Chris knew something was different the minute Vin, Ezra, Buck and JD had gotten back from visiting with Ezra's cousin. He couldn't quite put his finger on exactly what was different, although whatever it was didn't appear to be anything he needed to be unduly concerned about. They all seemed to have enjoyed their time away, were relaxed and happy, so Chris decided to wait and watch. He was a strong believer not rocking the boat unless he had to.

Relaxing in a lawn chair outside his quarters two weeks later, sipping a beer as he quietly soaked up the afternoon sunshine, Chris mentally reviewed the things he'd noticed, trying to put together the pieces to create a full picture. Buck and JD had been leaving the base nearly every night. That in and of itself would not be unusual, but the fact that they were going together and were dressed better than they normally did most definitely was. Chris hadn't seen Buck look so put together since he'd left the service and gotten rid of his dress uniform. He hadn't even realized JD owned shoes other than boots and sneakers.

He shook his head, taking a long sip of his beer. In addition to their dressing up a bit more to go off base, Chris noticed that they were now leaving together. Used to be JD took his bike and Buck his rusted pickup. Buck usually hooked up with someone and JD hated being left stranded. So they'd been leaving together and coming back together. Not a bad thing he reminded himself, just odd.

And there was a new closeness between them. Not that they were ever really distant, it was just somehow different than before. Chris couldn't quite pin down exactly what. It bothered him like an itch he couldn't quite reach. He knew he was missing something.

His thoughts were suddenly cut off by the sound of a large truck pulling up to the gates and slowing. Day or night the gates were always closed. Not necessarily locked during the day but the gates were heavy enough to slow most anything down even when unlocked. Chris frowned trying to remember if there was a delivery due. Nothing came to mind which made him wary. He was just about to get up to find out what the hell an unexpected delivery truck was doing outside when he spotted Ezra heading toward the gate.

Chris blinked. Ezra was wearing a t-shirt and cargo shorts. The outfit didn't surprise him, but the carpenter's belt he was also wearing certainly did. He knew the linguist was capable with his hands but hadn't really thought that ability extended to carpentry. Hell, Chris thought, I didn't even know the man owned a tool belt.

Ezra opened the gate and stepped up on to the truck's running board. He was obviously directing the driver where to go. Chris arched an eyebrow. The truck didn't look like it would be delivering some more fancy furniture and Ezra's state of dress certainly implied it was something more related to construction.

Chris frowned. He vaguely remembered Vin asking him if they could build something. He cocked his head trying to remember the conversation. It had been brief, and he was focused on something else at the time so he had just brushed Vin off with a "Yeah, sure, whatever."

Chris wondered now just what the hell he'd agreed to. There was only one way to find out. With a sigh he levered himself out of his chair and casually sauntered over to where Ezra directed the truck. The truck had turned right after clearing the gate, stopping at the end of the rec ground.

Chris leaned against the basketball hoop pole as the driver and passenger hopped out and opened the back of the truck. He glanced over at Vin when the former sniper, dressed similar to Ezra, wandered over to join him. "Cowboy, you wanna tell me what the hell you two are planning to do with what those boys are unloading?"

Vin's half smile appeared, blue eyes bright with amusement. "Build a gazebo."

"Gazebo?" Chris nearly choked. He would have remembered agreeing to that. He was sure of it. "You mean one of those round things...with the cut outs and doodads like in the Sound of Music?"

"Didn't know you had a thing for musicals, Cowboy." Vin chuckled.

Chris glared at him. "Just answer the damn question, Tanner."

"Not one of those, Larabee." Vin shrugged, smile still firmly in place. "Ez has something more utilitarian in mind. Said it should come together more like a pavilion. Like the sort ya see at campgrounds. Said we might as well put in a barbeque pit while we were at it. Got us a couple o' swings on that truck too." There was no mistaking the evident satisfaction and pleasure in Vin's voice as he made the last statement.

"Sounds like quite a project." It sounded like something that might take two of them more than just a few hours to complete.

