See Disclaimer, Summary and Warning in the first part.
Part 2
1.
Week later…
Ezra walked toward the ATF with Chris followed.
The first man that greeted Ezra was Judge Travis.
"How are you feeling?" Orrin asked him.
"I had better days." Ezra replied, not knowing why the judge welcome him, doesn't the judge knows about him, of being a thief?
"That was not a way to welcome you and Chris in the first day, and we had needed to respect Chris's wishes, and I am going to say sorry from all of us." Judge Travis told him.
Ezra could feel that there is something wrong. He searched and asked for the catch.
"What's the catch?"
"Since I'm going to lead that group, you are going to be undercover." Chris replied to him, noticed how his lover stared with his eyes wide open like he been in shock.
"Me? You've got me to be undercover agent? You can't be serious!" Ezra outburst at him, can't believe that Chris asked him that.
"Why not?" Buck asked him and then he added, "Chris told us what you did in the past, how good you are, he trusts you that much, and that I trust you as well."
Ezra turned his eyes back to his lover, and Chris could read the proud shining from his green eyes, like emerald diamond.
"What is our truly mission Judge?" Buck asked, cutting the silence.
"The Nichols family." Judge Travis replied as he led them to the conference room.
"The Nichols? The Nichols brothers?" Ezra asked, and could see of all sudden flashback from the attack and kidnapped while he walked back from the office last week.
"Do you know them? Heard about them?" Vin asked, he could noticed that there was something scary that scared Ezra.
"Damn." Ezra hit the table with his hand, can't believe that it was them to hurt him in the first place.
"Ezra, talk to me," Chris asked, notices the anger in his lover's eyes, and he just wished that Ezra will talk to him, he notices that there was something that bothers him, "Tell me what is it Ezra, please?"
Ezra could felt still the pain in his chest and side, as a remembrance from last week. Yet he could also feel the headache and felt that he needs to be alone and thinks.
Ezra gets up from his chair, one hand supporting the table, before he walked outside the room. Chris moved his chair and was get ready to follow him.
"Let him be Chris," Nathan told him, and stood, "I will check on him, I'm sure that he still having pain."
"Thank you Nathan." Chris thanked him, though he still believes that he should be the one with Ezra.
Orrin scanned the faces of his men, minus Nathan and Ezra, noticed though something at Vin's face, the worried at Chris', though Buck and JD seemed taking the file and reading about the case, and Josiah is staring at him, wants to know more.
"I have no idea that Ezra knows about them." Orrin told them while staring at Chris.
"I don't think that he knew, but I think that had something to do with last week." Vin added his thought.
"I can't believe that I missed it," Chris mumbles, "They hurt him that much that he could have died."
"How can we find them?" Orrin asked the group; hope to hear their thought instead to stay in the dark.
"I know how," Chris replied, "I need someone to trace someone that I know, maybe if we'll find him, we'll know where they are."
"Who is that man?" Orrin asked.
"My father-in-law." Chris replied.
"You are married?" JD asked, and then he added, "I didn't saw it in your file, and it's never been mention that you were married."
"Shut up kid." Buck added as he slaps JD in the head, as he could see the pained marked on Chris's face.
"You didn't have to slap me, you know…" JD told him, and slaps back at Buck.
Orrin shook his head, though stared at Chris, as he wanted to know more.
"I was married with a child. My wife was unique in her way. Though I lost them five years ago while be an FBI agent." Chris told them.
"Who do I need to track?" Vin asked.
"Hank Connolly." Chris replied, and then he got up and went outside the door, checking Ezra.
He didn't see Ezra in the office, though he noticed that the Judge door is open, and when he sneaked his head inside he saw Ezra lay in the couch, and Nathan is near him.
"How is he?" Chris asked and came closer.
"He should have stayed in home, he still in pain." Nathan replied.
"I'll take care of him." Chris thanked him, and then when Nathan left the room, Chris leant closer and kissed Ezra's forehead.
"Come love, we need to leave, and you should rest." Chris helped his sleepy lover to get up from the couch.
"Sleep… tired… ouch…" Ezra mumbled as he could felt the warm and the strength that came from his lover's arms.
"You will be all right after a warm shower and in my arms," Chris comforts him and added, "I will not let anything or anyone to harm you my love."
