It was late on Friday afternoon when Ezra had finished the report to his satisfaction. His concentration was broken repeatedly by recollections of the conversation he'd heard the day before. It had kept him awake most of the night as well. Never, in his life, had anyone ever spoken about him in that ways. The words, the passion, the belief. He was having an inordinate amount of trouble processing the event.

From JD all the way up to the Judge, all had defended him, his record and his actions. He'd had commendations put in his file? That was a first. Past files had been full as well, but the documentation was far less flattering. And the fact that at least two of the men had been ready to actually assault Summers – well it all stretched even his understanding of human nature.

What truly confounded him was the fact that he knew they had no idea he'd been listening. None of this had been done merely for his benefit. Every word and emotion was pure. He shook his head at the notion.

"You OK over there Ezra? Being awfully quiet today."

"Merely trying to focus on the task at hand Mr. Dunne. Any effort that ends as tumultuously as did this mission presents certain problems when one is trying to prepare a report that still reflects well on the participants. I am, however, quite certain I have achieved that goal."

"That your way of saying your done? 'Cause if so that means we're done for the day." Buck looked hopefully at the clock. "Right Chris?" He had a date lined up with a lady he'd been worshiping from afar for weeks, and he was more than a little eager to be out of there.

"Give me 10 minutes to look these over and I'll let you know." He went back to his office and opened the report files on his computer. He kept half his attention on the conversation outside.

Ezra scanned the room, debating with himself over his next course of action. The men were in various stages of preparing to leave for the night. There had been no mention of a get together this evening. Not unheard of – they didn't gather every Friday, only most of them. This would have been so much easier if someone else had opened the door, but that hadn't happened, and time was running out. Ezra didn't think he would ever have a better opportunity to make his move, and he had the distinct feeling that if he didn't take that leap, he would never have the chance to stop seeing the team as 'them' and start seeing it as 'us'.

"Would I be safe in my assumption you gentlemen have intriguing plans for the evening, and indeed the weekend ahead?" They were all surprised by the fact Ezra had initiated the conversation.

"Well, I'm not so sure intriguing is the word I'd use." Josiah was the first to find his voice.

"I was looking at a quiet night ahead. Kind of stressful week so doing nothing special seemed like a plan." Vin added, wondering if Ezra was headed somewhere with this, and hoping he was.

Buck looked at Ezra out of the corner of his eye while trying to look otherwise occupied. He wanted to believe he wasn't imagining the slight yearning tone the southerner used. "I've got an unexpectedly dull night ahead," he lied. "My planned company for the evening notified me a little while ago she'd be unavailable. Terribly disappointing – for her."

Nathan added his comment. "Well, Raine is working tonight, and after two weeks in that diner kitchen the only thing I want to do is go somewhere I don't have to make anything."

When JD shrugged a noncommittal response, Ezra took a deep breath. "I was wondering, then, if you are all free, if you might want to join me for a drink?"

Chris almost leapt for joy out of his seat. He thought he was going to have to slap himself to be able to put on a neutral face as he rose and stepped out of the office.

"Too tired to figure out all this stuff now. I'll look it over in the morning. Now, did I hear correctly Ezra? Are you suggesting we head out for a drink?"

"If it doesn't interfere with anyone's calendar."

"You have anyplace in mind?"

"Well, given the fact Mr. Jac-", he paused and swallowed, his mouth going dry from unexpected nervousness. "Nathan indicated he was planning on dining out, I thought Inez's tavern might be a viable option. My understanding from JD is that they offer a palatable menu."

Despite their efforts to disguise the reaction, Ezra couldn't help notice the glances each time he used a first name. No one was commenting, or objecting.

"Ezra?"

"Yes Buck?"

The man grinned. "Since you did the inviting, can I assume you'll be doing the buying?" He ducked when JD threw a pad of paper at him.

"I believe my finances would allow me to cover the first round. Perhaps even a second as well."

"Nah, one is fine. Buck will be buying the second." Chris smiled, reaching for his jacket and ignoring Buck's groan. "Gentlemen, let's lock up for the night."

The conversation at the table was stilted at first. Once drink orders had been placed there were a few moments of awkward silence. Ezra finally couldn't take it any longer.

"So, Mr. – Chris. Are you anticipating any difficulties in dealing with the fallout from this week's disaster?"

Work was usually avoided on Friday nights, but Chris was grateful for any topic, and if Ezra needed a bit of reassurance, now was as good a time as any. "Nothing we can't handle. There could have been a lot of reasons for that drive by, including the highly probable notion that competing gun dealers wanted you gone. Until we find the shooters we can't know anything for sure. Local cops are working the case like any other drive-by for the moment. And FBI had been ordered to keep out of it for now."