"Josiah and Nate are gonna help us." Vin gave him a sly look. "Figured you'd be too busy workin' on your tan ta have time."

Chris rolled his eyes already knowing he was going to be roped into helping. Not that he really minded. Chris liked working with his hands. "Hope you aren't going to let Josiah do much of the carpentry."

"Nah. We know better." Vin grinned. Josiah might be strong and a hard worker but the man just wasn't as good a carpenter as he believed himself to be. "Reckon we'll have him doing the masonry work on the barbeque and help us pour the concrete for the foundation."

Chris nodded his understanding. Masonry work was definitely the big man's forte. Although, for the life of him, Chris couldn't understand how Josiah could consistently measure wood wrong and never hammer a nail in straight but could easily create something with brick and mortar that would likely outlast them all.

He watched as Ezra directed the driver and his helper to where to stack the materials as they were unloaded. There really wasn't all that much. Chris pursed his lips, sizing up what he saw. He could easily picture what Vin had said they'd be building. It would make a nice addition to the compound.

Vin stepped forward to help Ezra handle one of the swings. The wood appeared to be treated redwood, like the other wood that had been off loaded, but the swing was obviously a well-crafted, finished item. Chris would be willing to bet his eyeteeth that Ezra had the thing custom made.

Vin's earlier statement made it apparent the swings were of significance to him, which meant they were important to Ezra. And the linguist found money to be no object when it came to getting something that was important to him and those he cared about. Chris realized some time ago that Ezra rarely spent his money if he wasn't making damn sure he got his money's worth.

Feeling foolish standing around doing nothing, Chris pitched in to help unload. He belatedly realized that stakes and a string grid work had already been laid out ensuring they had a guide in place to make the structure square. Unconsciously he found himself approving of the site location since the ground had been leveled years ago when the base was built. He blinked in surprise when he realized that Vin and Ezra had to have done the prep work sometime in the morning without his even noticing. He mentally defended his ignorance of what they'd been up to by telling himself working in his personal office all morning he wouldn't have heard them or seen them.

With five of them working the truck was empty in short order. "You want to make sure you got everything you ordered, Mr. Standish?" The driver handed Ezra a clipboard with a smile.

"That won't be necessary." Ezra took the clipboard, signing his name with no more than a cursory glance. "I was checking as we unloaded. It appears the only things missing were the picnic table and Adirondack chairs I'd requested."

"Couldn't fit those on this load. We'll be back tomorrow morning with them if that is okay?"

"That will be fine."

The driver's smile grew to a wide grin when Ezra handed back the clipboard with a twenty. "Thanks, Mr. Standish."

Chris shook his head, knowing he should have expected that Ezra would have planned to have more than just swings for the pavilion particularly when the barbeque was a clear indication that the structure was going to be intended for the entire team to use. Nathan had been saying for some time that they should start doing things to make Camp AWOL look less like and old army base and more like a place people chose to reside. Chris had just shrugged off Nathan's suggestions. His living quarters were comfortable, and he knew the remodeling that had gone into the barracks made them just as comfortable. He really hadn't cared about the outward appearance.

He grinned to himself. Just because he didn't care didn't mean the others didn't. He found himself oddly pleased to know they were willing, eager even to start claiming some portion of the base as their own. He might own it, but they all lived here.

Nathan and Josiah strolled up carrying a toolbox between them. "Are you boys ready to get started?" Josiah's deep baritone carrying easily to them.

"Figured you and Nate could get started on the barbeque while me and Ez round up the auger we rented ta dig the holes."

"You rented a posthole digger?" Chris blinked.

"Certainly better than having to dig by hand." Ezra tossed the answer back over his shoulder as he and Vin walked away.

Chris glared at Ezra's retreating back. He knew it would be easier and faster using a powered auger. What had surprised him was that they'd thought to rent one. It was one more thing he hadn't realized they'd done. Chris shook his head in bemusement telling himself he was going to have to start paying more attention to what was going on under his very nose.

