Author's note 1: This actually happened to my Dad, many years ago. I do not exaggerate! It was the scariest evening I ever spent, but it is a hysterical story to tell.

Author's note 2: Originally posted in April 2005

Beta by Lady Bard, any remaining mistakes are of course my own…

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, they belong to MGM and others, I am only doing this for fun, not profit. Mog created the ATF AU; I bow to her brilliance.

Circular Arguments Part 1 – Watch your step

"Hey Ez, you mind stoppin' at the store on the way home? I gotta pick up a couple of things." Vin didn't think it would be a problem, but Ezra was driving, and they hadn't discussed plans for the evening and Vin hated to take things like that for granted.

"Of course not Vin. Which store did you need? There is a Safeway on the way, or the King Soopers not far out of our way that has an excellent bakery section. We could do garlic bread." Though the two of them had been together well over a year, Vin had only moved in with Ezra the month before, and didn't yet know the in's and out's of shopping in the area.

"King Soopers' is fine. Used the last of my shavin' cream this morning." He was quiet after that letting Ezra concentrate on driving. It had snowed about 5 inches the night before, nothing the city couldn't handle, snow plows and sand trucks had been out all day and most of the main roads were perfectly clear. Unfortunately, what little snow had melted during the day was now freezing again. Sheets of ice were out there lurking, waiting for a distracted driver to make a sudden move, or put a bit too much pressure on the brake and spin out of control or slide into the car in front of them. Springtime in the Rockies at its best.

Ezra was an excellent driver, but he had spent most of his life in the much warmer south, and the Jag was not the ideal vehicle for the current road conditions, but concentration and prudence got them safely to the parking lot of the grocery store. It obviously had not been plowed, but they managed to get in and park without much trouble.

How treacherous the parking lot was became clear to Vin the minute he stepped out of the car. The pavement was as slippery as a skating rink. He was grateful for the hiking boots he'd worn that morning. His usual cowboy boots would have been a nightmare in this stuff. Come to think of it, Ezra was wearing dress shoes, his boots thrown in the trunk just in case, but that wasn't going to help in this mess.

"Careful Ez, this stuff is slicker than all git out," Vin warned. He waited at the back of the car for Ezra to carefully make his way around the Jag, hand wisely holding the vehicle for balance. When he reached Vin's side, he grinned and said, "Shall we?"

As they stepped away from the Jag, it happened. One second they were walking side by side, the next Ezra was flat on his back with barely an 'oof' as the wind was knocked out of him. A split second later, Vin was kneeling next to him, concern apparent in his expression. "You ok?" was all that he could think to ask.

"I think I bruised the hell out of my pride," came the sarcastic reply. "Help me up please. This is very embarrassing, and I do not wish to make a scene."

"No prob." Vin carefully climbed to his feet and reached down to give Ezra a hand up. It took Ezra a moment to find his balance on the slick ground and he ended up leaning against Vin.

"Whoa there pard, you sure you're ok? Did you hit your head?" Vin was actually starting to wonder if this was more serious than he had first thought. He reached around the back of Ezra's head to check if there was bleeding. His hand came away wet with melting snow, but no blood.

"You dizzy?"

"No Vin, I'm fine," was the exasperated reply. "Can we go in now. It's getting cold out here." He gave Vin an affectionate look before adding, "No need to worry, I just feel stupid for not staying on my feet."

Vin shook his head in defeat, but grabbed Ezra's elbow to help him keep his balance on the ice, which he now regarded with even more trepidation. They managed to make it into the store without any more mishaps, but once inside the brightly-lit store, Vin got his first good look at Ezra and realized just how pale he was. Taking a quick look around, he spotted a bench near the checkout stands. He led an unusually docile Ezra to it. "Sit down," he ordered, then added, "Please?" when a rebellious look started to appear.

"Listen Ez. Just wait for me here. I'll only be a minute, ok?"

"I'm perfectly all right, Vin!"

"I know you are, just humor me, ok?" He tried using a pleading look but it must have been only partially successful because he got the impression Ezra was on the verge of laughing at him.

"Fine Vin," he finally said with a grin, "go get what you need."

Satisfied, Vin stood and moved away. As he made his way towards the aisle he needed he saw an employee heading in his general direction. After noticing that the nametag stated 'Bob, Assistant Manager' Vin moved to intercept the man.

"Scuse me?" Vin said softly, once he had the man's attention.

"Can I help you?" the man asked dutifully.

"Yeah, my friend over there," Vin indicated where Ezra was sitting, giving him the evil eye, "he fell in the parking lot and hit his head. Do you think someone can keep an eye on him for a minute while I grab a couple of things?"

Bob looked instantly concerned, gaze shifting from Vin to where Ezra was sitting. "Of course sir. We'll keep an eye on him for you."

