Most of the ride was silent as they rode side by side, often so close their legs brushed against each other. About ten minutes into the ride Ezra slanted a glance at his beloved.

"I didn't know Mr. Larabee had a cabin on his property."

"Neither did he," Vin laughed at Ezra's confused expression. "It's an old fence-line shack. They were used by riders in the old days, when out checking the fence line. The fences on some of these old ranches stretched for miles and could take a rider several days to check them over. They built small shacks along the route, a day's ride apart, so that the rider would have a place to stay. I found this one about a year after Chris started the team, just out riding. When I told Chris about it he didn't believe me. Actually had to ride out here with him and show him. He never knew it was there. I'd stay out here every now and again when I needed to do some thinking or just wanted to get away from it all. I repaired the building itself in my spare time but never actually did much else to it 'til I got the idea of bringing you up here. Knew you'd like at least some a your comforts."

"That was very considerate of you."

"Ayup. Right considerate. Think I'll get a reward for it?"

"That could be arranged."

"It better be." Vin leaned over and pulled Ezra to him for a kiss. They both nearly fell off when Peso suddenly sidestepped. Laughing, they continued on, content with the occasional brush of their legs against each other.

Another ten minutes and they reached the line shack. Ezra eyed it critically. Vin hadn't been joking when he said it was small. He wondered what kind of comforts Vin had been able to squeeze in there. At least the horses were adequately sheltered with a three-sided run-in shed and a small corral. He knew Vin was watching him, waiting for his reaction. Ezra turned to smile gamely at Vin but stopped at the large knowing grin on his beloved's face. He was up to something. Ezra knew it.

"Why don't you take the bags inside while I bed down the horses?" Vin suggested.

"All right," Ezra agreed, suspicious now. It wasn't the jealous suspicion of earlier. It was more like someone knowing they were in for surprise and just weren't sure if they were going to like it. Dismounting, he quickly unfastened the bags from Spade's saddle, then caught the ones Vin tossed him, grunting a little under the weight. He watched his lover lead the horses through the light snow to the corral before squaring his shoulders and climbing the three steps up to the door of the cabin.

Pushing open the door, he automatically reached for the light switch. He was surprised when he found one, and even more surprised when two lamps came on. What stopped him in his tracks was what those lamps illuminated. The shack was still small by most standards, but the inside was much larger than it appeared from outside. There was a fireplace in the left wall. Against the right was a counter top with a set of cabinets and a mini refrigerator beneath it. On top there was a microwave, a dutch oven, and a wash basin. Opposite the door in the corner was a full-sized iron framed bed piled high with blankets and pillows. A loveseat was pushed against the same wall as the door, leaving the middle of the room open. Most of the floor was covered by a thick pile area rug, reminiscent of the clichéd bear skin rug.

Realizing he'd been standing in the doorway for several minutes now, Ezra stepped into the shack and closed the door behind him. He noticed the mat to the side and slipped off his wet boots. The next thing he noticed was the warmth. Somehow Vin had the place heated. Ezra took off his coat, hanging it on a hook on the back of the door. The saddlebags were put on the counter top while he took a closer look. This time around he found a chest of three drawers serving as a night table and a large round-top trunk at the foot of the bed. He also discovered a second door. This one led to an obviously unfinished bathroom.

"I wasn't able ta finish that what with the ground bein' frozen and all," Vin said from the doorway, smiling when Ezra jumped and spun around in surprise. "Bathroom's a bit primitive right now, but I'll have it fixed by summer. So, uh, what do you think?"

"I'm speechless."

"I know it ain't no great shakes or nothin'. Just didn't have a lotta time ta..."

"Vin, it's wonderful," Ezra interrupted, hurrying across the room to wrap his arms around his lover, silencing him with a kiss. "This is so much more than I expected. I can't believe you did all this for me. I mean, how on earth did you get electricity and heat into this place? If Chris didn't know it existed..."

