<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

The morning sun found Chris and Nathan just finishing their ministrations. Vin had been cleaned up, his wounds stitched, bathed, salved and bound. They had settled his tortured feet on pillows, each one swathed in heavy white bandages. On his part, Tanner had drifted in and out of consciousness. At times he was able to talk coherently with his friends; at others he mumbled nonsensically as he was trapped in a nightmare world.

Straightening up slowly, Chris couldn’t stifle a low groan. He ached, every inch of his body. He had finally allowed Nathan to tend to the deep abrasions on his wrists, washing them out with carbolic and wrapping them in white cloth. Larabee barely reacted to the acid wash, his mind still trapped in the recent past. Looking down at his friend, he felt the rage well up once more at what Vin had gone through in the name of friendship.

"Chris?"

He looked up slowly, realizing that Jackson was talking to him. "Yeah?"

"Why don’t you go get some rest. You look done in."

"I’m fine. There’s only one thing on my mind right now. I’m going back out after the men that did this."

"N-not ‘thout…me," came a whisper.

Looking down, Larabee saw Vin staring back up at him. "You ain’t going anywhere til Nathan says okay. I didn’t drag your sorry carcass back here so you could turn around and get yourself killed."

"I’m fine," Tanner argued. He started to raise himself up, only to slump back to the bed. "J-just gotta get m’…wind."

"Yeah, well you’ll have plenty of time for that Vin Tanner," Nathan admonished. "You’re gonna be my guest for the next three days at least." He raised a hand to forestall the argument he saw in the finely chiseled face. "You argue I’ll make it four."

Staring at the healer, Tanner nonetheless kept his mouth shut.

Chris smiled at the exchange, the first smile he had managed for several days. He pushed himself to his feet and with only a quick nod he left the little clinic.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

"Boy, I thought you were gonna get some sleep."

"Buck, I ain’t in the mood for any of your lectures right now okay?"

His voice softening, the bigger man said, "sure Kid. C’mon, let’s go get you some breakfast…get y’ cleaned up."

Nodding absently, Dunne said, "sure…okay."

They entered the restaurant to find Josiah Sanchez already there. Moving to join him, they ordered breakfast from the young woman who greeted them. JD gratefully accepted a mug of coffee, taking a long drink.

The young man’s haggard appearance had not escaped Sanchez’s notice. "JD, it doesn’t appear that you had a very pleasant trip."

"No, I didn’t," Dunne agreed. "Josiah, can I ask you a favor?"

"Why of course."

"Can you hold…a funeral service for me this afternoon?"

The big man started at the question. "A service? For who, son?"

"That’s just it Josiah. I don’t know the kid’s name. He…he couldn’t talk."

"JD, perhaps you should fill us in on what happened."

He opened his mouth, intending to tell them nothing other than he didn’t want to talk about it yet. Instead, JD Dunne found himself relating the details of the past few days to Buck and Josiah. When he finished nearly an hour later, both men were ready to hunt down the outlaws who had visited such savagery on not only three of their own, but on the poor nameless child who had sacrificed himself to free them.

"I say we get Chris and Ezra and ride out after those bastards," Buck said with quiet rage in his voice.

"I agree," Josiah said. "I’ll go roust Ezra while you go get Chris. JD, can we hold the service for your young benefactor when we return?"

Nodding, Dunne said, "I’ll go get the horses saddled."

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

Buck hurried up the stairs, heading to Nathan’s clinic. He entered to find only the healer and Vin Tanner. The big man’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the tracker lying so still on the bed, bandaged feet propped on pillows. Pulling his gaze away from his injured friend, he turned to Jackson. "Hey Nathan, where’s Chris?"

"He left here a good hour ago Buck, why?"

Looking puzzled, the former sheriff said, "he say where he was goin’?"

"I assumed he was going to round up you and the others to go after the bunch that did this," he nodded toward Tanner. "He wouldn’t be at the jail would he?"

"Nope, I was there while ago. Maybe he stopped in to send a telegram to th’ Judge? Or maybe he’s at Mrs. Potter’s getting’ supplies."

"Go’n…after Talon," Vin said tiredly from the bed.

"He wouldn’t go by himself…would he?" Jackson turned a concerned face toward the big former sheriff.

Giving the dark man a level look, Wilmington said, "you forget who you’re talkin’ about Nathan?"

"Damn," the healer muttered. "I’ll see if Mary can come stay Vin –"

"Don’t need a damn…babysitter," Tanner grumbled.

"You’re gonna do what I tell you Vin," Nathan said quietly. "I ain’t gonna argue with you. And if you don’t mind me, I’ll ask Casey to go get Miss Nettie. You’ll mind her."

