Buck shifted in his chair in front of the jail, propping his legs up on the railing, letting the late afternoon sun warm him. After lunch, he'd convinced JD to lay down and grab a nap by telling him he should rest up for the late night shift. He didn't honestly expect Chris to assign Ezra's usual shift to JD. But he knew the young sheriff hadn't gotten much rest last night. The dark circles under his eyes and general lack of animation were dead giveaways.

//Kid just takes so much ta heart.// Buck smiled fondly glancing over his shoulder glance through the open door catching a glimpse of JD sleeping in the closest cell. //Course it might be what made it so easy for him to talk to Josiah.//

Buck's smile grew into a grin as he thought about Chris and Josiah meeting on the boardwalk earlier in the day. Chris hadn't said a word. He'd just looked at the big man, his expression speaking volumes.

Josiah had held up a hand. "Save it. JD has already said all there is to say. I don't reckon there is much more for you to add."

Buck had quirked an eyebrow, but hadn't commented. Since Chris rarely said much, it wasn't hard to imagine JD being far more adept with words than the dark clad gunslinger. Chris just turned his head slightly to spit. "And?"

"He talked. I listened." Josiah squared his shoulders. "That kid has turned into a mighty fine young man. He can be rather eloquent when he wants to be."

Chris nodded slowly, accepting that statement as proof that the former preacher was going to make peace with Vin and Ezra. Buck felt a flush of pride in his young friend. He might not know exactly what JD had said, but he had no doubt the kid could rise to the occasion and be as convincing as Ezra if need be. //And keeping his family together sure fit the bill.//

When Josiah moved to pass Chris, heading for the church, the gunslinger moved to stand in front of him stopping him cold. Dark blue eyes met Josiah's lighter counter parts, the gaze unwavering. His voice was quiet, but clear. "Don't let it happen again."

The threat of violence was left unspoken but was unmistakable. Josiah's jaw tightened. He nodded accepting Chris' position. It was well known that Chris protected who and what he called his own. Buck wondered if Josiah realized how lucky he was that Chris hadn't been in town yesterday, or that JD had made a point of being the first to speak to him today. //Things coulda got ugly. Real ugly.//

Josiah cast a questioning look toward Buck. The ladies man just shook his head. He was too disappointed in Josiah's behavior and reaction to finding out about Vin and Ezra to articulate what he was thinking. He didn't want to risk ruining what JD had probably worked hard to fix. The way the older man's eyes shifted, Buck knew his disappointment had been easy to read.

Buck sighed and settled deeper into his chair. He hadn't slept well last night, either. He'd kept one eye out for Josiah and the other on Chris. He knew his old friend well enough to know that it wouldn't take much for the anger simmering below the surface to reach the boiling over point. He was honestly surprised that Chris hadn't pushed it with Josiah when they met earlier in the day. //Course, if JD hadn't gotten through to him, pretty sure things would have been different. Still, I guess we've all got reason to be grateful Josiah wasn't quite as hard headed about this as I was afraid he would be.//

Buck yawned. He would be glad when all this was settled and things got back to what passed for normal for them. Buck resolutely pushed the faint fear that things might not be that simple. He'd find a way to deal with it if the situation arose, but until then he doggedly looked for the silver lining, not the cloud.

He caught a glimpse of Nathan heading into the church. He nodded to himself. Buck wasn't surprised that Nathan would eventually make his way there. //Hunh. Didn't reckon he'd be able to wait as long as he has. Kinda glad Ez isn't around. Would a lost that bet for sure.//

Josiah had not joined them at lunch and the healer had fidgeted throughout the meal, anxious to talk to his friend. JD's calm assurance that Josiah just needed more time to think and come to terms with things hadn't really assuaged Nathan's concern. Buck chuckled remembering the look on Nathan's face. //Don't think he really believed JD was able to handle Josiah so easily.//

Buck figured that Nathan might be the best one to help Josiah 'come to terms'. //Had to do it himself. Not for the same reasons, but it wasn't like Nate accepted Vin and Ezra at first either. Course neither did Chris, but knowing him like I do, he's forgotten that he ever had to adjust.//

Chris was like that. Once he made up his mind the man had a tendency to forget there was ever an issue to be decided on. Buck had grown accustomed to that quirk and knew it had merit in a leader. It was far better to have decisive action, even if it was wrong, than to have a commander who constantly second-guessed himself or waffled back and forth. While it was good in battle, it was not a trait that always made simple, everyday aspects of life easy to address.

Buck was heartily relieved, on more than one occasion, by the differences in the personalities that made up their group. Sometimes it caused clashes among them, but more often than not, it made it possible for the seven of them to work together. And he wanted them to continue to do so for as long as possible.

Buck yawned again. There wasn't much going on in town at the moment. The ladies man knew Chris was riding patrol. The gunslinger would never admit it, but Buck suspected he was looking for signs of Vin and Ezra. //Know he trusts them to show up like they said they would, but that doesn't mean he won't be keeping an eye out just the same. Swear that man has some serious mother hen inclinations. Needs to make sure his chicks are all right.//

Buck tipped his hat to shade his eyes, chuckling to himself over the image he had of Chris as a chicken riding herd on a small flock of chicks. Tomorrow they'd get this taken care of. Then he could go back to spending time with the ladies, and stop losing sleep fretting over his friends.

Ezra closed his eyes and tilted his face toward the sky. He was a night owl by nature, fully appreciating the sable beauty of night with her silver finery of moon and stars, but that didn't mean he didn't enjoy the warmth of the afternoon sun and brilliant blue sky. And while he could never lay claim to reveling in Mother Nature's bounty to the same degree his lover did, the gambler enjoyed being outside. He found the peace and quiet of their favorite spot to be soothing to his spirit.

Ezra sat near the spring in a half-dressed state his mother would be appalled to witness. He'd forgone his jacket, vest, socks and boots, leaving his shirt untucked and only half buttoned, his pant legs rolled up so he could dangle his feet in the water without soaking his clothes. He breathed deeply allowing himself to simply be in a way that wasn't possible in town, in the presence of other people. Well, Ezra amended that thought, with anyone other than Vin that is.

He opened his eyes to study his lover. Vin was dozing next to him, curled up on his side, his head pillowed on his capote. The tracker had been up at dawn, as per his usual custom. Ezra had really only fallen asleep after Vin had awoken. Despite thinking of this spot as being a safe place for them, ingrained habit had made it impossible for Ezra to sleep deeply unless he knew someone was keeping watch. So as per their usual habit, Ezra went to sleep when Vin woke. When Ezra got up shortly before noon, they shared the mid-day meal before relaxing near the spring and just enjoying the day.

Ezra reached out to gently ran his knuckles over Vin's cheekbone, careful not to disturb his slumber. The tracker had professed his throat felt better, but the bruises Josiah's hands had left stood out in stark contrast to Vin's normal skin tone. The gambler knew the bruises would likely linger for several days. He worried more about the possibility of a cracked rib. That would take longer to heal.

He frowned, green eyes pensive as they turned back to stare out over the small pool. Ezra was so deeply lost in his thoughts he was honestly startled when Vin's hand moved to encircle his wrist. "Stop brooding so loud."

Ezra cocked his head, one eyebrow arching. "Brooding doesn't make noise."

Vin sighed. "Does when you do it." A half-smile appeared. "Probably 'cause you don't do it all that often. Yer rusty."

"Rusty?" Ezra chuckled. "Should I be insulted by that?"

Vin's smile grew. "Nah. Not being good a brooding is not a bad thing." The smile faded. "Tell me what you're thinkin'?"

Ezra waved his free hand in a vague gesture. "Little bits of everything, I'm afraid." He wasn't sure he could articulate his thoughts any better than that. They were scattered, disjointed, half-formed at best.

"You worried about tomorrow?" Vin's sky blue eyes studied him.

"No." Ezra laughed dryly. "More like what happens after that."

"Ah." Vin nodded his head, squeezing Ezra's wrist in understanding. "It'll be okay. Nothin' we can't face as long as we're together."

Ezra smiled warmly, dimples appearing. "Such confidence is commendable."

"Haven't had reason to doubt us yet." Vin's tone was very matter-of-fact.

Ezra dipped his head, conceding Vin's point. Since they'd become a couple they had yet to face anything they hadn't been able to handle together. Ezra shook his head, slightly bemused by it. //I wasn't always so confident that would be the case.//

"You know...I thought Chris would be the greatest obstacle." Ezra confided quietly. "I never expected him to accept us. Not really."

He was disappointed in himself to have misread his comrades so badly, to have sold the gunslinger short. Chris' initial acceptance had been conditional, but it was a far better reaction than Ezra had anticipated. He had been so certain that he would lose both his place in Four Corners and Vin when Chris questioned their newborn relationship. And he never thought Josiah would be so hostile, or so physical in expressing his displeasure. He didn't think he was losing his touch, his ability to read people, as much as he was sure strong emotions were clouding his judgment, his ability to assess people and situations logically. His own wants and desires, fears and uncertainty made it difficult to step back and make an impartial assessment.

"I figured it would be Buck we'd have trouble with." Vin snickered, raising himself up on one elbow, drawing Ezra back from his thoughts. "Was sure he'd be flabbergasted by two men who wanted ta be together."

"A good thing no wager was made." Ezra smiled wanly. It was comforting to know he wasn't the only one to have misjudged their associates.

