To all those who have faithfully followed this series from its first chapter, this will likely be the last one. I have enjoyed writing this series immensely, but feel ending at seven chapters is rather poetic and the ideal place to stop. Since this will probably be the final chapter, I think now is a good time to point out that while I was the sole author, the entire series was actually something of a collaborative effort.

There are two people in particular that I wish to thank whose input was instrumental in creating this series and making the story far better than I could have ever produced on my own. MAC, thank you for faithfully reading each bit and piece as the story grew. You gave me invaluable assistance when it came to characterization, storyline and plot development. Cobalt, bless you for being my sounding board. There are a number of chapters that would have been endless without your input. You provided an amazing amount of inspiration and direction, allowing the story to develop fully with consistent attention to detail and continuity within each chapter and from one chapter to another. So often we've had similar ideas and vision, I just needed help actualizing mine. 'Anam cara' indeed. I also can't thank you enough for taking the time to edit for me. Damn commas, they will be the death of me. Okay, on with the story.

Chris Larabee settled himself in his usual chair on the saloon porch. He lit his cigar and tried to relax. For the past few days he'd felt like there was an itch between his shoulder blades that he just couldn't reach. Something just felt off. Chris couldn't pin it down and he was beginning to find the whole situation irritating.

He glanced up the street, thinking he might find the source of his unease there. The townfolks were busy constructing a one room school house. After nearly nine months of searching, Mrs. Potter had finally found a schoolmarm willing to accept a position in Four Corners. And one who was acceptable to the townspeople.

Chris kept trying to convince himself it was a good thing, but he really didn't believe it. He would rather see Ezra Standish continue spending a few hours each day teaching the children whose mothers had not seen a gambling conman turned lawman as being an unsuitable instructor for their children. The gunslinger knew Ezra Standish doted on children and by all accounts the feeling was mutual. The southerner was evidently a very good instructor, exposing the children he taught to such diverse topics as geography, botany and astronomy. But not every parent in town saw him as being suitable to teach their children.

Chris snorted. There was no doubt in his mind that Ezra was probably the best educated man in the territory and had been doing an outstanding job of teaching eight of the town's children. He might not be a conventional school master but it didn't mean he didn't do a damn fine job.

Hell, the rest of them weren't exactly conventional peacekeepers. The town had gotten along just fine with their motley crew. Chris sighed, wondering how much longer it would be before someone started pressuring Judge Travis to replace them all with someone 'acceptable', 'conventional' or 'legitimate'. He'd never expected them to serve as the law in Four Corners for as long as they had. But since undertaking the job almost two years ago, he found he was having trouble picturing them actually relinquishing the duties to anyone else.

//Best not to think on that. 'Sides that ain't what's been bothering me.// He puffed on his cigar, focus returning to the schoolhouse. Judging by the progress being made it should be finished in another week.

Chris was pragmatic enough to realize that without someone the other parents found acceptable the rest of the children in town would suffer for it. He didn't want them to suffer because of their parents' stupidity. The children needed an education, not just for their own futures but for the future of the town as well. Four Corners could easily dry up and blow away like so many other nameless towns all over the west if it had nothing to offer or induce people to stay. Chris rubbed one hand tiredly over his face wishing that things could be easier.

Ezra, for his part had not even batted an eye at Mrs. Potter's news. That had been Chris' clue just how much the other man would miss teaching. If it had been a meaningless thing the man would have bitched, whined, acted relieved; something, anything to make it seem like it was more than it was. The polite smile, neutral tone and quiet acceptance were dead giveaways to how much Ezra would miss the time he spent with the children.

Chris' jaw clenched as he remembered the moment when Mrs. Potter broke the news. He could still hear Ezra saying, "That is very good to hear, Mrs. Potter. I'm sure the town will be most gratified to have someone of good character and standing available to educate their progeny."

Later the same day in the saloon over a drink Ezra had waved off any regrets and commiseration Chris might have tried to voice. Green eyes had met his easily. "Really, Chris, it was a foregone conclusion that my teaching would be a temporary position. I will miss doing it, but it is best for all the children to receive an education from someone who can make doing so a number one priority. Far too often my attention has been split amongst my other duties."

It was hard to argue with the man on a good day. So Chris hadn't bothered to. He just made sure to keep an eye on him and ensure Ezra was really as okay as he tried to appear.

Chris removed his cigar to spit. He scowled at the schoolhouse taking shape at the far end of town. It was the first new building in town that Chris could remember being constructed. Donations had been taken up for building materials, but the gunslinger knew they had fallen short of the necessary capital to actually complete construction. Chris' lip curled in a sneer wondering how many of the 'good Christian folks' of Four Corners knew that the gambler they thought unsuitable to teach their children had made up the difference.

He shook his head and looked away. It wasn't the schoolhouse or the imminent arrival of the new teacher that had him feeling restless. Disgusted, maybe, but it wasn't the sort of thing that would set off those instinctive alarms that had him looking for trouble. He pursed his lips in annoyance, still trying to pin down the reason for his restlessness.

Chris shifted in his seat, eyes moving toward the church. Josiah Sanchez would have been the logical choice to assist in constructing the new building, but he'd declined. The former preacher had simply said 'no, thank you', and that was the end of it. Chris figured he'd done it as a way of showing solidarity with Ezra.

It had been nearly three months since the big man had learned about the relationship Ezra had with Vin Tanner. And while his initial reaction had almost been enough to break up their little group, he'd managed to make it right before it came to that. Chris still watched him closely, but Josiah seemed to be honestly okay with the two of them being together and determined to make up for his transgression.

Things among their group had been very good of late. Something Chris wasn't sure if he should be worried about or not. Although, he had to admit it was nice not to have someone with an arm in a sling, limping, or otherwise incapacitated.

With a frown he realized that might just be what was making him nervous. This could be a calm before the storm. He took a deep breath and held it, letting it out very slowly. Shit. It was too good to hope their luck would hold. Chris was sure that the longer their luck held the worse it was bound to be when it finally broke.

His attention shifted when he heard the stage coming into town. He wondered if the new teacher might be on this one. Chris frowned trying to remember her name.

//Abigail... think that was it. Abigail something or other. Don't matter much I guess. I'm sure I'll be hearing it again at some point. Sure hope she's not some shrinking violet type. Won't last long out here if she is.//

Chris smiled to himself, thinking if this lady teacher didn't last Ezra would at least have a new place to teach the kids. One that beat the little bit of space he'd been using in Mrs. Potter's storeroom. Chris was fairly certain the gambler wouldn't snub the children just because some of their parents were shortsighted bigots. With an official schoolhouse, maybe the rest of them would see the light and let Ezra teach all the town's children.

Not that Ezra had quit teaching, at least not completely. There was still Casey Welles. Nettie Welles had adamantly refused to have Casey move to town and attend school with the other children. She was not impressed with the new teacher's credentials. The old homesteader had given Mrs. Travis a look that could have boiled water when the newswoman had gushed about how nice it would be to finally have a qualified teacher in Four Corners and no longer have to rely on the well-educated, but clearly inappropriate, Ezra Standish.

"You really think some piece o' paper will make a pale-faced eastern waif with no real experience qualified to teach? Teachin' is as much about what you've learned the hard way as it is about what you learned from a book." The feisty old woman had snorted and rolled her eyes. "All the same to you, Mrs. Travis, I'll be sticking with the fancy man. He's done all right by me and mine. Don't see no reason to change now."

Nettie had confronted Ezra in the saloon and asked him to continue Casey's lessons. More like insisted if the truth be known. The tough old lady had squared off against the gambler, stubbornly refusing to take no for an answer, deftly countering every argument he had to offer.

Not that Ezra had really offered up much resistance to the idea. Chris knew that had Ezra really not wanted to teach Casey nothing short of a firing squad would have induced him to continue and even then it might be touch and go. His giving in to Nettie and agreeing to keep up with Casey's lessons didn't really surprise Chris much.

Vin and Ezra weren't due back until shortly before dinner. Although, knowing the two of them it could be a bit longer. Chris smiled to himself. He really should have just given Ezra the night off and let the two of them play if they wanted.

His recent bout of unease made him want to keep his friends close where he could keep an eye on them if need be. So he'd all but ordered them to be back in time to eat with the others. The casual two fingered salutes he'd gotten in return let him know they'd be back in time to share a meal. Or at the very least a cup of coffee afterward.

Chris stood up and leaned against a pillar. He wanted a better view of the disembarking passengers. The itch between his shoulders seemed to intensify and he could feel the hair on the back of his neck rise. Chris' gaze wandered skyward for a moment, wondering if maybe there really wasn't a storm brewing somewhere. He would swear he could almost feel the tingle of electricity ghosting over his skin.

He glanced back to the stage in time to see the first passenger depart. //Shit.// "Shit." Chris spoke aloud, adding an audible emphasis to his thought as he saw Maude Standish exit the stage. The blonde woman had a way of making her egress from the dusty, ramshackle stage seem more like she was stepping down from an imperial coach.

More cuss words tripped off his tongue with a quiet vehemence that would not really have surprised his long time friend, Buck Wilmington. Chris had harbored an icy rage for this woman ever since he started learning about Ezra's childhood. He simply couldn't comprehend how anyone could allow their child to be abused, or to sell them like so much produce at a farm market.

Chris cherished every minute he'd had with his son. It actually hurt him to think of Ezra being Adam's age, big green eyes regarding the world with suspicion, measuring every person for any threat to him rather than trust and excitement. He clenched his right hand into a tight fist and fiercely resisted the urge to leave the sidewalk and belt Maude one.

A man did not hit a woman. It wasn't how he was raised. It wasn't the sort of person he was. And for the first time in his life, Chris regretted it.

His eyes narrowed as he watched Maude step away from the stage. Chris expected her to have the same load of luggage she'd had the last time she'd made an appearance in Four Corners. A small smirk appeared when he realized that he wasn't honor bound to help her haul her stuff anywhere.

After Maude's first visit over a late night drink Ezra had laughingly informed them all of what was really in Maude's luggage. Somehow Chris couldn't fathom why one would bother to spend so much time on crafting such a false image. There was no denying she was successful in more ways than one. Not only did they all think she was someone of wealth and stature, but they all believed the damn stories she told about Ezra as a child.

Chris sneered. //Let her haul her bags o' bricks her own damn self. Maybe appearances won't matter so much when it's her that's carting that shit around.//

Chris blinked in surprise when Maude began walking away from the stage carrying only one small bag. She hadn't spoken to the driver so he knew she hadn't made arrangements to have more luggage delivered to the hotel. Something was wrong. Had to be. The woman spent way too much time crafting an image that needed the right props to maintain. She wouldn't be without them and not have a very good reason.

Chris grimaced. The last time Maude had come to town the trouble she'd brought with her had been relatively easy to clear up. Somehow he was sure this wasn't simply a case of her being falsely accused of theft.

//Bad enough the bitch is here at all.// Chris' jaw tightened. He remembered Ezra referring to his mother as a force of nature. //Sort of fits. She has the potential to be just as destructive as a tornado.//

Blue-gray eyes studied the conwoman as she strode regally across the street heading toward him and not the hotel as he expected. Mentally Chris chastised himself. The saloon would have been more of a respite for Maude than any other place in town.

Her hair was up with a carefully arranged cascade of ringlets falling from atop her head to rest upon one shoulder. The whole style drew attention to her delicate facial features and long, elegant neck. The emerald green dress she wore served to highlight her still youthful figure and fair coloring.

Chris snorted and puffed on his cigar, the smoke drifting lazily skyward in the still afternoon air. //Appearances sure are deceiving. Pretty things can be just as deadly as the ugly ones. Maybe more so 'cause you don't expect them to have venom.//

He grimaced, grateful that Vin and Ezra were not in town but now regretting his order that they be back in time for dinner. //With any luck maybe I can have Maude back on that damn stage before it leaves. Neither of them would even need to know she was here. Got a feeling if Ez was expecting her he'd have hightailed it out of town long before now and gone a hell of a lot further than the Welles ranch. Can't say I'd blame him either. Seems like every time Maude's come to town it's ended badly for him.//

Chris felt a tight smile form. This time Ezra wasn't on his own and he'd make damn sure things didn't go the way they had in the past. Chris could get her back on the stage, of that he was certain. Brute force would do nicely. //Wouldn't have to hurt her... just make damn sure she couldn't get away or get off the thing.//

Buck was around somewhere. And Chris was sure he could count on the ladies man for assistance if he needed any. Wilmington had backed his play for so long, Chris no longer envisioned a world without the tall lanky man in it. And the fun loving cowboy invariably put the welfare of his friends above any other concern.

Josiah was in the church. Wouldn't take much to get him if need be. He might have been sweet on Maude at one time, but the big man had his eyes opened with regard to her abilities as a mother, and it was unlikely that he'd be doting on her the way he had in the past. The former preacher didn't know all that Chris and Vin knew, but he certainly knew enough. Josiah's relationship with Ezra was back on an even keel and possibly in a better position than it had ever been. He wouldn't risk that by siding with Maude, especially not given what he knew about the physical abuse Ezra had suffered as a child. Abuse that Maude had done little to prevent or protect him from.

Nathan wasn't going to be real receptive to Maude either. The former slave might not be privy to all the details, but he certainly understood that the stories Maude had told were far from the truth. The black man and Ezra had come along way in their friendship and understanding of each other. Jackson could be relied upon to back up what ever decision Chris made with regard to how to handle the conwoman.

JD Dunne was a wild card. Larabee didn't know if JD knew as much as the others, or if the young sheriff had ever gotten over the awe he had felt for Maude. But if the gunslinger played it right, JD wouldn't need to be involved.

Chris sighed and allowed the smile to fade, dismissing the satisfying image of hoisting Maude of his shoulder and dumping her back in the stage, knowing full well that even if he did there was no guarantee he could keep her from coming back. //Woman isn't the sort to take 'no' for an answer. Whatever the hell she is here for she'll be bound and determined to get it. Been told I'm pretty stubborn myself. An' it won't be just me she's got to deal with. Could just be Mrs. Standish will meet her match tryin' to take us on.//

Chris watched her climb the step up from the street onto the boardwalk. She inclined her head to him in a gesture he'd seen Ezra execute so many times he'd forgotten just how refined and graceful a movement it was. //Wonder if he learned that from her, or if she learned it from him.//

"Mr. Larabee, a pleasure to see you again."

Chris just stared at her, narrowed eyes relaying his antipathy without him having to say a word. A dark moment of amusement struck him when he saw her step back from him. Somehow he hadn't expected her to show such an obvious sign of fear.

It only took her a second to recover. She smiled coyly, patting her hair, checking to be sure it was still in its elaborate style. Chris stifled the urge to smirk, thinking her expression and action seemed more than just a bit brittle. It was decidedly satisfying to know he could intimidate her with no more than a look.

She squared her shoulders and her chin came up slightly. "I had hoped my darlin' boy would be here to meet me." She rolled her eyes in an artfully exaggerated display of motherly affection and exasperation. Maude 'tsk'ed and shook her head. "He was always such a forgetful child."

Chris raised an eyebrow and held his tongue. It almost hurt him not to comment knowing full well she had likely made a point of not letting Ezra know she was coming. His lip curled slightly in derision. //Like she'd even know what he was like as a child. Woman didn't spend enough time with her son to know more than his name.//

"Is my Ezra inside?" Maude's blue eyes shifted toward the saloon, blatantly ignoring all the body language signals Chris was sending, urging her to get the hell away from him.

"No." Chris decided to answer her after puffing on his cigar for a moment. From the huff of annoyance she let slip he knew his one word answer had goaded her more than if he'd simply remained silent. Most people would have felt compelled to add more information, to do more than simply answer the question she asked. Chris was not most people.

She pursed her lips, her expression stiffening right along with her spine. "Would you happen to know where he is?" The question had an edge to it.

The gunslinger held his tongue, not the least bit affected by her tone. Maude took a deep breath and Chris could almost see her reining her temper. He wondered what had happened to leave her so frayed. Ordinarily she'd show far greater control than this. //Whatever the problem is that brought her here it must be pretty big.// He took a perverse pleasure in knowing he was making it worse for her.

"Where is Ezra?" The question came out more like a demand.

Chris just looked at her. He straightened up, unconsciously using his greater height to intimidate her. "You want him, Mrs. Standish, then I suggest you find him." He smiled, lips twisted to give the expression a hard, un-amused look. "Weren't my day to watch him."

Unable to resist a mocking display of courtesy, he raised two fingers to the brim of his hat and touched it lightly. "Ma'am." With that, Chris walked away, leaving her sputtering behind him.

Chris headed for the jail, long legged stride eating up the distance with ease. He needed to get Buck and send him to Nettie's. Needed someone to warn Ezra that his mother was in town. Would have to have someone keep an eye on Vin so that the tracker didn't try to kill the damn woman outright.

Chris wouldn't blame Vin if he tried, but there were others who might. People in town who couldn't or wouldn't understand how Vin might harbor a lot of hatred for misdeeds done to a child who was now a grown man fully capable of defending himself if need be. They didn't need the kind of trouble killing a woman would bring. //'Sides, knowing Maude she's likely brought enough trouble jus' by being here. No reason to make it worse.//

Chris grimaced, thinking he should arrange to have Josiah and Nathan keep an eye on Maude. He didn't hold out much hope of getting her to leave. Whatever had brought her here was likely sufficiently worrisome she wouldn't go easily. //Just have to make sure whatever the hell the problem is that she doesn't drag Ezra into it. Might have failed to watch out for him before where she was concerned, but now that I know what a bitch she really is, I won't let him down again.//

Chris decided he'd send JD to warn Nathan and Josiah. Would probably be a good idea if everyone was aware that a tornado had just touched down in their midst. //I'll have him bring them to the jail. We can plan something together. Probably wouldn't hurt if they didn't show up together. Knowing Maude she'll be watching all of us hoping to get a line on Ezra.//

Chris nodded to himself. Between all of them they'd find a way to handle her and make sure she didn't wreak havoc. Maude Standish might well be a force of nature, but Chris Larabee had weathered many a storm and he was still standing.

He unconsciously squared his shoulders and settled himself, mentally preparing for the upcoming confrontation. A tight smile formed. At least now he knew what had him on edge for the last few days. Chris always felt better when he knew what he was up against.

Vin nodded in satisfaction as he looked over the repairs he'd made to Nettie's corral. It hadn't taken much to fix. Not really. He just set a few new posts, nailed the boards back up and re-hung the gate, making the enclosure was once again sturdy enough to contain her livestock when she needed it.

Nettie never really asked for much, preferring to make do on her own. Vin liked being able to help her out, knowing that even though she was capable of taking care of herself, there was a great deal he could do far faster and easier than she could. The tough old lady was as much family to him as the men he worked with and he didn't see it as a chore to do what he could to make her life better.

Outside of their five friends, Nettie was the only other person who knew he and Ezra were a couple. Vin smiled remembering her reaction to finding out it was a man he was interested in. Her pragmatic approach had been very like her and really shouldn't have surprised him, but it did. Vin wiped his forearm across his brow, thinking Nettie would likely continue to surprise him for some time to come.

He had been very relieved that she had taken the news in stride, welcoming Ezra with the same straightforward and honest approach that she would have used had Vin been in love with a woman. Vin chuckled and shook his head. He never should have doubted her.

His lover initially had been a bit unnerved by the attention Nettie began showing him. Oh they still sparred verbally, still did things to deliberately annoy each other, but she now asked after him with genuine concern, made sure to have fixings on hand to make meals Ezra would like, stood up for him against detractors in town. For all intents and purposes, Nettie had all but adopted Ezra in much the same way she had Vin.

Vin smiled softly as his gaze wandered to where Ezra sat in the shade teaching Casey. He knew Nettie honestly thought Ezra was the right person for the job or she'd have never asked him to do it. Having her say so to Mrs. Travis was just icing on the cake.

Ezra hadn't said much about no longer teaching in town, but Vin knew he missed it. Vin had done his best to respect Ezra's silence on the subject, simply offering comfort and understanding with his presence. It wasn't fair but then as Ezra had pointed out many times, life was not fair.

Vin was selfish enough to appreciate Ezra having more free time in the afternoon meant they would have more time to spend together. Ezra had made him aware of that fact rather quickly. The tracker's throat was suddenly dry as he thought about how they'd wiled away a number of the afternoons. He cleared his throat and discretely adjusted himself. //Not now. Be time for that later.//

Vin put away the hammer and moved toward the pump. //Might as well wash up a bit. Figure Nettie will have some sort o' snack for me and Ez and she'll be mad if I ain't fit to sit at her table.//

Ezra would not accept payment from Nettie for teaching Casey, citing the fact that he only did so once or twice a week and that time hardly warranted financial compensation. But the old homesteader was adamant that some sort of exchange should be arranged to ensure that she was not beholden to him. Surprisingly, it was food that they agreed upon as currency.

Nettie knew Ezra didn't eat breakfast and seldom sat down to consume a large meal preferring to eat smaller portions than the rest of the seven. So she made a point of having something the gambler simply couldn't say no to, something special she made with the intent of paying for his time. Coffee cake, pecan pie, oatmeal cookies, gingersnaps, blueberry muffins and a host of other treats had all been offered at one time or another. Ezra's sweet tooth was nowhere near as bad as Vin's, but the gambler had professed to have a fine appreciation for delicacies.

//Ain't anything more delicate than Nettie's muffins.// Vin grinned. His lover always shared whatever Nettie gave him. Vin knew he was getting spoiled, but couldn't bring himself to care.

He just finished drying his face and hands when he spotted the small dust cloud that signaled the approach of a rider. Vin frowned, raising a hand to shade his eyes for a better look. He recognized Buck's gray mare, Lady, long before he recognized the rider.

Lady was moving at a ground-devouring trot. It was an easy pace for her to maintain, but there was no reason to be moving at more than a walk unless there was trouble in town. Vin cursed quietly and headed for Ezra.

The gambler looked up from the book he was reviewing with Casey and rose smoothly to his feet. He held out a hand to her, assisting her even though Casey didn't need his help. The teenager was dressed in boots, pants and a work shirt, but Ezra's polite gesture emphasized that he had not forgotten her gender despite her attire. Ever the gentleman, Vin thought with a small smile.

"Miss Casey, I think now might be an appropriate time for a short respite from our educational pursuit."

Casey opened her mouth to protest. One look from Ezra was sufficient to halt her words before they even had the chance to form. "Yes, sir."

Ezra patted her hand. "Thank you, my dear. I'm sure your aunt has some task she feels are in need of your attention."

Casey grimaced. There were always chores in need of completion. She headed inside. Vin knew she'd alert Nettie to Buck's approach. He also knew Nettie would likely be at the door with her Carbine in another moment or two.

Green eyes met blue before tracking Lady's movement. "It would appear that Mr. Wilmington is moving with undue haste." Ezra's tone was one of idle curiosity, not real concern.

"Yep." Vin's brow furrowed. "You think there's trouble?" The question was more a request for conformation than anything else.

"Probably." Ezra cocked his head to one side. "However, if it were something severe, I believe he'd be pushing Lady harder. So whatever it is will likely not be cause for extreme concern."

//Your lips to God's ears.// Vin had heard Josiah say that once or twice. It seemed to fit. The tracker moved back to the corral and leaned against one of the new posts he'd set earlier. He felt Ezra moving to stand next to him. Even though he couldn't see him doing it, Vin knew Ezra was checking his weapons. Vin had already done the same thing. The reaction was so instinctive he didn't even think about it.

Buck reined Lady into a walk well before reaching the ranch yard. The mare was still moving easily, breathing loudly but not blowing hard. She pranced across the yard to stop in front of the corral. The tall cowboy smiled brightly, but Vin could tell it was forced. //Yep. Definitely trouble of some kind. Damn shame. Figured the quiet was too good to last.//

"Howdy, boys."

"Buck." Ezra tipped his head.

Vin didn't even bother with voicing a greeting. "What's wrong?"

"What makes you think-"

Vin waved a hand in dismissal, halting Buck's words with no apparent effort. "You're here."

Buck frowned and hesitated. Ezra smiled slightly, lips quirking upward in wry amusement as he elaborated for Vin. "If it were not important it could have waited until we returned. If it can't wait then it is a problem. Problems in Four Corners are always trouble." Ezra's eyes narrowed. "So at the risk of being rude, I repeat Vin's earlier query: what is wrong?"

"Maude is here." Buck stated baldly. The normally happy go lucky ladies man winced in apology. "She came in on the stage not more'n hour ago."

Vin's jaw tightened as he saw Ezra pale slightly, lips thinning. "Mother." Ezra's voice held a wealth of inflection in that simple epithet. So much so Vin couldn't read what his lover was feeling.

If his voice didn't give anything away, the more subtle body language certainly did. The gambler straightened his spine. Vin watched as his lover seemed to settle himself as though preparing to receive a blow. Ezra's expression shifted to one of neutrality, saying everything by simply revealing nothing. The lively green eyes that Vin found so engaging took on a flat, shuttered look.

Just seeing that reaction made Vin clench his right hand into a fist so tight his knuckles whitened, standing out in harsh relief. Everything he knew about Maude and her treatment of Ezra came rushing to the forefront of Vin's mind. He wanted to hurt her, to make her suffer the same degradation, abuse, pain and embarrassment that Ezra had. Wanted her to know first hand what it was like to be totally at another's mercy. To be betrayed by the one person in your life you should be able to count on to protect you.

The tracker could almost feel the world spin as he fought to control his emotions. He forced himself to take a deep breath and then another. With a conscious effort, Vin unclenched his fist. He reached out to touch Ezra, to let him know that he wouldn't have to face his mother alone. To his immense relief Ezra's hand met his, weaving their fingers together.