At the mention of the woman who had become very dear to him, the tracker acquiesced. Jackson was right, the old woman only had to give him a look and he would do whatever she said. Glaring at the healer, he none the less lay back in the bed. "Fine, I’ll stay put…don’t mean I gotta like it, though."

"I can live with that," the former stretcher bearer said with a grin. The expression turned serious however, as he turned to the other man. "Can you get Able ready for me and I’ll take care of things here. Meet you at the livery in 15 minutes."

"We’ll be waitin’," Wilmington said as he all but ran from the room.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

Twenty minutes later found five men riding hell-bent-for-leather out of town. Mary Travis watched them ride out from the landing outside Jackson’s clinic. As they disappeared from view she ducked inside, only to find Vin Tanner struggling to get out of bed.

"And exactly what do you think you’re doing Mr. Tanner?" She asked sternly.

"Reckon I’m…lookin’ for m’ pants ma’am," he replied sheepishly, pulling the quilt around him. "Could y’ turn your head a minute Mz. Travis?"

"I’ll do nothing of the sort. You were told to stay in bed." She walked determinedly across the room, pressing the slender man back against the mattress. "You’re in no shape to do anything right now, Vin."

He turned concerned blue eyes in her direction. "Mary," he said softly, "I can’t just lay abed like some old man while…Chris an’ th’ others…"

"You’re not getting up Vin," she replied, her tone softening. "I know you’re concerned, but the last thing the others need right now is for you to injure yourself further. Trust them to take care of this."

"Ain’t got nothin’ t’ do with trust or not trustin’ ‘m ma’am. It’s got everything…t’ do with…" he sighed, "with bein’ there…for ‘m when…they need y’."

Mary sat down next to him on the mattress, taking his face in her hands. "Vin Tanner, you have done enough for now. How do you think Chris…all of them…would feel if you came to more harm? They’re worried enough as it is…" she let the words trail off.

Vin stared hard at her, reading the worry and concern in her pretty face. "He’s gonna be okay Mary," he said softly. "He will." His own hand came up to cover hers, taking hold of it. "He will," he repeated. Squeezing the man’s hand, she smiled. "I hope you’re right Vin, I really do."

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

"JD, you sure you remember the way?" Buck asked.

Dunne glared at him. "I may be a kid, but I ain’t stupid," he growled at his friend. With an angry jerk, he pushed his borrowed mount to a gallop, Riding away from the other men.

"JD!" Wilmington called. He started to go after him, but stopped when he felt a hand on his arm. Turning, he found Josiah next to him.

"Let him ride for a while, Buck. I think he needs some time alone. What he’s been through these past few days – "

"You’re right Josiah," Wilmington said softly. "I just wish…"

"You wish you could make it all go away, make it not happen."

"Yeah."

"You’re a good friend Buck Wilmington, but even friendship has its limits. All you can do is be there when he needs you."

"I know, but it just ain’t fair. He’s already had t’ put up with a lot more’n he oughta for a boy his age. Don’t make sense that he’s gotta shoulder even more."

"No, it doesn’t Buck, but no one has forced JD to stay here and weather the storms he has. He’s done it because it’s been what he wanted; what he came West for. Give him credit…he’s not a boy any longer."

Nodding, the big ex-sheriff rode with the other three men, keeping track of JD, but allowing him some space. It was late afternoon by the time they spotted Chris. The man in black was riding hard as well, making good time on the horse he had borrowed as well. Just as Dunne had done with Milagro, Larabee had left Pony behind to rest from his ordeal. Fortunately for the men riding after him, this animal had only a margin of Pony’s stamina, orthey would never have caught up with him. He turned once, when they were within earshot, but did not acknowledge the other men. Instead he simply turned back in the saddle and continued riding.

"Damn it Chris," Buck grumbled as they pushed their horses faster. "For once let go a that stubborn pride a yours and let someone help y’."

"Sadly, Buck," Ezra chimed in, "I doubt that such a miracle is likely to happen in the next ten minutes."

They finally overtook their friend; pulling up beside him. One look at Chris Larabee told them all they needed to know. He had armed himself With several of the rifles and shotguns from the jail, and his saddlebags Hung heavy with ammunition. The gunslinger had no intention of bringing the gang of outlaws to justice, he meant to send them all to hell.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

Mary Travis hurried back to the clinic. Vin had asked her to fetch him something to eat. She had tried to content him with the broth Nathan had left, but Tanner would have none of it. He had promised to behave himself if she would bring him some steak and eggs. It wasn’t until she was preparing to return that she realized exactly what he had said…

"I ain’t gonna do nothin’ foolish Mary."

