Everything on this page is fiction. Any resemblance or reference to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Learning to Improvise... (1 of 5)
Chapter 3
by Katherine

This story takes place approximately one month after the previous chapter. As I've tried to do before, each chapter is a complete story in and of itself. However, it would help to have read the previous chapters in order to more fully understand this one. Events are referred to that occurred in earlier chapters, and to fully understand what is happening, it would probably be a good idea to read chapters One and Two. I am considering a fourth chapter. Suggestions or request are welcome. I make no promises, but I am open to considering any idea that is offered.

Feedback: Yes, please. Unless you tell, I'll never know what I got right, wrong, or indifferent. I welcome comments, both good and bad.


Vin Tanner sighed, and stretched. His favorite way to wake up in the morning involved being wrapped around his lover, Ezra Standish. He loved snuggling in close, enjoying the feel of a soft feather mattress under him, and the warm, smooth skin next to his own. The faint scent of sandalwood and lavender soothing his senses, letting him know all was right with the world. His second favorite way to wake was finding Ezra wrapped around him, cradling him in a strong, yet gentle hold, making him feel safe and well cared for. Much further down on the list was the way he woke this morning, on the ground, in his bedroll, alone.

Over the past month, Vin had come to hate sleeping alone. He found that on his own, he only slept lightly, waking intermittently, unable to relax his guard completely. He missed the soft sound of Ezra's regular breathing, the feel of his warm skin, and the knowledge that the gambler would be on guard when Vin wasn't. On his own, he felt the need to be constantly vigilant. Before hooking up with Ezra, he'd never known what it was like to sleep deeply and soundly for more than a few hours at a time. Now that he knew what it was like, he found he missed it. Almost as much as he missed Ezra.

Vin flipped his blanket back, and got to his feet. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon. [No point in layin' here any longer pretendin' ta sleep.] With any luck they'd be back in Four Corners today, and he could get back to waking up the way he liked.

He and Ezra had told Chris Larabee about their relationship almost a month ago. They hadn't planned to tell anyone, but Chris had noticed the new closeness between them when they'd come back from Bitter Creek. And he had asked Vin about it, determined to get an answer.

Unwilling to lie to his best friend, Vin took him to Ezra, and together they told him about their feelings for one another. Chris expressed some concerns, but he seemed to accept it, with the proviso that their being together did not affect their ability to do their job. So, when several of the neighborhood ranchers had reported problems with rustlers, Vin had agreed to do some scouting of the area. As the best man for the job, it was expected that he would be willing, even eager, to use his skills to take down the rustlers.

Vin knew Ezra wasn't completely comfortable with the idea of letting Vin go without him. But the others didn't know about their relationship, and neither of them were keen on revealing the new nature of their involvement. They'd only told Chris because he asked. They both knew that a romantic relationship between two men was not what most would consider normal, and it was often not something that would be openly tolerated. Keeping their relationship a secret meant operating as though it was business as usual.

In general, Ezra hated camping out or being on the trail. Normally Vin objected to staying in town. Not wanting to raise questions, they acted as if everything were as it had always been. Ezra had just nodded his head when Chris told him he'd be staying in town with JD Dunne, Josiah Sanchez, and Nathan Jackson. It was expected that he would want to stay in town, volunteering to go would have seemed out of character. And Vin couldn't ask him to go for the same reason. So far none of the others seemed to have noticed anything different, and Vin and Ezra were content to keep it that way.

Ezra had gotten up early with Vin the day he rode out with Buck Wilmington and Chris. The gambler had hugged him hard, kissed him softly, and made him promise to be careful. Vin knew that Ezra had watched him until they were out of sight. He wondered if the gambler was sleeping any better than he was.

Buck, Chris and Vin had spent the past few days searching for the elusive rustlers. Vin had found plenty of sign to indicate the ranchers' complaints had been valid. There had indeed been rustlers in the area, but Vin hadn't been able to determine just where they'd gone, or even an exact number. His best guess was that there were six to ten men involved, but hadn't been able to find any clearer information than that. Much of the sign he had found was several days old, and had been compromised by the ranchers' attempts to handle the problem on their own. It was impossible to tell for certain just how many of the tracks belonged to the rustlers and which were the ranchers'.

Without fresh sign, finding the rustlers would be unlikely. As much as Vin hated to admit it, they might well be reduced to waiting for them to strike again before he would be able to locate them. [Guess we're lucky they ain't killed anyone. Least wise not yet. Seem ta be more interested in jus' stealin'.]

After he finished packing up his stuff, Vin crouched down next to Chris, and accepted a cup of hot coffee gratefully. He glanced over to where Buck was still sleeping soundly. [Damn glad Ez don't snore like that or I'd never get any sleep.] He grinned at that thought, but quickly hid it behind his coffee cup.

Chris had seen it though. He looked fondly at his old friend. "Never could figure out how Buck could sleep like the dead, and still make enough noise ta wake 'em at the same time."

Vin chuckled softly. "Jus' one o' life's little mysteries."

Chris rolled his eyes. "That it is." He sipped his coffee, eyes steadily regarding Vin for several moments. "Things still okay with you and Ez?" The question was quiet in deference to their still sleeping companion, and the subject matter.

Vin raised an eyebrow. Chris normally said little about their relationship. Vin got the distinct impression that Chris was still uncomfortable with the whole idea of two men being together. It wasn't like he disapproved. It was more like he wasn't quite sure what to say or how to say it.

Vin had tried to respect the dark clad gunslinger's uncertainty by not talking about it. He didn't want to force the issue, wanting to let his friend come to terms with things in his own way and time. Although there were days over the past month that Vin couldn't resist whistling, and sharing a small knowing grin with his best friend. He was happy, and he couldn't help that it showed through sometimes.

Not talking about it wasn't really a hardship for Vin. He was intensely private by nature, and even if he'd been involved with a woman, he would not have felt any need to discuss it in detail. Although, Vin admitted to himself, he wouldn't mind being able to hold hands with Ezra in public, or not having to sneak into his room always leery of being seen. On occasion, Vin wished he had the opportunity to stake a more public claim to Ezra, something to clearly establish that they were a couple. But he knew it wasn't really an option, and had come to terms with that fact.

"Things are good, Cowboy."

He didn't think Chris would appreciate him going into specifics on just how good. [Don't think he really wants to know that Ez can make me howl like a coyote. Or how often he makes me laugh. Or how much I've come to 'preciate some o' the better things in life, like good quality whiskey, feather beds, and bein' able ta read since Ez introduced me ta all that.]

Chris nodded. "Still what you want?" The question was one of honest concern.

Vin grinned widely. "Yep." [I'm always gonna want him.]

Chris cocked his head to one side, his expression faintly puzzled. "Why him?"

Vin frowned. "What'd ya mean?"

Chris waved a hand. "I mean, why Ezra? What is it about him that...well...that does it for you?"

Vin sipped his coffee. "S'pose it's like anybody else, Cowboy. Ya see someone who holds yer attention, makes ya sit up and take notice, challenges ya to see the world in ways ya never thought about. Could jus' as easily ask you why Mary."

Chris smiled slightly. "Mary's beautiful." He stated with quiet conviction, his expression distant.

Vin smiled. "So is Ez." [Those chestnut curls, and green eyes. He may not be a big man, but sure is put together well. And I love the graceful way he moves. Not ta mention those clever and talented hands he's got.]

"Mary's intelligent." Chris offered that almost as a challenge, dark blue-gray eyes sparkled with good humor.

Vin looked at Chris, his own sky blue eyes bright with amusement. "Ezra is the smartest man I've ever met. He's read more books than I knew were written, and been ta places I've never heard of."

"She's a good mother."

"He's a good friend." Vin shrugged. "An' I don't want kids."

Chris looked startled by that. "You don't? What about a family?"

"Chris, not every man wants 'em." Vin pointed out, his tone reasonable, only somewhat dry. "An' I got a family. Got me five brothers and a lover. Can't ask fer more'n that." Vin shrugged one shoulder. "Sides, 'til I can clear my name, I wouldn't want ta put a child in danger like that."

Chris nodded. "What about puttin' Ezra in danger?"

Vin smiled. He had thought about that on more than one occasion. He had even voiced his concern to Ezra. Ezra had pointed out that his past and profession had its own inherent perils. He also was quick to point out that he could defend himself if need be. He wouldn't have lived as long as he had if he couldn't.

"Man's more likely to hurt somebody else than get hurt. And he's makin' his choice ta be with me. Jus' like I'm makin' the choice to be with him. We both know what we're getting inta. Kids don't get a choice."

