He slowly came to consciousness, but found himself confused. He was laying against something soft, yet unyielding, warm and comfortable. At first he thought perhaps he was in a bed, but he was not so confused that he couldn't tell that the orientation was wrong. He wasn't lying flat, but rather curled in a not-quite-upright position. Then there was the pain. It seemed to radiate from the very center of his being, touching every fiber of his body. He realized slowly that there was only one way to know for certain what was going on. Managing to pull one eye open, he saw darkness. Not the darkness of night, but a familiar darkness that brought a sense of comfort.

"Chris?" he said softly. Or at least he thought he spoke, he wasn't certain if the sound was aloud or only in his mind.

A movement, a shift of position. "Welcome back, pard," Chris Larabee said with the sound of relief in his voice.

"Wh-what happened?" His voice was rough, scratchy and weak; barely a whisper.

"Had a little trouble with the horses earlier. Why don't you go back to sleep for now?"

The young tracker considered arguing with his friend, but found that he didn't have the strength. With a sigh, he slumped back against the man in black.

Startled, Chris touched a hand to the younger man's throat, quickly relieved that there was a pulse. It was little more than a flutter, so quick he could barely count the beats. Vin's breathing was more of a pant, as he tried to pull air into his aching lungs. The gunslinger wrapped his arms tighter around the lean body, trying to keep the tracker warm. More than that, he was afraid to let go, as if letting go would allow the tracker to slip away from him. He cursed the events that had brought them to this point, blaming himself for the pain his friend was suffering.

It had seemed like little more than an easy ride in the country; a chance to get away from town and all the pressures of being the guardians of it's people. The stage had come in with something of a surprise. When the driver opened the boot he found a little boy snuggled amongst the carpetbags and satchels, sound asleep. Once Nathan had checked him over and announced that other than a couple of bruises the boy was fine, they set about ascertaining where the boy had come from.

They discovered that he had stowed away at the last stop, at Miller's Crossing. It had seemed like the perfect hiding place at the time, none of the friends he was playing hide-and-seek with would find him there. But the hiding place had been too good, and he had fallen asleep before being found. The next thing he knew he was being bounced about; too frightened of the consequences he hadn't called out. It was lucky that the stops had only been half a day apart.

Rather than wait an additional day and a half before the next stage, Chris decided to take the child back, personally seeing to his reunion with worried parents. He would also use the opportunity to finish breaking some of his livestock. Asking Vin to join him, he cut two of the most docile horses out of his fledgling herd, and they set out. The trip to Miller's Landing had been uneventful, the child, Tad Warren, rode comfortably between Larabee and the saddlehorn, chattering more than J.D. Chris made no effort to hide the fact that he was enjoying the ride, and the time with the child. Vin couldn't help but smile more than once, the sight of the usually somber Chris Larabee smiling over the small dark head, responding to the child's rapid-fire questions with entire sentences rather than the clipped exchanges he normally communicated in.

They had delivered young Tad to the waiting arms of his mother, managing to endure her tear-filled praise with a minimum of embarrassment. They finally agreed to join the family for dinner, enjoying the welcome-home feast she had made for her wayward child.

Tad's father had scolded the child in the beginning, then embraced his young son. He offered softly to take care of any expenses incurred by the two men, quickly dropping the issue when both men steadfastly argued that they had mixed business and pleasure, and would not entertain any suggestion of payment.

Leaving the little family for the small hotel nearby, they had settled in for the night. Chris brought a bottle of whiskey up to the room the two men would share, and they enjoyed the quiet evening together passing the bottle back and forth. Morning found them on the trail, the horses full of vinegar and fighting against the bit. They had let them run out some of their orneriness. Larabee wished now that they had taken Peso and Pony instead.

Vin had pulled ahead on the animal he had taken to calling 'Whistle' for the strange sounds it made around it's bit. Letting the big animal, red with a gray tail and mane, run full force across the open plain, the young tracker cut lose with a wild yell, expressing his exhilaration in the feeling of freedom. Chuckling, Chris clucked at the smaller pinto he had chosen to ride, urging it forward. He was still a good fifteen yards behind his friend when it happened.

Hitting a hidden gopher hole, the horse screamed wildly as it fell head over hindquarters. Vin, enjoying the ride, was caught unaware and flew in a hideously graceful arc some yards away from the animal.