It had sounded like a promise to stay put, but it finally occurred to her that it meant nothing of the kind. Vin Tanner did not consider riding out after the other men to be foolish. Leaving the food at the restaurant, she had run from the building and toward Nathan’s. Running hard up the stairs she nearly tripped over her skirts. Cursing them under her breath she bundled the heavy material in one hand, headless of the fact that her petticoats were showing. There was only one thing of importance now. As soon as she entered the darkened room, she knew it was too late. The bed was empty.

Hurrying back downstairs, she entered the Livery. Yosemite looked up From where he had been grooming Peso as she entered. "Yosemite, has Mr. Tanner been here?"

"Yes ‘m," he said, coming to stand in front of her. "He didn’t look too good, but he come down while ago and asked for th’ loan a m’ fastest horse. Somethin’ wrong Mz. Travis?"

"Yes," she sighed, "something is very wrong I’m afraid. Could you saddle Jasper for me?"

"Yes ma’am," the big man went to the stall where she boarded her horse.

Ten minutes later, Mary Travis was on the road in search of one very stubborn tracker.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

"Hey Cowboy," Buck said as they pulled in beside Larabee, "goin’ anyplace special."

"You know where I’m going," Chris growled.

"Reckon we do…reckon we’re goin’ with y’, too."

"Go back home," Larabee ordered.

"Don’t think we can do that," Josiah said determinedly.

"I’ll handle this myself."

"How Chris?" JD’s voice rose with anger. "There are too damn many of them. There’s no way you could take them all."

"Watch me."

"I’ve got as much right to see this thing through as you do," Dunne continued. "You know that Chris."

"It would seem that we all have a stake in this," Ezra added. "I for one do not take it lightly when a friend and associate is inured."

"We’ll see it through with you Chris, whether you like it or not," Nathan said.

"Fine," Larabee spurred his horse forward.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

It didn’t take Mary very long to catch up to the tracker. Vin was hunched over in the saddle, his injured feet dangling out of the stirrups. The widow Travis didn’t know whether she was angrier with Vin for pulling this, or at Yosemite for allowing it. It was obvious that he was in no shape to be out of bed. She knew, however, that Yosemite was no different than many of the townspeople. Mixed in with the respect and admiration most of them had for the members of what Jock Steele had dubbed "The Magnificent Seven", was fear. If Vin Tanner had been speaking from a severed head the liveryman would have still saddled a horse for him.

As she drew up beside him, she reached out and grasped the other horse’s bridle. "I should have known that you’d lie to me," she snapped.

"Didn’t lie to y’," Vin corrected. "Just didn’t say exactly what you wanted t’ hear."

"That’s a convenient way of looking at it I suppose," she retorted. "The fact remains, however, that you are supposed to be in bed, not dashing across the countryside like this."

"Mary, listen t’ me. I reckon I’ve put y’ in a bad spot, and I’m sorry. I didn’t have another choice, though. I can’t lie there while Chris an’ th’ others are out here facin’ who knows what odds."

"You’re only one person Vin, as much as we would like to believe, you cannot right all the world’s ills. Now, lets get you back to town and into bed."

"Mary, listen," Tanner held up his hand. "I appreciate your words, I really do. But this is somethin’ I’ve gotta do." He kneed the horse gently, coaxing it into a trot. Cursing under her breath, the newspaperwoman rode after him.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

They rode as hard as the horses would allow them to go. Chris ignored the other men, his mind consumed with a single thought…revenge. The other men knew that look when they saw it, and they kept their distance. JD, too, remained alone. Buck tried to approach him from time to time, but Dunne simply spurred his horse faster. Finally Wilmington surrendered to his friend’s mood; he rode quietly with Ezra, Nathan and Josiah. Even the usually exuberant Buck’s attitude was subdued throughout the trip.

Night came, and still they rode. The horses were exhausted, forcing them to a walk, but Larabee gave no indication that he was going to stop. The others followed, knowing that he would ride right into the mouth of hell in his present state.

The six men couldn’t know it, but some way behind them Vin Tanner remained in the saddle as well, held there by pure stubbornness. Mary Travis rode beside him, having finally given up on trying to convince him to turn back. While he threatened to fall from the horse time and again, he managed to right himself. Mary reached out to steady him then, smiling at the politely whispered, "thank you ma’am," he responded with each time.

