Disclaimer: Not mine

Series: Two of Seven Sequal to Plus One Makes Three

Rated: Hmmm, I’d guess at least an R for off screen implications of m/m sex.

Thanks go to Sue for her never tiring beta work. And to Marcaich who always encourages me to keep writing. :-)

Summary: Vin’s healing and Chris get a few words in. Buck and Ezra come to terms.

It had taken Vin more than a week to feel well enough to walk on his own. Most of his wounds were pretty well healed, but his heart ached at the thought of having to chose between his lovers. But then again, Ezra hadn’t come back around since Chris had confronted him with Vin there. Maybe the gambler had learned his lesson. He sighed as Josiah brought him his dinner. The preacher had been a good friend during this time, thought he’d hadn’t brought up the subject of lovers, he’d hinted that he would not judge, if Vin decided to go back to that life. Chris had kept his distance, but talked with Josiah every day about Vin’s condition. He’d offered to let Chris stay at his place, no strings, while he healed, but the sharp shooter had declined. He felt safe in the church with Josiah and that’s where he stayed.

Ezra and Buck had continued their heated, passionate, but seemingly emotionless relationship. Chris would talk to Buck, but ignored Ezra all together. Today however, he had run into the gambler in front of Mrs. Travis, to stay silent would leave the woman to suspect trouble. "Good morning, Mrs. Travis, Ezra."

Ezra nodded and headed past. "Is something wrong, Chris?" Mary asked watching as Ezra hurried away.

"Why do you ask?"

"No reason, just seemed a little strained between you and Ezra."

"Nope, everything’s fine."

"How’s Vin?"

"Let’s go see." He grabbed her arm and headed toward the church. Vin sat on the porch and didn’t look their way. "Vin."

"He’s still tired Chris, maybe you should come back later." Josiah nodded to Mary. "Mrs. Travis."

"We just wanted to see how you were, Vin." She stepped closer. "You’re looking well."

"Thank you Mrs. Travis, but I’d rather be alone, if you don’t mind."

"No, couse not." She stepped back and smiled a weak smile at Chris. "Come on, Chris, let him rest."

Josiah pulled up a chair and sat down beside Vin. "Sooner or later, you’re gonna have to talk to him."

"Later."

"Tell me what happened Vin."

"I wanna go inside."

"Nathan said you needed the sunshine."

"Please." Josiah nodded and helped Vin inside and to his bed.

"Now you wanna talk."

"No."

"Vin, it’ll do you good to get it off your chest. You know you can trust me."

Vin settled back on the pillows and took a deep breath. It still pained him to breathe or move too quickly. "Screwed up, that’s all."

"What?"

"My life, Chris’ life and now Ezra."

"Sins of the flesh." Vin nodded and Josiah gently took his hand. "Love or lust, Vin?"

"Who knows?"

"You do, did you love either Chris or Ezra?"

"Both, well…" Vin looked down. "Ezra’s a great guy and all, made me feel good when Chris started seeing Mary."

"But are you in love with Chris?"

"In love, yeah, guess you could say that."

"I can tell, way you’re both acting."

"No one was suppose to know, now the whole town does."

"No, they don’t. Just seems like it."

"Well that’s something I guess."

"Why don’t you talk to Chris, get this out in the open?"

"I don’t think I’m strong enough to handle that yet."

"What about Ezra?"

"He doesn’t want to talk to me, hasn’t been around."

"You know why."

"Yeah, reckon I do. It’s just…"

"Want me to find him?"

"Not today."

"All right then, get some sleep."

Vin scooted down and closed his eyes, sleep soon claimed him.

Buck took a deep breath as he collapsed beside Ezra. The gambler laughed and looked over at him. "You do that so well."

"Why, thank you." Buck leaned up for a kiss then Ezra was off the bed and cleaned up. "Where ya going?"

"It’s nearly seven p.m., I can smell the money downstairs, just begging to be won."

"You know it wouldn’t hurt if you stayed for a few minutes after…you know…this."

"Why linger and spoil the moment?" He leaned down and captured Buck’s lips, tickling the furry upper lip with his tongue. "Besides, it’s not like we’re married or anything. Don’t have to ruin the moment with unnecessary pleasantries." He continued to dress as Buck watched.

"Well, I guess you’re right, but it would be nice to hold you. I do care about you, Ezra and for more than just this." Ezra stopped for a moment and stared at him. "You knew that, right?"

