The First Excursion a.k.a. The First Date story
by Wyndewalker
AU: ATF
Feedback email: wynde@wyndewalker.com
Author's Note: The artwork of Laura Brightfeather is based on the artwork of Susan Seddon Boulet, who was a very talented artist. Her artwork can be found for sale as calendars and such at
www.pomegranate.com or www.susanseddonboulet.com
First Excursion
It was just after one and Ezra was getting seriously jumpy. He stood by the office printer, his back against the wall while he waited for his report to finish printing. After the events at the Saloon last evening he'd expected at least a small amount of teasing about that Neanderthal's comments. However the moment he and Vin walked through the door carrying Starbucks for everyone they'd all been cordial and polite. The only comment made was about him being early and even that had seemed half-hearted, like they expected him to get upset. He'd simply replied in kind and made his way to his desk. Nothing else was said and Larabee appeared in the doorway of his office yelling for Vin. It was actually beginning to frighten him. The thought 'pod people' kept running through his mind.
The printer finally spit out the last page of his exceedingly detailed report. Gathering it up and placing it in a manila folder, he began the walk to Larabee's office. As he passed the others' desks he forced himself not to look wildly about, searching for the ambush. Nathan looked up as he passed, shaking his head when he saw the folder, "You finished your report already, Ezra?"
It took him a brief moment to realize the dark ex-medic wasn't teasing him about something. Luckily Nathan didn't notice the few seconds delay it took him to answer.
"Yes, Mr. Jackson. You see, unlike some of our associates," Ezra let his gaze slide towards the twin piles of case files, food wrappers, toys and other assorted junk that Buck and JD insisted were their desks, "I keep very detailed, well-organized notes throughout any case I work on. When it comes time to write my report I have only to add the final details and I'm done."
"Huh. Well, you should be happy then. Chris'll probably let you go home early."
"Perhaps, Mr. Jackson. Perhaps." He continued on his way a little more relaxed, but still wary. He knocked lightly on Chris' door then stepped inside without waiting for an answer.
"You know one of these days I'm gonna shoot one of you for doing that as an example to the others," Chris growled without looking away from his monitor.
"Thank you for the warning. I'll be certain to send Mr. Wilmington in first from now on," Ezra said cheerfully.
"Uh-huh. Goddamn machine," Chris snarled suddenly, banging his mouse against the desktop.
"Problem, Mr. Larabee?"
"I hit something by accident and the damn thing did something screwy to the formatting on my report. Now I can't figure out how to fix it so I'm gonna have to do the whole thing over again."
"Mind if I take a look?" Ezra gestured for permission to move around the desk.
"Why the hell not?" Chris pushed his chair back so Ezra could get to the keyboard.
He looked at it for a few of seconds, clicked on a couple of menus, then with a final click the whole report went back to its original formatting. Chris stared at the screen then at the smug Southerner. "How the hell did you manage to fix that so quickly? I've been trying for close to twenty minutes."
"Well, you see these four buttons in the bottom left corner?"
"Yeah?"
"They change your view of the document. You hit the Outline View button. That's why the formatting changed and you couldn't fix it."
"Oh." Chris stared at the screen for another second. "So what did you need?"
"My report is finished."
He opened the folder and flipped through a couple of pages, "Everything's here?"
"Would I have handed it to you if it weren't, Mr. Larabee?"
"Shut up, Ezra. All right, looks okay. You can go home now if you want."
"Thank you. Good day, Mr. Larabee."
"Bye," Chris grunted. Ezra was almost out the door when Chris suddenly looked up again, "Hey, Ez?"
"Yes, Mr. Larabee?"
"Everything all right?"
"Pardon? I don't think I understand."
"I mean are you okay? Nothing bothering you?"
"Not that I am aware of. Should something be?" Ezra stared quizzically at their inimitable leader.
"Uh, no. Just thought I'd check."
"Anything else then?"