Despite his injuries, he had not problem remaining on the trail, taking them on a direct route toward the outlaws. Mary wasn’t certain how much of it he was doing from memory, and how much he was following the other men. If he were forced to decide, Vin wasn’t certain himself.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

"We’ll leave the horses here. Don’t want to announce ourselves too early," Chris said as they reached the stone barriers that surrounded the outlaw encampment. The men quickly dismounted and gathered their arms. Silently they moved up into the rocks, listening intently for any sign that their approach had been heard. Chris hoped that they had spent another night drinking, but they couldn’t bank on it.

They reached a familiar vantage point. JD could barely take his eyes off the rock that their young friend had had used as a vantage point. He imagined that he could see the child sitting there even now, watching the outlaw camp. He found himself approaching the rock cautiously, almost reverently. Once there, he lay a slightly trembling hand on the cold surface, lost in thought. He forgot that he wasn’t alone until a broad hand on his shoulder made him jump. Turning he saw the preacher looking at him with concern.

"Didn’t mean to startle you son," Josiah said quietly. "Thought maybe you could use a friend."

"I appreciate that Josiah, I really do, but not right now. Maybe when this is all over with."

Squeezing the smaller man’s shoulder, Josiah simply nodded and moved off to allow the young sheriff time alone.

Chris stood in the shadows, watching the encampment. Something was wrong, he could see that immediately. "No fires."

"What?" Buck stood nearby, finally braving his friend’s anger.

"No fires. It’s too quiet down there."

"Think they’re gone?"

"Doesn’t make sense. Even if the men are someplace else, why would they take all the women and children?"

"Reckon there’s only one way to find out," Wilmington said.

Nodding, Chris strode toward the path they had used in making their escape. The others followed close behind, continuing to watch for any sign that the gang was preparing to spring a trap. They made it all the way into the encampment without challenge. Once there, Josiah edged to the opening of one of the tipis. Easing back the flap with his pistol, he peered inside. It seemed like a lifetime before he slipped back, shaking his head. There was no one inside. They spread out, checking the other dwellings. They were all empty.

In a sudden fit of rage, JD took out his pistol, firing into the nearest shack. He had emptied the chambers before the others go to him. Josiah reached him first, wrapping the younger man in a bear hug.

"JD, calm down son. They could still be in hearing range."

"I hope they are. I want them to come back…they need to know what it’s like…they need –"

"JD." The voice was soft but firm. Chris stood before the young man, placing his hands on the Easterner’s shoulders. "Listen to me son. We’ll find them…we’ll find Talon most of all. He’ll pay, JD, they all will."

Rage turned to sorrow, and Dunne pulled away from the restraining arms, hurrying away into the darkness.

Buck started after him, but Larabee called him back. "Give him time Buck."

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

"Are you certain you heard gunshots?"

"Yeah, no question of it," Vin answered the blonde. "Just…th’ one pistol, though. don’t make sense."

"Perhaps it was someone in the camp, or someone hunting, or…"

"Mary, there’s only one way t’ find out." His voice rough with pain, Vin clucked to the horse, pushing it to gain more speed.

Mary Travis apologized to Jasper under her breath and hurried to catch up.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

"What now?" Nathan asked. They had made a thorough search of the encampment to make certain that there were not other victims to the outlaws brutality.

Larabee had pushed his hat back off his head, and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don’t know," he sighed. "Wait til sunup and see if I can pick up their trail. The rest of you can head back to town then – "

"Think we already went through this pard," Buck said in a no-nonsense tone. "We’re in it for th’ long haul. Soon ‘s it’s sunup, we’ll pick up their trail."

Chris glared at his long-time friend, but said no more. He stalked away, walking the perimeter of the camp to look for anything that could be a sign as to where to search. He was near the far end of the encampment when he heard it. Hoofbeats. Turning, he saw that the others were too far away to call to. Instead, he scrambled up into the rocks, aiming toward the sounds. He watched for several long minutes before two figures came into view, riding slowly. The blond could tell by their postures that the horses were close to collapse. It wasn’t until they were nearly on top of his hiding place that he realized who he was aiming at. When he did, he cursed under his breath. Easing out of the shadows, he said angrily,

"Thought you were keeping him in bed."

Mary nearly fell from her horse’s back as the gunfighter’s voice startled her. She quickly regained her composure though, and with it came indignity. "I would appreciate it Mr. Larabee, if you would gather all your facts before jumping to conclusions."

"Wasn’t her…fault, Chris," Vin whispered. He was nearly laying against the horses neck now.

"We’ll discuss it later," the widow Travis said coolly. "Right now Vin needs rest."