Chris pursed his lips thinking about that. He nodded, clearly understanding Vin's reasoning. After a moment, he sent a sly look toward Vin. It was most definitely a challenge. "Mary makes me wanna be a better man."

Vin just looked at Chris, and said nothing. His look was enough. Chris sighed, and shook his head. "I just don't understand why you couldn't settle down with a woman. Have a nice, normal life like everyone else."

"Cause I want Ez." Vin shrugged. He finished his coffee. "An' I never wanted ta be like everybody else. Never have been 'fore, so why start now?"

"That simple?" Chris looked skeptical, but Vin could tell he was trying. It had to be hard to come to terms with something so far out of his usual realm.

"That simple, Cowboy." Vin said firmly before he stood up. "It don't have to be complicated, Chris. I love him, and he loves me."

Chris sighed quietly. "Okay. Long as you're both happy."

Vin smiled. "I am, and so is he."

He knew Chris just wanted the best for them. The problem was that what Chris thought of as best, wasn't the same as what Vin and Ezra thought. They'd had differences of opinion before, but eventually they would come to an understanding. Vin figured that given a little more time, Chris would relax and accept him and Ezra totally, rather than merely tolerate their relationship.

Vin moved to saddle his horse. "Best wake Buck if ya wanna get started." [I wanna get home tonight. Home. Has a nice ring to it.]

Chris nodded. He got up and moved to where Buck lay, still sawing logs. Chris kicked the ladies man's feet. "C'mon, Buck. We're burnin' daylight here."

Buck came awake with a snort and a groan. He opened his eyes to send a tired glare in Chris' general direction. "Ya know, it wouldn't kill you ta let a man sleep until there was enough light ta see by."

Vin thought that comment was something Ezra would be inclined to say. Chris just laughed. "I got coffee ready. I even poured ya a cup."

"Bless you." Buck rolled out of bed. "Knew there was a reason I liked you." He stood and stretched to his full height. He glanced around. "Where's Vin?"

"Saddling Peso."

Buck raised his eyebrows. "Boy is eager ta get goin' this mornin'."

Vin stepped back toward the fire. He flashed a quick grin at Buck. "Jus' ready ta be done with this. Tired o' runnin' in circles."

"I hear ya." Buck reached for the cup Chris offered him. "Be good ta get back ta town." He waggled his eyebrows. "And the ladies."

Vin rolled his eyes at that. Buck had a one-track mind. [If Chris has trouble figurin' out how I could wanna be with a man, and what I see in Ezra, gotta wonder what Buck would think. On second thought, might be best not ta even go there. Don't even wanna imagine what he'd have ta say.]

Chris put out the fire, and moved to gather his stuff. "Let's get movin'. Wouldn't mind bein' back in town tonight myself."


JD Dunne watched the town from where he sat in front of the sheriff's office. With three of the seven gone, it fell to the remaining four to keep up with the regular patrols and shifts watching the town. JD kept an eye on where he expected Ezra to appear shortly. He was due back any time.

The gambler usually took the midnight to morning shift, keeping an eye on the town. And he had continued to do so. He'd also taken Vin's usual morning shift, which meant riding out at sun up to check on outlying ranches. JD took Chris' shift, meeting up with Ezra at the jail before the cardsharp left. Josiah would usually help out with the morning shift before taking the afternoon patrol. Nathan took afternoon watch and early evening in town. JD would take over again shortly after sunset, with Ezra on duty again at Midnight.

Nathan usually took the shortest shift because he was often needed elsewhere. He rarely went on patrols for the same reason. With no doctor in town, Nathan was the closet thing they had to one, and it made sense for him to be available as much as possible. Josiah had widened his patrol because of the reported rustlers, covering more than twice the area that they normally did. The big man hadn't been back until suppertime every night. He would usually stop by the jail to keep JD company for a bit before settling in for the night.

Ezra and Josiah out on their own bothered JD. If there were trouble brewing it wasn't like one man alone could handle it. He never rested easy until the older men returned from their respective patrols. He kept watch for them making sure that they were back on time, and ready to go look for them if they weren't.

JD felt that Ezra was getting the short end of the stick with the current schedule, but had held his tongue. Ezra hadn't argued about the set up, so JD wasn't sure if he should complain on the man's behalf. He suspected Chris had set it up as a way to punish Ezra for something, but he had no idea what. The gambler hadn't said or done anything JD knew of that had pissed off Chris. Everyone seemed to be getting along just fine recently.

JD was willing to concede that Chris might just not have thought about what he was doing when he assigned Ezra two shifts back to back. The gunslinger had a habit of giving tough assignments to the gambler. Even if that were the case it still didn't seem right to JD. [Don't think he'd a done that to anyone else. No reason ta do it ta Ez, jus' cause he can get the job done, don't mean he has ta always be the one that gets the shit detail.]

He stood up was he spotted Ezra riding into town. [He looks tired. Wonder if he's sleepin' okay. Know he's a night owl and all, but it still has ta be hard ta get much sleep durin' the day.] JD knew for a fact that Ezra didn't even go to his room until nearly four in the afternoon. He liked to meet up with the others for lunch, and still made a point of spending time teaching the children.

[Might be a good idea ta make sure he takes a break today. Hope the others get back soon.] Chris, Buck and Vin had been gone four days already. It was impossible to predict just how long it would take to round up this latest batch of bad guys, but JD was pretty sure the others wouldn't want to be gone more than a week. He knew that even though Chris would never come right out and say so, the gunslinger worried too much about the town to leave it shorthanded for longer than absolutely necessary.

JD waited for Ezra to bring Chaucer to a halt in front of him. Ezra raised two fingers to the brim of his hat. "Mr. Dunne."

"Hey, Ez." JD reached out to gently rub the chestnut gelding's nose. "Any trouble?"

Ezra shook his head. "Not that I could find." He smirked slightly. "And believe me, Mr. Dunne, I looked diligently."

JD laughed. "I'm sure ya did, Ez." He knew Ezra might complain about riding patrols but the gambler never shirked his duty. Ezra was sure to check every ranch, and speak with everyone he encountered. JD thought Ezra was almost as good as Vin at paying attention to details and gathering information. Both of them seemed to know more about the surrounding countryside than anyone else in town. It was just the way they gathered their information that differed. Ezra talked to people, Vin read signs of their coming and going.

JD looked away for a moment. He wasn't sure how to ask if Ezra was feeling all right without offending him. [Oh the hell with it, if he gets mad, he gets mad.] "You feelin' okay, Ez?"

Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

JD shrugged. "Ya look tired."

Ezra waved a hand in an elegant gesture of dismissal. "I shall have to work on maintaining my appearance better. It would not do for a gentleman to be seen at less than his best."

JD sighed. He didn't care about Ezra looking his best. He cared about whether or not his friend was genuinely feeling all right. Ezra never looked tired. He had to be exhausted for JD to notice. JD didn't like the dark circles under his eyes, or the way Ezra's green eyes seemed to have lost some of their normal sparkle. It just didn't seem right to him.

"If ya want, I can take the late shift tonight."

"Why would I want you to do that?" Ezra seemed surprised by his offer.

"Well, it just seems like ya been getting the short end o' the stick here. Don't really seem fair that ya gotta work two shifts back ta back. An' I know I can't sleep at all when the sun's up. Feels weird ta be layin' down when everyone else is up and about. Figured ya might want the chance ta bed down like normal people for a change."

"It is not a hardship for me Mr. Dunne. I am well rehearsed in the art of keeping odd hours. And I honestly find it easier to simply stay awake rather than get up at such an ungodly hour as the morning patrol requires." He shook his head slightly. "I simply cannot fathom why anyone would want to be awake when the sun has not yet arisen."

JD grinned. "You'd have to get Chris or Vin ta explain it, cause I'm not sure I see the appeal either."

Ezra chuckled. "It is good to know I am not the only sensible member of our little troupe." Ezra tipped his head. "I thank you for the offer, and appreciate your concern for my health and well being, but I will continue to carry out my duties as assigned."

JD sighed. "You'll let me know if ya want a break though, right? Might be nice ta switch off now and again. Gets boring always doing the same stuff all the time."

Ezra smiled warmly. "So your offer is not entirely altruistic then?"

"Have ta tell me what altruistic means before I can answer that." JD shrugged. Somehow Ezra always managed to explain himself without making JD feel silly or stupid. It made JD feel like it was perfectly okay to ask. He'd learned a lot from the gambler that way. Ezra didn't treat him as a kid the way the others tended to do.