"No. That's it." Chris watched as the Southerner gave his usual two-finger salute before walking into the main office area. Leaning back in his chair, he had to wonder if Vin hadn't been wrong. Maybe the Southerner wasn't as upset as he'd thought he was. Chris shook his head. Vin had had that tone in his voice when he called that morning. The one that said, 'Fuck with something or someone under my protection and I'll rip you to shreds with my bare hands.' No, the Southerner was just very good at hiding things that bothered him. He wished, not for the first time, that the stubborn man would realize he was among friends and they weren't out to hurt him.
Ezra paused by Vin's desk, catching his mouse as it went flying. "Problems, Mr. Tanner?"
"Hate reports."
"I believe we all do. Having a particular problem with this one?"
"No. Yes. Aw hell. It's just I know what I want to say but it takes me so damn long to get it onto this stupid machine. That an' I know it still reads like a kid wrote it," Vin sighed, scrubbing at the back of his neck. "S'pose it could be worse. I could have ta hand-write the damn thing. Bet you've already finished yours."
"Actually I have just handed it to Mr. Larabee. However all I needed to do was add the details of yesterday's bust." Ezra paused, he knew how much Vin hated the others knowing about his poor reading and writing skills, afraid that they'd pity him. He wanted to help but didn't want to insult Vin at the same time. "Perhaps I might be of assistance?"
"How?"
"Well, for the moment I can help you with this report. You dictate to me what you want written and I will type it. If you like I might also be able to provide a solution to the long-term problem as well?"
Vin's brow crinkled in a frown, "What kinda solution?"
Ezra rested his hip on Vin's desk; leaning closer to his lover so that they'd be less likely to be overheard, "Has anyone suggested to you the possibility that you might be dyslexic?"
"Yeah, what of it?" Vin shrugged. He'd heard the term before but so far as he knew it wasn't curable so why think about it?
"It is possible to retrain one's eye so as to help negate the effects of the disorder."
"Huh?"
"I can help you learn how to read and write better."
"You really think so?"
"I would not have offered if I did not. What do you say?"
"It'd be just between us?"
"Of course. I did not assume it would be any other way."
"Guess you got yourself a deal then. I'm gonna get some more coffee first. You want some?"
"No, thank you. I'm going to look over what you've finished so far," Ezra said, slipping into the seat Vin vacated.
"Kay. Be right back."
Ezra quickly scanned through the document, wincing every so often at the bad grammar. Despite that, Vin's way of looking at things, simple and direct, easily came through. There was no flowery language, no extraneous details, just the necessary facts. By the time Vin returned he'd made most of the necessary corrections. He looked up when an egg bagel with cream cheese was placed in front of him.
Vin shrugged, "Thought ya might be hungry. Noticed you didn't go out for lunch. Bagels are fresh. JD 'n Buck brought'em in today. How's it look? Pretty bad, huh?"
"Actually, not really considering your problem. Once we address the main problem I think you will find things like grammar much easier to comprehend and master."
"Hope so. Always hated the fact that Chris'd have to rewrite my reports for me. He shouldn't have ta do that."
"I'd wondered about that," Ezra said, biting into the bagel.
"Yeah, well, it's bad enough we all act like pre-schoolers half the time. He don't need an agent handing in a report that looks like it were written by one."
"I do not act like a pre-schooler, Mr. Tanner. A kindergartner maybe, certainly not a pre-schooler, and when I do it is usually your fault," Ezra grinned.
"Uh-huh," Vin drawled with a matching grin. "And who was it that put them toy frogs in Chris's office and set them to ribbit at different times 'til it drove him crazy?"
"I wouldn't possibly know," Ezra shrugged innocently. "And who was the mischief-maker who decided to redecorate Mr. Larabee's office with Hawaiian décor using every ungodly fluorescent color known to man?"
"Think maybe Bucklin did it? He is one of them Jimmy Buffet fans." Vin smirked.
"Did I hear you boys taking my name in vain over there?" Buck called out from his desk, dodging the paper ball JD threw at him.
"Do I think you are vain, Mr. Wilmington? I'm not certain I should answer that. What do you think, Mr. Dunne? Is Mr. Wilmington vain?"
"Weeell," JD grinned, stretching out the word. Before he could answer Chris stepped out of his office.
"You boys think you could get some work done some time today? Buck, my office." Chris disappeared again.