Vin bit his lower lip, expression thoughtful. "I'm not sure I'd call us being wrong about them as a loss."

"A loss...no." For once, Ezra had been relieved, grateful even, to be wrong. "More like a pleasant surprise."

Vin released his wrist and sat up. He stretched his arms overhead, and sighed. "Have ta admit the one who surprised me the most was JD."

Ezra arched an eyebrow. JD was actually the one he'd had been the least concerned about. "JD is decidedly loyal to those he considers friends...and family." The gambler still found it somewhat disconcerting to be placed in either category.

Vin nodded in response to Ezra's comment. "I know. Jus'...", the tracker waved a hand clearly searching for the right words to express his thoughts.

"It is easy to forget that despite being the youngest of our number he is not really a child. Far from it actually." The cardsharp shrugged one shoulder. "Our outward influence may be pervasive but he is fully capable of making up his own mind and acting accordingly."

"Yeah." Vin waggled his eyebrows. "Kid is pretty smart. Guess I jus' didn't realize how smart until lately."

The tracker ran a hand through his hair, raking through the long curls and yawned widely. He bumped Ezra's shoulder with his before laying his head on the same shoulder. "I love you," he whispered.

Ezra tilted his head to rest his temple against the top of Vin's head. "And I you, Vin."

"Wanna show me?" There was an eagerness in Vin's voice, a warm invitation. "Or I could show you if ya want."

Ezra smiled, lifting his head so he could glance slyly at his lover. "Show each other perhaps? Mutual displays of affection?"

Vin grinned, eyes lighting up. "I'll make it worth yer while."

"You always do."

Vin moved swiftly. In one single motion he managed to straddle Ezra's hips and push him on to his back without ever really gaining his feet. Vin's hands moved to caress Ezra's chest, the unbuttoned and untucked shirt proving to be no obstacle, giving him easy access to the smooth expanse of skin. A wicked smile lit Vin's face.

"You should dress like this more often."

Green eyes narrowed. He would not be seen like this anywhere else. It would be undignified. It was not a condition befitting a gentleman.

"Such a state of undress is hardly," he gasped, unable to finish his sentence when Vin lowed his head to nibble at a spot just below his ear, a spot that always made him go weak in the knees. He tipped his head back involuntarily; unconsciously encouraging Vin to continue his gentle assault. The tracker's hands continued to ghost over his chest, pausing to tease his nipples, making Ezra sigh softly.

As much as he wanted and needed to indulge their passion, he didn't want his lover to suffer any pain either. He moved his hands to cup Vin's face, pulling the tracker's head up so he could make eye contact. "Your ribs?"

"Are fine." Vin answered firmly, blue eyes easily holding green. "Making love to you won't hurt me any." His eyes twinkled. "Might even help." He smiled lasciviously, licking his lips. "You always make me feel mighty damn good, Ez."

His voice had roughened, gotten softer and deeper as he spoke, making Vin's tone husky, warm and tempting. Ezra's cock hardened just listening to it. The tone was audible proof of his lover's rising ardor triggering a sympathetic response in him that Ezra couldn't and didn't want to resist. He pulled Vin toward him, kissing him deeply. Ezra tried to explore every bit of that well loved, familiar grotto, committing to memory again the texture, flavor, and terrain.

When they broke the kiss both were panting for breath. Ezra noted that Vin's eyes had gotten dark, the shade shifted from sky blue to almost indigo. His suspected his own were equally dark with desire and need.

Vin shifted enough so his hands would have easy access to undo Ezra's pants. Ezra was making short work of the buttons on Vin's shirt eager to feel satin smooth skin under his hands. The tracker tilted his head back, eyes closed, hands suddenly still, clenching the material of Ezra's pants when Ezra started to tease his nipples.

The gambler was fully aware of how sensitive Vin was and relished in the reaction such light, deft touches invariably generated. He liked pleasing his lover, liked generating pleasure as much as he enjoyed receiving it. He sat up enough so he could replace his fingers of one hand with his lips and tongue. He was careful not to dislodge Vin from his perch while he suckled, making the little nub he was laving peak and harden further. He applied his teeth, lightly nipping his way across Vin's chest to the other nipple. Vin whimpered in response to his tender assault, arching his chest trying to get closer.

Ezra lazily kissed his way up to the hollow of Vin's throat. He knew if he lavished too much attention of Vin's chest it could get uncomfortably intense for the sharpshooter, more like pain than pleasure, and he didn't want that. He was careful to keep his touch feather light, not wanting to aggravate the bruises his lover bore around his neck. He smiled against Vin's skin, remembering when he'd suffered similar injuries and Vin offered to 'kiss it and make it better'. //Time to return the favor.//

The tracker had started to grind his pelvis against Ezra's in a languid, sensual movement. The gambler doubted his lover was even conscious of doing it. The effect on Ezra was undeniable and he moaned softly. There was too much fabric between them. He wanted more skin. A lot more. //Only one way to rectify this.//

He pulled back, waiting for Vin to look at him dazed blue eyes somewhat unfocused. He smiled softly. "You have on too many clothes."

Vin blinked and then grinned. "Can fix that." He placed a hand in the center of Ezra's chest and pushed him down again. With graceful shrug Vin divested himself of his unbuttoned shirt. He rose smoothly to his feet, giving Ezra a slow wink as he undid his belt and button fly. He balanced neatly while shimmying out of his pants.

Vin bent from the waist to finish undoing Ezra's pants. "Lift up." He commanded softly. Ezra complied and Vin slipped his pants down over his hips to his knees. Both eyebrows rose in surprise at the lack of any more clothing. A wicked smile appeared as one hand caressed Ezra's bare flank. "You should definitely dress like this more often, Ez."

"I may consider it." Ezra licked his lips, eyes slanted coyly, his tone teasing when he spoke. "Perhaps I shall forgo my undergarments more often. Say while we ate dinner or played poker."

Vin took a ragged breath and swallowed hard. "Jus' the thought...o' you not wearin' all them layers...not so covered all the time." He closed his eyes, sinking to his knees to straddle Ezra's hips again. "God, Ez. Know it's stupid. Yer not talkin' about runnin' round naked but...that really gets to me."

Ezra captured Vin's hand where his fingers were still making light circles causing his skin to tingle. He raised the hand to his lips, kissing the palm. "It's not stupid." It was rather endearing that his lover would find something so simple to be erotic.

Vin nodded slowly, turning his hand to cup Ezra's face before he leaned forward and kissed him. He placed kisses on Ezra's forehead and eyelids before landing on his mouth. He continued to work his way down Ezra's chest, stopping to suck and bite hard enough just above his heart to mark him.

"Mine." Vin growled softly, kissing away the momentary inconsequential pain his action caused.

"Yours." Ezra agreed. He usually sported at least one of Vin's marks and rather liked doing so. //But then I mark him just as often.//

Vin reached to grab his jacket from where it still lay folded near by. He withdrew from one pocket a small tin Ezra easily recognized. He offered the tin to Ezra.

"I feel like goin' for a ride." He whispered hoarsely, nuzzling Ezra's neck. Ezra nodded, not trusting his voice. 'Goin' for a ride' was how Vin referred to the position when he took Ezra inside him while being on top. The gambler thought the expression rather apt.

He opened the tin and lightly coated his fingers. He prepared Vin's tight entrance, taking his time, delighting in the small sighs and moans his ministrations produce. He did his best to ignore the affect Vin's slow rocking of his pelvis and the rubbing against his leaking erection was causing. He bit his lip when Vin moved his hands to run fingers through his hair and stroke every reachable bit of skin, shuddering with the effort to not simply give in to the sensations.

"Now, Ez." Vin panted. "Please....Please."

Ezra nodded, unable to refuse such a heartfelt plea even if he wanted to. He offered the tin to Vin. He turned his head slightly, unable to watch as Vin's long fingers stroked and coated his rampant hard on. He hissed out his enjoyment of being touched in one long breath. No one ever made him feel this good. Ever.

His hands gripped the earth, fighting to stay in control as Vin rose up and slowly lowered himself. He took in Ezra's cock so slowly it was sweet torture. Ezra resisted the urge to thrust, not wanting to rush the moment. He wanted this to last as long as possible.

Ezra waited for Vin to adjust and settle himself before he rolled his hips in one long, deliberately sensuous movement. He knew he'd gotten the angle and motion right. The way Vin's internal muscles clamped around him, the way his lover shuddered, mouth dropping open to emit a satisfied sound not unlike a big cat's rumbling purr were unmistakable proof his lover liked what he did. So he did it again.

They began moving in concert, starting with a slow steady rhythm. Ezra always wanted to prolong these quiet, buzzing moments of simply feeling good. It would all too soon give way to driving urgency, spiraling tighter and upward to push toward completion.

Ezra moved a hand to stroke Vin's cock. On each up stroke he let the pad of his thumb ghost over the glans, making Vin tip his head back, tendons standing out in stark relief. Ezra fought to keep his eyes open wanting to see the building ecstasy on Vin's face, to see the flush that encompassed his skin, to watch the play of muscles of Vin's powerful thighs as lifted himself up and down.

As their movements gained speed, Ezra closed his eyes, unable to handle the combined physical and visual input. Even with his eyes closed, Vin's soft sighs, moans and mewling cries of pleasure continued to urge him to thrust harder, faster and deeper. He moaned softly, biting his lip trying to maintain some measure of control.