"She say what she wanted?" Vin barely recognized his own voice it was so harsh.

Buck shook his head. "Didn't talk to her myself." Vin got the impression Buck really didn't want to speak to the conwoman either.

The tall cowboy swung down off Lady in one smooth movement, standing squarely to face them. "Only one she spoke to was Chris. Met him at the saloon right after she got off the stage."

Ezra raised an eyebrow, a flicker of shadowed amusement in his eyes. "And they are both still standing?"

Buck chuckled dryly. "Think it mighta been touch and go there for a bit."

About that Vin had no doubt. He was almost disappointed that Chris hadn't put Maude down like a rabid dog, but had no trouble understanding why he hadn't done so. Even though she might deserve it there was just no way to explain that to the town. Killing a woman, even one like Maude, would have the 'good Christian' citizens of Four Corners up in arms.

And although she'd put Ezra through hell, it was obvious that the gambler cared about his mother. Vin didn't totally understand it, but he'd done is best to try and accept it. //Don't want to hurt Ez by killin' his mother. An' I don't want to hang for killin' her either. Got me a lifetime o' plans with Ez to make good on, an' I aim to see them through.//

Vin took another deep breath and reminded himself that Ezra was not a child any longer. The gambler wasn't at the mercy of his mother's whims. //And he sure as hell isn't alone. Not any more.// Vin smiled tightly, the expression lacking any real humor. //Jus' have to make sure she's aware of that little detail. Might not be able to fix what's already been done, but I can make damn sure nothing like that ever happens again.//

Buck's light blue eyes sought out Ezra's green counterparts. "Chris thinks it might be best if you laid low for a bit." The tall cowboy's stance and tone made it obvious he felt the same way. "Give us a chance to deal with her."

"Why?"

"What'd ya mean why? Damn it, Ezra," Buck scowled eyes flashing fire, "she hurt you before and we ain't gonna stand around and let her do it again. We might not be blood kin, but we are family. Know the examples you had weren't the best, but family is supposed to stick by each other."

Ezra cocked his head, his expression thawing considerably. When he spoke it was obvious he'd been touched by Buck's declaration. "I appreciate your effort on my behalf, but I'm afraid my simply hiding out will not be a viable option."

Buck frowned. "Why not?"

"Discretion may well be the better part of valor, my friend, but I assure you trying to wait out my mother would be like trying to empty the ocean with a thimble." The gambler sighed heavily. "If she came with the express intent of speaking to me, she will not leave until she has done so. Mother can be most determined when she feels the need."

Vin squeezed Ezra's hand lightly and got an answering squeeze back. The tracker traded a look with Buck. //She ain't the only one who can be determined.//

Buck waggled his eyebrows, clearly trying to lighten the mood. "Now don't go selling us short, Ez. We might just be able to get her on the next stage out o' here."

Ezra's gaze shifted to look toward the distance. A small frown appeared between his brows. "Chris has assuredly made his antipathy known to her." Ezra pursed his lips in an expression of mild annoyance. His next statements seemed to be meant more for himself than for them. "Being so forthright can be a detriment. One gives away far too much and that gets in the way of subterfuge, limiting one's options considerably."

Buck stared at him. "Hunh?"

Ezra shook his head and redirected his gaze toward Buck. "Mother knows Chris doesn't like her. She will immediately set about acquiring allies in town, assessing those she believed to be potential allies from prior visits. With enough sympathetic individuals to protect her I sincerely doubt that Chris will be able to utilize the means he would normally employ."

Seeing a questioning look on Buck's face, Ezra restated, "He can not hoist her over his shoulder, bound and gagged, to simply throw her on the stage." A flash of gold appeared as the gambler grinned. "I, for one, would pay good money to see him do just that, but the rest of the town would likely harbor a decidedly different opinion on the matter."

Ezra squeezed Vin's hand once more and then let go. "The best course of action is to simply confront her, find out what she wants and hasten her departure by providing it."

"And if she wants you?" Vin queried softly.

"She has never wanted me, Vin." Ezra stated calmly with no hint of rancor or self-pity. "Use of my god-given talents, oh yes, those she has wanted. Money to fund her next scheme or get her out of some debacle, certainly she has wanted that."

A dimpled smile appeared and Ezra raised a hand to lightly caress Vin's cheek with his knuckles. "Even if she did after all these years decide she wanted me, it is far too late. I already belong to you, Cheri."

Vin smiled, feeling the tightness in his chest lessen. He whispered in French the phrase Ezra had taught him only a few days ago. "You are mine and I am yours, now and for always."

Ezra replied with, "Always and forever."

Vin grinned when he suddenly realized that Buck was studiously not looking at them, trying to give them their private moment but unable to move away without interrupting. Ezra winked at him, obviously just as aware as Vin was of Buck's effort to give them privacy. He stepped away from Vin, breaking the moment. The gambler patted Buck on the arm as he moved past him, heading for the house with a determined stride.

"We need to inform Mrs. Welles that there is no dire emergency. I do believe the lady has waited long enough to know what has transpired."

Vin wasn't so sure Maude's arrival didn't qualify as 'dire'. The look on Buck's face showed that he felt the same way. Buck bit his lower lip, fingers rising to brush over his moustache in a gesture Vin recognized as one Buck did when he was anxious.

The tall cowboy squared his shoulders slightly and dropped his hand to rest on the butt of his gun before he tipped his head toward Vin, speaking so softly his voice didn't carry. "Don't worry, Vin. You watch his back. We'll be watchin' yours. We'll get through this. You'll see."

Vin couldn't tell if Buck was saying that to reassure him or himself. He simply nodded in response. //Figure we handled all the other shit that's come our way, we can handle this too. Hasn't been anything we've come across yet that we couldn't handle together, whether it's just me an Ez, or all seven of us.//

Josiah kept scanning the horizon. From the steeple of the church he had a great view of the surrounding countryside. He knew the three he was looking for would not appear for some time yet, but he couldn't stop looking for them.

Normally the view was soothing, helping him relax, but today he didn't find the solace he usually did. When Chris wanted one of them to keep an eye out for Vin, Ezra, and Buck, Josiah had quickly volunteered. The former preacher liked to think of himself as a brave man, but he knew in his heart that he was not willing to face Maude. He couldn't. Not until he knew he could trust himself around her.

It would be so easy to let himself be taken in by her beautiful face, graceful movements, and charming manner. It had happened before. But that was before he knew what he did now. What he knew was more than enough to make the difference.

All he had to do was close his eyes and see Ezra, pale and shaking, pointing a gun at him, because he so strongly reminded the younger man of abusive men in his past. Men Maude had deliberately chosen to leave her son with. The glamorous blonde had done nothing to protect an innocent child from suffering at their hands, had even turned a blind eye to it all if Ezra was to be believed. Josiah had no doubts that the gambler was telling the truth.

The big man grimaced. Ezra's reaction to being touched and referred to as 'son' was ample proof of his honesty. He still felt guilty about his failure to appreciate the full extent of his trespass until Ezra had so violently brought it to his attention.

Josiah sighed and shook his head. That was in the past. They'd gotten over that. They'd even managed to recover from what Josiah thought of as his second monumental act of stupidity. Things had been good of late and the big man found himself wishing they could have continued that way.

//Ah well. It was not to be. We all have our crosses to bear.// Josiah smiled slightly. //The lucky ones have someone to share the burden.//

From his elevated perch Josiah could see Nathan sitting quietly on the jail porch. The healer had neatly sidestepped Maude when she'd attempted to speak to him earlier and had been keeping a wary eye out for her ever since. Josiah wondered how much of his avoidance was due to outright embarrassment and shame.

Maude had conned him into working at her saloon as a 'doctor' during her first visit. The title was one that up until that time Nathan had steadfastly refused to lay claim to. It was also something he dropped immediately after she left, realizing the error in adopting a title he had no legitimate right to.

She had conned them all with stories of Ezra's childhood. Josiah knew his long time friend felt particularly guilty about having believed her lies. The healer had confessed to him how he'd believed her stories in large part because they validated what he assumed to be true all along. He honestly thought Ezra had been raised as some rich man's son, living a life of luxury, never doing an honest day's work. Finding out he'd been wrong had left Nathan feeling ashamed of himself for being as narrow-minded and prejudiced as he assumed Ezra to be.

JD was also on the porch, leaning against on of the pillars. The young sheriff had obviously been taken aback by the anger and hostility Chris had expressed when he gathered them together to inform them of Maude's arrival. To the young man's credit he hadn't questioned it.

JD had remained silent, accepting that Maude was to be watched and avoided, that Buck was to ride out and warn Vin and Ezra and if possible convince them to stay out of town for awhile. JD's dark eyes had shifted from one man to another, clearly aware there was something he was missing, something that would justify their reaction to the sudden appearance of Ezra's mother. Josiah got the feeling he'd be asking questions later.

The big man smiled to himself. //That boy has come a long way. Really, he is as much a man as any of us. Have to remember to tell him that when I get a chance.//

None of them honestly expected Ezra to lay low. That was just wishful thinking and they all knew it. Which was why Josiah found himself scanning the horizon yet again. He sighed quietly. In some ways he was relieved to see the road still empty. It meant Ezra was still safely out of his mother's reach. But it also meant he was without the full protection being among them could provide. And for as much confidence as he had in Chris, Josiah wasn't entirely convinced the man would be able to handle Maude. He suspected that they would need all of them to deal with her, especially Ezra.

//Hell, most people would not think one woman could be so frightening. But then most people are idiots. It's been my experience that woman are far from the 'weaker' sex. They can be as ruthless and vindictive as any man.// Ella Gaines and Ma Nichols came to mind.

Josiah's gaze shifted to look over the town again. He couldn't see Chris, but he knew the gunslinger was around somewhere, probably keeping an eye on Maude. That wouldn't be hard to do since she'd made one circuit of the town talking to a number of people before returning to the saloon. Chris could easily stay in the saloon, in some dark corner nursing a drink for days and it would not seem out of the ordinary.

Josiah pursed his lips, thinking over the people Maude had spoken to. The banker had been quick to greet her warmly, something the preacher regarded with suspicion although he couldn't say why. Something about the fat man just set his teeth on edge. He tried, really tried not to cast stones, but when it came to Mr. Lovitt, Josiah just wanted to slap the greedy son of a bitch.

Mrs. Travis had also been eager to talk to Maude, likely wanting to know what was going on in the world beyond Four Corners. Josiah rolled his eyes thinking all she had to do was ask Ezra. The gambler seemed to know more about what was going on than anyone else. Josiah hadn't been able to figure out just how he knew but Ezra had yet to be wrong about much.

Mrs. Potter had spoken to Maude, but the conversation hadn't lasted long. Josiah had a feeling that the shopkeeper's sharp eyes saw through the façade the conwoman tried to project. As a good mother, Josiah was fairly confident Mrs. Potter easily recognized a woman who should never have born a child.

Maude had stopped to speak to a few others. Josiah noted she seemed to focus her attention on the citizens of Four Corners that could be described as 'better off'. When he first met her he might have chalked that up to her being a refined lady and seeking conversation with others of similar stature. Now he couldn't help but see it as more mercenary. Maude spoke to money, not because she had any, but because she wanted it. Because she valued the status a person possessed more so than the individual.

Given her obvious outlook and nature, he had trouble understanding why she came to Four Corners at all. Josiah shook his head. He knew his choice in woman was appalling, that he was decidedly shortsighted where they were concerned. He had already given up on ever truly understanding them.

//May have to just take a vow of celibacy and be done with it. Or maybe I should find me a good man like Vin and Ezra have done.// A small smile blossomed on his face as he realized how far he'd come in accepting their relationship.

His smile vanished when he spotted three horses on the horizon. Josiah moved to open the trap door and head downstairs. Ringing the bell would have been a faster and easier way to announce the imminent return of their missing brothers but it would have served to alert the entire town. Bringing the animosity between the seven and Maude Standish to everyone's attention was not something any of them really wanted. At least not just yet.

Josiah smiled grimly as he made his way to the door. //Family squabbles should be kept among the family. Not that this really qualifies as anything so mundane as a 'squabble'. Just don't know what else to call it.//

The big man headed for the jail. He walked past the saloon and lightly bumped the bat-wing doors, setting them swinging slightly. It was not an action likely to garner much attention or even be commented on, but it worked beautifully as a signal to Chris. The gunslinger was too astute not to be aware of Josiah's passing and what it meant.

They would meet up in the jail as planned. While the saloon was their usual gathering place it was not uncommon for the seven to hang out elsewhere. And the jail was close to the edge of town. Vin, Ezra and Buck would naturally ride by so stopping there would not seem unusual.

Josiah sent a quick prayer heavenward. He no longer had the absolute faith he once did, but he still had enough to believe that God was paying attention. He just hoped whatever the almighty envisioned in his divine plan coincided with what the seven wanted. //Otherwise, God may well be disappointed this time.//

Ezra sighed silently, reining Chaucer in at the jail, grateful to be back in town. He had been studiously ignoring the almost palpable waves of concern and anxiety emanating from Buck as they'd ridden back to Four Corners. The ladies man kept glancing toward him as though he expected Ezra to display some outward sign of apprehension, fear or outright anger at the impending confrontation with his mother.

Ezra mentally snorted. He hadn't learned to control himself at such a young age to be so easily readable now. And it really wasn't hard to appear calm and collected because Ezra wasn't worried about meeting his mother. Nor was he afraid. The gambler knew their relationship was far from what one would consider normal, but he had grown accustomed to it. It was like a complicated dance and he'd been learning the steps for so long it was difficult to imagine things between he and Maude as ever being any different.

He was more worried about the others displaying their animosity. It could hardly escape her notice that their hostility was new since her last visit. Ezra knew Maude well enough to understand that she would work to divine the reason for it. She was shrewd enough to look for ways of turning that against them.

Ezra sighed silently again. No matter what happened Maude would find a way to appear innocent of any wrong doing, usually by affixing the blame to someone else and ensure she got whatever she'd come here for. He didn't doubt that what little he'd revealed of his past to his lover and comrades had been believed. The others would have long since gotten over any lingering anger if they thought he had been conning them or out-and-out lying.

The rest of the town would likely harbor a different opinion should they become privy to information about his past or his present relationship with Vin. Ezra knew his mother would not hesitate to use any weapon at her disposal, regardless of the damage she might inflict. She practiced a Machiavellian approach to self-preservation and a single-minded focus on achieving her own ends that was awesome to behold.

His own reputation was something Ezra gave little more than a passing thought to. Before taking on 'legitimate' work in Four Corners, Ezra had never expected to be well thought of. His chosen profession wasn't one that regularly garnered much in the way of respect. Cardsharp and gambler were almost dirty words. And he was accustomed to simply passing through, never staying long enough to really care what the residents of some humble burg or hamlet thought of him.

But the others were well liked, or at the very least respected. He did not want them slandered or maligned for just being his friend. He might be used to being run out on a rail, but he really would rather the others not experience it first hand. Four Corners was their home. They had fought, bled and nearly died for it more than once.

//Sometimes I think my life was easier when no one actually gave a damn.// He amended that thought when he felt Vin lightly rest a hand on the small of his back. //Easier perhaps, but this is definitely better.//

He was aware that Vin had been watching him just as closely as Buck, but Ezra had not minded it as much coming from Vin. While Buck seemed overly alert and wary, Vin's gaze had been more reassuring. He was used to feeling the weight of Vin's eyes on him.

The tracker spent a lot of time just watching him. Ezra knew he kept an eye on him in the saloon as he played poker before his usual shift at the jail, when they ate meals together, when they rode together to enjoy time alone, while he was sleeping in the morning. Ezra was more inclined to notice when weight of Vin's gaze didn't rest on him than when it did.

Ezra entered the jail, not at all surprised to see the rest of their group already present. Chris sat at the desk, dark clothing making him appear obscured by shadows despite the sunlight streaming through the barred window behind him. Ezra was not surprised to see Chris' grim expression. He would be willing to bet the man had been scowling since Maude's arrival.

Josiah was leaning against the far wall, near the potbellied stove. The big man looked... decisive. Ezra resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow, stifling his curiosity as to what decision Josiah had made.

Nathan had taken the seat in front of the desk, dark eyes burdened by some inner turmoil, hands fidgeting in an uncharacteristic display of nervousness. Normally Nathan presented to the world a surety of action and purpose, a quiet confidence that seemed unshakeable. As often as they had disagreed on points of view and moral issues, Ezra felt a flicker of unease at seeing the ex-slave's obvious distress.

JD had obviously been pacing before Ezra entered. It was not unusual for the youngest of the seven to find sitting still more of a chore than being in motion. The young sheriff had come to a standstill when the gambler opened the door, his whole stance radiating tensed confusion.

Of all of them, JD had the least information about Ezra's past. Green eyes turned speculative thinking about how much the sheriff had to be taking on faith alone. Even had he asked the others what was going on it was unlikely any of them felt comfortable divulging personal information. It hadn't been a deliberate oversight but one Ezra realized it was time to correct.

"JD?" He queried softly, getting the younger man's attention, ignoring Vin and Buck as they entered the jail behind him and closed the door. "You have questions?"

"Hell yes, I have questions, Ez." JD snorted and then waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. "But those can wait. Right now it's more important I know what we are going to do than why we're doing it."

Ezra smiled, dimples appearing for just a moment. "You never cease to amaze me."

The younger man rolled his eyes and huffed out an exasperated breath. The light blush that rose to his cheeks was a clear indication he was pleased by Ezra's compliment and belied his put upon gesture. "So what is the plan?" JD asked a little too quickly to be anything but a deliberate attempt to redirect the conversation.

//And that is the whole reason for this gathering, so perhaps following where JD had lead us is not a bad idea.// Ezra nodded. "The first order of business would be to ascertain precisely why my mother has chosen to deign our dusty little hamlet with her presence."

Ezra raised an eyebrow and looked askance at Chris. "Buck indicated you were the only one to speak to her when she arrived. Did she mention anything to you?"

The gambler didn't think it was possible for Chris' expression to turn any darker but he was wrong. The gunslinger's blue-gray eyes reminded Ezra of gathering storm clouds. Uncertain of the reason for Chris' dark, severe look, the gambler took an involuntary step back and surreptitiously adjusted the cuff of his right sleeve, checking that the derringer rig he habitually wore was ready for action.

He felt Vin move to stand next to him, shoulder to shoulder. The tracker rested his left hand lightly on the small of Ezra's back, his right hand curled loosely around the butt of his gun. "Easy, Ez." Vin's voice was just loud enough for him to hear and the tone reminded Ezra of the same one the tracker used to gentle Peso when the gelding got antsy.

Sky blue eyes sent a warning look toward Chris, something Ezra found both amusing and reassuring. It was hardly Chris' fault that Ezra had overacted, albeit not so much that anyone other than Vin would have even noticed. The gambler settled himself and waited to see if Chris was going to answer his question.

The dark clad leader grimaced and sent what could only be perceived as an apologetic look toward Ezra. "She didn't say why she was here." Chris shifted in his chair, leaning forward. "Just said she was wanted to see you."

"And no one else has spoken to her?" Green eyes moved around the room, honestly surprised to see all of them shake their heads in denial. He expected Maude to seek them out.

"She spoke with several people in town." Josiah commented, deep voice resonating even though his volume was no more than conversational. "But the rest of us have been keeping our distance."

"Had to move quick to avoid her." JD confessed, dark eyes still showing traces of confusion and curiosity. The look on Nathan's face made it plain that he'd been sidestepping Maude as well. The gambler wondered if having done so is what made the healer appear so uncomfortable.

Ezra resisted the urge to chuckle as he imagined the lengths his friends might have gone to. He didn't think the others would see the humor in their actions. Battle hardened veterans of many conflicts shying away from just one delicate woman seemed incongruous.

//Although, when I think on my mother, it is far wiser to avoid her than to confront her. Assuming one has a choice in the matter. Not that one usually has a choice. Ah well, delicate, refined, harmless... not words I would associate with her despite how well she manages to mimic those qualities. So long as you don't expect her to actually BE the person she's pretending to be, the altercation need not be a terminal one.//

Thinking on his mother reminded Ezra of the oleander flower. It was beautiful to look at, with an intoxicating fragrance, but simply being pretty and insubstantial didn't mean it couldn't also be deadly. Ezra had quickly learned that pretty things could be painful just as easily as ugly ones. Perhaps even more so because one did not expect them to be. He shook his head and forcibly redirected his attention.

"Where is she now?"

"Saloon." Chris replied shortly.

Ezra idly wondered if the gunslinger's jaw ached from clenching his teeth so hard. //I'm surprised to see him exercise such control over his anger. I was not aware he was capable of this level of restraint. Surely grinding one's teeth like that can't be good for a man.//

"Well then, it remains then the first order of business to determine why she is here." Ezra bit his lower lip. "And that is not something that can be achieved without bearding the lion in her den."

JD raised both eyebrows. "Lion?"

"It's a figure of speech, JD," Josiah answered with a small smile. "Like putting a bell on a cat."

"Oh."

Buck shifted restlessly, drawing attention to himself for the first time since they'd entered the jail. "Who is gonna be the one to ask her?" The tall cowboy's eyes darted around the room as though seeking a volunteer.

"I would have thought that obvious, Buck." Ezra raised an eyebrow, as he shrugged one shoulder. "Me."

"No." Chris stated firmly, straightening in his chair. "Not just no, hell no."

"Chris-"

"I said no, Ezra." The dark clad gunslinger's tone was one that he used when he would brook no argument.

The gambler's jaw tightened. He could feel the hand Vin had left resting on the small of his back curl into a fist and knew his lover agreed with Chris. But Ezra was not the sort to appreciate being dictated to even though he understood the reason for it. Green eyes hardened as they met blue-gray.

"Who did you have in mind?" Ezra asked, his voice taking a biting, sarcastic emphasis. "Do you honestly think she will tell any of you the truth? That she cannot read each of you as easily as a child's primer? That she would find manipulating you any more difficult this time than she has in the past?"

He snorted, ignoring Josiah's wince, JD's embarrassed flush and the sudden flash of guilt in Nathan's dark eyes. Ezra wasn't trying to be cruel. They needed to understand. He'd been dealing with his mother his entire life. Their being privy to the true nature of his relationship with Maude did not change the fact that he was the best equipped to handle her.

Buck made a conciliatory gesture with both hands. "Ez-"

"No." Ezra cut him off. "I know my mother." He sighed and shook his head. "While avoidance might seem the logical course of action, it merely delays the inevitable." Ezra reminded Buck with a small smile, "We've already had that discussion."

His gaze moved to touch all of them. Ezra could tell they didn't agree. Even JD, who didn't know all the details, clearly had reservations about Ezra confronting Maude. An unfamiliar warmth in his chest surprised Ezra as he realized they were genuinely concerned about him, wanted to protect him from the danger they knew she represented. Unfortunately that did not alter the fact that of all of them he was the only one his mother would likely impart the real reason for her sudden arrival.

//If given a choice, I'd much rather it was me she sharpened her claws on than one of the others. At least I know what to expect. Forewarned is forearmed, or so I have been told. At least this time I am not caught unawares by her arrival.//

Ezra turned so he could meet Vin's eyes squarely, facing his lover directly and ignoring the others. "Tell me you understand."

Vin's expression rivaled the one Chris wore, blue eyes like glacial ice. Unlike Chris' reaction, Ezra didn't feel threatened by his lover. It said a lot about how far their relationship had progressed that he had absolute faith in Vin and knew his lover wouldn't deliberately hurt him. He knew without a doubt all of Vin's anger was not directed at him, but rather existed on his behalf.

"I don't like it." Vin all but growled.

"I don't either." Ezra reached out to lightly caress Vin's cheek, trying to ease the worry he could see lurking behind the anger. "How we feel doesn't fundamentally alter the situation."

"You don't go alone."

"I had not planned to." Ezra smiled, dimples appearing. "I may occasionally be foolhardy, Cheri, but I'm not a complete idiot. I fully intended to have adequate reinforcements on hand."

It was a small concession really. And Ezra would definitely feel better knowing he wasn't facing off against his mother alone. Not this time. He had complete faith that there was nothing they couldn't handle together. That warm feeling was back in spades. If he wasn't careful, he could easily get used to this.

Vin smiled back at him, eyes losing some of their frost. "Good."

"Well, all right, it's settled." Buck rubbed his hands together, straightening up from where he'd been leaning against the door. "Let's just head on over-"

Ezra held up a hand, forestalling anything else the ladies man had to say. "We cannot all go en masse."

"Why not?" Nathan frowned. The dark healer cleared his throat, seeming as surprised as the others to finally hear himself speak. "You said you didn't plan on going alone."

"Not going alone is one thing. Going with all of you is quite another." Ezra shook his head. "For all of us to show up at one time would be... " Ezra waved a hand, not sure what would be an appropriate description.

"A damn fine idea." Chris bit out, one hand clenched in a fist, the other resting on the butt of his gun. The gunslinger turned his head to spit and seemed to think better of it. "But I know you want to handle this quietly, Ez. And I have to agree that quiet would be the best way."

Blue-gray eyes met green. "I don't like it, any more than Vin does, but you are right about being the one to talk to Maude. And you're right about it not being a good idea for all of us to show up at once. Doubt she'll be willing to talk in front of all of us, at least not openly. And we don't want to draw too much attention to her being here."

"Something that is bound to happen if we show up all together." Josiah observed softly, nodding his head in understanding. Of all of them, the former preacher was usually the first to grasp the dynamics of small town life. Things out of the ordinary got noticed, were gawked at and talked about. Gossip spread faster than wildfire in Four Corners.