With a sigh Buck rose from his chair, whapping JD upside the head when he started chanting, "You're in trouble. You're in trouble."
Ezra and Vin saluted him as he passed cocky smirks on their faces. Even Josiah got in on it, humming a funeral march under his breath. Nathan was in the break room so Buck wasn't forced to glare at him as well. Once the door closed behind the tall man they all went back to work.
"Okay it looks like you're up to week 5 of the case. What did you want to put in next?" Ezra asked.
"Well, I was thinking..."
They spent several minutes reviewing all the evidence Vin had gathered during the case and Ezra began sketching an outline for the rest of the report. After a few minutes Vin asked quietly, "Any ideas what you wanna do tonight?"
"I don't know. I have been thinking about it, but I don't really know what one normally does on this...type of excursion."
"It's been a while since I've done this too so I guess I'm up for just about anything."
"This is good," Ezra chuckled. "So far all we've managed to come up with is you arriving at my condo at 7."
"Why's Vin going over your place, Ez?" Buck asked from behind them.
"Uh?" Vin stammered not sure what to say.
Ezra covered over it smoothly, "Mr. Tanner had the misfortune to lose a bet to me and we were discussing the terms of payment, which is to accompany me to an Art Nouveau exhibit opening at the Museum this evening. It will help to broaden his cultural horizons don't you think, Mr. Wilmington?"
"Uh sure, Ez. Man, you musta thought you had a sure thing if you agreed to that, Vin."
"Yeah, something like that," Vin said, blushing faintly.
"Any day now, Buck," Chris called from his office.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Buck grinned in response as he scooped the requested file off his desk and returned to Chris's office.
Once he was certain they wouldn't be overheard again Vin asked, "Is there really an Art New exhibit at the Museum tonight?"
"Actually, it's next week," Ezra paused for a moment then looked over at Vin. "But there is an exhibit at one of the galleries that I'd like to attend. I think you would greatly enjoy this artist's work."
"What time does this exhibit start?"
"7:30."
"Well, I reckon we should go then."
Ezra smiled widely at Vin before turning his gaze back to the computer. "If you find you don't like it we can always leave early, but I highly doubt that will be the case in this instance."
"I trust you, Ez," Vin said with a grin of his own at Ezra's slight blush.
**********
It was 3 o'clock and everyone was almost ready to leave. Ezra and Vin were just about done with Vin's report. JD was searching through the piles of paper on his desk for something when he accidentally knocked over one of the larger stacks.
"Oh man," he moaned, trying to catch it but was unsuccessful. Papers, files, magazines, and toys went over in an avalanche, sliding halfway across the aisle that separated his and Buck's desks from Ezra and Vin's.
"Need a hand, Mr. Dunne?" Ezra asked with a chuckle. He and Vin moved to help while Buck, Josiah and Nathan tried not to laugh. Ezra picked up a magazine in surprise. "I didn't know you read Motor Trend Imports?"
"I...uh...uhm...uh," JD stammered, turning a deep red as he tried to take back the magazine. Ezra was already rising to his feet having seen the post-it note on the cover that read:
Ezra, Check out the beauty on page 48.
The page was marked with another post-it so he flipped right to it. Only years of practice kept the surprise off his face as he found himself staring at a posed nude man. His gaze dropped to the bottom of the page and he realized he was looking at Indulge Magazine's Mr. January. He heard Vin's sharp intake of breath behind him as he too saw the photo spread. Ezra turned the magazine so he could look at it from different angles pretending to study it. All the while he was mentally comparing the model to Vin. As far as he was concerned Vin won, no contest. Just remembering the feel of Vin taking him last night and that morning started a fire in his belly that had him aching.
Finally deciding he'd tortured them all enough Ezra closed the magazine and handed it back to JD who was staring at him fearfully. "A handsome specimen to be sure, Mr. Dunne, but more Mr. Wilmington's type I think. My type is not quite so...furry."
With a smile he headed to the office printer to pick up Vin's report. The others stared after him in shock. Buck whapped JD upside the head with a file folder.
"Told you to get rid of that," he hissed.
"Me?" JD squeaked. "You picked it out."
They both turned guilty looks on Vin who was staring at them with an unreadable look.
