Christopher Larabee, E-7's team leader, leaned against the solid frame of his office door sipping his morning coffee, thankful it hadn't been Vin's day to make the brew. He smiled as laughter filled the outer room. Buck was once again trying to weasel information from JD concerning the Christmas gift the kid had bought him. Chris had to give their youngest team member credit. He was holding out admirably and driving the over-grown kid of the group out of his fun loving mind.



His smile widened as Larabee pictured his long time friend turning the townhouse he shared with JD upside down searching for presents that were safely locked in a closet of the clinic. When it came to Christmas, Buck was worse than any five year old.



Chris realized it had always been the same since the day he and Buck had first met. Come December, the Christmas spirit overwhelmingly invaded Buck's body like an infectious virus and he, in turn, was determined to spread that infection just as far and as fast as possible. Thanks to the ex-Navy pilot the team's office was now decorated nearly as gaudily as the shared townhouse.



Larabee glanced over at the vocal group gathered around the entirely too large tree, Buck and JD had manhandled into the office, with Josiah's help. The five men were happily bickering with each other over the proper way to hang tinsel and string the colorful lights.



Buck Wilmington, ex-Seal, ex-Navy pilot, womanizer and his oldest friend. The good-natured man was the eternal optimist of the group.



JD Dunne, computer expert extrordinare. The youngest of the seven still held onto the naivete of youth and somehow managed to make the others see the same goodness he did.



Dr. Nathan Jackson. The man with the healing touch could nail a fly to the wall with a knife from fifty feet. The compassionate young doctor had given up a chance to open his own practice to join Larabee's team.



Josiah Sanchez, ex-FBI profiler. The gentle man with a heart bigger than his enormous physical build had done everything from soldiering to ministering.



Vin Tanner, ex-police officer and ex-bounty hunter. Larabee's best friend. The quiet Texas sharpshooter had shied away from people until drawn into this team.....this unorthodox family in which they all found themselves members.



Chris' hazel eyes settled on the lone man who sat working diligently at the desk in the far corner. A smile of patient amusement and barely contained tolerance graced Ezra's handsome face as he tried to concentrate on the files in front of him.



After the holidays, they'd be going after Jason Miller a ex-CIA operative who operated an organization which sold stolen arms to third world dictators using extortion against people in high places for assistance in his illegal venture.



"What we gonna do 'bout him?" Chris looked up as his hands in his pockets, Vin slouched against the wall next to him.



"Just keep up what we've started I guess." Chris didn't have to ask to whom Vin was referring.



Ezra Standish, the obstinate southern con man. He'd been the last to join Larabee's team and while the others had already become friends, they had, despite Ezra's reluctance, slowly been pulling the stubborn gambler into the small circle of friends who had over the last few months become more of a family than most of the men had ever known.



With a slight grin, Larabee moved to join the others and Vin knew by the glint in his friend's eyes, Chris was up to something. "Game still on for tonight Buck or are ya gonna be too busy adding to that hodge-podge of decorations you call an apartment?"



"A course the game's still on! Figure the extra money I win from you fellas tonight'll help pay for the rest a my Christmas shoppin'."



"You actually think you're gonna win money with Ezra playin'?" Vin grinned, tossing the gambler a lazy wink, as Ezra glanced up at the mention of his name.



"As long as he don't put them fancy dealin' skills a his to work, I figure I got a pretty good shot at it." Buck laughed. Ezra may have avoided joining the others on their weekend excursions and other activities but he could always be counted on to arrive at their weekly poker game. A consistent winner, they all knew the con man played fair but it didn't prevent them from teasing him about using his dishonest methods to walk away with their money. "I'm feelin’ real lucky!!!"



"Question is, what are we going to use for a table?" JD pointed out, right on cue. A reaction Chris had counted on. "Buck done set up the North Pole on ours."



"The North Pole?" Nathan questioned as everyone including Ezra turned to look at the jovial pilot whose face blushed pink at JD's words.



"Oh yeah, ya oughta see it! Took him days to set it up. Kept rearrangin' all them little things to get 'em just right. Shoulda heard him mumblin' that should be over there and this over here. Shucks he's got little elves and reindeer and a Santa sleigh. And buildings, there's all kinds of little buildings and toys. He even put mirrors in the cup holders and has little ice skaters and...."



Blushing a deeper shade of red with embarrassment, the older man smacked the computer whiz on the back of the head which didn't deter the kid's mouth in the least as he continued to describe the wonderful make believe village.



Buck glanced at Chris a hint of trepidation in his eyes only to receive Chris' reassuring smile in return, touched with only a slight hint of sadness. Every Christmas before the child's death, Buck and Adam would spend hours setting up miniature villages, dragging Chris along while searching hobby and gift shops for additional new pieces.



Although Chris felt a pang of sadness for Christmases past, he had counted on his old friend wanting to share his favorite tradition with the young man who now shared his home. However, the fact that he'd used the poker table was an added bonus for what he had in mind.



The blond nodded toward the man at the desk. "I'm sure Ezra wouldn't mind letting us use his."



Sensing all eyes on him, Ezra slowly raised his head from the file he'd resumed reading. "Of course Mr. Larabee. It would be my pleasure, I'm afraid however I have no means by which to transport the rather cumbersome device to that pigsty where Mr. Wilmington resides. It most certainly will not fit into the trunk of my car."



"No problem, we'll just have the game at your place. See ya 'bout seven." Chris shrugged and turning strolled casually to his office.



Vin chuckled at the look of dismay on the con man's face as he realized his boss had manipulated the situation. He had cleverly set him up for an invasion by the six men with an expertise that rivaled Standish himself. Except for Vin, none of the seven had ever spent more than a few minutes at the con man's penthouse apartment and that limited time was usually spent in the entrance foyer.



Standish had been the one problem both Vin and Chris worried about as the elite team had been brought together. They had both known it would be harder for Ezra than any of them. The other men seemed to have paired off instantly finding something in common with their partner, just as had Larabee and Tanner with their instantaneous connection.



Buck had taken to JD readily becoming the youngster's protector, teacher and big brother. It appeared Nathan and Josiah had found a missing piece of themselves in the other as well as a shared interest in things philosophical. Standish appeared to have nothing in common with the other six except for the fact he too was a misfit looking for a place to belong.



"Smooth, very smooth." Vin grinned as he trailed Chris back into his office, shutting the door and flopping into his usual chair. "I think he's still tryin' to figure out what just happened."



Shoving the younger man's booted feet off the edge of his desk, Larabee glanced through the glass panel laughing as the flustered gambler, who shaking his head in confusion, quickly made notes while the other four, the tree momentarily forgotten and quickly abandoned, argued over suggestions for the evening's munchies.



The young con man was a paradox and Chris wondered if he'd ever truly understand the southerner. It still irked Larabee he could find no school records on the well-educated man despite extensive searching. Standish had a mind like a steel trap and a sarcastic wit that more often than not had Larabee wanting to strangle him.



Ezra had an easy going manner that allowed him to lay on the charm and sweet talk a person right out of their shorts or he could use his extensive vocabulary to short circuit a person's brain trying to decipher what he'd said, but by then it was too late...Unlike Vin who, Chris knew, retreated into a world of silence, Ezra hid his shyness behind words.



Unless Chris absolutely ordered him to attend, Ezra always seemed to find an excuse to avoid going along on their weekend excursions. He did occasionally join them at Inez's but never stayed long, or he’d make a quick appearance at one of their homes when the others gathered for a night of pizza and TV. Just as they were determined to pull him fully into their circle, Ezra seemed just as persistent in remaining on the outer fringe.



'Puts on a damn good show don't he?' Vin had once stated drawing a confused glance from his best friend. Vin, who read people almost as well as he did tracks when hunting, had explained to Chris he thought Ezra's arrogant self-confidence was nothing more than an act. Of the seven it appeared Ezra felt the least worthy of friendship and feared the rejection he was so positive would soon be forthcoming.



Tanner's remark had given Chris an insight into why the con man consistently kept them at arms length, willing to lay his life on the line for each of them but refusing to let them close enough to hurt him emotionally. Chris, himself, so well versed in rejecting people's overtures of friendship realized Ezra needed to know they would all stand by him no matter what and if he would only accept their offers of friendship he would see just how unfounded his fears were.



Meanwhile, in the outer office, Ezra shoved the files into his briefcase and with a comment about shopping for the evening's festivities, he quietly slipped from the office.