Chris rose to his feet in one smooth motion. His stance reminded Ezra of a sergeant he'd served under during the war. The gambler could almost feel a change in the attitude of the others. They didn't come to attention but there was no mistaking the fact they were waiting for orders to be issued.

"JD, I want you to do your usual rounds. And I want Buck to go with you." He held up a hand, halting both their protests before they could even open their mouths. "We know Maude's been talking to some of the townspeople. See if you can find out the gist of those conversations. Might give us a better idea of what she wants than talking to her directly will, since I doubt she'll come clean right away, even to Ez."

"Very astute, Mr. Larabee." Ezra used the surname as a gesture of respect. The situation seemed to call for addressing him more formally.

He glanced toward JD and then Buck. "She will likely have mentioned to them a reason for her visit. It will undoubtedly be some reason to appeal to the person with whom she spoke. Some justification that would make for an easy entry into the sort of small talk where by people divulge far more information about themselves than they realize."

Ezra shook his head, remembering days when he used to do much the same thing. "I'd wager a tidy sum that each person got a slightly different version and yet one that will appear related in some fashion. Should they talk to one another they will simply believe that either they misunderstood her or that she has taken one of them into greater confidence than the other. Nothing makes people think more of themselves and their standing than the belief that they have been entrusted with another's secrets."

"How do we know what's just lies and what's the truth?" JD asked, brown eyes looking from Ezra to Chris, a worried frown appearing between his brows.

"You need not worry about determining the veracity of individual stories, JD." Ezra assured calmly. "All you need to do is gather the information for later review." It went without saying that it would be up to Ezra to determine how much, if anything, Maude told the towns people was of value.

The younger man nodded and squared his shoulders, accepting his task. Buck grimaced, but appeared resigned. The ladies man muttered, "Always hated recon duty. Would rather be where the action is."

"Don't worry, Bucklin," Vin smirked, the ice blue color of his eyes still relaying the level of anger he was feeling and controlling. "We'll make sure you don't miss anythin' important."

Ezra sent an earnest, heartfelt prayer to whatever deity might be willing to listen that no blood would be spilled today. He didn't doubt that Vin would do his level best to control his temper, but his mother would likely be pushing buttons as was the norm for her. Unfortunately, Vin's buttons were likely to be more explosive than Maude was used to.

//Mother might provoke deliberately to achieve some desired end. However, she usually shows some degree of caution until she can predict the outcome. I wish her luck calling the odds on this one... hell, I couldn't even call it.//

He briefly considered trying to convince Vin to go with Buck and JD, but dismissed the idea. It was not a battle he would win, particularly when his heart wasn't in it. Ezra unconsciously reached up to pat the spot where Vin's love knot rested under his shirt. //Together we can handle anything. Even my mother.//

"Nathan," Chris' gaze seemed to weigh the dark healer for a moment, assessing him. "I want you to ride out to the village and check on things there." The healer stared at him uncomprehendingly.

"Chris, I-"

The dark clad gunslinger cut him off. "They get regular contact from the government. More so than the town and I know full well they are talking to their people on and off the reservations. Something big enough to bring Maude to Four Corners might just be something they've already heard about. Something that might not bode well for them."

Ezra ran the pad of his thumb across his lower lip, considering that angle. "It is not improbable, albeit unlikely." He shrugged one shoulder. "The last letter Mother sent to me indicated some deal regarding mineral rights. She was in Denver at the time, which does not mean she may not be privy to information in this area that might effect this remote locale. And I can not imagine Mother making the sojourn to our dusty little hamlet without the expectation of some sort of payoff."

"Goddamn gold mine." Nathan cursed with a vehemence contrasted with his soft tone. "Was what Anderson wanted too. You'd think people would realize that stupid mine is played out. If there was ever any damn gold to begin with."

Ezra arched an eyebrow, wondering if Nathan had forgotten what the elders of the village had offered in payment when they hired the seven for protection. He knew precious metals far to well to no recognize pure gold when he saw it. And having seen the mine, Ezra had no real doubt about whether or not gold had been present. The rocks were certainly the same type of ore he knew to be bearing gold.

He could not really venture an opinion on whether or not there was more gold to be had. But he knew first hand the mineshaft was inherently unstable. Further digging would be tantamount to playing Russian roulette. He also knew long odds could be made to look very attractive and with enough capital to invest shoring up the existing tunnels or constructing new ones entirely would not be difficult.

"Josiah," Chris hesitated for a moment, "know you had some romantic interest in Maude." There was no hint of censure in that observation, just a statement of fact. They all knew the big man had been infatuated with Maude. And to be honest, Ezra couldn't really blame the man. His mother had been drawing men to her for as long as he could remember.

Chris measured Josiah with a look. "You up to going with us?"

The former preacher smiled easily, posture relaxed. "I believe I have seen the true nature of the scorpion. I have no fear of her sting."

Ezra resisted the urge to roll his eyes. //Leave it to Josiah to answer a simple question with something from one of his parable. Although, I suppose I should take comfort in the fact that he is behaving normally.//

"That a yes?" Vin asked bluntly.

"Yes."

"Good." Chris nodded. "Okay... We got us a plan then."

Ezra couldn't help the small grin that blossomed at Chris' statement. A plan, oh yes, they had one. It remained to be seen if they could actually bring anything to fruition.

"We'll meet up here about dinner time. Touch base then and compare notes."

Ezra was again reminded of the war and his humor vanished. There was no substitute for good intelligence. They really couldn't make any further strategy until they had more to work with. //What we might discover will ultimately drive our reaction.//

"You ready, Ez?" The hand Vin had left on the small of his back moved to pat him on the shoulder, shaking him slightly.

Ezra took a deep breath, marshalling his courage. He glanced around the room and found more courage to be drawn on just from the looks that came back to him. Ezra nodded and waved a hand toward the door. "Once more into the breech dear friends."

Vin walked in step with Ezra as they headed for the saloon. He kept his hand resting on the butt of his gun. It wasn't that he really intended to use the weapon against Maude... at least not unless she gave him reason to. Keeping his hand on his gun was just a habit developed from knowingly entering dangerous situations and being prepared for them. The tracker wasn't surprised to see Chris doing likewise.

The gunslinger walked with them, but half a step ahead. Vin suspected Chris did it without realizing he was doing it. //Probably thinks he can just put himself between Maude and Ezra. Not the same as takin' a bullet for 'im, but pretty damn close.//

Josiah, in contrast to Chris, walked half a step behind. Vin didn't think the man was lagging out of nervousness or cowardice, but thought it was more like he was flanking them, guarding the rear. Vin had been very reassured to know Josiah had made up his mind to stand with them. He hadn't been entirely certain the former preacher would. Vin knew far too well how stupid desire for a beautiful woman could make a man.

Ezra slanted an amused look at him. His eyes touched on Chris before he tipped his head slightly toward Josiah. In French, Ezra spoke the words, 'honor guard for a duel'. Vin grinned in response. //Can't quite picture either o' them in uniform. Not like the ones Ez described from that book 'The Three Musketeers'. Although, I'll bet Chris coulda gave the Cardinal a run fer his money.//

Vin's grin faded as he considered the female villain from that story. //S'pose the whole thing fits seein' as how we're about ta tangle with M'lady. Makes me wonder if that Dumas feller ever met Maude. She coulda been the model.//

Chris gave them an inquiring look. Ezra returned it with one of absolute innocence. Vin shook his head slightly, lips quirking upward in his usual half-smile, letting Chris know that what was said was not something he needed to worry about. He wasn't sure he could explain it anyway.

They entered the saloon without much fuss or fanfare. At this time of day, the saloon was normally empty except for the town drunk Eddie, who seemed to be perpetually asleep on the corner table and Inez, who used slower hours to tidy the place up. Vin was not surprised to see Maude ensconced in what he thought of as Ezra's chair.

It was the best seat in the house. His lover's preferred seat gave the most complete view of the room. And what couldn't be seen directly from Ezra's chair could easily be viewed through the mirrors behind the bar.

The state of those mirrors was something Vin had taken seriously ever since he'd first seen Ezra wound a man using a cracked one to aim. Ezra had claimed he'd have killed the man but his aim had been affected by the crack. Vin was confident his lover would have killed the man if he meant to, cracked reflection or not.

Maude glanced up from a game of solitaire she had laid out before her. She smiled warmly when she spotted Ezra, eyes sparkling with delight. Vin's jaw tightened as he tried to read how much of her obvious joy at seeing her son was an act. //Can't help but wonder if she's really happy ta see him or if she's jus' real happy cause she needs somethin' from him.//

Vin glanced at Ezra and wondered if his lover had similar thoughts. If he did, they didn't show. The tracker clamped down hard on the urge to place himself between Maude and Ezra, knowing it wouldn't do any good. Ezra would simply sidestep him.

"Ezra, my darlin' boy." The conwoman rose gracefully to her feet, holding out a hand in welcome. "I was beginning to lose hope that you would finally appear to pay your respects to your mother."

"Nonsense, Mother." Ezra stepped forward to take her hand, leaning in to place a kiss on first one cheek and then the other. "You have stated more than once that hope is the emotion best left to fools and small children. Having none to begin with, you hardly need worry about losing it."

Maude gave him a narrowed-eyed look for a moment. Vin knew she was trying to determine if her son was being serious or not. He smirked, finding the fact that she wasn't certain rather amusing. //Bet that ain't the first time my Ez has confused her a bit.//

Ezra gestured toward him, Chris and Josiah. "I'm sure you remember my colleagues Mr. Tanner, Mr. Sanchez and Mr. Larabee."

Cool eyes regarded them. "Yes, of course darlin'. How could I forget such interesting companions?" Her gaze hardened slightly, although her overall expression remained politely neutral. "Mr. Larabee and I renewed our acquaintance earlier today."

Chris smiled. It should have been a polite expression, but Vin was reminded more of a wolf baring its teeth. He would have liked to do the same, but remembering what Ezra had said earlier in the day about open hostility limiting their options he decided it was better for her to think him less of a threat than Chris. So Vin settled for simply raising two fingers to the brim of his hat. "Ma'am."

Josiah's deep voice rumbled a greeting from slightly over his shoulder. "Mrs. Standish, you are looking as lovely as ever."

//Man sure sounds sincere when he says that.// Vin gave the former preacher a sharp look. He took it as a positive sign that the big man didn't have that stunned look reminiscent of a pole-axed steer he'd had the first time he met Maude.

Maude smiled at Josiah, eyes dropping coyly. "You are too kind, Mr. Sanchez."

"You got that right," Chris muttered just loud enough for Vin to hear.

Vin wished they were seated so he could kick Chris under the table. //Normally the man don't say ten words a day. You'd think he'd realize pissin' Maude off isn't gonna make it easier for Ez.//

Vin didn't think his own behavior was likely to trigger much of a warning for Maude since they hadn't interacted enough in the past for her to gauge what constituted normal for him. But she had to be aware of the undercurrents radiating from the others. Josiah was polite but not fawning as he'd been the last time she visited. Chris was openly hostile. //Hell, JD and Nathan are about as subtle as sledgehammers, so she probably knows they been avoiding her. An' she's yet to lay eyes on Buck. That's unusual right there since he's always 'round town.//

Maude gave them a speculative look and Vin could almost see the wheels turning. He had the feeling she'd been planning to dismiss them as soon as good manners dictated she could. He couldn't quite pin it down, but the tracker knew she was keen to talk to Ezra, preferably alone. There was an impatience he could feel from her that from anyone else he'd have thought was anxiety.

A look passed between her and Ezra, one Vin couldn't decipher, but from the way she huffed ever so slightly he knew she wasn't happy. She gestured toward the table. "Would you care to join me?"

Josiah offered his arm the blonde and she took with a gracious tip of her head, every bit the regale lady she pretended to be. The former preacher escorted her the few feet to the table. He even pulled her chair out for her, a gesture that gave Vin visions of pulling the chair away entirely and letting Maude fall on her ass. It would be a petty thing to do; and not even close to half the things he'd like to do, but the image of her floundering around on the floor, all shock and outrage, made it easier to sit at the same table with her.

Normally Ezra would have been expected to take the chair next to Maude's, but Vin slid into it with his usual boneless grace. He just couldn't bring himself to allow her to get any closer to Ezra than absolutely necessary. //'Sides, she already knows somethin' ain't right. And this way she can't say anythin' to him the rest o' us can't hear. Won't be any o' those whispered conversations going on. Not today.//

Ezra didn't even raise an eyebrow at Vin's choice of seats. He settled himself in the one next to Vin, left arm lightly brushing Vin's shoulder has he sat. His left hand rested on Vin's thigh under the table and the tracker brushed Ezra's knuckles with the tips of his fingers. He knew his lover found their physical contact just as reassuring as he did.

In an unusual display of trust, Chris took the seat that had his back toward the door, but allowed him to face Maude directly. Vin realized Chris probably regarded the blonde woman as being more of a threat than anything that might come through the door. Given how quiet the town had been lately, he was probably right to think so.

Josiah sat next to Maude. The big man seemed far more at ease being so close to Maude then Vin did. The tracker envied him. Vin would have felt more at ease if he'd taken a seat next to an angry rattlesnake.

Ezra raised his head to make eye contact with Inez. She brought one of his bottles of scotch and several glasses. "Thank you, my dear."

"De nada, Senor." Inez murmured quietly, dark eyes moving from Chris to Maude and back again.

Vin knew it was Maude who'd hired the pretty Mexican, but over the past year, it was the seven who commanded her loyalty. Too many times they'd come to her rescue for her not to feel some sense of obligation to them. Inez was too good a reading her patrons not to be aware that there was a storm brewing at their table despite the cordial surface.

"No afligir, Senorita." Ezra spoke softly, his Spanish accented with his native Southern drawl and blended with that of the old world where'd learned the language. "Promesa."

Inez nodded, but still looked wary as she left them. Vin didn't blame her for having doubts. //Don't think Ez is right to say there's no trouble. Got me a feelin' there might jus' be trouble aplenty coming.//

Ezra poured several drinks and deftly placed one in front of each of them, including Maude. She regarded the shot glass for just a moment. She spoke demurely, "A lady really should not imbibe such a strong spirit."

"A lady really should not take up residence within a saloon, but that's never stopped you before. You are hardly what one would call a conventional lady, Mother." Ezra arched an eyebrow, a small smile forming.

Vin bit the inside of his cheek, checking the smile that threatened to blossom at the reproachful look she'd sent Ezra. "I do not care for Scotch, as you well know, Darlin'. Perhaps something else is available."

"Forgive my lapse in memory, Mother." Ezra sipped his drink with obvious enjoyment. "But unless you want to sample the only other alcoholic beverages to be had, rotgut whiskey or beer, I suggest you partake of the drink before you." The gambler sat back in his chair. "I dare say there isn't a bottle of brandy for at least a hundred miles, much less sherry or wine."

Ezra made a small 'tsk' noise with his tongue. "Really, Four Corners has not altered significantly since you're previous visit." Green eyes regarded Maude for a heartbeat. "Surely you were not expecting this dusty, backwater, miserable excuse for a town - as I believe you described it - to have suddenly experienced a metamorphosis into a respectable city with all the corresponding comforts."

"Now, Ezra, don't exaggerate." Maude chided him with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I would never say such disparaging things about this lovely little metropolis."

"Of course not." Ezra sipped his drink. He didn't roll his eyes, but somehow managed to suggest the action.

Any further dialog between mother and son was interrupted abruptly when Chris bluntly asked, "Maude, why are you here?"

//So much for subtle.// Vin sighed silently and wondered if he could reach Chris' shin from where he sat. Although, to be fair, the sharpshooter was rather relieved to have the issue out in the open and plainly asked.

He saw his lover calmly regarding his mother with undisguised curiosity, clearly waiting to see how she would answer the question. If it weren't for the way Ezra's left hand had curled into a fist under his fingers, Vin would never have known that his lover was pissed. //Bet if he was close enough to kick Chris under the table, the man would be sporting one hell of a bruise 'bout now.//

"You ask that as if I were a maleficent intent on causing trouble, Mr. Larabee." Maude arched an eyebrow in much the same manner as her son was wont to do.

Vin wondered what 'maleficent' meant. It certainly didn't sound good. //Have to remember to ask Ez later.// The tracker shot a look toward Chris. //If the look on Chris' face is anything to go by, he knows what it means.//

Chris smiled coldly as he withdrew a cheroot from his pocket and lit it. He puffed on it before speaking slowly, as if considering his words. "If I remember it correctly you brought some trouble with you on your last visit, Mrs. Standish." Blue gray eyes regarded the conwoman carefully. "Jus' doing my job makin' sure things around here stay peaceful."

"That was just a small misunderstanding," Maude insisted with a light laugh and a wave her hand. "Hardly worth mentioning really."

"Small misunderstandings seem to have a way of growing into more around you," The gunslinger observed dryly. His tone was without malice, but obviously revealed his belief that she not only caused trouble she also made it worse.

Maude glanced from him to Josiah, clearly expecting the former preacher to come to her defense. Sky blue eyes returned her look mildly, offering neither comfort nor condemnation. The big man sighed softly, somehow managing to increase his distance from her without actually moving.

"You do have a way of adding excitement to the day." Josiah conceded after a moment. He hesitated for a beat before speaking again. "Excitement this town could best do without."

The conwoman huffed slightly. "I can hardly be blamed for coincidences." Maude dismissed the issue as she reached for her drink and sipped it, deliberately ignoring Chris and Josiah. She made a small moue of distaste. "This is horrid, Ezra."

"It is an acquired taste, Mother." Ezra punctuated his statement with a graceful one-shoulder shrug. "Perhaps were you to remain on the fringe of civilization long enough, you too might acquire it." The gambler's long fingers lightly stroked the top of his glass. "Although, in some parts of the world, scotch is considered the true mark of civilization."

"You didn't answer my question." Chris interjected, once again forcing the conversation back to him.

"Question?" Maude looked at him blankly. She'd obviously expected him to drop it.

"Why are you here?" Chris repeated his earlier inquiry, his voice deceptively gentle.

The vein in Chris' forehead began to throb. Never a good sign. Vin unconsciously shifted his weight, ready for action. He saw Josiah doing the same. The big man looked prepared for anything.

Ezra sighed audibly. "Chris." The gunslinger looked at Ezra and the gambler shook his head slightly. "Frontal assaults are not always the best approach." The rebuke was mild. "However, once committed to a course of action retreat is rarely a viable option."

The gambler's jade green eyes squarely met his mother's light blue. "You have never possessed that so frequently lauded maternal instinct." He waved his right hand to encompass the table. "While I don't doubt your being here is related to me in some fashion, no one at this table, least of all myself, is going to believe the sole purpose of your visit is to see your son."

Maude's eyes narrowed. "You were always an ungrateful child."

"That only stands to reason since I have so little from you to be grateful for." Ezra's sardonic expression hardened, green eyes unwavering.

Maude flushed. She opened her mouth to say something then thought better of it, closing her mouth with an audible snap. Vin got the impression that for the first time Maude realized her son was no longer someone whose life she could blithely turn topsy-turvy. It just added fuel to his anger that it took her this long to realize that. From the look in Josiah's eyes it had a similar effect on him.

"We should speak privately."

"Tell them here or I tell them later, it makes no difference." Ezra finished his drink, placing the glass with precision on the same wet circle he'd lifted it from. "If you have brought trouble to Four Corners, they need to know."

"I didn't bring trouble to your precious town." Maude glared at him. "Although it boggles the mind what you should find so worthy of your attention in this backwater little burg."

Maude took a sip of her drink. Vin absently noted she didn't seem to dislike it as much as she made out the first time. He hadn't touched his own drink and didn't intend to until he could relax his guard. Vin suspected Chris and Josiah hadn't touched theirs for the same reason.

"I need your help." Maude dropped her eyes as she made that admission.

"I had deduced that much for myself." Ezra cocked his head, a bitter smile forming. "You would not have come here otherwise."

She smiled at him, looking up through her lashes. "I knew you'd understand."

Vin realized she'd heard the words but had blindly overlooked the tone of Ezra's voice. His jaw tightened and he bit back a growl that was forming as he thought about how many times she'd ignored her son or ran roughshod over him, never giving a thought to what Ezra might have wanted or needed. He felt the fist resting on his thigh uncurl. Ezra turned his hand over and wove their fingers together.

"And exactly what is it you need my help with?"

The answer to that was one they were all waiting for and the conwoman finally delivered, albeit indirectly. "Denver is such a bustling city, Ezra." Maude's eyes sparkled. The sparkle reminded Vin of Ezra. When the gambler was very pleased with something his eyes took on the same inner light. "It is growing so fast, darlin'. There is so much promise there."

Ezra arched an eyebrow at her non-sequitur. "Yes, I believe you mentioned something to that effect in your last letter."

Maude's gaze shifted to touch on Vin, Chris and Josiah. She seemed reluctant to proceed. Vin was not surprised that she'd hesitate. //This was definitely a conversation she wanted to have in private. Too damn bad.//

"Honestly, Mother, it isn't as if there is anything about how you make your living that these gentlemen are unaware of." Ezra snorted, rolling his eyes. "You need not worry that you will be diminished in their eyes when you reveal you have spent your time in Denver running a con trying to swindle some poor bastard out of his hard earned money."

"Ezra!" Maude glared at him.

"Am I wrong?"

"That is not the point." She all but spat her reprimand at him.

Ezra tipped his head. "Perhaps then you should get to the point."

She pursed her lips, displeasure plain to read on her face. "Living among these cretins has done nothing for your manners."

Ezra chuckled. "True. But I am developing an appreciation for the direct approach." The gambler sobered. "Now, Mother, tell me why you are here." Ezra's soft drawl took on a cutting edge. "I will not ask you again."

Vin took pleasure in seeing her flinch. //'Bout damn time she realizes Ezra ain't some puppy she can just kick around.// He saw his satisfaction mirrored in Chris' eyes.

Maude took a breath. Her face shifted into a blandly neutral mask that Vin recognized as being similar to Ezra's poker face. The conwoman seldom used that expression when playing poker though. When she played cards Maude was animated, distracting her opponents with pleasant conversation, beguiling them with her wiles and feminine beauty.

"Harrison Randolf is a millionaire." Maude stated baldly. "He made his fortune via railroad expansion and mining interests."

"I imagine he is the sort who does not take being crossed gracefully." Ezra casually sipped from his shot glass.

"Naturally." Maude shrugged one shoulder. "Men who amass wealth and power seldom do so by being congenial."

"Quite." Ezra nodded. "And did you abscond with Mr. Randolf's fortune?"

"No."

Vin's eyebrows rose at her blunt response. He was expecting more. From the looks on Josiah and Chris' faces they had similar expectations.

"But not for lack of trying, I'm sure." Ezra smiled. "Losing your touch, Mother?"

Icy blue eyes glared at Ezra. "The man is in his eighties, Ezra."

"Ah." Ezra nodded sagely, almost saluting her with the glass in his hand. "Age has a tendency to diminish the influence of your feminine charms."

Vin caught the double meaning in his lover's statement. The wolfish smile Chris sported made it a safe bet he did as well. Josiah just shook his head sadly.

"I'd spent most of my time with his son, Harrison Randolf the second." Maude sighed, ignoring Ezra's comment completely. "A more imbecilic man I have yet to encounter, but daddy knows his son well and retains a firm hand on the purse strings. There was no way to access his fortune directly." Maude pursed her lips. "Unfortunately, by the time I'd realized this I had already expended a great deal of capital creating the appropriate façade."

Vin raised both eyebrows trying to figure out what that meant. It became clear to him when Ezra spoke. "So you were spending money you didn't have, pretending to be someone you were not and found yourself short of funds, unable to pull off the con you'd intended."

"In essence, yes." Maude shrugged one shoulder. "I was so close, Ezra. So very close. I simply couldn't walk away."

"Couldn't or wouldn't?"

She sighed. "It doesn't matter."

"No, I don't suppose it does." Ezra's lips quirked in a sad smile. "So unable to simply walk away you did what?"

"I managed to locate additional resources."

"From?" Ezra made a 'go on' motion with one his right hand.

"Martin Vuocolo."

"Are you out of your mind?" Ezra sat up straight, back rigid. "Were you that desperate or simply that stupid?"

"Darlin', there is no cause for-"

"Who is this Vuocolo fella?" Vin asked quietly, breaking his self-imposed silence, cutting through Maude's words as easily as a hot knife through butter. Ezra's reaction to his name was sufficient cause for concern. Vin could feel the hair on the back of his neck rise.

Ezra grimaced before downing the remainder of his drink, returning the glass to the table. "I'm not sure there is an official designation for one such as he, but the best descriptor would be loan shark."

"A what?" Chris interjected before Vin had a chance to.

"He loans money to those in need, who can not get capital any other way. And he loans those funds at interest rates far higher than an established, conventional bank would utilize. Usually at rates that ensure an inability to ever repay the debt in full."

"Usury." Josiah offered with a disgusted tone.

"Precisely." Ezra tipped his head toward the big man before returning his attention to Maude, green eyes narrowed. "Vuocolo guarantees continued payment rather brutally should the occasion call for it."

"Meaning?" Chris glanced from Ezra to Maude.

"Meaning," Ezra sighed heavily, "he has a tendency to employ many men who utilize violence to convince his clients to continue to pay. Everything from simply breaking knees to outright murder has been attributed to him."

"You know him personally, Ez?" Vin asked carefully, uncertain if he might not be unearthing some dark secret from Ezra's past. //Promised myself I wasn't gonna push him to tell me stuff about his past any more, and I meant it. But if this 'loan shark' hurt Ez, I'll be settling that score.//

Ezra shook his head. He squeezed Vin's hand once, offering a small reassuring smile. "I know the man by reputation only." The gambler's expression turned sardonic as he again regarded Maude. "Unlike my mother, I do not lightly dismiss reliable accounts of what Mr. Vuocolo or those in his employ are capable of."