Ezra thanked him.
When they arrived to their home, though there were some unpacked boxes, which Chris didn't pay attention to pack it, and left it rested in the room.
After they took the warm shower, Chris led his naked but stiffen lover to the bed, he cradle him close.
Chris woke in the middle of the night as he could felt his lover seemed struggling and pushing him away, and hearing him cry for help.
"Please… stop… Chris… help…" Ezra mumbled.
"I'm here love, and you are safe." Chris snuggled closer to him, and kissed him softly on his cheeks.
'I thought that the nightmares stop, but I guess it will be more, I need to watch him closely on the next days.' Chris thoughts, while he is keeping watchful eyes upon his lover.
"Please… it hurts…" Ezra begged, still fighting in his nightmare.
"You are not there, not in that black van," Chris whispered to him, and added, "You are in our home, in our bed, in my arms, and you are safe Ezra."
"With you…" Ezra said in his sleep, not moving from the warm that he felt.
"Yes, my love, with you always." Chris told him.
Chris sighed in relief when Ezra slept and there was not another word that came from nightmares, and for that he was pleased.
Though he knew that Ezra should see someone or at least talk to someone to ease it at nights.
Chris returned to sleep till he woke up with the sun.
He knew that he should go to work, but he was afraid to leave Ezra all by himself, with the story of what happened to him last week; he knew that it will hunt him down, wear him till he will have a breakdown, and that he wouldn't need.
He decided to call to Orrin, he hoped that he could give him some ideas, or might one of the guys could stay with him.
He left the bed, wearing only pants; he took his phone and dialed the judge while watching with concern his lover.
"Orrin, good morning." Chris spoke.
"Good morning Chris, what can I do to help you in this early day?" Orrin asked.
"I can't leave Ezra alone, he is still having nightmares, but I don't want him to see other peoples, he hates it, and I was wondering…"
"If one of the guys can watch him?" Orrin asked him as he cuts him.
"Yep." Chris confirmed.
"No problem, I will send Josiah, just let me know what is your address, and he will be there." Orrin told him.
"Thank you Orrin and I will you see you at work when Josiah will arrive." Chris thanked him and closed the phone.
Chris left the room, and headed toward the kitchen, strong coffee was needed, even though he tempted to return in the bed.
He brought the coffee back in the bedroom, as he sat on the chair, watching his lover.
Chris noticed that the wounds not seemed to recover as it should, and bruises still covering Ezra pale skin, he was worried that might Ezra hides his pain from him, and that he won't need, he wants that Ezra will share everything with him, not hide it away from him.
About half hour later, there was a knock in the door, and Chris left the bedroom, and walked toward the door.
He opened the door, and let Josiah in.
Josiah watched the house; it was the first time that he walked inside the house of Chris and Ezra. He could see the unpacked boxes that stood in the living room, but said nothing, it was not that time.
Josiah just hoped that he could help with that young man.
Chris showed him around, and then he left, told him before he goes that if he needs anything, he can call him.
Josiah nodded and watched him as he left, and then he added toward the bedroom, sat in the chair beside the bed, and watched the young man, and he noticed too on his bruises skin.
He decided that Ezra should be covered in the blanket.
He left the chair, and took the blanket and covered the young man, and then he returned to sit on the chair.
A few minutes later, Ezra woke, feeling that there is something wrong in the room, and he couldn't feel his lover.
He woke up with panic, holding his derringer that he hides under the pillow, and aims it toward the figure in the chair.
"Ezra, it's me, Josiah, Chris asked me to stay here with you." Josiah stayed in the chair, didn't want to fright him more than he already was.
"Where's Chris? Why did he leave me with you?" Ezra asked still holding the gun.
"He left to work, and for the second question I don't know, I guess that he didn't want to leave you alone." Josiah replied.
He watched Ezra's body language, noticed how the young man stiff and wince from the pain, but not a word or moan came from him.
"Where's your pain killers Ezra?" Josiah asked, as he left the chair and walked closer to him, noticed how the gun is shaking, and figures that the pain must be hurting more than he thought.
"In the bathroom, on the shelf." Ezra replied, putting the gun back under the pillow.
Ezra could felt the world spinning around him, and later he could see dots, and then all he could see was black.