*******



Shedding his coat and hanging it in the foyer closet, Ezra made his way to the enormous kitchen and deposited the grocery bags on the counter, quickly storing the perishables and placing the beer in the fridge to get cold. Finishing that chore, he pulled the felt topped table and folding chairs from the closet and quickly set them up making sure when shoved or tipped back they didn't hit the other expensive furniture in the large living room.



When he'd first leased the penthouse apartment, he'd considered turning one of the many rooms into a game room, perhaps with a billard table as well as a poker table but since he rarely had company the room still sat stark and bare at the back of the enormous apartment.



Somewhat reassured his furnishings might survive several hours of Buck and JD's boisterous activities, he glanced at his watch and moved toward the bathroom.



How the hell had this happened? He wondered for the tenth time as dripping wet, he stepped from the shower. How the hell had he been conned into letting these men beyond the boundaries he'd so stringently set and stubbornly kept. Larabee had manipulated him as easily as Ezra would a greedy mark. Ezra shook his head. He must be losing his touch. To his dismay, he hadn't even seen it coming.



Slipping into a pair of comfortable old jeans, he didn't bother to tuck in the tail of his white shirt. After all he'd be changing again before they arrived. Ezra pulled several files from his briefcase and settled down on the couch. At least he could get some work done without the constant annoyance of Christmas carols filling the air. Four hours of uninterrupted peace and quiet.



*******



Ezra rubbed at his eyes wondering when he had dozed off and what had woken him up. The doorbell's chimes answered the second question. Files slid off his lap and onto the floor as he pushed to his feet and stumbled through the foyer. Running a hand through his hair as he pulled open the door, he quickly glanced at his watch, looking up in surprise to find his six teammates standing in the hall.



"Sorry we're late," Chris apologized shaking snow from his long black coat as Ezra stepped aside to admit them. "We were...unavoidably detained." All eyes turned to Vin who had the decency to blush furiously.



"Sorry we're late...," He muttered. "Not sorry for why."



"I'da bet my paycheck Ezra didn't even own a pair a jeans, let alone ever be caught barefoot," Buck laughed, bringing a grimace to the con man's face as he ducked away from the hand that playfully ruffled his sleep tousled chestnut hair.



"I'll go change."



"Don't." Josiah's large hand came to rest on his shoulder stopping the younger man as he started for the bedroom. "This is your home brother and there's certainly no need to change for us."



Looking into the former preacher's gentle eyes, Ezra had the distinct feeling the man wasn't talking only about his attire.



"Ya know Ezra, we're not startin' this next case for awhile yet. Ya don't have to bring work home with ya." Chris scooped up the scattered files, stacking them neatly on the end table. "Tis the season to relax. It is the holidays after all."



"Ya sure wouldn't know it lookin' around here. Ain't ya gonna put up a tree Ezra?" JD commented, receiving a slap to the back of the head from his roommate.



Chris wondered if Buck too had noticed that when talk of holiday plans was mentioned Ezra always managed to divert the subject to more neutral territory. The austere apartment only seemed to confirm Chris' suspicions that the undercover expert viewed Christmas as nothing special and just another day. Larabee knew that depressing feeling very well. Without his family, Chris had dreaded the past holidays preferring to remain in a drunken stupor rather than face the supposed joyous day alone.



Old habits died hard and he had even found himself momentarily wanting to hide away this year. The holidays were meant to be spent with family and loved ones and that's when he'd realized, with a start, these men at his side, standing by him through thick and thin watching his back, were family.



His family. Seven men who had come together for a single purpose and in the process found more than any of them ever bargained for. Each one of them had discovered six brothers who would give everything for the others. The other six had happily latched onto that and while he offered that valuable gift willingly, only Ezra had yet to fully accept it from the others.



"Unless I'm visiting my mother, Mr. Dunne, I usually go to Las Vegas for the holidays."



JD frowned "What for?"



"To gamble. Why else would one venture to that magnificent city?"



"Sure wouldn't be to pull a con, since all the honest people will be home with their families on Christmas." Nathan stated, almost spilling the drink Josiah abruptly shoved into his hand surprised to see anger in the older man's blue gray eyes. Realizing how his words must have sounded to the gambler, he cringed. Nathan had never gone out of his way to hide the way he felt about the con man's previous profession but the thoughtless comment hadn't been intended to hurt his feelings. "Sorry Ezra, that didn't come out right." He apologized softly.



With a nod the gambler continued to the bedroom but rather than change his clothes he simply slipped into socks and running shoes, quickly washing the sleep from his eyes and combing his hair. Staring at the reflection in the mirror over the dresser, he realized what he'd told JD wasn't a complete fabrication.



He could never remember, even as a child, spending the holidays with his mother as she was always working a rich mark or traveling out of the country with her latest husband and although his plans never changed for Christmas Eve, he usually had late plane reservations to one of the many casino resorts around the country. This year, however, he had no such plans, intending to spend the day working alone. However these men didn't need to know that.



Ezra returned to the chaos which had become his living room as the six men fixed drinks and plates of food, claiming their seats and bragging about how much money they intended win.



"Would you like me to adjust the thermostat, Mr. Tanner?" Ezra questioned, offering the cards for JD to cut before dealing.



"Huh?" Vin looked up self-consciously from his beer.



Ezra had noted he seemed distracted when he had sat down and as time passed, the longhaired man seemed even more so. "I thought you might be chilly since you have yet to remove your winter attire."



Silence fell over the table, the other five men exchanging sly grins and elbow pokes as Ezra pointed out the overly obvious fact Vin's tan leather coat hadn't joined the pile Ezra had taken from various chairs and hung in the closet.



"I'm fine. Thanks." Vin shrugged.



Chris won the first hand, Ezra the second and third. Finding it unusually hard to concentrate, the gambler was surprised when Josiah beat his straight. His somewhat troubled gaze traveled toward the air ducts and balcony doors trying to find the source of a strange noise which it appeared only he could hear. The other men seemed unaffected but Ezra did notice the sharpshooter was having considerable trouble sitting still.



Tanner's blue eyes suddenly widened as the others began to snicker louder and Ezra's eyes searched the room quizzically before returning to the man on his right, frowning deeply at the pitiful sound which filled the air.



"Mr. Tanner, as the others all seemed to be privy to something they find extremely humorous, is there some information which you would care to impart to me?"



"Like what?" Vin questioned, wiggling in his seat, his face flushing.



"I don't know....For instance,....where you do your weekly grocery shopping? What excitement you have planned for the holidays, or...." Ezra paused dramatically, "why if I'm not mistaken your coat appears to be whining?" The con man was startled as a pair of large dark eyes, surrounded by shaggy hair suddenly peeked at him from the deep left pocket of Vin's duster.



"That's the reason we were late." Chris grinned as Vin slowly removed a tiny bundle of black curls, small enough to sit in the palms of his hands, from his pocket, smiling as a tiny pink tongue licked his cheek. Without appearing to, Larabee watched Ezra's reaction to the small dog, having seen before the effect animals and children had on the con man. The blond man hid a smile at seeing a momentary expression of delight cross the gambler's face.



"What, pray tell, in God's creation is that?"



"It's a dog!" Tanner stated with an insulted finality, smiling as the small animal wolfed down the slice of lunchmeat from his plate.



"Are you certain, Mr. Tanner?" Ezra joked, his poker face firmly in place although his emerald eyes twinkled merrily.



"He's the only one that's sure." Josiah laughed. "It was sitting in the highway median and Vin damned near caused a major pileup making Chris stop the truck."



"Not to mention, 'bout gettin' his skinny ass turned into road kill going back for it." Nathan added.



"Couldn't leave the poor little fella out there to freeze or get run over." Tanner protested slipping the pup another slice of Virginia ham, before setting him on the floor.



"So you're best solution to this dilemma was to allow that pathetic animal to take up residency in your pocket?" Ezra teased. "Just what do you intend to do with the poor thing now?"



"I guess I'll have to find somebody who'll give him a good home. If I take him to a shelter, they might put him to sleep. I ain't at the cabin enough to leave him there and-"



"And the rats in that hell hole he stays at in town are bigger than it is." Nathan grinned good-naturedly. Everyone had, at one time or another attempted to persuade the sharpshooter to move from the decrepit apartment he still kept in Purgatorio.



"Don't look at me!" Chris admonished, stopping the request before Vin could voice it. "One of the horses would squish him like a bug."



"Not allowed to have pets." Josiah shook his head.



"Allergic." Nathan stated.