The auger was a two-man type. Chris was honestly surprised to see how familiar Ezra was with the equipment. The green-eyed man looked just as comfortable working with Vin to dig holes as he was in a five star restaurant or conversing with a client. Chris hid a smile thinking the younger man's many talents was one of the reasons he hired in the first place so he should stop being surprised by him.

Chris settled in to help, checking the depth of the holes, pouring the quick dry concrete, setting and leveling the posts. Not only had Vin and Ezra picked a good spot in terms of the ground having been leveled and compacted it was also the close to one of the few outside faucets. Running the hose to each support post hole was an easy task.

Josiah and Nathan seemed to have the barbeque pit well in hand. Chris was quick to note that Ezra had indicated he wanted it positioned so it stood between the interior of the pavilion and the fence. The brick work would be about waist high when finished and would be centered squarely between the support posts. Chris was willing to bet money that Ezra had set it up that way with a defensive position in mind.

"Once the concrete sets we'll be able to place the crossing supports in place." Ezra grinned, clearly pleased with their rate of progress.

Vin nodded in satisfaction. His long hair, tied back with a strip of leather, was starting to come loose. Ezra pulled off his gloves and motioned to Vin to come to him. Chris watched unabashedly while Ezra gently finger combed Vin's hair and retied the leather strip. The whole action was somehow very private and yet not so intimate that Chris felt as though he'd intruded simply by watching. He remembered doing the same for Sarah once or twice, and not for the first time did he ache to share that level of casual contact with another. They were memories he cherished and he was genuinely glad that Vin and Ezra were creating some like it for themselves.

Ezra moved off toward where the supplies were piled and Chris shook off his thoughts. He frowned. "Why aren't Buck and JD here helping?" This was the sort of project his old friend would have reveled in and JD was usually up for anything they did as a group.

Vin grinned, blue eyes alit with mischief. "Guess they had better things ta do."

Chris pursed his lips in annoyance. Vin had a knack for answering his questions without actually telling him what he wanted to know. If it weren't for the fact that he genuinely liked the younger man, Chris would probably have strangled him shortly after they first met.

Before he could demand further answers Ezra called Vin over to where he was inspecting the pile of two by fours. "Vin...could you give me a hand here?"

"Sure, Ez."

"Josiah?"

The big man looked up from where he was checking to ensure the bricks he'd just placed were level. "Yeah?"

"I took the liberty of ordering additional two by fours for the raised garden you talked about wanting to build."

Josiah grinned. "Thank you, son."

"I am not your son." Ezra huffed out a breath in annoyance, rolling his eyes. That appellation never failed to garner a reaction, which is why Chris suspected Josiah kept using it.

Ezra sighed and shook his head. "While we wait for the concrete to set Vin and I could put them wherever you want."

Josiah nodded. "I was thinking of placing the garden between Chris' quarters and the communal barracks. There's a faucet nearby to make it easier to water."

"Good point." Nathan smiled. "And closer to the kitchen."

Chris scratched his head. "Raised garden?"

Josiah raised both eyebrows. "Nathan and I asked you about putting in a garden over six months ago."

Chris frowned as he tried to remember if the subject of a garden had ever come up. They all knew how much Josiah liked to have fresh vegetables. And Nathan was just a picky. So it was easily possible that one or both had asked about it and Chris had simply forgotten.

"Why didn't you put it in before now if I already said yes?"

Josiah shrugged. "Just that with one thing or another coming up, I never quite got around to it."

The answer was typical of the tactician. The former spook had a habit of somehow putting off things that were important to him in favor of what was important to each of the others or the team collectively. The medic already had a small herb garden that he tended so he had likely left the larger project up to Josiah. That thought was confirmed by Nathan a second later.

"Hell, Josiah, knew I should have done it myself. You still don't even have any soil. And you know nothing worth eating is going to grow in the sand we got around here. If it weren't for Ezra placing an order for all this stuff you wouldn't even be this far along."

"I could call and order the soil for you if you like." Ezra offered with a grin as Nathan grinned back at him his teeth flashing a bright white against his dark complexion.