"Oh please, Ezra." Maude chastised her son as if he were still a little boy. "There is no need for melodrama. Mr. Vuocolo will not be a problem."

"Provided you can pay." Ezra snorted. "Your presence here is clear indication you can not."

Chris' lips tightened into a hard line as he glared at Maude. "You said you hadn't brought trouble to Four Corners. I'm thinking you lied."

Maude waved a hand in dismissal. "He doesn't know where I am."

"But he knows who you are." Ezra contradicted smoothly. "And it wouldn't take a genius to track you down."

Maude flushed. She snapped at him. "If you wouldn't insist on staying in one place it would prove more difficult."

"If you didn't seek me out as a source of your salvation where I was would matter little." Ezra responded acidly. "A little forethought on your part, Mother, would not be remiss."

Maude paled in anger. "I'll have you know-"

Ezra held up a hand, effectively stopping her tirade before she even had the chance to start. Vin was impressed at how easily his lover silenced her. He might not understand the dynamics of their relationship, but it was obvious that for the moment, Ezra was in control. //Gonna see to it that it stays that way too. Watch out for him and make sure she don't get the upper hand. Or get him to play her game her way. Was how he lost the saloon to her. Playin' her way, no one watchin' out for him. We got us some new rules.//

The gambler took a deep breath. When he spoke again his voice was carefully neutral. "In any event, the fact remains you owe him, you can't pay, and he will find you. That is how the man makes his living. I would go so far as to hazard a guess that he had you followed. I am fairly certain he would not have allowed you to leave Denver without seeing to it he knew where you were headed."

"How much to you owe him, Maude?" Josiah frowned.

"Fifteen thousand."

Vin's eyes widened, Josiah's mouth dropped open and Chris downed his shot of scotch in one long swallow. Fifteen thousand dollars was a phenomenal sum of money. The most money any of them had seen at one time, in one place, was the ten thousand dollars the assassin had been paid to kill Mary Travis.

Vin tried to imagine what someone could spend that kind of money on. It was more than he was likely to make in a lifetime. The largest bounty he'd ever turned in had been a measly fifteen hundred. It had taken six months to track the bastard down and another two before he managed to collect the reward.

"Is that what you owed when you left Denver?" Ezra didn't seem shocked by the amount. "Because it won't be what you owe now."

"I am aware of that." Maude snapped at him.

"Are you also aware that I don't have that kind of cash?" Ezra asked.

"But we can get it." She declared with confidence.

"Oh really? And how to you propose to accomplish that?" Ezra poured another shot. Vin realized that was his third. This conversation was obviously not as easy for Ezra as he made it seem. Otherwise his lover would not have been so free with his prized scotch. He made a note to keep a closer eye on his lover.

"I've already laid the groundwork with the banker and some others in town."

Ezra hung his head. "No."

"All we need to do... Excuse me?" Maude stared at Ezra. "What do you mean 'no'?"

"There is no 'we' here, Mother." Ezra shook his head, eyes rising to meet hers squarely. "I will not assist you in absconding with funds from any legitimate business in a town I've promised to protect."

Maude sat back with a stunned look. After a moment, she laughed. "You must be joking."

"No, I am not." Ezra glanced around the table. "And even if I were, you would be a fool to think the other peacekeepers of this town would allow you free rein to wreck havoc here."

Maude followed Ezra's gaze around the table. She seemed to be measuring each of them. Vin couldn't say for sure what it was she saw, but he was fairly certain she realized they were united. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head.

"Perhaps that mine, the one just out of town-"

"No." Ezra countered again. "There is nothing in that mine. It played out years ago, if it ever had much gold to begin with." Ezra favored her with a stern look. "And even if you were able to create the fictitious documents to make it appear profitable, salt it so that it looked like a good venture, at best all you would buy is time. Vuocolo is not the sort to gracefully accept a loss. Nor would his ire be diminished when he realized you cheated him."

Maude scowled at him. "Honestly, have you nothing but negative things to offer?"

Ezra chuckled. "Were you expecting me to wave a wand? To simply make it all right?" The gambler snorted. "Perhaps you are hoping that he will be the one to have followed you and not one of his many minions. Then you can have one of us execute him and thereby relieve you of the obligation you so stupidly made."

Maude started and Vin knew she had been thinking something along those lines. It wasn't really surprising. Killing Vuocolo was a direct and simple solution to her problem. //Goddamn woman. Miserable bitch would set us up, set Ez up to take out a guy we ain't ever met just to get her ass out of the fire.//

"So sorry to disappoint you, Mother." Ezra's tone contradicted his words. "This is your mess, I think it is up to you to fix it."

"You can't leave me to fend for myself." Her voice broke toward the end. "Leave me defenseless... without recourse. Please, Ezra, darlin' you have to help me. The man's a brute, vicious. He'll think nothing of hurting me. Please, darlin'."

Maude's eyes got shiny as though with unshed tears and she looked desperate. Vin didn't buy her act and he didn't think Chris did either. Josiah looked torn, but made no move to do anything that might comfort her.

Ezra sighed. He bit his lower lip. Vin could see his lover waffling. Ezra might not like his mother, might question whether or not he truly loved her, but there was no doubt he felt a sense of duty, an obligation to her. Vin squeezed the hand he held and shook his head 'no' when Ezra's gaze settled on him.

"Would she do anythin' for you if your positions were reversed?" Vin asked quietly, already aware of the answer, but wanting to make sure Ezra was aware of it as well.

"She's my mother." Ezra responded.

Vin clenched his jaw. A lot in life came back to blood ties. He could understand how no matter how bad things were family should count for something. //But you ain't s'posed to abuse that. Not s'posed to sell your children to pay off debts. Not s'posed to be only one person givin' all the time an' the other taking. And it's high time she paid for her own mistakes and quit askin' Ezra to do it for her.//

Vin's eyes met Ezra's. "Her givin' birth to you ain't a reason, it's an excuse."

"True." Ezra admitted with a smile, his jade green eyes warming considerably, softening his entire expression. It was a look Vin had grown used to seeing, one that Ezra reserved for him alone.

Vin was suddenly aware of Maude watching them keenly. He met her gaze easily and waited. All traces of her earlier turmoil vanished like so much fog under the warm rays of the sun. She smiled slyly like she'd just discovered a secret.

Vin's eyes narrowed. He wasn't sure what it was she thought she saw, but he had a feeling he wasn't going to like what happened next. Without thinking, Vin released the hold he had on Ezra's hand, unconsciously wanting both hands free to deal with whatever she was about to throw at them.

"So," Maude's gaze when from Vin to Ezra, "I see some things never change." Sharp blue eyes measured her son. "You still have proclivities for deviance."

Josiah looked slightly puzzled by her statement, glancing away from her to regard Vin and Ezra. The big man had missed much of their byplay since his focus had been almost exclusively on Maude. But Vin knew immediately what she was getting at and it looked as if Chris did as well. The gunslinger's right hand had never really strayed far from the butt of his gun and his fingers curled around the walnut grip.

//She must have realized what Ezra's look meant. God damn. Should have figured that would happen.//

"Your point?" Ezra returned his mother's look without flinching.

Her smile widened. When she spoke again it was in French. "You have strong feelings for the one beside you. Feelings he no doubt does not return." She placed her hands on the table as though she fanned a deck of cards.

Vin figured she was speaking in French thinking the others would not understand her. He was increasingly grateful Ezra had taken the time to teach him the language. He might not have understood every single word, but he was having no trouble following the line of conversation.

Maude continued speaking, the lilting accent making what she said seem so innocuous. "It would be such a shame for such unwelcomed affection to come to light. It could be so detrimental for you here in this place you've grown so fond of. I understand that Martin Vuocolo shares interests similar to yours. For a man like him, it must be very hard to find compatible playmates. Perhaps a mutually beneficial deal can be arranged."

Vin drew his knife in one smooth move and deftly planted the blade a hair's breath from where her fingers rested on the table. The blade quivered slightly, as though it resented being denied tasting her flesh. He leaned forward, voice low and vicious. "You better not be suggesting what I think you are, or the next time I might not be so willin' ta leave you with all your fingers. You understand me?"

No one at the table moved for several seconds. Chris had already drawn his gun, reacting to Vin's sudden movement with one of his own. Josiah had pushed his chair back, giving himself room to move. Ezra remained seated, seeming unaffected if one overlooked the fact that his derringer had been sprung and the fire in his eyes.

Maude remained very still, holding her breath. Vin's icy rage was clearly reflected in his eyes and she wasn't so much a fool as to push him further. The conwoman watched him with wide eyes.

"I asked if you understood." Vin commented softly, more than a little satisfied to know he'd surprised her by understanding what she said as well as scared her with his threat. He didn't make it idly. He wouldn't kill her but he could make her wish he had. It would be very hard to deal cards missing a thumb and forefinger.

"I want an answer to my question." Vin reminded her when she remained silent too long suit him.

She swallowed hard and nodded once shortly. "I understand."

"Good." Vin pulled his knife from the table. With deliberate care he laid in on the table, leaving it as a visible reminder of his threat. "And you want to keep talkin' to Ez, you'll be doing it in English."

Maude nodded again and drew in a shaky breath. Chris looked at Vin, slowly holstering his gun, eyebrow raised in question. "What did she say?"

"It is not important." Ezra answered a bit too quickly as he reset his derringer.

Chris snorted. "Don't think I agree with you there, Ezra." The gunslinger tipped his head toward the large bladed knife still lying on the table. "Don't think Vin would have drawn that for no reason."

Josiah seconded that observation with just a look. Vin preferred that to the parables the former preacher tended to spout. The looks he always understood, but the rest of it was just so much gibberish.

Vin wasn't sure he should tell them the truth or not. With an evil smile, Vin hit upon the perfect solution. "Tell them Maude."

The conwoman sat back, trying to put more space between them without actually pulling away from the table. She eyed all of them warily. Vin knew she was wondering about what Chris and Josiah's reactions might be in light of his own.

"I don't think-"

"Now that much is obvious." Vin's gaze was fixed on her the same way a hawk watched a careless rabbit. "If you'd been thinking, you never would have gotten into your current predicament. Nor would you need to solicit assistance from the likes of us."

Vin almost laughed at the look on her face. He wasn't the sort of person one would expect to be as well spoken as his genteel lover. Hanging out with Ezra had done wonders for his vocabulary. "Appearances are not everything, Maude."

Maude's eyes leveled daggers at him, but Vin didn't care. "You tell them how you just threatened Ezra. Tell 'em how you were gonna blackmail him into prostituting himself in payment for your debt."

Josiah's hand clenched around his shot glass, knuckles turning white with the force he exerted. Vin could almost hear the glass straining to remain intact under the former preacher's grip. "You did what?"

Maude hesitated. She sent a look toward Ezra, clearly asking for assistance. The preacher looked ready to inflict serious damage. Vin hadn't forgotten what it was like to have Josiah's hands around his throat. If the big man thought Maude posed a serious threat to Ezra, Vin was fairly certain she would get chance to share his experience. //If Josiah doesn't kill her Chris just might. Haven't seen him look that pissed in a long time.//

The gambler sighed softly. "Josiah." Ezra waited until his friend looked at him. "I promised Inez there would be no trouble. Please do not make a liar of me."

Josiah took a deep breath. And then another. "Vin's telling the truth about what she said?"

Ezra looked rueful. "Unfortunately, yes." He laid a hand lightly on Vin's arm. Vin didn't know if it was an effort to reassure him or restrain him, but he didn't shake it off.

"Mother," Ezra spoke softly, "you made a grave misjudgement." He sighed. "Vin is not only aware of my affections, he shares them. And not only is he aware, so are the other gentlemen at this table."

Ezra smirked, green eyes aglow with dark amusement. "I am beginning to believe there might be some validity to the statement 'the truth shall set you free'." Ezra chuckled. "You can not extort me to by threatening to reveal me as a 'sissy boy' or catamite. The fact is already known to those whose opinions I value. The rest are immaterial."

The gambler shook his head. "Did you really think I have not already considered the reaction of the good Christian people of this town?" Ezra rolled his eyes. "Alternative plans have already been made. They were made over a year ago... before I even dismounted from my horse. Oh they have been modified to keep pace with current events," Ezra squeezed Vin's shoulder letting him know he was part the new plan, "but rest assured Mother I have no intention of being caught unprepared."

Ezra smiled. "Yes, I like living here. But Four Corners is not the only place I could choose to reside."

Green eyes lit with amusement suddenly took on a hard, unforgiving mien. "If you see nothing wrong with bartering one's body then perhaps you should offer your own for trade. I understand Mr. Vuocolo has invested in numerous bordellos, cat houses and the like. His own tastes may differ from convention, but I'm sure he is aware of the value in catering to the vices of others."

Maude paled. "How dare you suggest-"

Ezra's lips twisted in a bitter smile as he rudely overrode her. "Oh but then you would not stoop to such a degrading position. As if selling others into it is somehow a more lofty ambition. But then having done so before, I'm sure familiarity has lessened the sting to your self-esteem."

Maude's eyes dropped. The gambler picked up his shot glass and downed his scotch without taking time to savor it. He corked the bottle and pushed his chair back from the table. Vin was rising to stand with him, sheathing his knife before even realized he was doing it.

"I believe I have had as much of this conversation as I can stand at the moment." Maude's eye snapped up, darting from Ezra to the others, the anxiety clear in her finely drawn features. "Chris, Josiah, I would be grateful if you would escort my mother to the jail."

Maude's mouth opened to protest, but Ezra cut her off before she could utter a single word. "You voice one complaint, attempt to enlist anyone's aid and I will see to it that every person in this town is aware of the solutions to your plight that you proposed." Ezra cocked his head to one side, his mild expression completely at odds with his tone. "And they will believe me. Maybe not all of them, but more than enough to exact retribution. You have enough trouble. I would suggest you not borrow any more."

Ezra straightened his cuffs. "You will not be residing there permanently, never fear. But I think it would be the safest place for you. Safe from whomever Mr. Vuocolo has sent to follow you. And safe from my comrades."

"Oh no need to worry, Mother." Ezra waved a hand lightly in dismissal. "They will not hurt you. I give you my word on that. But they will not permit you to hurt anyone else either. This way you will not be in a position that might tempt you to provoke them into actions they might otherwise manage to refrain from executing."

"How long?" She asked, voice strained.

"Until a solution to your predicament can be arrived at. One that does not necessitate swindling the citizens of this town or defrauding Mr. Vuocolo, further exacerbating the problem." Ezra leaned forward, resting his fists on the table, eyes level with hers. "Barter of my person, or any I hold dear, will not be permitted. Bring it up again at your own peril."

Ezra pushed off from the table and headed for the stairs. Vin felt a flash of concern when he took the bottle of scotch with him. He sent a look Chris' way.

The gunslinger pointed with his chin toward the gamblers retreating back. "Go with him." Storm cloud eyes shifted to Maude. "We'll take care of her."

Vin nodded and headed after his lover. //Sure hope Ez has got some kind of plan in the works. Only thing I got to suggest is just turning Maude over to this 'loan shark'. Let her face the music. Pretty sure Ez won't want to do that though. Damn shame.//

Buck Wilmington breathed a sigh of relief, glad to be finished with recon duty. He wasn't sure if he and JD had gathered anything of value, but that wasn't his responsibility. He was more than happy to leave that job up to someone else. //We get the information to Ez and he can figure it out. God knows I can't make heads or tails of most of it.//

Buck had half expected to hear gunfire or other sounds of destruction coming from the saloon while they walked around town. He was glad that things remained quiet, but it made him that much more anxious to find out what was going on. He hated not being where the action was.

He and JD planned to head for the saloon when they finished their round through town and catch up with the others there. Buck had hoped to be able to finish their assigned task quickly. But he hadn't counted on how much people would be inclined to talk if given a willing audience.

The former Texas Ranger shook his head. //Mrs. Travis has to be the worst of the lot. Lord but that woman can talk. God. Have to wonder if Chris is really serious 'bout her. Can't see the two o' them having a lot in common.//

He wouldn't have minded listening to her so much if she'd had something meaningful to relay. But all she'd had to impart was information about political machinations in Denver, St. Louis and D.C. Mrs. Travis had not given up her pursuit for statehood.

Buck honestly couldn't see what she found so appealing. He'd lived in the East, had fought and bled for the Union, but he honestly thought living in this Territory was a far better life. He shrugged. //To each his own I guess.//

The banker was oddly tight lipped. That alone made Buck suspicious. Mr. Lovitt was the sort who had what Ezra described as 'an overblown sense of self-importance'. Buck translated that as a love of hearing his own voice because normally it was hard to get the fat man to shut up.

Between them, he and JD had managed to talk to nearly everyone in town. //Well, everyone that Maude talked to. Funny the people she didn't want to spend much time with.// Unknown to Buck, he made an assessment similar to the same one Josiah made as he'd observed Maude from the bell tower. Maude spoke to only those people in town that could be considered influential or well-to-do.

Buck and JD strolled by the saloon, a quick look in confirmed Buck's suspicion that they were too late to meet up with the others. The tall cowboy cursed quietly under his breath. He laid a hand on JD's shoulder.

"C'mon Kid, lets head on over to the jail."

JD frowned, brown eyes anxiously darting back toward the saloon. "You think Ez is okay?"

"With Chris and Josiah riding herd, you bet. And there ain't nothing gonna get past Vin." Buck smiled warmly at JD, pleased that the kid was worried about his friend. It showed the caliber of the young man's character.

"You know Vin would skin alive anyone who tried to do anything to Ez. Maude included." //Maybe especially Maude. Not like he don't have ample reason.//

JD nodded, looking reassured. Buck knew the kid still had plenty of unasked questions. He was proud of his friend for putting helping Ezra at the forefront and not pushing to get answers first even when Ezra had given him the opportunity to do just that. //Boy is definitely growing up.//

Buck opened the jailhouse door and stepped inside. He stopped cold seeing Maude sitting in the cell. Buck blinked, not registering JD bumping him from behind as he turned to cast a worried glance toward where Chris sat at the desk.

"She steal something again?"

"Not exactly." Chris puffed carelessly on his thin cigar. "Ezra thought she'd be safer in there." The dark clad gunslinger shrugged. "He might be right about that."

"Safe?" JD asked. "From what?"

"Vin." Chris sent an evil smile toward where Maude sat studiously ignoring them, shuffling a deck of cards. "And I think Josiah wouldn't mind wringing her neck."

"That why you the only one here?" From the look on Chris' face, Buck was thinking he might want to lump himself in with the ones likely to do harm to Maude. //Must have been one hell of a conversation we missed out on.//

Chris nodded. "Sent Josiah to go work off some of his anger 'fore he exploded."

"Where's Vin?"

Buck rolled his eyes and resisted the urge to smack JD across the back of his head. That wasn't a question that really needed to be asked. The answer was obvious. "He's with Ezra, Kid."

"Oh." JD nodded and stepped around Buck, moving further into the room. "You guys find out why she's here?"

Chris withdrew his cigar and sat up straighter. He rose to his feet and sauntered over to the cell, ignoring the sheriff's question. Stormy eyes forced clear blue to rise and meet them with the weight of his gaze. "We're gonna go talk outside for a bit. Try to pick the lock and I'll break your fingers. Try to escape and I will shoot you. We clear?"

"As crystal, Mr. Larabee." Maude hissed out between her teeth.

Chris nodded and smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. Buck wished more than ever he'd been in the saloon. Chris' expression hinted at something ugly. If blood had been drawn, Buck knew his old friend wouldn't have hesitated to fill them in, so he wasn't concerned for anyone's physical safety. Emotional well-being was another issue entirely.

//Chris said he sent Josiah to work off some anger. Must have gotten real ugly for that to be the case. Josiah don't lose his temper too often, but boy when he does, everybody look out. Real glad Ez has Vin. Musta been hell when he had to handle his mother all by himself. Definitely not a job for the faint of heart. Nice thing for Vin to have Ez too. Got me a feeling that he ain't had much in his life worth holding on to.//

Chris led the way out to the porch. Buck and JD followed, shutting the door behind them. Buck moved to lean against one of the porch pillars, facing Chris as the gunslinger took a seat in one of the wooden chairs that flanked the doorway. JD stood next to Buck, but kept his posture straight, ready to move in a moment's notice.

//Kid is still on edge. Can't says I blame him there.// Buck sighed. He gave Chris a look that clearly indicated the gunslinger should get on with it.

"You boys find out anything?" Chris asked, eyes moving from Buck to JD.

JD huffed out his breath in annoyance. He clearly shared Buck's desire to know what had happened in the saloon, but not his ability to wait patiently. "Would rather hear about what you got out of Mrs. Standish?"

Buck knew the drill. Just like in the army... scouts reported first, then they got informed about what went on if the commander saw fit to tell them. He laid a hand on JD's shoulder. "All in due time, JD." Buck started by relaying the political news Maude had passed on to Mrs. Travis. "Don't rightly know if that means much of anything, but Maude was talking up how statehood would bring lots of prosperity. Made it sound like there were businessmen just chompin' at the bit to set up shop here and spend their money. Jus' as soon as the territory lost some of its 'wild ways'."

Buck snorted, thinking the last bit was just plain stupid. It was the 'wild ways' that made the place interesting in his opinion. The ladies man shrugged mentally, knowing there was no accounting for taste.

"Mrs. Travis seemed to think that Maude was scouting out the area for friends of hers who had money burning holes in their pockets and that she just stopped in Four Corners to visit Ezra while she was looking things over for them. Mary said that she hoped Maude could convince her friends to develop Four Corners into a real city... like St. Louis or Santa Fe."

JD picked up from where Buck left off. He covered their talk with several of the local businessmen in town, all of them repeating information similar to Mrs. Travis. Differences were noted depending on the enterprise whoever she talked to was engaged in, usually focusing on how much better they could do with more capital. Talk of investors had been brought up repeatedly with the possibility of expanding and increasing overall income.

JD shrugged. "Not sure how it would help her to be telling people that there was someone looking to put money into their business." The young man bit his lower lip. "Unless it has something to do with her saying all they needed was confirmation of profit being made. Mr. Daily said Maude told him that some investors found cash money being offered to match their investment to be a sign of good faith. Way to encourage others to sign on."

Mr. Daily was a new addition to Four Corners. He had recently purchased the leather goods store, supplying the town with saddles, harnesses and other tack that the general store didn't carry. Buck remembered him telling them that before he bought the business he'd taken a look at the books, wanting to be sure that it was as good a deal as he'd been lead to believe. He seemed rather keen on the idea of having someone invest money in his business, citing how much nicer it would be to have a bigger store, more supplies on hand, maybe branch out into another town.

"I'm thinking that she was trying to convince some of them that they should trust her with this show of 'good faith'. She'd get the money and take off, never to be heard from again." Buck offered. It was the only thing that made sense.

"You get anything out of Lovitt?" Chris asked.

Buck stroked his mustache. "Yes and no. Man was real tight lipped, which leads me to believe he had a hell of a lot to say." The tall cowboy sighed. "Sort of got the impression he and Maude had a real long talk. Man just looked too much like the cat that ate the canary to not be holding out."

Buck shifted his weight, settling more firmly against the post he leaned against, hand coming to rest on his gun belt. "He let slip some more talk about investors and businesses coming to town. Got the impression he thought he could make some real money with any new people coming to town. Like he'd be getting a percentage off the top."

JD nodded, seconding Buck's observation with one of his own. "He seemed to think Maude was going to be bringing big money into town and he'd be her right hand man. Said something about how you have to spend money to make money. Couple o' people we talked to mentioned that Lovitt had been by to see them as well. Was like he was feeling them out to see if they'd be willing to offer up money to Maude's investors."

Chris nodded. Buck recognized the look on his old friend's face. The information they had relayed was not exactly new to him.

"Maude tell you that she's here to spend some money for investors or bring people to Four Corners?"

"No." Chris relit his cigar, and puffed once to keep it lit. "But it works with some of the stuff she did say."

"Which was?" JD asked impatiently.

Chris frowned, giving the younger man a stern look that he blatantly ignored. "Seems she was running a con in Denver. Needed money to really make it work. Borrowed it from a man who don't take not being repaid real well."

Buck nodded. "So she's here looking to drum up the money to pay this guy off?"

"Yep."

//Explains why she was doing a song and dance 'bout investors and front money. She's trying to raise funds... by short changing someone else. God. What a way to make a living.// Buck sighed. "How much does she owe?"

"Fifteen thousand."

Buck nearly choked and JD gasped. "Fifteen thousand?" JD's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.

Chris puffed on his cigar. "According to what Ez had to say, by the time this guy catches up with Maude that amount will be quite a bit more."

"Come again?" Buck didn't understand how that could be the case. She was here, unable to borrow any more money, so the debt shouldn't grow any more.

"Seems this guy... Vuocolo didn't just give it to her and he doesn't charge interest like the bank. Seems he charges a whole lot more. Like on the order of fifty to sixty percent."

Buck nodded slowly, understanding dawning. He was vaguely familiar with that sort of business. One of the bordellos his mother had worked at paid 'protection' money to a man who made similar loans. In the three years they'd lived there, Buck didn't know of anyone who'd ever paid off a debt to him. He did remember a number of people sporting black eyes and broken bones though. Buck said as much.

JD looked appalled. "But that's not legal."

"Don't matter much that it is or isn't, Kid." Buck rubbed one hand over his face. "This guy - Vuocolo you said his name was... he know she's here?"