"Resume the game gentlemen. I shall return shortly." Taking the pup by the scruff of the neck, holding it at arms length from his body as if the filthy shivering, creature were contaminated, Ezra carried it from the room, tossing over his shoulder. "And Mr. Tanner, be assured if this....creature, soils my carpet you will be presented with the cleaning bill."



*******


All eyes turned to Ezra when he entered the room almost an hour later, buttoning the sleeves of his shirt. Their expressions were a collection of amazement at the sight of the bundle of clean shiny black curls padding along at his heels, settling on the floor between him and Vin as the gambler took his seat.



"Damnation! Whatcha do with that scruffy little thing Vin snatched from the jaws a death?" Buck was the first to speak, ducking his head under the table to take a better look at the pup. "Ain't no way in hell that's the same dog. That mutt there's downright cute."



"I believe that mutt you're referring to, Mr. Wilmington, is a Teacup Poodle."



"Say what?" Buck questioned, looking out from under the table.



"The smallest of the poodle family, so named on the belief a true version of the breed will fit in a china cup." Ezra explained, raising the bet. "If I am correct, the animal won't grow much larger than it's present size. Mr. Tanner you should no longer have a problem finding him a suitable home." At that moment the puppy sat up on its hind legs as Vin reached for a slice of lunchmeat.



"A gentlemen does not beg, unless it will procure him the favorable attentions of his lady love." Laughter filled the room as the dog dropped to his stomach at the gambler's words hiding his tiny expressive face in his front paws.



"Would ya look at that!"



"Little fella is kinda cute at that."



"Gentlemen I was under the presumption that we had gathered for a relaxing game of chance." Ezra raised a questioning eyebrow, ending the comments from the other six. "I believe it's your bet Mr. Larabee."



*******



Chris tossed his cards in the middle of the table and leaned back lighting a cheroot. The past two hours had passed in pleasant camaraderie, the men joking and laughing, teasing each other and bitching about bad hands. If they noticed Ezra slipping the pup small slivers of meat, no one said anything but Larabee had seen him constantly glance at the animal, still laying comfortably between the con man and sharpshooter, only leaving his spot to follow one or the other from the room.



Larabee's curious gaze traveled over the con man's elegant apartment, noticing not for the first time, the absence of any personal mementos. The expensive furniture was the best money could buy, the paintings original works of art but there were no photographs, no bric-a-brac, no souvenirs picked up in the con man's travels. There was nothing personal within the walls to even hint at the personality of the man who resided there.



Chris knew the man was probably used to moving on at a moments notice but it worried the team leader that after all these months with them, the apartment still seemed to indicate it was nothing more than a temporary stopover. Was the gambler so uncertain of his position, he still viewed this as nothing more than a high priced place to store his clothes?



Chris knew all to well life long habits were hard to break, but he had hoped the con man was becoming comfortable enough here in Four Corners to consider the penthouse a home. Someplace he'd enjoy living. Someplace where he would welcome friends and create fond memories.



"So are ya gonna be visitin' your ma this Christmas Ezra?" Larabee stifled a groan at JD's question. As if sensing his intention, Vin had been helping Chris keep the conversation away from the holidays.



"No Mr. Dunne. The last time I spoke with her, I believe my mother mentioned skiing in the Alps for the holidays."



"Ya know you're always welcome over at our place." JD extended the invitation enthusiastically. "We're all gonna help Vin and Josiah at the community center and shelter servin' dinner and givin' out gifts and stuff. You can spend the night at our place and ride out to Chris' in the morning."



"I truly appreciate your kind offer Mr. Dunne, however, I'm afraid I've already made other plans." Ezra's smile didn't quite reach his eyes as he fell silent, dropping the subject without explaining those plans. However, seeing the twinkle re-enter the young gambler's emerald eyes when he glanced down at the floor beside his chair, Chris nudged Vin giving a barely perceptible nod.



"Ya know Ez, the runt here," Vin leaned over and pet the pup, "needs a home and you got this big ole' empty place and ya won enough of our money in the last few games to feed him for a year or so...."



"He sure seems to have taken a liken to ya." Chris shrugged, stifling a grin, as the small dog sat up beside Ezra's chair, begging. It was as if the pup knew what they were suggesting and was adding his two cents.



Ezra reached down to stroke the silky fur, but his steady gaze remained on Tanner. "And what would you recommend I do with him while at work all day? I'm quite sure Mr. Larabee would frown on his presence in the office and I don't exactly have a backyard in which to give him free rein in my absence."



"Chris wouldn't mind once in a while would ya Chris? And when ya leave him here, ya can let the door man walk him." JD suggested helpfully. "Ain't that what they do in fancy places like this? We'll all pitch in and take care a him when you're undercover and can't come back here."



"And if we all have to be out of town, we could find someone for him to stay with. I bet Nettie or Casey would love to keep him for ya." Buck added. They could all see Ezra was giving serious consideration to keeping the dog but before he could respond, the doorbell chimed throughout the penthouse.



"That's probably the pizza man. We called down and told Harry." Buck stated shoving several bills across the table toward Ezra. Seeing the younger man glance in the direction of the kitchen and travel over the plates and glasses scattered about the room, the pilot quickly added, "Oh the eats you bought were great Ez, but...."



"Don't worry, Mr. Wilmington, I take no offense. However, I must warn you, sometime in the future, your stomach is going to seek retribution for the mistreatment you have forced upon it all these years." The gambler laughed, quick to assure the man his feelings weren't hurt and moved for his front door.



"Good Lord!"



Unsure if they were hearing a exclamation of pleasure or a groan of pain, the six men pushed away from the table rushing frantically into the foyer as the gambler, his face drained of color, stood transfixed before his open door.



"Ezra!" Wearing an expensive traveling suit, her makeup perfect, not a blonde hair out of place, a beautiful woman swept through the entrance, followed by the poor doorman who was laden down with luggage.



"I'm sorry I didn't call up here first Mr. Standish but-"



"No need to apologize, Harry. I understand perfectly." Forcing a smile, Ezra tipped the man, then shoving suitcases aside, closed the door.



"Surprised my sweet boy?" The woman pressed a perfectly powdered blushed cheek to his.



"Of course I am, Maude." He sighed. "Wasn't that the idea?"



"Obviously, I need to visit more often. I can see you require my influence regarding your appearance." She berated. "What are you wearing?"



Taken off guard by the six other men, crowded into the suddenly small entrance foyer, her eyes widened than raked over each man in turn, whether with disgust or lust none of them were quite certain. "It appears my arrival has interrupted something. Aren't you going to introduce me Ezra?"



"Of course." The gambler responded automatically. "Maude, I would like you to meet Mr. Chris Larabee, Mr. Vin Tanner, Mr. Buck Wilmington, Dr. Nathan Jackson, Mr. Josiah Sanchez and last but certainly not least, Mr. John Daniel Dunne, otherwise known as JD. Gentlemen.....My mother."



"Pleasure to meet you ma'am." Josiah smiled nudging a shocked Buck whose mouth still hung open. "Why don't we put Mrs. Standish's luggage in the bedroom and give them time to say a proper hello."



"Thank you Mr. Sanchez, and please call me Maude." She gave the man a dazzling smile.



"You're wasting your charms, Mother, the man is destitute." Ezra whispered softly, taking her arm and leading her into the living room. "And before you say anything, these men are not con men, petty thieves or marks. They are-"



"A poker game!" She clapped her hands in delight, ignoring what her son had been saying. "Do you mind if I join you gentlemen?" Without waiting for a response, she pulled several large bills from her wallet, taking the empty spot at the table.



"My word!" Pressing a hand to her chest as if about to faint, she gave a small squeal as with a tiny menacing growl, the little dog began yapping at her ankles. "For God sakes Ezra please tell me you haven't once again renewed your disgusting penchant of collecting every filthy creature that crosses your path."



JD scooped up the dog and with a quick pat on its head, handed it to Tanner. "He won't hurt ya any. He's real friendly."



Maude arched her perfect eyebrows in disgust. "And do you always find it necessary to bring your livestock with you when visiting someone's home?"



"Mother!" A sharp current of embarrassment ran in the one word of rebuke.



"I brought him here Mrs. Standish." Vin spoke up, his cheeks turning bright red. "I found him on the highway earlier tonight and Ezra cleaned him up."



"I should have known. My sweet boy always did have a soft spot when it came to strays. I lost count of the number of animals I took to the pound before he stopped dragging them home. Sometimes I did believe he preferred animals to humans." She placed a hand gently against Ezra's cheek, looking every bit the loving mother, before taking the drink he offered. "And before he has an absolute temper tantrum, I owe you an apology Mr. Tanner. I didn't mean to insult your....pet."