"It means to do something solely for another's benefit, without seeking personal gain. You did not offer to take the late shift just out of concern for me, but with some self benefit also in mind." Ezra raised an eyebrow saying the last bit, making the statement more of a question.

JD thought about that. [No, I made it 'cause I thought you needed a break, but I know you'll say yes if I tell you I offered 'cause I wanted a break in my routine.] JD grinned. "Well, yeah. Like I said it gets boring doin' the same thing all the time."

Ezra chuckled. "Indeed it does. Very well, Mr. Dunne, for your sake, I will deign to forgo my usual shift, and allow you to serve in my place. Although, I believe you will likely find it as uninspiring as the morning hours have been."

JD laughed, pleased with just how easy it had been to get Ezra ta agree. "Probably. Will still be different. Better'n nothing."

Ezra tipped his head. "Now, if you will excuse me, I believe Chaucer would like to retire. He has put in a full day."

"Sure, Ez. You gonna eat lunch with us?"

"I will be there, Mr. Dunne, rest assured. I would not miss our daily commune."

JD nodded. He was still a bit worried about Ezra. Even thought the gambler joined them every day it didn't seem like he ate that much. [Ez is a finicky eater though. It's not like he wolfs inta stuff like Buck, or snacks all the time like Vin.] JD decided he'd keep a closer watch on Ezra.

He had noticed that Ezra tended to eat less when he was upset or nervous, picking at his food rather than eating it. Not that the gambler ever looked or acted like he was bothered by much of anything. But JD knew he was a human as anyone else and just as likely to suffer from worry and anxiety as the rest of them. Everyone else was worried about Buck, Chris and Vin. It only stood to reason that Ezra would worry too.

JD headed for the restaurant. Hopefully, Mrs. Anders would have something Ezra liked well enough to eat. [Maybe she'll have a pie. Man can't seem to resist pie.] JD grinned to himself. He liked pie almost as much as Ezra did. [Not exactly...altruistic, wanting her ta have pie, but I don't think Ez would mind. Not if we both get a piece.]


Ezra unsaddled Chaucer. He leaned against the horse for a moment, letting the strong animal support his weight while he gathered his energy. He sighed, and pulled away with a soft pat to Chaucer's shoulder.

He was tired. He couldn't seem to sleep well lately. With Vin gone, he found it difficult to relax enough to really sleep deeply or for very long. For the last few days he had managed to sleep only a few hours at a time. Most of that occurred shortly before he was due to be at the jail for the late shift.

And he had nightmares when he did sleep, so what rest he did get was far from refreshing. Memories from his past would get jumbled up with his fears for Vin. Every good thing in his life had been lost to him at some point, and he feared Vin would be next. Ezra was beginning to dread the idea of lying down and closing his eyes. It was easier to face his fears awake, and tired, than to let the demons and shadows of his mind attack him at night.

Ezra put his tack away, somewhat disgusted with himself. [Honestly, Ezra, you are a grown man. You've slept alone, and been on your own, for most of your adult life. Hell, for most of your childhood for that matter. One month should not make that much difference.] But it did.

Knowing Vin loved him, even liked and accepted him for who he was, was something Ezra reveled in. Sleeping with Vin made him feel safe, secure, and content. Experiencing such emotions was a novel thing for him. He wanted the chance for those feelings to continue.

As a child, Ezra was never sure how long he would be staying anywhere. He had to be ready to leave at a moment's notice in case Maude needed to flee some con gone wrong. He had to be prepared for when a relative had finally gotten tired of his presence and demanded his immediate removal, or had decided to punish him for some transgression real or imagined. During the war he was often too scared, or cold, or hungry to ever be comfortable or really let down his guard. It was a time when he needed to be vigilant just to stay alive. After the war he moved from town to town, mostly on his own, ever wary for someone looking to pay him back with violence for winning at the poker table. Alone, he needed to be watchful for someone who'd taken a dislike to him personally and wished to see him suffer. It was second nature now to know where everyone was in a room, who entered and who left, who might pose a threat and who was harmless.

Ezra pulled brushes from his tack box and began to brush down Chaucer. As he thought about his life, he realized that prior to being with Vin, the only time in his life he'd ever really felt even close to being content was on board the Esmerelda. SinJin had made sure the crew knew he was off limits, that he was to be treated as the though he belonged to the captain. [Not much of a stretch there. I did belong to him. Just as much at that ship did.]

As demeaning as that had been, it was also very reassuring. No one messed with what SinJin claimed as his own. And it was oddly comforting to know that someone actually wanted him, Ezra, as himself, and not just as who they wanted him to be. That someone saw him as useful, seemed to enjoy his company, thought him worthy of spending time with, and not as just another burden or hardship to be endured. SinJin was the first person in his young life to ever take an interest in him.

And to date, as an adult, Vin was the only person to show the same level of interest. Vin honestly seemed to care what he thought, and asked for his opinion. He was genuinely interested in the places Ezra had been, and the things he had seen. Vin had, in turn, shared his own past. Giving of himself, freely, sharing with Ezra those events and circumstances that made him the man he was. Letting Ezra share in his hopes, fears and expectations. Ezra was still astounded that Vin trusted him enough to reveal so much about himself. He treasured that closeness, that honesty, that feeling of mutual respect and understanding, of knowing their relationship was something that had been freely given. It was something he had never had before, and was desperately afraid of losing.

He met SinJin as a child. And things were never truly equal between them. He had been appalled knowing Maude had handed him over to SinJin fully aware of what it was the man wanted. In his heart of hearts, Ezra never forgave his mother for that, nor would he ever forgive her. Her use of him to pay off a debt was even more degrading than being used for SinJin's pleasure.

Her act reduced him to no more than an object to be bartered, and let him know, in no uncertain terms, just how little she really thought of him. She never asked him for his opinion, or gave him a choice. He was just a means to an end for her. What he thought, what he wanted never mattered to her.

Ezra knew it was wrong for SinJin to have used him the way he did. It wasn't right for a man to find sexual gratification from a child. There was no way that could be right. Ezra remembered his shame and fear when he realized what it was SinJin wanted from him. He'd been even more embarrassed, completely mortified, to learn that whole crew knew just what SinJin used him for.

His time aboard the Esmeralda wasn't always solely about SinJin's pleasure. SinJin made certain he ensured Ezra's pleasure as well as his own. Something which, at the time, had also caused a lot of shame and confusion for Ezra. It was wrong and he shouldn't enjoy it. Ever. But there were times when he did. Times when he wanted it even.

He enjoyed being touched, having had so little physical contact from anyone as a child. He craved it some times. A hug, and warm hand on his shoulder, a pat on the back, the sort of contact he'd seen other people take for granted. The sort of contact other mothers gave their children without even thinking about it.

He enjoyed knowing SinJin thought he was attractive, and intelligent, worth spending the time to teach. That, in his own way, SinJin cared for Ezra a great deal. He was wanted. It was what SinJin wanted him for that sometimes caused problems. It was hard to reconcile the different aspects of the man. He could go from being the friendly, paternal figure, to something else entirely very quickly. All the time and attention SinJin gave him came at a price, and the decision of whether or not to pay it, wasn't one Ezra ever really had available to him.

SinJin never did anything that physically hurt Ezra, with the exception of the first time he wanted to take him completely. Even then, Ezra was fairly certain hurting him had not been SinJin's intent since there was never any pain later on. Their initial encounters had been hands and mouth only. SinJin waited until Ezra was fifteen before demanding more.

Not once, in the three years Ezra had been aboard the Esmerelda, had SinJin ever hit him. That in itself had amazed him as a child. He was used to the rather heavy-handed discipline of numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He had learned at a young age to be wary of people getting too close. Being within arm reach meant they could hit or grab him far too easily. Even as an adult, the habit of keeping his distance was deeply ingrained. Vin was one of the few who's touch he welcomed, and actively sought.

A stern look from SinJin was all it took to keep Ezra in line most of the time. SinJin had mastered the art of a look that could be both a threat and a promise before Ezra was even born, making the use physical discipline almost unnecessary. He didn't have to shy way from SinJin's touch or watch him carefully trying to gauge when he would finally lose it and beat him.

What was even more amazing to Ezra, even now, was that SinJin took the time to teach him a great deal, making Ezra more than just his sex toy, but also a functional member of the crew. As Ezra had told Vin, SinJin was a bit old fashioned. He had taken on Ezra as an indentured servant when he agreed to take the boy in payment for Maude's debt. To SinJin that meant Ezra would be taught a trade, a useful skill that would allow him to make his way in the world on his own at some point.