Swallowing any response he might make, the man in black took the worn out horses bridle in hand and led it, complete with it’s exhausted cargo, back into the camp. Mary dismounted her own horse, and followed closely behind. They reached the main body of the camp to find the others working on a small fire hidden by the ramshackle buildings. They looked up as the trio came into view. Nathan and Josiah quickly retrieved Vin from the saddle, the younger man collapsing into unconsciousness as they did. Nearby, Ezra hurriedly threw open a bedroll close to the fire. The two big men lowered the injured tracker to the blankets.

Nathan sighed as he got a look at Tanner’s injured feet. They were straining at the now-bloodied bandages, swollen by the long hours dangling from the saddle. "He’s got to be in terrible pain," he said softly as if talking to himself.

"Darn fool deserves it," Chris growled, "he was supposed to stay in bed."

"When did we ever know our intrepid plainsman to simply sit by and allow others to engage in a violent altercation without insisting on joining in?" Standish said in an attempt at humor.

Josiah sat on the other side of Tanner, bathing the man’s face with a damp cloth. For his part, Vin mumbled incoherently, but didn’t regain consciousness. They worked to free his abused feet from their bindings, Nathan carefully cutting the cloth away with a knife. Vin moaned several times as the material pulled at the raw wounds, he tried to move away, drawing his feet away from the source of the pain. Gently Sanchez stroked his brow and talked to him quietly.

"Vin, it’s okay. I know it hurts son, but you’ve got to lay still. Nathan’s not tryin’ to hurt you, but he’s gotta clean up your wounds. You need to lay still so he can take care of you. Can you lay still son? Here, hold onto my hand if you want, squeeze it tight." He slid his big hand around the tracker’s slender one. He felt the young man’s fingers tighten around his hand, squeezing tightly as the pain ran through him once more. The two men worked steadily, tending Tanner’s injuries. When they had finished, they once more elevated the man’s feet, hoping to relieve the swelling.

While Nathan and Josiah were busy tending to Vin, the others were trying to find some indication as to what had happened to the outlaw gang. It was almost as if they had all disappeared. If it had not been for the buildings and Vin’s injuries, Chris would have begun questioning his sanity; wondering if he had made it all up. It made no sense. There had been nearly fifty people in the camp before. Now they were all gone. It wasn’t fair.

"Chris?"

He turned to find Buck standing next to him. "Yeah?"

"It’ll be daybreak soon. We’ll be ready to ride soon ’s you say the word."

Chris looked levelly at his friend, but only nodded.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

Daybreak brought little comfort to the eight people camped out in the abandoned village. They had tucked Mary Travis away in one of the more habitable hovels to get some much needed rest. Nathan had stayed by his patient throughout the long dark hours, quieting the man’s fevered dreams. Vin had slept restlessly through the night, the long days and his injuries conspiring to keep him unconscious. Josiah, Ezra and Buck had rolled into blankets and fallen to sleep around the fire. Chris and JD had spent the long hours awake and silent, staring into the darkness in case the previous inhabitants of the encampment decided to return.

Morning found them still alone. The three members of the group who had actually slept stretched out of their blankets to the smell of coffee. Chris and JD returned to the fire, accepting mugs and Mary stumbled from the little one room shack that had been hers for the night. All eyes went from Vin’s still form to Nathan’s haggard face with a single question. The big stretcher bearer nodded at them solemnly.

"He slept fair all night. Last thing he needs is t’ be back on a horse today though."

"If y’all are goin’ someplace…I’m goin’ with y’," a scratchy voice informed them.

Squatting down next to his friend, Chris said, "you need to rest pard."

"Been restin’," he replied. "I’ll take…’r easy."

Looking around, the gunslinger said, "don’t imagine it’s going to be especially safe to leave him here."

"Won’t be for y’all…when I get on…m’ feet."

Smiling, Chris said, "that’s what I meant." Straightening up, he became serious as he said to the others, "this was my fight, but Talon brought it home to us all. I can’t change that, I can’t even get you to listen to me and go back to town. So if we’re going, we’ll be going together."

"Reckon we’re all goin’ together, then," Buck said with a smile.

"Mr. Larabee," Ezra Standish said, "realizing that you have every right to ignore this inquiry, I would like to have some indication as to why this Talon fellow has such a desire to wreck havoc in your life?"

Chris stared at the young gambler, then turned his gaze to his old friend. With a barely perceptible nod, he left the explanation for Wilmington as he stalked off to check once more for signs that the others were coming back.