Josiah hurried in the room with two pills in one hand, and cup of water in the second, and Ezra was nowhere in sight.
He puts the pills and the water in the table near the chair and walked toward the bed, and could see Ezra on the floor, and he was paler than the white moon that he saw last night.
"Come on Ezra, wake up." Josiah tried to wake him, but no success.
He wants to call to Chris, but didn't know what to tell him. He left that idea in his mine, and called Nathan instead.
Nathan came soon as he could and Josiah opened the door, and then locked it, and then he led the doctor in the bedroom.
Ezra was still in the floor, he didn't want to move him, as he didn't know what the problem was.
Nathan removed the medicine from the bag that he brought with him.
He opened a bottle and moved it closer to Ezra's nose. He sighed in relief when he saw that Ezra waking.
Nathan could see the paleness of the skin as Josiah, and told him, "He should be better by now, I wonder what is wrong? I hope that the pain killers are helping, if not, I need to change his medicine."
"Ezra, you are safe son," Josiah told him softly, "We are your friends."
Nathan watched them, and then he headed toward the door frame, he noticed how Josiah stared at him, so he told him that he is going to make some food, and Ezra is looking thin.
Josiah helped him over the bed, and tucked him with the blanket, and told him that Nathan is making breakfast.
"Nathan? Why Doctor Jackson is here for?" Ezra asked didn't knowledge seeing the doctor in his and Chris' home.
"You fainted, and I called Nathan," Josiah replied, and then he added, "I didn't want though Chris to know."
"Good call old man." Ezra thanked him.
"I am not that old son." Josiah grinned at him.
Ezra grinned and closed his eyes, feeling embarrassed in his own home.
Nathan came along with a tray in his hands, bringing it to Ezra, while Josiah helped him to eat, since Ezra's muscles seemed to be weak.
"What did you tell Chris?" Josiah asked Nathan and Ezra couldn't help but watching them.
"That Rain is need my help about our weddings, which is true, but we didn't decide on the date." Nathan replied.
"And he let you to go?" Josiah asked.
"Yep, but I suspect that he might know." Nathan replied.
"I wouldn't surprise if Chris will open the door due this hour." Ezra grinned.
"How can you be sure?" Nathan asked.
By then there was a knock on the door, and then they could hear the key turning in the lock, and second later, the door was open.
"Chris is that you?" Ezra asked weakly.
"Ezra…" he replied and then when he entered the bedroom, he saw Nathan and Josiah helping his lover, he glared at Nathan and asked, "What is going on in here?"
"Chris, calm down, he was here because of me," Ezra replied, and then he added, "I wouldn't fainted if I knew that you left me with someone, though I almost shoot him, and then I lost, I couldn't… I fainted…"
"Thank you Nathan, and please, next time tell me the truth." Chris told him, and Nathan nodded.
"How is he?" Chris sat beside his lover, as he stared at Nathan.
"Ezra did the pain killers helping you?" Nathan asked, wanted to be certain before he will decided if Ezra needs to change his medicine.
"Ezra?" Chris asked when Ezra did not reply.
"It didn't help me in the first time, so I took couple more hours after." Ezra replied.
"I need to take him back to the children hospital," Nathan told Chris, "He is still in pain, he is also paler, and I need to know why, he should be recovering by now."
"I agree," Chris let the doctor knows and then he turned toward Josiah, "I want that you will stay with him."
"Don't I have a word about it?" Ezra asked.
"NO!" they all told him.
"Fine, but why won't you join me in the hospital?" Ezra asked, not pleased with the results."
"I have to find Hank you know that, and I don't want you to get hurt again, and I mean it Ezra." Chris told him.
"Give us few moments." Chris asked from Josiah and Nathan, knowing that his lover had suffered too many humiliations for one day even though he won't confess about it.
"Ezra I will not want you to get hurt and I know that you listen to me in the first time, but I really want you to hear me out, cause on the next time, well let me correct it, I don't want it to have inext time/i." Chris told him and helped him to wear pants and then he helped him wearing a shirt.
When Ezra was ready, Chris opened the door, and let both of the men in.
"Josiah," Chris turned to face him and then he added, "Don't forget to lock the door, and I want you to let me know every hour how he is doing," then he turned to face his lover, "Ezra I want you to behave."