He had told Ezra that he would be aboard the ship for six years, until Maude's debt was paid, and after that he was free to choose his own path. So SinJin had taught Ezra the ins and outs of operating a sailing ship, giving him the skills and knowledge he would need, when the time came to make his own decision. Ezra had counted the days, eager to be able to shape his own destiny, to have his freedom to be what ever he wanted. He promised himself he would never again be an object to be bartered. In the future, it would be his skills that would see him through, not his body. Toward that goal, Ezra learned everything SinJin was willing to teach him. SinJin had him useful in his own right, allowing him the opportunity to earn a place among the crew, a place that garnered him respect and understanding.

Or at least he was respected until SinJin would pull him away from his duties, with a friendly hand on his shoulder, and a soft command of, "Son, I want a word with you." Then he went from being just another crewmen to the captain's whore. He lost even the illusion of choice, of rights and freedom.

Ezra shuddered at the memory. He hadn't been able to tell Vin everything about what life was like aboard the Esmerelda. Nor did he intend to. Ezra preferred to focus on the good things that happened there. In spite everything there had been moments of contentment and joy. Taking the good with the bad was the only way one could survive.

His thoughts were interrupted by a snort and light shove from Chaucer. "My apologizes, old friend. I stood here daydreaming rather than attending to you as I should."

With a quiet sigh, Ezra finished brushing Chaucer. He let the simple, repetitive task clear his mind, and put the genie back in the bottle where it belonged. He added fresh hay to the manger before leaving. JD was expecting him join the others for lunch, and it wouldn't do to be late.

Ezra made his way to the restaurant, casually acknowledging people as he passed them. In two days after he arrived in town, Ezra knew every person's name and occupation. Even when he'd expected to spend just thirty days in this dusty little burg, it had seemed wise to do so. A year later, Ezra still had no reason to regret it. He managed not to grin at what the upstanding members of the community would think if they knew Ezra knew so many of their little secrets. Knowing their secrets was just one of the reasons Ezra was so careful with his own.

He entered the restaurant. Nathan and JD were already there, Josiah having left on his patrol. Ezra was somewhat relieved by the larger man's absence. He wasn't up to dealing with being called 'son' or manhandled. Sometimes Josiah's mannerisms just brought far too many memories to the fore. Memories Ezra would rather not deal with. He hadn't quite figured out how to explain that to the ex-preacher. He hadn't figured out how to tell him that what he thought of as a gesture and term of endearment, held a certain amount of revulsion and fear for Ezra. He wasn't willing to go into detail, or talk about that part of his life with anyone. At least not yet, and maybe not ever.

Ezra knew himself well enough that controlling his temper was always more difficult when he was tired, and Ezra was afraid he would say or do something that he shouldn't. He was afraid he would act out of those memories. He didn't want to permanently alienate the ex-preacher, and that is likely what would happen if he gave into his temper. Avoidance seemed like the wiser course of action.

He nodded his head in greeting to both Nathan and JD. He hadn't had much appetite of late, but enjoyed the opportunity to sit with his fellow peacekeepers. It was a part of his daily routine that he had come to enjoy. Somehow eating with the others made him feel a bit more connected to Vin, and he needed that.

He could feel Nathan's eyes on him as he spent more time moving his food about than he did eating it. He raised an eyebrow in question. Nathan looked pointedly at Ezra's plate but didn't say anything. Ezra rolled his eyes in response.

Nathan wasn't so easily put off. "Somethin' wrong with your meal, Ezra?"

"The food is fine, Mr. Jackson. I'm simply not very hungry at the moment." He took a few more bites to appease the concern he could see in JD's eyes, and to keep Nathan from asking more questions. It was bad enough that JD noticed he was tired. [Really must get a hold of myself. This will not do. I will lose a fortune at the poker table if it is so easy for JD to read me.]

JD pushed his own plate away. He winked at Ezra. "I know yer just savin' room for dessert. Mrs. Anders made a mess o' pies today. She's got cherry and blueberry."

Ezra smiled. He loved pie. "Did you say she had cherry?" It wasn't his favorite, but it would most definitely make a workable substitute.

"Yep." JD nodded eagerly. "She's got a bunch o' fruit from Mr. Gregor, jus' the other day. Said she canned as much as she was gonna, but didn't want 'em ta go ta waste."

As one of the very first to settle in the area some fifteen years ago, the first thing Mr. Gregor had done was plant an orchard. He had apples, peaches, cherries and plums. The blueberries were a relatively recent addition. He sold most of the fruit to the local ladies, for making jams and jellies. Although, Mr. Gregor always made sure he had enough apples for cider. His hard cider was also a local favorite.

JD ordered a piece of pie for himself and one for Ezra. Nathan declined. "You don't like pie, Mr. Jackson?" Ezra couldn't help but ask. It was unfathomable to him that anyone could not like pie.

Nathan shook his head. "Like it jus' fine, Ezra. Gotta get going. Need ta check on Mrs. Cavanaugh. Told her I'd be out a little earlier today."

Mrs. Cavanaugh was pregnant for the fourth time. She had miscarried with the two previous children, and was very concerned about this child. Nathan had made a point of stopping in to see her daily to allay her fears and concerns.

"She's doing well, yes?" Ezra liked the dainty woman who lived with her family just outside of town. He marveled that she had survived in this harsh environment for as long as she had. She had heard he was teaching some of the children in town, and had asked him if he would be willing to teach her young son when he was old enough to learn. Ezra had agreed, but found himself wondering if he would still be in Four Corners when the time came.

Nathan nodded his head. "So far, so good. She's still got just under two months ta go. God willing this one will go full term like it's s'posed to."

Ezra sighed silently. "From your lips to God's ear." There was something decidedly tragic about a life cut short before it had the chance to begin. [Although, it is perhaps better to have missed out on later tragedies.]

Nathan stood up. "I should be back in an hour or two."

JD nodded. "I'll be waiting for you."

[Just like he waits for Josiah.] Ezra managed not to smile. [JD is certainly becoming a fine, upstanding young man. His concern for his friends does him credit. Rather like Buck. Buck would not have been my first choice to teaching JD the ways of the west and on what it means to be a man, but I must admit he has done an admirable job of it so far. I have done our resident Lothario a disservice. I shall have to find a way to make that up to him.]

Ezra had not over looked the fact that JD made a habit of waiting for him, and watching out for him as well. He liked to believe it was out of friendship and not duty, but Ezra knew better than to expect that to be the case. He did not have enough experience with friendship to really gauge it well.

Ezra finished his pie, savoring the tart taste of the cherries. He pushed his plate away once he'd finished, feeling a bit over full, having not eaten much lately left his stomach less able to handle a full meal. But the pie had simply been to good to allow it to go to waste. "I must thank you, Mr. Dunne, for calling to my attention that such a delicacy was to be had."

JD grinned. "No problem, Ez. You gonna be teaching the kids today?"

Ezra nodded. "Yes. Two hours of instruction have been scheduled as per usual." He sent a questioning glance toward JD. "Is there some other task that you feel requires my attention?"

"No. No." JD was quick to answer. "Just wanted ta know where you'd be in case I need ya. Just me 'n you in town until Josiah and Nate get back."

[Ah...yes. I should not have forgotten.] "Would you like for me to assist you this afternoon?"

"Nah. Town's been real quiet."

Ezra nodded. [Yes, it has. Perhaps I am merely paranoid to view it as the calm before the storm.] "Are you expecting trouble?"

JD chuckled. "Buck says I should always expect trouble."

Ezra made a wry face. "It is unfortunate that, in this case, Mr. Wilmington, may be correct."

"I won't tell him that, if you don't."

Ezra grinned, dimples visible, and gold pre-molar flashing for a moment. He knew just how often Buck and JD playful argued about the merits of Buck's advice. "Agreed."


An hour out from Four Corners, Vin spotted what they'd spent the last four days searching for, fresh sign. He held up a hand indicating he wanted Buck and Chris to stop. Vin got down from Peso, to inspect the tracks more closely.

"Seven of 'em." It was nice to finally be able to confirm just how many. He knew they were the right group. Their first day out, one of the ranchers had led them to the spot where his cattle had been stolen; it was there where Vin spotted tracks that had shown two horses with odd shoes. They reminded Vin of some to the shoes the Calvary used. The shoes were notched in places to identify which company the horse belonged to. Often times it worked better than a brand, because thieves rarely thought to have the animal reshod immediately, and it made for distinctive tracks.