The medic slapped Josiah on the arm. "Best take him up on that. Might be the only way you ever get your garden."

Josiah glared at his long time friend. "I am perfectly capable of -"

"Jus' order the dirt, Ez." Vin ordered with a soft laugh as he and Ezra started moving the two by fours to where Josiah had indicated he wanted them. "Man will be bitchin' about the quality of the veggies to be had 'round here for six more months if you don't."

"I do not bitch." Josiah stated with affronted dignity.

"Riiiiight." Ezra laughed softly, green eyes sparkling. "You just repeatedly offer negative commentary."

Josiah snorted, but didn't otherwise respond. Chris wondered if the big man might have finally realized it was rare anyone got the better of Ezra when it came to words. Chris mentally slapped himself thinking he couldn't honestly say he'd learned that lesson himself since he and Ezra still routinely engaged in verbal pouts of sparring. The former marine would deny it vehemently if questioned but the truth was he enjoyed matching wits and words with the linguist.

"You boys want a beer?" Chris asked. Since what he knew about brick and mortar wouldn't fill a coffee cup, and Vin and Ezra didn't need help moving the two by fours, there wasn't much Chris could do to help until the concrete set. Offering to get something refreshing was the least he could do. The chorus of 'yes' and 'sure' were sufficient to let him know his suggestion was a good one.

Chris collected a chilled six pack from the communal kitchen. He idly noted that they'd be needing some more soon. He wondered if Buck and JD would think to pick up some while they were in town. He shook his head knowing better than that. JD didn't drink beer and Buck didn't buy supplies unless specifically ordered to do so. Chris half suspected his old friend has some sort of phobia about grocery stores.

He made his way back across the compound, offering an open beer to Vin and the one to Ezra before doing the same to Josiah and Nathan. He left the remaining bottle in the shade as he sat in the sand watching Josiah and Nathan work.

"That's looking good."

"Yes, it is." Josiah smiled, looking very pleased as he took a sip of his beer. "We'll have to have us a barbeque to celebrate when it's done."

"Yeah." Nathan nodded in agreement as he continued working. "Long as we don't let Buck cook."

"Think he could burn water." Vin laughed. "Man is a menace in a kitchen."

Chris snorted thinking there were never truer words spoken. It was a mystery to him how his long time friend could be so good with machinery and be utterly clueless when it came to the basics of food preparation. "Ever tell you about the time we were in the service and he tried to make bacon in a hotpot?"

Ezra stared at him, incredulous. "You're kidding?"

"I kid you not." Chris shook his head and grinned. "Melted the hotpot and set off the fire alarm." Chris snickered thinking about that moment. "Probably wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't been trying to do this at three in the morning."

"Good lord." Ezra rolled his eyes. "What was he thinking?"

"Asked him that once the smoke cleared." Chris took a long drink from his beer. "Said he was hungry for bacon and he didn't think it would hurt anything."

Josiah chuckled. "Good thing that not only can JD cook, he also has a better sense of timing."

"Indeed." Ezra saluted the big man with his beer bottle. He grinned a little wickedly. "Make a very fine team they do."

Chris frowned. There was more to that statement than just what was being said. Something Ezra knew that the rest of them didn't. Well, Chris amended his earlier thought, other than Vin. The former sniper had traded a look with his lover that clearly indicated he knew Ezra was implying something more, that he understood the inside joke.

"Yep," Vin smiled, "quite a pair they are."

Conversation flowed around him moving on to other topics while Chris focused on how this latest clue might fit in with what he'd been thinking about earlier. Buck and JD were acting differently....had been since returning from the visit to Ezra's cousin's ranch. Ezra's cousin, who like Ezra, had a man as his chosen companion.

Chris pursed his lips feeling like he was on the edge of understanding. His eyes narrowed as he watched Ezra and Vin moving to measure the cross supports and discuss their placement. Vin and Ezra, Joe and Levon....Buck and JD? Chris' eyes widened...holy shit. He took a long draw off his beer and shook his head. Well I'll be damned, he thought, never expected to have one couple on my team much less two.

