Disclaimer: Mirisch, Trilogy, MGM, CBS and TNN hold the deed. Mog created the ATF universe. I'm only in this for the thrill of abusing our guys.

Warnings: Slash, the C/V kind. Nothing too explicit.

Notes: For Wolvie's birthday. She requested an adult style Christastrophe. Enjoy dear! May the year ahead by MAGNIFICENT!!

Chuckling, his breath warm against the other man's neck, Larabee could only respond with, "yeah." His hand pressing against the lean, sweaty hip, he withdrew his softening shaft from his partner slowly. Both of them gasped and trembled in response to the parting. They lay there for several minutes, arms and legs entwined. Chris ran his fingers through the other man's long auburn locks, smiling as Vin sighed with sated contentment. Then their peace was shattered by the harsh sound of the alarm. With a muttered curse, Larabee slapped it silent. Rolling back to wrap himself around the lean body, he said softly, "time to get up."

"Thought we done got up," Tanner quipped, snuggling against his boss and lover.

"We did," the blond agreed. "Now we've got to get up. Come on now, let's get this over with. Maybe we can wrap it all up early and get back here for round two... or would it be three?"

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Vin said, "more like four I reckon."

Nuzzling the sweat-soaked curls and brushing a kiss across the lean shoulders, the older man said, "damn, kid, you're gonna be the death of me yet. Come on, let's go. You know as well as I do that if we're late, Buck's gonna have some smart-ass remark about the reasons. And I'm in too good a mood to kill him."

An hour later, the two men were showered, dressed, and in the blond's Explorer. An hour after that found them strolling into the suite of offices that they shared with the other five members of Denver's ATF team seven. They were greeted by Josiah Sanchez and JD Dunne, but the others had yet to arrive. Relieved that he wouldn't have to shoot his oldest friend, Chris returned the greetings of the oldest and the youngest members of his team and disappeared into his private office.

Vin moved to his desk, dropping to the well-padded chair. A slight twinge from well used muscles brought a wistful smile to his face, and he found himself wishing he could join Chris in his office. He set the thought aside, though, focusing his attention on the day's tasks.

The men had hoped to get a few days off for the holidays, but it wasn't looking very promising. They had been assigned to bring down a gunrunning operation running at the edge of the warehouse district. Ezra had been working hard at setting up a meeting between the head of the operation, Tim Riley, and Sean McNulty. McNulty, the alias of Chris Larabee, was part of a group of radicals in search of the latest weapons. Sean had turned to David Milton - also known as Ezra Standish - to supply him with those weapons.

Two meetings had been set up and cancelled already, and they were beginning to worry that something was going on with the rather skittish Riley. They had decided just the day before that, if the man cancelled this time, they would find another way to get to him. They were all hoping that things would work this time. It was only three days 'til New Years Eve, and all of them wanted to greet the holiday without the specter of work haunting them like Scrooge's ghosts. They had barely managed to salvage Christmas as it was, and hoped now to wrap the operation up before year's end.

It was nearly noon before Standish called into Larabee's cell phone with information about the new meet. The blond emerged from his office, already dressed for his role as Sean McNulty, in a black leather jacket, camouflage pants and combat boots. The others looked up, quickly registering the meaning of his appearance. As one, they rose and followed him from the suite.

Twenty minutes later they were in place. Vin crouched on the rooftop of a nearby warehouse, while Chris and Ezra pulled up in a car to meet the gunrunner. Buck and Josiah were nearby, using the cover of loading a semi to allow them to watch the action. JD and Nathan were tucked away in the tac van, monitoring the action.

Tanner sighted downward, scanning the area for signs of a trap. It was several minutes before he was satisfied that there were no hidden gunmen in the vicinity. That accomplished, he allowed the site to drift toward the camouflaged ass of his partner. The sharpshooter grinned, enjoying the vision of the tight cheeks that moved with a casual ease beneath the earth tone pants.

"Vin? Tanner!" The voice in his ear yanked him from his momentary lapse of attention.

"Yeah?"

"Do you see anything?" Chris asked again.

"Everything's fine," he replied, knowing that the blond had picked up the hint of lust in his voice.

"Keep your mind on the job Tanner," Larabee growled softly.

"You got it, boss," he teased.

"We got company," Josiah broke into the conversation. "Vehicle coming in at eight o'clock. Green van."

"That's him," Ezra confirmed.