"God...Ezzzzra." Vin grounded out, his voice barely recognizable. The tracker was panting and saying his name over and over again, almost chanting it.

Ezra knew he was babbling something, giving voice to the same sort of desperate, unintelligible plea as his lover. It was like the whole universe was winding tightly down to a single point, like riding a tidal wave and trying hard not to drown. He could feel the tingle starting at the base of his spin and small tremors that heralded his climax. He resisted, not wanting to come before Vin.

Vin's cock twitched in his hand as the tracker's entire body tightened almost vibrating with tension. Ezra knew he was close. He ran his free hand up and over Vin's chest, tweaking a nipple between thumb and forefinger knowing that was all it would take to push him over the edge. Vin shuddered and came with a coyote like howl. As he shot his seed on Ezra's chest the corresponding internal spasms had Ezra releasing his own into Vin's tight channel.

Vin collapsed forward, catching his weight on his elbows, resting his head on Ezra's shoulder, breathing hard. Ezra's own breathing was far from steady. He could feel his pulse pounding, which contrasted pleasantly with the overwhelming feeling of lassitude and satisfaction.

Vin's skin twitched randomly, something Ezra knew happened after a particularly intense orgasm. He thought of them as aftershocks. With a soft sigh Ezra raised a hand to card through Vin's curls petting him in a movement that they both found soothing. The action eased the passion of the past moments into something less intense.

Vin nuzzled his neck before raising his head to make eye contact. "You okay?"

Ezra chuckled, green eyes bright. "I think I should be asking you that."

Vin winked. "I am so much better than okay. I'm great." He kissed him, a soft press of lips to lips. "Told ya...you always make me feel good." The last bit was just as whisper soft as his lips had been.

Ezra smiled. "Yes, well, I would hate to have proven you wrong."

"Woulda been ungentlemanly of ya." Vin waggled his eyebrows. "Course since ya sort of takin' to runnin' around half dressed, I can't really think o' you as a gentlemen."

Ezra laughed lightly. "Does that mean you don't want me to wash those hard to reach places for you?" His voice was decidedly suggestive. It was something of a habit for them to clean up in the pool after making love in this spot, to take the time cleaning each other, which more often than not led to a repeat performance.

Vin looked decidedly appalled at the idea of Ezra not washing his back. "No." Vin answered firmly. "Not just no, hell no."

He disentangled himself from Ezra and struggled to his feet. He offered a hand to Ezra to help him to his feet. The gambler didn't need help getting up, but he appreciated the gesture just the same.

"I'm thinkin' the water should oughta be almost as warm as what you like in the tub."

At this time of year, the pool was sufficiently shallow that the sun would have warmed it to a more or less comfortable temperature. Ezra made a graceful, inviting motion to toward the water. "Shall we find out, Mr. Tanner?"

Vin grinned. "We shall, Mr. Standish."

Josiah did his best not to look at the others. He didn't fidget, kept his hands still, his back straight, eyes forward most of the time. For the first time he was beginning to appreciate just how easy Ezra made it look to seem nonchalant and at ease. He knew the gambler had to be as nervous or uncomfortable in their presences at one time or another, just as he was now, but it never showed.

The ride to Chris' ranch seemed interminable. His nervousness communicated itself to Prophet, making the big gelding toss his head uneasily and prance far more than he normally did. Josiah was almost grateful that Prophet was more fractious than normal. It gave him something to concentrate on.

Chris and Buck rode ahead, Lady and Sable moving in step. Josiah's pensive gaze landed momentarily on the gunslinger. The set of Chris' shoulders was telling. The man was still angry, but he was controlling it. Josiah was still amazed that Chris hadn't lashed out physically. He almost wished the man had. It would have been easier to take a beating.

Josiah glanced toward Buck. The tall cowboy's obvious disappointment in him had hit hard. Buck asked relatively little of people, tending to accept them as they came. It was easy to forget that the man was more than an affable, fun loving sort. Not being able to measure up when someone expected so little and tolerated so much left Josiah feeling like he'd been irreparably diminished. He preferred Chris' open censure to Buck's quiet disappointment.

A glance to the right out of the corner of his eye confirmed JD's presence. The kid rode quietly, something unusual. Normally he and Buck would be talking, laughing and joking with each one another and the others. Despite his silence, Josiah didn't feel any reproach from him. JD had spoken his piece and the big man knew he that he'd been forgiven, at least conditionally. It all hinged on how he behaved from here on out and on whether or not Ezra and Vin were willing give him another chance and stay in Four Corners. Josiah got the distinct impression that the young sheriff had already come to some sort of decision as to what he'd do in response to either outcome. He found it mildly disconcerting that someone half his age should have such a clear vision of his path.

Nathan rode on his left. Initially, Josiah had been relieved to learn that his long time friend had had some difficulty accepting Vin and Ezra's relationship. But he'd been insulted and angry on Ezra's behalf to learn that Nathan had thought the gambler might be using Vin. He was honest enough with himself to admit Nathan's assumption had been no worse than his own. And Nathan had at least talked to them. Josiah acted before he thought, lashed out before getting all the facts, something he thought he'd outgrown.

Josiah shook his head. //Too soon old, too late wise.// These thoughts weren't helping. He knew he was simply avoiding thinking about the coming confrontation. //No...no. This is not going to be confrontational. We'll talk. We'll work this out.//

Josiah took a deep breath, and then another. JD looked over at him, and smiled slightly. The younger man spoke softly. "Josiah, it'll be okay."

He wished he had JD's confidence. //Well, if I don't have it, I can always try to fake it. Sometimes it works.// Resolutely Josiah squared his shoulders, and lifted his chin. He'd made a mistake. He was going to own up to it, and make up for it.

He unconsciously clenched his jaw as they rode into the ranch yard, uncertain despite his resolve. Ezra and Vin were sitting on the porch, their horses stood in the shade cast by the house, saddles on, but the cinches were loose. Ezra had a deck of cards in his hands, shuffling lazily. Vin was whittling something with his knife. He wasn't really carving as Chris did, more like simply turning a stick into thin shavings as a way to pass the time.

Chris and Buck stopped their horses in front. Neither man dismounted, but settled themselves more deeply into their saddles. Nathan pulled up slightly, allowing Josiah to precede him. He maneuvered Abe so that he was now on Josiah's right, next to JD, putting Josiah squarely in the middle.

Ezra patted his cards into place with precise, dexterous movements before slipping the deck into his jacket pocket. He rose smoothly to his feet, adjusting his coat. He tipped his head slightly in acknowledgement. "Gentlemen," Ezra drawled quietly.

The greeting encompassed them all, but his green eyes focused exclusively on Josiah. The big man tried not to shift uneasily under that steady gaze. He didn't know what the gambler was looking for, but he hoped whatever it was, he found it.

Vin had also risen to his feet, but he hadn't bothered to sheath the knife. The naked steel made Josiah wonder if Vin no longer felt comfortable in his presence without some sort of weapon in hand. He desperately hoped that was not the case. The tracker might not be as good at throwing knives as Nathan, but he was more than competent when it came to wielding the blade he held. //Sort of doubt he'd throw it. Figure he'd be more the sort to skin me alive. And I'm not sure I don't deserve it for trying to kill him.//

Josiah cleared his throat in preparation to apologize, but Ezra spoke before he got could get the words out. "Mr. Larabee, this is your home, you are naturally welcome to make yourself more comfortable." It was a polite invitation to dismount. Green eyes swept over the others. "It would be impudent of me to extend a similar invitation to the rest of you, but," a dimpled grin appeared with a glint of gold flashing in the sun, "I do not think Chris would object to y'all doing likewise as I believe he considers you to be welcomed guests."

Ezra's gaze returned to Josiah. "Mr. Sanchez, I think we have things to discuss." He cocked his head slightly to study the others again. "I am aware that the rest of you may wish to participate in that discussion, but Vin and I would prefer not to have an audience." A small frown appeared. "I believe we've aired enough laundry of late."

Josiah knew this meeting was going to be on their terms or it wouldn't happen at all. Chris clearly knew it as well. The gunslinger looked toward Vin and received a small nod. He pursed his lips slightly, obviously not happy, but nodded once in return. "If that's how you want it."

Ezra tipped his head. "Thank you."

Chris dismounted. Buck, Nathan and JD followed suit. Josiah hesitated before reluctantly following suit. Ezra made an elegant gesture with one hand. "Please, Mr. Sanchez. Perhaps we could walk as we talked."

"Don't go far." Chris ordered, eyes narrowing as the moved from Ezra to Josiah. The former preacher felt himself flush, knowing the admonition to stay close was so Chris and the others were nearby to help if need be.

The gambler raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. He turned and gestured toward a small stand of trees that shaded the far side of the corral. It wasn't far, but would provide them with some privacy and they would still be within sight of the house.

"Shall we?" Ezra and Vin walked in step as they headed away from the others. Josiah had no choice but to follow. He noticed that both men were careful to stay at least arm's length away from him. He expected them to wait until well out of earshot before speaking but Ezra asked him a question almost immediately.

"You are here to apologize, yes?"

"Yes." Josiah answered firmly. He didn't want them to doubt that. "What happened the other day...that should never have happened."

"Agreed."