Cursing, the gunslinger hurried his own animal forward. Dismounting as the paint was still slowing down, he rushed to the tracker's side. Vin was lying crumpled on the ground, staring in confusion at the sky above him. Kneeling beside the young man, Larabee saw the wide pupils had taken the place of much of the pale blue eyes. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he didn't appear to be breathing.

"Vin?" he called softly.

The eyes blinked, trying desperately to focus on the blurry form he saw hovering above him. Nothing made sense at the moment; Vin couldn't recall dismounting or lying down. He couldn't decide what hurt more, and finally settled on everything. The fact that he didn't seem able to breathe hadn't escaped his attention, either.

Slowly the figure above him took form. "Ch…Ch..ris…ssss?" he gasped out the name painfully.

"Howdy pard. Enjoy your little trip?" The fact that the young man was talking and breathing once more allowed the blond to relax a little.

"Wh…at h-hap…pened…?"

"Think your horse found a gopher hole. How you feeling?"

"Ain't cer…certain y-yet."

A slight smile graced the handsome face, and Larabee gently helped the young hunter sit up. A sharp cry told him that Vin was hurt worse than he seemed to be. Carefully he lowered the young man back to the ground. "Ribs?" he asked as Tanner wrapped an arm around his chest.

"Yep," the tracker gasped.

Going to the pinto, Chris retrieved his shirt from the saddlebag, ripping it even as he returned to where the young man lay. Pulling Vin up more gently than before, he eased him out of his coat, shirt and union suit top. Wrapping the cloth strips around the slender abdomen that sported a growing and nasty bruise, he tightened them as much as possible, trying to ignore the groans of the man beside him. That done, Chris helped Vin back into his clothes, made him as comfortable as he could on the ground and turned to the felled roan. The animal was snorting and blowing pitifully, unable to lift itself from the ground.

Investigating, Larabee quickly discovered that the creature had broken it's neck in the fall. With a sigh and a gentle stroke down the drenched coat, Chris pulled his sidearm and ended the horses suffering with a single shot to the head. Stripping the gear from the animal, he returned to Tanner.

"Have t'…kill 't?" Vin said through clinched teeth.

"Yeah. Busted its neck. You think you can manage to sit on the other horse?"

"Re…reckon," he started to sit up, not complaining when Chris wrapped a strong arm around his shoulders and supported him. Helping Vin to the pinto, Larabee helped him mount, then stowed the other man's gear up behind him. Checking to see that the injured man was managing to hold onto the saddlehorn, the blond took up the reins and started back along the route home. Knowing that this would slow them up by at least a day, he could only hope that Vin's injuries weren't too serious. If they could get back to Four Corners safely, Nathan would be able to patch him up. He refused to allow himself to think of any other option.

The nightmare continued when, just as the sun dipped toward the western horizon, dark clouds piled up above them and the rumble of thunder foretold a coming storm. With a curse, Chris sought shelter, finally locating a shallow cave in a nearby hill. It was barely big enough to even be considered a cave, but he managed to get Vin inside before the clouds opened up. Settling the younger man into the earthen hollow, he stripped the bedrolls and other supplies from the pinto, tying the animal to a nearby tree. Hurrying back to Tanner as the first fat raindrops began to fall, he huddled in next to the other man. Using all of the blankets, Larabee covered his friend, trying to protect him against the coming cold.

Within an hour, it was obvious that the semi-conscious tracker was having trouble breathing. Larabee gently lifted him up, slid behind him, and pulled the man into his lap. Vin moaned softly, but otherwise didn't respond to the movement. They sat like that through the night, Chris keeping Vin as comfortable as possible. Vin was restless, almost but not quite waking from time to time. Then just before dawn heat began to radiate from the thin body, warming both men in a way the gunman would rather have foregone. Holding his kerchief out to be drenched by the cold rain, he used it to try and cool the fevered brow. Vin moaned softly, responding to the shocking temperature change.

"Take it easy cowboy," Chris said softly, hoping at least his calm tone would reach the young man. "You're going to be fine. Just lay still and rest, all right? Soon as the rain lets up we'll head out again, get you back to town so Nathan can patch you up. You'll be back on your feet and vexing him in no time." He continued the quiet litany, convincing himself that the tracker could hear him somehow. "Of course not before Nettie gets a chance to fuss over you for a day or two.

