Author: The Muse 77

Rating: PG

Feedback: jenny_aust@yahoo.com.au

"Whoa there J.D. Think about this." Buck sounded more than a little worried.

"It’s alright, I can do this. Don’t keep treating me like a kid."

"You’re gonna get yourself killed"

"You gonna do it or not, sissy boy?" Henry sounded edgey.

"No, he’s not!" The low hushed tone of Chris Larabee silenced everyone there. He stepped out from the now quiet crowd, black duster blowing gently in the afternoon breeze. The gunslinger looking darker and more dangerous than anyone could ever remember him looking before. "I’m callin’ you out …….now"

This was exactly what Henry and Daniel had been waiting for…wanting from the beginning. The great Chris Larabee shot down in front of all these people. Henry’s reputation would be made. But they had to do it right.

"Sorry Larabee, but your friend here has first shot." Daniel replied almost disinterestedly. "But……… if he agrees to it, you can take his place."

Chris kept his head low, his eyes hidden below the brim of his black hat. The other five regulators looked at J.D. hoping the boy would come to his senses before it was too late. "No! No." J.D. pulled himself up to his full height. "This is my fight". Vin looked at the ground shaking his head. Nathan and Josiah exchanged glances.

In a voice that could hardly be heard by anyone except those standing closest to him, Chris drew in a long breath and without looking at the young sheriff said "Then, I challenge you John Dunne."

This was even better than the trouble-makers had expected, had hoped would happen. The great Chris Larabee challenging one of his own men.

Buck’s blood began to boil. "Now you wait just one damn minute, you aint gonna shoot J.D. Who the hell you think you are?"

Vin placed his hand on the big gunman’s shoulder. He looked up into Wilmington’s face and nodded slightly. Chris must know what he is doing, Vin couldn’t work it out just yet, but he knew if any one could pull this off then their leader could. Chris never moved, not allowing the words from his long-time friend to distract him from what he knew he had to do to save the life of their youngest member. There was no way J.D. could out-draw Henry, hell he wouldn’t even come close.

"Larabee, I will allow you to take my place against sissy boy there, on one condition?"

Chris raised his head slightly, staring straight at the man in front of him, his eyes still covered by the brim of his hat.

"That you fight me when you have taken care of him, otherwise all bets are off and I shoot him now."

"Hey, don’t I have a say in this" J.D. interrupted.

"No…….Just shut-up, will ya, just shut the hell up" Vin had taken in all that had happened, and one glance at Larabee told him all he needed to know. Chris would put his life on the line for any one of them and now was no different. If any one could beat Henry it was Chris Larabee and if J.D.’s pride, among other things got hurt, then so be it. It could be worked out later.

"O.K. let’s do it" Chris looked at J.D. He knew what he had to do, but that didn’t make this any easier.

"Wait Chris, I don’t want to fight you"

"You shoulda thought of that before, now get ready boy"

Chris stood facing J.D., forty paces apart. He silently move his duster behind the pearl handle of his peacemaker. The crowd had scattered, taking any vantage point they could get. Sweat began to drip down the young sherriff’s brow. What had he got himself into? Why was his hero standing at the other end of the street about to shoot him? Should he back down, just walk away? Have people calling him a coward, or ‘that stupid kid’? This was like some bad dream. Yes, that was it, he was asleep and any minute he would wake up and it would all be over. Unfortunately that was not the case.

J.D.’s hand began to twitch above his gun. "Do I draw, or do I back down. What do I do? What do I do? Chris ain’t gonna shoot me, is he?" he thought. J.D. Dunne began to panic. Chris never moved. He looked almost relaxed. He knew J.D. could not outdraw him. He had to make this look real, but he had to make sure he didn’t do too much damage to the kid either. Suddenly J.D. lunged for his gun. Before he could raise it half way out of its holster, it had been shot from his hand. He stood there clutching his bloodied wrist, his gun lying on the ground beside him. Nathan and Buck rushed over to him, quickly wrapping a bandana around the injury.

"You stupid son of a ……. what did you draw for?"

"He shot me Buck, Chris just shot me".

"He just saved your life is all" Nathan spat as he tightened his grip on the injury.

Chris re-holstered his gun and turned to the men that had caused this.

Daniel stood there with his mouth open. He had never seen any one draw that quick before. He knew Henry was fast, had seen it many times before, but this…..this was…..different ……this man was deadly.

"Ready" Chris asked, as he glanced at Henry.

Five days earlier.

The morning arrived like any other. A beautiful spring day bringing with it all the pleasures of the new season.

J.D. greeted Buck who was seated outside the saloon.

"Buck"

"J.D." replied Wilmington without looking up.