They reached the other side of the corral when Ezra spoke again. His voice was soft, conversational and relayed nothing but idle curiosity. "Which one spoke to you?"

The big man sighed. //Pretty sure he's more than just curious.// "They all had something to say."

"Indeed." Ezra didn't sound surprised. "And which one proved to be the most persuasive in getting you here?"

"JD. He talked to me yesterday morning. 'Fore the others could say much."

The gambler held out his hand toward Vin, palm up. Vin sighed and withdrew a coin from his pocket. He placed it in Ezra's palm. Josiah stared, incredulous.

"You bet on that?" He couldn't decide if he was appalled, insulted or both.

"It was a friendly wager, Mr. Sanchez." Ezra calmly pocketed the coin before pinning him with a disdainful glare. "You should be grateful that I won. Had Vin been the winner, it would have been Chris who spoke to you. In that event, I seriously doubt we'd be having this conversation now."

It would be hard to argue with that statement since Josiah wasn't entirely convinced Chris still wasn't itching to shoot him and be done with it. He frowned. "How did you know it would be JD?"

"I didn't." Ezra shrugged on shoulder. "I had hoped it would be him."

"Why?"

"Because of all of our little troupe he was the least likely to resort to violence." Josiah felt himself warm thinking Ezra might have been concerned for his safety. That feeling dissipated with Ezra's next statement. "And if anyone is to do you harm, I would prefer that privilege to be reserved for me."

Josiah flinched. He recognized the hard, unforgiving tone. It was the same one Ezra had used in the livery. //JD was right about me having to grovel. Just hope its enough.//

Clear green eyes met his. "Relax, Mr. Sanchez. I want to know why more than I want retribution."

While not really a question, it was not a request either. The gambler made it perfectly clear that he wanted one or the other and it was up to the big man to choose which one he was prepared to offer. Josiah glanced toward Vin, trying to gauge for what the tracker was thinking. Ice white blue eyes met his unflinching.

"I don't much care why." Vin's eyes narrowed. "All that really matters is that don't happen again and you can keep yer mouth shut." There was no mistaking the chastisement and implied threat. Josiah almost bristled feeling indignation, but the way Vin still gripped the bone handle of his knife, and the feral look in his eyes, had the older man thinking twice.

The sharpshooter nodded and then turned his head to spit. "But Ez wants answers, so you better pony up, Preacher." Vin's use of that title still carried a derogatory sting. "You being sorry ain't worth a shit if you can't."

Josiah swallowed hard. He had expected them to be angry, but he was honestly not prepared for this degree. Somewhere in the back of his mind he had pictured explaining things to them much the way he had to JD, and that all would be forgiven. That they would understand, see his side of things and let it go. He envisioned them going home and having things return to normal.

//Home. You made them think they had to leave the one place either of them has likely felt comfortable in a long time. Nathan told me Ezra ready to simply ride away with no more than the clothes on his back. Vin with nothing more than a quiet goodbye. And you wonder why they are still pissed with you? Why they are so determined to know the reasons for what you did? Josiah, you are a fool. And you have much to answer for.//

He took a deep breath and turned to face both men squarely. Ezra waited, hands hanging loosely at his side, face impassive and unreadable. Vin leaned against one of the corral posts, his posture relaxed and easy, but ready. He still hadn't sheathed the knife. Josiah tried not to see significance in that.

He started out by explaining what he thought when he saw them together. He stuttered, fighting to get out how much Ezra reminded him of Aaron, of the fate of his son, and how harmless his desire to recapture that connection had seemed. At least until he made such a monumental mistake.

Ezra halted his slow but steady process by raising his hand. His expression was still unreadable, but Josiah didn't think he looked quite as distant, as remote has he had when he'd started speaking. The gambler asked softly, "How old was Aaron when he...was murdered?"

Josiah bit his lip. He'd started this so he didn't feel he could refuse. He knew nothing less than full disclosure would fix the mess he made, if it could still be fixed. So even though it pained him, he doggedly fought to reply. Taking a deep breath he answered. "Aaron was sixteen."

The cardsharp nodded slowly. "I am...flattered, very flattered, that you should see similarities between myself and someone you held so near and dear." A compassionate expression graced his features briefly before green eyes narrowed studying Josiah intently. "But you are cognizant of the fact that I am not and never will be a substitute for the child you lost?"

"I know." Josiah stated earnestly. He wanted Ezra to believe him. He also wanted to move, pace and wave his hands in the air, anything to release some tension. He knew the others were watching from the porch and he wasn't sure how well sudden, agitated movements on his part by them, or the two in front of him, would be received so he forced himself to remain still.

"Ezra...I know you aren't Aaron." //God but I know that. No matter what wild fantasy I might have harbored, I do know that.// "It was just that I was thinking of him. I was thinking about how you seem so much alike in many ways...and for a moment I forgot that you aren't a child in need of a father, in need of protection."

"Seems ta me you and Ez talked about this son thing before." Vin snorted. Josiah winced clearly, remembering the lengths Ezra had gone to, to stop him from referring to him by the appellation 'son'. "You sure you ain't gonna suffer this delusion again?"

"Very sure." Josiah's jaw tightened. "It won't happen again."

When the tracker would have said something more, Ezra laid a hand on his arm. Blue eyes met green and Josiah felt like an entire conversation took place without a single word being uttered. Vin's jaw tightened and Ezra shook his head. When Ezra spoke his voice was soft. "There is more and I want to hear the rest. Castigating him about this is unwarranted and will prevent that."

To his amazement, rather than argue Vin tipped his head in a gesture of acquiescence. //Sort of expected him to fight Ezra on that, to take me to task for making the same mistake not once, but twice where Ezra is concerned. Vin seems a mite more interested in retribution than explanations. Not that I can blame him. Just didn't expect them to be able to agree that quickly with so little being said. They are just seem too different for them to see things the same way.//

Josiah knew his face had to have shown his surprise when Ezra arched an eyebrow sardonically. "We are capable of reaching agreement without coming to fisticuffs, or childish displays of temper. We can and often do agree on what is important." Josiah flushed slightly feeling the full effect of that gentle reprimand, and wondering not for the first time how it was Ezra could read people so easily.

Ezra made a gesture with one hand as though he were erasing something written on a blackboard. "Back to the matter at hand."

The gambler regarded Josiah for a moment. "You may have initially been mistaken by a father's fervent wish to be there for his son. A laudable position, one that I don't doubt, but nor do I claim to fully understand. And while that error may have been initial justification for your actions, the rest of your brutal physical and verbal assault went far beyond such."

The former preacher licked his lips, and nodded. There was no point in denying it. //Ezra will know I'm lying. And if he didn't I'm fairly certain Vin would. That boy has an uncanny ability to spot a lie. Maybe because he tells so few.//

Realizing his thoughts got him nowhere and only made the other two impatient, Josiah took a deep breath. His next revelation was going to be a bit tricky. He wasn't sure how they would take it, but he knew staying quiet was not an option.

He offered up a silent prayer as he explained how he'd been envious of the closeness Vin had with Ezra. The tracker had managed to establish the sort of rapport Josiah wanted. They had the sort of camaraderie that allowed them to share secrets and laughter; made it obvious that in spite of their differences they were good friends and more than just fellow peacekeepers. He was quick to state that he didn't object to their friendship, saw nothing wrong with it. He was pleased Ezra had that sort of closeness with someone even though it wasn't him. But when he thought Vin was throwing away something he'd give his right arm to have, a priceless treasure lost to indulge in a moment of carnal passion, it just added fuel to an already raging fire.

Vin regarded him steadily. "You really thought I'd take advantage of Ezra bein' my friend? Betray his trust like that?" The hurt and disappointment in those questions was easy to read.

Josiah sighed. The diminished feeling Buck had engendered hitting him again. He realized anew just how insulting what he'd said had to be to a man like Vin. A man who considered himself to be honorable, who respected the rights of others, actively defended and cared for those he considered friends.

"I wasn't thinking clearly." Josiah mumbled.

"Don't sound like you were thinking at all." Vin rolled his eyes. "I know I'm just some savage heathen that can't control himself, but shit...Josiah, I've never given you cause ta think I'd force myself on someone. That I'd hurt Ezra."

Josiah winced when his own words were thrown back at him. He wondered if that moment of stupidity was going to haunt him for the rest of his life. //Lord, but I hope not.//

Ezra pursed his lips slight, frown lines appearing on his forehead. "Did you really think me incapable of reading other's motives? That I would be taken in so easily? So bloody helpless?" There was an uncertainty to those question, as if Ezra was trying to gauge if he had perhaps failed in some way and caused Josiah to misjudge him so badly.

Josiah shook his head, and held up a hand. He looked at Vin first. "Vin, I know you wouldn't hurt Ezra. I know that. Even if you weren't," he cleared his throat, "a couple, I know you wouldn't hurt a friend. You're not the sort of man to force himself on another. You wouldn't take something not freely given."

He shifted his gaze to Ezra. "Ezra, I know you can read people. Probably better at than any of us." He felt himself flush again, but forced himself to maintain eye contact. "And I realize you are fully capable of defending yourself." His expression turned rueful. "You've made that point...more than once." //Twice now he's pointed a gun at me...not sure I'll survive a third time. Have to make damn sure there isn't a next time.//

Josiah shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I just," he held both hands out, palms up, "I was just reacting, not thinking. There was so much going on that I didn't really work out why I did what I did until I spent most of the night thinking about it." He raised a hand to wearily rub at his eyes. "I'm not even certain how much of what happened had to do with you...and how much was about me."

