Chapter 10

Ezra was sitting in the first row waiting for the orchestra to begin paying its first piece. The conductor raised his baton to begin. The first few notes of Handel's 94th Symphony were truly heaven, but the "surprise" note a few bars a few notes in made him fall out of his seat.

The undercover agent opened his eyes and realized that he was lying on the floor. The offensive music was coming from his cell phone that he had placed on the coffee table a few hours ago. He hadn't intended on falling asleep. He picked it up.

"Hello?" he answered groggily, not bothering to check the Caller ID.

"Where the hell are you?" A familiar voice cursed. "Are you alright?"

"What?" Ezra asked, still trying to get his bearings.

"I'm outside of Ellie Gordon's house right now. I see my truck and you are not in it!" Chris growled. Ezra didn't answer right away. It took him a few second to get his bearings and figure out where he was. Then the events of the previous evening dawned on him. He was in Ellie's house.

"Oh Good Morning Chris," he said, trying to sound cheerful. "I was actually invited in for the evening and…"

"You're inside her house right now?" Chris's angry and worried tone turned to amusement.. "She was pretty angry when you left last night."

"We bonded over bad country music," Ezra answered, rubbing a tired hand over his face. Chris's tone was grating on her nerves. "She was nice enough to not want me to spend the cold night in the truch and…."

"I don't need any more details Ezra," Chris interrupted.

"Mr. Larabee, if you think that I would…."

"Are you ready to switch places or not," Chris asked.

"Ummm…" Ezra stuttered.

"How about this? I've some errands I need to run and then I'll get some breakfast. I'll be back around ten."

"That sounds like a perfect plan," Ezra stated.

"That will give you enough time to…." Chris started to say. Ezra did not need for his boss to ocntinue.

"I would expect this kind of behavior from Buck and Vin, but from a man who usually holds himself with such high esteem."

"A man's only human," Chris laughed. "I take it there were no problems last night?"

"None," Ezra answered.

"Alright, I'll see you in a few hours," Chris said, hanging up the phone.

Ezra got up from his awkward position on the floor and sat back on the couch. He doubted he would be able to fall back asleep. He looked at the closed bedroom doors and a sudden idea occurred to him. He walked into the kitchen and began searching through the cupboards. He smiled. Everything that he needed was here.

Half an hour later, Ezra was just finishing the pancake batter. He watched as one of the doors opened and Nick emerged, sluggishly walking into the living room. Ezra chuckled quietly at the teen's crazy bed hair and his unsteady gate.

"Good morning Mr. Gordon," Ezra greeted.

"What are you doing?" Nick asked, as he shuffled into the kitchen.

"I thought I would make some pancakes and scrambled eggs for breakfast," he explained, dumping the first ladle full of batter into a frying pan. "Do you approve?"

"Yeah," Nick yawned. "It's just normally nobody makes breakfast. We just usually eat cereal or something. There isn't time before school during the week and Ellie says her one treat to herself is to sleep in on the weekends."

I'm starting to like her more and more," Ezra laughed. "Would you like to help?"

"Sure," Nick said, with a little more enthusiasm. 'What do you want me to do?"

"You can make the scrambled eggs," Ezra stated. Nick gave him a confused look.

"Ummmm, I don't know how,' he said embarrassed. Ezra was taken back for a second. Who didn't know how to make scrambled eggs? But then again, Nick was only thirteen.

"Go get the eggs in the fridge and I will tell you what to do," Ezra said. He began giving directions as he finished cooking his pancakes. They were coming out golden brown and almost perfectly curricular. He was quite proud of himself. :I think these will be quite delicious with butter and syrup," Ezra stated.

"We don't have any syrup," Nick said dejectedly. "Like I said Ellie doesn't cook a lot of breakfast food."

Ezra thought a moment. He had taken for granted that there would be syrup in He looked at his masterpieces and could not imagine eating them without syrup. A sudden idea occurred to him, but then he quickly dismissed it. It was likely to get him a lot of trouble. Then he thought of something else.

"Nick would you go into the living room and get my cell phone?" Nick walked into the living room and returned with the phone. "I want you to dial Chris Larabee's number which is the first speed dial. Ask him to please bring over some syrup."

"Can I do that?" Nick asked suspiciously. :He's not going to get mad?"

"Nonsense," Ezra answered cheerfully. "He'll be more than happy to help us." He made sure that none of his own reservations came across in this voice. He watched as Nick dialed the number than put the phone to his ear. He listened to the one sided conversation.

"Hello Mr. Larabee, this is Nick….No nothing's wrong…Ezra's making pancakes for breakfast, but we don't have any syrup…Yeah…Okay." Nick took the phone away from his ear. "He says he'll be here in a little bit."