*******



For the next several hours, Maude, charmed and flirted with the six men, thoroughly embarrassing the closed mouth gambler, as she regaled them with tales of Ezra's privileged childhood. Bringing roars of laughter from Buck and Nathan as she described in detail his playful antics.



*******



Resting his elbows on the desk, Ezra rubbed at his temples, fighting the headache which seemed to have started the moment he had discovered Maude on the other side of his door, Friday evening. He loved his mother-he must to put up with all her crap-and was always glad to see her but she had caught him totally off guard. He wasn't ready to explain his new life or his new associates to her. He wasn't even certain if he wanted to.



When he had finally gathered his nerve and steeled himself for the outburst he knew was sure to follow, he'd tried to explain what he was doing in Four Corners without revealing too much information about the team. As he'd expected, not believing him, she'd gone into a rage. Well at least as much of a rage as Maude would allow herself. They'd spent all day Saturday arguing.



At first, she thought he was simply trying to keep her from being involved in his latest con, refusing to believe he'd actually chosen to join Larabee's team. Well aware of his mother's penchant for nosiness and knowing the safe in his apartment wouldn't deter her at all, while she treated herself to a bubble bath, Ezra had placed the files on Jason Miller in his briefcase then locked the leather attaché in the trunk of his car, pocketing his spare set of keys.



Sunday had passed with Maude using every argument at her disposal, finally resorting to the age old feminine wiles of crying in a vain attempt to persuade him to see the error of his ways. He could still hear her moaning about wasting her life teaching him a trade, only to have him turn his back on everything they held dear.



Of course, as she repeatedly pointed out, it had to be due to the unhealthy influence of those uncouth ruffians he was now associating with. Hoping to avoid a scene, even knowing she'd sleep till noon, he'd risen early Monday morning and left for the office, hoping to find some kind of peace there.



Receiving a warning glare from Larabee as the five men arrived, no one commented on finding the chronically late con man already busy at his desk when they arrived. With their next assignment not due to begin until after the first of the year and the paperwork from their last job completed and delivered to the judge, there was actually no reason for any of them to be at the office, but any excuse for them all to be together was better than none and they were content to begin their Christmas celebrating early.



*******



"You gotta do something Chris." Vin stated, shutting the blond man's door firmly behind him as he stepped into the office.



Pretending ignorance, Larabee watched his best friend pace the small room. "'Bout what?"



"About Ezra." Tanner threw his hands up in exasperation. "The longer that woman is here the worse he gets and don't tell me you haven't noticed cause I know better!"



Vin glanced toward Ezra's desk remembering the night he'd found the gambler sitting there in the dark after being informed his mother had been in a serious car accident. The con man had talked about the woman's lack of maternal instincts but the sharpshooter had seen past the pretence to the worry and fear Ezra was trying to hide.



Tanner was right. As if instinctively knowing Ezra needed help dealing with the woman, the others had gone out of their way to keep her entertained. They had taken turns inviting her out to dinner, escorting her to the casinos and Buck had even taken her to Denver's most exclusive stores to shop.



Daring any of them to laugh Josiah had rented a tuxedo and proudly taken her to the theater for the yearly production of The Nutcracker, which Buck had loudly whispered-although not in Ezra's presence, seemed appropriate somehow. Yet, in the long week since her arrival, it seemed, despite their friendly overtures towards his mother, Ezra had pulled back even further from his teammates.



Leaving Ezra's after her unannounced arrival in the middle of their poker game, Maude Standish had been the topic of discussion as Chris dropped each of the men off at their respective homes. Having convinced Vin to spend the weekend, helping him with some repairs Chris noted the tracker had remained silent as they drove to the small ranch.



"She's something else ain't she?"



"That's one way of puttin' it." Chris grinned. "I think Josiah's in love but she's certainly not what I expected Ezra's mother to be like. Did you buy any of that crap she was sellin' about Ezra grownin' up?"



"Not by half. Did ya see Ez's face when she was talkin' about takin' the animals he brought home to the pound." Vin unconsciously ran his hand over the soft curls of the sleeping pup in his lap. "Ain't no wonder he don't let anybody get close. Probably afraid she'd dump them off at the pound too," he muttered, earning a chuckle from Chris. "Hell, we'll know where to look first iffen any of us comes up missin' while she's here." He fell silent for several miles before questioning. "Did ya happen to notice she always won when she dealt but one of us won the hand when Ez dealt."



They agreed it was the gambler's way of paying them back for her cheating. "I'm gettin' a real bad feelin' about this visit a hers."



Chris glanced through the glass into the outer office, seeing Ezra willingly swallow two of the painkillers from the bottle Nathan had provided. It was more than obvious the man had a headache and it had 'Maude' written all over it. The gambler had been the first to arrive at the office every day since Maude had come to town, and although he was keeping up a good front, they could all see his easy going manner fading into a quiet depression.



"Just what would you suggest?"



"Hell I don't know!" Vin ran a hand through his long hair in frustration. "What I do know is if she hangs 'round much longer, we're gonna be right back ta square one with him."



'If he's even here.' Larabee kept the thought to himself. "I agree but what am I supposed to do, run her outta town. She is his mother."



"Than talk to him!"



"And say what? Excuse me Ezra, I know she's your mother but I think Maude's not only a liar and cheat but a controlling bitch-"



"That's a good start." Tanner grinned as Larabee trailed off, reaching to answer the phone. With a shake of his head Chris jerked his thumb toward the door, motioning for the younger man to leave.



*******



Tanner rolled his chair over to Ezra's desk offering the gambler one of the cups of coffee he held. "Everything okay Ez? Ya seem a little distracted lately."



"Of course Mr. Tanner. Things couldn't be better." The lie left his lips smoothly. "I was just considering the most expedient path to Mr. Miller's inner circle. The man is possibly the most paranoid person I've encountered yet and with his training and connections his security..."



"Ya know, Chris was right. There's plenty of time for all this after the holidays." Vin interrupted. "Your ma enjoyin' her visit?"



"As much as Maude can enjoy anything which doesn't involve acquiring money." Ezra smiled, keeping his eyes on the file in front of him. "I do appreciate the effort you gentlemen have put forth on her behalf. Believe me, I realize the tolerance you are exhibiting, although I do believe Mr. Sanchez has been quite smitten by her considerable charms."



"At least you'll be together for the holidays." Vin offered with a quiet note of wistfullness in his voice. He would give anything to have one more holiday with his own mother. Tanner had a hard time relating to Ezra's attitude towards his mother...but then, from what he could recall, his mother had been nothing like the southerner's.



"I'm afraid not Mr. Tanner." Ezra sipped at the coffee, as he flipped through the file. "To my knowledge, Maude still intends to spend Christmas skiing in the Alps. You'll find my mother changes her plans for only one reason. Currency-hard, cold and green- and at the moment her latest husband has a great deal of that precious commodity."



"So you ain't changed your plans either?" Vin probed, hoping the gambler would expand on his holiday activities. "Tell the truth, Ez, ain't ya just the least little bit excited about Christmas?"



"Mr. Tanner, you may not understand this but unlike the sentimental womanizer of our intrepid little band, this time of year has no special significance for me. My plans for the twenty fourth haven't changed but unless overwhelmed with the urge to visit the casino, I will spend the following day, laying out the plans with which we might lure Mr. Miller into a ploy which will, if carried out properly, ultimately place him before Judge Travis' bench for sentencing." Although the speech was completely devoid of emotion, Vin hadn't failed to notice that Ezra refused to meet his gaze, not bothering even once to look up from the papers he continued to shuffle about the desk.



Vin glanced around to make sure they were still alone. Buck and JD had left to pick up lunch, Josiah was helping Nathan take inventory in the clinic and Larabee had left shortly after receiving the phone call that interrupted their conversation. The sharpshooter hoped what he was about to say wouldn't send the con man running for the hills. He wanted Ezra to know how important he was to them and not just for his skills on the team.



"Ya don't have to work so hard all the time Ez. You're a part of this team and whether ya think so or even wanna believe it you're a part of this family. Ain't nothing gonna change that, especially takin' a few days to relax and enjoy yourself." Vin leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. "People should spend the holidays with their families Ez.....With people who care about them. Just cause ya can't spend Christmas with your ma, don't mean ya can't spend it with your family."