Looking around at the others, the big ex-lawman nodded. "Happened ‘bout seven years ago. Avery Talon and his bunch were causin’ a helluva stir ‘round these parts. Chris and me had just settled here ‘bout then. He’d met Sarah and suddenly got th’ urge t’ put down roots. We ended up throwin’ in with the local law t’ chase th’ gang down. We’d taken care a most of ‘m, but Talon and 2-3 a his boys were still goin’ strong. Then me an’ Chris an’ a couple others cornered ‘m in a box canyon. We shot it out, an’ Talon was th’ only one still standin’. Come t’ find out, two a th’ boys we shot were Talon’s brothers. Talon claimed he actually saw Chris shoot one of ‘m and he put all a his hatred on ‘m. Even through th’ trial he kept making threats on Chris’ life. Th’ judge gave ‘m life in prison, don’t know what happened."

"Well for one thing, he sure didn’t get over his hatred toward Chris," Josiah said softly.

"Reckon we’ll have t’ make certain we…end it for ‘m," Vin said, "with a bullet."

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

Taking into consideration the young newspaperwoman’s presence, they decided to escort her at least as far as Culley Point, where she could either wait for the stage or hire someone to escort her the rest of the way home. Josiah and Nathan got Vin onto his horse after the healer had given him just enough Laudanum to take the edge of the pain without sending him into oblivion. The tracker was adamant that he wouldn’t ride double with any of the others, so they contented themselves by riding close by in case he needed them. As if he were oblivious to their attentions, he watched the trail for signs of the gang. Before riding more than a couple of miles, Vin made an observation.

"They’re headin’…for town."

"The gang?" Josiah asked from where he rode near the weakened young man.

"Yeah…headin’…for Four Cor…ners."

"DAMN IT!" Larabee growled. "I should have –"

"Chris," Nathan said quietly, "we’ll sort out the blame later. Right now we need to head for town."

Looking sidelong at the tracker, Nathan said, "maybe y’all should go on ahead, me an’ Vin…" his words were cut off as Tanner slapped the reins and sent his horse into a gallop.

"DAMN IT!" Chris spurred his own horse forward, chasing after the stubborn young man. "Tanner! Where the hell do you think you’re going?" There was no answer, and Larabee rode harder in an attempt to catch the tracker. They had ridden nearly a mile before the blond caught up with his friend.

Reaching out, he grasped the bridle of the other horse, pulling it to a stop. "Where the hell do you think you’re going?"

"Reckon I’m headin’ back t’…town," Tanner replied breathlessly.

"Just hold up, cowboy. The rest of us can ride ahead and take care of things in town. You and Nathan…"

"Me an’ Nathan nothin, pard. There’s bound t’ be folk’s needin’ Nathan. Either y’all leave me on m’ own – "

"You know I ain’t doing that…"

"Or you let go a th’ horse."

"Vin, listen to reason."

"Let go a m’ horse, Larabee," Tanner’s voice became deadly. He jerked the horse’s head, pulling the bridle from Chris’ grasp. Once again the wounded man rode toward town, the others hurrying to catch up.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

They rode through the day, stopping only when necessary for either their mounts or their friend. To no ones surprise, the horses showed more sense than the human did.

"I’m fine…Chris," Vin argued during one brief stop. He had nearly toppled out of the saddle just a few minutes earlier. Only quick action o the preacher’s part had saved him from a bad fall.

"Yeah, I know you are, " the blond managed to keep his frustration in check. The tracker was nearly unconscious; it would do little good to argue with him. "We’re resting the horses."

"Just did," Tanner replied.

"Nope, been awhile," Buck said as he came to join the other men. "Reckon you dozed off in th’ saddle…again."

Taking the canteen Wilmington offered in a pair of trembling hands, Vin stared hard at him. He had no recollection of falling asleep, but couldn’t be certain. The young man had to admit, at least to himself, that he was certain of very little. The world kept slipping in and out of focus around him. The only thing he knew for certain was that Four Corners could very well be under siege. They had agreed to protect the town, but instead they were moving far too slowly because of him.

"Whoa there son!" Buck grabbed hold of the rangy tracker as he tried to rise.

"Le’go," he pulled away and stood, swaying dangerously.

"Listen Vin," the man in black tried to reason with him. "You need to sit down. Your feet are all swollen up again, you’re –"

" ‘M fine, " Tanner mumbled. "Need t’ git go’n."

"Here Vin," Nathan said quietly as he joined them. "You sit down and drink this, then we’ll get goin’ again."

Even while his legs gave out, sending him collapsing into the arms of his friends, the young man eyed the healer suspiciously.

"It’s okay," Jackson said with a broad smile, "its just some herbal tea to ease the swelling in your feet and legs."