"Looks like they came through here not too long ago. Movin' slow. One o' their horses is lame. And from the depth o' the tracks, I'd say at least one is carrying double."

Chris frowned. "How long?"

Vin shrugged. "An hour, maybe less."

Chris nodded. He shared a look with Buck. "What do ya think?"

"I think we're this close we might as well follow 'em. Hell, we might just get lucky." The tall ladies man shrugged. "Don't really want to spend another four days looking for 'em again."

Chris pursed his lips. "Okay. Let's follow 'em. Took us this long ta find the bastards might just as well see where they're going. Like to be able to find out where they been hiding."

Vin swung back in the saddle. He kept his eyes on the ground following where the tracks led. He knew Chris wasn't planning on confronting seven rustlers with just the three of them. He also knew just how well plans went awry, so he kept an eye out for anything that might go wrong.

The tracks led toward a small box canyon. Vin stopped. He shared a look with Chris. "Bad place, Cowboy."

An ambush was a very real possibility. By now the rustlers had to know someone was after them. The ranchers had been trying to run them down for several days before they bothered to contact anyone in Four Corners. The canyon wasn't a place Vin wanted to get trapped. It would be easy to get caught inside and killed in cross fire from either side. [Tracks are fresh, and it ain't too likely these boys jus' all of a sudden got careless.]

"Jus' don't feel right 'bout this."

Chris nodded. "Can we get above them?"

Vin pointed toward a narrow trail that led up the west side. It was steep and looked ugly. Vin knew it was possible to get up it with a horse. [Not easy, but possible.]

Buck spat. "You've gotta be kiddin'." He shook his head. "A goat would have an easier time o' getting up that."

"You wanna wait here?" Vin smirked ever so slightly. He already knew the answer, but waited for Buck to tell him anyway.

"Hell no. Somebody has to go along and make sure you two try not ta get yourselves killed."

Vin chuckled. He nudged Peso toward the trail. Peso snorted, but didn't balk. He trusted Vin, and never failed to do what was asked of him. The black gelding surged up the side of the canyon as surefooted as the goat Buck had mentioned earlier. Vin kept his weight forward doing his best to help Peso balance on the unstable, steep trail.

Vin could hear Chris and Buck coming up behind him. Their horses slid and fought for every step. Small rocks fell behind them giving an almost musical tingle as they tumbled down the hillside. He heard Chris curse softly when his black gelding, Sable, lost his footing for just a moment, nearly falling. Sable scrambled quickly, regaining what he lost, moving forward at Chris' urging.

Buck's gray, Lady, didn't like the trail either. Vin could hear Buck murmuring words of encouragement to his horse. Vin shook his head slightly, amused. [Man says he can't understand why Ezra spends so much talkin' ta Chaucer when the horse can't understand a word, and here he is talkin' up a storm ta Lady.]

With a final surge Peso cleared the rim. Vin moved him forward far enough for Chris and Buck to move in behind, and let him blow a little. He patted Peso's neck. "Done good, boy. Ya done real good."

Chris joined him a moment later. Buck followed quickly after. Lady was shivering and sweaty from the exertion, and Vin knew the climb had been hard on the mare. She was a beautiful long legged horse built more for speed than for feats of strength and agility. She wasn't nearly as surefooted as Peso or Sable, but over open country she could easily leave them in the dust. Vin smiled at Buck.

"She done good."

Buck patted Lady's neck affectionately. "That she did. That she did." He gave Vin a cocky grin. "Ain't a female of any kind that wouldn't do what ol' Buck asked her ta do."

Chris smirked. "Except for maybe Inez."

"Now you know I'm wearin' her down, Chris. Little more time, and she'll be eatin' outta my hand."

Chris shot an amused, knowing look toward Vin. He sobered quickly though. "Let's go see what our little band of rustlers are up to."

Together they moved further up the rim of the canyon. Vin bit back a curse when he realized he hadn't been the only one to spot the narrow trail that they had just ascended. There was sign someone else had been here recently, although from the looks of it, they had come on foot.

[Damn. Canyon was a trap.] He had been hoping that he might be wrong, but hadn't really expected to be.

He pointed toward the tracks, letting Chris and Buck know they weren't alone. Vin unholstered his sawed off Winchester. He wasn't really a quick draw like Chris, and felt better having his weapon already in hand. He had a feeling he'd be needing it. Chris and Buck both pulled their own weapons.

Vin studied the tracks in front of him. "Ain't all of 'em, Chris."

It looked like three, maybe four. Vin figured that one man had taken at least some of the horses all the way into the canyon, while the other six had split up, putting some men on each rim of the canyon. Would have had them neatly boxed in had Vin simply followed the horses where they led.

Chris nodded. He motioned for Buck to move away slightly. It wouldn't do for them to be caught too close together. Vin moved forward again, sharp eyes searching for what didn't belong. It didn't take him long to find it. He pointed out what he found.

He shared a quick grin with Chris. Three of their cattle thieves were hidden behind some rocks that no doubt afforded them great cover from the canyon below, but left them totally exposed from where Chris, Vin and Buck sat astride their horses behind them. Buck cocked his head to one side, an evil smile spreading across his face. He leveled his pistol at the men in front of him, cocking it slowly, letting the sound of it carry.

"Now, boys, it would be a good idea if y'all just put down your guns quiet like."

The sound of his weapon, and his voice, startled the three men into spinning around. They were totally surprised to find three men training weapons on them. One man raised his gun, but stopped when Buck shook his head.

"Ya don't want to do that. We jus' spent four very long days huntin' yer sorry asses down. Would be easy ta jus' kill you and let the buzzards get a good meal rather than drag y'all back with us. Don't really wanna do that, but we will if ya make us. Understand?"

Despite the jovial tone, and friendly expression he wore, there was no mistaking Buck's deadly intent. The three men slowly lowered their weapons. Vin couldn't shake the feeling he was missing something. [Ez says the villains in this part of the world don't exactly tend toward intelligent. Jus' seems too easy even if they was idiots. An' I know they ain't. Wouldn't have led us around by the nose for four days if they were.]

He kept scanning the area looking for what he was missing. A flash of sunlight off a gun caught his attention seconds before it fired. Vin lunged toward Chris, knocking him from Sable, just in time to avoid being hit. Together they managed to roll away from the flashing, steel shod hooves of Sable, and Peso, narrowly avoiding getting clipped in the head by both horses as they shied and danced away.

Buck was off Lady a second later, giving them covering fire, aiming for who ever had taken shots at them. The three rustlers they'd thought they had caught unaware had picked up their weapons. Vin fired, taking out the one closest with a shot to the chest. He didn't have time to plan for anything less than a lethal shot. Vin switched his aim to take the second, but Chris had already gotten him. The third ran. Vin briefly considered shooting him in the back, but opted to let him go rather than compromise his own sense of right and honor.

[Two down. Five ta go.] Vin and Chris scrambled for cover. Buck joined them a second later. He pointed with his gun toward where the first shot had come from.

Buck looked at Vin, scowling slightly. "Thought you said they weren't all up here?"

"Did say that." Vin shrugged one shoulder. "It ain't all of 'em, Buck. Only four. An' we got two of them."

The man who'd run had moved up the rim of the canyon toward where the shot had come from. Vin figured there was only one other man up there. He'd only heard one gun from there, and it wouldn't make sense for the rustlers to try and ambush them in the canyon to have men on only one wall.

There had to be others on the opposite side, or even at the bottom. The tracks had lead into the canyon, which meant at the very least their horses were inside, since no tracks came out. Vin knew this was a box canyon. The only trail up the side was the one they had just traversed. There was no other way out once they were inside.

"You got any bright ideas?" Buck directed that question to Chris. "We ain't gonna be able to get outta here easy. Rest o' them are bound ta have heard those shots."

Chris frowned. "I know." He studied the lay of the land. "We can't stay here." Where they were was too exposed to stay there safely for long. The trail they had just ascended left them open to fire from behind. Assuming the other rustlers opted to try to help their companions from that direction. And Vin felt fairly certain that given time, they would do just that.

"Going back isn't an option." Their horses hadn't gone far, but retrieving them would put them in the open. There was no way they could descend the trail safely under fire. It was too tricky to try to navigate quickly, and trying to move too fast would just get someone killed.

"We got no choice but to go forward. If we can take out these two, that leaves only three more ta take care of." Chris looked at Buck and then Vin. "Ready?"

Vin nodded. He had already figured that would be the plan. Buck grinned, looking ready, even eager to go. "Lead on, big dog."