Vin and Ezra exchanged another look. Josiah waited, unsure if he should say more, or quiet while he was ahead. After a moment Ezra spoke. "You've explained your physical actions and I think we both understand."

Josiah didn't know what to make of that neutral statement. He couldn't tell if Ezra and Vin accepted his explanation, finding the detail sufficient to warrant forgiveness or not. So he waited for more. It wasn't long in coming.

"But you have yet to address the verbal." The tone clearly indicated that Ezra wanted more information, and didn't believe Josiah had made a full disclosure. When he spoke again Ezra's tone was gentle, but insistent. "Words are like weapons Mr. Sanchez and are capable of inflicting wounds. While you may not have been thinking clearly, there is no denying your words were obviously intended to insult and castigate."

Josiah bit his lip. Courtesy of his father, Josiah knew firsthand just how much damage words could do. He belatedly realized that Vin and Ezra were probably more upset over his characterization of them as users and helpless respectively, his declaration of them as an abomination than they were at his attempt to strangle the tracker.

"You know about my sister, Hannah." Vin and Ezra both nodded. If either man was surprised by his non sequitur they didn't show it. Josiah continued speaking. "Our father had a part to play in her being where she is. And in some ways, so did I."

He tried to explain what it was like growing up with a preacher for a father, one who breathed fire and brimstone at every opportunity, who spewed hatred and intolerance like it was a divine mission. Josiah wanted them to understand how hard he worked to not be like that. How much he wanted not to have such a limited a focus, to be a better man than his father. To the end, he'd left home, wanting to leave behind the narrow-minded view of his father, and unwittingly abandoning his sister at the same time.

"Until recently, I didn't realize how much of my life has been geared toward proving I'm not like him. And then..." Josiah snorted in self-derision. "Then I find myself spouting the same sort of brutal, unforgiving rhetoric he would have. The same insults he would have used. I even quoted the same passage from the Bible." The big man shook his head, eyes on the ground, unable to meet the pair in front of him. "He loved the Book of Leviticus."

"Josiah?"

He tried not to start when Ezra used his first name and not his last. "Yes?"

"Do you honestly believe Vin and I are an abomination?"

"No." Josiah stated clearly, making eye contact and holding it. "No." He repeated it, wanting there to be no misunderstanding. "I never should have said that and I didn't mean it. I am sorry. So very sorry. "

Ezra closed his eyes and let his breath out slowly. Josiah realized that the younger man had not until just that moment honestly believed Josiah meant to apologize. He got a similar feeling from Vin. It went a long way to explaining the tracker's hostility and Ezra's cold reserve.

Ezra took a deep breath and opened his eyes. "Much of this could have been avoided." His lips curled in a sad smile. "A statement, I suspect is true of many a misunderstanding."

//Misunderstanding?// Josiah didn't honestly think that word was entirely accurate, thinking something a bit stronger was likely to be more apt, but he was willing to go with it. Especially since that description categorized what happened between them as something so simple, something so easy to rectify. He hoped Ezra's use of 'misunderstanding' would be prophetic.

"We had intended to tell you about our relationship, but..." the gambler made a helpless gesture with his hands. "It would seem that we did not find the right words soon enough."

Josiah frowned slightly. It bothered him that they felt the need to 'find the right words'. "Did you think I would not accept you?" He winced belatedly realizing his reaction two days ago might well have served as an answer to that question.

Vin shrugged. He answered the question, either not noticing or ignoring Josiah's wince. "Didn't know how you'd react."

The tracker finally moved to sheath the knife he'd been holding. "Ain't had much luck predictin' which way people will jump. Sort o' gave up trying to figure it out 'fore hand."

"JD said the others asked you."

Ezra tipped his head acknowledging the question hidden within that statement. "It seemed prudent to let others approach us rather than for us to test the depth of the water with both feet, if you will."

Ezra shrugged. Josiah couldn't help thinking that the movement was somehow too graceful and precise to be something so mundane. "Not being able to predict the outcome made us understandably hesitant to take such a risk."

Josiah's frown deepened. "But you were thinking of telling me?"

Another shrug. "As the last of our group, the only one not aware that Vin and I are a couple, it was suggested that perhaps we should not wait for you to ask, but rather to take the initiative."

Josiah pursed his lips, startled by that revelation. None of the others had mentioned that. "Who--"

"JD." Vin answered. "He thought you might feel like we left ya out on purpose."

Josiah nodded. He had felt left out when he learned that others knew before he did. He thought that Vin and Ezra had chosen to confide in them rather than him perhaps because they didn't trust him, didn't hold him in the same regard as the others and that thought hurt. But in talking with JD and Nathan he realized it wasn't deliberate on their part. He was ashamed by how unobservant he'd been. That he'd managed to overlook the obvious for so long. That is never occurred to him to simply extend that common courtesy of asking what he wanted to know. Maybe it wasn't too late to do so.

"So...how long have you been a couple?"

"Around six months."

Josiah blinked at Vin's characteristically short answer. It said so much without saying much at all. //They've been together THAT long. I never thought...didn't expect...figured it was only a little while.// He glanced toward Ezra. The gambler raised an eyebrow at his look but didn't comment.

Vin smirked, his eyes holding a dark humor. "Surprised?"

It never occurred to him to lie. "Yes." The big man shook his head. "I hadn't realized I'd been so blind."

"You would not be the first man guilty of seeing only what he wished to see." Ezra stated. "I dare say my chosen profession depends on the ability of others to delude themselves."

"Only the others," Josiah gestured to where the rest of the peacekeepers sat or stood on the porch watching them, "and Nettie know?"

"So far only Mrs. Welles and our compatriots have seen fit to ask." Ezra made a vague, meaningless gesture with one hand. "But that is not to say that others may not have observed some unintended revealing gesture or statement on our part that disclosed the nature of our relationship. It merely means that we can only know for certain about those who have come forward to seek confirmation."

Josiah gaped at him. "You can't be...Don't you realize how dangerous it could be for you if the town knew!!?" He cast a wary glance toward the porch realizing his raised voice might bring down the wrath of the others. He could see them shifting restlessly, feel their intense gazes, but so far they hadn't moved any closer. He turned his attention back to Ezra and Vin.

"Certainly we are aware of the danger." Ezra's tone was mild, relaxed.

Both the younger men seemed entirely to calm about this for Josiah's liking. He growled. "You can't count on them to help you, to stand by you, to defend you--"

Ezra held up a hand. "Mr. Sanchez, in the year and a half I have lived in Four Corners the demographics have changed little. The same people reside here who permitted Stephen Travis to be gunned down in the street. They allowed the same fate to befall Owen Potter. Their inaction left two widows and three children without fathers. They blithely watched as their chosen sheriff was summarily executed. They did nothing when the honorable Judge Travis was wounded. And they stood idly by and let those cowboys try to hang Nathan."

Ezra shook his head. "My fondness for this community and the people who reside in it has not made me blind to their shortcomings. To be honest, I never expected much from them. And I still don't."

Josiah felt his eyebrows climb, but before he had the chance to respond, Vin was speaking, picking up where Ezra had left off. "Thing is, Josiah, none of us ever really counted on the town folk for much of anythin'." Vin bit his lower lip, his expression something Josiah could only describe as apologetic honesty.

"Only people we could ever trust to watch our back is each other." The tracker made small movement with his hand to let Josiah know that 'each other' encompassed all the peacekeepers. "It's us all workin' together that's kept us alive this long. Made it so we could beat the odds when by all rights we ought ta be pushin' up daisies."

Josiah suddenly realized why they were so ready to leave. It hadn't been just his violent reaction, but also what his hostility meant in terms of the group's cohesion. The risk it represented to the others if they did not have that unified front was very real. Something they all had ample opportunity to be conscious of. He grimaced, realizing that he'd lost sight of that.

Not knowing how the townspeople might react to an obvious schism among them was a wild card that Josiah knew Ezra and Vin had no desire to bet on. Given what Ezra had said just a moment ago, Josiah couldn't see himself doing it either. //Funny that I never really thought about it before now. Just took it for granted that since we were the wolves hired to protect the flock there was never any reason to rely on the town. But then we had to be able to rely on each other for that to work.//

He hung his head, no longer able to look at the younger men. //Lord, what do I say? I didn't just betray them...but the others...even myself.// Josiah took a deep breath and tried to find the right words. He swallowed hard and realized the only words that came to mind were decidedly inadequate. Still, with nothing else to say, he offered them, "I am sorry."

He was startled when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. Josiah hadn't seen or heard Ezra move. The cardsharp smiled softly.

"You have already apologized." Ezra cocked his head to one side. "Although, I think you are only beginning to understand the true extent of your trespass."

"How do I fix it?" Josiah asked, trying hard not to sound as plaintive as he felt.

"Your apology was well meant and has been accepted." Green eyes met his blue. "Now you have to live up to it." Another graceful shrug answered his confused expression. "Let your actions prove your words. You say you do not believe us to be an abomination, then prove it and act as our friend. You say you are aware of the danger posed by those who might be less tolerant, then mind your tongue and respect our need for appearances of propriety. You understand the inherent danger in there being a permanent rift among us, so do your best not to create one and we will do likewise."