Probably make those dumplings you like so much…try to stuff you with them. Probably have to take your britches out a good inch. Of course you'll try to act like you hate the whole thing, but you won't fool anyone. We all know you're sweet on that old woman."

"Ain't…nei…ther…" came a whisper.

Chuckling, Larabee said, "can't lie to me Tanner. That's all right though, reckon she's just as sweet on you."

"Nooooope," he said, wanting to say more, but unable to find the strength.

Dabbing the damp cloth across the finely chiseled face, the gunslinger chuckled, even though his heart was pounding. Vin sounded so weak; he wondered what injuries were sapping his strength. He wished he knew what to do; wished that Nathan had come along with them.

Wish…wish…wish…what good did wishing do?

Cradled in Chris' arms, Vin slipped in and out of consciousness.

Some of his friend's words made sense; at other times he could only hold onto the soft, calming tones. It was enough, bringing him comfort.

There had been a security in the man's presence that he had rarely known since the first minute they had met. Tanner knew that Chris would always watch his back, even at those times when he might wish otherwise. Now was not one of those times, though. He was grateful for the older man's companionship, the simple closeness of his friend lessening the fear he felt.

Vin wished he could tell Chris that, let him know that his friendship was one of the most important he'd ever known, but couldn't find the words. It didn't really matter though, their relationship had never relied on words. Still, he opened his eyes, trying to focus on the world around him. Fever blurred his vision, making everything seem unreal, merely the shadows of what surrounded him. Then he was able to focus on something, a shadowy figure in the opening of the cave.

Slowly it became clearer, although he couldn't recognize the person. They didn't look like anyone he had ever seen before, clothed in strange, brightly colored clothes. The man's features were lighter than Nathan's, but darker than Buck or Josiah's.

Josiah.

He remembered a story that the big preacher had told one night around the table in the saloon. It had been about some sort of strange, foreign devil. Something that sounded sort of like devil, in fact.

Divit…Debi…Devi…that was it. Some sort of evil creature called a Devi that would take on the form of a human.

That was who was staring at him from the mouth of the cave. It was looking at him with an evil grin on its face. Laughing. He didn't know why, but the laughter frightened him most of all. It was the coldest sound he'd ever heard, the sound of a dead thing.

"Whaddaya want?" He slurred.

"You know what it is that I seek," the Devi answered, looking from him to Chris.

He felt a chill wrack his body, knowing then that the creature was right. He did know. "Leave 'm alone," he insisted.

"Why would I wish to do that?"

"He's m' frien'…y' can' take 'm," he pushed himself up, pressing back against the man in black. He knew that he had to make the Devi leave, he couldn't let the demon take his best friend away to who knew where.

"Shhh," Chris said, hearing the incoherent mumbling of the younger man, feeling Vin struggle to rise. " Lay still. You're all right. Hear me? Lay still now, everything's going to be okay."

Curled up against him, Tanner was confused. Why wasn't Chris worried about the man-creature standing not more than a couple of feet away from them? Larabee might be the bravest man he knew, but even the gunslinger had to be concerned about the thing of evil blocking their exit. Why was the man insisting he lay still? He didn't understand what was happening, that had to be it. If Chris understood, he'd be after that damn devil in a heartbeat. He had to find someone that would understand. Josiah. The preacher would understand, know what to do.

He had to get to Josiah. How? He could recall enough to know that the big man wasn't with them. It had just been him and Chris. Josiah was back in town…

"Josiah!" It was little more than a croak, but the name was clear to understand.

Larabee was surprised to hear Sanchez' name called in the young man's delirium. He felt a twinge of something, finally identifying it as jealousy. He was jealous of Vin calling out to the preacher? That made no sense. Tanner was a man with a large heart, he had figured that out long ago. Vin claimed it as a personal charge to protect all of them when the situation called for it. He had shown that several months ago when Josiah had nearly been convicted of murder. Vin Tanner had fought harder than anyone to clear the man's name, even harder than Sanchez himself. Shaking his blond head at his own selfishness he wondered when he had decided that the tracker held him in special regard.