Chris slithered forward, moving between the rocks, trying to stay under cover as much as possible. Vin followed, then Buck. They moved in concert, easily, without having to check the others. As one moved, the other two were ready to provide covering fire if needed. Vin remembered doing similar things during the war. He briefly wondered if Chris and Buck had similar memories. [Probably. Know they both fought together.]

Vin ducked when a shot hit a boulder close to where he was hiding. The ricochet whined loudly. Vin waited for the next shot. He wasn't disappointed. He felt rather than saw Chris take aim and return fire. There was a cry of pain that let them know Chris' aim had been true.

"Nice shootin', Chris." Buck congratulated him.

Chris cast a quick glance over his shoulder, and raised an eyebrow. "Still got one more. And we don't know if the one I hit is dead. So don't get cocky."

Vin rolled his eyes at the admonishment, but kept his head down just the same. [Wouldn't do to get careless now. Ezra will be pissed if I don't come home in one piece.]

They moved forward again, working through the cover nature had provided. If the rustlers they were after had any sense, they would leave before they could get close enough to actually finish the job. Somehow, Vin doubted they were really bright enough for that. [Ez is right. Miscreants tend to be imbeciles.]

Vin laughed silently to himself. He knew his lover would be so pleased with how well he remembered the words he used, and applied them, even if it was only in his thoughts. Vin refocused his attention to the task at hand. He was looking for an opening. He knew there would be one. There always was. He just had to be patient.

Vin settled himself, controlling his breathing, watching. He had cover from the men in front from where he crouched. For the moment he chose to ignore the fact that his position was otherwise exposed. This would be the best spot to take out his immediate target. The rest would have to wait.

A moment later he was reward by a flash of movement. He narrowed his vision to that spot and waited for another shot. [C'mon. C'mon.] A second later he got the shot he was waiting for.

[Gotcha.] Vin fired, taking out the man he wanted. The total collapse of his target let him know his shot had been lethal. What he didn't know was if it was the man Chris had hit earlier or the other.

Unfortunately, while he was focused on what was going on in front of him, he missed what was happening elsewhere. He felt something powerful slam into his left leg, knocking it out from under him, leaving him stunned and breathless. Vin knew he'd been shot. It had to have been a rifle. Probably from the opposite ridge, since the men in front of him had been taken out of the game.

He scrambled for something else to hide behind, trying not to use his left leg since it didn't seem to be responding to him anyway. Chris reached out and pulled him close. Chris' position was more secure, but also nearly blind, with limited view of the surrounding area. Vin wasn't completely sure where the shot had come from, and couldn't get a good look from where he and Chris now sat.

Buck was further behind. He was also the only one of them armed with a true distance weapon. Vin and Chris' rifles were still on their horses. Buck had managed to pull his rifle from his horse with him earlier, and Vin heard its distinctive report as Buck fired at someone Vin couldn't see. There was silence a moment later.

Chris had pulled his bandana from around his neck. He wrapped it tightly around Vin's thigh, making Vin wince and curse softly. "Christ! That smarts."

"I know, Cowboy." Chris said softly. "Sorry, but I gotta stop the bleeding."

Chris called out to Buck. "You get that bastard?"

"I got 'im." Buck's voice held a note of deadly competence. There was no doubt the man who'd shot Vin was as dead as Buck could make him from this distance.

Vin's whole leg had gone from numb to feeling like it was on fire in a very short time. He counted himself lucky that it looked like the bullet had punched through cleanly, not hitting the bone, or any major blood vessels. During the war, he'd see men who'd been hit in the leg bleed to death in minutes, the blood spurting like a fountain. The steady flow of blood was oddly reassuring. He would live through this no matter how much it hurt at the moment.

"Five down?" Vin asked, his voice tight with pain.

"Don't know. Least four so far for sure." Chris answered. He pulled Vin's own bandana off and secured it as another bandage to Vin's leg. Chris' own bandana was already soaked through. "You just sit tight. We'll see to the rest o' them."

"An' jus' how do you plan ta do that?" Vin knew they weren't exactly in the best position to take on anyone else. Even if they now had them outnumbered. [Well, sort of. If ya don't take into account that I ain't gonna be movin' too fast. And if we got the two o' them in front o' us.]

"Don't worry about it. Just stay put." Chris shot him a hard look. Vin sat back knowing that Chris would find a way to make sure he stayed where he was so he might as well just accept it for the moment. Buck cautiously joined them, wary of the spot where Vin had gotten hit. He positioned himself where he'd have good cover and still be able to view the surrounding area.

"Buck, stay with Vin and cover me. I'll go see if the two on our side are dead."

Buck nodded. "Will do." He moved to a better spot so he could give Chris covering fire if needed. Chris moved carefully and quietly. Getting to where the two rustlers had been shouldn't be a problem.

Buck casually put a hand on Vin's chest, keeping him from moving. Buck gave him a sly glance before returning to keeping an eye out for Chris. "You heard the man, Vin. He'd have my hide if I let you go jumpin' around and get ta bleedin' all over the place."

"I can help." Vin growled. He wasn't out of the game yet. [It's a flesh wound for crying out loud.] He winced when he tried to move, and again Buck stopped him.

"I know you can help." Buck told him calmly. "Ya jus' ain't gonna right now."

Buck kept a sharp eye out for trouble, watching the opposite rim, and the spot where Chris was headed. He stood up suddenly and fired twice before ducking for cover. His quiet curse told Vin he'd missed his target. Buck had been aiming for someone on the opposite rim. Even if he hadn't hit him, Buck had evidently kept him from shooting at Chris since there was no return fire.

Vin felt light headed. He glanced at his left leg and absently noted that his bandana was now dark red. The bleeding had slowed but it hadn't stopped yet. [Should stop soon. This kind o' wound usually doesn't bleed too long.]

Vin could hear horses moving somewhere below their position. He raised an eyebrow. "Think they decided to leave?"

Buck shrugged. "Let ya know in a minute." Buck popped up again, and aimed down into the canyon. He fired once, and ducked down again. He grinned, a quick flash of white teeth that was more feral than friendly.

"Get him?"

Buck shook his head. "Jus' winged 'im. Knocked 'im off his horse though. Doubt he'll be getting up too soon."

"Only one?"

Buck shrugged one shoulder. "Only saw one. Coulda been more, but I don't think so."

Chris was back, gliding silently like a tangible shadow, back into their small hideout. He startled Buck, but Vin wasn't surprised. He could almost feel when Chris was around. "They dead, Cowboy?"

"Yep." Chris ran his thumb across his lower lip. He looked toward Buck for a moment. "Could only make out one man on the other rim."

[Four on this side, two on the other, and one in the canyon. That ought ta be all of 'em. Only one left ta deal with is on the other side.] Vin nodded to himself, and swallowed hard. He was starting to feel a bit nauseous. It was a feeling he was familiar with since it happened nearly every time he got shot.

He didn't miss the concerned glances both Chris and Buck were sending his way. Vin was pretty sure he must look very pale about now. Losing his color was just another one of those things that happened whenever he got shot. It didn't seem to matter how minor the wound, he always ended up pale and a bit shaky. [Damn embarrassing.]

"How you wanna play this, Chris?" Buck asked.

"Let's see if we can draw him in to the open. Think you can hit him?"

Buck nodded. "No problem." He seemed totally confident in his ability. Vin knew Buck was a good shot. Almost as good as he was.

Vin opened his mouth to object. It wasn't that he didn't think Buck could do the job. He just didn't want to see Chris use himself as bait. He knew the only reason Chris wasn't willing to wait out the last man was because Vin was hurt. He'd seen Chris looking at his left leg and spreading bloodstain. Chris just gave him a hard look, silencing what he had been about to say.

Vin sighed. [Won't be talkin' him outta this.] "Don't you get killed, Cowboy."

Chris nodded. "Hadn't planned on it." He moved back toward where Vin had been hit, and into the open. Then made it seem like he was going for the horses. Buck carefully watched for their last rustler.

"C'mon, you idiot, jus' pop up and let me kill you." Buck muttered. Vin shook his head wondering if Buck even knew what he was saying. [Probably didn't mean ta say that out loud.]

Vin flinched when he heard shots fired. Shots that didn't come from Buck's rifle. Buck sighted in and fired once. Vin didn't breath easy until he heard Chris give the all clear, letting them know he was all right at the same time. Vin moved to get up, but Buck's hand on his shoulder stopped him. He glared at him. Buck looked back at him, unperturbed.

"Won't hurt you ta sit there until Chris brings the horses around. Less ya have ta walk 'round the better."