Josiah nodded. He held himself still when Ezra patted his arm and walked away heading for the porch and the others. Vin gave him a hard look, blue eyes measuring him from head to toe.

"You made a mistake. We all got a chance to make one." Vin's voice was whisper soft, but carried easily. "Don't make another."

Again there was the threat of retribution, but Josiah was not offended. He understood the reason for it. Finally began to appreciate the full measure of his error. JD was right. He wouldn't get another second chance and he honestly didn't think he'd deserve one if he messed up this badly again. And even though it was not stated openly, he had no doubt that he'd be watched critically for some time. Not by just Vin, but Chris and Buck as well. Nathan and JD might be less inclined to critique his every move, but Josiah wasn't convinced of that.

Vin moved to follow Ezra. Josiah was pained to note that the tracker continued to keep distance between them. At least Ezra had gotten within arms length. Apparently Vin was not yet ready to forgive the physical assault he experienced at Josiah's hands. The big man had just been able to make out the deep bruises on Vin's neck partially hidden by his bandana. He suspected that Vin was likely to persist in being standoffish long after those marks faded and he really couldn't blame him.

Josiah sighed and squared his shoulders. //Ezra said to prove myself; let my actions speak louder than my words. Okay. I can do that. And if I'm going to do it then I guess I better get started.//

He took a deep breath. Josiah headed toward the house, ready to face the others. Despite the fact that Vin and Ezra had left him separately they still managed to arrive together. They stood shoulder to shoulder, relaxed and easy as they faced the others. Josiah was close enough to hear Chris ask Ezra if they'd gotten things straightened out.

Ezra tipped his head. "I believe we have reached a satisfactory conclusion."

JD frowned, dark eyes moving from Ezra to Vin. He glanced to Josiah and back to them. "That mean you are staying?"

"Yes, JD, that means we are staying."

The young sheriff broke into a wide grin. Buck did too. "Hot damn!" The ladies man slapped his thigh as he straightened from where he'd been leaning against one of the pillars. "That's good to hear."

Ezra smiled. "Indeed."

"You two going to head back now?" Nathan asked quietly from where he still sat in the rocking chair.

"Yep." Vin answered.

Chris pointed to Buck with his chin. "Buck, you got patrol. Best get to it." He looked toward Ezra. "You've got your usual shift tonight." His glance flickered toward the sky. "If you leave now, pretty sure you can make it back in time to catch a nap in that feather bed of yours." A brief spark of humor glowed in his eyes. "I know how poorly you sleep when you have to tuck in on the ground."

Ezra's lips curled in a small smile, green eyes meeting the gunslinger's dark blue-gray counterparts. Something passed between them, and Josiah suspected it was genuine amusement from Ezra and comfortable acceptance or understanding from Chris. He fervently prayed that some day he and Ezra would share similar looks. //It will just take some time and effort. And Lord knows I'm no stranger to that.//

Vin nudged Ezra with his shoulder. He pointed toward their horses with his chin. The two had their cinches tightened and mounted with their usual ease and grace. Josiah wasn't really surprised by how eager the younger men were to get back to town. What did strike him was how normal the conversation seemed. It was almost surreal given the past few days. He still felt a bit uneasy, uncertain, but nothing like how he'd felt on the ride out.

Buck had already mounted Lady, ready to head out on patrol. The tall cowboy tipped his hat to Vin and Ezra. "You two save me a place at the table. We'll have us a drink when I get back."

"Certainly." Ezra saluted with two fingers, and Vin did likewise. Ezra's eyes swept the others, encompassing Josiah as well. "Gentlemen, we bid you adieu."

"We'll see ya back in town, boys." Vin seconded with a tip of his head.

Josiah felt his spirit lift immeasurably to be included in those casual goodbyes. Ezra touched his heels to Chaucer and Vin set Peso in motion, both taking off at a trot headed for town. Josiah felt Chris' eyes on him and turned to face him.

"You got JD's shift in town this afternoon."

Josiah stared for a moment, surprised. He had expected another warning, or chastisement of some sort. //Should have known better. Chris asked Ezra if it was settled, and Ezra said yes. Chris would take his word for it. And he's already spoken his piece on the issue. He's not the sort to waste words by repeating himself.//

The big man nodded, accepting the assignment. The young sheriff had certainly done more than his share lately. And Josiah welcomed the chance to get back on an even footing again.

"Let's get back to town. Left it unattended long enough." Chris headed for his horse and the others followed suite.

Josiah found himself once more riding between JD and Nathan, with Chris slightly ahead, but still with them. The pace Chris set was sedate. Although nothing was said they all knew that he was deliberately giving Vin and Ezra a chance to get back to town well ahead of them. The big man realized it was the least they could do for the couple. He nodded to himself. //Chris might have been joking, but he was right about Ezra not sleeping well when outside. Don't imagine he will object to a chance to get back to his feather bed. Damn glad we got this more or less settled so he's got that to go back to.// It took him a moment but Josiah smiled when he realized that Vin likely enjoyed Ezra's bed as much as the gambler did.

Vin relaxed against the door of Ezra's room after making sure he'd locked it. He took a deep breath and watched as his lover moved about the room. It was almost a ritual, one that Vin found decidedly pleasant to observe, one he'd missed seeing for the past few days.

Ezra threw his hat with a deft flick of the wrist, his aim true and the hat settled easily on the dresser. He shrugged out of his jacket with careless grace before hanging it neatly in the closet. He removed his pocket watch and cuff links, laying them on the dresser in a small crystal bowl. Vin assumed he kept the bowl for just that reason, but he'd never asked. Occasionally he did wonder how something so fragile and delicate looking managed to end up still in one piece in a dusty backwater saloon owned by the only person in town likely to appreciate its beauty.

The vest was also removed and hung next to the jacket. An elegant hand moved to smooth both articles, ensuring they hung smartly, without wrinkles. The door to the closet was pushed shut with a seemingly absentminded shove, but still with no more force than necessary to close it gently. Vin smiled to himself quietly amused that Ezra always managed gauge the force correctly, never slamming the door.

Ezra was rolling up his sleeves when he caught sight of Vin's smile. He cocked an eyebrow. Vin shrugged. "Jus' glad to be home." It was true, just not the whole truth. The slant eyed look Ezra graced him with let him know his lover knew it, but wasn't going to call him on it.

Vin tossed his hat to join Ezra's and shrugged out of his coat, draping it on the rocker. He toed out of his boots, knowing his lover would object to him lying on the bed with his boots on. //Funny him being all proper about that, but he don't bat an eye about having a gun under his pillow. Course, the gun could save yer life. Sort of excuses getting gun oil on the sheets.//

Ezra slipped out of his boots, setting them beside Vin's at the foot of the bed. He stretched in one long sensuous movement that reminded Vin of how a cat would do the same thing right before it curled up to nap in the sun. //Chris tellin' Ez to take a nap wasn't a half bad idea. Know he didn't sleep so good while we were gone...and it weren't just because we was tucking in on the ground either.//

The gambler might have near perfect control over the emotions he displayed at any given moment, but that didn't mean strong emotions didn't affect him. Vin knew Ezra hadn't slept well. //Oh he didn't toss an' turn, didn't seem tense or edgy, least not the way other people might. But that ain't the same as resting easy.// Vin suspected his lover's mind was busy analyzing outcomes and options, weighing the choices against each other. //Like a dog chasin' his tail.//

Vin knew it wouldn't really matter that Ezra was tired, or that all joking aside, Chris had more or less ordered him to take a nap, Ezra would still need some enticement to actually lay down. And even though things with Josiah had worked out to at least put them on more solid ground, it would take some effort on his part to help his lover relax, to calm those swirling thoughts enough to sleep. //No time like the present.//

He sat down on the bed, and patted the spot next to him. "C'mon, Ez. Lay down with me."

Ezra smiled warmly, green eyes sparkling. "Now that is an invitation I'm not likely to refuse."

Vin returned the smile. "I know."

The tracker moved over and leaned back, making room for Ezra to join him. He pulled the aged quilt up from the foot of the bed. It wasn't cold enough to warrant a blanket, but Vin knew the gambler slept better if covered slightly. And the quilt wasn't really that heavy. Vin knew Ezra kept it more for the soft feel and security it provided than for warmth. Ezra sighed softly as he lay down on his side, head pillowed on Vin's shoulder. Vin spread the quilt to cover them both before he shifted enough to rest his cheek on the top of Ezra's head.

"We'll need to restock." Ezra murmured.

Vin tensed involuntarily at that simple statement. They hadn't talked on the way back to town, but Vin thought that things with Josiah had gone well. Not perfect but certainly workable, definitely something they could live with. Certainly not reason for them to leave again. Maybe Ezra saw or heard something he'd missed.

"You think we'll need it?" Vin asked quietly, surprised by the sadness he could hear in his own voice.

"Not today. Not tomorrow. Maybe not ever again." Ezra patted his chest in a soothing movement. "But it pays to be prepared. And for that reason, I always think we may need it."

Vin captured Ezra's hand with his own, interlacing their fingers. //I know. Sad part is I usually think the same thing. Guess we both been on the run so long it's hard not to feel the need to have a safe place to run to. Was why we had it to start with.//

He raised Ezra's hand to place a kiss on his knuckles. "Okay. I'll take care of it." Vin nodded to himself, lightly rubbing his cheek against Ezra's soft curls as he planned a route on his patrol that would take him by their spot. It wouldn't take long to replace what they'd used.