Ezra let out a loud sigh. His assumption had been correct. He knew that his leader wouldn't turn the youth down. He handed Nick a clean frying pan for the eggs. He put the pancakes in the oven to stay warm and walked over to start the coffee pot. He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He knew that he was being watched. He raised his head sharply to look into the living room.

Ellie was leaning against the wall with an amused look on her face. She had pulled her hair back into a ponytail and looked more awake than her younger brother had.

"What are you doing?" she chucked. "It sure smells good."

"Ezra and I are making breakfast," Nick answered excitingly. He lifted up some of the half cooked eggs to show her.

"I'm impressed," Ellie said. "I've been trying to get him to help me cook for years and he just won't do it."

"That's cause you yell at me whenever I do something wrong," Nick exclaimed. "Ezra's nice about it."

"Here, let me help," she said starting to walk forward. Ezra held up his hand to stop her.

"You have a seat Ms. Gordon. This breakfast is being prepared by Nick and myself. "

"But…" Ellie protested.

"No buts," Ezra said sternly. "You have a seat and your meal will be delivered to you shortly." Ellie was about to sit down on the couch when the doorbell rang. She got up to open the door before Ezra could say anything.

"Chris what are you doing here?" she asked. Ezra walked into the kitchen and saw his boss standing in the doorway with a plastic bottle in his hand.

"Somebody ordered some syrup," Chris stated. "I'll be waiting until Ezra is ready to leave."

"Don't be ridiculous," Ellie stated. "Come in and have some breakfast." She stopped and looked at Ezra. "Am I allowed to invite guests?"

"We are here to serve," Ezra said, bowing at the waist.

"Ezra, why are the eggs smoking?" Nick shouted from the kitchen. Both Ellie and Ezra made a dash for the kitchen. Chris caught Ezra by the shoulder. When Ellie was in the kitchen, Chris shoved the syrup into Ezra's chest and glared at him.

"Don't think I don't see through your game Standish, getting the kid to call me?"

"Mr. Larabee, I swear that…"

"Don't think about doing it again," He answered, before letting him go and bending over to take off his shoes. "Pancakes smell good," he stated before walking into the house.

Ellie and Nick had sorted out the problem with the eggs and despite Ezra's wishes, began taking dishes out of the shelves. Nick brought the kitchen chairs into the living room and within a few minutes everyone was sitting around enjoying the meal.

"My compliments to the chef," Ellie said, looking over at Ezra. Ezra nodded his head.

"It was no problem," Ezra answered.

"Didn't even know that you knew how to make breakfast food Ezra. You are never up early enough to make it," Chris stated, talking a sip of his coffee. "So what do you normally do on Sundays Nick?" he asked. The kid looked over at Ellie and sighed.

"Homework," he answered. "Ellie says that I can have Friday nights and Saturdays off, but if I have to get everything ready for school if I want to do anything fun on Sundays."

"Don't make it sound like you're in the gulag kid," Ellie growled, but her tone was good tempered. "You've always been done early enough to watch football with your friends." Everyone noticed the hint of disgust when she mentioned football.

"You like Football?" Chris asked Nick. The kid nodded his head enthusiastically.

'Not as much as hockey, but year. Ellie doesn't like it though."

"To be honest, I don't really understand it," Ellie answered. "It's another thing about the US I don't think I'll ever get used to."

"That's cause you're a girl," Nick said. "Girls aren't supposed to like football."

"On the contrary," Ezra answered. "I know several women who are avid football fans, Nathan's girlfriend Rain for example…." He saw Chris shudder. The team leader had almost lost his new flat screen TV during the last game because the woman had been upset with a call. Nathan had managed to grab the chip bowl out of her hand at the last minute.

"There's a big game this afternoon," Chris said. "The broncos are playing the….

"New Your Giants," Nick interrupted. "IF they win, they'll be at the top of the division." A sudden thought seemed to occur to him. "Are you guys going to be here to watch it with me?"

"I'll be here," Chris stated, "and I'd love to watch it with you." Ezra could see that his boss meant the statement. Despite his obvious suspicions of Ellie the previous evening, he could see Chris lightening up and starting to enjoy the little family that was under his supervision. "We'll see if we can try and get your sister to like it too."

"Sounds good, Nick said happily. "What about you Ezra?"

Before Ezra could open his mouth, Chris interrupted him.

"Unfortunately, Ezra ahs to go to a meeting with Vin all day," Chris said. Ezra was confused for only a brief second.. Then he realized that if was going to a meeting with Vin than it must have something to do with the DEA case and Misha. Nick looked like he wanted to ask another question, but a look from Ellie made him close his mouth. There was an awkward silence in the room.

"Ezra, I need your help carrying something in from the shed. Do you think you can help me?" Ellie asked sweetly. Chris and Ezra both knew what the look on her face met.

"Go help her Ezra," Chris said. Ezra knew that this was his boss's way of giving him permission to talk freely with Ellie away from Nick's ears. He followed Ellie out to the front porch, surprised by the cold air. He was at least shielded a little bit with his clothes, but Ellie's light pajamas did not provide her with insulation. She didn't seem to care.