"'Bout time he showed up," Buck chimed in.

"All right people, look lively. We're going silent," Chris said as he and the Southerner both dropped their headsets into the car, leaving only the 'wires' secreted in their clothing for the others to monitor them by. They turned to watch as the green van, carrying their mark, pulled to a stop nearby. Three men stepped out; Tim Riley and two well-armed men. While he stepped forward, the other two stayed by the van, watching.

"I didn't know you were bringing company," 'Milton' said calmly.

Shrugging, the gunrunner said, "I never come to a party empty handed."

"Yeah? Well no one said a damn thing about you coming with a fucking army," 'McNulty' growled with more than a hint of impatience.

"Patience, Sean," Ezra sounded appropriately placating. "Mr. Riley is simply a cautious man, I'm certain you can respect that."

"Look, you damn pantywaist, I don't have to respect anything or anyone. Now, let's get this the hell over with. I want to see the guns."

"Yeah?" Riley replied, "well, I wanna see th' money first."

"What, you don't trust me?" Larabee asked, feigning hurt feelings in a sarcastic tone.

"I don't have to trust anyone or anything," Tim mocked the blond man.

"Funny man," Chris said, glaring hard at the gunrunner. Then he popped the locks on the suitcase sitting on the hood of the car, lifting it and turning the suitcase so that their prey could see the stacks of bills inside. As Riley was drawn near by the sight of all that cash, Larabee slapped the lid closed. "Guns."

Pulling his attention away from the money once again hidden from him, Tim Riley nodded and waved to the men behind him. Immediately the two men went to the back of the van, reappearing a minute later with a heavy crate between them. They lugged it over, lowering it to the ground between their boss and the two other men. One popped open the wooden top with a crowbar, lifting it so that the 'buyers' could see the merchandise they were shopping for.

Larabee lifted one of the weapons from the crate, inspecting it closely. Finally he nodded appreciatively. "This is more like it. How many did you bring?"

"That depends on how many you're willing to pay for..."

Hovering above the action, Vin listened to the conversation through his headset. He fought to keep a cool head, knowing that not only Chris, but Ezra as well, depended on it. The sharpshooter focused his attention on the action, making certain that his scope and rifle didn't pick up the afternoon sun.

His senses went on the alert as he heard the gunrunner's voice take on a nervous quality, a sign that they were in danger of the bust going sour. Beyond that, the two men standing not five feet from the mark were in danger of losing their lives. They had discovered enough about Riley to know he would be looking for things like wires and kevlar vests. It was because of that they weren't wearing the bullet-proof protection. Vin fought to monitor the conversation over the pounding of his heart.

"The d-deals off," Riley stuttered suddenly.

"What?!" Chris didn't have to feign his frustration at this pronouncement, seemingly coming from out of the blue. "What the hell are you talking about... the deals off? I held up my part of the bargain, you son of a bitch, now you're going to hold up yours!"

"Gentlemen!" Ezra attempted to salvage what he could of the undercover assignment. "Let's all calm down and discuss this rationally, shall we?"

"I said it's off! Somethin' ain't right," Tim muttered, his eyes darting furtively from side to side. He motioned to the other two men, who took the gun from the blond agent and closed the crate. As he began to back away, he said in a high, nervous voice, "this meeting is over."

Ezra and Chris traded confused looks, not able to decipher what had happened to set the gunrunner off. In response to a slight nod from his supervisor, the Southerner tried again. "Tim... Mr. Riley! Please, hear us out! There's nothing wrong with our deal, I assure you. We brought the money, as you requested. We entered this deal in good faith. Surely you aren't going to allow some feeling to ruin this deal! Allow us to show you - "

The undercover agent was cut off as the man beside him suddenly shoved him out of the way. He landed in an undignified heap near the front tire of the rental car, unable to catch his breath, and trying to figure out why he was staring at the sky. Then his senses cleared, and he heard what suspiciously sounded like all hell breaking loose around him. Gunfire rang out from all directions, along with angry screams and yelled orders. He cast a look around, trying to locate his boss. Larabee was nowhere to be seen.

Vin quickly assumed his role of eagle-eyed guardian angel, keeping the trio of criminals pinned down from his vantage point. There was only one thing on his mind however. Chris. He had watched as his partner shoved Ezra out of the way when one of the hired muscle opened fire. Then his world came to a standstill as he watched the blond fly across the hood of the car, disappearing from sight on the other side of the car. While he continued blasting away at the shooters, he called out on his headset, "any a you see Chris? Where is he? Is he okay? Answer me, damn it!"