"Y’sure…that’s all it’ll…do?"

"If you want to keep on like you’re going cowboy," Chris stepped in, "drink it."

"…bossy…" Tanner said as he accepted the mug. He sipped the brew tentatively, but decided it was safe. He soon finished the tea. Handing the empty mug back to the former slave, he nodded his thanks.

"Now, you lay down and let us prop your feet up, so that swelling will go down," Chris coaxed, ignoring the glare the younger man gave him. With Buck’s help, he made Tanner comfortable in the shade of a big tree. By the time they got him settled, the man’s eyes were mere slits. Watching as Vin drifted toward sleep, Chris turned to look at Nathan with a single question in his eyes.

Affecting a look of innocence, the healer said simply, "reckon he’ll be easier t’ get along with for ‘bout the next six or eight hours. Amazing what a dollop of scotch’ll hid th’ taste of."

Chris glanced toward the gambler who, like Nathan, feigned innocence.

"Damn Nathan, how come I didn’t get that kind’a treatment th’ other day?" Buck grumbled, rubbing his still sore ribs for effect.

"Reckon you’re a bit easier to convince to do the right thing, Buck," Josiah entered the conversation.

Smiling, Chris added, "besides, we only have to worry about you falling out of someone’s bed."

Laughing heartily, the big ladies man strolled off to join JD at the picket line. His mood sobered as he saw the young man’s somber countenance. "Hey pard," Wilmington said.

Nodding in answer, Dunne continued staring into nothingness.

"Why don’t y’ come over an’ join th’ rest of us?"

Shaking his head, JD turned away, focusing his attention on the horses.

"Kid, you need – "

"Buck," the young man’s voice was hollow with pain that the other man could only barely fathom. "Right now the only think I need is to be left alone. I know you all mean well, but please, just go away."

The big brunet stood quietly for a full minute, but finally turned and did as the younger man asked. He shuffled away, shoulders slumped in defeat, to return to where the others had collected in the shade of a small stand of trees. He looked to see that Tanner was sleeping soundly. "Reckon we ought’a leave for town, check t’ see if it’s still standin’?" he asked quietly.

"We were just discussing that very scenario," Ezra answered.

"Reckon y’all could go check on things. Soon’s Vin wakes up, I’ll bring ‘m home."

Chris considered his oldest friend’s offer, but shook his head no. "We’re already going to be short a man…" he paused, staring toward their youngest member, "maybe two. Besides, when he wakes up, he’s going to be a bear to deal with. Reckon the best thing to do is get on the road again, ride him double with someone while he’s asleep anyway."

"I’ll take ‘m for now, then," Buck said. "Reckon we’ll be able t’ make better time."

There was general agreement and soon the little group was on the move once more. Vin Tanner was curled up in Wilmington’s arms, oblivious to what was happening around him. They were able to move at a quicker pace, only stopping so that they could transfer the sleeping man to another horse and other arms. The three biggest of the group shared the responsibility of carrying the limp form home.

They finally came in sight of the little town that was their destination just as night fell. Chris pulled up, motioning the others to do the same. He looked first at the little town, then to the people around him. "Alright, Nathan you take Vin and Marry on to Gloria Potter’s.

"Chris, I –" Vin surprised them all in choosing that moment to slip back toward consciousness.

"Hey cowboy," Larabee coaxed Pony next to Able to get a better look at his still-groggy friend. "I know you hate to be left out of the ‘fun’, but there ain’t a choice right now. If we take you with us, we’ll spend all our time picking your skinny carcass up off the ground."

A faint smile touched the handsome young face. "I…kn…know. Watch…yer back…cow…boy." He returned to the comfort of sleep.

They were on the move again. As the group neared the outskirts of town, Jackson, Tanner and Travis broke off. They rode toward the Potter home, behind their general store. The others rode on along the dusty street that dissected the little collection of buildings.

Hell had broken loose in the town of Four Corners, and the peacekeepers moved unflinchingly toward its very mouth. Chris directed the other four as they went. He sent Ezra and Josiah to the right and Buck and JD to the left. The men quickly dismounted, checked their guns, and began to walk warily down the boardwalks on either side of the street. The men watched intently for the outlaws, returning their fire and leaving a trail of the dead and injured behind them. In the meantime, Larabee rode directly down the center of the street. He was a prime target; he knew it and he didn’t care. Too much ugliness had happened thanks to Talon and his need for vengeance. It would stop tonight.