"I will try Chris, but you know that I don't love hospitals."
"I know, but try for me." Chris asked.
Ezra nodded.
Chris left for work; he still needed to work with Vin, finding where Hank is.
When he returned to work, Buck welcomed him and then he asked, "How's Ezra?"
"Nathan believed that he should be taking a trip to the hospital, so they are there, and Josiah is keeping eye on Ezra." Chris updated him.
3 Days later…
Ezra walked into the office with Josiah in his heels, watching and not let him fall in case the young man will lose his balance.
Chris didn't see him at first since he was busy with Vin reading what they found in the last days till he heard Buck greeting Ezra and asking him for his health.
Chris turned around and eyes his lover, noticed how good he looks, and the color returned to his skin. He looks better, Chris impressed and walked to him.
"I missed you." Ezra told him.
"I know what I will do with you when this day will over…" Chris grinned, ignoring his team's teasing in the background.
"Ladies," Orrin called though he smiled, and then he turned to Ezra, "How are you doing young man?"
"Better, thank you Judge Travis," Ezra replied, and then he asked, his eyes gluing on Chris and Vin, "What did you found?"
"Hank or as he changed his name to Harrick, he is staying at 8 motel, room 101, and me and Vin was supposed to tail him," Chris replied, and then he added, "Do you want to come?"
"You don't want to leave me in the dark, don't you?" Ezra replied.
"You are right, let's go then." Chris smiled at him.
"Buck and Josiah I want you to come as well, JD I wanted you to check the motel system, see if you can find anything like might he is having a gun or hiding something that he shouldn't do, Nathan you are with us." Chris started to order them.
Ezra just smiled see how his lover giving to his team mates orders, though he kept watching Vin, noticed how Chris watched him like another player in their relationship. Ezra didn't love that look.
When they reached to the motel, and the room which Hank was supposed to be, the room was in mess, and there were things broken as well.
"I suppose that the Nichols might visit him." Ezra has spoken his mind.
"Might, or might they come here after he left," Vin suggested and then he added, "Do you have any idea where will he go?"
"I don't know if he knows where I lived, though I did spoke with him, but I don't recall if I told him where I stay." Chris replied.
"It's worth a shot." Buck said his thought.
"All right then follows my car." Chris said as he walked toward the car, and Ezra was after him, with Vin in the rear.
Buck, Josiah Nathan and JD took another car.
When they reached their home, Chris and Ezra saw that their door was still locked and when they opened it, they saw that everything was clear and no one was there.
Chris sighed in relief; though he lets his teammates enter and view their home.
"Ez, you should told us that you have that T.V. and the sound, I guess when you watch the games you feel like be in there." JD said as he observed the living room.
Ezra exchanged glances with Chris who didn't pay attention, though Ezra watched how his lover and Vin walked together toward the kitchen.
The thought that might Chris sees someone else was back into his mind.
"Hey Ezra, can you show me how to open this T.V. it's not like ours, I mean JD and me." Buck explained as he took attention at the look of the young man as he watched Chris and Vin.
"Sometimes Buck I don't even know what you used to hold that head of yours." Ezra sighed and walked toward them, took the remote from the table and clicked it open in some channel.
"Did he just insult me?" Buck asked.
Josiah and Nathan said nothing just laughed.
Nathan though observed Ezra, noticed the same as Buck as Ezra kept watching over Chris and Vin, but he thought to ask him something that he wished will distracted his mind away of it, "Ezra do you still have pain?"
"Less than I have every day." Ezra replied but didn't say his mind, that the pain in his heart of losing Chris to Vin is growing each day.
"If you need anything you just let me know, ok?" Nathan asked.
"I will thank you for everything." Ezra replied.
"Vin, you don't know what you are missing, Chris I believe that you should come as well." Buck called.
Chris and Vin left the kitchen, and Ezra could see the way that Chris shone with happiness and might joy to be near the long hair man.
"What is it?" Chris asked, not seemed see Ezra eyeing like this, as he focused his attention in the T.V. watching the news.
"It's about Hank and the Nichols family. The reporter said that the Nichols accusing Hank for killing one of their own." Buck replied.
"This is getting better and yet worse for us," Chris said and then he added, "We need to find Hank before the Nichols will get him first."