"Ezra thinks so."

"Christ on a crutch." Buck cursed quietly, knowing without a doubt that if Ezra thought so then he was probably right.

"Yep." Chris didn't look at all happy.

"Where we going to get that kind of money?" JD asked, hands raised in a gesture of helplessness.

Something in Chris eyes shifted and Buck had a sneaking suspicion that the anger Josiah had gone to work off had something to do with that very question. He wanted to ask, but didn't want to do it in front of JD. //Kid doesn't know all the history, and I don't want to be the one to tell him. Not my place. Not sure I'd even know how to explain it to him anyway.//

"And what makes you think we need to have the money?" Chris raised an eyebrow.

JD stared at him. "This guy is coming here. We're going to have to do SOMETHING." JD punctuated his last word with a wild hand gesture. "I mean I know you're pissed at Maude, but we can't just let some... some... creep just come here and beat her up because she can't pay off her debt."

The look on Chris' face said otherwise. Buck grimaced and again wondered what the hell they'd missed by not being at the saloon. "Chris." Buck managed to make one word both a warning and chastisement in one.

The gunslinger sighed, eyes softening for a moment. "I know, JD, I know. Wouldn't very well be performing our duties as peacekeepers, as Ezra would say, if we didn't do something." Chris puffed on his cigar. "Just haven't decided what exactly to do yet."

"What does Ezra think we should do?"

Buck waited to see how his old friend would answer the question JD posed. He cocked his head, seconding the younger man's inquiry without saying a word. //This should be interesting.//

Chris pursed his lips. "He's still thinking on it."

"Well, let's go talk to him then." JD moved to head for the saloon, but Chris reached out, one hand catching JD's arm, halting his progress before he'd gone more than a step.

Chris shook his head. "Not right now."

"Why not?"

"Because Vin and Ezra need some time." Chris' tone was one Buck recognized. It was soft, but would brook no argument.

JD obviously recognized it as well. He didn't object, didn't make any move to shrug off Chris' hold. //Kid really is learning.//

Chris just tipped his head to Buck by way of acknowledgement and headed back inside the jail. For a moment, Buck felt sorry for Maude. He knew his friend wouldn't say a word the whole time he was in there. He'd just sit and glare.

The brief flash of sympathy faded almost immediately as he considered just how quickly the lady in question was willing to swindle the people of HIS town. //Not to mention what sort of trouble she might have brought with her. Don't hold with a lady getting hurt... but shit, I get paid to keep this town in one piece. Don't take kindly to anyone bringing trouble. And I know she had to have said or done something in the saloon to piss of Chris, Josiah and Vin but royal. Don't know what it was, but I got a feeling she deserves to suffer having Chris glare at her steadily for a few hours.//

Ezra made his way to his room knowing Vin was following. He could hear the tracker's soft tread on the stairs, at most only a second or two behind him. He didn't look back, nor did he wait for his lover to catch up. Ezra kept one hand tightly clenched around the neck of the bottle of scotch he still held, the other was curled into a tight fist. It was the only way he could keep them from shaking.

Rage, embarrassment and fear coursed through him in steady waves. His anger was nearly uncontrollable when his mother would dare to suggest he offer himself... as if doing so as a child had not been sufficient sacrifice. Rage for her continued failure to see him as anything more than a means to an end. And although it was irrational given that she had no idea of how committed he was to Vin, he was livid she even suggest he would agree to be unfaithful. He made a promise to Vin and Satan would master ice-skating before he willingly broke his pledge. Even for his mother.

Ezra had managed to rein it in by sheer force of will, but experienced a sense of savage satisfaction when Vin had buried his knife in the table, scaring Maude. His lover's swift, decisive move had been heartwarming and frightening. It was as close to complete loss of control that Ezra had ever witnessed in Vin. And as much as he might appreciate Vin's efforts on his behalf, he really did not want his lover to suffer the consequences inflicting harm on Maude might create.

He was embarrassed over the others knowing she had offered him up in the past and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. It was mortifying. Only Vin and Chris knew about SinJin and while they'd been quick to understand, Ezra still felt ashamed. No one else knew and he'd rather keep it that way. Josiah might guess from what Ezra had said that Maude had offered him up before, but he wasn't going to confirm that, nor was he going to willingly supply details. The big man did not need to know any more about his childhood than he already did. He just didn't think Josiah would be as accepting as Vin and Chris had been. The man might not be a preacher any longer, but his former profession still colored his thinking from time to time.

Ezra feared for Maude's safety. The woman really had no idea just how much damage his friends were capable of. Vuocolo might well be the least of her worries. Putting her in jail had been a spur of the moment inspiration. Not only did it ensure she could do no more damage, but it also placed her under the protection of the peacekeepers. At least he hoped so. //They've kept murderers from being lynched. One can only hope that despite whatever hostility Chris and the others feel, they will do likewise for Mother.//

He unlocked the door to his room, not bothering to close it as he stepped inside, leaving it open so Vin would have easy access. He shook his head, trying to figure out how in the hell his mother could be so stupid. Ezra sighed heavily and searched for a glass. He really didn't want to drink straight from the bottle. It would be so uncouth to do so.

He spotted a glass on the nightstand and poured a healthy measure of amber liquid into it. He knew his mother had a fierce desire to win, a competitive streak when it came to pulling off a con that made her so very good at doing it. Unfortunately, this wasn't the first or likely to be the last time her desire to triumph at all costs would land her in hot water.

In some ways he didn't care that she managed to encounter trouble. It wasn't his problem, not really. Or rather it shouldn't be. If she would just leave him out of it, that was all he ever really wanted. For as long as he could remember he'd had ambivalent feelings about his mother. On one hand he wanted for her to be with him, to add some of that light and laughter she seemed to lavish only on others, to matter to her in some small way so that she would share something of herself with him. But on the other hand, he never wanted her anywhere near him because her presence in his life was so closely tied to painful moments, betrayal and unhappy memories.

Ezra shook his head and set the mostly full glass back on the nightstand. As much as he wanted the drink, he knew he'd already had too much and more would not help. Getting blind stinking drunk would be a short-term solution and this was a problem he would need all his wits about him to address.

//I knew she was bound to show up at some point. I'd harbored the faint hope that when she did it might be to simply visit... God. I am such a fool. You would think past experience would have taught me better.//

He took a deep breath. Ezra heard Vin close the door and lock it, but didn't turn around. He kept his eyes focused on the light curtains that did their best to block the afternoon sun. He wavered between wanting to break down completely and wanting to smash everything in sight. Ezra couldn't bring himself to face Vin until he knew for sure which option he was going to choose.

The stiff set of his shoulders and spine relaxed unwittingly when Vin's arms encircled him from behind. He let out the breath he'd been holding and rested his head against his lover's shoulder, letting the tracker support some of his weight. He sighed softly as Vin rocked slightly.

Ezra realized there were more than just two choices open to him. With Vin, he could rely on someone else, find room to marshal his energy again and organize the chaos swirling in his brain. He felt safe within the circle of those strong arms. Ezra had lost count of the number of times he'd sent a prayer of gratitude heavenward for having the chance to experience moments like this one.

"You okay?" Vin whispered in one ear.

"Perhaps I should be asking you that." Ezra responded, his voice just as low and intimate as Vin's. His mother's words had upset Vin as much, if not more, than they had him.

Vin placed a soft kiss on the nape of his neck. "I asked you first."

"Getting there." Ezra smiled, unable to do anything but answer honestly. He wasn't sure if he regretted losing the ability to lie to Vin or not. There were days when he would like to be able to just pass off a little white lie.

Vin hugged him a little tighter. "What can I do?"

"You're doing it." Ezra raised a hand to entwine his fingers with Vin's. "Have a told you lately I love you?"

"Not since this mornin'."

He released his hold on Vin's hand and turned without breaking the circle of his lover's arms. Green eyes sought blue. "I love you, Vin Tanner."

Vin smiled warmly. He leaned in for a soft almost chaste kiss. "I love you too, Ezra Standish."

Ezra hugged Vin closer to him, once more laying his head on Vin's shoulder. If he focused he could hear the steady heart beat of his lover, feel its pulse matching his own. The well worn fabric Ezra rested his cheek against was nearly as soft as the skin it covered. He breathed in deeply, taking in his lover's scent. It was a blend of leather, dust, sweat and something Ezra had yet to define, but collectively it represented comfort and safety. Using Vin as his center, Ezra managed to regulate his breathing, regaining the control he'd nearly lost.

Were it possible, Ezra would stay in Vin's arms forever. With genuine regret, Ezra took a deep breath and moved to pull away. Before leaving Vin's hold, Ezra raised a hand to cup Vin's cheek, fingers caressing lightly. "Thank you, Cheri."

Vin turned his head to place a kiss in Ezra's palm. "My pleasure."

The tracker shrugged one shoulder. "Still mad as hell that she'd come here jus' lookin' to use you... but long as she don't succeed, I'm good." Vin's hand neatly encircled Ezra's wrist. "We're together. So long as we stay that way... there is nothin' we can't handle. Right?"

Ezra smiled and nodded. Together they had faced what seemed like insurmountable odds. "We have had the damnedest run of luck."

"Not just luck, Ez." Vin gave him a cocky grin. "Luck ain't all we got going for us. We got skill. We're damn good at what we do."

Vin sighed. "I reckon you're right about that." The tracker cocked his head slightly. "You got a plan?"

"The obvious choice would be to simply let Mother suffer the consequences of her own stupidity." Ezra shook his head regretfully. As attractive as it might appear, it really wasn't an option. "Doing so will only invite her wrath." The gambler stifled a shudder at what all that would entail. He knew first hand the sort of deviousness his mother could and would employ to exact retribution. He'd rather not subject his friends to that if it could be avoided.

"And there is still the issue of the trouble she has undoubtedly brought trailing behind her." Ezra began pacing, one hand rubbing absently at his chin. "It would not be an unlikely scenario for Maude to find a way to embroil the entire town in her predicament. Doing so would force us to assist whether we wanted to or not."

He waved a hand, allowing himself a small gesture of his frustration. "Hell, she already has entangled us and this town. Albeit not as completely as she is capable of. Nor has she garnered our help on her terms, so for the moment I'll consider that to be a small victory."

Ezra absently noted Vin's move to sit on the bed. It was a move that gave him greater space in which to pace. Blue eyes regarded him steadily, patiently letting him work through his thoughts.

"Ideally, payment of the debt would be another simple answer." Ezra bit his lip. "Even if I knew of a way we could acquire sufficient funds, it is highly unlikely we could do so quickly enough to say ahead of the interest. Anything less than full payment will leave us just as we are now."

Ezra made another lap, head down as he thought through the choices. "Killing Vuocolo is certainly an alternative, but we are not executioners and I have no desire to see any of us become such." The gambler removed his jacket, hanging it carelessly over back of the rocker as he passed it. He loosened his tie as well. "And it is decidedly unlikely Vuocolo would leave Denver. His minions are more likely to be the ones we will encounter. Killing them will buy us nothing in the long run. It would be altogether too easy for him to simply send more."

Ezra sighed and reached for the glass of scotch he'd left on the nightstand. He took a sip before handing the glass over to Vin. The tracker toed out of his boots, leaned back against the headboard, cradling the glass gently. It had taken some time, but Vin had learned Ezra did not appreciate footwear on his bedspread.

"How many guys does he got?" Vin asked after taking a sip of scotch.

"Since I know the man only by reputation," Ezra shrugged, "I don't have enough information to even hazard an accurate guess. But I have no doubt that he would have little difficulty in replacing any lost in the line of duty. There are always those of limited intelligence and excess brawn in need of employment. Generally speaking, Mr. Vuocolo would have an unlimited number of applicants to choose from."

Vin pursed his lips. "And we don't want them to keep coming back."

"Precisely." Ezra continued pacing. "We need to devise a way to extricate Maude that will result in a permanent solution."

"You sure we can't just let them take her?" Earnest blue eyes met green. "Know she's your mother and all... but hell Ez, it jus' doesn't seem right to bail her out."

"I know." Ezra smiled at Vin, letting him know he was not offended by his words. He understood the sentiment behind the question. In all honesty, he even shared it. Unfortunately, it did not change the situation one bit. "And yes, I'm sure we can't just let her stew in her own juices." //Would that we could. Were she not related to me, I believe I might just pay good money to witness it.//

"Damn shame we couldn't just take her outta the picture." Vin pursed his lips, eyes dropping to focus on the drink in his hand. "I mean, with her gone we wouldn't have a problem, right?" Vin took a sip. "Reckon that wouldn't be a permanent fix like we're lookin' for... well, 'less o' course Maude was like gone for good." Vin's expression was an odd mixture of guilt and hope when he spoke again. "Can't see any way to make that happen unless she died."

Ezra stopped in mid-stride, considering his lover's words. He smiled widely, suddenly seeing the ideal solution. With one stride he stepped toward the bed. Ezra raised Vin's head and kissed him soundly, thoroughly. He plundered the familiar warm, wet grotto, stealing Vin's breath as he did so.

"You are brilliant." Ezra stated when he finally pulled away.

"I am?" Dazed blue eyes stared back at him. "What did I say?"

Ezra waved a hand. He didn't have time to explain. And he didn't want to do it more than once. Explanations could wait until they met up with the others.

"I need to send some telegrams." Ezra took the glass Vin still held in lax fingers and downed the remaining amber liquid. "Then we need to talk to the others."

Ezra spun, snatching up his jacket. Vin scrambled for his boots. "Ez?"

"I think I may have a solution to our dilemma." Ezra stepped toward the mirror and retied his tie, checking his appearance out of long habit. It wouldn't do for anyone in town to see him looking like anything other than a gentlemen.

"You have a plan?"

"Yes." Ezra nodded decisively. "I need to clarify some finer details before it can be set in motion, hence the need for telegrams to be sent."

"To who? Where?" Vin pulled on his boots, still clearly confused by Ezra's sudden about face.

"To some associates in Denver." Ezra straightened his cuffs, unconsciously checking that his derringer was still in place and ready for action. He smoothed his vest, hand ghosting over the shoulder holster he'd been wearing since getting dressed this morning.

Vin stood. "Didn't know you knew anyone in Denver."

"I know a lot of people." Ezra smiled, gold premolar readily visible. "An interesting side effect of my chosen profession."

"These friends of yours-"

"Not friends." Ezra held up a hand. "The only friends I can lay claim to reside here in Four Corners." Ezra blinked, realizing the truth of that statement for perhaps the first time. //You can have all the warm feelings you want later, Ezra. Focus on the issue at hand. Sentimentality will have to wait until a more convenient moment.//

"The people I spoke of owe me. Calling in my marker will allow them to pay a debt and for me to wipe one off my books." Ezra held up both hands, palm up as though balancing a scale.

"Will they be able ta tell you what you wanna know?"

"We shall find out in short order."

Vin halted his step toward the door with a hand on his shoulder. "Your plan gonna work without 'clarifying the finer details'?"

Ezra frowned giving Vin's question due consideration. "With some adjustments it should."

"Yes, I am." Ezra laughed. When Vin laughed with him, Ezra felt better than he had since hearing of Maude's arrival in town. Such a simple thing really, laughing together, understanding one another and yet so indicative of their relationship.

Vin waved a hand toward the door, inviting Ezra to precede him. "Okay, lets go get your details. Then we can go talk to the others. I wanna hear about this plan, pronto."

Chris absolutely hated waiting. It wasn't something he did well, nor did he have any desire to do ever be good at it. But he understood the necessity of giving Vin and Ezra time alone. He marshaled what little patience he could lay claim to and settled in to wait after Buck and JD had left.

Chris had managed to pass the time by seeing just how rattled he could make Maude Standish without ever moving a muscle. He smirked internally, not giving any outward sign of just how much pleasure he'd gotten out of doing nothing more than staring at her for nearly an hour. Chris was amused that she'd moved as far away from him as the cell would allow. //Like I couldn't shoot her between the bars. From here it wouldn't even be a challenge.//

He let her see his calculated look as he considered the angles and just where he'd place his shot. Chris waffled between inflicting something very painful but not fatal and a truly lethal plug. It didn't bother him that she was a woman. He'd long since come to the realization that 'weaker sex' was a misnomer. The gunslinger had little doubt about her ability to be as mean or vindictive as any man, maybe more so.

Chris' hand tightened on his the walnut grip of his colt when the door opened, muscles in his legs shifting to launch himself from his chair if need be. He relaxed marginally when Ezra and Vin stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind them. Maude stood immediately, eyes darting toward Ezra.

"I trust you have come to deliver my emancipation from this miserable cage."

Ezra arched an eyebrow, jade green eyes just as cool and unaffected as the stone whose color they favored. "No." He smiled slightly. "I am here to retrieve Mr. Larabee so that a discussion as to how the rescue from your financial predicament can be accomplished."

Her eyes narrowed. "You have a plan?"

"I do."

Chris nodded to himself, not surprised that Ezra would have a solution, although he was astonished that he would have managed to do so in such a short time frame. Somehow he expected Ezra to need more time than just an hour to come to grips with everything that had been said in the saloon. Chris made eye contact with Vin, silently asking if everything was okay. The corners of Vin's mouth barely lifted, while he gave Chris an almost imperceptible nod. The gunslinger breathed a little easier.

Maude's hands curled around the bars of her cell. "And am I to be privy to this plan?"

"All in good time, Mother." Ezra raised two fingers to the brim of his hat. "All in good time. For the moment, there is no need to involve you. I believe it would be best for all parties involved if you were to remain where you are for the moment."

The gambler redirected his attention to Chris. "Mr. Larabee, if you would be so kind as to join us in the saloon."

"I'll be there in a minute, Ez."

"Very good." Ezra nodded and executed as neat an about face as Chris had ever seen.

Vin followed his lover out the door with only a passing glance toward Maude. It was enough to let her know he was still furious with her. The conwoman released her hold on the bars, backing up a step.

//Figure Vin will be shadowing Ezra for awhile though. Not that I can blame him there. Not real keen on leaving Ezra alone with his mother... ever. And while she's in town, I figure Ezra's got a second shadow.//

Chris rose to his feet. He smiled nastily at Maude. "What I said earlier 'bout picking the lock or trying to escape still goes."

He briefly wondered if it was wrong to find pleasure in seeing her pale before dismissing the thought. There were times in his life when he'd capitalized on his reputation as the 'bad element', but none of them ever made him feel as good as this one. //Not like she don't deserve to be scared shitless. After what she suggested to Ezra earlier, she's mighty damn lucky Vin didn't skin her alive. Was tempted to gut shoot her myself. Still am tempted.//

Maude recovered enough composure to glare at him. "There is no need to continue threatening me."

"Mrs. Standish, I get the feeling you have a real short memory." Chris' soft tone belied the venom in his voice. "I aim to see to it that you don't forget your place in this town while you are here."

"My place?" She stiffened noticeably.

"Yep." Chris shifted his weight and stance, allowing the menace he normally controlled to flow naturally. "You came here begging for help... and beggars don't get to be choosers."

Her eyes flashed. "A beggar? I never-"

"The hell you didn't." Chris cut her off easily. "And just so we understand one another... The minute you do anything to jeopardize this town, or harm Ezra in any way, I'll personally see to it that you get a permanent plot of land right next to the church. Figure six feet or so ought to work." He copied Ezra's two-fingered salute before leaving.

Chris made sure to lock the door behind him. Not so much as a means of keeping her in, but as a way of ensuring everyone else stayed out while he and the others were talking in the saloon. So far no one had noticed that Maude Standish had become a guest in the jail and he rather hoped to keep that way.

He knew her ego was such that she probably didn't want anyone else in town to become aware of her location, but that she was also enough of an opportunist to make use of someone blithely walking in. Chris had been around Ezra long enough to understand the intricacies of dissimilation. He'd told her not to pick the lock or try to escape, knowing full well Maude would see nothing untoward about convincing some unsuspecting, would be good Samaritan from releasing her.

Chris walked toward the saloon, eyes and ears making note of what was going on in town as he did so. He was pleased the place still seemed quiet, although it felt somewhat off to have so much turmoil so close at hand and not have any of it reflected in the surrounding community. It was easy to overlook the fact that while the town was a central player in the routine and schedule of the seven peacekeepers, the peacekeepers' activities did not always play a central role in the day to day lives of the townspeople.

Chris stepped into the saloon. The room was just as empty as it had been earlier. //Count your blessing where you find them my mother used to say. I'm thinking the place being empty definitely counts. Don't need an audience that's for damn sure.//

Buck and JD were seated next to one another. The younger man looked a bit anxious but not overly so. Josiah sat next to Buck, rubbing his right hand as though it pained him. Chris was guessing the one partition in the church the big man had mentioned needing to replace had been torn out. The gunslinger winced, wondering if Josiah would be needing Nathan's services later.

Nathan occupied the seat next to Josiah. He wasn't aware the healer had made it back to town, but given how late it had gotten, Chris really wasn't surprised to see him. There was no need for Nathan to stay at the village. Chris knew Maude's presence in town had nothing to do with the village and he expected Nathan would corroborate that fact.

Vin and Ezra sat together, in their usual seats, leaving the head of the table open for Chris. The gunslinger sat down. "Last time we all met it was to identify a problem and then gather information."

For Nathan's benefit, since he was the only one who didn't have the basic information from the conversation with Maude, Chris added, "We spoke to Maude and it seems she's here to raise some funds to cover a debt. And the guy she owes isn't exactly an upstanding citizen, nor is he the type to take no for an answer."

Nathan raised his eyebrows. "How much?"

"Fifteen thousand." Chris grimaced, still trying to figure out what the hell she could have spent that kind of money on. "Probably more by now given the interest rate being charged."

Nathan whistled and shook his head in disbelief. "That's a hell of a lot of money."

"That it is." Chris agreed. He glanced toward his long time friend. "Buck and JD... why don't you bring everyone up to speed on what you found out since it validates Maude's story." He held up a hand halting JD's words before the sheriff could start. "Just hit the highlights, JD."

JD nodded. To his credit the younger man didn't take offense; he simply did as Chris ordered. Ezra, Vin and Josiah did not appear surprised by what JD reported, looking more resigned and disappointed than anything else. Nathan frowned heavily when Buck chimed in with his suppositions about Maude's attempt to swindle the townspeople, but did not comment.

When JD and Buck finished, Chris looked askance at Nathan. The healer sat up a little straighter. "All's quiet at the village. Not a whisper of trouble on that end." Nathan sighed. "Guess Maude was busy enough here in town."

"Small favors." Josiah offered with a grim smile.

"Ezra, you said you have a plan?" Chris asked quietly, letting the gambler take control of this meeting.

Ezra nodded. He ticked off the points on his fingers as he began speaking. "Allowing Mother to abscond with money from the good people of Four Corners is obviously not an option. And it is decidedly unlikely that we could acquire that amount of cash through any legal means. Even if we could, staying ahead of the interest being charged is nigh onto impossible. That effectively eliminates the option of simply paying off her debt."

Chris nodded. He'd expected that. He could see similar looks of acceptance from everyone at the table. //No way I'm paying off her damn debt anyway. Would sooner feed her to the wolves.//

The gambler curled his hand into a fist and started ticking off points again. "The nefarious gentleman Chris alluded to earlier, Mr. Vuocolo, engages in what is essentially illegal so it might be possible to see to his arrest. Unfortunately that option would require Mother to testify, an event I consider as unlikely as snow in July. Since his crime took place outside our jurisdiction, it would have to be handled in Denver. According to several associates I have in that fair city, Mr. Vuocolo has enough friends in all the right places so as to make being convicted impossible."

Chris was mildly embarrassed that he hadn't even thought of arresting the man. Despite working as a peacekeeper he still wasn't used to having the law on his side. He knew Buck would say he'd lived so long being a law unto himself that he didn't immediately recognize someone else's authority. Chris wasn't sure Buck was wrong about that.

Ezra again fisted his hand, before ticking off points again. "Eliminating Mr. Vuocolo from the picture... shall we say, permanently, is not a viable option. None of us are cold-blood executioners. And in any event, according my associates, he rarely leaves Denver. So it will be men in his employ that we will have to face. Eliminating them will only result in his sending more."

JD huffed out a breath in obvious impatience. "We can't pay him off, we can't arrest him and we can't kill him. What's left?"

Ezra smiled widely. "We kill Maude."

Josiah sat up straight, back rigid. So did Buck. Nathan and JD looked aghast. Chris could read the same surprised hope and dark pleasure in Vin's eyes as he knew was mirrored in his own. //Wasn't expecting Ezra to say that.//

Ezra chuckled. "If you could see your faces."

JD scowled and slapped the table. "That wasn't funny, Ezra."

The gambler waved a hand in a dismissive gesture, sobering quickly. "I did not mean literally. We need to convince the men coming after Mother that she is no longer worth coming after. To wit... dead."

"Like when we ran the wagon of the cliff loaded with dummies to fool Wickes." Buck grinned, rubbing his hands together gleefully.

"Something a bit more effective I hope than that ruse proved to be."

"Aw, Ez, it would have worked if the ladies had just been willing to lay low for a while." JD pointed out. "Not our fault those guys saw them running around town."

Vin grinned wolfishly. "Then, ta pull this off means Maude can't ever come back here, don't it?"

Ezra tipped his head in acknowledgement of that fact. The corners of Chris' lips twitched as he fought a grin to match Vin's. He didn't like this plan as well as killing Maude for real, but he could definitely see the benefit. He wasn't going to shed any tears over her having to stay away forever.

"How do you intend to fake her death?" Josiah asked. The big man had relaxed marginally since finding out Ezra hadn't meant to genuinely kill his mother.

