Author's Thanks: Thanks to Mre, my wonderful beta, whose constant encouragement and eye for detail has not only prevented many an inconsistency, but has actually gotten the Muses to finish fics in less than six months time. <G>

Author's Notes: I know, I know. Y'all are going Who? What? When? How? This is a series of stories I started semi-working on, oh, close to a year ago now. And, of course, because I don't do anything the easy way, the first finished story in the series kind of plunks you down in media res, in the middle of things. Knowing the background story isn't really necessary, but for those who are interested in a brief description of how Chris, Ezra, and Vin ended up with kids I'll be posting it at the end of the fic. Enjoy. <G>

Entering the hotel room he was sharing with Chris, Ezra headed straight for his bed and flopped down on it. For once he didn't care if he looked undignified or if his Brioni suit was getting wrinkled. He was tired. Plain and simple. Tired to his very soul. Late the night before they'd finally busted the arms dealer he'd spent 5 grueling months deep undercover in order to catch. No sooner had they ascertained that everyone was unharmed and the bad guys were headed to lock up than Vin was handing him a packed overnight bag and a quick kiss. Before he could do more than blink Chris hustled him to a waiting squad car and the two of them were off to LA so he could testify in a case he'd worked almost a year before. They'd arrived in LA early in the morning and barely had time to check-in, shower, shave, and dress before heading to the courthouse to meet with the local DA.

Now, after a long day of going over the case with the DA, they were finally back at the hotel room. It was barely seven but at home it was nine. The kids would be going to bed soon, he thought. I need to find my cell phone.

He'd barely started to move whenhe found Chris standing next to the bed holding out the room phone. Ezra looked up at him in surprise. Chris smiled tiredly.

"Call them. The Agency will pay the bill."

"Thank you, Mr... thank you, Chris."

Chris just shrugged as he went to pull a magazine out of his bag and sit on his bed.

Ezra's hands were shaking so badly he could barely dial. The phone seemed to ring forever, though it was only twice, before the sound of a soft Texas drawl came on. "Hello?"

"Hello," Ezra answered stupidly, overwhelmed by the simple joy he felt at hearing that voice.

"Ez." His name was spoken like a prayer, the husky voice conveying so much love and tenderness in that single syllable.

"God, I've missed you, darlin'," he softly whispered, drawing a ragged breath.

"I've missed you too, babe," Vin said, just as softly.

When he heard the sound of the kids laughing in the background, he had to wipe a tear from his eye. Then a little voice came on the phone, asking, "Daddy, when you coming home?"

He realized he was on the speaker phone as the twins chimed in with their own demands for him to come home. He said the first thing that came to his mind.

"I'm already there.
Take a look around,
I'm the sunshine in your hair.
I'm the shadow on the ground.
I'm the whisper in the wind.
I'm your imaginary friend,
And I know I'm in your prayers.
Oh, I'm already there, my darlin's.
I love you all."

"We love you too, Daddy," came the response in three clear, sweet voices. Then Vin was back on the phone.

"Don't worry about the kids they'll be alright. I wish I was in your arms, lyin' right there beside you. But I know I'll be in your dreams tonight. And I'll gently kiss your lips, touch you with my fingertips. So turn out the light and close your eyes.

"I'm already there.
Don't make a sound.
I'm the beat in your heart.
I'm the moonlight shinin' down.
I'm the whisper in the wind.
And I'll be there 'til the end.
Can you feel the love that we share?
Oh, I'm already there.

"We may be a thousand miles apart, but I'll be with you wherever you are. I love you with every part of my being, Ezra. Hurry home to us, babe."

"I will, my love, my darlin'. I will. I love you now and forever." Hanging up the phone, Ezra glanced over at Chris. He was trying to appear engrossed in his magazine, but Ezra could see the tell-tale shimmer inhis eyes. Rising to his feet, he handed him the phone. "Call your son, Chris. The Agency will pay for it."

Chris's lips quirked up in a slight smile as he took the phone and dialed. A minute later he said, "Hey, Buck, is Kit still up? I'd like to talk to him, and thanks, pard, for watching him." There was a pause, then, "Soon, son. I'll be home soon. I haven't forgotten we're going camping. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I love you, Kit."

"I'm already there.
Take a look around,
I'm the sunshine in your hair.
I'm the shadow on the ground.
I'm your imaginary friend,
And I know I'm in your prayers.
Oh, I'm already there."

Fini

Background Info:

Kit - Chris Larabee's adopted son
Ezra has a son named Ezra Angel (EA) from a one-night stand Vin has a twins, a girl and a boy, Victoria (Vic) and Vin Junior(Veej) from his short marriage to Charlotte, he is a widower.

Song Lyrics:

"I'm Already There"
by LoneStar (Richie McDonald/Gary Baker/Frank Myers)

He called her on the road
From a lonely cold hotel room
Just to hear her say 'I love you' one more time But when he heard the sound
Of the kids laughin' in the background
(He) had to wipe away a tear from his eye

A little voice came on the phone
Said "Daddy, when you comin' home?"
He said the first thing that came to his mind

I'm already there
Take a look around
I'm the sunshine in your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground
I'm the whisper in the wind
I'm your imaginary friend
And I know I'm in your prayers
Oh, I'm already there

She got back on the phone
Said "I really miss you, darlin'
Don't worry about the kids, they'll be alright I wish I was in your arms
Lyin' right there beside you
But I know that I'll be in your dreams tonight

And I'll gently kiss your lips
Touch you with my fingertips
So turn out the light and close your eyes

I'm already there
Don't make a sound
I'm the beat in your heart
I'm the moonlight shinin' down
I'm the whisper in the wind
And I'll be there 'til the end
Can you feel the love that we share
Oh, I'm already there

We may be a thousand miles apart
But I'll be with you wherever you are.

I'm already there
Take a look around
I'm the sunshine in your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground
I'm the whisper in the wind
And I'll be there 'til the end
Can you feel the love that we share
Oh, I'm already there
Oh, I'm already there