"Beautiful day, eh?"

"Yep"

"The others about yet?"

"Nope"

"Whatcha doing?"

"Sitting."

"I can see that, I mean what are you doing?"

"Drinking."

"Drinking this early in the morning?"

"Coffee" Buck raised his cup towards J.D.

"Are you gonna answer me with more than one word, Buck?"

"Nope" smiled Wilmington.

J.D. sighed. "O.K., I get the hint"

With that Dunne tipped his hat to the older man and wandered off down the street. Buck chuckled softly to himself, sipped his coffee and went back to doing what he was doing…….. nothing.

Further down the street, J.D. came upon Nathan Jackson coming down the stairs from his clinic.

"Mornin’ Nathan"

"Mornin’"

"Not you too!"

"What?"

"Nuthin’" J.D. muttered.

"J.D.?"

"Is there some sickness goin’ round that stops people from saying more than one word today?"

"What?"

"Never mind Nathan"

The healer watched J.D. continue down the street towards the jail. Scratching his head, Jackson spotted Buck still perched in front of the saloon and decided to join him there.

"Mornin’ Nathan."

"Mornin’ Buck, what’s up with J.D.?"

"I think he’s a little bored at the moment"

"Well, I suppose he’s still just a kid and there aint much goin’ on around here for a kid."

"Better not let J.D. hear you call him a kid," chuckled the big gunman.

"Ah, Mr. Wilmington, am I to suspect that you are harassing the poor Mr. Dunne about his lack of, shall we say, experience?" The gambler said, absently straightening out hidden wrinkles in his immaculately presented red jacket.

"Geesh Ezra, what are you doin’ up so early. Aint like you to make an appearance before noon."

"Well Mr. Wilmington, the dawning of another spring day has a certain calling for me and….."

"Hell Ezra, I have that calling every day." mused Buck.

Standish coughed softly and gently brushed away some stray fluff from his shirt sleeve. "As I was saying before being rudely interrupted by my socially inept friend here, a calling, and I thought I would for once enjoy the early morning atmosphere."

"Ezra, it wouldn’t have anythin’ to do with those new arrivals over there, would it?" Nathan asked, nodding towards the two strangers across the dusty street.

"Why Mr. Jackson, how fortuitous of you to point out those un-introduced visitors to our humble abode. I think it only hospitable of me to welcome them to town, and offer them all the entertainment that entails."

"You mean the gambling table" sighed Buck.

"Mmmm….. what a wonderful idea. I shall see if I can organise a little game or two." With that, the gambler straightened his hat and stepped off the boardwalk, heading in the direction of the two new arrivals. Wilmington and Jackson looked at each other, shook their heads and smiled.

# - # - #

J.D. had made his way to the jail. He entered and sat wearily on a cot in one of the cells. Placing his hat beside him, the young man ran his hand through his long dark hair and sighed.

"You visitin’, or you plan on stayin’ in there all day?" Tanner said as he leaned against the door frame.

"Aw, howdy Vin. Was just doin’ a little ponderin’"

"Well it’s too nice a day to be ponderin’ in here. You should be out enjoyin’ the sunshine" the tracker said as he continued into the room and lowered himself into the wooden seat behind the desk.

Dunne sighed. "Aint nuthin’ to do Vin, I’m so…. I dunno…. bored……and I can’t get more than one word outta anybody today."

Vin smiled. "J.D., Chris ‘ll be here soon. Aint a good idea for him to see ya messin’ up the jail just cause you’re bored. Why don’t you go see if Josiah needs some help over at the Church. Seems to me I heard him sayin’ somethin’ about sandin’ back the seats in there."

"Sanding seats?……….I suppose it can’t be any more borin’ than sittin’ in a jail cell…….. thanks Vin."

"What for J.D.?"

"For answering me with more than one word." With that Dunne picked up his hat, sighed deeply, and headed over to the church. Vin watched him go, shaking his head and once again smiling to himself.

# - # - #

Chris Larabee rode into the tiny town that was now his home. He had spent the last few nights out at his cabin, something he was doing more and more lately. The black clad man was feeling a little caged in in town, so he used his little place as an escape every now and then as time warranted it.

He rode past the saloon and nodded a ‘good morning’ toward Buck and Nathan. Across the other side of the street he watched Ezra trying to engage two unfamiliar men in conversation. As he guided his horse toward the jail, an uneasy feeling descended upon him and he turned to see that he was being studied by the new arrivals. Entering the jail, he found Vin relaxing at the desk.

"Mornin’ Vin."

"Mornin’ cowboy, get a good nights’ sleep?" Only Vin Tanner could get away with calling Chris Larabee cowboy, and he knew it.