"There's a generator out back in a soundproofed shed and a furnace with a hot water heater out there too. Again the hot water isn't working, but just about everything else does."

"You did all this in just three weeks?"

"Not all of it. Like I said I'd already fixed up the building a while back and I put in the counter and cabinets last summer. Chris helped some too. I...I just wanted it to be perfect for ya. I'd do anything ta make ya happy, Ez."

"You do, Vin. You make me happier than anyone I've ever known. I love you," Ezra murmured kissing him. Vin easily opened his mouth to Ezra's questing tongue, sucking on it as it explored. They pressed full length against each other, their erections straining against the material of their jeans. Without breaking the kiss Vin began tugging Ezra's shirt out of his jeans. Once the shirt was free he slid his hands beneath it letting them roam over the smooth, taut flesh. One hand rested at the small of Ezra's back, fingers lightly caressing the skin there, while the other moved up the front to tweak and pinch a pebble-like nipple. Ezra groaned and leaned into the caress.

Ezra began pulling at Vin's sweater and t-shirt trying to remove them. He wanted, needed to feel Vin's naked flesh pressed against his own, to have his mate covering him, buried deep inside him, joining them.

Vin caught Ezra's hand before he could do any damage to his clothes. "Don't you dare wreck this sweater, babe. You gave it to me for my birthday and I won't have you ruinin' it."

Ezra stared at him a moment, his eyes glassy with want and lust. "I'm glad you like it and you do look exceedingly handsome in it, darlin', but right now I think you'd look even better out of it, preferably with nothing else on either. I need you, Vin. Take me. Claim me. Good Lord, fuck me into next week. At this moment all I know is that I need to be joined with you. I want to feel my mate buried inside me. There is a hunger in my heart and soul and you are the only thing that can satiate it."

"Christ, Ez," Vin groaned, "what you do to me ain't human. I've got the same hunger for you and I hope ta God we never get our fill of each other. I want nothing more than to take you right now, but I've got special plans for you tonight. So, help me put the rest of this stuff away while I start a fire going and then I'm gonna show you a night you'll never forget."

"With an offer like that how can I refuse?" Ezra smiled up at him, sighing when Vin pressed one more kiss to his lips before pulling away. While Vin moved towards the fireplace to begin breaking up kindling, Ezra went to the counter and began unpacking the saddlebags.

Opening up the first bag, he couldn't help smiling. Inside was a large container of fresh strawberries. His one other vice besides Butter Twist pretzels was strawberries. Since discovering it Vin had given him numerous strawberry-centered surprises, the infamous lube being the being the first of them. It must have cost him a small fortune to get a hold of such good quality ones this time of year. Following the strawberries was whipped cream and some of other perishable foodstuffs. Putting them away, he found that Vin had fully stocked the fridge and cabinets with many of his favorite foods. Ezra chuckled wondering if Vin really expected they would eat all of the food in the two days they would be there.

The second bag contained...supplies, was the politest way he could think to put it. There was an assortment of lubes, textured condoms, massage oils, the set of silk scarves they occasionally liked to play with and a set of four different types of feathers. Apparently Vin intended to make up for all the time they had not spent together the past three weeks. Ezra grinned pulling out one of the bottles of massage oil. The night he'd first taken Vin he'd discovered his beloved's own secret vice. Massages. It didn't matter what part of his body was being kneaded into submission, Vin would arch and purr and revel in the touch. His lover was so naturally shy that outside of their home no one could get close enough to him to even have an idea he was so sensitive to touch.

He hadn't been paying attention to what Vin was doing while he went through the treasure trove of the saddlebags so when he turned around with the bottle of oil he stopped in surprise at the sight before him. Vin had created a nest of blankets and pillows on the rug in front of the now crackling fireplace. His lover, now shirtless, was putting the finishing touches on it.

"Oh my," he breathed, taking in the sight. "All we need is some wine and this would be absolutely perfect."