"You think things went okay with Josiah, right?" Vin asked after a few minutes. It wasn't a question he really wanted to ask, but after his momentary flash of anxiety it seemed like a good idea to do so.

"Yes." Ezra sighed and Vin wrapped his arm more securely about the gambler, encouraging him to snuggle in closer. "He told us more and was far more willing to divulge the information than I expected. I am satisfied with how things turned out."

Vin placed a kiss in Ezra's hair, their joined hands resting on his chest, while his free hand lightly rubbed slowly up and down the gambler's spine. "Good. So am I."

If Ezra was okay with it, then he was okay with it. Didn't mean he wouldn't be keeping an eye on Josiah just to be sure things continued to go smoothly. He didn't really think that they would be able to simply pick up where they left off. It would take awhile for the group to find their balance again.

Ezra spoke softly. "It will probably take some time to get back to what constitutes normal for us."

Vin chuckled, amused by his lover's casual understatement and how well his statement echoed Vin's thoughts. "I 'spect so."

"We will get there." Ezra stated, voice barely above a whisper, but there was no doubt or uncertainty in his voice. "It may take some time, but we will get there."

"We will." Vin agreed. //Provided Josiah keeps his head screwed on straight and remembers ta think for he acts. Long as no one in town finds out and raises a stink. But then that ain't new...so I guess that's just part o' normal for us.//

Ezra sighed again. Vin had continued to stroke the smaller man's spine and he could feel him relax, his body easing into that heavy, boneless state that sleep brings. Even though Ezra had slept while in their secret hideaway Vin knew he'd never completely relaxed. There had been a faint, lingering tension that suggested he'd be awake in a heartbeat and ready for action. Vin reveled in the tangible display of trust Ezra's complete relaxation signified. He'd missed it.

Vin breathed deeply, holding it for a moment and then letting it out. He allowed himself to sink further into the feather bed. More of Ezra's weight came to rest against him, warm and solid at his side.

The others would be back in town soon. Not that they needed to worry about that right now. No one would be expecting them to make an appearance until about sundown.

It was unlikely anyone in town even noticed that he and Ezra hadn't been around for the last two days. Well, except for the children Ezra taught. //Pretty sure Buck or JD would have thought to say something to the kids. Have to remember to ask them what they told 'em.//

He made a mental note to do so when they meet up for a drink and had dinner just like they normally did. No one in town would be any the wiser to the dissension that had come between them. Vin didn't think they needed to know. There was more than one disagreement among them that the town was not privy to. It was better to maintain the illusion of a united front at all times.

//Ain't any of their damn business anyway. Don't matter what the problem is. Last thing we'd need is 'help' from them. Never had any when it might have been useful...like with Eli Joe, or the Nichols brothers, or when Chris was in that prison...no reason for them to get involved when it would jus' make things worse. Think we all know that, even if we never really talked about it.//

Vin heard Ezra's breathing take on a deep, steady rhythm. It was a mystery to him that the cardsharp didn't snore. He idly wondered how Buck's ladies could stand sleeping with him when the man snored loud enough to wake the dead.

The tracker closed his eyes, and relaxed. He wouldn't sleep deeply, just catnap. The rest would come in handy when he sat in the saloon keeping an eye on Ezra while he played poker before his shift would start at midnight.

Josiah found himself thinking about the past two weeks as he worked to repair the church steps. He sometimes found thinking easier if his hands were busy. Somehow it just helped to organize his thoughts while his body was otherwise occupied.

The steps had dry rot in places and had warped in others, leaving them rickety and decidedly uneven. He had replaced much of the earlier wooden base and risers already knowing they were unsalvageable. As he worked to sand smooth what would be new footers, Josiah considered how much change could be wrought in so little time.

The bruises were gone from Vin's neck, but the tracker still seemed inclined to keep some distance between them. He never picked the chair next to Josiah when they sat down to meals or had drinks at the saloon. But then that might not be entirely Vin's doing.

The others seemed to bracket Josiah at such times, usually with Chris on one side and Buck on the other. The former preacher suspected it was an unconscious decision on their part, a means of protecting the couple. He chose not to feel offended by that, although it hurt to know they obviously thought that he might still pose a threat. Josiah was honest enough with himself to realize that had it been anyone else who'd attacked Vin and Ezra, they would likely have faced down more than Chris and Buck's quiet censure.

Ezra made it easy for him to relax, despite such treatment. Amused green eyes often met his and Ezra would wink when the others couldn't see it. He made sure Josiah was included in the conversation, that the big man was never subjected to a verbal slight while they were together. He never dealt him out of a game unless Josiah requested it. He made sure to include him when a round of drinks was purchased. He didn't treat him with any less courtesy than he ever had.

And that was also part of the problem in some ways. If anything, Ezra treated him with all the courtesy due a stranger, not a friend. The gambler was not quite as reserved as when they first met, but he was not nearly as friendly as he had been before their altercation. And of their group, Josiah was the only one Ezra continued to refer to by surname.

He still called Nathan Mr. Jackson on occasion, but that was usually when people other than the seven were present. When it was just the seven he had no difficulty being informal and using first names. Josiah expressed his disappointment about Ezra's continued use of his surname to Nathan the other day.

The healer had snorted and shook his head. "Did you ask him to call you by your first name, Josiah?"

"No."

"Well there you go." Nathan had said like it explained everything. And maybe it did.

Josiah nodded to himself, running one hand over the board he'd been working on. He was going to have to say something if he wanted Ezra to use his first name. Maybe if he could get a minute alone with the younger man.

That hadn't been an option lately either. Not that Ezra seemed to be actively avoiding him. Not really. More like he was just never in the same place as Josiah. Thinking it over, Josiah realized that even before he'd lost his mind and behaved stupidly, he and Ezra rarely spent much time together alone. Not really. Not the way Ezra did with Buck, JD...and of course, Vin.

He frowned heavily. He didn't like thinking that after a year and a half he hadn't gotten to know the gambler. Not really. What he knew was only what he wanted to know. Josiah didn't want to believe his interactions with the younger man had been mostly on his terms, not with a genuine focus for what Ezra might have thought or wanted. But there was no denying it.

It wasn't that long ago he'd overstepped his bounds, repeatedly ignoring Ezra's request not to be called son, not to be touched. He sighed heavily, realizing the lessons he'd thought he'd learned as a result of Ezra's forceful reaction hadn't apparently been the right ones. Or they hadn't taken as well as they should have.

Josiah was forced to admit that didn't honestly know that much about Ezra, at least not from him directly. Or Vin either. Something else he should rectify. //Need to really start over. Make a new beginning. Actually become friends, not just me just assuming we are. Think the past two weeks we've gotten back to being nodding acquaintances. Just need to take the next step.//

He pursed his lips. Josiah tried to think of when he might be able to catch the gambler for a moment and express his desire to have the younger man use his first name. Maybe pursue a chance to really get to know each other, continue to build on the new foundation they'd recently begun laying. A glance upward to check the sun confirmed the time. Ezra would be getting up about now.

Josiah grunted as he straightened up. He rubbed at his lower back. //I have got to stop spending so much time in that position.//

He carefully laid his tools aside. The big man studied the steps and nodded in approval. Another day or so, and access to the front of the church would once again be possible. People would be able to come and go safely. He chose to ignore the fact that very few people in town actually seemed to want or need the church. Josiah knew himself well enough to know that he worked on the building less for them than he did for himself. Whether they used it or saw a need for it didn't really matter.

He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. Josiah laughed at himself. //You'd think I was facing down an armed outlaw intent on killing me, not just planning to walk down the street and talk with a man I consider my friend.//

Josiah strolled down the street. Lately, he'd found himself looking at the townspeople with new eyes. He was evaluating them, contemplating just how reliable they were. Just what they might do if Vin and Ezra's relationship became known. He was beginning to appreciate how hard that was to do. //My own initial reaction is hardly what I'd have predicted of myself. And if I can't predict my own behavior, how can I possibly anticipate another's with any degree of certainty?//

He shook his head. None of that mattered. Vin and Ezra were right when they said they only had each other to count on. If they stood firm, stood together that was all they needed. Seven men, one destiny Josiah had said once and he still believed that.

He spotted the gambler sitting on the saloon porch. Josiah tipped his head as he got closer. "Good morning, Ezra."

"Good morning, Mr. Sanchez." Ezra responded with a soft smile. The gambler loosely held a cup in his left hand. Josiah was surprised to see a teapot sitting on the nearby table. //Would have thought he was drinking coffee. He never seems all that keen on drinking Nathan's teas. Course, no one really likes Nathan's medicinal stuff, even if it is good for 'em, so that's not really anything to go by.//

"Mind if I join you?" Josiah gestured toward the empty chair that sat on the other side of the table.

"Not at all." Ezra waved his right hand toward the seat. "Please make yourself comfortable." He filled his cup as Josiah sat. Still holding the pot, Ezra spoke, "Pardon my appalling lack of manners. I should have inquired sooner. Would you care for a cup of tea, Mr. Sanchez?"

"Would rather you called me Josiah." The big man said quietly.

"Excuse me?" Ezra raised an eyebrow, teapot still in the offing.