"Yep, thought about staying out there another couple a days, but ……. "

"But you missed all the peace and quiet of town, right?"

Larabee smiled. Talking with the tracker always seemed to make him feel at ease.

"Yep, somethin’ like that. Anything to report?"

"Two new cowboys in town, Ezra’s tryin’ to get ‘em into the saloon for a game. Somethin’ strange about ‘em though. Did you see the rig the tall ones wearin’.? Aint the rig of no drifter or cow hand, bit fancy for my likin’."

"You got a feelin’ about ‘em?" Larabee had already decided there was something about the two that didn’t sit well with him.

Tanner nodded. "They’s been askin’ questions around town…….’bout you."

Larabee looked at his friend. ‘Not again’ he thought. "Anything else?"

"Yep, J.D.’s bored." Vin looked at Chris and both men smiled.

"Bored? Send him over to…….."

"Already did, should be at the church just about now."

"Geesh Vin, can you at least let me finish the sentence." It always amazed the man in black how Tanner could pre-empt his own thoughts.

The sharpshooter shrugged his shoulders and stood. "Can’t help it if I know what you’re gonna say before you say it. Call it a gift."

"I’ll call it a ….. " Chris sighed. "Never mind, I’m getting’ too damn old and predictable" he grumbled easing himself into the chair just vacated by the tracker. Vin slapped him on the back, and headed out the door. "Alright old man, you just take it easy in there" Tanner cheekily yelled over his shoulder as he left. Luckily he saw the metal coffee cup that was thrown in his direction early enough to duck out of it’s path. Unfortunately Ezra Standish did not, and was soon wearing the remains of yesterdays coffee.

Brushing away the dregs of dark liquid that had settled on his jacket, Standish addressed the tracker, "Mr Tanner, I see our illustrious leader has secreted himself in the public detention area of this municipality."

"Ezra, can’t you ever just use plain english?"

"So sorry Mr. Tanner, I seem to forget from time to time that the more educationally lacking of this town are not familiar with the proper use of the english language."

"EZRA!!!!"

"Ah yes, um… don’t let me detain you any longer sir, I’ve decided that mornings do not agree with me, so I am going to undo the wrongful rising on my part and retreat back to my room and the comfort of my down pillow."

"They didn’t want to play cards then Ezra?"

"In a word, no." Standish was suddenly serious. "Actually Vin, they seemed to be unusually interested in our Mr. Larabee. I think they may be trouble.".

"I think you may be right. Would you mind fillin’ in Buck and Nathan on your way back to your room. We best keep any eye on those two."

"Certainly Mr. Tanner." The gambler tipped his hat and casually headed back toward Jackson and Wilmington.

# - # - #

J.D walked up the small flight of stairs leading to the church. Slowly he opened the door and removing his hat, entered the tiny temple. Josiah Sanchez, the preacher, was busying himself working at the front of the altar.

"Morning Josiah"

"Well, well………good morning John Dunne, what brings you over here on such a fine morning?"

"I heard you needed some help with some sanding or something and I had nothing better to do…… so here I am." The young sheriff said shrugging his shoulders dejectedly.

"Hmmmm…. that sounds…… ah…… that sounds….. you’re bored aren’t you J.D.?" Sanchez put an arm around Dunne’s shoulders and they sat down together on one of the pews.

"With Casey staying out at Nettie’s this last week and with the town being so quiet lately, there’s just nothing going on. I mean, no fighting, no cowboys riding in shooting up the town, no-one trying to rob the bank, not even an angry husband swearing to kill Buck, nothin!" J.D. offered.

"That’s what we get paid to do, J.D. To not have all those things happen. Just means we’re doing our job" Sanchez offered scratching his head, "well……….except for the Buck thing, but you’ll have to talk to him about that"

"I suppose."

"Come on J.D, I’ll show you what I need done."

# - # - #

Daniel Carter came rushing up to his brother. "Henry, he’s over at the jail. You gonna take him now?"

Henry, the older of the Carter brothers, slapped his younger brother across the back of the head. "Ow!! " Daniel cried..

"Are you stupid or somethin’?" Henry growled at the younger man. "Ya can’t just waltz up to a man like Larabee and call him out. I got a better idea. ‘Sides, he’s got six other men to back him up. We gotta do this right, we aint gonna get a second chance and I want every one to know I killed the great Chris Larabee after he called me out. I’m gonna liven the place up a bit, ‘specially for that young sheriff. He’s gonna be my bait. He’s gonna deliver Larabee right where I want him." Both brothers smiled a slow evil smile. "Time we got to know the Town Sheriff little brother" Henry said as he laid his arm around his brother’s shoulders. Let’s go!."