"Jo…siah…help…help…Ch…ris…stop….Devi…" the words continued to spill from the delirious young man.

Devi? Devil? Vin was facing the Devil somewhere in his nightmares, was that it? It made sense for him to call on the former preacher to fight the Devil. Help Chris fight the Devil, was that what the tracker was asking? Perhaps the fever was causing Tanner to think that he was fighting a Devil for some reason. Chris smiled humorlessly, hell, he'd been fighting the Devil for a long time.

Movement called Chris away from his thoughts. Vin was pushing away from him, trying in vain to get to his feet. Time and again he slumped back with a groan or cry, only to push himself up once more.

The blond found himself trying to restrain the lean body without aggravating the man's injuries. He tried talking to him, but Vin didn't seem to understand what was being said to him. Tanner was becoming more and more agitated.

"Vin, listen to me," he continued to try and get Vin's attention.

"You're safe, pard, ain't nothing going to happen to you. You're okay…I'm right here, ain't going to let no devil's get you. Listen to me…Vin, can you hear me?"

"Git 'way," Vin was still caught in his nightmare world, intent on getting away from something that only he could see. He continued to struggle against the restraining grip of his friend. The evil thing continued to stand there, laughing coldly as he stared from Vin to Chris and back again. He took two steps forward, claw-like hands coming up, ready to grab the blond. "NO!"

"VIN!" Chris called out loudly, praying his voice would manage to get through to the younger man. "Vin listen to me, pard, you're alright. I've got hold of you, ain't about to let anything hurt you. But you've got to calm down cowboy, you're going to hurt yourself. Calm down now, Vin…calm down."

Damn it! Why couldn't he make Chris understand? Why didn't the man see the danger approaching? Chris was usually the one to sense danger long before the rest of them. It had been Chris who had sensed, even before he heard the rifle's hammer, Eli Joe getting set to shoot him. Why was the man so blind to what was going on now? He needed help, needed to find someone that could help him keep the gunslinger safe.

"JOSIAH!"

~~~@~~~@~~~

The preacher stared upward toward the ceiling. Even though he couldn't see it in the darkness, he had stared at it often enough that he could see every crack in his mind's eye. There was a reason he had wakened this time, though. He just wasn't certain as to what it was. Something was wrong, of that he was certain. Somewhere beyond the walls of his little sanctuary, there was someone in pain; in need of help.

Pushing himself up from his narrow bed, which seemed even smaller beneath the big man, Sanchez padded to the window and scanned the rain-soaked and darkened street beyond. There was nothing amiss outside as far as he could tell. Still, the sense of unrest continued to build. Finally, unable to fight the feelings any longer, he pulled on his clothes and ventured out into the town.

~~~@~~~@~~~

It seemed as if it should already been dawn, but it was impossible to tell from the landscape outside the tiny cave. While the rain had slowed to little more than a mist, the clouds were still dark and heavy, practically lying atop the trees. A few yards below them, the gully they had ridden through only two days before had turned into a wildly churning creek. The water careened past, letting Chris know that there would be no easy way of leaving their hiding place. Not yet, and there was no telling how long before that changed.

Vin had finally quieted, only a short time before. Exhausted by his delirium, he had finally collapsed against Larabee. Now he lay shivering with fever and moaning in pain. His breath was a rattle, frightening in it's harshness. No longer fighting his friend's hold, he had curled into it; seeming to finally recognize the security and comfort of the contact. Larabee tugged at the blankets, pulling them tighter around the shivering form. He wrapped his arms around Tanner, mindful of the injuries, letting Vin know that he wasn't alone. It was all he could do for him now…he just hoped it would be enough.

~~~@~~~@~~~

Tanner stared into the darkness. He knew that the Devi was here…somewhere. It had followed him here…wherever here was…or maybe it had brought him here. All that he really knew was that the monster was nearby in the darkness, and he had to destroy it as quickly as possible. If he didn't, the damned thing would kill Chris. He didn't know the whys and wherefores; only that it would happen.

He could feel his heart pounding in his ears, louder than he could ever remember it being before. Vin looked around, trying to get his bearings in the darkness. There wasn't even enough light to let him find a landmark. Nothing to help him understand the terrain, giving him any sort of help to fight the Devi. Sighing, the young tracker began walking, slowly, knowing that the only way to get this over with was to draw the demon to him.

It worked.

Suddenly the man-demon was standing before him, seeming to be his own light. Although he could still see nothing of the terrain, it was impossible not to see the Devi. That same cold, hard smile graced his equally cold features.

"You are in my world now, Tanner," the Devi said. Although the demon spoke in a foreign tongue, Vin wasn't really surprised that he could understand him.

"What do y' want from me?"

"I want nothing of you, it is not you I have come for. I seek only to trap you here, so that I may take Larabee from this land, back to my own."

"Can't let y' do that."

Laughter, as dark and as cold as the monster it came from, rang in the blackness. "And you intend to stop me how, puny human?"

"Any way I can. I know a your kind; heard a your tricks and such. Y' ain't gonna surprise me with none of 'm. Now if y's smart, you'd git on outta here now…save yourself th' pain a bein' beat by this here puny human."

More laughter, even colder than before, issued from the dark and ugly face.

