the devastated look on Vin's handsome face, Tony knew that this time, Garrett had really screwed up good. The question now was, what were they going to do to help Vin fix it?

"It'll be okay, Vin," Tony soothed gently. "Everything will be all right. I promise."

But Vin had a feeling that nothing would ever be all right again. In the days to follow, he would come back to think on that morning and regret not having awakened Chris himself.

THE END