Although, it really didn't surprise him that much. Buck was as close to a true hedonist as Chris had ever encountered. His old friend's reining philosophy always seemed to be as long as no one was being hurt and it felt good then keep doing it. The man didn't seem to have any hang-ups or issues with people. He took them as they came with a degree of acceptance still impressed Chris even after knowing the man for years. And he was adventuresome enough to be willing to try nearly anything once...twice if he liked it. Chris doubted JD was Buck's first male lover, but he really hoped the kid would be his last.

JD didn't strike him as the sort to play the field. Kid was more the type who played for keeps. Chris didn't harbor any belief that JD was some innocent being corrupted by Buck, but the younger man definitely didn't have the world savvy and experience that Buck had. And he wasn't the sort who'd understand Buck's playing the field.

Chris sighed and finished his beer. He might have to corner Buck and talk to him. Find out what his old friends intentions were and make damn sure he knew what he was in for.

On the other hand it might be better for him to just mind his own damn business. He'd never gotten involved in Buck's affairs before, or any of the other team members private lives for that matter. They were adults and he sure as hell didn't consider himself some kind of father figure. Besides, neither Buck nor JD were likely to welcome his input.

He smirked, trying to imagine what JD's reaction would be. The kid had sand. He wouldn't appreciate Chris interfering with his life and likely wouldn't hesitate to tell him off if it came to that, good intentions or not. It wouldn't be the first time JD stood up for himself. And Chris had to honestly admit if the kid wasn't willing to stand up to him, he'd have never offered JD a place on the team.

Buck would more likely listen to him knowing he was only looking out for him, but Chris couldn't honestly see his old friend taking anything he had to say seriously. Buck would be more apt to tell him when he got his own love life straightened out to come offer advice and shut the hell up until then. There was enough history between them Buck could get away with saying things like that.

"Hey, Cowboy, you okay over there?"

Chris blinked and looked toward Vin. "Yeah, fine. Why?"

"Called ya twice." Blue eyes gave him a worried glance. "Maybe you got a little too much sun today."

"Should drink more water, Chris." Nathan offered, dark eyes assessing him. "Beer is a diuretic. Not really good for you in all this heat."

"It isn't that hot, Mother." Chris glared at him. "And I didn't have that much to drink."

Ezra arched an eyebrow and traded a look with Josiah that made Chris want to give into the urge to stamp his foot and demand a little respect. Knowing it would only add to the 'two year old throwing a temper tantrum' image he forcibly restrained himself. He pointed a finger at Ezra and gave him a warning look instead. He was not fooled by the innocent look the linguist gave him in return.

"You boys ready to get to work on the rest of this gazebo?"

Ezra grinned, green eyes sparkling with good humor as he looked toward his lover. "You told him?"

"Mighta mentioned it." Vin shrugged, wagging his eyebrows slightly.

Nathan raised both eyebrows, trading a look with Josiah. Together they asked, "Gazebo?"

Nathan shook his head speaking before Vin or Ezra could answer. "Thought we were building a pavilion."

Josiah's brows lowered in confusion. "Nothing we've got here would be appropriate for a gazebo."

"A story for another time." Ezra waved a hand in a gesture of dismissal effectively ending their speculation without actually answering their question. Chris envied Ezra's ability to do that. It was a skill he wouldn't mind having.

"I believe the concrete has set enough for us to continue with the rest." Ezra observed, naturally redirecting the conversation. Quick dry concrete didn't take long so Chris figured Ezra was probably right about that. Ezra gave Chris a sly glance, and waved a hand toward the supplies still lying in wait, "If you are up to it, Larabee."

Chris snorted. "Maybe I should take my old, inebriated ass over to the shade and just watch."

"Inebriated?" Vin grinned. "Iffen you can use words like that you're sober enough to help with the heavy lifting."

"Heavy lifting?" Chris rolled his eyes. "Going to have to build you up a bit, Tanner, if you think any of this stuff qualifies as heavy." He smiled evilly. "Might have to add more strength training to our morning workouts."