# - # - #

J.D. Dunne sat in the front row of seats in the tiny church, where, five days ago he worked with Josiah to sand back those same seats. He held his head in his hands, an occasional sob the only noise in the eerie quietness of the room. The young sheriff had never felt so alone in his short, young life. He wanted to run and hide, to forget everything and everybody. Slowly he raised his head and looked at his wrist, staring but not seeing the blood staining through the bandage. "What have I done…..what have I done" he sobbed as he wrapped his arms around his chest and began rocking himself back and forth.

Across the street, up a flight of stairs in a tiny room, Chris Larabee lay face down on the small bed, barely hanging onto life. The bullet that had exploded into the gunslingers lower back had done a lot of damage, tearing through his flesh and lodging itself in his body. No-one who witnessed the shooting could believe that he had not died instantly. Nathan worked furiously with Josiah trying to stop the flow of blood; so much blood. Vin Tanner and Buck Wilmington stood in the corner of the little clinic, looking at their leader, their friend through tear filled eyes. Waiting… watching… barely able to breathe. The occasional moan that escaped their friend as Sanchez and Jackson applied pressure to the wound only adding to the pain that each man felt and the only indication that he still lived.

"Vin, Buck I’m gonna need you to hold onto him now. Can’t have him movin’ even a little bit." Jackson started instructing the men. "Buck you hold him on this side, Vin you over there. Josiah I’m gonna need you here with me."

Chris’ eyes half opened and turning his head slowly, the black clad man groaned and struggled to look up into the tracker’s face.

"Vin" the word was barely a whisper.

"Hey pard, just… just take it easy. You’re doin’ fine." Tanner’s voice broke as he struggled to find the words to comfort his friend.

"Vin… wh.. what…?’

"Shhh now Chris, you gotta stay still." The tracker said soothingly as he gently brushed long, damp hair out of Larabee’s eyes, "We aint got the bullet out yet."

"Vin??……" Chris’ eyes slowly closed.

"Aw hell…….. Nathan" Tanner yelled as he tightened his grip on his friend, "Nathan!!"

The healer quickly crossed the room from where he was preparing his medical kit, and checked their leader over. "It’s alright Vin, he’s just passed out. He’s goin’ into shock from too much blood loss, we aint got much time. I gotta get this bullet out… and fast. Y’all ready??" A look of determination settled upon the face of each man in the room. If they had anything to do with it, Chris Larabee, their leader and friend, was not going to die today.

# - # - #

He was drifting, floating really. There were voices, noises, people around him. He wished they would leave him alone, let him just drift off. He could feel them holding him and he knew what that meant, it meant more pain. He had been through this before and, no doubt, would go through it again. He had to get up, get away from the pain, he needed to escape. It was what had kept him alive this long.

"Alright Vin, Buck, Josiah, here we go" said the healer, "Now, remember, don’t let him move."

"We got him" replied Buck without taking his eyes away from Chris. Vin held on tighter to his friend.

Nathan lifted the probe and proceeded to insert it into the torn back of his leader. Even in his weakened state, Larabee groaned and arched up against the intrusion into his traumatised body.

"Damn it….. damn it" the healer cursed as he quickly pulled the probe away. "I thought he was out. Can’t have him movin’."

Chris groaned again and tried to fight against the hold his friends had on him.

"Vin, think you can get some of this down him?" Jackson said as he produced a small brown bottle and handed it to the tracker.

"I dunno Nathan, I’ll give it a try."

Larabee was becoming increasingly restless. His body now sweat-soaked, his breathing coming in shallow gasps. As badly injured as he was, the black clad man knew he had to get up, to escape from the pain. He groaned again and attempted to struggled from the grasp of the men.

"Chris, Chris… you gotta stay still pard." Vin said soothingly. The tracker gently stroked the blonde head as if comforting a child. "Listen to me Chris, you gotta do what I say."

"Vin… gotta … get ….. outta… here." The blonde struggled to get the words out. "Hurts…. please Vin…. hurts."

"I know it hurts Chris, I know, but you gotta listen to me." Tanner moved his face closer to Larabee’s. "I aint gonna let nobody do nuthin’ bad to you, you gotta trust me on that. You gotta trust me Chris. Can you do that?? Can you trust me one more time?"

The gunslinger’s body tensed, then slowly eased back against the bed. There was a slight nod of his head and then he closed his eyes. Tanner continued stroking Larabee’s head. "You gotta drink some of this for me Chris, it’ll help with the pain." The tracker gently lifted the injured man’s head and managed to get him to swallow a small amount.

"That’s about it Nathan, it’s all I can get him to take."