Ezra leaned back in the chair, putting as much distance between himself and Tanner as possible without physically walking away. His first instinct was to inform Vin, how he chose to spend the upcoming holiday was no one's business but his own and the six men needn't feel obligated to include him in their festivities. A few months earlier that was exactly what he would have done. He wasn't even sure why he hadn't continued the ruse concerning his plans but somehow he found himself unable to lie to the longhaired tracker.



Maude was correct in her assumption these men had brought a change not only to him and but to his life as well. A change he wasn't sure how to handle but was most unwilling to lose. The gambler's entire life had been shrouded in privacy and he continued to cling to that protective cloak. He never spoke of his past, certain the other men's disgust at his previous nefarious activities would become an insurmountable obstacle in the friendships he was struggling to forge.



Knowledge of his past transgressions would only re-enforce Nathan's belief Ezra was nothing more than a liar and cheat, prove Larabee's early assessment the con man wasn't to be trusted, while his lack of education would bring him down in the eyes of the others.



When had the perimeters he'd placed around his life and so carefully monitored begun to slip letting his emotions take control? Maybe his mother had also been correct in her estimation it was time to move on. Letting others become involved in one's life only caused unneeded complications.



He had let himself grow to care for these six men and as Maude had pointed out countless times, that only served to make him more vulnerable. He could easily deal with hurt feelings caused by their careless words, hell, he'd heard them all his life. What frightened him was the thought while undercover someone could use them against him in a dangerous situation. What terrified him was the fact he could lose any of them at any time. And the thought of that loss was enough for him to keep them at arm's length, even though he craved their closer friendship.



Seeing the sincerity in the sharpshooter's azure eyes, Ezra suddenly found himself unwilling to lie, but instead willing to divulge a small part of his past, hoping in doing so he could make the sharpshooter understand.



"I've never spent the holidays with my mother Vin." The quiet words shattered the silence like a gunshot. "Most Christmas' I was an unwanted guest in some relative's or other acquaintance's home. Christmas has never been special for me. I'm not even sure I would know how to celebrate properly, therefore I avoid the possibility of making anyone, including myself, uncomfortable."



"Aww hell, Ez, I ain't never seen ya when ya wasn't actin' proper," Vin's teasing tone and lopsided grin didn't erase the sadness in his eyes. "Look, Christmas Eve, we're all gonna help Josiah serve dinner down at the mission and than the guys are gonna help me with the Christmas party at the community center that night. Miss Nettie and Casey are gonna be there and you sure don't wanna miss seein' Buck dressed up like Santa Claus! Ya know Chris wants ya to come out to the ranch for dinner with everybody Christmas day so....." He paused seeing the man's longing and sensing the hesitation that kept him from accepting the invitation. Ezra had said he had plans for Christmas Eve but Vin couldn't help but wonder if that was nothing more than an escape hatch. "We should all be together Ez cause we're family. Maybe we ain't like most, but I think we're special cause we choose to be family."



"I thank you Mr. Tanner and will give your kind invitation due consideration." Ezra smiled after several minutes, his attention returning to the files as Buck and JD pushed through the door, shouting for Nathan and Josiah and juggling several bags of take out.



*******



Arriving early, Chris ordered coffee and slid into the booth, his eyes on the front door. Momentarily stunned by her invitation, Larabee's first thought was to refuse, not wanting to be around the woman any more than necessary but Vin was right, Ezra had been withdrawing since Maude's arrival and if having lunch with her would explain the gambler's behavior he would choke down a sandwich in her royal presence.



A smile touched his lips. He'd deliberately picked the dingy diner with the fancy name, rather than an expensive restaurant wanting to face the deceptive woman on his territory.



Chris had held his tongue not wanting to cause Ezra any more embarrassment as she had spun her tales of his perfect childhood. Unfortunately, by not saying anything, Chris had unintentionally made it harder for the man who'd taken on the most difficult job of the E-7 team.



Larabee had silently listened to Buck and Nathan's quips about the con man turning to crime and gambling to support the lifestyle to which he'd grown accustomed, teasing and questioning the younger man about what he'd done to cause his mother to cut him off financially. Seeing the con man wasn't going to correct their assumptions, Larabee had pulled the rest of the team aside and quietly but firmly ordered them to lay off.



Looking decidedly out of place in the expensive peach French designed outfit, its color and tailored fit enhancing her beauty, Maude strolled through the small restaurant as if she owned the place. Abstractly he could see where Ezra got his taste in fine clothes.



"Thank you for agreeing to meet me Christopher." Christopher? At least she hadn't called him Mr. Larabee. Manners dictated he rise from the booth until she was seated. His mother would be proud he still held to the lessons she'd taught him.



"My pleasure and the name's Chris." In truth the invitation had sounded more like a summons from the Queen Mother herself.



Glancing at the menu as the waitress filled her coffee cup, Maude smiled at the man seated across from her. "What would you suggest? I'm assuming of course, you frequent this establishment quite often."



Although he couldn't prove it, Larabee was certain there was an insult hidden in the comment. "I'm havin’ the chili. It's almost as good as Josiah's."



"Very well," She smiled handing the menu to the waitress who leaned across the table and replaced it in the condiment holder, giving Maude a look that clearly wondered what the fancy woman was doing in this dive. "I'll have a bowl of chili."



"What can I do for you Maude?" Chris questioned. "I'm assumin' ya didn't ask me to lunch just for my company."



"Straight to the point." Maude smiled. "Very well....I would like you to release my son from his obligation to you."



"Excuse me?"



"I...." The woman waited, her eyes never leaving Larabee's as the waitress reappeared with their lunch, carefully setting their steaming bowls in front of each of them and refilling their cups before disappearing to take care of her other patrons. He stifled a smile as Maude petitely lifted the spoon to her lips, her face draining of color, nearly choking on the spicy soup. "Has my son sampled this quaint cuisine Christopher?" She asked, wiping daintily at the corners of her mouth.



"Actually, he usually has two bowls of Josiah's chili....Of course this isn't as spicy as Josiah's so he probably wouldn't like it as well." Larabee lied easily. The truth was, the six men were constantly harassing the gambler about the fact the man rarely seemed to eat much. "Now what the hell is this about Ezra?"



Maude studied the handsome man seated across from her. She had never met a man she couldn't charm....until now. Chris Larabee didn't like her and made no pretense of that fact. Somehow this man saw through the act she had carefully cultivated over the years. "I want you to understand I've devoted my life not only to making sure my son had the best of everything-"



"Where'd he go to school?" Chris curtly interrupted.



"Excuse me? I don't see..."



"Ezra doesn't say much about himself." Chris gave a casual shrug, enjoying seeing the woman off balance. Watching Ezra, the master of misdirection, Larabee had picked up a trick or two of his own. "He's obviously very well educated and I was just wondering where he went to school."



"We traveled quite extensively but I made sure Ezra attended only the highest quality of private institutions." Maude stated. "I think any questions you have regarding-"



"I didn't realize picking locks was a required course of study in high quality educational systems." Chris interrupted again. He grinned at the memory of their dismay when Ezra easily escaped the handcuffs, quickly snagging the money they'd bet from the desk.



"I'm sure I have no idea to what you are referring." Maude stated, her eyes taking on an angry fire. "If you'll just let me know the amount of Ezra's debt I will write you a check...adding the appropriate amount of interest of course. I assume you will, of course, accept my check. I have the proper ID..."



"What the hell are you talking about?" The blond man angrily shoved the bowl aside and pulled a cheroot from his pocket. "Ezra doesn't owe me any money."



"Well then Christopher, I must admit I'm more than a bit puzzled. You see despite your efforts to keep me away from my son with frivolous dinner invitations and theater tickets I've spent the past week attempting to convince Ezra it's in his best interest to leave this....burg...and return to the life he was meant to have." Her fingernails drumming the tabletop was her only sign of agitation. "I won't have him wasting his God given talents in this no where town. I didn't raise my son to play cops and robbers. I-"



"Cut the bullshit Maude! You raised your son to be a con man. To lie, cheat, connive and manipulate people. You taught him not to trust or believe in anyone but himself." Chris slammed a fist against the table, drawing looks from the few other patrons in the diner. "That's what you taught him Maude."



"Thank you Christopher, I wasn't sure what was happening with my sweet boy," Maude smiled, "but now I see his latest behavior is a tribute to my teaching abilities. Despite his protests otherwise, I could see he wanted out of this ridiculous agreement he's made with you but for some unexplainable reason he seems to feel he owes you something." She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling. "Since you say he doesn't owe you money, and you seem to know a great deal about my son and our lives I can only assume you ran a background check on him. What is it Christopher?"