~~~@~~~@~~~

Chris wiped the fevered brow of his friend, pushing the unruly brown curls back off his forehead. Vin's head was tilted back, resting on his forearm. His brow was creased and he continued to mumble incoherently. He had stopped fighting for the moment, that was a blessing at least. Larabee moved slowly, trying to find a more comfortable position in the cramped space without rousing the sleeping man. Finally repositioned, he looked down on the too-still face. It never ceased to amaze him to look at Tanner up close. Without the hat and the ever-vigilant look, Vin Tanner actually looked younger than J.D. Chris chuckled at the thought. He'd never tell the tracker that, he had enough to live down with Ezra's occasional 'Robin Hood' comments. He didn't need to feel like he was competing with Dunne for the title 'Kid'.

A moan drew his attention back to the matters at hand. Vin was beginning to grow restless once again. His head tossing back and forth in the throes of a feverish nightmare, he let loose with what sounded like a very weak imitation of the growl Chris had heard more than once; a sure sign that Vin Tanner was at the end of his estimable patience and was about to go on a rampage.

~~~@~~~@~~~

Vin launched himself at the devil, and began flailing at the,creature. The Devi allowed him to deliver several solid blows before he even offered any sort of resistance. Then with a single blow he sent the lean tracker flying backward through the air. Landing in the darkness so far away that the Devi's internal light appeared a faint glow, he tried to gather himself. He couldn't do it alone, that much was more and more clear. He needed help; the assistance of one of his brothers of the gun. Without it he was lost, and if he was lost, then so was Chris.

Larabee didn't understand, didn't see the Devi. He wouldn't know what he was fighting, wouldn't be prepared. The Devi would kill him, carry him away.

Josiah would understand though. He would know how to stop him.

But how did he get that help before it was too late? He didn't even know where he was.

"Josiah!" Vin cried out in frustration.

~~~@~~~@~~~

Sanchez had wandered aimlessly around the little town, looking for anything out of place. He found himself walking past Vin's beaten down wagon, touching the canvas as he did. Suddenly he could feel the young man's presence, something beyond that left behind with the tracker's belongings. And with that presence he felt a need.

Somewhere out beyond the little cluster of buildings Vin Tanner needed…something…someone. Him. Vin needed his help.

Not questioning the revelation, Josiah climbed onto the wagon seat. He opened his mind and his heart and waited for guidance.

~~~@~~~@~~~

Chris continued to watch over his friend as well as monitoring the disposition of the world outside. The water in the once-dry gully was still running far too fast to leave their cramped quarters. It could be another day before he would be able to get the young man back to town. Larabee was worried that it would be far too long a wait.

Vin had been restless off and on throughout the long night hours.

He would mumble wordlessly, seeming upset about whatever was going on in his fevered imagination. From time to time he would try to rise to his feet, as if needing to get away. At other times he would flail out, as if in the midst of a fight. Chris tried to calm him at those times, with little success. Tanner was trapped somewhere in the fever-induced nightmare world of his mind, and the gunman wasn't certain how to reach him. He wished Josiah was here, wished Nathan was as well. Nathan would be able to heal the young man's body, while Josiah would be able to calm his soul. Always self-reliant and glad to be so, Larabee wanted nothing more to have the others around. He had no desire to endure this burden alone.