Vin just laughed. "Bring it on old man."

Ezra lightly slapped Vin's arm. "Play nice with the other children or you'll have a time out."

"Told me what I'll get if I don't behave." Vin commented with a sparkle in his blue eyes. "What do I get if I do behave?"

Ezra leaned in to whisper in Vin's ear. Chris couldn't hear what was said but whatever it was made Vin flush and duck his head slightly. His expression when he looked up was a blend of little boy shyness and eager anticipation.

Chris again felt a small flash of envy that he quickly slapped down. Maybe it was time for him finally rejoin the land of the living, romantically speaking. He'd had offers from a number of women, but just hadn't really been overly interested, always comparing them with Sarah. Buck had been subtly telling him for the last year that it was about time he moved on with is life, and for the first time Chris was beginning to think Buck was right. He shook his head and vowed to never let his old friend know he was right about something. He'd never live that down.

Construction moved smoothly, each man pulling his weight and doing the tasks that needed to be done. Chris felt the same small rush of pride whenever he thought about how well his team worked together. He could almost hear his old man telling him not to break his arm patting himself on the back.

In less time than he expected the project was essentially complete. Chris appraised the pavilion with approval. Once the table and chairs were added it would make a great place for them to lounge around and relax. He was already looking forward to using the barbeque. He made a mental note to pick up some steaks and ribs when he went to stock up on more beer.

Vin cocked his head to one side, eyes studying the pavilion. "Ez?"

"Yes?"

"Where we gonna hang the swings?"

"I'd thought perhaps on opposite sides, facing each other." Ezra managed to make the statement seem like a question.

"Works." Vin nodded. "You got the bolts we need?"

"Naturally." Ezra winked at him, holding up the items. "When have I ever not had what you needed?"

A faint blush rose to dust Vin's tanned cheeks at Ezra's subtle innuendo. Chris sighed silently, feeling a bit like a peeping tom for noticing things that were not really his purview. He needed to get laid. No doubt about it. Maybe a trip to see Lydia in Purgatory when he went for supplies. She was always happy to see him and with her he knew there were no strings attached. Was one of the reasons he visited her establishment. He could get his rocks off without feeling guilty about it later.

Josiah and Nathan were preparing to hang the other swing when Buck and JD pulled up in Buck's truck. JD had hopped out, brown eyes wide. "Holy shit. Why didn't you guys say anything? We'd have helped." JD practically skipped closer a huge grin on his face. "This looks great! You guys did an incredible job. Hey, Buck, look at the barbeque. Damn, Josiah you do good work. Nate help you?" JD waved a hand. "Sure he did. Know you are good at that stuff too, Nate." Dark eyes shifted from the barbeque and widened, the constant commentary never slowing. "Wow, I love the swings. Hey, Ez, those look like the same one Levon and Joe have. Did you order them from the same place they got theirs?"

Chris blinked at the young man's steady flow of observations and questions. He wondered if the kid had ever thought about free diving. With lung capacity like JD had, Chris figured he'd be able to stay under water long enough to set a record. He caught Buck's eye and his old friend grinned. Chris knew Buck was thinking something similar.

While JD was frequently excitable and sometimes hyper, Chris was decidedly grateful those bouts were usually brief and never occurred while they were on a job. It was refreshing in some ways and exhausting in others. But they all had quirks and by now the team were used to each other's idiosyncrasies and often amused by them.

"JD, you've got to breathe." Josiah admonished with a small smile, hands working secure the chain that would support his end of the swing, eyes remaining focused on his task.

"You're going to pass out one of these days." Nathan warned, shaking his head, still holding his end of the swing steady while Josiah worked. He eyed the swing and raised his end to level it. Chris found himself nodding in agreement even though he didn't honestly think it was possible. Then again, he reminded himself, with his team anything was possible.

"Bullshit." JD laughed, wagging a finger at Nathan in shame on you motion. "You know that isn't true."