"That’s good Vin. You stay there with him… talk to him… keep him quiet. I’m gonna try again. Buck, Josiah, ready?"

Wilmington and Sanchez resumed their positions on either side of the gunslinger. Vin took hold of Chris’ hand, holding on tight to it, while continuing to stroke Larabee’s head. "O.K. Chris, Nathan’s gonna get the bullet out now. I’m here with you. Listen to me, concentrate on my voice, just hear my voice. We’ll get through this together."

The man in black nodded slightly and squeezed Tanner’s hand.

Nathan worked steadily to find the bullet that had lodged in the gunslingers back. While Josiah and Buck stoically held onto their patient. Probing as gently as was possible considering the situation, Jackson managed to find the offending piece of metal lodged up against Larabee’s hip bone.

"I found it….it’s right near his hip" the healer said. "Just gotta get a grip on it."

Chris moaned weakly and, looking through pain filled eyes into the trackers face, tightened his grip on Vin.

"Nathan, how much longer?"

"I don’t know, it’s wedged hard up against the bone."

Chris struggled once again against the pain now assaulting his body. "Hurry up Nathan, I don’t know how much more of this he can take."

Tanner turned his attention back to the man in black and continued to talk quietly to him, not sure that Larabee could hear him anymore. "C’mon Chris, just a little bit longer. It’ll all be over soon."

"So tired…… so…. tired…. " Larabee managed before surrendering to the comfort of oblivion.

"I got it!" the healer exclaimed, and lifted the blood covered bullet from it’s victims body. Chris cried out, then allowed unconsciousness to claim him. Placing the offending object in a metal cup, Jackson proceeded to stitch the wound closed.

"See Chris, it’s over…. it’s all over" Vin repeated as he wiped the gunslingers brow, "you’re gonna be alright, I promise."

"Vin, he can’t hear you, he’s out." Buck offered and placed a large hand on the younger man’s shoulder.

"Yeah, he can Buck. He can hear me, I know he can."

"O.K. son, I believe you."

# # # # #

Nathan had finished repairing the bullet hole, and was cleaning his hands. Buck moved to the healer and in a quiet voice asked, "Well Nathan, what do ya think?"

"The bullet was hard to get out, and he lost a lot of blood…"

"Tell me something I don’t know." said the gunman impatiently, then, looking at the hurt expression of his friend offered, "Sorry Nathan, I’m just…. worried is all…. go on."

As Jackson was about to continue, there was a knock on the door of the clinic. Slowly it opened to reveal Ezra Standish. The gambler removed his hat and looked to the bed where his leader lay, still face down. Then his eyes travelled to the tracker who was sitting quietly on the edge of the bed. Slowly he looked to the hands of the healer, still covered with the remains of blood; Chris Larabee’s blood.

"I came to check out how things are going." The Gambler looked expectantly at Jackson then Wilmington.

"Nathan was just about to answer that question….. Nathan?"

"As I was about to say," the healer turned to look at Wilmington "the main worry is all the blood he’s lost. Don’t seem that the bullet’s done any damage to his spine, may have splintered the edge of his hip but that should mend alright in time. He’s gonna be very weak for quite a while AND he’s gonna need lots of peace and quiet. Damn….. if that aint the luckiest man alive. Few inches the other way and….." shaking his head, Jackson allowed his voice to trail off.

"He’s got nine lives, I reckon." whispered the tracker so quietly the others almost missed it.

Ezra looked at each of the men in turn, then coming to rest on the face of the big ex-sheriff asked "Could somebody please tell me exactly what happened out there?"

"Yep, I’d like to know the same thing." Vin asked softly as he turned to the other men in the room. "Everything happened so fast……" The sharpshooter shook his head and looked back down at Chris. "So damn fast….."

"Yes Mr. Tanner. One minute Mr. Lara…. " Ezra paused, "Chris was in the middle of the street facing that young trouble-maker the next minute he’s lying on the ground with a bullet in his back."

"Damn yahoos!" Wilmington ran a hand through his hair. "And now those two are dead and Chris is layin’ here all shot up…" Buck hesitated, then suddenly exploded, "J.D.!! Where the hell is that little….."

"Ah, Mr. Wilmington, perhaps I should ascertain the whereabouts of our youngest comrade. I feel that you are in no fit state to, shall we say, converse with Mr. Dunne at the present time."

"Converse!!! I’ll ‘converse’ with him alright, Ezra. Where is he?" Buck was nearly shouting now. Chris stirred and moaned softly. Vin immediately reached for his friend, placing a hand on his back. Looking towards the ex-sheriff, his gaze left no doubt that the big man had better calm down or deal with the consequences.