"I would rather you used my first name."

Ezra cocked his head, green eyes narrowed slightly. He bowed slightly. "If that is what you prefer."

"It is." Josiah did his best not to let his jaw drop open in stunned surprise. He hadn't expected it to be that easy. Although, reflecting on it, he wasn't sure why he thought Ezra wouldn't agree.

"Tea, Josiah?"

Unable to help himself the big man laughed. "I think I'd enjoy a cup."

Ezra smiled, dimple appearing. He poured a cup and offered it to Josiah. The big man took the cup carefully. He watched as Ezra added milk to his, pouring it from a small creamer that sat on the same tray where the teapot resided. Josiah suddenly realized that the set matched. The teapot, the creamer and another bowl he was sure held sugar all fit easily on the small tray. //Wonder where he got that?//

Ezra offered the creamer to Josiah, but the big man shook his head. "Sugar?" The gambler offered the other small jar. Josiah refused that as well.

Ezra used a small spoon to stir his tea. He sat back in his chair and sipped his drink. Josiah took a sip of his own, and was surprised to find he liked it. //Definitely better than the stuff Nathan usually offers.//

"Where did you get the set?" Josiah asked nodding toward the tray, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Mrs. Potter had several for sale languishing in her store."

"Never noticed." Josiah admitted.

"If you do not care for tea, it is unlikely you would bother to make note of the equipment on hand to brew and enhance the beverage. One only sees what one needs to."

Josiah nodded. And he realized that was true of more than just tea sets. He hadn't looked for signs that Vin and Ezra were a couple and so he hadn't seen it. He hadn't really looked at the townspeople, really started weighing their character, until he felt the need to do so. //If they aren't given reason to, I doubt the town folk will notice any more than I did.//

He bit his lower lip. "You think most people in town are just as likely to over look other things as they are tea sets?"

Ezra gave him a sly glance. The look alone let him know Ezra knew what he was referring to. "Undoubtedly." The gambler's tone was dry. "They seem to harbor an infinite capacity to focus exclusively on their own well being and concerns, heedless of anything that does not affect them directly. I seriously doubt that will change any time soon."

"Good."

"Indeed." Ezra tipped his head slightly, and continued to sip his tea.

Josiah toyed with his cup, turning it in his hands. He studied the brown liquid searching its depth for the right words. "You know...the past two weeks have been...very good."

Ezra made a noncommittal sound of agreement. Green eyes regarded him steadily, waiting patiently, letting Josiah lead the way. The big man grimaced wishing the verbose gambler would just jump in and find the words he couldn't seem to locate.

Frustrated with himself, Josiah took a large swallow of tea and nearly scalded his tongue. He glared at the cup, irrationally angry at it for harboring something he could hurt himself with. Ezra's soft chuckle made him look up.

"Careful, Josiah, it is hot."

"I know." He growled.

Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Funny how hurting oneself usually does bring the obvious to the fore, does it not?"

Josiah sighed, his momentary flash of annoyance gone just as quickly as it came. "That it does."

"I do understand, Josiah." Ezra smiled softly. "What you were trying so hard to say just a moment ago, I do understand."

The cardsharp's gaze shifted to stare out over the street. "The past two weeks we have reached a new understanding. Embarked on a new course and have undertaken building something that might well outlast this town."

"I hope so." Josiah would like to believe that they could stay friends no matter where they were or what happened. He wanted that.

Green eyes met blue. "So do I." Ezra raised his cup and Josiah lightly touched it with his.

The big man grinned, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. His feeling of elation was tamped down slightly as he glanced up the street and spotted Vin riding in from patrol. Ezra might understand, but that didn't mean Vin did. And it certainly didn't guarantee that the tracker felt the same way.

Ezra looked up the street, following Josiah's line of sight. The gambler smiled. If he hadn't been looking for it Josiah never would have noticed the way Ezra's eyes seemed to light up at the sight of his lover.

Vin brought Peso to a halt in front of them, arms resting casually on his saddle horn. "Ez." He tipped his head to Josiah. "Josiah."

"Hello, Vin." Ezra greeted the tracker, his tone more welcoming than his simple greeting would have indicated.

Josiah dipped his head. "Vin."

The tracker smirked seeing the teapot, sky blue eyes bright. "Ez get you drinking tea too?"

Josiah shrugged. "It's not bad."

"Nope. It's not." Vin agreed. "Still prefer coffee though."

Ezra rolled his eyes. "Anything of note on your patrol?"

"Not a thing." Vin shrugged. "Pretty quiet really." The tracker raised two fingers to the brim of his hat. "I'll see you both at lunch."

It wasn't a question, but Ezra answered him. "We'll be present for our usual repast."

Vin nodded and nudged Peso toward the livery. Josiah did his best not to gape after him. He was expecting more; some expression of concern, or suspicion, some communication verbal or visual between Vin and Ezra to confirm that the pleasant moment of camaraderie was exactly what it seemed to be.

Ezra chuckled and finished his tea. He stood and straightened his clothes as he usually did. Clear green eyes met his. "Rest assured, Josiah, Vin appreciates what we are building. He shares the same sentiment."

The big man took a breath, and let it out slowly. "You're sure?"

Ezra smiled. "I am." The smile grew to a grin, gold pre-molar visible. "But if you'd care to ask him yourself, feel free to do so."

Josiah laughed. "I couldn't even ask you."

"True." Ezra chuckled. "But then there are times when words are not necessary."

Josiah nodded, understanding how profound that was. He rose to his feet. He gestured toward the restaurant. "I believe we have an appointment to keep."

"That we do."

Together they walked down the boardwalk. Josiah was pleased to find they were in step without even trying. He couldn't figure out why, but he found that fact heartening.

Reaching the restaurant he was not surprised to see Buck lounging against one of the pillars. The tall cowboy smoothed his mustache with forefinger and thumb. "You boys getting lunch?"

"It would seem so." Ezra waved a hand toward the doorway. "Would you care to join us, Buck?"

"Don't mind if I do." Buck grinned and clapped former preacher on the shoulder. "You get those steps finished yet, Josiah?"

"Nearly, brother."

"Maybe you should ask Chris ta lend a hand. Know he ain't a half bad carpenter." Buck waggled his eyebrows. "And he doesn't have anything else ta do this afternoon."

Ezra smirked. "Half dollar says he can't finish the job without cussing at least once."

"Blasphemy while working on the house of the Lord?" Josiah rubbed his chin, fighting a smile. "I shudder to think of it."

Buck rolled his eyes as they headed into the restaurant. "No one is going to take a bet like that, Ezra."

"Like what?" JD asked. He was already sitting at their usual table.

"That Chris could help Josiah work on the church without cussin'." Buck responded as he threw himself in to a chair.

JD grinned. "Does it really count as cussing if he's doing it so much it sounds more like he's speaking in tongues?"

"A good point." Ezra conceded as he took his seat. Josiah couldn't help but smile as the gambler took the seat next to him. "I would think one sufficiently intelligible curse would qualify."

Buck snorted. "You can always understand the man when he's pissed. No mistakin' that."

"Mistaking what?" Nathan asked as he sauntered in and sat next to JD.

"Chris being pissed." JD answered.

"Someone didn't know?" Nathan raised both eyebrows. "How the hell could someone not know?"

Josiah was quick to notice that their seating arrangement had taken shape naturally. The tension of the past two weeks seemed to have eased considerably. It was like they'd all been waiting for some signal from him to relax. It wouldn't surprise him if they had all witnessed him talking to Ezra in front of the saloon. //If I'd known that, I'd have talked to Ezra sooner. But then I wasn't ready to talk to him until today.//

"Know what?" Vin asked, catching the tail end of Nathan's question as he walked in. The tracker slid into the chair next to Ezra with his usual boneless grace.

"That Chris is pissed." JD again answered.

"Chris is pissed?" Vin frowned. "Didn't seem that way when I jus' talked ta him."

Buck laughed. "No, Pard, no. Not now. When he helps Josiah with the church."

Vin stared at Buck. "He's helpin' Josiah with the church? Since when?"

"Well see," Buck started to explain, but was interrupted by Chris' arrival. The dark clad gunslinger took his usual seat at the head of the table.

"Boys." Chris greeted them as he sat down.

"Hear ya volunteered ta help Josiah fix up the church, Cowboy." Vin grinned. "Right nice thing ta do."

"What?" Chris stared at Vin. "You wanna say that again?"

As the explanation and argument began to grow, Ezra quietly shared a look with Josiah. This sort of conversation hadn't occurred lately, and Josiah got the feeling that he wasn't the only one who'd noticed the absence. //Things are definitely back to 'normal'.//

"I'm vastly relieved, Josiah, that what we are building can be done with much less...input." Ezra spoke just loud enough for the big man to hear.

Josiah smiled. He glanced around the table, pleased to see so much animation again, such easy banter, and lively interaction. He'd missed this. Lord but he had missed it.

"Wouldn't be the same without it though." He observed, keeping his voice pitched for Ezra alone.

Green eyes danced when they met his. "No. No it wouldn't."

"I like it."

"As do I, Josiah. As do I."

Josiah sat back and let the feeling of being connected again wash over him. He was decidedly grateful that he had been given this second chance. He sent a silent prayer of gratitude heavenward and a fervent request for the strength and wisdom so that he would be able to make the most of it.