"Glasses are in the cabinet. Wine is chilling outside in the snowbox."

"Snowbox?"

Vin chuckled rising to his feet, "Yeah, snowbox. Didn't see the point in dragging a whole bunch of ice out here when we've got all this snow. So I packed the wine in a box full of snow to keep it chilled. Snowbox."

"Have I told you lately how truly ingenious you are?" Ezra asked, wrapping his arms around Vin's waist.

"Nope," Vin said, then frowned. "Injeans is a good thing, right?"

"Ingenious, and yes, it's a good thing. It means you are brilliant, darlin'."

"Nah. Just common sense." Vin didn't give Ezra chance to respond before claiming his lips in a soul-searing kiss.

The next thing Ezra knew Vin was gently laying him down on the nest of pillows and blankets. He was amazed at how soft it was, wondering just how many blankets and pillows Vin had put down. All that was quickly forgotten when his beloved settled between his legs, lightly humping him as he nibbled on his neck and jaw. He moaned as Vin kissed a trail down his neck to his chest after undoing the buttons of his shirt and pushing the fabric to the side. He shivered as that talented tongue laved first one, then the other nipple. All the while his beloved kept up a steady rocking rhythm with his hips, driving Ezra insane with the gentle motion.

For his part Ezra had one leg wrapped around Vin's waist while he used the other for leverage to meet Vin's light thrusts. His hands were far from idle as they roamed over first his beloved's arms and back, then settling on his shoulders to knead and massage the muscles there. Neither one of them was sure who started to purr first, neither of them really cared as they continued to pleasure each other with hands, lips, and tongue. Ezra barely noticed Vin was opening his jeans until he felt a warm, calloused hand wrap around his manhood. He cried out, nearly coming, when the hand squeezed him. Then Vin's lips were covering his, the hand stroked him four times before his back arched and he erupted all over them both. Vin continued to kiss him until the fine tremors subsided and he lay limp beneath the tracker.

Vin grinned when Ezra looked up at him with drowsy, half-closed eyes. "That was for making me come in my pants earlier."

Vin grinned when Ezra looked up at him with drowsy, half-closed eyes. "That was for making me cum in my pants earlier."

*************

"I am sooo sorry for my earlier transgression. I've been a bad boy. Please punish me some more," Ezra smirked up at him.

"Oh, don't worry 'bout that. I intend to," Vin returned with a smirk of his own. He grabbed the damp towel he'd left in front of the fire to heat and began cleaning Ezra, following the towel with his lips and tongue. When he had Ezra once again moaning and writhing beneath him, he pulled away. Untangling himself from the Southerner's legs, Vin stripped off Ezra's pants and boxers leaving him in his socks and unbuttoned shirt. Ezra stared up at him, his green eyes bright with desire, watching as he stood up to retrieve the saddlebags containing the 'supplies'. Vin dropped the bags next to the blankets then proceeded to strip. Very slowly. He grinned at the sound of Ezra's breathy moans, knowing he was tormenting his beloved.

Deciding he'd teased him long enough, he kneeled once more between Ezra's legs. Gently massaging those legs with one hand Vin grabbed a tube of lube from the bag. He coated two fingers with it then tossed the lube to the side. While he worked those two fingers into Ezra's tight entrance he leaned forward to kiss those sweet lips.

Ezra moaned beneath Vin, pushing up against those agile fingers. He'd missed this the last three weeks. Being loved by Vin until there wasn't a coherent thought left in his head and all that existed in the world was them. The fingers withdrew and were replaced by Vin's hard length pushing into him. Hooking one leg over Vin's shoulder and wrapping the other around his waist, Ezra opened himself to Vin, taking his beloved, his mate as deep into him as he could. Vin's strokes were slow and deep, a steady, unhurried rhythm. The only sounds in the small shack were the whisper of skin against skin, the crackling of the fire, and their soft pants of air. No words were needed as they pushed each other higher and closer to the edge.