Josiah interrupted Buck’s outburst, "Buck calm down now. You best be staying here with Chris. Perhaps Ezra.." Sanchez nodded towards the gambler and motioned towards the door, .."could find J.D. and talk to him."

"Why most certainly Mr. Sanchez, I will set about that task immediately. I shall return as soon as I have seen to Mr. Dunne’s well-being." With that Ezra turned toward the door. Josiah followed, and quietly suggested to the gambler that it would be best if J.D. was "out of sight of Buck" for awhile.

"I heard you Josiah. Don’t you worry, I aim to have a good talking to that boy… sooner or later." Wilmington’s tone was quieter now, but his anger still apparent.

Standish nodded his understanding to the Preacher and exited the tiny clinic.

# # # # #

Ezra continued along the balcony to the edge of the stairs. Stopping momentarily, he surmised that the first place to start looking would be the livery. The gambler continued down the stairs and made his way there.

"Afternoon Mr. Standish."

"Good afternoon Yosemite, might I enquire as to whether you may have seen Mr. Dunne recently?" Ezra moved inside and leant against the railing, allowing Chris’ horse Pony to nuzzle gently against him.

"’Fraid not Mr. Standish, haven’t seen him since all that commotion this mornin’"

"Thank you anyway, sir. If you do happen to see him would you do me the courtesy of letting me know."

"Sure thing Mr. Standish." Ezra turned to leave but was stopped by the blacksmith. "Mr. Standish?"

"Yes"

"Um…. how’s Mr. Larabee doin’? I mean, there was a lot of blood around when he got shot. Was wonderin’….. well…ah… you know…"

"Yes, I know. He won’t feel much like partaking in any physical activity for awhile, but Mr. Jackson seems reasonably confident that he will make a full recovery."

The big man let out an audible sigh, then said "Why, thank you Mr. Standish. That sure is a weight of my mind."

"You think a lot of Mr. Larabee, don’t you Yosemite?"

"Yes sir, hate to see anything bad happen to him. The town wouldn’t be the same. I mean, there’d still be the rest of you, but… well….."

"I understand totally." The Gambler tipped his hat to the big man and continued his search for the youngest member of the group.

Ezra knew there would be no point in searching the saloon, so ventured further along the dusty street, occasionally stopping to ask some of the townspeople if that had seen the young sheriff. Unfortunately, no-one could remember seeing the young man.

Half an hour later found the gambler at the edge of the town, standing in front of the small church. Sighing, he thought to himself ‘why not, you’ve tried just about everywhere else." As quietly as he could, Ezra walked up the stairs, carefully pushed open the front door and, removing his hat, entered the weathered building. As he stepped past the threshold, he was greeted with the sound of a muffled sob.

Tentatively, Ezra stepped further into the darkened room.

"J.D.’ he said, almost in a whisper. There was no response. Ezra walked further down the aisle, until he was standing almost in front of the young man.

"J.D., I’m glad I found you." Still there was silence. ‘The others have been asking after you."

Dunne raised his head towards Standish. The gambler could see the tears brimming over and down on the young sheriff’s cheeks. Ezra moved closer, then sat himself down next to the distressed young man.

"J.D., son, perhaps I could take a look at that wrist. It does seem as though it needs some medical attent……… " Ezra began, but was interrupted.

"Chris?. ….. Is Chris alright….. oh God!’

"Yes…..yes, Chris is going to be O.K. Pretty sore and sorry for awhile but….." Standish placed his hand on the young sheriff’s shoulder. "I…. uh…. that is….. would you rather I left? I can bring Nathan back here to tend to your wound if you prefer."

"NO!, I mean ….. can you stay?’ It was almost a plea.

"Most certainly, I’d be happy to sit with you."

The two men sat together silently for quite awhile. Suddenly J.D. looked up at the other man, confusion etched across his young face.

"You know" he started, "I don’t know what went wrong. I don’t know when it all went wrong."

"Why don’t you start at the beginning….if you want to, that is. I’ve been told I’m a very good listener." The gambler smiled down at J.D.. The younger man returned the smile with a quivering one of his own and, with a sigh, began his story.

"Well, I was sanding in the church." J.D. paused, trying to remember exactly what took place next. "I dunno," he sighed, "it was something to do." There was silence for a long time. The Gambler wasn’t sure if the young sheriff would continue or not.

"J.D.?"

"It’s alright, I just… wanna…. get things right in my head." The young man frowned.

‘In your own time, son." Ezra reassured.

"These two fellas, turned out to be Henry and Daniel, came in. Said something about being new in town. Needed somebody to show them around; help them get settled in. I thought that was better than sanding." Dunne smiled to himself. "So I offered. They seemed alright, you know, they were around my age, looking for some fun. Just like me.." J.D. trailed off.