"Course I did, why would I let myself be led astray by a mere scoundrel. I care for you too. It’s just…"

"Vin’s taken."

"I know, I know and if by some chance I forget, I’ll have you to remind me." Buck crawled off the bed and came over to him.

"You know," he hugged him tight and began kissing his neck. "Those cards aren’t going anywhere." He nuzzled the sweat-covered flesh with his lips and Ezra moaned.

"Buck, I should…oh god…" He gave in as Buck dropped his pants back to the floor and kissed him hard on the mouth. "Mr. Wilmington…" Buck’s hand caressed his cock and he groaned. "This is not fair."

"All’s fair in love and war, Ezra. Or didn’t you know that?"

Chris sat outside the small church. Josiah had asked him to sit and Listen for Vin while he attended to some business. It was more of a ploy to get Vin to talk to Chris than anything else was and it had worked. Vin came out on the small porch and sat down. Chris was there the next instant helping him in the chair. Vin hadn’t looked up, hadn’t noticed that it wasn’t Josiah helping him.

"Thanks, Josiah."

"You’re welcome." He caught the hint of fear in the sharp shooter’s eyes as he looked up. "How ya feeling?"

"Chris, what are you doing here?"

"Josiah had some business, he asked me to watch out for you." Chris sat down in the chair beside him. "Should have been this way from the beginning you know, me taking care of you."

"Didn’t have a choice where I was, in the beginning."

"Now that you’re stronger, come out to the house, let me take care of you."

"Is that what you really want? Thought it bothered you that I had been with Ezra."

"Look, that’s in the past," Chris met Vin’s eyes. "Isn’t it?" The younger man looked away.

"You pushed me away, Chris. Told me that Mrs. Travis was more important than me. I don’t see what’s changed between then and now."

"I have." Vin met his eyes. "Vin I care about you. I haven’t felt this tore up inside since Sarah’s death, I don’t know what I would have done, if I hadn’t been able to get to you in time."

Vin watched as the tears welled up in his friend’s eyes. "Take me back inside."

Chris helped Vin back inside the small church and to the back room. Once they got inside he tried to get Vin to sit down, but he refused. "Anything I can do for you?"

"Yes," Chris raised an eyebrow and Vin waved him closer. Once the blonde got within grabbing range, Vin gripped his head and pulled him close. "Tell me I’m more important than Mary."

"You know you are."

"Tell me."

"Vin, you’re…" Chris hesitated and Vin shoved him back. "I shouldn’t have to chose, I don’t feel for her, what I feel for you."

"Tell me what you feel for me, Chris."

"I don’t know, please Vin, you’re not being fair here, you went to Ezra."

"Cause you pushed me away. Tell me you love me Chris. Tell me you want us to spend the rest of our days together, good and bad. Together, without Mary, without this town."

"I…" Chris hung his head.

"I don’t like being shoved aside Chris." Chris just stood there. "I loved you, damn it, but that wasn’t enough." Chris stared at him, the blank look on his face.

"All the time he had me, I kept thinkin’. I won’t see you again, won’t get to tell you what I feel. Now that I’ve had the chance, I see how much it wouldn’t have mattered if he’d killed me."

"Don’t say that, you do matter."

"Leave me be, Chris. I’ll get over what I feel, in time."

"And if I don’t want you to."

"Maybe it’s not your choice, anymore."

Chris turned and walked out the door as Vin sat down on the bed. Josiah was walking in just as Chris was leaving. "Everything all right?" Chris met the preacher’s eyes.

"Take care of him."

"You can trust in that, my friend." Josiah hurried to the back and found Vin sitting on the bed, crying. He sat down cautiously and put his arm around the younger man. "Tell me what happened."

"What’s the point, it’s over." He pulled away and lay down on the bed. His muffled sobs filled the small room and Josiah left him alone for a few minutes. He walked out side and looked at the darkening sky.

"Lord, give me the strength." He turned and locked the church doors from the inside. Vin had grown still, but he could see the tears that stained the tracker’s features. "Vin."

"What?"

"Was it worth it?"

"Don’t feel like talking right now, Josiah."

"But I do and since I’m your host, you’re obligated to make conversation." Vin looked over at him. "Tell me, when you and Chris would lie together, was it worth it?"

"Are you asking me about the sex, preacher?"

"I guess I am, it’s not something…"

"What Josiah?"

"To lie with another man, it’s not suppose to be done."

"I figured that." Vin sat up and scooted up to lean against the headboard. "You still want to know?"