"What is what?" Larabee's rage was quickly building into a controlled fury.



"What is it you're holding over his head to keep him chained to you. What's keeping him from doing what he loves and was truly meant to do?"



"Unlike you, I don't have to resort to blackmail. Your sweet boy is welcome to do whatever the hell he wants." Chris threw several bills on the table, storming from the diner. He didn't see the self satisfied smile that graced Maude's lips at his departure.



*********



Deadly silence fell over the room as Larabee stormed from the elevator, ignoring the men scurrying out of his way as he made an angry beeline for Ezra's desk.



Seeing the unadulterated rage burning in the jade eyes as Chris rested both hands on the desk leaning in towards him, Ezra's heart was racing but the con man steeled himself, concentrating on keeping his poker face firmly in place.



"May I help you Mr. Larabee?"



"If you wanted off this team all you had to do was be a man and say so! There was no need to send your mommy to do your dirty work." The anger, frustration and hurt burst forth in a shout. "Ain't nobody keeping your sorry ass here or beggin' ya to stay!"



"Larabee!" Stunned, Vin jumped to his feet, staring after his best friend as the man turned his back on them and entering his office slammed the door hard enough to shake the entire building. He turned back to the gambler only to see his retreating back as the elevator doors closed. "Ezra?....Ezra wait!"



"What the hell just happened here?" Josiah's quiet deep-voiced question pulled the five men from their motionless state of shock at watching their small newly formed family falling apart.



Without answering Vin crossed to Larabee's office, throwing the door wide open without knocking, slamming it violently back against the wall. Momentarily willing to let the tracker do the talking, the remaining team members offered their support by spilling into the office behind him, united in facing their boss.



"Ya wanna explain what the hell that was all about?" The soft-spoken words were as empathic as if they'd been shouted, demanding an answer.



"It wasn't self explanatory?" Chris met the angry expressions of the five men with a glare that normally would have ended any further discussion but not this time. "The little bastard wanted out, he just didn't have the fuckin' guts to face me and say so."



"And you know this....how?"



"I had a very enlightening lunch with that barracuda who gave birth to him." Larabee crushed out his cheroot, immediately lighting another. "Seems just like us, Standish became a victim of his latest con because he couldn't figure out a way to escape the unwanted situation he was trapped in."



"Aww hell.......Chris...." Vin shook his head, his eyes full of despair.



"If he wanted out why didn't he just leave?" JD asked, breaking the long silence that had ensued, fidgeting as the blond's attention turned to him.



"Outta the mouth of babes." Buck commented seeing the uncertainty which crossed his old friend's face. "Kid's gotta a point Chris! Ezra didn't have to say anything or face any of us. All he had to do was pack and go but he didn't....at least until now."



"What exactly did Maude tell you Brother Larabee?" Josiah crossed his arms over his massive chest, leaning against the wall.



"According to his mother the only reason Ezra's hung around this long is because he felt indebted to me for some reason. She thought he owed me money and even offered to pay it off with interest." Chris grunted with disgust.



"For somebody who didn't wanna be here he sure worked awful damn hard." All eyes turned to Nathan, not surprised to hear him defend the man in whom he constantly found fault.



Vin's shimmering blue eyes locked with Larabee's hazel ones, seeing the anger begin to fade. "Why didn't ya jist talk to him Chris? Why didn't ya jist ask Ezra what he wanted?" The tracker questioned softly.



Tanner turned and pushed past the others without waiting for an answer. They watched silently as his shoulders slumping dejectedly, he crossed the outer office to Ezra's corner. Sinking into the chair, he slowly began stacking the files neatly, sliding them into the drawers, and putting the desk back in the immaculate order usually kept by the con man.



Ezra had taken nothing with him but his coat. His imported leather briefcase rested on the floor beside the desk, his expensive Mont Blanc pen set and the tacky coffee cup JD had brought him from Florida still rested in their regular place. Winnie the Pooh still leaned against the computer monitor.



The fury that had controlled Chris since leaving the diner evaporated like mist under a hot summer sun as the men silently filed from his office, gathered their coats and headed for the elevators. Their spirits sinking in sorrow at their missing member, no one muttered a goodbye, fearful of the finality that simple word evoked.



*******



Chris was surprised to find Vin still seated at the gambler's desk in the now darkened office. He'd spent the last two hours hiding in his own office, lost in thought, berating himself for his earlier actions.



Why had he been so quick to believe a woman he barely knew? A woman he knew for fact to be a conniving, manipulative liar. Why had he believed her over the man he'd worked with these past months? A man who as far as Chris knew had lied to them only when cornered concerning his past.



All indications from the background checks he'd run had shown Maude to be a woman who cared less for the child she'd brought into the world than for the money to be made from the schemes she worked. Yet he'd listened and believed when she told him of her son's desire to return with her to the life they'd once shared.



He'd believed because Ezra had never allowed himself to be truly one of their family. He had resisted their every effort to include him, insisting on remaining on the outer edge of their group. Refusing to take the chance they wouldn't hurt him like so many others had. And, that's exactly what Chris had done. His hurtful words cutting the con man to ribbons in front of the very men whose respect he sought. Why hadn't the gambler defended himself? Why hadn't he fought back? Offered some explanation for Maude's statements.



'He don't feel worthy of friendship. He's just waitin', afraid of the rejection he's so sure is comin’ Vin’s words rang in his ears. Chris had delivered that rejection.



Leaving the diner, he'd told himself to calm down. Told himself to talk to the con man, but the closer he got to the office, the hotter the fire of rage burning in his belly grew, reaching an intensity that wouldn't be contained by the time he reached the gambler's desk.



"Why'd ya do that Chris?" Vin's soft question filled the room. "Why'd ya have ta humiliate him in front of us?"



"I don't know." Larabee admitted guiltily with a sad shake of his head. "I honestly don't know. I guess I was just so pissed off I let my temper get the better of me."



"That's a damn piss poor excuse." Tanner growled.



"Ya think I don't know that!" He shouted. Taking a deep breath, Chris swallowed the anger that was once again building. Anger at himself. He'd already allowed his rage to destroy one member of his team if not the team itself and he sure as hell didn't want it to cost him his best friend. "Damnit Vin,.....I honestly don't know why I...." His voice trailed off.



"Yes ya do. You believed Maude cause Ezra leaving is what you've been waitin' for.....It's what you been expectin' him ta do from the beginnin'...." Vin still hadn't moved. He'd wanted to go after Ezra but knew there was only one person who could make things right again. Only Larabee could mend the rip in their family.



He saw the pain and sorrow in his friend's eyes as Chris sagged into a nearby chair. It was the same pain and sorrow he'd seen in Ezra's eyes when the blond man was shouting his accusations. "That's the only reason you would have believed her Chris and that's iffen ya expected it ta be true....Cept for when she was in that accident, ya ever even heard Ezra mention his ma...or any kinda family until she showed up?......You said yourself she's a controlling bitch....My bet is she come here wantin' him to help her with a job and he turned her down....." Sadness echoed in his words, "And now, ya chose ta believe what she told ya, without even givin' Ezra a chance to have his say..."



"God, Vin, what have I done!"



"Nothin’, ya can't fix.....if you're honest! Ya gotta talk to him Chris. Ya gotta make him listen. Ya gotta let him know what's goin' on in your head. Sometimes you're damn near as closed mouth as he can be and I know you're just as stubborn, but ya gotta tell him Chris. Else, it's all blown to hell and gone."



"I'm close mouthed? If that ain't the pot callin' the kettle black." A small smile touched Chris' lips as he pushed to his feet. "Better get this over with."



"Chris?" Vin called as Larabee reached for the door. "Go easy.....He's been waitin' all along for this ta happen....He'll wanna believe ya but his....it'll be hard for him....He wants to belong Chris. He wants to be a part of us but he's never had that before and he just don't know how."



*******



Clutching the Scotch bottle to his chest, Ezra stumbled across his bedroom and sank into the chair, his eyes on the mess he'd created. No. The mess she'd created. His loving mother had once again entered his life and turned his world upside down.



What in the hell made him think this could work? He had gone against everything he was ever taught and he had paid the ultimate price. He'd bet everything on winning the jackpot but instead, he had lost everything. Everything that had ever come to have meaning to him. Honor, respect....friendship....



Ezra had been numb from the moment he'd stepped from the office until entering the penthouse to find Maude waiting, her suitcases stacked by the door, ready to be taken to the airport. Larabee's bitter words were still echoing in his ears.



"Making your escape Mother?"