"The how is less important than the when." Ezra commented. "It has to be done when Vuocolo's minions are present to witness it."

"But we don't know when they'll arrive." Nathan protested. He gave Ezra a hard look. "Or do we?"

"We do."

"More from your 'associates' in Denver?" Chris asked dryly.

"Quite." Ezra smiled, winking at him. "I look for them to appear in two days time. Which unfortunately does not leave us much time to plan our little drama."

Chris pursed his lips. Two days would be when the next stage arrived. He and Vin traded a look. Chris sent another one toward Buck. Someone would definitely be keeping an eye on it when the stage pulled in to town.

"Still didn't say how we were going to fake her death." Josiah pointed out.

"The men following my mother believe she came here with the intent of retrieving money with which to pay her debt. While we know her actually having any funds to be false, we want for the men following her to believe that she did in fact have the money to accomplish the Herculean task of paying Vuocolo."

"Why?" JD frowned.

"Because then they are more likely to believe that she was killed in a robbery attempt. A robbery attempt that will be very public." Ezra smiled. "Mother's efforts with the townspeople will work in our favor there."

"How?" Buck shook the way a wet dog might, clearly not following Ezra. Chris could sympathize. Ezra's logic was like watching a snake move, not a straight line in sight.

"Because, my dear Mr. Wilmington, half this town already believes my mother is here to invest money for friends. They will readily accept that she was robbed simply because they believe she has something worth stealing."

Chris nodded, understanding that point. It was times like these he was very glad Ezra was on their side. The man could see all the angles and points the others overlooked.

Ezra shrugged one shoulder. "An added bonus is that should Vuocolo's men speak with any of the townspeople, they will hear the same thing you and JD did today. They will likely draw the same conclusions that you did, assuming she was attempting to swindle people out of their money, perhaps that she even succeeded to some extent. In any event, unlike with the good ladies of Wickes Town, I think it best that we not enlist any help from the townspeople. The less they know the better. It will be better and more believable for them to mourn her passing honestly."

"If we're not getting help from anyone else who's going to rob Maude?" JD frowned, looking confused. "I mean, it can't be one of us. Too many people know us around here and you said you wanted it to be public so... "

Ezra grinned. "No one needs to actually rob Mother. It just has to //seem// that way."

The gambler reached out to lightly caress Vin's cheek, hand moving to ghost over his ear, brushing back Vin's long hair. Vin shivered, blue eyes darkening almost immediately in response to Ezra's touch. While Chris didn't object to the obvious display of affection, nor did he notice any of the others looking offended, he didn't think this was the time or place. There was too much that needed settled first. He was about to snap at Ezra that he and Vin could play after they were done when a coin suddenly appeared in his fingers as though Ezra had pulled it from his lover's ear.

The gambler smiled slyly, making the coin suddenly appear in his other hand. "Illusion, JD, nothing but illusion."

"And how do we create this robbing illusion?" Nathan asked, looking dubiously at the coin Ezra held between two fingers.

"An ad in the paper will inform the good citizens that Maude Standish is in town seeking investment opportunities for well-to-do friends, further adding to the con she has already begun. The ad will invite all interested parties to attend a meeting for more information. Since there isn't much going on of late to constitute excitement in town at the moment, I have no doubt such a meeting would be well attended by those genuinely interested as well as by the casually curious."

Ezra paused and looked askance at Josiah. "I think the church will be a good place to hold the meeting. Certainly more appropriate than the saloon and it is the only other building in town with enough room to hold the curious such an ad will likely draw."

The big man nodded. "The church would be a good place."

"Excellent." Ezra idly walked the coin he held across his knuckles before pocketing it. "No one would expect Vin or Chris to attend such a function. Vin's dislike for crowds is well known and Chris isn't the sort to have patience for what he regards as 'foolishness'. So their absence will not be remarked upon. I will explain the importance of that in a moment."

Ezra's gaze went to Buck. "You will be assigned to keep watch on the rest of the town," Ezra looked toward JD, "because JD will be attending the meeting as a precaution. Just doing his duty to ensure it is a peaceable gathering."

Ezra tipped his head toward Nathan. "You will also be at the meeting. Just another curious soul wondering what all the fuss is about and as back up for JD."

"Now... that leaves only Josiah." Ezra smiled at the former preacher. "You are a natural choice to escort my mother to this meeting. Most of the town is familiar with your previous feelings of admiration for her. And it will lend credence to the course of events that need to take place."

Ezra pointed to Nathan and JD. "The people who show up will begin to get restless when Maude does not show up exactly on time. A lady never shows up on time... Ever. So you will calm the crowd, explaining that you will go see what could be holding up Josiah and Maude."

Ezra tipped his head toward Chris. "There will be gunfire heard from the hotel where Maude is staying. Broken furniture. Smashing glass from one of the windows. Fleeing horses. Josiah will be found unconscious, rendered so by the phantom assailants. Maude will naturally have attempted to prevent the theft, tried to defend her fallen paramour and be 'killed' during the ensuing struggle. Nathan will, of course, pronounce her dead and tend to Josiah's 'injury'."

Ezra waved a hand toward Chris. "No one will think Chris was the one doing the shooting. Everyone will assume he was drawn to it as one of the peacekeepers of this town. His showing up in response to it will be substantiated by statements made by JD, who will naturally be inundated with questions from the townspeople who are likewise drawn to the commotion."

Ezra tipped his head toward Vin. "Likewise, no one will suspect Vin to be the one fleeing. Particularly not if he isn't riding his own horse, wearing his distinctive capote and it is dark enough to obscure his features."

Ezra grinned. "And the beauty is that he only need ride out of visual range, change clothes and come back as himself. A very short turn around time, which will allow him to be on hand before anyone even realizes he left. And people will expect Vin to be on hand since he would be the logical choice for Chris to send after the fleeing felons. Track them down as it were."

Ezra chuckled. "Losing his own trail... oh the irony of that." Vin slanted an amused look toward his lover, but didn't comment.

"So we pretend to shoot Maude-" JD began, only to be cut off by Ezra.

"No." Ezra corrected. "I'm thinking we will have her die of a broken neck or perhaps strangulation. Less bloody for one... and if we need for her to pretend to be a corpse, we can do so far more easily."

Ezra ran a thumb over his lower lip. "The shots are meant to assist in the drawing of a crowd sufficient to establish Mother's demise. While someone might be smart enough to question the fact that Mother was not killed by a bullet, I seriously doubt anyone will even notice. If they do, the shots can be explained as being from Josiah's gun, an act of defense. Or as coming from Chris in an effort to halt the perpetrators of this horrible crime."

The gambler tapped an elegant finger against the table, nodding to himself. "Yes, a viewing would be in order. As her only living relative it will be incumbent on me to make the arrangements. And with Mother already in her Sunday best, so to speak, my friends can point out to me in my grief stricken state how appropriate it would be to bury her in that. Eliminates the need to have another woman dress her for burial as propriety and common practice warrant."

Ezra bit his lip. "We will have to make sure Vuocolo's men see her at some point. Seeing is believing after all."

"And how are you going to make her look dead?" Nathan queried, looking honestly curious.

"Makeup will be sufficient to make her look appropriately pale. And Mother is well versed in remaining motionless when the situation calls for it. With one or more of us always standing by, more than a cursory look from our marks will not be needed or permitted."

Buck whistled. "Damn, Ez, you thought all this up mighty damn quick."

Ezra arched an eyebrow. "The planning is nothing, Buck. Execution will be everything."

Chris nodded. "Plans don't often survive encountering the enemy... leastwise not very long."

"Indeed." Ezra's eyes flickered over the table. "Everyone understands the part they are to play?"

Several nods answered him. "Piece of cake, Ez." JD stated with confidence. Chris sincerely hoped the younger man's statement would be an accurate description.

"What will you be doing?" Josiah asked. Chris realized for the first time that while lining everything out, Ezra hadn't mentioned his own role.

"I will be at the meeting, like any dutiful son should be." Ezra smirked. "The commotion at the hotel will draw me as well as the rest of the town. I can be the catalyst there if need be to get them moving. Of course, I will naturally be distraught over the unexpected and brutal demise of my mother." Ezra placed a hand over his heart, a very believable expression of complete devastation on his face if one overlooked the twinkle in his green eyes.

"You think Maude will play along?" Chris asked, seeing her acquiescence as a potential stumbling block.

"She will agree." Ezra stated with a smile. Chris found himself wondering if his own smile held that sort of understated confidence blended with outright ruthlessness to see his will done. After a moment, he decided it did.

Vin sighed softly and wrapped his arms more fully around his sleeping lover. Ezra was exhausted after having played the grief stricken son to the hilt. The tracker smiled in the darkness, still impressed by the gambler's performance. //Hell, for a minute there I thought she really was dead.//

Vin shook his head. He hadn't expected Ezra's plan to really go off without a hitch, but for the most part it had. Vin wondered if he shouldn't say 'thank you' to whatever deity made that happen. He figured Josiah had already taken care of that, but it probably wouldn't hurt for him to second it.

Two large, well-muscled gentlemen had disembarked from the stage just as Ezra had predicted. Buck or Vin kept an eye on them as the walked around town, making sure they didn't cause trouble. The strangers had introduced themselves as Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith, friends of Maude's, and given their city 'dude' attire, most everyone in town assumed they were business types who'd arrived in time to attend Maude's 'meeting'. Vin was still amazed by how little it took to dupe people. //They didn't have to say anything more than their names and they were looking for Maude and every idiot in this town jumped to some kind of assumption. Ain't any wonder so many people get conned out o' there money.//

Vin quickly realized Buck was probably not the best choice to follow the strangers. He'd nearly given himself away when he burst out laughing at the banker's attempt to interest them in opening up an account at the bank. Much as Vin liked the tall cowboy, he readily admitted his friend had no sense of subtlety or understanding of tracking his quarry. Buck was the kind of man who preferred open and honest communication or conflict. He simply was not suited to following someone unobtrusively.

Chris must have realized the same thing. The gunslinger had sent Buck off to keep an eye on Maude and make sure the conwoman did not renege on her agreement to participate fully with Ezra's plan. Vin half expected her to deliberately sabotage their efforts. And he knew he wasn't the only one.

The conwoman wasn't alone for more than a few minutes to answer nature's call. Josiah acted as both escort and guardian. When he needed to be elsewhere, Buck or Nathan took over. JD was kept occupied with other details of the plan since no one was sure if the young sheriff fully appreciated the caginess Maude was capable of. And Ezra appreciated his help. Vin never realized just how much went into setting up a con. It might all be smoke and mirrors but making is seem real sure took a lot of energy. How any one could have thought Ezra was lazy was beyond him.

Vin sighed and shifted slightly, trying to settle his lover's weight more comfortably against him. Ezra mumbled something in his sleep, curling in tighter to the lanky tracker, hand clutching at Vin's arm as though trying to prevent his leaving. Vin ran his hand up and down Ezra's back, soothing his lover, murmuring softly, "Shh... it's okay. Everything is all right. Not going anywhere. Jus' go back ta sleep."

The faint tension Vin felt in Ezra's stocky form faded back into the deep sleep, nearly boneless, relaxed state it had been in before he'd moved. The gambler did not release his hold on Vin's arm, but his grip was no longer as tight as it had been. Vin nuzzled the dark curls resting beneath his chin, relieved that he hadn't disturbed Ezra for too long.

The gambler hadn't slept much in the past two days. Ezra had seemed to be constantly monitoring what was going on in town, like a general marshalling troops on a battlefield. He knew who had said what to whom, where everyone was and what had to be done next. If this was what it took to run a con, Vin was very glad his lover didn't do them anymore, but he could see why his mother was always so eager to get him back in the game. The man was good at it.

Vin glanced toward the window, trying to judge the time of day. From the darkness outside it was still very early, even for a morning person like him. //Good. No need to get up just yet then. Jus' cause I'm too wound up to sleep don't mean anyone else needs to be up and about.//

Vin wondered if Maude was as tired as Ezra. The lady cardsharp had played her part just as she'd promised. Hardly surprising when Vin stopped to consider the fact that Ezra's plan was the only chance she had of extricating herself from her predicament. Although, he had no trouble seeing her as being dumb enough to 'cut her nose off to spite her face,' as the expression went.

He grinned savagely, placing a soft kiss in Ezra's hair. It didn't hurt that Chris had put the fear of god in her, so to speak. Vin had no doubt that his best friend would carry out his threats and evidently neither did Maude.

She had acted out her part flawlessly. Vin had to admit that she managed to help solidify the illusion Ezra worked so hard to create. If he hadn't known better, Vin would have thought she really was in town to invest money, bring wealth and prosperity to Four Corners.

Maude never looked more the sophisticated lady than she had for the last two days. She looked like the sort of person one would trust with a lot of money, sounded like the sort who understood complicated investments and made it make sense for her to explore this dusty corner of the world for friends since her darling son was living here. With Josiah or one of the others always escorting her around town it only added to the implied prestige.

Vin figured everyone in town had attended Maude's 'meeting'. Ezra's ad in the paper had been just the lure he said it would be. Vin was very grateful his part in Ezra's plan hadn't included him being in the church. All those people, in that enclosed area, gave him the willies just thinking about it.

He'd waited for his signal in the alley near the hotel. It was dark enough to obscure his presence and with everyone in the church there was no one to see him anyway. He spotted Nathan going to retrieve Maude and Josiah and had given an owl call as a signal to Chris. Chris shot out the window of Maude's hotel room and fired into the air twice after that.

It was important that he be seen, so Vin waited until there were enough people in the street before he galloped his borrowed mare pell-mell down the street and out of town. He rode low over the saddle, hair tucked up under a borrowed hat, bandana to cover his face and wearing a long, light brown duster. The borrowed mare wasn't a horse anyone in town would recognize. She was one Chris had been working with at his ranch and Vin had taken care to blur any distinctive features. Once he released her after retrieving Peso, she would head for home of her own accord.

He hadn't been too worried the trail would lead to the ranch. Especially not when the thunderstorm that had been building as he'd left suddenly opened up just as he made it back to town. The deluge, although it lasted only minutes, was more than enough to obscure any tracks. It also lent credence to his story of losing the trail later on. //Yep. Definitely need to remember to thank God for that. Wonder if Josiah would mind if I lit one of his candles in the church.//

Dashing upstairs to join the others, Vin had been impressed to see Maude lying on the floor looking a pale as any corpse he'd ever laid eyes on. He didn't know what she'd done to create the bruised look to her neck but Vin had frozen in the doorway, afraid for just a moment that Chris had actually killed her instead of just faking an attack.

Chris had genuinely knocked Josiah unconscious. The big man had worried he would not be able to fake it well enough to convince anyone. The gunslinger had obligingly agreed to make sure he wouldn't have to act hurt. Vin wondered if Josiah would have tried to fake it if he'd realized Chris intended to smack him up side the head with the leg of a broken chair.

Josiah was spending the night in the clinic. Nathan would make sure he recovered. As the healer had been quick to point out it wasn't the first time any of them had suffered from a blow to the head and this was probably not the last.

Maude's 'body' couldn't be left to the undertaker. Ezra's rather passionate performance regarding the matter had been very convincing. Vin could still hear his lover's broken voice and ragged breathing as he quietly kept insisting that his mother couldn't be left in a place like that, she deserved better, should not be subjected to any more stares of the gawking masses. Green eyes bright with unshed tears had all but pleaded with Chris to not allow the undertaker to take Maude.

JD played his part perfectly. The sheriff had crouched down next to where Ezra cradled his mother in his arms. "It's okay, Ez. Can understand how you feel." He looked up at Chris. "It don't really matter, does it, Chris?" He'd shrugged one shoulder, looking helpless. "I mean... we don't HAVE to let him put her in a," JD had swallowed hard, "in a coffin just yet. That would wait until tomorrow, right?"

It was the hotel manager who offered up a room for Maude to 'lie in state'. She was spending the night in a room adjacent to the one she'd been killed in. Ezra had sat with her until nearly midnight. There was another public scene where Chris all but forced the gambler go to bed.

Chris ordered Vin to take him to his room and see to it he stayed there. He suggested Nathan could provide a sleeping draught if necessary to ensure the distraught gambler got some rest, making sure those busybodies still hanging around overheard. Vin thought they were worse than vultures. At least vultures were playing the role mother nature assigned them and some good could be claimed from it.

When Ezra protested the gunslinger's order to leave, half-heartedly trying to pull his arm from Vin's grasp saying he didn't want his mother to be alone, Chris told him he'd stay with Maude. "Don't worry, Ez, I'll make sure she's taken care of. She won't be alone." Vin hadn't realized just what a good actor his best friend could be. The man managed to say it with a straight face.

Vin breathed deeply, relieved to have what he considered the trickiest part over with. The funeral still had to be done. Buck was set to talk the undertaker and making sure the man brought the coffin by first thing in the morning. The ladies man was a great choice for the role of 'caring friend'. He would have no trouble convincing the undertaker that it would be better for Ezra not to see his mother in the coffin. Given how distraught Ezra had appeared it was a safe bet the man would agree.

They would bring the sealed coffin down, with no one being any wiser to the fact that Maude wasn't in it. While the rest of the town was seeing to her funeral, Maude would remain in the hotel. She apparently had a disguise picked out, one that would allow her to make her way to another room and later leave town un-remarked upon. It was also something Ezra had found decidedly amusing.

When they had a minute alone earlier in the day Vin couldn't resist asking about it. Everyone in town had met Maude or seen her at one time or another. Only way their plan was going to work was if everyone thought she was dead... which wouldn't happen if someone spotted her. "So what is this disguise she's got in mind?"

Ezra chuckled. "Never fear, Cheri, no one will recognize her. They are used to seeing her as a well-to-do lady. Thinking of her as a blonde with a trim figure. Not to mention her accent. No one will recognize her as a heavy-set brunette in a gingham dress and bonnet with an accent that marks her as coming from Boston."

Green eyes fairly danced with laugher. "My mother is about to become a kindly matron resting here briefly before continuing on to see her daughter who is now living in Santa Fe. She'll be trading in her deck of cards for knitting needles."

Vin had snorted. "She can knit?"

"Not well." Ezra admitted with a laugh. "But then she doesn't have to."

"Jus' more set dressing?"

Ezra glanced around confirming they were alone before ducking in to place a quick kiss on Vin's lips. "Set dressing." He confirmed with a smile.

"I'd already taken the liberty of having a room reserved for her in the name Martha Attkins. Mrs. Attkins arrived on the same stage as Vuocolo's men, but in all the excitement, she was merely overlooked." Ezra winked at Vin. "The hotel manager has never met her, but I doubt that the man even realizes that. He received her wire asking for a room indicating the date of her arrival. And the poor dear has been too exhausted from her travels to leave her room. Although, she has managed to ask for food to be delivered. Even ate it."

Ezra laughed lightly. "She's had her clothes laundered. Of course, they had to be delivered via one of the girls who cleans for the hotel and returned the same way. It simply wouldn't do for Mrs. Attkins to be seen in her undergarments. A message has even been sent to Santa Fe tell her daughter not to worry, she's delayed her journey for a few days to recuperate here in Four Corners."

Vin chuckled. "You are just way too damn smart, you know that?"

"Quite." The gambler agreed with a grin before he sobered, his inner contemplation visible in his eyes. "She'll be leaving on the next stage after Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones depart from our fair hamlet."

"It bother you she can't ever come back?" Vin had worried that his lover might regret his decision. As much as Maude was a miserable mother, she was still Ezra's mother and knowing he'd never see her again could not be easy for him.

Ezra smiled again. "No." Ezra sighed and waved a hand. "Perhaps it should and it may in the future, but somehow I've never doubted my mother would some day vanish from my life for good." His expression turned rueful. "There were times when I even prayed for such an event and an equal number of times when I feared it would finally occur. Knowing the terms under which she is being forced to stay away and the timing of it is almost a relief."

Vin nodded. He understood. He was also real damn glad to know Ezra was not going to be devastated by his mother's permanent absence. At least, not until the con was finished. Vin and the others would be around to help him deal with it if her being gone should prove to hit him harder at some later date.

And somehow he had no doubt that Maude would stay in touch, even though she could never come back. //Damn woman will still write to him, of that I'm sure. Can't see her lettin' go completely. Don't really matter much... not like she can hurt him as bad with a letter the way she can in person. Man gets more mail than anyone in town, and ain't nobody saw fit to comment on that yet. So I don't imagine one more letter is gonna draw too much attention.//

Ezra shifted in his arms, a soft sigh escaping as he settled once more. Vin glanced toward the window again. Ezra told him he wanted to be up at first light to ensure everything was in place for the grand finale. The tracker hadn't really thought it necessary, but didn't argue, knowing he'd never win. He promised himself he'd see to it that his lover got plenty of rest when this was all said and done.

The faint light of a false dawn was beginning to lighten the horizon. Dark clouds hung in the west, heralding that possibility of another storm. Vin sincerely hoped it would rain again. In addition to continuing to establish the ruse of a trail lost, it would also serve to keep most people indoors. They could get the 'funeral' taken care of without having to spend much time among the townspeople.

"Has the sun risen yet?" Ezra murmured quietly, the sound of his not quite awake voice surprising Vin.

"No." He answered softly. "Still dark out yet."

Ezra lifted his head with a deep sigh. "It will be showtime soon."

Vin ran his fingers through Ezra's sleep tousled curls, lightly massaging as he did so. There was just enough light to make out the beautiful green eyes he continued to find so fascinating. "You still got time. Go back to sleep."

"We have time." Ezra added emphasis to the first word. "I think there are better things we could do with it than sleep." Ezra smiled at him, eyes sparkling playfully. Those clever, talented hands that Vin found so enticing were already moving, making him shiver in response. "Don't you agree?" Ezra's question was whisper soft against Vin's lips as he moved in for a kiss.

Vin moaned, unable to resist the taste of those tantalizing lips, sucking Ezra's tongue into his mouth. //He always tastes so damn good. Always.//

He was grateful they'd opted to sleep naked, reveling in the rush of immediate skin to skin contact. While they both loved the comfort found in the simple intimacy of direct, full-body contact, it wasn't always an option, even in town. The rest of the peacekeepers knew about them, but they usually still found it to be prudent to maintain some level of decency on the off chance they had to move in a moment's notice. Yesterday's performance guaranteed no one but one of their friends would be bothering them any time soon.

Vin shuddered as Ezra's fingers found his nipples and began tweaking them. He arched his back, unconsciously trying to get closer. He simply couldn't get enough of Ezra's touch. //There is magic in his fingers. Has to be.//

Vin pulled Ezra closer, his hands moving to stroke satin smooth flesh of his lover. He had never touched anything that rivaled the feel of Ezra's skin. The closest thing he'd come across was one of Ezra's recently removed silk shirts still warm from his body heat.

The need to breathe broke their kiss. Vin panted, his breathing ragged. Ezra ducked his head, placing butterfly kisses along the column of Vin's throat. Vin tipped his head back, giving his lover greater access, breath hissing out between clenched teeth when Ezra sucked hard at the hollow of his throat. It would leave a mark for sure, but his bandana should cover it.

He felt Ezra lick and nibble his way back up, moving toward Vin's ear. "You are so beautiful." Ezra whispered in French as he playfully licked the outer curve of left ear.

Vin smiled, responding in the same language. "So are you." He nuzzled Ezra's hair, delighted as always with the feel of those silken strands against his face. "Bewitching you are."

Ezra raised his head. Green eyes seemed to glow in the darkness, reminding Vin of an encounter he with a mountain lion once. The big cat had sat perched above him, watching intently, tail twitching with interest, but it never moved to attack, content to simply observe. Vin figured the puma had been waiting on him to make a move before it acted. Vin didn't bother waiting for Ezra to make a move, not wanting to waste any time, raising his head to once more capture those incredible lips, to taste that sweet mouth.

Ezra's hips began moving against his in lazy, tantalizing thrusts. Vin's hands moved to cup Ezra's ass, kneading those muscular hemispheres rhythmically, encouraging him to continue. He loved this moment of building tension, when everything felt good, spiraling higher, but not yet out of control.

Ezra reached for the tin on the nightstand, hand fumbling blindly. In one smooth move he straddled Vin's hips, sitting up, hands braced against Vin's shoulder, holding him against the bed. He looked down at Vin, smiling warmly.

"I want to go for a ride."

Vin shuddered, cock hardening even more from Ezra's tone of voice. That husky, needy whisper a full octave lower than his normal speaking voice seemed to almost physically slide across his skin, raising goosebumps as it did so. Ezra only ever sounded like that when they were making love. It triggered a reaction every single time.

Vin couldn't verbalize a response. He just nodded, more than willing to let Ezra take control. The gambler leaned in for a kiss. Vin was only vaguely aware that his hands had left his shoulders and now were busy elsewhere.

He caught Ezra's faint gasp of pleasure in his mouth, realizing Ezra had reached behind himself, preparing his entrance with his fingers. "Coulda done that for you." Vin whispered against his mouth, hands roaming over Ezra's chest in a touch mean to soothe rather than arouse.

"No... No." Ezra gasped, pupils dilated so far as to almost totally obscure the green. "Let you and... I wouldn't last."

Vin was glad he wasn't the only one so close. It felt like it had been forever since they'd done this rather than just two days. Vin had a feeling he'd never stop being hungry for Ezra. There was something positively addicting about Ezra P. Standish, something Vin fully intended to indulge as often as possible for as long as possible.

He felt Ezra's slick hand move over his cock and involuntarily bucked. Ezra rode it out, not the least bit fazed by Vin's reaction. He positioned himself over Vin's shaft and slowly lowered himself on to it. Vin did his best not to move, fighting hard not to just slam into Ezra, enjoying the exquisite torture of being sheathed a little at a time.