"VIN!" Buck bellowed in his ear as he tried to get through to the other man. "Vin, calm down. He's movin', okay? That's all I can tell y' for certain, but he is movin'! You read me?"

"Yeah," Tanner tried to catch his breath, repeating a little calmer, "yeah, I read y'."

Team seven soon had the trio of gunrunners captured, one with a bullet in his shoulder. As soon as he was certain that the threat was contained, Vin rappelled down the side of the building, his rifle slung across his back. He dropped to the ground, landing lightly on his feet, already on the move. He sprinted across the open space to where Chris was still hidden from him. The worried young agent barely registered the fact that Ezra was being helped to his feet by Josiah. His entire focus was on the blond man who's arms he had been in only a few hours ago.

"Chris!" Tanner slid to a stop next to the fallen man. "Ah damn, cowboy."

Chris writhed on the ground, his chest covered in blood. His handsome face was ashen, covered in perspiration. He was breathing in quick, harsh gasps. His eyes were squeezed shut and his jaw was clenched.

Vin dropped next to his lover, grasping the quaking shoulders. "Chris, it's okay."

Immediately the injured man calmed down, his eyes opening to search out the owner of the voice that had gotten through the pain. Hazel eyes swimming with tears and glazed with pain, Larabee stared up at him. The older man's mouth opened and closed several times before he managed to croak out, "V-vin?"

"Yeah, now lay still, hear? Yer bleedin', 'n rollin' round like this ain't helpin' nothin'." He reached out and stroked the damp blond locks tenderly as he spoke, his other hand clasping one of Chris' at the same time. As he continued talking softly, he was relieved to see his partner calming down. Finally the injured man lay quietly, only an occasional tremor of pain causing any movement. He moaned softly, his grip on Tanner's hand tightening as the pain increased.

"Shhh, take 't easy cowboy, you're gonna be fine."

"Vin," Chris whispered his name, taking comfort in his lover's nearness.

"Right here," Tanner reassured him. "I'm right here, Chris, and I ain't goin' no where."

Larabee managed a smile as he focused on the other man. Slowly his world narrowed until it contained nothing but the soft drawl and a pair of love-filled blue eyes. He held onto the warm hand that held his, using it as a lifeline. There was a part of him that was frightened, terrified that he was going to die there on the cold concrete... right before those blue eyes. That was what truly terrified him. He didn't want Vin to watch him draw his last breath... didn't want that to be the younger man's last memory of him.

As if he had read the blond's mind, Tanner said, "yer gonna be okay, cowboy... hear me? I ain't about t' let'cha go... hear me?"

"Vin?"

The sharpshooter looked up at the call, surprised to find the other five members of the team surrounding them. His eyes darted to where the gunrunners had been.

With a quicksilver smile, Buck said, "s'okay, junior. Back up's got 'm."

Nodding, the longhaired man turned his attention back to the man lying on the ground. Another voice caught his attention, but he didn't turn toward it.

"Vin, I want t' look at his wound," Nathan Jackson said as he dropped down on the other side of the bloody form. Knowing that separating the two men would be the worst thing he could do, he simply worked around the clasped hands. He checked the pupils of the hazel eyes while only slightly shifting the hand that continued to stroke the blond hair. He unfastened the black leather coat and cut away the black shirt beneath, revealing the ugly wound in the well-honed chest. He pulled a sealed package from one pocket and removed a thick pad of gauze, pressing it down over the bullet hole. The EMT had learned quickly, upon joining Larabee's team, to always be prepared.

The wail of sirens cut through the air, announcing to the men that help was near. Vin let out the breath he had been holding as he heard the sound of an ambulance pulling to a stop nearby. He grinned down at the injured man. "Reckon you'll be at th' hospital in a little while. The Doc's gonna be fit t' be tied... y' promised 'm y' wouldn't be back 'fore th' new year."

"O...only a few days off," Chris managed. Then he moaned, his eyes rolling back in his head as the pain consumed him like a wildfire. The last thing he was aware of was the look of fear in his lover's eyes, and a single cry.

"CHRIS!"