"We, Daniel, Henry and me, started doing things together over the next few days. Having fun, riding." The young man remembered.

"So that’s where you disappeared to during the last couple of days." Standish said.

"Yep, then we went outside of town. Henry wanted to see who was the better shot. We got some cans and whiskey bottles and placed them on the rocks over near the trail leading out of town. Henry said it was best not to let anybody else know what we were doing."

The Southerner sat quietly, listening to the young man’s story. He could see it all now. After all, Ezra was no stranger to setting somebody up. He was a master at that game, and, although the two young men who had managed to cause this lastest trouble had almost succeeded, they were, after all, amateurs compared to himself. That was why they were both now dead.

Pulling himself from his own thoughts, he gently encouraged J.D. to continue.

"What happened next?"

The young man ran a trembling hand through his thick dark hair.

"It started to get a bit…. serious. After we’d been going out shooting for awhile, Daniel wanted to see who was faster, me or Henry. We started out shooting apples that Daniel threw in the air." Dunne smiled. "I remember Chris shooting my hat full of holes in front of Raphael a while ago. I could never shoot as fast as Chris." The smiled quickly disappeared from the young sheriff’s face. "Nobody can."

"They wanted to shoot some rabbits. Make it a kinda competition. I didn’t want to do that. I didn’t want to shoot helpless animals just for fun. They said I was weak, that they should have seen it from the beginning. They started to get a bit aggressive so I decided to leave and come back to town. I told them it was time for them to move on."

"That was the morning of the gunfight?" asked the Gambler.

"Yep, I didn’t know they followed me. I… I…. thought they went. I would never have wanted them to come back here." The young man said, looking at Standish.

"They found me back at the church. Henry called me out. Said it was about time we found out who was faster. I told him… I told him I didn’t want to, but he just kept saying I was weak, that I was a momma’s boy. Kept saying that they didn’t know why Larabee kept me around. That I wasn’t good enough to ride with him." Dunne choked back a sob.

"J.D., they were just trying to get you to react." Ezra placed a reassuring hand on Dunne’s shoulder.

"NO!!! They were right! I’m not good enough to ride with him. How can I ever face Chris again! You’re all right!! I am just a kid, with no sense. I should’ve gone back East in the beginning."

"J.D."

"No! Chris wouldn’t be lying up there if it weren’t for me."

"J.D., listen to me. Those two boys used you. They used you to get at Chris. If it hadn’t been you, it would have been somebody or something else. Do you understand?? Do you?? They came here with a purpose. And you just happened to be the one they chose."

"You mean the naive kid, the only one stupid enough to be taken in by them. Stupid, stupid, stupid." He said shaking his head.

"Look J.D., this isn’t the first time and it certainly won’t be the last, that some young punk kid comes looking for our esteemed leader Mr. Larabee wanting to make his reputation by putting a bullet in him. Chris knows that. We all know that. We just have to be ready for it. I’m afraid being a member of this little group of ours means that we now have added responsibilites. None of us can only look out for just ourselves any more. We have…. shall we say…. brothers to consider." Ezra Standish paused. Did he just call his six friends brothers?? Since when had they changed from acquaintances to brothers. He smiled. It felt good. Having friends; men he considered closer than friends. The word brothers felt right.

"Mr. Dunne, I do believe that you are feeling sorry for yourself."

J.D. looked up in surprise. "I aint feeling sorry for myself, I…. "

"Well sir, sitting in here when you should be checking on Mr. Larabee constitutes feeling sorry in my book. Perhaps you should come with me to the clinic and speak to Nathan, see if there is anything you can do."

"I.. uh.. I suppose… I never thought… I mean…. What about Buck??"

"Ah yes, Mr. Wilmington is a little annoyed with you at the moment. Perhaps I should ascertain his whereabouts before you venture forth. I mean, Mr. Jackson does have his hands full tending to our illustrious leader. I don’t think he’d appreciate having to patch you up after Mr. Wilmington is through ‘discussing’ this morning’s little incident."

"Wasn’t so little, Ezra."

"Figure of speech, Mr. Dunne. Figure of speech. Wait here and I’ll go check things out for you."

The gambler stood and turned to leave.

"Ezra" J.D. called.

Standish stopped and looked over his shoulder at the other man.

"Thanks… for listening."

"It was my pleasure J.D." And with a tip of his hat Ezra left the church.

# # # # #

"Damn it pard, you're gonna make me an old man before my time." Vin Tanner had remained seated next to Chris since he had been moved to Nathan's. Gently wiping the blond gunslingers forehead, he continued

talking to the man. "What are you trying to do to me Chris?"