~~~@~~~@~~~

Vin was exhausted. He wasn't certain how long he had been fighting the demon, but it seemed as if it had been hours, or even days. He didn't seem to be getting anywhere. For every blow he managed to land, the Devi returned three. He couldn't see out of his right eye now, and tasted blood every time he swallowed. His knuckles were bruised and bloodied, and his jaws and ribs screamed with pain. Vin knew he wouldn't be able to fight the monster much longer. He needed help, and soon.

Where was Josiah? Why hadn't the preacher come to help yet?

"JOSIAH!" He called the name again…

~~~@~~~@~~~

"Vin?" Sanchez whispered the name in response to the cry he heard in his mind. It was Vin, the tracker was calling out for him, sounding uncommonly afraid. The calm, unflappable young man who they had all learned to count on for a cool head sounded panic-stricken…terrified.

And whatever it was that Tanner was facing, he needed help that he knew the former preacher could provide.

But what was it that he needed? Josiah reached out a hand, running it down the canvas of the wagon. What was it that Vin needed from him? With a sigh that was somewhere between tired and frustrated, Sanchez lay back on the wagon floor. He closed his eyes, trying to focus inwardly on the impressions he was receiving. That rational corner of his mind told him this was all foolish. He had probably had a bad dream, and it was effecting his mood. But as quickly as those thoughts came, he quieted them. This was a time for faith, not rationality. "Lord," the big preacher said quietly, "I could use some help here."

He felt himself drifting off to sleep. At first he tried to fight it, but then realized that he needed to allow himself to be guided. If that meant going to sleep, then he would go to sleep. He felt the warmth and relaxation overtake him, and embraced it. Soon he was lying in the back of the cramped little wagon, asleep.

~~~@~~~@~~~

"Josiah?" Vin didn't understand it anymore than anything else that had happened since the Devi had appeared, but he could feel the big man's presence. Somewhere in the darkness, Josiah Sanchez was approaching. "Josiah?"

"Josiah," the Devi mocked him, a near-perfect imitation of the soft drawl. "You are a fool. He cannot help you, human, no one can. I will leave you here soon, alone in the darkness. I will take Chris Larabee easily without you there. He will not be able to fight me, for he is not even aware of my existence. And once he is defeated, I will take him away with me. After that, the others will be easily conquered. Without Larabee to lead them, they will fall easily…

"Tell me, Vin Tanner, how do you think young John Dunne will enjoy being my personal plaything for eternity?"

"I don't think he'd enjoy it," a deep, familiar voice rumbled from the darkness. "And I don't reckon we'll stand by and let you do anything to the boy…or anyone else."

"Josiah," Tanner breathed the name with a sigh of relief. He felt a big hand on his shoulder, and turned to find the older man standing right behind him. He smiled, a broad smile of relief.

"Vin," Sanchez said in that comforting tone that meant he would take care of things. It was going to be all right. "Looks like you got yourself in a peck a trouble here, son."

"Reckon so," Tanner agreed. "Figured if anyone'd know how to whoop this feller, it'd be you."

"Reckon so," Josiah said reassuringly. "Where's Chris?"

"Out yonder," Vin motioned vaguely. "In th' light. He don't understand, Josiah. He can't see this varmint."

With a nod of understanding, Sanchez said, "reckon Chris' had so many demons in his life so far, his mind's sort'a given up recognizing them."

Vin nodded. Suddenly it made sense. Chris Larabee was a haunted man, filled with rage against the forces that had destroyed his life. One little Devi probably wasn't even worth noticing to the gunslinger.

Vin smiled. "Well, reckon me an' you's gonna have t' take care a th' critter then."

"Reckon so," Sanchez returned the smile, his bright blue eyes sparkling with anticipation. He turned to the Devi. "It's time for you to return to where you came from. You'll take no souls today."

Vin smiled at the tone. Josiah sounded the same as he had the night he stopped Sheriff Quince's Ma, Jessie, from shooting him to free her son. Leave it to Sanchez to have no more fear of a demon than an old woman in her nightgown, holding a rifle.

"You have no power, demon. I give you no power over me or my friends." He stood next to Vin, one arm protectively around the younger man's shoulders.