"I was just leaving you a note. Winston has concluded his business early so we're flying to Switzerland tonight."



"Why'd ya do it Mother?" The question was out before he could stop himself, his accent deepening with resentment.



"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about. If you want an answer, you'll have to be a little more explicit."



"Don't play innocent with me Mother. We've played this scene too many times before." The woman stood her ground as clenching and unclenching his fists, he stepped past her to the bar and poured two fingers of scotch into a glass. "Why couldn't you let things be for a change. Why'd ya go to Mr. Larabee?"



"Ezra, my sweet boy," He pulled away as she laid a hand on his arm. "You were meant for better things, than associating with those unsophisticated roughnecks. They pay you a pittance to use your God given talents and expertise. You are so much better than they are in every respect. They aren't even in your league. I couldn't stand by and allow you to be used and tossed aside when they no longer needed you."



"No. That privilege is strictly reserved for you." Ezra stated bitterly, downing the drink and pouring another. As was her custom Maude ignored the comment, hearing nothing that put her in a poor light. "And you are so wrong in so many ways, it's not even comprehensible. They are the most honorable men I've ever had the pleasure to know and I'm the one who's not in their league. Those unsophisticated roughnecks are my friends Mother....They trusted me.....They....they knew what I was but it didn't matter to them....They accepted me."



"So why are you here alone instead of with them?" Ezra's poker face slipped at her question revealing the hurt. "Think about it my sweet boy, if they really trusted you would there have been any doubt at all in Christopher's mind about what he was told" She watched with distaste as he quickly finished the second drink, refilling his glass yet again. Maude glanced at the door as the chimes sounded. "That would be my driver so I fear we'll have to finish this discussion some other time but if it makes you feel any better, I'm sure they'll come crawling with an apology the next time they need you....Rather than drown yourself in alcohol, consider what I said...and for your information, I only informed him of the truth."



Blowing him a kiss, she breezed out the door, leaving the life he'd been trying to build in shatters as thoroughly as if a tornado had touched down in his living room.



The truth! That was a laugh. Maude wouldn't know the truth if God himself wrote it on her fancy stationary and handed it to her personally. Yet he couldn't escape the fact, she was right about Chris.



Larabee had listened to Maude. He had believed whatever she'd said....He'd thrown Ezra out without so much as a second thought. Ezra had known it was going to happen eventually. It always happened. If not Maude's words, someone else would be believed and he would be shamed and discarded.



He had hoped...had prayed...it would be different this time, here with these men whom he had truly come to trust, but he'd been mistaken. He had let his walls and masks slip down just a bit and it had gotten him hurt...For one of the few times in his life, he truly regretted his past deeds, his natural talents...and his parentage.



*******



Chris pushed the elevator button impatiently. He'd spent the last fifteen minutes ringing the bell and pounding on Ezra's door to no avail. He was going to get inside that apartment if he had to drag Harry's ass up here and force the man at gunpoint to open the door. Something inside him was screaming if he didn't reach Ezra tonight.....didn't talk to the gambler....didn't make the con man listen.....didn't straighten out the mess he'd created....their friend would be forever lost to them!



He reached for the button again as the penthouse elevator doors slid open to reveal the remaining five members of his team. "What the hell...."



"Thought ya might need this." Vin held up the spare key, remembering the pride he'd felt at the show of trust when Ezra had offered it to him to be used in case of emergencies. In his eyes, this was a full-blown emergency.



"He's our friend too, Chris." Buck answered the question he saw in the blond's hazel eyes. "Figured you might need some help convincing the stubborn ass just how much he means to us." He didn't try to hide the fact he was still angry at Chris for the way he'd treated the gambler. For putting them in the position of losing a member of their family.



"We all been callin' his place since he left the office but we just get the machine and that stopped a couple hours ago." Nathan informed him. No one had really been surprised to see the others climbing from their cars in the garage of Ezra's building. They were a team. Men who stood by each other and stood together and one of their own was in desperate need of their combined strength and friendship.



"This is your show Chris." Vin stated, slipping the key into the lock. "You did it and you gotta fix it but we'll be here for support. Iffen ya need us just give a shout."



"We'll hold him down and make him listen if necessary." Josiah clapped a large hand on Larabee's shoulder, giving the younger man a nod of encouragement. They took up positions in the hall to wait as he entered the penthouse.



*******



The dark apartment had a feeling of emptiness to it that sent a chill through Larabee as he felt along the wall for a light switch. Was he already too late? Had the gambler headed for greener pastures while he had been hiding in his office, making up his mind?



He remembered thinking the day he offered the job to the southerner, how much Ezra needed to be part of this team. Needed to be a member of this family and yet with cruel, hateful words Larabee had thrown him aside as if he were insignificant.



Chris made his way through the penthouse, checking each room, stopping just inside Ezra's bedroom, his heart skipping several beats as his eyes adjusted to the darkness enough to discern the open suitcases on the bed.



"A wise man would remain.... right there."



Larabee jumped at the quietly spoken slurred words, followed by the distinct sound of a gun being cocked.



"I don't appreciate uninvited intruders in my home."



"It's me Ezra....Chris."



"No need to identify yourself by name Mr. Larabee. The voice is quite recognizable. It's a sound that will most likely haunt my nightmares for the rest of my days." The sarcasm was unmistakable.



Chris blinked at the sudden infusion of light as Ezra turned on the lamp next to the chair where he sat, laying the weapon on the table, next to the nearly empty scotch bottle. "Whatcha doin' here? Makin' sure I'm really clearin' outta the country? If I'm n-not mista...ken, breakin' and enterin' is still against the law."



Larabee nodded toward the suitcases. "Plannin' on takin' a trip somewhere, Ezra?"



"Like ya'd give a shit," Ezra mumbled lowly, then louder, "As I'm no longer in your emple...em...since ya ain't my boss no more, it ain't none a your damn business." The southerner's precise speech had slipped away, replaced by a bitter, thick southern drawl and swear words that rarely escaped the man's lips. The glass long ago forgotten, Ezra tipped the bottle to his lips, finishing the contents. "Sides, can't think a no reason to hang around here." Tossing the empty container aside, to land unbroken on the thick carpeting, he struggled to his feet and pushing Chris aside staggered from the room.



"That ain't gonna help, Ezra." Chris remarked quietly, watching the younger man dig through the liquor cabinet.



Even drunk, Ezra couldn't bring himself to hurt the older man by pointing out that Larabee would certainly know about getting lost in a bottle. After all he'd spent years in an alcoholic fog.



"Didn't I....ask what ya's doin' here?" He cracked the seal on a fresh bottle, taking a long swallow before pulling a glass closer and filling it to the rim.



"I came to apologize Ezra.....I shoulda..." His voice trailed off as the gambler began to laugh only to end up choking on the fiery liquor.



"Damn! Maude nailed that one." He chuckled. "She said you'd apologize as soon as...as...ya needed my help....Just didn't figure it bein' this soon."



"That's not why I'm apologizing and what the hell are you listening to her for?"



"Why not?.....You did." Before Chris could react to the accusation, the glass slipped from Ezra's fingers, his eyes rolled back and his knees buckled. Jumping the coffee table, Larabee caught the smaller man before he hit the floor.



"Vin! Get in here!" The blond tossed Ezra over his shoulder as Vin rushed into the apartment.



"God Chris, ya didn't hit him did ya?"



"Course not!" Larabee glared at his best friend before marching down the hall. "He's soused! I need ya to clear off his bed."



Vin momentarily froze at the sight of the packed suitcases before shoving them aside and pulling back the blankets, helping Chris ease the con man onto the bed. Wordlessly, while Chris removed Ezra's shoes and tucked the blankets around the younger man's shoulders, Vin began emptying the luggage, hanging the suits back in the closet, placing other items in dresser drawers, giving the blond a small smile as Larabee silently helped, finally setting the empty bags in a far corner of the storage closet.



*******



Chris sipped the coffee, his eyes on the man in the bed as Ezra began to stir. He winced in sympathy as the gambler groaned in, morning after, agony. Well he may not be in the mood to listen to Larabee but it was a certainty the man wasn't going to be in any shape to run from him. Slipping quietly from the room, he returned with the cold cloths and a glass of orange juice.



After sending the others home, Chris had thrown the empty liquor bottles down the trash chute and scrubbed the spilled alcohol from the carpet. Placing several wet washcloths in the refrigerator he searched through the cabinets and returned to the bedroom placing a mop bucket on the floor and a bottle of aspirin next to a glass of water on the nightstand before settling into the chair for the night.



