I really think you gentlemen would be far more able to properly revel in the experience of the sporting events if I were to retire to the guestroom."

"We're fine just like we are Ezra. Plenty of room here."

"Yes Mr. Larabee there is. However, Mr. Wilmington will not survive the day if he has to continue suppressing his excitement and commentary about the activities on the screen."

"You were dozing Ezra. Didn't want to disturb you."

"Resting my eyes, but that is precisely what I mean. Clearly my presence is inhibiting your enjoyment of the day. It is more than sufficient that the party was cancelled due to my presence."

"Nothing was cancelled Ezra. As you can see, we're all right here."

"I believe the plan was a slightly more extensive gathering that what we are seeing here now. For one thing, there is a decided absence of feminine company."

"The ladies are having their own deal, so don't worry about that." Nathan advised.

"I cannot properly –"

"So help me Ezra, if this is going to be another apology I will slap you silly – concussion or not." Chris growled.

Ezra sat back, allowing his silence to be his answer.

"Well, if that was an example of your 'controlling your temper' resolution, it looks like it didn't last too long." Buck smiled.

"Damn." Chris grimaced, realizing that was another display.

"You believe your temper to be an issue which needs to be addressed?" Despite the circumstances, Ezra was having trouble keeping the grin from his face. "You do not strike me as an individual prone to falling prey to the New Year's resolution phenomena."

"Well, have to admit normally I'm not. But JD got us thinking about them a few days ago."

"Actually," JD amended, "it was you who got us thinking about them Ezra." Ezra arched an eyebrow in question. "Remember? When we were driving to Inez's? You asked me what my resolutions were, and I didn't really have an answer for you. Anyway, we all started talking about it while we were at the hospital."

"Yes, I imagine you had a fair amount of time on your hands waiting for me."

"Don't go there Ezra." Buck warned. "We were where we wanted to be and that's the end of that."

"Speaking of resolutions Mr. Dunne, did you determine you were prepared for long term commitment?" Ezra sought to refocus the attention from himself.

"No. All things considered, I decided it wasn't the best time to ask any important questions. Casey was too worried about how upset I'd been."

"Upset?" Ezra arched an eyebrow again.

"Yes, Ezra. Upset. In case you forgot, you were kidnapped at gunpoint, jumped out of a moving car, and were in the hospital for four days."

Ezra shrugged slightly, regretting the move. He also regretted his effort to change the subject, as it had clearly circled back to him again. "So what other resolutions came to light?"

"All the usual stuff, you know." It was Vin's turn to shrug. "Improving ourselves. Leading better lives. All the clichés."

"I fail to see where there is significant room for improvement in you any of gentlemen."

"Whereas I have no doubt you see ample opportunity in yourself." Josiah was growing weary of continually trying to convince the undercover agent that he was a good man.

The response was almost too soft to be heard. "Not as much as there once was."

A stunned silence filled the room. It took a moment for anyone to find his voice. "Did you just say what I think you just said?" Vin asked.

There was a small but sly grin on the southerner's face. "Allowing for the assumption your hearing remains as acute as it ever was, I will presume you seek to verify the intention of the remark. Yes, I have grudgingly conceded that for you men to continue to be willing, or even eager, to continue our association over these many months, you must have seen something of worth in me that I have failed to discern in the past."

"Took you long enough." Buck smiled warmly, negating the exaggerated frustration in his voice.

"Yes, I can be quite intractable on some matters."

"Pig-headed is more like it." Chris corrected.

Josiah leaned back, making himself comfortable. "So, you plan to keep working at seeing all of what we've already figured out?"

"I suppose I could consider that as a valid option for a New Year's resolution Mr. Sanchez, if I were to consider partaking in such a prosaic ritual."

Chris kept his reaction to himself, knowing Ezra wouldn't care for the comment, but as far as he could see, this wasn't a New Year's resolution. This was more like a Christmas miracle, even if it was a week late in coming.

"While you're in the resolution making mood Ezra, can I suggest another one?"

"If you feel it is an appropriate action to take such a risk Mr. Dunne, by all means, proceed."

"I think you need to work on your vocabulary."

The stunned look on Ezra's face was matched by the shock from the others. If there was one thing about the man that was near to perfect, it was his mastery of communication.

"See, you've got one word that you use way too often, and I think you need to eliminate it from your conversation."

"Precisely which term or expression in my lexicon has become an anathema to you Mr. Dunne. If feasible, I shall be pleased to make an effort to find an appropriate alternative choice."

"It's "Mister" Ezra. I'm tired of hearing it."

Buck jumped on board. "He's got you there Ezra – you have plum wore that one out."

"It does seem ill-suited to you at his point Son. Doesn't quite reflect the message I think you are working at sending."

All Ezra could think of at this point was a T shirt he had seen JD wearing on more than one occasion. He had no idea of the source, but the sentiment was accurate – 'Resistance is Futile'.

"The problem with your proposal is that there really is no suitable synonym for the term. At least, none accepted in modern societal structures. There are numerous other titles – Esquire comes to mind, and of course linguistic variations that could be applied such as Monsieur or Señor. Others are more formal titles, Sir, Lord and so on, so again, inappropriate."

"Damn it Ezra!"

"How's that resolution working out for you so far Cowboy?"

Ezra ignored the interruptions from Chris and Buck and resumed his response.

"So, given the options, and the obvious sincerity of the request, I can see on only one viable option, and that is to bow to your request – JD – and make the sincere effort to forego further use of the offending word."

Chris stood, rubbing his hands in satisfaction over the latest turn of events. "OK, this definitely calls for a toast."

"With the good stuff Chris."

Smiling at Buck's request, Larabee stepped behind the bar and pulled out a bottle of his finest, which unsurprisingly had been a gift from Ezra. He hated to disappoint the man but put only six glasses on the tray. "Sorry Ez, but you're still on medication."

"My, my, my. Perhaps the designation of Mister shall have to remain in place for some of our number."

Chris's growl had only a hint of sincerity. "Don't start with me."

Josiah grinned, setting a ginger ale on the table beside Ezra, and earning a mildly disapproving glare in response. He grinned even wider. No question about it. This was going to be an interesting year ahead.

M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7

Happy New Year to all!

Had a longer story in mind, but in my current state it wasn't going to get done in time, so some of the plot will just have to find a new home in a future tale.