"Ain't that bad, Buck."

"Then there's no reason ta make it worse, now is there?"

Chris was back in a minute. He handed a canteen to Vin. Vin hadn't realized just how thirsty he was until then. He was careful to take only a swallow or two. He knew better than to drink too much too fast when his stomach was unsettled. He made that mistake once before and ended up puking it all back up again. Not only had it hurt like hell, it had been embarrassing too. [No point in actin' like a greenhorn.]

Chris also had a bottle of whiskey with him. He gently shifted the bandanas, and liberally doused Vin's leg, making sure to get a fair amount into the hole on either side of his thigh. Vin hissed, but didn't complain. He knew it was necessary. Chris wrapped another strip of cloth around his leg, tying it tightly. The bleeding had almost stopped.

Chris looked toward Buck. "Think you can get down ta check on the one in the canyon?"

Buck pursed his lips, and then nodded. "I 'spect I can."

Vin knew Buck would find a way to take care of his friends no matter what. It was just the way he was. So if getting down meant he had to go on his hands and knees, then that's what he would do. He'd make sure the threat below had been neutralized.

Chris nodded. "Good. Don't want any surprises on the way down." The former ranger swung smoothly up on Lady, and moved to head down the trail. Vin hoped he made it down easier than it had been to get up. He wasn't so sure about his own trip down.

Chris held out a hand and helped Vin to his feet. Vin swayed slightly, his whole world spinning for just a moment. Chris steadied him, letting him find his balance. He was careful not to put any more weight than absolutely necessary on his left leg.

"You sure you wanna ride down?"

"You offerin' ta...carry me?" Vin panted, smirking slightly.

Chris snorted. "No. Just thought we might find an easier way."

"I 'preciate...the offer, Cowboy, but...I don't think...there is an easier way."

With Chris' help Vin was able to mount Peso. He hung on to the saddle horn, his grip white knuckled for a moment as he dealt with the pain and brief bout of nausea. [I will not puke. I. Will. Not. Puke.]

He knew going down would not help his leg. The ride up had been tricky enough, but he couldn't see any other way around it. If there was another way, it would be the long way around, and he wasn't sure he could ride that far. Not for at least a day or more, and he wanted to go home. It had been a long four days without Ezra, and he didn't want to spend another day away from him.

Buck had already made it down and was moving up the canyon to check on their last rustler. Vin could just make out the gray mare at the bottom. [If Buck got down, well then, I guess I can too.] He nudged Peso forward, and let him pick his own way down.

Vin did his best to position his weight to help the horse find his footing easier. Peso snorted, and slid. It hurt like hell, but Vin tightened his grip with his legs, maintaining his seat. He could feel blood running down his leg and knew he was bleeding again. [Can't be helped.]

Peso picked his way down carefully. The gelding tucked his hindquarters neatly under him, nearly sitting down in places to maintain his footing. Peso jumped the last few feet from the bottom, landing soundly on all four legs, and shaking himself vigorously, nearly unseating Vin in the process.

Vin just hung on for a bit, waiting for Chris. At the moment, moving just wasn't an option. He could hear Sable make his way down the trail, but didn't turn around to look. [Sure hope Chris has something else ta work as a bandage cause I think I'm gonna need it.] Vin closed his eyes and just focused on breathing, trying to center himself. He'd been hurt worse, and knew he could handle this.

Chris pulled up next to him, and laid a hand on his arm. "You doin' okay?" Dark blues eyes took on a darker shade in their concern.

"Yeah." Vin sighed. He hadn't meant to worry Chris. "Jus' need a minute. It's only a flesh wound, Cowboy, nothin' serious."

Chris shook his head, a dark sort of humor coloring his features. "It's only a flesh wound when it happens to someone else."

Vin chuckled dryly. "I'll try ta remember that."

Chris offered him the canteen again, and Vin took a long swallow. His stomach was settling. It usually did after a bit. He handed the canteen back to Chris. They waited for Buck.

Lady came trotting down the canyon a few minutes later. Buck pulled up next to them. "Looks like our rustler broke his leg when I shot 'im off his horse. That boy ain't gonna be ridin' anywhere. Weren't anyone else in the canyon."

Chris nodded. "All right." He scanned the area for a moment. "He where there's some shade?"

Buck nodded. "You plannin' ta wait here?"

"Yep." Chris lifted his hat and wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Figured you could go back ta town. Fetch Nate and a wagon. Me and Vin can just sit tight here with our prisoner and wait for ya. While you're at it, might as well tell the undertaker that we got some bodies for 'im if he's willing ta come get 'em. Far as I'm concerned the bastards can get eaten by the coyotes and buzzards."

Vin thought about objecting. He could ride back to town. It was only an hour. But the look on Chris' face stopped him cold. He knew better than to argue with Chris when he looked like that. [Now, Ez would find a way ta say somethin', and get his own way, but I ain't got his gift for words.]

Buck must have seen something in his face. He patted Vin's shoulder as he moved to leave. "Don't sweat it, Vin. Somebody has ta keep Chris from killin' that feller. Might as well be you as me." Buck smiled at him. "And there ain't no reason ta bleed anymore than ya have to. Town will still be there when ya get there."

With that Buck rode off at a fast trot, heading for Four Corners. Lady would eat up the distance easily. Vin shifted slightly in the saddle trying to ease the throb coming from his leg. Chris looked at him, studying him. Vin couldn't even hazard a guess at what he saw.

"Let's go find this idiot, and get settled in to wait. I'll find another bandage for that leg o' yours too." He smiled slightly at the suffering look Vin sent his way. "No reason for Nate ta be upset with both of us."


Buck kept Lady moving at a fast trot. He took care not to push her too hard. The mare went willingly and smoothly, enjoying the chance to move over open country. Buck had paid what had seemed like an exorbitant price for her when he bought her three years ago, but he hadn't had cause to regret it. Lady had been a good investment. He patted her neck; grateful she had as much heart as she did. All he ever had to do was ask and she gave all she had.

He was riding into Four Corners in less than an hour. He headed immediately for the livery. Buck was out of the saddle, and calling for Yosemite. "Need ya to get a wagon ready, and take care of Lady for me. I'll be back for it soon as I get Nate."

The big man nodded and asked no questions. He ordered his son to take care of Lady while he hitched up a wagon. Buck always liked that the man could be trusted to simply do what was asked of him without asking a lot of needless, time consuming questions. [Probably already knows I don't want ta answer 'em anyway.]

Buck bounded up the stairs to Nathan's clinic. He was hoping to catch the healer there. He opened the door, calling out even before he had the door all the way open. "Nathan! Ya in here?"

The healer seldom locked the door. So it being open didn't really guarantee he'd be present. Seeing the clinic was empty, Buck hissed in annoyance. He didn't want to waste time trying to track the man down. He knew Vin's injury wasn't life threatening, but he didn't like seeing anyone suffer, especially his friends.

Having been in the clinic many, many times before, Buck knew where everything was. He also knew what he needed. Buck had done some rough and ready medicine in his day. Most of them had at one time or another, since doctors were few and far between. And given the treatment available under certain circumstances, Buck preferred not to go to a doctor. He wanted to keep his limbs, and surgeons seemed far too quick with a saw for Buck to ever feel completely comfortable under their care.

Buck knew all that Vin really needed was to keep the wound clean, and some rest. He was sure that as long as there was no infection, Vin would be fine. [Mother Nature will take care o' the rest. She always does.]

He gathered up a bottle of laudanum, fresh bandages, and another bottle of whiskey Nathan kept on hand to clean wounds with. As an afterthought he snagged something that would work as a splint for their prisoner. He looked at the teakettle for just a moment. [Don't know what all goes inta those stinky teas. Jus' as well. Vin don't like them anyway. Hell, nobody likes 'em. Even if they do help, I think I'd just as soon suffer. Laudanum should do the trick until Nate can brew up a batch o' his stuff.]

Buck turned around ready to leave. Ezra and JD were on the landing. It didn't look like either one would let him pass without asking a few questions or getting some answers.

"Where are Chris and Vin? We didn't see them ride in with you." JD piped up first. "Did ya find the rustlers? Somebody get hurt? That why you're lookin' for Nate? He's not here. Went ta see Mrs. Cavanaugh. He won't be back for awhile yet."

Buck held up a hand ending the barrage of questions, and information. [Can't figure out jus' how it is that boy can say so much in so little time.] Ezra had just watched him silently, sharp eyes assessing everything about him. It was weird to have the gambler size him up, like he could tell everything that had happened just by looking at him. [Knowing Ez, he probably can.]