"Vin, would you sit down?" Buck tried not to sound as exasperated as he felt. Tanner had been strung tighter than a bowstring since they had arrived at the hospital right behind the ambulance. He and Josiah had been forced to restrain the smaller man twice now, as some unsuspecting soul set him off. Typically the Texan had a long fuse, but not when it came to the welfare of his friend and lover. Until they got some word on Larabee's health, they would have to keep a close eye on the man.

Blue eyes flashed in response to the big man's request, but Vin said nothing. He simply returned to pacing the length of the waiting room.

"I swear, we have to replace that patch of linoleum twice a month since you men started gracing us with your presence."

The six worried men looked up to see the doctor approaching them, his green scrubs decorated with a telltale red design. As one, they moved to surround him. All of them were anxious to hear the news but, given the bloody garments, weren't certain that they were ready.

Vin felt a strong arm wrap around his shoulders and knew without looking that it was Buck. From the other side a big hand was planted in the center of his back... Josiah. Fortified by his friends presence, he stared hard at the physician. "What's th' word, Doc?"

"Long story short, he was lucky," Dr. Gerry said. He knew these men well enough to know that, other than Nathan Jackson, none of them would pay any attention to medical details. They wanted the bottom line, and nothing more. "The bullet missed his heart by millimeters, but it did do some damage to the area. He's going to have to take it easy for awhile, but I think the chances of him making a full recovery are good."

"I wanna see 'm," Tanner said shortly.

Taking no offense at the distressed young man's tone, Garry said, "he's in recovery right now, agent Tanner. We'll be moving him to ICU in a few hours, I'll leave word that you can visit him then. I'll also have all the breakables removed from the ICU waiting room." Although Vin didn't even seem to register the quip, the others chuckled.

"Thanks, Doc," Wilmington extended his hand to the other man. "We appreciate it, an' we'll see if we can leave th' room intact this time."

"Appreciate it," the doctor smiled as he turned to head back into the surgery suite. "I'll send word as soon as he can have visitors."

It seemed days before he was allowed into the little ICU cubicle-sized room. Vin looked through the forest of tubes, wires and machines to find the man who had stolen his heart. That heart pounded when he saw how pale and still his partner looked. Larabee's ruddy complexion had been replaced by one of an ashen cast. Dark circles made his closed eyes appear sunken, and his chest only barely rose and fell. Vin had a very difficult time finding any of the hope the doctor had tried to give them earlier.

He stepped up beside the high, narrow ICU bed, his hand reaching out to stroke the square jaw. Tears burned his blue eyes, but he refused to release them. He wasn't about to give in to the fear he felt. Planting a tender kiss on the lax, slightly parted lips, he fought to keep his voice under control. "Hey ol' man, it's me. I'm right here, Chris, an' I ain't goin' no where. The boys done set up camp in the waitin' room... oh, they got a new pop machine in there now. This one looks sturdier than th' last, so reckon it'll hold up better." He chuckled. The previous machine had endured the wrath of more than one of them on many an occasion.

Larabee was floating in blessed darkness, buoyed against the earlier pain and cast adrift in a nothingness that held none of the usual stressors his life contained. He could easily stay there for eternity, separated from the pain of his waking life. But then he heard and felt a presence that made him yearn to leave the peace behind.

"V... Vin?" His voice was a raspy, barely audible whisper. He felt a feeling of warmth caress his face and nuzzled against it. Slowly his eyes slanted open, closed, then opened once more. With effort, he managed to focus his vision, which was once more filled with loving blue eyes. He managed a small smile. "Vin."

"Hey, ol' man," Tanner's own smile was broad as his lover looked up at him. "Have a nice nap?"

"Think so... I... wh-what happened?"

"Riley flaked on us and they started shootin'. Y' caught one in th' chest." At the frightened look in the hazel eyes, he hurriedly added, "you're gonna be fine though, 'n th' rest of us come out without a scratch. Th' good news is, when we get'cha outta here 'n home, I get t' take care a y' fer a bit, spoil y' an' make y' behave."

"Good... luck," Larabee quipped as his eyes slowly drooped closed once more.

"Vin, you've been here for almost seventy-two hours. The farthest we can get you to go is the cafeteria, and that just ain't healthy... on a lot of levels," Nathan Jackson was the latest in a long line of well-meaning friends trying to get him to go home to rest.

'I'm fine, Nate," he said tiredly. "I don't need t' go home, I c'n rest just 's well here."