"I suppose not."

"If you’re asking if what I was feeling when it was happening or if I think the relationship with Chris was worth it, I’d say yes to both. I loved him."

"Past tense?"

"He hurt me and besides, he won’t be able to forgive me for Ezra."

"Why did you go to Ezra?"

"I told you, Chris pushed me away."

Josiah nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Yes, but if your lover does that, shouldn’t you try to work out your differences, instead of seeking the company of another."

"I don’t know, suppose so. Not real good at this relationship thing."

"Hmmm,"

"What does that mean?"

"Sins of the flesh."

"I know, but what’s done is done. I can’t go back and not sleep with Ezra."

"Would you?" He could see the turmoil in the tracker’s eyes. "I’m sorry, I know you’re tired."

"He’s my friend, he was there…"

"If you could change it, would you?" Vin nodded and looked down. "Bet Chris would like to know that."

"I told him to leave, not the other way around."

"I can find him."

"No, no, it’s okay. I said the words, told him what I felt, but he couldn’t. He doesn’t love me, Josiah."

"I think you’re wrong."

"Does it matter?"

"It might." Josiah scooted up and touched Vin’s arm. "Ezra will be sad to lose you, I’m sure."

"Yeah, wait a minute." Josiah was up and headed out the door. "Josiah, don’t you say a thing to Chris, not if you’re my friend." Josiah laughed and closed the front door. "Josiah, I just want to be alone." Vin sat back and sighed. If Josiah was determined to find Chris and tell him, what could he do? He smiled and got up. He could leave.

Ezra held up a clean shirt and turned back from the mirror to see his lover smiling and watching him. "One might think you want nothing more, but the use of my body."

"One would be wrong." Buck stepped up and wrapped his arms around the gambler. "Is it so terrible for me to want to spend the entire night beside you?"

"I suppose not, but…" Ezra turned back toward the closet.

"Nah," He spun his lover in his arms. "Don’t say that, just come on and lie down with me."

"Buck, there is money to be made down stairs and…"

"You want money?"

"What?" Ezra’s mouth hung open.

"Money, you want money to sleep with me?"

"Are you insinuating that I get paid for this?"

"I don’t know, you tell me. Every night, it’s the same. Get laid, get paid."

"You do not pay…I would not take money for that…" Ezra’s anger was very evident.

"I don’t pay you, but you get paid all the same after you’re with me."

"Buck I believe you’ve taken on a demon and it’s possessed you to the bone. I am appalled that you would imply that I would…" Buck seized him and held him tight.

"I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I just get tired of making love and you taking off. Just once I’d like for you to stay with me all night." Buck let the struggling man go and got dressed. "I’m going to get some air."

Ezra finished dressing and headed down stairs to the casino. His usual table waited with several men ready to take his money. He sat down and concentrated as best he could with his heart and mind on Buck. He saw Chris out of the corner of his eye and sighed. "Well gentlemen, whose deal?"

Chris watched the gambler for several minutes before heading out into the street. He saw Josiah sitting out front of the church, but avoided the man. Instead he mounted his horse and rode out to his small cabin, to be alone and to think about what Vin had said.

Buck drank six beers and turned in for the night. He caught Ezra’s eye and nodded to him. His heart felt heavy. More so than it had in a long, while. He’d truly began to get fond of the gambler, but whom was he kidding. The gambler was there for no one, never had been. He wondered how Vin had managed to capture his heart. He sighed as he went into his own room and stripped down to his long johns. The bed had a chill and it cut through him. He wrapped the blanket close to his neck and tried to Fight off the loneliness as it threatened to claim his heart again.

Ezra lost the last two hands of cards, along with $30; he decided to call it a night and headed up stairs. His hand lingered on the knob to his room for a moment, and then he walked further down the hall and stopped in front of Buck’s door. He knocked softly and heard the soft, ‘come in. He cautiously entered the rom. "I hope you’re not sleepy."

Buck sat up and wiped the sleep from his eyes. "Nah, what do you need?"

"To make amends, it seems." He stepped close to the bed. "I never meant to hurt you, Buck. Life just hasn’t been kind to me in a long while and when something good comes along, I have the tendency to push it away"

"You didn’t push Vin away."

"No and perhaps that was my mistake, the young beauty became more trouble than he was worth."

"You mean that?"

"I mean, " Ezra stood and took off his coat. "If you’ll have me, I’d like to stay here tonight, with you."

"All night?"

"Until the cursed sun streaks through the window and makes me get up."