"God." He choked out, whimpering when he was finally buried balls deep into his lover's hot, tight channel. "So... good. Ez... you feel so... good."

Ezra remained still, internal muscles clenching and releasing around Vin's shaft in a steady, deliberate rhythm. Of all the lessons Vin had gotten, he still hadn't mastered this particular skill. The tracker's lean form grew taut like a bowstring, fingers and toes curling tightly. He thought he was going to come right then, without Ezra even having to move.

"Please... god... please, Ez... you gotta... move." Vin felt shudders rippling through him as he struggled to not let go just yet, not wanting to come before Ezra did.

Ezra rolled his hips in a slow, sensual move. He began to rock, rising and falling like he was riding Chaucer in a parade ground post trot. Vin fisted the sheets, pleasure coursing through him in waves.

He forced himself to unclench his right hand. He blindly sought Ezra's weeping erection, stroking it in time to match Ezra's steady movement. Vin could hear Ezra saying something, but for the life of him he had no idea what. It didn't matter. At the moment all that mattered was that he didn't stop.

Vin was sure he could see stars behind his eyes. He starting meeting Ezra's downward thrust, pushing himself deeper into Ezra. Ezra's hands were caressing his chest, toying with his nipples, making him whimper again, almost begging for more. Just a little more. "Please... god... Yes. Please... Ez... just... don't... just keep... sweet Jesus."

Suddenly Ezra froze, head tilted back, mouth open in a near silent scream of completion, cock jerking in Vin's hand, spurting his seed across Vin's abdomen. The corresponding internal contractions had Vin coming a second later, teeth clenched hard against the need to shout Ezra's name, to howl like a coyote at the blinding satisfaction he was feeling.

Ezra all but collapsed on Vin's chest, breathing hard, arms curling around him in a tight hug. Faint tremors rocked them both as they tried to regain control of their breathing. Vin buried one hand in Ezra's hair while the other moved up and down his spine in a comforting gesture.

"I gotcha, Ez." Vin whispered. "It's okay. I gotcha."

Ezra nodded his head against Vin's shoulder, his breathing gradually slowing, tremors fading. He felt Ezra shift and his now lax cock slipped free. Vin sighed, already missing that connection. He turned his head to place a soft kiss on Ezra's temple.

Ezra took a deep breath and pulled away. He smiled wickedly at Vin. "If we were to do that every morning, I could certainly see the benefit of rising before the sun."

Vin chuckled. "And I'd be late for patrol."

"Your point?" Ezra arched an eyebrow.

Vin mock growled at him. He moved a hand to the one ticklish spot he knew of. He delighted in the peels of laughter Ezra emitted in response. "You are a bad, bad boy, Ezra Standish."

Face flushed from spent passion and laughter, Ezra gave him a sly look. "You can punish me later."

Ezra rolled away from him, expression one of all business. "For the moment, we need to get cleaned up and see to today's little melodrama."

Vin grimaced, unhappy to have the mood shift so soon, but recognizing the need for it. "Be real glad when this shit is all taken care of."

Chris sipped his drink, settling into his chair more firmly. He reflected that the funeral had gone rather well, despite the rain. //Or maybe because of it.//

He wondered idly if Maude would be pleased by the turn out. More than half the town had attended. It had taken all his willpower not to show the amusement he felt at people who would have tarred and feathered her if they'd known the truth standing in the rain looking like drowned rats paying their respects to a woman they barely knew. He was certain more of them were mourning the loss of an opportunity, bewailing the shattered fantasy of easy money than feeling any real sorrow over her 'death'.

It was sobering to see how few were genuinely present to offer support to Ezra or honestly cared about the gambler. Admittedly the funeral was a sham, but they didn't know that. It would have been nice to see more of them show some sort of honest concern for a man who regularly risked his life for them. They could have put forth the minimal amount of effort to at least give a damn about his loss. There were days when he hated this damn town and all the people in it.

He amended that thought. He didn't hate them all. Mrs. Potter and her children were clearly compassionate. As were a number of other ladies and their children. For the first time in a week, Chris wondered about the new teacher. He sipped his drink trying to figure out if he'd missed her arrival or not. Mentally he shrugged, deciding it didn't really matter.

Blue-gray eyes searched the room, waiting of the others to put in an appearance. Vin had ridden out at first light, ostensibly to check once more for sign of the robbers. In reality he'd simply headed for Chris' ranch to make sure the mare had made it back safe and sound. The tracker had ridden back into town, bedraggled and dripping, just in time to attend the funeral with the rest of them.

After the funeral, Nathan had been insistent all of them change into dry clothes. Josiah and Vin got special attention. Josiah because was still not entirely steady on his feet and Vin because he had gotten completely soaked during his early morning ride. The healer warned them all about catching their death, his fussing seeming so normal for such an out of place situation.

Chris sighed. The big man had delivered a beautiful service. Although, the wicked looking bruises he sported made Chris wince. He hadn't really meant to hit the ex-preacher so hard. He apologized last night and would do so again today when he had a chance.

It hadn't surprised Chris in the least to learn Ezra had written most of the eulogy. Josiah had a way with words, but the man usually spoke from his heart. And Chris was pretty damn certain the man didn't feel a lot of sympathy for Maude any more. He wasn't entirely certain the man would even if she were really dead. Chris wasn't sure how Ezra had managed to make the whole thing sound like something Josiah would have written and he really didn't care. All that mattered was it made for a very nice, believable service.

Nathan had fussed after Ezra as well. He tried to make sure Ezra ate breakfast, which really amounted to watching the man despondently push food around on his plate. Chris sipped his drink with a small smile knowing the fact Ezra rarely ate breakfast certainly had helped foster the illusion the man was too upset to eat.

Ezra played his part to the hilt, appearing withdrawn and unnaturally subdued. Chris had checked with Vin to make sure the gambler really was all right. Vin's small nod was enough to reassure him. He knew Ezra was a good actor, he simply hadn't anticipated just how good. The shuttered eyes, pale complexion and faintly desperate look of a man barely holding it together had seemed all too real.

Chris sipped his drink. He had a feeling that Ezra might have been using the opportunity to truly mourn his mother. In another day, it was decidedly unlikely he'd lay eyes on her again. The gunslinger didn't feel bad about that at all, but could appreciate how Ezra might. Despite having all the maternal instinct of a reptile, Maude was still Ezra's mother. Ezra loved her even if he didn't always like or respect her.

After the funeral, Nathan had insisted Ezra change clothes as well. Something Chris had quietly supported. Aside from getting warm and dry, after spending over an hour at the gravesite it just seemed too damn weird to see Ezra in dark, somber shades. The man was meant to wear bright colors, to be flashy and stand out like a peacock on display.

Chris refilled his glass from the bottle in front of him. He filled another as he saw Buck and JD enter. The tall cowboy slid into his chair with a brief nod, reaching for a glass and knocking it back.

"Where are Smith and Jones?" The men had been at the funeral, although, they hadn't stayed long.

JD answered before Buck had the chance to. "Over at the hotel, packing. Told the manager they were checking out."

Buck chuckled slightly. "Lovitt was there trying to convince them that even with Maude gone they should still pursue investing in Four Corners."

//Greedy bastard.// The last thing they needed was for Vuocolo's men to opt to hang around and try to swindle the damn banker. "They say anything?"

"Well, that Jones fella talks a bit like Ezra." Buck grinned. "So if I got the jist of all his big words, the answer was a firm no."

"Nathan's keeping an eye on them." Buck added. Chris hadn't really been sure that it was necessary any more, but Ezra had insisted. He argued that it wouldn't do for them to lose sight of the objective simply because they believed it to be within their grasp only to find themselves holding smoke.

"Nathan?" Chris raised an eyebrow.

"Yep." Buck shoved his glass toward Chris clearly asking for a refill. "He's hanging out in the parlor. Told the manager he wanted to give Josiah some time alone. Figured he'd want that, deal with Maude being dead an' all. But Nathan said he didn't want Josiah leaving the clinic just yet. He can watch the stairs to his place from the parlor of the hotel making sure Josiah stays put and keep an eye out for Smith and Jones."

Chris nodded. //Smart thinking.// Too many of them eyeballing the hotel or hanging around it was bound to raise eyebrows. Nathan's reason for being there made sense and no one would question it.

Ezra had indicated that they should leave Maude's old room unguarded. Smith and Jones would likely take the opportunity to ransack the room, if they hadn't already done so. Chris didn't know for certain, but he suspected Ezra might have planted enough cash to suggest there had been more. Not enough to pay off Maude's debt to be sure, just enough to make it seem as though the thieves had gotten away with a sizeable amount, overlooking one or two hidey holes in their haste to flee.

He was grateful Ezra hadn't decided to actively engage in any sort of con while in Four Corners. Well, at least not any that Chris knew about. Given how well Ezra had planned this one in less than a few hours and the attention to detail he'd shown over the past few days, Chris was willing to bet if Ezra had been running a con there was no way in hell he'd have been able to spot it.

"Everything else quiet around town?" Chris refilled Buck's glass.

"Nary a peep out of anyone." Buck shrugged. "Figure the weather has something to do with that."

Chris had harbored some doubt that their 'failure to apprehend the perpetrators of this horrible crime' as Ezra described it might cause some unrest in town. People had gotten used to them handling things and it was rare that criminals were not brought to justice in Four Corners. He hadn't wanted this con to raise doubts about their ability to get the job done.

"We are only human, Chris." Ezra pointed out when he raised his concern. "It would be good for the townspeople to be reminded of that occasionally." A wicked grin graced the southerner's face. "Despite evidence to the contrary we are not perfect."

Ezra had shrugged one shoulder. "And it isn't as if one of their own were killed or the town harmed in any substantive way. It is highly unlikely they will raise much of a fuss or even regard our 'failure' with any real concern." Ezra pointed out with a cynicism Chris found slightly disturbing in large part because he knew the gambler was right.

Maude was not well known in town, not really. While many might have wanted to court her in an effort to obtain more business capital, very few really cared about her in any personal way or developed any meaningful relationship during her brief visits. So her death would not effect them as greatly, not raise the desire for justice the way it might for a friend or neighbor they had known for years. Chris wasn't sure if that was a tragic commentary on human nature or just Four Corners.

His glance flickered toward the stairs. He wasn't surprised to see Vin and Ezra heading down. They had both changed clothes, but Ezra still wasn't wearing the flashy colors Chris associated with him. He had on black pinstripe pants, a gray shirt, a black vest shot with silver threads and dove gray jacket Chris had never seen before. Chris was disappointed, although not certain of why. For some reason he just expected Ezra to come down the stairs wearing one of his white shirts with the frilly cuffs and his favorite red jacket. It would have been proof positive things were back to normal.

"It would not do for me to return to my usual habits just yet, Chris." Ezra took his usual seat and gave the gunslinger a small smile. "Rest assured by the end of the week I will be once more robed in my usual discerning attire."

Chris shook his head. //One of these days I'm going to figure out how the hell he knows what I'm thinking.// He ignored the smug half smile Vin sent his way.

Inez made her way over to the table. In less time than it took to blink, Ezra's entire countenance altered. He was once more the grieving son.

"Senor... Would you like something to eat?" Her softly accented voice clearly showed her concern for Ezra. The Mexican woman had been one of the few people in town who could honestly say they knew Maude. Inez seemed to really like Maude... or at least have some measure of regard for her. Chris felt a twinge of guilt over deceiving the pretty barkeep.

"No." Ezra shook his head. "Gracias, senorita. Perhaps later. Some coffee would be most welcome though."

"Ya should eat somethin', Ez." Vin's worried frown looked all too genuine. Chris frowned. He tried to remember when he last saw Ezra really eat.

//Ezra doesn't usually eat much at one sitting. Easy to overlook him going off his feed.// Chris made eye contact with Inez. "Bring us all some of that chili, Inez. And some of those soft tortillas you were making. We'll see to it he eats."

Inez smiled. She patted Ezra on the shoulder as she moved away, offering comfort that wasn't really needed but Chris knew Ezra appreciated anyway. Even though he'd never come right out and said so, Chris was aware of how much Ezra liked Inez.

Chris' high-handed approach earned him a dark look from Ezra once Inez was safely out of sight. He ignored it with ease. "Not going to let you make yourself sick."

Ezra rolled his eyes. "I'm hardly -"

"You will if you aren't eating." Chris cut him off. If he let the gambler keep talking the man would weasel his way out. He'd never met anyone who could talk his way out of something as fast or as easily as Ezra did.

Ezra released a huff of annoyance but subsided rather quickly, not quite slouching in his chair but as close to it as Ezra ever seemed to come. Chris sent a quick glance toward Vin. He'd expected the gambler to put up more of a fight.

Vin belatedly covered a yawn with one hand and flickered a glance toward Ezra as he tipped his chair back on two legs. Chris got the message. Ezra was tired. Nothing serious or something he needed to be too concerned about.

//Not really surprising. He was up at the crack o' dawn this morning... unusual for him. Course he seemed pretty relaxed then. Makes me think he and Vin must have had a good night... or morning.// Chris hid the knowing smile that thought generated. His amusement faded quickly when he remembered that Ezra had been up early every morning since Maude's arrival and gone to bed very late. Several days of that were bound to take their toll.

Inez returned with a tray of food. She placed a bowl in from of each of them, setting a tray of warm tortillas in the center of the table. She'd also brought a mug of milk for JD, a pot of coffee and several cups.

Vin rocked forward, setting his chair back on all four legs. The tracker reached for the coffee, pouring a cup for himself and one for Ezra. He held the pot up in silent question. Buck held up a hand indicating he didn't want any. So did JD. Chris nodded, letting Vin pour him a cup.

They all tucked into the food in front of them with gusto, except for Ezra. The gambler took small, neat, delicate bites alternating between spoonfuls of chili and small bits of tortilla. //Man's table manners are impeccable even on the trail when there's no table.//

Chris wasn't surprised when Ezra pushed the bowl away when it was still half full. He was ready to order the man to eat more when Vin lightly tapped his shin under the table. It was a subtle warning to back off. Blue-gray eyes met sky blue. Chris sighed and held his tongue. He trusted Vin would know what Ezra needed better than he did. If the tracker thought it was enough, he knew better than to push.

Vin laid a hand on Ezra's wrist. Ezra smiled slightly, green eyes warming as they met Vin's. Chris watched the by play between them, wondering if that was how it looked when he and Vin 'spoke' without words.

"If you gentlemen will excuse me," Ezra pushed his chair back from the table, one hand patting Vin's shoulder as he did so. "I do believe I would like to retire for a bit."

"Sure, Ez." Buck agreed easily. The tall cowboy had been shooting covert glances at Ezra while they ate and Chris was willing to bet Buck saw the same things he did.

"You okay, Ez?" JD asked, dark brown eyes narrowed as they assessed his friend.

"I'm fine, JD." Ezra tipped his head slightly. "But, after the solemn occasion of laying my mother to rest, I believe some solitude is expected of me."

JD nodded slowly. The young sheriff darted a glance toward Vin, clearly asking if he was going to follow Ezra back up the stairs. The tracker's lips quirked upward.

"In a bit, JD." Vin's eyes darted toward Chris. "Figure Chris will send me up ta make sure Ezra is okay. Make sure nobody bothers him."

Chris nodded. While the rest of the town might not be aware of just how close Vin and Ezra were, they all knew the two were good friends. It would seem perfectly natural for Vin to be the one to keep Ezra company. //God - now he's got me looking at all the angles.//

Chris jerked his head toward the stairs. "Go get some sleep, Ezra." Blue-gray eyes betrayed the amusement he felt even though his expression didn't change. "I'll make sure Vin's not too far behind you."

Ezra raised two fingers to the brim of his hat. He nodded to the others. "Gentlemen." The gambler stopped to have a word with Inez before heading up the stairs to his room.

Once Ezra was out of earshot Chris asked Vin, "He really okay?" The gunslinger already knew the answer but he couldn't stop himself from asking.

Clear blue eyes twinkled. "Yep." Vin tipped his chair back on two legs again, resting his coffee cup casually on his flat stomach. "Just put a hell of a lot o' energy inta this con. Foolin' the whole town takes a bit more than just pullin' the wool of the eyes o' one or two people."

Buck grinned. "Was kind of fun though."

Chris rolled his eyes. Leave it to Buck to think of the whole situation as nothing but a game. In a way, it was. Just one with higher stakes than Chris was used to playing without having to resort to a blatant display of violence. Part of him really wished all this could have been solved by just shooting a few people. That seemed a lot easier.

Chris sipped his coffee. The presence of Smith and Jones in his town just made his skin itch. They hadn't done anything wrong, at least not anything he could justify drawing a gun on them for. Chris could be a mean, cold-blooded bastard on occasion, but even when drunk he'd never killed a man without sufficient provocation. As Ezra pointed out just a few days ago, none of them were executioners.

Chris reminded himself in another day or so this would all be finished. Smith and Jones would be on their way tomorrow. Maude would be gone a day or so after that. Never to return, he thought with a sense of profound relief.

He waited until Vin finished his coffee before asking, "You going to head upstairs?"

"Yep." Vin sat forward, returning his cup to the table. He snagged several of the remaining tortillas before rising smoothly to his feet.

Chris knew now that Vin had probably been planning to do that since Inez set the tray down. //Little shit knew Ezra wouldn't eat enough.// Chris suspected Vin would have been able to easily talk Inez into bringing something up to Ezra's room if the gambler had outright refused to eat.

Chris looked toward the door as the sound of rain could once again be heard. It had tapered off as the funeral was finishing falling more as a light mist leading Chris to believe the storm might be finished. He sighed, not entirely disappointed to be wrong. //No would expect any of us to ride out in this.//

JD's gaze followed his. "Looks like Mother Nature is on our side this time."

Buck chuckled. "Kid, that ain't Mother Nature, that's Lady Luck... and we all know that she's right fond of Ez."

//She isn't the only one.// Chris unconsciously looked up the stairs. He would be very glad his family would be back to normal in a few more days.

The gunslinger sipped his coffee wondering if maybe he shouldn't light a candle in the church. It was very rare that everything worked out for the best. //Wouldn't hurt to express a little gratitude for having things work out this time.// He mentally chortled, knowing full well he'd likely be cursing God again in no time. It just seemed to be the story of his life. But for right now he would take what came and be glad for it.

Ezra checked the hallway again before tapping quietly on the door to Maude's room. He wanted the opportunity to say good-bye before his mother disappeared from his life again, for possibly the last time. Ezra hadn't been able to decide exactly how he felt about it.

There was regret mingled with relief. Sorrow blended with satisfaction. Bittersweet seemed to be the only word Ezra could find to describe it. Given how many times they'd parted company it was hard to fathom that this was the last time they would undertake this particular ritual.

Vin was not keen on letting him anywhere near his mother. While he appreciated his lover's protective nature, it was important that he have the opportunity to speak to Maude alone. Knowing it was vital for them to continue routines, Ezra had convinced Vin to take his usual morning patrol. It had been a simple matter of waiting until he'd left to slip out of his room, sneak out of the saloon down the back stairs unseen and into the hotel.

Ezra grinned. He wondered if any of the others ever realized how easy it was for him to blend in. He long since mastered the art of disappearing into his surroundings. There had been times when the skill came in handy, back when he was on his own with no friends or reliable allies to count on. Just because he hadn't needed it lately didn't mean he'd lost the skill.

Maude opened the door just wide enough to see who was there before stepping back and letting him in. Ezra barely recognized her. //Good. If I don't know her, neither will anyone else.//

She'd used some sort of dye to darken her hair from her natural blonde to a light brown. Realistic looking gray strands were added at her temples, suggesting an age older than she really was. Pulled back in a simple bun it was nothing like her more normal sophisticated style. Without her usual makeup a dusting of freckles across her nose and cheekbones were readily visible. The faded plaid gingham dress was worlds away from her normally expensive, tailored to fit clothing made from quality materials. Ezra didn't know what she'd done to create the look of added girth, but it was certainly a nice touch.

Ezra arched an eyebrow. "Mrs. Attkins is certainly no Maude Standish."

Her blue eyes snapped fire. "She's not supposed to be, as you well know."

Ezra blinked at the accent. Even knowing beforehand she wouldn't be sounding like a Southern belle anymore he was still surprised by it. He half smiled and shook his head ruefully.

"I'd forgotten how good you are at this."

She smiled at him. "Darlin'," her normal speech pattern resurfaced, "it is not just me who is good at it." She clucked her tongue, a frown of annoyance appearing. "You are wasting your god given talents here."

"So you've told me." Ezra commented dryly. He found this familiar topic oddly comforting. They'd had it nearly every time they parted ways since he'd become and adult.

He cocked his head studying her. It wasn't just for his benefit that the familiar routine had begun. Green eyes narrowed slightly. "We won't be having this conversation ever again, Mother. Acting as if this were any other parting of the ways demeans us both and denies us the opportunity to truly say good-bye."

She scowled at him. "Honestly, you could just... " she waved a hand in frustration, clearly looking for the right words.

"What?" Ezra chuckled. "Allow us to act as if nothing were any different?"

"That's just it." She spoke eagerly. "It doesn't have to be different. Maude Standish is dead. People in this town would totally understand you wanting to leave, to put that horrible incident behind you. Ezra, you could come with me."

"I don't want to go with you, Mother." He smiled softly, surprised to find just how true that statement really was. Even if he hadn't made a commitment to Vin, if the others were really little more than coworkers, he still would not want to be with his mother running cons and gambling.

"You never permitted me to hang from you apron strings when such behavior would have been natural." He shrugged one shoulder. "It is hardly fitting that I do so now."

"We could be partners." She stepped close to him, laying a hand on his arm.

Ezra glanced down at her small, soft hand. He remembered how often as a child he'd hungered for her touch, for some honest display of affection. But she could not be bothered unless it was executed as part of a con, a public display. He could count on one hand the number of times she'd hugged him or kissed his cheek when no one else was present to witness the act.

Ezra raised a hand to cover hers, holding it gently for just a moment, memorizing the feel and shape of it, knowing he would never have the opportunity again. He was surprised to realize just how small her hands were, how delicate, how utterly lovely and refined. She had the hands of a lady. With a small shake of his head he pulled his arm away and released her hand.

"We have never been equals in your eyes, Mother." Ezra sighed softly. "We could never be partners."

"Oh... please, Ezra, that is not true."

He snorted. "Did you know when you lie you shift your focus slightly. Staring at my forehead is not the same as making eye contact."

She huffed in annoyance before turning her back to him to face the window. "You were always a difficult child."

"How would you know? You missed most of my childhood." Ezra laughed lightly, amazed to find his amusement to be genuine. Somewhere along the line the bitterness and betrayal had faded. Not gone completely, but those emotions no longer dominated his ability to interact with her. The experiences of his life, while not ideal, had shaped him into the man he was. He smiled to himself thinking that man was someone Vin Tanner fell in love with, so he couldn't be all bad.

Ezra still didn't trust his mother, wasn't entirely certain that he even liked her, but it was increasingly less difficult to simply see her as the woman she was and not as the woman he wanted her to be. His mother would never be like Mrs. Potter, loving her child unconditionally, placing their well-being above her own. It had taken some time to accept it, but he was making progress toward doing just that.

"You are still my child." She turned to look at him again.

"No." He shook his head sadly. "My mother is dead. Remember?"

She glared at him. "I'm not dead."

"Maude Standish is well and truly dead." He kept his voice even. "The same way Ezra Stanton died when the Esmerelda went down at sea."

He held up a hand when she would have spoken again. "It was the first lesson you taught me. You don't just pretend to be someone, you are that person." Ezra smiled slightly. "There is no other way to keep all the names straight if you don't consistently regard each one as a separate, definable entity. From here on out, you will never be Maude Standish ever again." He paused for a second, debating his words before simply stating baldly, "She had a son... you don't."

Ezra could almost see the effect of his words hitting her. He knew he'd surprised her. She hadn't thought this con all the way though. Hadn't considered all the consequences. But then, she never did. It was one of the reasons she kept coming back to him for help.

"I sincerely hope you show greater forethought in the future." He smiled slightly. "There will be no one to catch when you fall."

She stiffened. "This was just an aberration. Hardly something that is likely to happen again."

"Aberrations that occur with sufficient frequency rapidly become the norm." Ezra sighed. "This is not the first time you've failed to fully appreciate the consequences of your actions. For your sake I do hope it will be the last."

He stepped forward, close enough to touch, but refrained from doing so. "I do mean that, Mother. I have already buried you once. I am not looking forward to having to inter you for real."

"Ezra, don't be so melodramatic." She waved a hand dismissively. "This setback was temporary. Nothing to be worried about."

Ezra had long ago realized his mother was something of an optimist, forever chasing after the next best thing with a single-minded purpose that left no room for doubt. She routinely landed on her feet, although, those around her could rarely claim to be so lucky. He briefly wondered if she ever gave those who had gotten trampled along the way a second thought. //Ezra, you already know the answer to that.//

"Your plan worked rather well." Maude continued speaking, not noticing Ezra's momentary lapse in attention. "I am impressed with how well your companions undertook their roles." She laughed. "I was not sure they would cooperate."

"They had similar doubts about you." Ezra felt compelled to point out.

She blinked. "Really?"

"Yes, really." Ezra snorted, not believing for a minute her put upon look and pout. "You are hardly the most trustworthy of individuals. Not to mention your suggestion to sell me to Vuocolo."

"That was just a misunderstanding."

Ezra smiled tightly, anger flaring again at having her so easily brush off her words and actions as something so mundane. It served to emphasize just how little importance she placed on his feelings, his thoughts, on him at all. He took a deep breath and let it go.