Vin reached between them to grasp Ezra's shaft, stroking it in time to the rhythm of his thrusts. This was too much for Ezra, sending him plummeting over the edge.

"God, Viiinnnn," he moaned as once more he shot his load of thick seed between them, his fingers digging into Vin's shoulders, legs trying to draw him closer and deeper, while his inner muscles clamped down around the hard shaft buried inside him.

"Ezra, love," Vin gasped as he was pulled over the edge with him. He thrust hard and fast several times, emptying his seed into Ezra's sweet warmth. Finally he collapsed on top of Ezra then tried to roll off him so as not to smother his mate. Ezra wasn't having any of that and tightened his legs around Vin's waist, saying, "Stay. Please?"

Vin acquiesced, although he did shift a little so Ezra wasn't bearing all his weight. This position allowed him to remain buried inside his beloved Southerner. They snuggled together, just enjoying the closeness. Ezra grabbed the edge of a blanket and managed to pull it up over them knowing Vin felt the cold as badly as he did. A few minutes passed as they drifted in hazy euphoria before both their stomachs growled, reminding them it had been a while since they'd eaten. Grinning, Vin pulled himself away from Ezra's embrace and got to his feet saying, "Stay here. I'll be right back with something to eat."

Rolling onto his side, Ezra watched Vin move around the shack in the altogether. He frowned a little at the sight of the bruises he'd left on Vin's hips earlier. The last thing he'd intended was to hurt him. As if sensing his thoughts, Vin said, "You didn't hurt me or force me, babe. If I thought you were trying to I would've said something."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, babe, I'm sure." Vin put the last item on the tray, then glanced around for a second before muttering, "Damn."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just forgot something."

Ezra frowned when Vin pulled on his duster and shoved his feet into his boots. "Where are you going?"

"Snowbox. Be right back."

Before Ezra could say anything more Vin was out the door leaving the Southerner to stare after him. Only a few seconds later Vin came rushing back in, cursing under his breath. "Goddamn, that's cold!"

Quickly stripping off his boots and duster, Vin grabbed the tray of food and practically dove under the blankets. Relieving him of the tray, Ezra tried not to chuckle when Vin wrapped at least two blankets around himself.

"You didn't have to go outside."

"Forgot to bring in the wine before. It was now or later and I wasn't much looking forward to doing it later. Um, so, is the wine okay? The lady at the store helped me ta pick it out. Told her what my price range was and what yers was an' she picked one somewhere in the middle. I tried doin' some research on my own, but them wine web sites are real confusin', an' I didn't know what they was talkin' 'bout half the..."

"Vin, it's fine. This is an excellent choice, darlin'. Besides, if you ever started talking about what wines go with what occasions I'd be forced to tie you up and torture you until you told me what you did with the real Vin."

"Torture, huh?"

"Um-hm," Ezra nodded, biting into one of the strawberries Vin had brought over. Vin bit the other side of the strawberry as he pressed his lips to Ezra's. They ate most of the meal of cheese, crackers, small slices of meat, and strawberries that way, between sips of wine. When the food was finished Vin began to feast on Ezra, kissing and licking and nipping his jaw, earlobes, down his neck and to his nipples. After only a few seconds he pulled away, ignoring Ezra's mewl of displeasure.

"I want to give you your surprise now, love."

Ezra arched an eyebrow, "I thought this little getaway was my surprise."

"Okay, I want to give you the rest of your surprise now. Better?"

"Wonderful."

Vin moved them both into a sitting position facing each other, Ezra's legs around his waist. Clasping Ezra's hands in his, he said, "Ezra, I love you more than anything else in this world. I would give up everything I have, everything I am, to spend the rest of my life with you. Ezra, my love, I've decided to have a sex change operation so we can live properly together as man and wife."

There was a moment of dead silence as Ezra struggled to comprehend what Vin had just said to him. A look of horror settled on his face as he shrieked, "YOU WHAT?!!"