Vin leaned back in his seat, watching for the reaction to what he was about to say. "If there was some kind of a leak at the Bureau we'll make sure it's found out and taken care of." Ezra reacted exactly as expected. His eyes widened slightly, which was the only outward sign of surprise. He sipped casually on his brandy before commenting.

"At the Bureau? Why would you assume that to be the source?"

"Simple. On our side of the operation the only ones who knew enough to say anything crucial are the judge and the seven men sitting at this table. I for one don't believe it could have been Judge Travis, so it had to be the FBI."

"Where as far as they are convinced, I am quite certain, the guilty party sits here in your midst."

"Yeah?" JD looked squarely at Ezra. "Well then they are full of shit."

"Eloquently phrased JD." The young agent smiled at the fact Ezra looked pleased.

"Look, Ezra. Bottom line here is that we are going to find what's going on, and anybody who messes with any one person on this team messes with the whole team. And we don't take kindly to that."

Ezra had a great deal of trouble accepting the unconditional support, but knew further questioning of it would not be appreciated or appropriate at this point. Instead, he continued to sip quietly at his drink.

Buck decided it was time to change the subject. "So Chris – what ever happened with that stubborn horse of yours?"

"Chaucer? I've pretty much given up on him. He won't let anyone ride him. Tried everything I know but for whatever reason he doesn't seem to trust me – or anyone else."

"What are you gonna do with him." JD wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.

"Relax kid. He's not going to a glue factory. I'll just pasture him."

"Don't seem right – I've seen the horse. He'd look something special being ridden. Seems like he deserves more."

"Would it be possible for me to come out to see this Chaucer of yours?"

Chris clenched his jaw to keep from shouting out a Hallelujah. Ezra had not only agreed to come out to the ranch, but was actually inviting himself. Seeing the tightening on Larabee's face, Ezra leapt to the wrong conclusion.

"I do not mean to inconvenience you, and certainly did not intend to intrude on any weekend activity you might have planned. I assure you I wouldn't stay more than a few minutes. You won't even be aware of my presence."

"Easy there Pard, slow down." Vin reached out and put a calming hand on Ezra's arm, earning a flinch as he'd forgotten about the wound from the day before. Ezra pulled back, almost tipping his chair in the process. He fought the panic that was starting to build. He'd misjudged this. He'd moved too fast and overstepped his position. As was his habit, he'd blown it.

"Please, forget I even suggested it Mr. Larabee. Clearly I have misread the situation."

"The only thing you misread Ezra was me just now. And that's my fault. The only reason I didn't shout out a yes was that I didn't want to scare you off. Course you can come and look. And we expect you'll be staying for dinner. Josiah's gonna be doing up a roasted pig on a spit and there is always more than enough food to go around. Now mind you, there is one condition."

Ezra calmed himself, ready for whatever sanctions or requirements would be placed on him.

"You have got to forget about this Mister crap. Kinda liked hearing our names with that southern flair of yours, and really don't want to give it up. Understood."

Ezra looked around the table. They really mean it, he thought. They want me out there. It was a strange sensation, this emotional acceptance. He wasn't at all certain he knew how to deal with it, having never experienced it before. But he was certain of one thing. He need to try. He put on his best charm school smile.

"I will concede to that demand provided you, in turn, accept my condition." Chris looked questioningly at him. There was very little Ezra could ask right now that would be refused, but he was afraid with the track record they had in place that may well have to happen.

"I would very much appreciate the opportunity to return the kindness." He was greeted by silence as the team was unsure exactly where this was heading. "I would expect, on a future Saturday evening, to entertain you gentlemen at my home."

Buck was ready to laugh until a swift kick under the table silenced him. He took a second look and saw the anxiousness in Ezra's eyes. For a man so practiced at keeping his emotions in check he was now letting himself be read.

"Ez – that's right nice of you. But, and don't take this the wrong way – where are we all gonna sit?"

"I have given that some consideration, and have been investigating the purchase of some supplementary items. I believe I have sufficient space to expand my furnishings."

"Well, as much as the thought is appreciated, it's really not necessary." Chris answered. He held up his hand before Ezra could object, but it was Josiah who spoke. "Ezra, think about it. You don't miss much, so you have to have noticed we all go out to the ranch when we get together like this. We do take turns about running the show – what we eat, what we do. But it's always there. Ain't like we don't have our own places, but the ranch – well that's just sort of our common ground."

"Thing is Ezra," Vin took over, "it's where we can all kind of forget about the rest of our lives a bit. Makes us feel, I don't know, at peace I guess. Maybe we're all just cowboys at heart. Sorry Chris." He grinned and leaned toward Ezra, stating in a stage whisper, "He really hates being called a cowboy."