Ezra sat in the swing he and Vin had hung a moment ago. He patted the seat next to him clearly inviting his lover to join him while green eyes studied the team's youngest member. "And how pray tell, JD, do you know someone can't pass out from talking too much?" A teasing smile with a glint of gold appeared. "I'm fairly certain Nate has more experience in such matters than you."

Vin nodded sagely, blue eyes bright with mischief as he sat next to Ezra, draping his arms across the back of the swing incidentally allowing him to be closer to his lover without actually touching him. "Nate's bound to have seen all sorts o' stuff."

"Indeed." Ezra grinned. "Why I bet he can even cite one such occasion."

JD opened his mouth to reply but Buck cut him off before he could speak. "JD you keep telling me not to bet against the man. Now might be a good time to take your own advice." Buck sauntered forward to lay an arm across JD's shoulders in a brotherly gesture that Chris found himself regarding with a fresh perspective. It wasn't blatant but there was definitely more going on there than simple friendship.

"You know he's just going to take your money, kid." Buck raised a hand to ruffle JD's hair.

JD snorted, and lightly jabbed Buck with his elbow, but didn't move away from the taller man. "Like I can't afford a dollar?"

"Dollars add up quickly." Josiah pointed out. Chris grimaced knowing full well that when he stopped to think about it he'd lost more to Ezra than he'd care to admit. Still, he figured it was an even trade. The linguist was a good friend and a genuine asset to the team. That was worth the loss of a few bucks any day.

Nathan grinned at JD. "You sure you don't want to take that bet?"

"Do you really know of a case where someone passed out from talking?"

"Cost you a dollar to find out." Nathan chuckled and waggled his eyebrows.

"Now I know you don't have one." JD chortled looking smug. He wagged a finger at Ezra. "You sure you want to bet?"

Ezra shrugged and slid sideways slightly so that he was resting against Vin. "I can afford a dollar." The statement was a calm acceptance of JD's challenge. His face gave away nothing but complete confidence.

Chris could almost see JD's hesitation. He figured Ezra knew his expression would have that affect. The outcome of this little cat and mouse game wasn't really important to Chris, but it was a golden opportunity to keep the others involved at least long enough for him to get a minute or two alone with Buck.

"Buck, while they hash this out, why don't you help me grab some more beer and maybe something to eat while we're at it?" Chris was careful to make the question nonchalant and his tone one of tired paternal tolerance. It wasn't hard since it was the way he normally treated Ezra's bets when he wasn't directly involved.

Something in his tone must have rung not quite true if the look Buck gave him was anything to go by. But the tall pilot just shrugged and said, "Sure, big dog." He patted JD's shoulder. "Don't say I didn't warn you, kid."

Buck sauntered over to Chris and together they headed for the communal kitchen. Blue eyes slanted a look toward him as they crossed the compound. "You wanna tell me what's on your mind?"

Chris smiled. Buck had never been one to beat around the bush and neither was he. Chris sure as hell wasn't going to start now. "Was sort of wondering when you were planning on telling me about you and JD being together."

Buck's jaw tightened, blue eyes narrowed. "Vin or Ezra say something to you?"

"Neither actually." Chris returned mildly, inwardly delighted that he'd been right. "And you know better than to ask that if you asked them to keep their mouths shut. The sphinx has nothing on those two when it comes to keeping secrets."

"I know. Sorry." Buck gave him a sheepish look, shrugging one shoulder. "So...ah...what gave us away?"

"You haven't cleaned up and coordinated so much since we were punished with two weeks of guard duty in our class A's." Chris smirked as he opened the door to the communal barracks. "And you two have been coming and going together. JD used to take his bike and you took your truck."

Buck raised both eyebrows as he stepped in out of the sun. "That's it? That's what clued you in?"

"I know you." Chris answered, blue-gray eyes meeting Buck's sky blue counterparts easily. He'd finally figured out what it was that he'd noticed when Buck and JD had come back from visiting Joe and Levon. He nodded to himself heading for the fridge. "You got that look."