"Vin tracks him, and brings him here." Chris turned to say to the long hair man near him.
"Wait," Buck halted the man, and continued, "I will come with you, and you need someone to watch your back."
"Thanks Buck, but I know how to watch my back." Vin told him.
"You are not a team player, you still to learn and I'm still coming." Buck insists.
Vin stared at Chris, and Chris nodded.
"Fine, just don't touch anything." Vin told him.
"JD, use Ezra's laptop to hack where the Nichols are staying maybe we should pay them a visit." Chris suggested.
Ezra coughed.
"What is it Ezra?" Josiah asked.
"Chris, I can't believe that you didn't ask for my permission, though now it's just doesn't matter, right?" Ezra asked, feeling like he was being dumped even though the all painful ordeal that he had took his lover away from him.
Notice the frown and confused look that set upon Chris's face Ezra left the room, and slammed the bedroom door and then he locked it.
"What just happened here?" JD asked.
"I don't have a clue, don't have much information though all you were doing was glances, if I will have more, I will let you know boss." Josiah gave his impression from the situation.
"Thank you Josiah," Chris replied and then he turned toward his men, "Could you set the search for Hank? JD you can take the laptop, but don't forget to bring it back."
"I will thank you." JD replied and took the laptop from the table.
Chris thanked them and asked them to give him a call if they got something and then he locked the door after they left, and close the T.V.
While on the road…
Buck followed Vin as they reached to the motel, hope to find something that they might lost.
Vin smiled as he walked toward the mess room, and knelt beside some item.
"What did you find?" Buck asked as he noticed the man smiling.
"A lead," Vin replied and then he added asking, "What do you think that I found? Ezra's fancy charm sticks?"
"Now that was low Vin," Buck replied and added, "Do you falling for Chris?"
Vin faced him, swallowed the lump down his throat as he replied, "I might."
"You see Buck, I feel like he really could understand me and reading me before I even said anything and nobody ever did that, or get closer to it. I feel that I found my soul mate."
"Did I need to remind you that Chris and Ezra have a rock relationship?" Buck asked him and then he added, "We are now indeed seven, but did you ever thought what your action can cause if you get in the middle, have you ever thought about Ezra?"
"I did, and he is a friend, but I do have also had needs." Vin said.
"I thought that you are his friend, not to get into Chris's pants." Buck reminded to him.
"Either way, I hope that Chris will choose me, not that convict as he is, even though as he tried to hide it." Vin smirked.
"Fine, what did you find?" Buck asked, knew that he should have a long talk with Chris when they will come back. He didn't want that the other man will get hurt.
He become to like Ezra as a friend and didn't want to lose him that fast because of Vin's envious of him.
In the bedroom…
Ezra turned the radio as a song played by OneRepublic, at least that was what the reporter said, but he didn't recall the name of the song.
I need another story
Something to get off my chest
My life gets kinda boring
Need something that I can confess
"Chris… if you only knew how much I love you, I might won't lose you to Vin…" Ezra moaned in the dark.
'Til all my sleeves are stained red
From all the truth that I've said
Come by it honestly I swear
Thought you saw me wink, no
I've been on the brink, so
Ezra remembered about getting shot and the second trip to the hospital without Chris, without his lover, as Chris insists to him that he had work to do, not that he came to visit him, he was busy as work, busy to start another relationship.
The thief recalled the last events in their house; he remembered that Chris didn't even saw him wink, like he was ignoring him like he was never there.
The feeling was hurt too much for him that he felt that he is standing at the edge of a cliff. Like Chris is hitting him with a knife and twisting it deeper in his heart.
Tell me what you want to hear
Something that were like those years
Sick of all the insincere
I'm gonna give all my secrets away
This time, don't need another perfect lie
Don't care if critics ever jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away
It was like a lie that he lived with Chris for the past month, since he came with him toward Denver to ATF office. He knew from the start that it will be a big mistake, but his lover didn't want to hear him out.
My God, amazing that we got this far
It's like we're chasing all those stars
Driving shiny big black cars
And every day I see the news
All the problems that we could solve
And when a situation rises
Just write it into an album
Sending it straight to gold
I don't really like my flow, no, so
Tell me what you want to hear
Something that were like those years
Sick of all the insincere
I'm gonna give all my secrets away
After the whole years that he has been with Chris together, it seemed blown away and Chris acting like a stranger next to him, or a baby sitter when he was sick left him with Josiah to watch him.