"Fools!" The strange man screamed. "You are both fools! You cannot defeat me, you will fall on your knees before me, begging for release! I will have your souls, and the souls of the other men you hold in such high regard."

"Reckon he ain't goin' after Ezra then," Vin quipped. "And, can't rightly say that fits J.D., neither."

"You dare to make jokes when your death is imminent?"

"You have no power over us," the preacher repeated.

"You are wrong! I have power…great power!" He glared at the young tracker. "He gives me power."

Josiah chanced a look at the smaller man beside him. Despite Tanner's brave words he could see that there was a hint of fear in the handsome face. There continued to be some small doubts in the young man's mind. Turning Vin toward him, the big preacher said, "listen to me son. You have to believe what I'm saying to you. You are more powerful than this sniveling little toad. As long as you realize that, you take his power away. He had no power if none is given to him. Do you understand what I'm saying son? The Devi will only have power if you give it to him."

Vin studied the words, turning them over in his mind. He had to believe them if there was to be any hope in getting out of this mess; of keeping Chris out of the Devi's clutches. He nodded. "All righty then, reckon he ain't got th' power then, cause I ain't givin' 'm none." He folded his arms and glared at the strange man-creature.

"You are a fool! You are both but puny humans, incapable of defeating me!" The Devi growled the words, and suddenly he seemed to glow like a summer sun.

Vin closed his eyes against the brightness. The doubts began to grow once more. If he didn't give the demon any power, where was he drawing the energy from? Somehow he was still giving the Devi power. "You get no power from me, y' noisy little gnat. Ain't gonna let y' have no power, an' y' ain't gonna hurt none a m' friends." He kept his eyes closed, but still seemed able to see the demon. Finally he felt his strength returning, felt himself grow firm in his conviction that the Devi couldn't hurt him. And as long as he kept the power from the demon, his friends were safe. "You get no power from me y' son-of-a-bitch."

"I…need…no…power…from…you!" He screamed the words through gritted teeth. "I…take…all…that…I…need!" With that he began to grow.

"Josiah," Vin said softly. "Hate t' doubt y' pard, but looks t' me like he ain't losin' much strength here."

"Perhaps we need to bring in the reserves."

"What?"

"Chris," Josiah said evenly.

"Josiah, Chris can't kin th' Devi. He couldn't see 'm earlier, what makes y' think he'll see 'm now?"

"As with all things, Vin, faith," the preacher replied. "We must have faith that Chris is able to help us now."

As if they had called him, Chris Larabee suddenly became part of the little scenario. Tanner turned to see the man in black standing beside him, leaving him flanked by two trusted friends. Chris looked at the two men questioningly.

"Vin…Josiah…what's going on here?"

"Chris, we have a bit of a problem," Josiah said quietly, "our friend here would like to take us all to his version of hell."

Larabee smirked. "Been there, ain't interested in going back anytime soon." He turned to the Devi. "You're out of luck. Reckon you should just move on now."

"Human fool! You are mad if you truly believe that you will defeat me!"

"Josiah says he can only have power if we give it to him. Reckon I ain't got t' th' point a not givin' 'm any," Tanner said, frustration in his voice.

As Sanchez had, Larabee put an arm around the tracker's shoulders. They formed an unbreakable unit, a force to be reckoned with. Vin could feel the strength as it flowed through him, filling him with a power he knew came from his bond with the men. And suddenly he knew that it was going to be all right.

"You get no more power from me," the young man said in a dangerously quiet voice. "You get nothin' from me."

"SHUT UP!" The Devi screamed, his voice sounding almost brittle.

"Vin," Josiah said, "is it just me, or is this noisy feller startin' t' look a bit peaked?"

Studying the strange apparition, Tanner had to agree. "Don't look near's fearsome as he did earlier. Reckon maybe he's scared a y'?"

"Think he's afraid of the three of us together. United, we're too powerful for him." Chris said softly.

"I am all-powerful!" The Devi screamed. "You cannot hope to overpower me."

"Don't think we need to," Josiah said quietly. "Don't think you've got any power for us to even worry about overcoming." With that he strode over to the strange looking demon. As he approached, Vin watched in awe as the Devi shrank, seeming to fold in on himself.