"It was a 'misunderstanding' that could very well have cost you your fingers."

"Oh posh." She rolled her eyes at his statement as she moved to assess her appearance in the nearby mirror. Her confidence was again firmly in place.

Ezra knew it was just the usual high of a successful con talking and the fact that she was not presently sharing space with any of the others. He knew full well that Chris' dark presence, Vin's intense gaze and Josiah's emotional distance had all served to keep her from breathing as easily as she normally did. His mother was simply not used to dealing with such a constant, subliminal threat of violence to her person.

But perhaps the most damaging had been the somber expression Buck adopted around her. The jovial man usually had a smile for everyone. JD's continued avoidance of her had been the most telling. The young sheriff had always shown her a certain amount of deference that had most definitely been lacking lately. Buck and JD did more to hammer home the general dislike, distrust and desire to be rid of her than anything said or done by the others.

It was also the knowledge that she was leaving, free and clear, that added to her ability to lightly dismiss Vin's earlier threat. He was rather proud of the restraint his lover had executed at the time. Ezra knew it was for his sake and his sake alone that Maude was not missing a digit or two.

"Do you have a plan for where you'll be going?" he asked. Mrs. Attkins would be joining her daughter in Santa Fe. From there Maude would adopt a new persona and continue her journey.

"Naturally." She turned to look at him again. "I will be heading Charleston."

He frowned. Charleston had been a favorite place for Maude. When she spoke of that city it was always with a fondness Ezra didn't understand. He'd long ago added that detail to the list of things about his mother that he couldn't quite fathom. "Are you sure that is wise? Someone might recognize you."

"Perhaps." Maude shrugged carelessly. "It has been over a decade, since before the war." Her eyes dimmed slightly. "Damn war. It certainly made a mess of things."

Ezra raised an eyebrow. //That is one way of putting it.// He knew his mother had ridden out the war in the North, hiding out in Boston, preferring to be far from the line of fire. It was where she learned to mimic the accent. He never mentioned his own service in the war because Maude had never asked. The time they'd spent apart had never been discussed in detail.

"I doubt anyone there remembers me." Maude smiled brightly. It seemed forced to Ezra but he chose not to comment. "And even if they do, it is decidedly unlikely that anyone there has any dealings with Mr. Vuocolo."

"You have sufficient capital to sustain you?"

She gave him a slanted look. "Are you offering me funds?"

He hesitated for a moment and then nodded. Ezra was sure she hadn't shown up completely penniless, but that didn't mean she had the financial wherewithal to make it very far without being forced to gamble or con. Maude would need to maintain her cover as Mrs. Attkins for at least three days, maybe more. A Boston matron could not be seen playing cards. And whoever she became once leaving Santa Fe might also be unable to secure funds from the means Maude usually did.

He held out a small pouch full of double eagle gold coins. Maude tentatively took the offered pouch, hand moving to weigh it. Ezra had no doubt that she knew exactly how much money was in it even without having to look. He'd learned how to count money by its heft from her when he was five.

The pouch contained three hundred dollars. While a substantial amount, it was hardly his entire life savings. It would be more than enough to see her safely to Charleston. If she was frugal, something he very much doubted she was capable of being, there would be money left to get her set up there as well.

She gave him a calculating look. "Why?"

He shrugged. "Consider it a parting gift."

The look on her face once again let him know the reality of the situation was hitting home. She tried to hand the pouch back to him, as if by refusing she could somehow alter the fact that they would probably never see each other again, but he shook his head.

"Take it."

"Ezra-"

"Take it." He repeated with more force, new anger rising from old. "It was money you came here for after all. It would be a damn shame if you left empty handed. Why the entire trip would have been a complete waste of your time. Lord knows simply seeing your only son can hardly be considered sufficient compensation."

She paled, with anger or shame he couldn't quite decide. He took a deep breath and then another, letting both out slowly. He didn't want to mar his last moments with his mother. Wanted to end this chapter of his life with no regrets. He reminded himself the time would be better spent considering the future, not rehashing the past.

"We both know what is in that receptacle means more to you than I ever have. Do not in a moment of sentimental foolishness lose sight of the principles that have guided you your entire life." He smiled sadly. "Not taking it will serve no good purpose, as you well know. Taking it means you will have an easier time getting to where you need to go."

She stared at him, blue eyes measuring. Slowly her hand curled around the pouch and she placed it in her handbag. Maude swallowed hard and cleared her throat.

"So this really is... .good-bye then?"

"Yes." He considered finding some way to soften that, but realized there was no way to.

She hesitated. "I never expected to---"

"I know." He shook his head, realizing the irony of it all.

By all rights she should have come to terms with their parting company permanently a long time ago. She should have given him up for dead when the Esmerelda was lost at sea. But she'd not even known the Esmerelda had gone down, had never bothered to ask after the ship or her son once it left port. When they met up in Baltimore, after the war, she'd just assumed he finished his agreed upon term with St. John and had come looking for him. It was only dumb luck and chance that he was in the city at the same time she was.

"You always did." She said that as if coming to a dawning realization.

Ezra shrugged. "How could I not?" He sighed heavily. "You left me so frequently I was less certain of your return than I was that you would leave me again."

"I'm sorry."

Ezra resisted the urge to laugh. The apology sounded so earnest, so heartfelt. He couldn't really determine if she meant it or not. That fact was part of what he found so amusing. He did appreciate the gesture, even if it was too little and far, far too late. With a small smile of acknowledgement, Ezra made a conscious decision to believe her to be sincere and accept her apology.

He reached out to cup her face with both hands. Green eyes studied her face, memorizing the details. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead before releasing her.

"I'd tell you to be careful, but I'm not sure you know how. So I will settle for asking you to be well, Mother. Be happy." He smiled, feeling oddly lighter as if he'd released a heavy burden he hadn't realized he'd been carrying for a very long time.

He moved toward the door. The stage would be arriving soon and it wouldn't do for anyone to see him leaving Mrs. Attkins room. Ezra halted his reach when Maude called his name.

"Yes?" He didn't turn around.

"I did love you, darlin'."

He glanced over his shoulder, turning slightly to make eye contact, unconsciously gauging her sincerity. Ezra smiled slightly, knowing she was telling the truth as she saw it. In her own way, she'd always expressed a certain amount of affection for him. Unfortunately, Maude Standish put herself and her own concerns before anyone or anything else. She was always center-stage in the drama that was her life, never sharing the spotlight, never stopping to consider anyone else.

"I will always love you."

Just for a second he was sorely tempted to deny her the affirmation she was clearly looking for. For just a moment, he wanted to deliberately ignore her declaration as though she hadn't spoke, the same way she had done to him so many times as a child, easily overlooking any signs of distress and failing to hear any stated desire to not be left behind. Ezra brushed aside thoughts of being petty.

"I love you too." It was true. Against his better judgement and in defiance of good sense he did love his mother. Ezra raised two fingers to the brim of his hat as he opened the door. "Take care of yourself, Mother," he whispered, "from now on there won't be anyone else available to do it for you."

Ezra shut the door quietly behind him. He checked the hallway again, having a ready excuse handy should he need it. He didn't expect anyone to be, but knew better than to be caught unprepared. He breathed easier finding the hallway empty just as it should be.

Ezra slipped down the stairs, moving silently. The lobby was just as empty as it had been when he'd silently made his way upstairs earlier. He knew the staff was busy elsewhere which was why he'd selected this time to visit his mother. Excuse ready or not, it was better not to need one.

He made is way out the back door and down the alley. With a nonchalance practiced for so long he no longer had to force it, Ezra stepped up on the boardwalk and headed for the saloon. The porch would be an ideal vantage point to see the arriving stage. It was also a perfectly logical place for him to be.

He sat in his usual chair outside, taking out his ever present deck of cards to shuffle them as he waited. Ezra waited here regularly for the stage. All of the peacekeepers did at different times, alternating between the Saloon and the jail.

He could see Chris sitting slouched in his usual chair in front of the jail. Ezra suspected Vin had made the gunslinger promise to keep an eye on him until he got back from his patrol. He'd half expected to find Chris camped out in front of his door when he went to leave earlier. He was damn glad he didn't have to exit his room using the window and shinnying up to the roof. Ezra made a note to thank Chris for giving him the space he needed.

Ezra smiled when JD took the chair next to his. The younger man glanced his way before slouching with a spineless finesse Vin would have envied. "You say good bye to your mother okay?"

"Yes." Ezra didn't even bat an eye. He knew of all his friends, JD would understand his desire to speak to his mother privately. Of course, there was a great deal JD didn't know that the others did.

//I really do need to rectify that. He has been more than patient.// Ezra sighed softly. "You had some questions, I believe. Questions we both agreed should wait until a more appropriate time." He took a deep breath. "I have time now if you still care to interrogate me."

JD raised both eyebrows. "Interrogate? Hell, Ez, I don't want to treat you like one o' our prisoners."

Ezra dipped his head to hide a small smile that formed. He should have expected JD to appreciate the semantics. "Forgive me, JD. I did not mean to imply that you would harangue me in such a fashion. I misspoke."

JD smiled. "S'okay. Figure if it isn't something you want to talk about it probably feels like an interrogation."

"Good point."

JD pursed his lips. "You know... you don't have to tell me anything." Dark eyes met green. "I don't have to know."

Ezra felt a flash of warmth at the obvious display of trust. It felt right to return that trust in equal measure. "I know I don't have to, JD. I want to. Ask whatever you wish, I will answer as best I am able."

JD nodded. He shifted slightly in his seat so he could face Ezra more easily. "What did Maude do that made Chris so mad?"

Ezra took a deep breath and held it, eyes moving to study the street. It was oddly reassuring to see the citizens of Four Corners going about their business as if nothing had changed. He considered giving JD an edited version of events before opting to simply tell him all of it letting the chips fall where they may. Somehow knowing Chris and Vin had been able to accept his past gave him hope JD would as well.

It was often overlooked because of his age and youthful exuberance, but JD was easily more worldly than the others gave him credit for. Ezra suspected JD had seen a lot growing up in Boston and his solo trek west had to have been an eye opening experience. Yet, the young man had persevered, showing astonishing amounts of courage and loyalty to those he considered his friends. The gambler had not forgotten that JD was ready to take on Vin on his behalf if the tracker had been playing fast and loose with his feelings.

Ezra explained about how he came to be sailing on the Esmerelda. Told JD about St. John, picking his words with care, but relaying the full nature of what had occurred. His eyes never left the street as he spoke finding it easier to tell the story if he didn't look at JD, speaking as if it happened to someone else.

When he was finished he risked a glance toward JD. The sheriff was so very still, hands curled around the armrests with a white knuckled grip. Ezra immediately regretted his decision to be honest, thinking he'd over estimated his young friend's ability to deal with what he'd been told.

"JD-"

"Holy Mother of God." JD whispered, eyes wide. "Boston is big enough to have all kinds and people talk, more than they ought to. Heard a lot I probably shouldn't have when I was a kid. I never really understood what was being said, not really. I just knew there were places where children disappeared and something horrible happened to them."

JD swallowed hard. "Momma always said there were predators that prowled the streets day and night, that it wasn't safe to be alone in places where they might get me. When I was a kid I thought she meant wolves... like from the stories she read to me. Never realized that wasn't quite what she meant."

He stared at Ezra. "Christ, Ez. You were just a kid."

"Yes." Ezra kept his tone neutral.

JD shook his head. "What kind of mother does something like that?" It was clearly a rhetorical question so Ezra remained silent, letting JD verbalize his thoughts. "I know stuff was always rough for my mother... hell, there were times when we didn't have two nickels to rub together, but she would never have even thought of," JD shook his head again, obviously unable to find the words. "God."

He blew out a breath in a huff. "No wonder Chris was so pissed at her. Kind o' surprised he didn't shoot her outright. Hell, if I'd have known she did that, I'd have been tempted."

Ezra let out the breath he'd been holding, relief washing over him. He hadn't misjudged JD. The sheriff could handle the truth, didn't regard him as being any less for his past.

JD frowned heavily. "The others all know this?"

"No." Ezra shrugged one shoulder, hands moving to shuffle the cards he still held. "Only Chris and Vin know."

JD nodded, accepting that. "Can see how you wouldn't want to share that sort of information with just anyone." The younger man sat up a little straighter realizing he'd just joined a cadre of very select individuals. "Thanks, Ez."

Ezra tipped his head in acknowledgement. "You are welcome."

"So what do the others know?" JD bit his lip. "I mean Josiah's been real cold to Maude. Could see him being that way if he knew about - well, about St. John. Course I could see him being more apt to just strangle her too if he knew that. And Buck... he never treats a lady badly, but he seemed to just hate being anywhere near Maude. He acted like it hurt to smile around her."

Ezra's fingers moved to execute a complicated shuffle as he considered how to word his answer. "Josiah and Buck are aware that Mother often left me with individuals who were rather heavy handed when it came to discipline. Her attention to my welfare was essentially non-existent at times."

JD snorted. "That just a polite way for saying they beat you and Maude didn't give a shit?"

Ezra gave him a rueful look. There were times when he forgot just how much JD had grown. "Yes."

"Thought so." JD nodded. "Used to get smacked around by the man o' the house where my momma worked. Know what that's like. Course, my momma did her best to keep that from happening."

He pursed his lips. "Beginning to think us killing Maude was doing you a favor." JD flushed, looking decidedly embarrassed for speaking his thought aloud.

Ezra sighed. "You may be right about that, my friend." //It is hard not to view it otherwise.//

JD cleared his throat. "Well, knowing she weren't around and let you get hurt explains Josiah. Bet it was a real eye opener for him to find out Maude wasn't the 'exquisite creature' he thought she was." JD clucked his tongue. "That man is absolutely pathetic when it comes to women."

Ezra couldn't help but laugh. "Indeed."

"And Buck... well he has a world of reverence for his momma. Think he just assumed all mothers were like his. In a way, it's a damn shame more aren't, because his mother raised a real good man. Must have been a huge disappointment to him to find out Maude wasn't what she made herself out to be. Can see him taking it real personal that she didn't take better care of you. He likes you, Ez. Buck would do damn near anything for a friend."

"I know." Ezra smiled. He found JD's assurances rather heartwarming. //I wonder if Buck is aware that his young protégé has a genuine respect for him... not just a childish sense of misplaced hero worship.//

"What about Nathan?"

Ezra shrugged. "He knows I moved around a lot as a child and is aware my childhood was far from idyllic. As to specifics... I have not delved into those with him." Ezra worked the cards between his fingers again. "I believe Vin may have taken upon himself to correct some assumptions Nathan made."

JD nodded. "Seemed to remember Vin saying something about talking to Nathan when you guys went to work on Nettie's roof. Course, just telling Nathan that Maude planned to swindle the town would probably have been enough to get him to help out."

"Agreed."

JD gave Ezra an assessing look. "You really okay with your mother leaving town?"

Ezra smiled easily. "Yes."

"Good." JD stated firmly. "She ready to leave?"

"I believe so." Ezra turned his head to see the stage come trotting into town, a cloud of dust swirling behind it. He watched as Chris move to lean against one of the pillars, hand resting casually on the butt of his gun, smoke from the cheroot in his mouth rising lazily. Buck stepped out from inside the jail and joined him a second later.

He spotted Nathan on the balcony of the clinic. Ezra looked for Josiah but didn't see the big man. He suspected the former preacher might have taken refuge in the belfry of the church. From there he could see the entire town without being seen. It was a good perch but not one Ezra cared for. It was too easily accessible.

The stage came to a stop, horses blowing and prancing, clearly still fresh. Ezra knew by the time they made the next stop the horses would be spent. Horses with the stage line seldom lasted more than a few years.

He watched with only vague interest to see who departed. Still technically mourning the passing of his mother, Ezra planned to refrain from gambling until the end of the week. That plan could change assuming a worthy adversary happened to arrive.

The only passenger exiting the stage was a young woman. Her hair was pulled back in a severe, no nonsense bun. She gave the town a thorough look, mouth making a moue of distaste Ezra could see easily from his vantage point, her posture stiff with indignation. He raised an eyebrow, already mentally working the odds on how long she would likely remain.

"The lovely Abigail Edmonds I do believe has arrived." He commented dryly, suppressing a grin, thinking he'd be back to teaching the children in less than a month.

"Who?" JD straightened up slightly, trying to get a better look.

"The new school marm." Ezra sat back in his chair, nodding toward where the young woman was primly directing the driver on the unloading of her luggage from the boot. "I had wondered if perhaps she had changed her mind regarding employment in our fair hamlet."

"Sort o' thought the same thing since she was supposed to be here more'n a week ago." JD rested his elbows on his knees, dark eyes slanted toward Ezra. "Think she'll last a month?"

"Three to one odds."

JD took out a coin and offered it to Ezra. "Bet she doesn't make two weeks."

Ezra gave him a speculative look. JD grinned. "Overheard some of the boys saying something about a snake or two in the desk."

"Ah." Ezra nodded sagely. "That could shorten her stay rather dramatically." He took the offered coin. "Say, five to one?"

JD nodded. "That'll do."

Ezra's gaze returned to the street. He had expected Buck to bound over to assist the newcomer. Most female passengers, married or single, young or old were treated to Buck's gallantry. Today, Buck remained on the jail porch, watching and waiting.

The man riding shotgun dropped off the mailbag into the waiting arms of the telegraph operator. Nearly everyone in town trusted the man to ensure the mail was delivered to the appropriate parties. Ezra wondered if perhaps he might not have a letter waiting him. Maybe his Aunt Mattie had written. He would have to inform her of Maude's untimely demise. //Mattie will definitely get a kick out of hearing the whole sordid story. I'll have to put pen to paper this afternoon and send off an epistle to her.//

Almost unnoticed, Mrs. Attkins has made her way from the hotel to the stage. She was carrying only one bag as befitted her station. Only his earlier visit enabled Ezra to even recognize his mother. All of the peacekeepers knew she was leaving today so they were aware that the sweet looking, elderly matron preparing to enter the stage had to be Maude. There were no other passengers.

He felt JD stiffen in the seat next to him. Without turning to look at the sheriff, Ezra admonished him, "Please do not draw undo attention to Mrs. Attkins, JD. She is just another transient visitor getting on with her journey to somewhere else."

JD sat back and relaxed. He gave Ezra a frank look. "I never would have recognized her."

"That is the whole point, JD."

"Right, right." JD waved a hand.

Ezra waited for his mother to turn and look at him on last time. He knew she would. She always did. It was ironic that while she was the one physically leaving, he was the one forcing their parting.

Blue eyes met green. Ezra raised two fingers to the brim of his hat. She didn't acknowledge his salute until the driver helped her inside the coach and shut the door behind her. Maude tipped her head slightly, disguising the gesture by raising one hand to lightly pat her hair, making sure it was still in place. She sat back with her hand lightly resting in the open window making a gesture that could mean nearly anything, but Ezra recognized it as a parting wave. He smiled, holding up the ace of spade and queen of hearts where she could easily see the cards.

The driver clamored back up into his usual seat, the drover riding shotgun joining him a second later. Reins were slapped and horses set in motion once more. Ezra watched as the stage jerked forward, gaining speed as it headed out of town.

Having already said his good-byes, he didn't feel any regrets, no unresolved longings. He actually had several days to come to terms with this eventuality. It was the first time in his life that parting with his mother had been painless. Ezra took a deep breath and reveled in the feeling.

"You okay, Ez?"

"Fine, JD." Ezra smiled. "But I am in sore need of a libation. Would you care to join me?"

JD grinned. "Would love to."

Vin smiled, watching his lover. Ezra's head was pillowed on Vin's shoulder and he found his fingers repeatedly combing through soft curls as he listened to Ezra read to him. Vin had long since lost track of the story, just enjoying the sound of Ezra's voice, letting it wash over him like warm sunlight.

It had been over a week since Maude left and Ezra was finally back to wearing his usual clothes. Vin was surprised how reassuring he found the sight of Ezra's favorite red jacket. It was like a signal that all was right with the world again.

After lunch they had left town, sneaking off to one of their favorite hiding spots. Both of them had felt a bit stifled after being in town more or less constantly the entire time Maude was there. Not to mention Ezra's need to continue the farce of mourning her death thru the end of the week. It felt good to just relax and not have to focus on anything but each other.

Ezra chortled at something he read, green eyes rising to meet Vin's. "These dime novels JD enjoys so much are hilarious."

"Don't think they are meant to be." Vin observed.

"Oh, I'm sure the authors took themselves far, far too seriously."

Vin grinned when his lover actually giggled. He had never heard Ezra make that sound before. He made a note to borrow another book from JD sometime.

"Our intrepid hero has managed to annihilate the dastardly villains. All eight of them, with a single bullet for each from his trusty colt peacemaker." Ezra chortled. "I am sure it will come as a great surprise to any and all that one can fire eight shots from a gun that only holds six."

Ezra turned the page, still laughing. "And the action is not complete without a swooning female." He glanced back up at Vin. "Tell me honestly, have you ever seen a woman swoon?"

"Not that I can recall." Vin's lips twitched. "Course, I don't really know what all swoonin' entails."

Ezra grinned, gold pre-molar flashing. "Miss Edmonds reaction to the garter snake in her desk drawer comes rather close." Green eyes twinkled with mischief. "Although, I really do believe it would have been far more dramatic if she hadn't done all that screaming before she fainted."

Vin chuckled. The new school marm hadn't endeared herself to anyone in town. She insulted nearly everyone by making her unflattering opinion of Four Corners and its residents known. //Can't figure out for the life of me what she thought the job was going to be. Had to know Four Corners wasn't some big city. Can't think Mrs. Potter woulda lied to her when she offered her the job.//

What was worse, in Vin's opinion, was how she openly scoffed at the idea that Ezra had taught the children anything. It wasn't just that he didn't appreciate anyone bad mouthing his lover, it was also the fact that she tended to belittle the children. She kept insisting that they had to follow a regimented course of study that was in many ways far less advanced than what they'd been learning with Ezra.

Vin settled his back more firmly against the tree he was leaning on, enjoying the feel of Ezra stretched out against him. "Sort of wonder how she's going to react to a polecat in her outhouse."

Ezra's eyes widened. "You didn't!"

"Nope." Vin winked. "I just showed couple o' the girl how to lure one in there."

Cece Potter and two other little girls had come to him in tears. They were angry, frustrated and hurt by Miss Edmonds behavior, not understanding why it was wrong for them to want to know more about astronomy, botany and history. Ezra's curriculum had been diverse and engaging and they wanted to continue learning more than just reading, writing and arithmetic.

"Figure it'll take them at least a week to pull that off." Vin mused, keeping his expression innocent without any real difficulty.

He didn't think Ezra needed to know that Chris and JD had been more than willing to help as well. They both took her statements about Ezra at least as personally as Vin had. He couldn't prove it but he suspected Buck and Josiah might be up to something as well. If Nathan wasn't helping outright, the healer knew something about it and was keeping his mouth shut.

"Without your assistance it would take that long." Ezra sat up slightly, giving him a knowing look. "With your help, why they'll have one in less than a day, I would wager."

"A wager?" Vin's eyes lit up a bit. He smiled sweetly. "You know money don't interest me much. So what would you be offering up as currency?"

Ezra's eyes darkened and he licked his lips suggestively. "A kiss perhaps."

Vin shuddered at the husky tone. "Just one?"

Ezra smiled. "I should not reward bad behavior. It sets a bad precedent."

"Precedent?" Vin grinned. He loved it when Ezra got playful. "Think we already set one o' those."

Ezra eyes twinkled. "Ah then it is already too late."

"Much, much too late." Vin agreed. The tracker shifted so he could lean forward, lips hovering just inches from Ezra's. "You told me you liked it when I was a bad boy."

"Oh that I do." Ezra whispered, reaching to pull Vin closer, book lightly tossed aside where it would not be damaged.

Vin rolled so Ezra was under him as he plundered that sweet mouth, tongue moving to taste and tease. He delighted in mapping familiar territory, in taking his time to leave his lover breathless and shaking with desire. Vin's hands moved to cup Ezra's face as he broke the kiss.

"I love you Ezra Standish."

Ezra smiled warmly. "I love you, Vin Tanner. Completely, totally, unconditionally."

Vin grinned. "Forever and always."

Ezra's eyes sparkled as he replied, "Always and forever."

Vin was once more struck by how all was right with his world. He took a moment to appreciate it, his spirit giving thanks. The seven of them had weathered a lot of storms, probably would see a lot more, but they were still strong, still together. 'Seven men, one destiny' Josiah was fond of saying, and Vin was beginning to believe the big man might just be right. He had a feeling they'd be together until they breathed their last.

Four Corners was still a place they could call home. With any luck they'd be calling it home for years to come. Not that it mattered. Home wasn't a place to Vin. It hadn't been for some time.

Vin studied Ezra's beautiful face, memorizing details, knowing home wasn't a place. Home was Ezra. It had been for some time and Vin couldn't picture it ever not being that way. The light he saw shining in Ezra's eyes told him his lover felt the same way.

Things in town would be back to normal once they got rid of Miss Edmonds. Back to riding patrols, breaking up brawls and doing whatever it took to get the job done. None of that mattered right now. All that mattered at the moment, all that ever mattered, was right here in front of him.

Vin dove in for another kiss. Everything else could wait until later. Much later if he had anything to say about it.

*The End*

As I indicated earlier, this will likely be the final chapter in this series. Rest assured I will continue writing. I'm having far too much fun with this hobby to give it up completely. I simply don't intend to do more with this series. Thank you all for the previous feedback you've given me. I am rather gratified to know that so many enjoyed my efforts.