"It allows you to exist in a world that releases you from the confines of your world. An escape from the unpleasantness of daily reality." They nodded, relieved to see the understanding. "I have, on occasion sought such relief myself. Although I must confess that the role of cowboy has never factored into my considerations."

"Why do I not find that hard to believe." Nathan laughed. "You must be some kind of wealthy socialite. No, more a Rhett Butler kind of guy."

"That would be closer, but I tend to draw on what I know of my heritage. A southern gentleman most assuredly. But more likely a riverboat gambler or similar reprobate. Possibly, to fit into your scenario, one who has headed west to expand his horizon's…find new ventures upon which to capitalize. New marks to take."

"Or maybe," JD speculated, "to get a clean start on things." There was a moment of silence when Ezra turned his eyes downward, then relief when he looked up smiling.

"I suppose that too might be a possibility."

"So, you with us tomorrow Ezra? This compromise acceptable? Vin's cooking next week, but you can be the man in charge the next time around."

"Yes Chris, it is a most acceptable option. Of course, now I am left with the issue of what to do with my new furnishings. I suppose the table and chairs can be returned."

"You got yourself some dining room stuff? You should keep it. Your place is a little under done at the moment."

"While I appreciate your decorating advice Buck, I think I shall rely on other sources for any future suggestions. I have heard the commentaries on the status of your home."

Buck pretended to be offended. "My place reflects my nature."

Vin agreed – "Yup. Milk cartons for shelves, laundry on the chairs, posters on the wall. Very early teenager." He got a soft punch on the arm for his support.

"To expand Buck, it was not a dining table that I had purchased, but rather a card table."

"One of those folding things? Well that shouldn't be an issue. Hell, bring it to Chris' place. We can always use an extra one. His is a mite worn out anyway."

"No, not a 'folding thing'." Ezra shuddered slightly at the thought. "This is antique casino caliber poker table. Solid oak. Can seat eight players, felt covered, glass holders, dealer's spot, chip trays. Co-ordinated chairs."

"Whooee, now that sounds special." Buck admitted. "Puts that plywood thing of yours to shame Chris."

"Mine does the job. But yeah – that sounds nice Ezra. You should keep it, if you wanted it in the first place. Sounds like you enjoy an evening of poker."

"Dare I presume from what has been said, that games of chance are a frequent occurrence at the ranch?"

"We've been known to have few hands."

They watched as Ezra quickly developed a plan in his mind. "I am a man of many diverse and unique talents, but I must concede that epicurean expertise does not feature high on that list." At the somewhat confused faces, he edited himself. "I'm not much of a cook."

"We don't do fancy Ezra."

"I could," he continued, "have my duties catered, but I do have a counter proposal. If it is acceptable to all of you, I will have the table delivered to the ranch. From what you have described, it would be an improvement to the current facilities, and all would benefit from its presence."

"That's damn generous of you Son." "Shit Ezra, that's too much." "You'd don't have to do that Pard."

Chris held up his hand, silencing the table. "That sounds like a pretty special item you got yourself. You sure you want to do this?" Ezra nodded, and Chris did the same. "OK – I won't fight you. And thanks. It will definitely add a touch of class to the evening." He could sense Ezra relief at the simple acceptance.

"Gentlemen, are these events friendly games?"

"Well they've never ended in fights if that's what you mean Ezra." JD answered, puzzled.

"He means are the cash or just chips." Nathan supplied. "And to answer you, there has been occasion where money has changed hands. Usually all comes out pretty even, although Chris and Vin tend to come out ahead a bit more often. JD's a bit too eager, Buck can be easily distracted and Josiah – well he just doesn't seem to have his heart in it most of the time. I'm not much of a gambler, so I fold more often than not."

"You do realize that you are giving away all of our secrets Nathan." Buck growled.

Nathan shook his head. "Seriously Buck? Look at the man. He's been sizing you – all of us up – from the minute he joined in. He just spent – what, easily several grand? – on a poker table. His idea of escape is envisioning himself as a riverboat gambler. You honestly think for an instant I said anything he hadn't figured out. Or wouldn't have known after the first hand."

Buck leaned back and sized up the now smiling southerner. Ezra looked genuinely relaxed for the first time in ages. Hell, for the first time since they'd known him. "Chris – I think we have made a serious error in judgement here. Not one of us going to have our pay-cheques left by the end of the weekend."

"Don't be absurd Buck. I would never relieve a friend of all of his cash on the first evening we sat at a card table." 'Friend' and 'first' in the same sentence, Chris thought. This is working out better than he'd dared to hope for. "No, I shall restrain my basic instinct until an evening when we have large overtime bonuses on those cheques." He grinned widely, and the men were certain they saw a glint of light reflect off his gold tooth. Despite what was just said, this was going to be a costly weekend. And worth every penny.

The End (as always - for now)

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