Reaching out, the big preacher picked the tiny creature up, holding him in his hand. He returned to where the other two stood stood, opening his hand to reveal the Devi, now the size of a moth. As Tanner watched, Sanchez closed his hand once again, squeezing it into a tight fist. Colorful sand dribbled between his fingers. He looked at them and winked.

"Ain't nothing in this world we can't conquer Vin, as long as we see the threat for what it is, and stand together against it."

"And together is exactly what we'll always be," Chris gave Tanner's shoulder a squeeze and then moved back into the shadows. "I'll be waiting out in the daylight."

Tanner watched his friend disappear, but felt no fear this time. Turning toward his other friend, he saw the last of the sand drift away on the air. He looked up at the preacher. "Couldn't a done it without y', Josiah. Thank you." He reached out and clasped the muscular forearm. Suddenly he felt very tired, hardly able to move. He felt strong arms encircle him, supporting him in the darkness. "Thanks, pard," he whispered tiredly as he leaned heavily against the broad chest. He could hear the strong and steady heartbeat and sighed happily.

Things were going to be okay now.

~~~@~~~@~~~

Chris startled awake, staring around him in confusion. Finally realizing he had been dreaming, and that he and Vin were still in the cave, he felt the tension suddenly leave the lean body he held wrapped in the blankets. Fear gripped him once more, and his hand sought out a pulse. He smiled in relief when he felt it beneath his fingers, strong and steady. A sigh escaped the lips that had been mumbling throughout the night and Vin settled himself against the man who had held him through the ordeal. Larabee felt oddly comforted by the feel of Tanner curled against him. He felt both protected and protector. He straightened the blankets around the lean shoulders and brushed the brown curls from the young face once more.

Looking out, he saw that the rain had stopped, and sunshine shone across the clean-washed landscape. Allowing a small grin to light up his handsome face, the gunslinger gently eased his companion to the ground and went out to survey the landscape. Although the once-dry creek bed still ran full of icy water, it had receded and slowed considerably. With any luck, they would be able to ford it within the hour, and if that luck held they would be home by midnight.

Returning to the shallow cave, he gently woke Vin and helped him outside. The younger man blinked owlishly, looking with an expression of confusion around him. When he realized that he was truly away from that place of darkness, he smiled happily at his friend. "Good t' be alive, cowboy," he sighed.

~~~@~~~@~~~

The moon shone brightly as they entered the sleeping little town.

Chris was tired, his feet and legs aching from the long walk. Vin slumped in the saddle, as he had most of the trip. From time to time he would call Larabee's name, seeming only to need to hear his friend's reassuring voice. Chris would answer him, letting him know that he wasn't alone. Mumbling "just checkin', pard," he would slip back to sleep.

Reaching the stairs to Nathan's clinic, Chris found that he wasn't surprised to find Josiah sitting on the steps as if he were waiting for him. Perhaps he was. Without a word, the older man stood and went to the pinto's side. Carefully he pulled Vin from the saddle and into his arms. As he passed by, Larabee was certain he heard the semi-conscious man say softly, "thanks, Josiah." For some reason, Chris Larabee knew there was more to it than the simple assistance into the clinic.

~~~@~~~@~~~

Sunrise found the peacekeepers all gathered on the little landing outside the healer's clinic. Only Nathan and Vin were absent, Nathan tending to Vin's injuries. They had tried to get Chris to get some sleep, but as usual his stubbornness kept him there. All five men looked up when Nathan emerged.

"He'll be all right in a week 'r so," the handsomely dark man reassured them all. "The fall bruised his back muscles and his lungs, which is what was causing his trouble breathin'. The ribs 'r cracked, but not broke, thank goodness. He's sleepin' right now, and will be for most of th' day. Why don't y'all take him," he pointed at Chris, "off and get 'm cleaned up an' fed."

"Don't need a babysitter," Larabee growled dangerously.

"But we all need friends," Josiah said sagely.

The gunfighter stared incredulously at the preacher. Something in his tone triggered a memory; he remembered standing next to Josiah and Vin in the darkness, facing down…who? He couldn't remember. Shrugging the memory off, he pushed himself to his feet. Looking around at the other men, and glancing inside the room to where Vin lay, he nodded.

"You're right Josiah…we all need friends." With that, five of the seven men left the clinic, heading for the restaurant and whatever the day brought them. Together.

cerrado