For just an instant, Vin was stumped as to why the man looked so worried until the word 'lawsuit' wandered through his brain. Well, if it meant someone would be keeping an eye on his stubborn other half, all the better.

"Thanks," was all he said as he made a beeline for the toiletry section. He grabbed the shaving cream. Noticing the deodorant Vin grabbed one reminded that he was running out.

He was about to head to the checkout lane when he remembered the garlic bread Ezra had mentioned. His determination to get back to Ezra wavered for a moment. Glancing around, he caught sight of the sign for the bakery section and decided what the hell.

He hurried towards it, but came up short when he saw Ezra deep in conversation with a man who appeared to be a baker. The white hat and smock were a dead giveaway. As he got closer, he was amused to hear the two conversing in what he thought was French. He knew that his lover spoke several languages including French; he just hadn't expected to run into a French person working at a grocery store in Denver.

The baker noticed Vin walking towards them and asked, "May I help you?"

"Naw, I'm just waitin' on Ezra here," he said with a grin. "You decide I couldn't be trusted to find the right kind of bread Ez?"

"Of course not Vin, I have the utmost faith in your ability to chose the correct loaf to suit our needs. I just wished to stop by and give my regards to François." He then proceeded to introduce the two men, and Vin learned that François was head of the bakery here, and, as he had guessed, French.

After François had picked out the 'perfect loaf' they headed for the express checkout lane. As they waited, Vin couldn't help himself, and had to ask, "You sure you're feeling ok? Why didn't you wait for me like you said?"

"Vin. I. Am. Fine," was the slow clear reply. "I never said I would wait there."

Thinking back, Vin realized he had gotten an acknowledgement to his request, not a promise to comply. He should have paid more attention to his sneaky boyfriend. "Sorry," was all he could think to say with a helpless shrug. "Can't help worryin' about my fella." This last was said very softly, but the bright-eyed smile this earned him was worth the chance of being overheard in a public place.

Once they were checked out, Vin insisted that Ezra hand over the keys to the Jag and wait for him in front of the store. He was not going to risk Ezra falling again. After eliciting a promise to be extremely careful with his pride and joy, keys were handed over. Vin made his way to the car without mishap and put the small sack in the back seat of the car. With all due care, he drove to where Ezra was waiting for him.

Unfortunately, that was as far as Ezra was willing to give in, and without really knowing how he lost the argument, Vin found himself in the passenger seat headed for home. The drive was eventless and they were soon pulling into the garage of the townhouse, which thankfully had direct access to the kitchen.

Coats and boots were put away and the bread was left on the kitchen counter. The two made their way to the bedroom to change out of their work clothes and get comfortable for the evening. A few touches and kisses were exchanged, but there was no urgency. It was Friday night and they had the weekend to themselves.

Ezra went to the kitchen to start dinner and Vin turned on the TV to catch the news after he set the table for the two of them. The cheerful anchorwoman announced the lead story would be the governor's speech at a local University followed by the Av's chances in this year's Stanley Cup race. Deciding neither was worth his attention, Vin made his way to the kitchen to keep Ezra company.

Conversation was general and varied: Buck's chances with the new girl in requisitions (Ezra thought the odds were in Buck's favor), the chances the snow would be gone by tomorrow (highly likely), whether the Bronco's would make the playoffs (hope springs eternal). Comfortable conversation.

Absolutely nothing unusual until Ezra looked up from stirring the spaghetti sauce and asked casually, "You will be spending the night, won't you?"

Vin hadn't seen that shy hopeful look since very early in their relationship, nearly two years before, and it took him so much by surprise, that all he could think to say was, "Course I am Ez." He was about to add jokingly 'I live here now, remember?' but didn't have the heart when he saw how happy Ezra looked.

How very strange.

Conversation drifted to possible weekend activities (other than the bedroom kind, that was a given!). By the time dinner was ready and they were moving to the table, the national news were on and whatever the story was about, they were showing a picture of the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis.

"I wonder if Mother is still residing in that fair city? With the lack of news on that front, I fear she may descend upon us at any moment. Ah well, would you like me to open a bottle of wine to go with dinner? I believe I have a nice red that would accent this nicely."

Vin missed the second bit, still fixated on the first. "Uh, Ez?" When his lover looked up at him, he said "Maude was here not three weeks ago, and we got a postcard from her yesterday sayin' she was in Paris." Ezra appeared confused for a second then just said, "Of course, how silly of me."

Vin was starting to get concerned. This was more than strange; it was starting to get weird. He suddenly remembered the second half of Ezra's statement about wine. He was starting to think that was a really bad idea. "Don't bother with the wine Ez. It'll be fine like this."