"We found the rustlers. Were seven of 'em. Ended up having ta shoot it out."

Buck was surprised to see a look of fear and anger on Ezra's face. Normally he couldn't read the gambler at all. The con man was a master of showing only what he wanted others to see. Buck was never sure just how much was genuine and just how much was what Ezra put on for show. [That look was definitely for real.]

Buck blinked and Ezra appeared calm, and unconcerned. It was only the look in his eyes spoiled the affect, and confirmed that Buck hadn't been imagining the earlier expression. Those jade green eyes had taken on a hard, unforgiving aspect, revealing some of the violent man beneath the indifferent facade. [Kind o' reminds me of Chris.]

"Who was injured? And how badly?" The questions were quiet, but Buck could tell the answer was very important to Ezra. He almost suspected Ezra might hurt him if he didn't answer and quickly. Ezra would not be brushed off or ignored the way JD might. Buck shook off the feeling that the questions were as much a demand for information as they were a subtle threat.

"Vin got shot in the leg." Ezra's jaw tightened slightly, and JD looked like someone had just kicked him in the gut. "Ain't bad, just painful." Buck was quick to offer reassurances.

Even though Ezra's expression hadn't altered, there was something about his posture that made Buck want to make sure the gambler knew that Vin would be okay. Buck was aware that the gambler cared more about the others than he let on. [Don't know why he can't just admit that we're friends, and it's all right ta worry 'bout all o' us. Ain't like we don't worry 'bout him too.]

"Had the bleeding under control, and got it cleaned up with some of Chris' whiskey. He jus' ain't up ta riding back ta town." Buck smiled. "Not that Vin would agree with that. Ya know how he is."

"What about Chris?" JD asked.

"Chris is fine. We got one rustler left, but he ain't in any shape ta ride either. Figured I'd come back and get a wagon."

Ezra took a breath and there was a slight easing of the set of his shoulders. The understated air of menace, mingled with concern, that he'd worn only a minute earlier had disappeared, replaced with determination. "I'll see to retrieving Mr. Jackson. Tell me where you left Vin and Mr. Larabee, and we will join you there."

[Hunh. Must be a first. He called Vin by his first name, but not Chris. And the man usually has more ta say than that. Half the time I can't understand him, but today, he ain't said any more than anyone else would have. And what was with that look earlier? Somethin' weird here.]

Buck gave directions, figuring he could always ask about Ezra's strange behavior later. Ezra recited them back to him, word for word. It had always amazed him just how quickly the gambler could relay information, not missing a trick, or altering a single detail. There was no doubt that Ezra knew where Chris and Vin were, and could lead Nathan there.

Ezra was down the steps using a swift, yet graceful, economy of motion that Buck absently admired even as he followed hard on his heels. JD was just a step behind. Buck sent a concerned glance toward JD.

"You gonna be okay in town by yerself, Kid?" Buck figured if Josiah had been in town he would have been on the landing too. He hadn't seen any sign of the big ex-preacher since he rode into town.

JD rolled his eyes. "Yes, Buck." He waved a hand toward where Yosemite was almost done hitching the wagon. "You'll be back before nightfall. I can handle things 'til you get back."

Buck was surprised to see Ezra wasn't saddling Chaucer. He'd selected a rental horse. A long-legged bay with great conformation, that Buck knew to be almost as temperamental as Chaucer. Despite his good looks, Dandy wasn't a horse that got used much because of his some times difficult disposition.

"What's wrong with Chaucer?"

"Nothing." Ezra answered, as he deftly smoothed his saddle blanket over the bay's back, and neatly avoided the horse's attempt to nip at him. "I have already ridden him several miles this morning. He has performed his duty today. It would not be prudent to overtax him."

Buck nodded. He knew Ezra would not overwork his horse. [He babies that damn horse more than most people do their kids. Course I got no room ta talk. I don't work Lady any harder than I have to either.]

Ezra looked at Yosemite as he swung up in the saddle, calmly ignoring the way Dandy danced in place eager to move. "I shall make restitution when I return, Sir."

"No problem, Mr. Standish." Yosemite tipped his head. "Dandy needs some of the piss an' vinegar worked outta him anyway."

Ezra raised two fingers to his hat. "Mr. Jackson and I shall meet up with you shortly, Mr. Wilmington."

He nodded toward JD. "Please explain to the children that I will be unable to continue their lessons today. I will apologize to them formally upon my return."

JD nodded. "I'll take care of it, Ez. They'll understand that something came up."

Ezra touched his heels to Dandy's sides, and the horse took off at a ground-devouring lope. Buck shook his head. If he didn't get going, Ezra might just beat him there. He hadn't realized how fast Dandy was. [Bet Ez knew. Probably one o' the reasons he picked him. Dandy ain't any worse behaved than Chaucer. Doubt he'll be anything Ez can't handle.]

Buck put the bundle of supplies he'd taken from the clinic in the wagon. He threw an arm over JD's shoulders, and pulled him into a loose brotherly hug. "You look after things 'til we get back."

JD nodded. "No problem. I'll be waitin' for ya. And I'll let Josiah know what happened when he gets back."

Buck slapped him on the back before leaping up into the wagon's seat. "See ya soon, kid. We'll be home 'fore ya know it."


Ezra forced himself to take a deep breath, and calm down. His fear and anxiety were being communicated to Dandy. The young gelding kept trying to break into a gallop, forcing Ezra to rein him in slightly. He was a young horse with energy to burn, but they had some miles to go, and Ezra needed him to go the full distance. There was no way he could travel the whole way at a dead run.

Getting to Vin was of utmost importance, so pacing Dandy was necessary. Ezra needed to see for himself that Vin wasn't seriously injured. Needed to confirm with his own eyes that he hadn't just lost the person who gave his life meaning for the first time in years.

[Buck said it wasn't serious. A minor injury. He damn well better not have lied.] Ezra promised himself there would be swift, and painful retribution, if Buck had been less than completely honest. The ladies man would come to know the full meaning of the word fury if he failed to tell Ezra the truth about Vin's condition.

He tried to reassure himself that he would have been able to tell if Buck had been lying. He made a living out of being able to read people, and Buck was not good at hiding his thoughts or emotions. Under Ezra's sharp gaze, the man was as open as a child. He didn't seem panicked or overly concerned.

But Ezra knew his own strong emotions might have clouded his judgement. He wanted Vin to be okay, so he might well have been trying to read in Buck's attitude and mannerisms that there was nothing to worry about. Hope and fear raged a constant battle inside him from the minute he saddled Dandy.

He and JD were just leaving the restaurant when Buck had come riding into town. Ezra had known immediately that something was wrong because Buck had come in alone. The others would have been with him if everything had been okay. Buck's quick ascension to the clinic made him fear the worst.

It wasn't dignified to race up the stairs after him, but Ezra didn't care. He had run up the stairs, right along with JD. He needed to know what had happened and who was hurt. There would have been no need for Nathan if everything had gone smoothly. Ezra had come close to throttling Buck when the ladies man had been slow to answer JD's questions.

When Buck mentioned they'd shot it out with seven outlaws, Ezra hadn't been able to breathe. Seven to three were long odds. Not a gamble he would have agreed to take. With his own life, maybe, but not with Vin's.

It was unthinkable that Vin was dead. It would have been like the sun failing to rise. For a moment he feared the worst, his heart bleeding at the thought of being alone again. It was too soon. He wasn't ready to lose those bright blue eyes, that little smile, the poet and friend, the gentle morning kisses when he was barely awake, to never again run his fingers through those curling silky strands of hair...no. That was simply not an option.

Ezra had gotten a firm grip on himself. Buck would have told them immediately if either Chris or Vin were dead. He would have looked as devastated as Ezra felt. That meant injured, wounded, but alive. He could handle injured as long as Vin was alive. He would deal with punishing those who'd caused him harm in due course. It was more important to see to it that Vin was brought safely back to Four Corners.

Buck said there was only one rustler left, and he was also injured. Ezra felt a vicious satisfaction at hearing the others were dead, and the last was hurting. He would have liked for them all to suffer, but he would settle for knowing they were put down permanently, never to cause trouble to anyone important to him ever again.

He turned Dandy toward the Cavanaugh farm. Nathan should be there by now. Ezra hoped he'd managed to finish whatever he was doing, because Ezra was in no mood to wait. There was no one in this world who's well being he valued more than Vin's.

[You better be all right when I get to you Vin Tanner. You had better be.]

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Everything on this page is fiction. Any resemblance or reference to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.