"Got to be up before then."

"Then I should stay in my own room? Is that what you’re saying?"

"No," Buck got up and stepped close. "Stay, please. I’ll kiss you good bye when I go, maybe bring you breakfast in bed later."

"Not necessary." He nudged Buck back down on the bed. "The breakfast, that is."

Buck laughed and pulled Ezra on the bed with him.

Vin struggled with the saddle of his horse. It took him twenty minutes just to get it on, the cinch was almost not worth the trouble. Once he had finally got it done, his side ached, as did his arms. "Crazy."

He pulled the horse from the stall and took him out the back doors. He sighed as his first attempt to mount failed and decided to work on the edge of the coral fence. It was dark, two a.m. dark and he was so tired. He climbed in the saddle finally and leaned over the horn. The horse must have sensed that he was in trouble because he circled the stable and headed toward Chris’ house on the outskirts.

Buck collapsed against the sweat soaked sheets and chuckled. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?" Ezra asked lying on his chest and fondling the sparse hair he found there.

"Make me cum so easy. When I’m inside you, it’s incredible."

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

"You should, Ezra, you should."

"At least I’m good at something."

"Don’t be daft, you’re good at a lot of things." Ezra sighed and Buck pushed him back so he could stare into his eyes. "Don’t put yourself down when you’re with me."

"I’m tired."

"Then sleep. I won’t bug you early, I promise."

Ezra leaned up and kissed his lover softly, gently. "Nite."

Chris sat on the front porch of the small house and sighed. The feelings inside him were making him nuts. He couldn't determine if there were real or just a mass of loneliness, trying to find a vent. Nah, they were real, at least his feelings for Vin Tanner. From the first nod on the street when they first met, he knew the buffalo hunter was special. The night was filled with singing creatures that fell silent as a horse approached.

He retrieved his boot gun, watched as a horse stepped around, and bit the bush in his front yard. "Hello?" The horse took a step back and a figure leaned off the side and fell right into Chris’ arms. "Vin? Oh God. Vin, talk to me."

"Tired." It was the only word Vin muttered before he fell asleep in Chris’ arms.

Josiah searched the town for his friend before finding Nathan and warning him that something had happened to Vin. "When did ya see him last?"

"Last night sometime, he was upset, but I didn’t think he do anything this stupid."

"His horse?"

"Gone?"

"Have you told Chris?"

"Can’t find him either?"

"Don’t think they’re together, do ya?"

"Nope, don’t think so."

"Then you better find Buck and Ezra, I’ll get the kid and the horses."

"Right."

Buck turned over and smiled. Ezra was on his stomach, but pushed as tightly against him as was possible. Any more so and Buck would be on the floor. "Well, well. I’ll just have to make room other ways." He slid on top of Ezra and began kissing his neck and shoulder.

"Time to get up, already?"

"Sorta."

"Buck Wilmington you’re incorrigible."

"Yes, I am." The knock at the door made them both groan and Buck rolled off the side of the bed and stood up, wrapping a sheet around his bottom half as he did. "Yeah?"

"Buck, Nathan, we got trouble."

Ezra got up quickly from teh bed and ducked behind the closet door. Buck pulled the door open. "What’s going on?"

"Can’t find Vin, he took off last night."

"Oh man, did you check with Chris?"

"Not yet, but Josiah says no."

"Well, best go find out, you guys check town. Ezra and I will head out to see Chris."

"Ezra, you gonna find him, he ain’t answering his door."

"I’ll find him. No problem."

"Okay."

Chris turned over and sighed. Vin had not said anything since he had brought him inside and put him to bed. The sharp shooter muttered something and snuggled against him. He carefully got up and moved the younger man’s hand to the bed. It wouldn’t be long before someone, everyone came looking for Vin. He couldn’t’ leave him there alone, so he waited. Waited to see who would stop by first.

To his relief, it was Buck and Ezra. He took Buck aside, "Why did you bring him?"

"Good morning to you. Have you seen Vin?"

"He’s inside, sleeping." Ezra was down in a flash and headed inside the small house. "Hey." He grabbed Ezra’s arm and pulled him to a halt on the porch. "I didn’t say you were welcome here."

Buck took Chris’ other arm and squeezed. "Let him go." Chris looked back at Buck, but Buck refused to back down. He turned back to Ezra and released his arm, the gambler nodded and headed inside the small house.

"What’s going on, Buck?"