He couldn't help it. Vin dissolved into hysterical laughter at the horrified look on the Southerner's face. Cool green eyes narrowed as realization set in that this was another display of his mate's warped and twisted sense of humor. Not above getting a little revenge, Ezra pounced on his still laughing mate and began tickling him. Vin gasped and twisted and wriggled trying to evade those nimble fingers that seemed to be everywhere.

"God, Ez,...stop...please...I'm sorry....No more," Vin managed to gasp out. Ezra easily gave up tickling him, knowing to only take it so far.

"That's what you get for trying to give me a heart attack, Vin Tanner. Just for that I may not give you my surprise for you."

"I'm sorry, Ez. I couldn't help it. You got me something? Even though you thought...?"

"Yes, well, I had been thinking about it for some time and then there was that whole debacle in October with Maggie. It took a while for the paperwork to go through or I would have given it to you sooner."

"Paperwork for what, love?"

"I don't have it here with me. It's in my briefcase in the Jag, since I certainly wasn't expecting this."

"Ezra."

"I...uhm, I had your name put on the deed to the condo as co-owner. I wanted it to be *our* home. Not just my home with you living there." Ezra blushed and ducked his head when Vin just stared at him. "I'm sorry. It was presumptuous of me."

"No, Ez, I'm touched. Hell, I'm stunned. No one's ever done anythin' like that for me. I love you so much, Ez." Vin pressed a loving kiss to his lips while he pulled a black jewelry box from beneath the blankets. Pulling back, he looked down at it, holding it between them. "I did mean it when I said I would give up everything to spend the rest of our lives together. I love ya that much. I know we can't get married 'cause we're both men, but I'd be real honored if you'd wear this bracelet as a sign of our commitment to each other."

Vin opened the box to reveal the two silver bracelets. He picked up the slightly smaller of the two and held it out to Ezra. Taking it, Ezra carefully ran his fingers over the design etched into the front. In the center was a spade, like the Ace of Spades, and to either side was a howling wolf. The whole thing was framed by a distinctly Native American pattern.

"To show you belong to me, and," Vin held up the second one for him to see, "to show I belong to you."

The bracelet Vin held had the same distinct border, but instead of the Spade in the center there was the head of a howling wolf flanked by two pairs of cards. The Ace of Spades and the King of Hearts.

"Good Lord, darlin', these are exquisite. This has to be custom work?"

"Yeah. Back in early December I started hitting every jewelry store in Denver tryin' to find the right set of rings. I knew I couldn't get wedding bands like I really wanted, but nothing else seemed ta fit. Then when I was out at the Rez picking up that peace-pipe I got Josiah for Christmas I got to talking with Chanu. He suggested the bracelets and gave me the name of one of their best silversmiths, Elanna Running Deer. She helped me design them. Do you like'em?"

Ezra twisted the band onto his wrist, then squeezed it for a better fit before lifting his gaze to meet Vin's. "I love it, and I love you with every part of my being. You are my heart, my soul, my very reason for being, Vin Tanner."

"As you are mine, Ezra Standish, from now until forever," Vin said, twisting on and fitting his own bracelet. No more words were said as they held each other close, making slow sweet love to each other in front of the crackling fire. Outside the stars twinkled and the soft light of the moon illuminated the falling snow.

Long
Did the winter winds rage
Inside my beating heart.

Until
Despair was all I knew
Inside my bleeding heart.

Then
A ray of summer did shine
Inside my beating heart.

You
With love so pure I found
Inside my mended heart.

Fini

Couple of quick notes: (1)Vin was supposed to recite this poem at some point to Ezra but I never quite managed to work it in, so I decided to just put at the end here. (2)I realized after I wrote this that some people may take offense at the sex change joke. That was not my intention and I have only the utmost respect for those who are brave enough to take that irreversible step.

Wynde