"Vin… Vin." Nathan moved up behind the tracker. "Maybe you should go out, get some air. I'll call you if he wakes up."

"Nah, thanks Nathan. Figure I'll stick around in here. 'Sides, aint much room outside what with Buck pacing around like a bull. Maybe you should see if you can slip him something to calm him down. He's madder than I think I've ever seen him." Tanner smiled up at the dark man.

"You know," Nathan's voice held a tone of resignation, " I don't know

why I even bother with you. I knew the answer before I asked it. But, if

you don't get some rest of your own, I'm gonna be dividin' my time between you and Chris. Just promise me you'll eat something if I get Inez to bring some food up."

"Aint real hungry at the moment Nate." Then seeing the look on the healers face he continued quickly, "But I'm sure I can manage somethin'."

"S'pose that's the best I can expect from you. Now, I'm goin' over to the saloon. Chris should stay asleep for awhile yet, but if he does wake up give him this first," Jackson handed a small brown bottle to the tracker, "then come and get me. AND DON'T let that man get up!"

"Don't worry Nathan, I aint gonna let him go nowhere." The tracker said quietly, placing his hand, once again, on the man in blacks' back. "I promise you that."

"Alright Vin, you know where I’ll be." Nathan squeezed the trackers’

shoulder, then turned and left the room. Pausing momentarily at the

doorway, he looked at the two men who had become closer than friends; brothers, and smiled

Nathan met Buck, still pacing, on the landing outside the clinic.

"Buck"

The big man stopped. "Nathan, how's he doing?"

"Sleepin' right now. Still worried about the blood loss, but he seems to be settled at the moment."

"But he's gonna be alright?"

"It's a bit early to tell yet, but I'm hopeful." The healer continued. "Look Buck, you aint helpin' to keep him settled and quiet by pacin' around out here. How about you come with me over to the saloon. I could do with a drink and something to eat."

"Aw, I don't know Nate. Thought I might hang around out here."

The healer sighed, then with a mischievous twinkle in his eye said, "I was gonna ask Inez to fix something to eat for me and Vin. Maybe you could offer to help her make something up?"

"Hmmm…. Inez… " Buck rubbed his chin. "Well...s'pose I could always come back soon's I've had something to eat; give Vin a spell in there for awhile. You did say Chris' doing O.K. right now?"

"Yep" Jackson chuckled and slapped Wilmington on the back. "Vin knows where to find us if he needs us."

"O.K. Doc, I'm in your hands then," replied Buck, his mustache twitching with mischief. "And if I'm lucky, that little filly Inez's as well."

Both men laughed and headed for the saloon.

# # # #

"But Inez, darlin’" continued Buck. The gunman had been persistently

attempting to have the beautiful Mexican woman warm to his ‘talents’

since venturing into the saloon. As was usual, she was having none of it.

"Senor Buck, you do not seem to understand the word nunca. Let me refresh

your memory, NO!"

"Well brother Nathan, I put that at 6 times Inez has said nunca since Buck

came in here 30 minutes ago." Smiled Josiah.

"Aw, I don’t know Josiah, I thought he was up to nine." Teased Nathan.

"You sure about that Nate? I was certain it was 6, but then again.." the preacher paused, taking a sip from his drink, "I always lose count after 5."

Both men laughed.

"Alright you two," admonished Wilmington. "You know she’s just making

me earn it. You can see that that little filly really wants me."

Jackson and Sanchez looked at each other and burst out laughing again.

"What’s so funny?" asked Buck.

"Nothing" replied Josiah trying to keep from spilling his drink. "Nothing at all."

The three men were interrupted from their laughter by Inez. "Señor Nathan, I shall take the food to Señor Vin now. Is there anything else you wish me to take?"

"No thanks Inez, that should be fine. I best be getting back up there soon

anyway."

"Si Señor."

"Oh Inez, darlin’, here let me take that tray for you." Offered Wilmington rushing up to the fiery Mexican and snatching the food from her.

"No! I wish to get some peace and quiet from here." She paused, shaking her head "no," she continued "that is not true, I want some peace from you! I can manage on my own." She grabbed the tray back from the big gunman and headed out the door.

"What a woman!" sighed the gunman.

Once again Nathan and Josiah looked at each other and began laughing.

# # # #

Inez reached the top of the stairs leading to the clinic. She knocked gently on the door. Receiving no answer, the Mexican slowly pushed it open and went inside. Once inside the room, she smiled to herself when she saw Vin Tanner asleep, his head resting on the bed next to the unconscious gunslinger. Carefully placing the tray on the small table near the wall, Inez quietly turned and left the room.

# # # #