"Now, Junior," Buck started, but was interrupted by Ezra's return.
"Everything seems to be in order, Mr. Tanner. I have some errands to run before our excursion this evening. I can drive you home now or would you prefer to wait for Mr. Larabee?"
"Nah. I'm ready to go, Ez. Let me just give this to Chris." He glared once more at JD and Buck as he walked past them to Chris's office.
Ezra ignored the others as he straightened up his desk then, on an impulse, straightened Vin's as well.
"You ready, Ez?" Vin asked, coming out of Chris's office.
"Of course, Mr. Tanner. Good afternoon, gentlemen. See you tomorrow."
"Night, boys," Vin nodded and followed Ezra out.
Vin waited until Ezra had pulled the Jag out into traffic to ask. "You alright, Ezra?"
"I'm fine, Mr. Tanner. I was actually quite unnerved by the lack of teasing. The thought 'pod people' kept running through my head."
"Yeah," Vin chuckled, "I reckon it is a bit strange for Buck and JD not to be teasin' someone."
"Thank you, Vin."
"For what?"
"For calling Mr. Larabee and asking him to restrain the others."
"I...you're welcome. I just didn't want them taking it too far and hurting you."
"I appreciate the thought, but I do not need to be protected."
"I know ya don't. I just..."
"When I opened that magazine," Ezra interrupted, "I wasn't sure what to think at first. Then, of course, I realized they were just teasing me and didn't mean anything by it. My next thought after that was if I had to choose who I would most prefer to see wearing nothing but a Happy New Year's sash it would be you. Then of course all I could think about was last night and this morning." He glanced over at Vin, blushing a little at the desire he saw in the sky blue eyes. "I don't regret anything that has happened between us. I will admit I have some things I need to work out, but I do wish to continue this relationship and see where it goes."
"I'd like that too, Ezra, and you take all the time you need to work things through. I ain't looking to rush you through anything."
"Thank you, Vin. I appreciate that greatly. As we have arrived at your home I shall take my leave. Do you need me to pick you up or will you be able to find transportation to my condo?"
"Nah. The Jeep should be ready in an hour or so. If not I'll find a way to get there. I'll see ya later."
They stared at each other for a long moment, both a little uncertain. With a quirk of his lips Vin pressed a quick kiss to Ezra's lips and got out of the Jag. Sighing softly, Ezra pulled back out onto the street and headed to the nearest Barnes & Nobles.
*****
At exactly 7 o'clock Ezra opened the door of his condo to Vin standing on the other side. Freshly showered and shaved, Vin had his light brown hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. He wore matching black dress coat and slacks with a jewel tone aquamarine button down shirt that perfectly highlighted his eyes. A turquoise and silver bolo tie winked at Ezra in the light when Vin tugged on it nervously. In his hand he held a somewhat battered but still presentable black Stetson. Ezra's lips quirked in a slight smile when he saw the tips of Vin's ever-present cowboy boots poking out beneath the pants leg.
"Um, do I look alright and everything for where we're going? One of the girls down the hall from me helped me pick out what to wear. I just told her I had to go to this fancy party for work. Did she do alright? I wasn't sure if I should wear my hat or not. I, uh, wasn't sure if it'd be 'ppropriate but I feel kind of naked without it."
"You look fine, Vin," Ezra interrupted his babbling lover. "You look better than fine. You're exquisite. Just two things."
"What?" Vin looked down at his clothes trying to figure out what was wrong. He looked back up when Ezra brushed his fingers against his cheek. At the feel of Ezra's lips pressing shyly against his, he closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around the smaller man, holding him close. There was a slight tug on his hair, but he paid little attention to it as his beloved seemed intent on exploring every little bit of his mouth.
After a long moment they parted with a breathless sigh. Vin kept his eyes closed for a few seconds longer as Ezra fussed with his hair. Finally Ezra stepped back.
"There. Now we are ready to go."
Opening his eyes, Vin smiled down at Ezra. He always felt more comfortable with his hair loose but hadn't wanted to embarrass Ezra. He kissed him once more before turning and opening the door. Grabbing his keys, Ezra followed Vin out.