"I want to know everything that you know about my uncle," she stated.

"Honestly Ellie, most of what I know comes from you," he answered.

"Than what's with this meeting this afternoon?" She asked accusingly.

"It has to do with the DEA's case against your uncle. I'm sure they just want to know what Vin and I found out last night." He paused. "I promise you that I will try and learn the information that they've collected on him. I promise I will tell you what I learn."

She laughed haughty. Ezra was surprised and slightly hurt.

"Promises mean nothing to me," she answered with a sneer, her Russian accent becoming more pronounced. "I've had many people promise me things and then have never followed through. I've been too trusting too many times."

Ezra took a deep breath.

"I'm not one of those people Ellie," he said quietly. "You aren't alone in this anymore. You can trust me." She didn't respond right away and he gave her a moment for the words to sink in. She seemed lost in her own thoughts. Her body shuddered. He wasn't sure if had been caused by the cold or her memories. She looked at him with a pained expression.

"I'm sorry Ezra," she said. "You have been a gentleman since I've met you," she paused. "I want to trust you, its just that…." She reached out and grabbed his hand. He leaned in closer, feeling his chest tighten.

"What?" he asked. He felt slightly lightheaded.

"BEEP! BEEP!"

The sound of the car horn interrupted the moment. Ellie withdrew her hand quickly in embarrassment. Ezra looked angrily towards the street. A familiar truck was parked right behind his car and Chris's truck.

The window rolled down and Vin stuck his head out.

"Whatca kids up to?" He asked, with a mischievous smile. Ezra fought hard against saying something he might regret.

"Good Morning Ellie," Vin stated enthusiastically. The door to the house opened and Chris and Nick walked out. "Good morning Nick."

"Hi Vin," Nick greeted eagerly.

"You're almost a half an hour late," Chris growled glancing at his wrist. "You are never going to make the meeting at the office on time. Remember that we are having guests…." He said glancing at Nick, not wanting to reveal too much.

"Oh relax Cowboy," Vin stated. "I'll get us there in plenty of time."

"Oh dear God," Ezra groaned. The look on his face made Nick laugh. "The last time I drove with you at high speeds, we almost ended up at the bottom of a cliff."

"Hey! It's not my fault the road sign fell down and…

"I believe I will drive us to the office," Ezra said firmly. Vin shrugged his shoulders.

"Suit yourself," he stated turning off the car. He got out and walked over to where the four of them were standing. He ruffled Nick's hair causing the teen to swat his hand away.

"Get going," Chris ordered. " Travis will have my a…." He stopped when he saw Nick look up at him. "won't be happy if you're late."

"Good Bye Nick, Good Bye Ellie. Thank you for a pleasant evening and I look forward to seeing you soon." He bowed slightly before turning.

"Ezra, "Ellie stated hesitantly. Ezra turned around to face her.

"IF you are still interested in going out for dinner sometime…."

"How does tomorrow night sound?" the words spilled out of Ezra's mouth so fast that it surprised even himself.

"Umm well," Ellie said, clearly caught off guard. "I'll have to check. It's a school night and…."

"We don't have school on Tuesday Ellie," Nick stated. "The teachers are going to a conference or something."

"I'll have to make sure that Nick is….

"Hey Vin, don't you and JD and Buck have an extra ticket to that Avalanche game on Monday night?" Chris asked Vin. It took Ezra a second to comprehend what Chris was doing. He knew that Vin, JD, Buck and Chris all had season tickets to the professional hockey team's games. Then it dawned on him. Apparently, Vin realized what Chris was doing as well.

"Yeah, actually we do." He looked at Ellie. "How would you feel about letting us take Nick to a hockey game on Monday?"

"Really? A real NHL game?" He looked up at his sister with a desperate look on in his eyes. "Please Ellie. Please, Please.." He grabbed her hand. "I promise I won't complain about doing my homework and I'll clean the house and I'll…"

"Fine," Ellie stated with a laugh. "You can go!"

"Yes!" Nick said enthusiastically.

"Someone will be watching you tomorrow too, but we'll leave your house around seven tomorrow okay?" Vin asked. Nick nodded his head.

"And I will come for you around that time as well if it suits you," Ezra said, looking hesitantly at Ellie. "I will make reservations at a fine French restaurant that I know of."

"Okay," Ellie stated. Ezra was pleased to see the blush that made her face look so pretty had returned.

"Now get going before I throw you in that car myself," Chris growled.

Ezra mouthed a thank you to Chris. Chris winked at him. A million thoughts were running through his head. He had to call and make the reservation. Did you have a suit that was properly dry cleaned? Should he bring flowers or…."

"Your step is awfully bouncy there Ez." Vin laughed.

"Oh Shut up," Ezra answered.