He wished that Chris will be the one who stay and talk with him not one of the teammates. He was sick of all that things.
This time, don't need another perfect lie
Don't care if critics ever jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away
Oh, got no reason, got not shame
Got no family I can blame
Just don't let me disappear
I'm 'a tell you everything
He was alone, and though his mother was still alive, he still felt alone.
Though one day his mother gave him a visit while he was still in the relationship with Chris, and told him in the room how worthless child he was to her. He wished that was an unwanted child, it was better that way.
So tell me what you want to hear
Something that were like those years
Sick of all the insincere
So I'm gonna give all my secrets away
This time, don't need another perfect lie
Don't care if critics ever jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away
So tell me what you want to hear
Something that will light those ears
Sick of all the insincere
So I'm gonna give all my secrets away
This time, don't need another perfect lie
Don't care if critics ever jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away
All my secrets away, all my secrets away.
After the song was ended Ezra curled in the bed crying his soul out. Never heard the door opened and his lover snuggled around him keeping him close and whispered words of love to him.
In the night…
There was a call ringing.
Chris woke and searched for his cell phone, and then he glances over his lover before he opened his phone and spoke, "Yes?"
"Chris I know where he is," Vin said right away, "Me and Buck are watching him, do you want to come?"
Chris glanced again toward his lover, and then replied, "I will call you as I leave the house, and that will be after Josiah will come."
"Ok, I will see you then." Vin replied and close the call.
Chris then make a call for Josiah, letting him know the situation, and get ready for meeting his father-in-law.
When Josiah arrived, he left for him a spare key, so he won't need to stay, in that way he could leave and trust on Josiah to come.
"How is he?" Josiah asked Chris as he arrived.
"I don't know what he is going through, but I'm certain that he is fine." Chris replied.
"From what I observed earlier I must say that he is not fine, rather jealousy type." Josiah let go of the thought.
"Ezra as a jealousy type?" Chris asked grinning, "He was never one to believe that."
"Did you really look at him? Just look at him?" Josiah asked.
"I saw him, he must keep it hidden." Chris replied.
"Yesterday when you and Vin were in the kitchen he watched you in every steps that you did, he saw you smiling, and when you called to come into the living room, you were ignored him, and that's hurt him, I saw him as he winced, you didn't." Josiah told him.
"What do you want me to do then?" Chris asked, getting to feel that something will happen in their relationship, not that he wanted to end his and Ezra's love life, but he fears that might Ezra will do something that both of them will regrets.
"Not walking away from him every time that Vin calling you, and be there for him when he is waking, he saw me more than you in past two weeks, you were not even there in the hospital." Josiah replied, and yet he could hear something crush and smashed.
"I think that he had heard you, he must be pissing if he is smashing some stuff." Josiah spoke, and then he opened the door and heads out.
"Where do you think that you are going?" Chris asked him.
"To Vin, while you should stay with your lover," Josiah replied and then he added, "If you leave right now, the number seven as our group will not stay at the same number, it will be minus two, and I think that might Nathan takes our side as well. Just think about that."
Chris stared at his old friend which was fading, and then he closed the door thinking of what he heard, he wished that he could bring time back.
He walked back to the master bedroom door and knelt beside the door, he could still hear Ezra smashing thing, mumbling that he should take his leave since he, Chris could not stand his sight now that he has a new lover.
Chris let the tears falling down; he was not brave enough to open the door and face his lover, he was too weak, and thought that his lover knew him better.
Chris swallowed the lump down at his throat before he gets some nerve and get up from the floor and knocked on the door, "Ezra, it's me."
The door was opened and Chris could see Ezra with a bag in his hands, he could see the feature in his face. He was still angry and tears still slipping from his eyes.
"Where are you going Ezra?" Chris asked as Ezra pushed him away.
"Away from you, that's if you want to wear the leg cuff on me again to find where I am going?" Ezra asked.
"I love you." Chris tried to keep his lover at home, but didn't succeed as he watched how Ezra throws his keys at him and slammed the door as he left the house.
Once he left the house, Ezra dialed the first number that he thought.
TBC...