"Nothing that concerns ya, Chris. Ezra’s out of your way, that’s what you wanted."

"So, what does that mean? You’ve taken him to bed now?"

"Maybe, so what if I have?"

"He can’t be trusted?"

"Oh and you can?" Chris stepped back and shook his head. "You pushed Vin away to Ezra, now you’re upset. You can’t have it both ways Chris, either Mary or Vin, you have to choose. Ezra’s with me now, our relationship doesn’t have anything to do with you."

Inside the small house, Ezra listened to every word. He was upset by how Buck had come to him but he felt a little more secure with the argument that followed that statement. He sat down beside Vin on the bed and touched his face. The young man stirred and looked up at him sleepily. "Ezra?"

"Yes, last person you wanted to see, I’m sure."

"Nah, just not sure where I am." He sat up and looked around the room. "Chris?"

"Outside with Buck."

"How’d I get here?"

"Not sure of that, but half the town is searching for you."

"Josiah?"

"Worried as was Buck and myself." He smiled. "Have to admit it was strange finding you here, with Chris. But I’m glad you’re in one piece."

"Ezra, I’m sorry."

"No need, Mr. Tanner. We all make choices."

"I’m choosing to be alone, I was trying to leave town. Guess I wasn’t quite strong enough."

"You didn’t intent to come here?" Vin shook his head. "Then by all means, we should help you leave." Vin started to sit up but Chris and Buck came through the door.

"Get away from him."

Ezra sighed and stood up. "Mr. Tanner wishes to leave."

"Is that right?" Chris pushed Ezra back.

"Chris, leave him be, it’s doesn’t have anything to do with him."

"You want to leave? You came to me last night Vin."

"I didn’t come to ya, Chris. I was trying to leave, get away from you guys."

Ezra smiled at the younger man. "You see Mr. Larabee you don’t have your hooks in as deeply as you think."

"Let me talk to Vin alone." Chris demanded, seeing Ezra sigh and nod, Buck followed him out. Chris sank to his knees beside the bed. "Look, I didn’t get a chance to talk to ya, before they showed up. Please, stay a little while, let’s talk."

"What about the town, they need you."

"The town can survive for a few days without me." He chanced sitting beside Vin and Vin allowed it. "This is more important than the town."

"Why didn’t you say this before."

"I spent the night thinking Vin, I need you, need you real bad. Before I came here, I was drifting, trying to find Sarah’s killer and just living in the moment. I hadn’t thought about a future, Vin, not really. Not until you came to me that first night. I was rude and harsh, but I do care about you." Chris turned away. "It’s been hard trying to reconcile the fact that I’m…" He met Vin’s eyes. "That I…feel, what I feel for you, another man. I’m not making much sense, am I?"

Vin took his hand and Chris looked up. "Yeah ya are." Chris gripped his hand and squeezed lightly. "How about you tell Ezra to come in here a second, I need to finish some things."

"Ezra, why?"

"I need to talk to him a bit. I need to tell him I’m sorry, that I do want to stay here."

"You do?"

Vin smiled at the spark of happiness in Chris’ eyes. "Yea, I do."

Chris leaned against the porch, his eyes staring a hole in the ground. "You gonna be okay, pard?"

"Sure, now that things are back like they’re suppose to be."

"Suppose to be?" Buck laughed a bit, "This was suppose to happen."

"Never hear of fate, Buck?"

"Sure, but you think that these two guys snatching away our hearts is fate?"

"Don’t you?" Ezra closed the door behind him and nodded to Chris.

"Mr. Larabee," He extended his hand and after a few minutes, Chris shook it. "You’ve won a wondrous prize, be mindful and don’t take him for granted."

"Or what?"

Ezra stepped close and met Chris’ eyes. "Or you’ll answer to me."

"And me." Buck said, handing the reins of Ezra’s horse to him. "Let’s go."

"Tell everyone we’ll be in town sometime tomorrow, after he’s rested."

"No problem," Buck winked down at Buck. "Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do."

"OH haha." Chris smacked the dapple’s rump and Buck and Ezra took off toward town. He turned back toward the small house and sighed. The weight on his shoulders had lifted a bit, but not entirely. He still had to make things right with Vin. As he pushed the door open, his heart skipped a beat. Vin had stripped off his dusty clothes and was lying on the bed, half asleep. When he approached Vin opened his eyes and smiled up at him. Maybe concentrating all his strength on making Vin happy was going to be worth it. He was sure of it the second Vin reached out for him.

~the end~

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