"That's bull, and you know it. You're not doing yourself any good staying here like this, and you sure ain't gonna do Chris any good when he's released in a couple of days. Now that he's well enough to be in a regular room, you ought 'a be able to let one of us stay with him for awhile. Josiah said he'd be glad to stay for the night if it means you'll go home 'til morning."

"'Preciate th' offer, but I'll stay."

"Vin - "

"Nathan, its New Year's Eve." Vin turned soul-wrenching blue eyes up to meet the other's dark brown ones.

Jackson placed a comforting hand on each slender shoulder. Leaning close and looking deeply into the smaller man's eyes, he said softly, "what you two've got... it don't need a special day to celebrate it. The New Year can start when he gets home."

Vin's head dropped, a shudder coursed through his lean frame. He knew the big man was right... they were all right. None of them could understand how important it was to him though, spending this particular holiday with Chris. It symbolized nothing less than a new beginning, a new life. It would be a celebration of their life... their love.

"Vin?"

He looked up to see not only Nathan, but Buck and Josiah staring at him now. "Y'all gangin' up on me?"

"Yep," Wilmington said with a grin. "Nathan's gonna take y' home, 'n Josiah's gonna stay with Chris tonight."

"Can't y' wait til t'morrow?"

"Brother, let me speak plain here," Sanchez said in his soft rumble. "The nursing staff has requested their own New Year's celebration... they want you to go home, take at least a two hour shower, change clothes, and get some sleep."

Despite the fact that his heart was breaking, Vin smiled. "Reckon I do smell a bit ripe."

"Let's put it this way," Buck chimed in, "all a th' live plants on this floor've died, an' y' caused a coma patient t' wake up just t' get away from th' smell. Now... go home."

Holding up his hands in surrender, the smaller man nodded. "Let me go tell Chris, 'n I'll go quiet."

Vin woke slowly, disoriented as to where he was for a moment. Then he remembered Nathan driving him home, staying long enough to fix him lunch, and taking his car keys when he finally left. Weary to the bone, he had stood in the shower until the steaming water cooled, then fell into bed. The covers were still rumbled, the bed unmade since the last time he and Chris had lain there together. He crawled in on his partner's side, still able to faintly smell the other man's scent on the sheets and pillowcase. Despite his exhaustion, it took the Texan some time to fall to sleep, he ached to feel Larabee beside him.

The darkness told him that it was night, and he felt the heavy sadness well up in him once more. The two of them had planned to spend the night together; eating dinner by candlelight, then ringing in the new year with champagne in front of the fireplace. The tears that he had held back for so long finally won their release, flowing down his handsome face for several minutes. Finally he scrubbed a rough hand over his face, sighing deeply.

"'Bout time you woke up."

Vin nearly fell out of the bed, then whipped around to face the invader. "Oh my god... Chris?"

The blond, still terribly pale, smiled and reached out to touch the tear-stained face. "Hey kid."

"But, I... what... I don't understand. Wh-what are you... Chris?"

"I signed myself out for the night. Doc's about to blow a gasket, but he'll get over it. Buck brought me home. I can't believe how deeply you were sleeping. You didn't even move when I got into bed."

"Chris, you shouldn't be here. You need to be in the hospital!"

Pressing a finger over the shocked young man's lips, Larabee said, "Josiah's going to be here at dawn, and I'll go back then."

Tanner made a sound somewhere between a sigh of contentment and a groan of concern. "I don't understand, you shouldn't be here, Chris. What if somethin' happens?"

Larabee coaxed his partner over, pulling Vin one-handed to curl up beside him. With the loose, chestnut curls tickling his chin, he gently stroked the long hair. "I know what tonight means to you, kid, and it means just as much to me. We deserve the chance that to spend this night together, baby, and I'm gonna make damn sure we get it."

The Texan snuggled against the broad chest, lightly running a hand along the well-honed frame. Emotions welled up within him once more, only this time they were those of happiness and love, so strong his heart ached. They did understand... not just Chris, but their other friends, as well. They had understood how important this night was. "How long y'all been plottin' this?"

"Just since last night, when they moved me out of ICU. I knew that, as long as I was in there, the others wouldn't go for the plan. When the doctor gave me the news that I'd be released in a couple of days, I figured I could talk them into it."

"Talk, or bully?"

With a chuckle, the blond said, "maybe a little of both. It worked though, and that's the important thing. Now, how about we get this party started?"

Vin eased himself away from his convalescing companion and slipped from the bed. "All righty then, you rest, 'n I'll go find somethin' for us t' eat."