He hadn't been surprised when following the smell of fresh brewed coffee at six that morning, he'd found Vin seated at the breakfast bar in the enormous kitchen, thumbing through the morning paper. He knew without a doubt the others would be arriving soon, unable to stay away until certain the black sheep of their family was back in the fold.



As the gambler groaned again, Chris stepped up to the side of the bed. "Swallow these Ezra." He dropped two of the painkillers in one of the con man's hand and placed the glass of water in the other.



"What the hell are you doing here Mr. Larabee?" Ezra's stomach rebelled the moment he washed down the pills.



"Nursing a friend through a bitchin' hangover." Larabee grinned supporting the gambler's head as he emptied the contents of his stomach into the bucket. Handing him two more aspirin, he replaced the water with the juice forcing the gambler to swallow the pills before laying one of the rags across his forehead.



"I believe I asked this before but it bears repeating, why are you here?"



"I came to apologize and before ya go off on a tangent, it's not because we need ya." Chris cringed, realizing how the statement sounded, rushing on before Ezra could interrupt. "We do need you Ezra but not like Maude makes it sound....We need ya.....I need ya.....because you're my friend."



The slitted emerald eyes clearly revealed the southerner's skepticism. "I believe you expressed yourself quite clearly yesterday."



"I can't begin to tell ya how sorry I am for the things I said.....I don't even know why I said em.....I let Maude piss me off to the point I wasn't thinkin’ straight and yes that's a piss poor excuse, which has already been pointed out but-"



"Mr. Larabee could you please do me the favor of apologizing with a touch softer tone." Ezra groaned, fighting his rebellious stomach. "Just what did Maude say that caused such a inauspicious reaction?"



"Where the hell is Maude? I have a few things to set straight with her too." The moan his angry growl elicited brought forth another apology.



"Maude is probably relaxing in a Swiss chalet by...." Once more Chris supported the con man as the aspirin followed their predecessors. "Just....shoot....me now.....but be sure and....use a silencer....please."



"Ya ever heard how loud a silencer can be?" Chris chuckled, moving the arm Ezra had thrown over his eyes and wiping the pale face with another of the cool cloths. "Maude said the only reason you stayed with us was because you feel like you owe me something. Is that true?"



Ezra removed the cold rag from his bloodshot eyes and ignoring the spinning room forced himself up on his elbows. "Mr. Larabee, for such an astute person I would have thought you more observant. After all these months have you not learned that one way or another, I do exactly as I please. I have always forged my own path finding that roads well traveled are usually extremely mundane. I believe in that respect we are a lot alike." He paused, taking a deep breath as the room spun crazily, his muscles beginning to quake in protest. "Although it wouldn't prevent my giving notice if I so desired, Maude was correct in one regard, Mr. Larabee. I do owe you....I owe you and the others for the friendship and respect you've shown me...even if it was nothing more than a pretense.....Now if you'll excuse me, I think I would like to return to the painless oblivion of sleep. I know my body would greatly appreciate it." Carefully scooting down in the bed, the gambler curled up on his side, his back to Chris.



"Not yet Ezra!" Larabee moved around the bed to face the con man. "None of it's a pretense Ezra. Never was...Never will be! I know I have a problem telling people how....." Buck's earlier statement rang in his ears. "You're important to us Ezra. Not your skills or your cons...YOU!....Damnit! This isn't comin' out right at all...."



"What that tongue tied fool is tryin' to say Ez, " Vin stepped into the room and set the mug of coffee on the nightstand. "He don't want ya to leave...None of us do. You're important to this team and this family Ez. Yes we need your skills and your intelligence and your cons to help make this team work but we also need your laughter and your friendship to make this little family of ours work. Chris just let his mouth override his good sense yesterday." Larabee threw the sharpshooter a look of gratitude. "Holler when you're ready and I'll make ya somethin’ to eat.....Oh by the way, after you left yesterday, a Mrs. Baker called the office. She said to let ya know three o'clock was fine but if ya had any questions ya could call her back."



"Ya don't owe us anything Ezra. Just let us be your friend.....Be part of our family." Chris pretended not see the tears that leaked from under the gambler's closed eyelids as he pulled the blankets over the con man's shoulders and started for the door.



"Mr. Larabee?"



"Yeah Ezra?"



"Who made the coffee?"



"Vin." Chris stifled his laughter at the groan from the bed. "Don't worry, I'll make a fresh pot when ya wake up."



*******



"Ya sure this is gonna work?"



"I'm sure Chris." Vin fished for the right key.



"Ya know if he catches us here, he's libel to fill us full of holes with that little popgun of his." Buck whispered adjusting his grip.



"Don't worry, Buckley, he can only get two of us with it....the rest'll take care of things....Maybe you should go first just in case." Tanner teased. "He ain't gonna be here until after the party at the community center tonight."



"And just how do you know that?" Nathan insisted, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting Ezra to step from the elevator.



"Cause when he left the shelter he said he'd meet us there tonight."



"So how do ya know he ain't in there takin' a nap." JD questioned, shifting the box in his arms nervously.



"I checked with Harry."



"But if he came up from the garage instead of through the lobby the doorman wouldn't have seen him." Josiah reasoned.



"Trust me." Vin sighed, slipping the key into the lock. Discovering Ezra's secret when Mrs. Baker had called was a complete accident or maybe it was fate but either way, the tracker didn't feel it was his place to inform the others that the gambler was putting on a one man magic show at the Children's Hospital. "If y'all keep arguin' and askin' questions we are gonna get caught."



*******



Chris glanced around the penthouse with a small smile, his hazel eyes twinkling as they came to rest on the first personal memento to grace Ezra's home, an unsigned Christmas present from the team leader. The framed photo, of Vin and Ezra, had been taken by JD during one of the weekend excursions the con man had been forced to attend. Like two mischievous boys, their relaxed, happy, laughter captured on film, Chris couldn't help thinking how young the two of them looked. With a last glance around, he flipped off the lights and hurried after the others.



*******



With a last glance around to make sure nothing had been disturbed, Ezra slipped out and locked Chris' door behind him. Checking his watch as he eased down the road, he was pleased to note that he'd spent less than five minutes at each of the residencies. He'd almost gotten caught at Nathan's when Rayne entered the lobby as he stepped from the elevator but fortune had been with him and the doctor's fiancée had been stopped by another occupant of the building giving the gambler time to slip past unnoticed.



A dimpled grin graced the handsome face, the emerald eyes twinkling merrily as he pictured his six assoc....friends, pondering, then wondering and finally deciding there really was a Santa Claus as they opened the present that hadn't been under the tree when they left their homes today.



The gifts he'd bought to be opened after dinner at Chris' tomorrow were safely locked in the trunk but they were simply tokens unlike the unsigned items left in their homes. Each man was special to him and he somehow wanted to express that but never having bought Christmas presents, other than the toys he took to the Children's Hospital, he wasn't ready to face their displeasure or appreciation.



Turning onto the highway, Ezra stepped on the accelerator, not wanting to explain his tardiness to those waiting at the community center.



*******



Laughter and Christmas carols mixed with the delicious aromas that still hung in the air, filling the old farmhouse with the love and warmth of family.



"Next year, I get to play Santa." Josiah argued. "I've got a much better ho ho ho."



"As a certain southern gambler would say, I take umbrage at that remark." Buck grinned. "I make a great Santa!"



"I don't care who plays Santa but I ain't wearing that dumb elf outfit again." JD pouted. He turned, surprised, as Vin, seated cross-legged among the ripped wrapping paper, looking for all the world like a child whose every Christmas wish had come true, blew several notes on the shiny new harmonica. "Hey Vin, I thought ya lost your mouth organ on that last job?"



"I did." The man shrugged. His eyes strayed from the small words engraved on the musical instrument. 'Vin. A wise man knows, music soothes the soul’ to the man seated on the couch, his chestnut hair bent over the book of ancient legends he’d received from Josiah, his fingers stroking the head of the small pup in his lap.



"Buy ya a new one?"



"Nope....Santa brought it!"



Sensing the blue eyed gaze Ezra glanced up, a secret smile touching his lips. Evidently, he hadn't been the only one playing Santa the previous afternoon for when the gambler had returned to his apartment, he had found the living room brightly decorated with endless garlands and brightly twinkling lights. In a box, under a perfectly decorated tree, a large red bow about his neck, was a small bundle of black curls, heralding his arrival with a happy yapping.



"Merry Christmas Ezra."



"It is indeed Mr. Tanner....It is indeed."


THE END