"What look?" Buck asked, leaning casually against the counter, arms crossed against his chest.

"That one you get when you are serious about whoever you are dating."

"I have a look?"

Chris chuckled at the horrified expression that flashed across Buck's face. "Don't worry. Doubt anyone else even noticed."

"You did."

"Yeah, well, I've known you a long time." Chris set the last two six packs on the counter. "And it isn't a look I can say I've seen a lot of. Fact is, I can only remember seeing it once before."

Buck sighed, and signaled his acceptance of the truth of Chris' statement. He shifted a bit nervously before asking, "You okay with me and JD?"

"Be a bit late to be asking me that, don't you think?" Chris cocked his head, a gentle amusement leaking into his tone. "Or are you honestly telling me my opinion would make a difference? That you'd stop seeing JD if I said I thought you should?"

"No." Buck grinned, but his eyes flashed with a determined look Chris recognized. "Not just no, hell no." His grin faded quickly. "But as my friend and my boss, yeah, your opinion matters."

Chris nodded and reached out to squeeze Buck's shoulder. He understood that. "I'm okay with you and JD. Happy for you even."

Buck's smile was nearly incandescent, his voice was just above a whisper when he spoke. "Thanks, Chris."

"You're welcome." Chris lightly backhanded Buck in the chest. "So when are you going to tell Josiah and Nathan?"

Buck laughed. "Just as soon as there is something to tell them."

Chris frowned. "Come again?"

Buck's cheeks reddened slightly. "Well...see the thing is, me and JD are still just sort of dating."

"Dating?" Chris could feel both his eyebrows go up.

"Yeah." Buck nodded, fingers moving to smooth his mustache. "Thought with something this important it was best to take it slow. Make sure we do it right."

Chris nodded. He could see the wisdom in taking things slow. This might be familiar territory for Buck but it was probably new ground for JD. And building something that would last isn't something that should be rushed, or approached in a haphazard fashion. Chris was pleased to note Buck's classifying his relationship with JD as 'important'. He smiled slightly. "Good idea taking things slow."

"I thought so."

"When things get far enough along between you and JD you feel you should tell Nathan and Josiah...you wanna tell me too?"

"Sure." Buck laughed. "Wouldn't want them to think they were the last to know."

Chris snorted. "Considering Josiah's insights, I wouldn't be so sure he didn't already know something."

Buck's eyes widened. "You really think so?"

"Well, he didn't seem too damn surprised to find out about Vin and Ezra." Chris still resented the fact that the big man had been so smug about seeing things between the two men Chris had managed to over look. Chris grinned wolfishly. "And I'm thinking you might want to take to locking your door so Nathan doesn't walk in and see more than he should."

Buck laughed. "Already got that covered, big dog."

"Good." Chris snickered. "Not sure he could handle that sort of discovery a second time around."

"Not sure I could handle that." Buck shook his head. "Kind o' the reason I took to locking the door in the first place."

Chris could appreciate that. No way in hell would he care to have one of his team overhear him in a passionate moment, much less see him in one. Such things were entirely private and should stay that way.

Satisfied that he knew all he really needed to know about Buck and JD's blossoming relationship, Chris set about grabbing some food to take back with them for the others. He opted for their usual snack food. He tossed a bag of pork rinds that Vin, JD and surprisingly Nathan loved. Chris couldn't understand how they could eat them, shuddering just thinking about it. Fortunately someone had taken time to restock the veggie tray that seemed to perpetually reside in the communal fridge. Probably Josiah or Ezra took it upon themselves to see it was always fresh and readily available.

"Let's go see how much money JD lost to Ezra."

Buck laughed. "Now you know Ezra could have lost to JD."

"Yeah, and pigs could fly, but it isn't really likely to happen any time soon." Chris balanced the tray in one hand and snagged a six pack in the other.

"You wanna bet on that?" Buck waggled his eyebrows grabbing the other six pack.

Chris just sighed and rolled his eyes. Why the hell couldn't he have a normal team? Then again, a normal team would have bored him to tears. Was better this way.