"All ready taken care of," Chris smiled. "Just go get some clothes on, and you can start spoiling me as promised."

A few minutes later Tanner, dressed in the outfit he had been planning to wear for this night, was helping his partner out of bed. He slipped beneath Larabee's shoulder, taking as much of the other man's weight as possible.

On his part, Chris simply concentrated on moving. Buck had actually carried him in from the truck, tucking him into bed despite his protests. The trip had worn him out, and he was glad that Vin had slept for a good two hours after his arrival.

Slowly they made their way through the house, entering the den to find it bathed in the glow of the fireplace. Both men grinned at the sight before them. Buck had blown up their air mattress and covered it with thick comforters and stacks of pillows. On the nearby coffee table sat Larabee's silver ice bucket, filled with ice and a bottle of champagne, two glasses sitting beside it.

Vin lowered Chris to the bed, helping him to settle in under the covers, propped up on several of the pillows. He stroked a hand over the pale features, worried once more about what the exertion was doing to his lover. Then, knowing he couldn't waste the gift Larabee was giving him, he tucked the blankets around the lean frame and hurried off into the kitchen. There he found their meals already prepared, light finger foods that the blond would be able to handle. There was also a plate filled with thick, rich brownies for dessert. With a chuckle, the young agent carried it all back into the den. He settled in next to his partner on the nest of blankets, setting one of the plates on Chris' lap.

"Not exactly the steak, baked potatoes and salad we had planned," the blond said wistfully.

"Hell, it could be b'loney an' chips fer all I care, Chris. That don't matter none, just havin' y' here's all that's important."

Hearing the emotion that welled up in the younger man's voice, Larabee reached out to him. Vin took his hand, and he placed them both over his heart. "You're right, it is all that's important... we're together."

They ate their dinners, Vin following it with an orgy of chocolate that made Chris nauseous just watching him. Then they settled back on the pillows, Tanner easing the other man into his arms this time. For some time they simply lay there together, watching the fire in the comforting silence of the last night of the year. Taking care not to jostle the injured man, Vin came as close to making love to him as he dared. He ran his fingers through the thick blond locks, brushed hot kisses across the pale face and down the long neck. Cradling Chris against him, he stroked and nuzzled the well-honed body for long, timeless moments. He wrapped himself around the other man carefully, feeling the ache of loneliness dissipate as he held his partner in his arms.

"You keep that up and I'm not going to be responsible for my actions," Larabee growled softly after Tanner tilted his head back, and nipped at his lips.

Pulling back, Vin said, "you just keep thinkin' that way, but I reckon me 'n yer body'd get th' best a y' pretty quick. You just lay still 'n I'll handle ever'thing."

"Keep going the way you're going and you know what you're going to have to handle."

Smiling lecherously, the younger man said, "well, I know I could handle that, but ain't so sure you could."

With a sigh, Larabee snuggled against the well-defined lean chest and whispered, "reckon you've got a point there, cowboy."

They lay quietly then, Vin wrapped around the older man. As the grandfather clock in the front hall began to chime midnight, he poured the champagne, handing Chris one of the glasses. Toasting one another with silent gazes, they emptied the glasses slowly, more intent on drinking in the love that flowed from one to the other.

The alcohol wasn't long in making its presence known to the weakened blond. He snuggled against Vin once again, letting the warmth from the fire, the blankets, and his partner, wash over him. With a contented sigh, he whispered, "tell me what 2002 is going to bring us, kid."

Settling Chris more comfortably in his arms, Tanner said, "it's gonna bring us a whole lotta love, cowboy. We're gonna spend just 'bout every warm weekend out at our spot in th' woods. When it's cold, we'll be right here, in front a th' fire. I'm gonna love on y' like y' ain't never had it b'fore, an' I'm expectin' th' same from you."

"Sounds good," Larabee said sleepily.

"Yeah, but that ain't th' best of it."

"It ain't?"

"Nope. This is th' best of it." He took his lover's hand in his, pulling tight against his chest. "The best is this right here, me 'n you... t'gether all year." When he received no reply, he looked down to find the older man had drifted to sleep. Smiling, he settled in against the pillows, enjoying the feel of Chris nestled against him and the glowing warmth of the fire before them.

Careful not to wake the other man, he poured himself another glass of champagne. Raising the glass, he whispered to the sleeping man, "Happy New Year, Chris Larabee."

 The End