As they crept along the boardwalk to Larabee’s left, Wilmington and Dunne encountered a trio of outlaws crouched between two buildings. During the ensuing fight, Buck’s blood ran cold as he watched JD handle one of the men. The Kid was enjoying the attack far too much. As the beaten and bloodied the man slumped against the wall, held upright only by Dunne’s fists, Buck stepped in. Grabbing the smaller man, he pulled him away, heedless of the fact that the outlaw fell bonelessly to the ground. "DAMN IT KID!" Wilmington hissed. "Save some a that for th’ rest a th’ bad guys. He’s finished."

Glazed hazel eyes flashed angrily, not even seeing his friend. Dunne pulled away, stepping out onto the boardwalk and moving away from the still stunned gunman. Buck shook off his shock and hurried after his friend.

On the other side of the street, Ezra and Josiah were busy as well. They had dispatched two of Talon’s men already, and found themselves facing a quartet of criminals. Moving together in concert, the preacher and the grifter fought their foes and walked away with nothing worse than a split lip to mar Standish’s handsome face.

Those townspeople who were not already hidden behind closed doors quickly hid themselves away. They knew only too well that the men who were systematically fighting their way through town only needed to have them stay out of the way. They would take care of the present danger just as they had handled the danger in the past. Tomorrow they would have to clean up broken glass and broken dreams, but at least they would be alive to do so now.

By the time the men had reached the opposite side of town, they had accounted for most of Talon’s men. The sounds of men fleeing on horseback and even on foot could be heard against the backdrop of gunfire that became more and more sporadic. Talon’s men had acknowledged defeat. There was only one matter that still needed attention.

Chris had emptied and reloaded his gun several times as he rode through town. His Colt had accounted for many of the dead that lay behind them. At the end of town, he turned his horse, dismounted, and stepped back into the street. Glancing quickly to the right and left, he reached for signs of his men. Fixing their whereabouts in his mind, he took a second step, re-loading as he did. "TALON! I’m calling you out you filthy son-of-a-bitch! Are you man enough to show yourself?"

"I’m here."

If Larabee was surprised, he didn’t show it. Without another word, he began walking almost casually down the dusty street. Halfway down, he watched as Talon began walking toward him. Then the firing began. Shot after shot, exchanged between the tow adversaries, rang out through the street. One shot after another kicked up sprays of dirt around them. At some point Larabee felt a trail of fire pierce his left thigh, but adrenaline allowed him to push the pain aside so that he could continue the fight.

And then it was over. Chris stared angrily at the object of his hatred and placed a bloody hole in the man’s forehead. Momentum carried Talon forward a few steps. Then, as if suddenly turned to stone, the man fell face first into the dirt. Watching him, the man in black barely registered the other coming to stand with him. Suddenly very tired, he felt strong hands on his arms just as his legs gave out.

"Whoa there, pard," Buck said, "reckon we ought’a get y’ t’ Nathan."

"Yeah," Larabee whispered. He allowed the two bigger men to draw his arms over their shoulders. Limping and hobbling between Buck and Josiah, Chris moved back down the street he had just traveled. It seemed like a lifetime until they came to the Potter’s store. He found that he wasn’t very surprised to see Vin. The tracker sat slouched in a chair, a shotgun across his lap. The man in black vaguely recalled the report of a shotgun behind them and knew that, as usual, Tanner was watching their backs.

"Hey, cowboy," the younger man said in a raspy whisper. "Looks like I’ll have…comp’ny at Na…than’s."

With a tired smile and a nod, Chris answered in true Larabee fashion. Then he collapsed between his friends.

<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>

The sun streamed down on the small gathering, while the bittersweet sounds of "Amazing Grace" faded on the wind. They had gathered at a grave that was too small, marking the end of a life cut short by the ugliness of a violent world.

Buck, Nathan and Ezra walked away from the tiny resting place, escorting Mary Travis, Nettie and Casey Wells back to the wagon they had ridden out in. they all sensed the need in three of the four men who remained at the small plot of freshly dug soil. They needed the counsel of the fourth man.

Josiah looked quietly around him, taking in the faces of the others. Chris Larabee’s face gave little clue as to what he was feeling, but that impassiveness did not quite reach his eyes. Two grief-stricken hazel eyes stared into the distance. Josiah wasn’t certain whether the pain came from three days or three years ago.

Sensing the observation, Larabee shifted on the crutches he had begrudgingly being shot. He looked across the grave and caught Sanchez’s eye, returning his gaze evenly. It was Josiah who blinked first.

Turning his attention next to Vin Tanner, the preacher saw a face less marshaled and still. Sitting uncomfortably in the wooden wheelchair, tanner’s face bore the grief he felt. Vin could barely tolerate seeing anyone being mistreated. The preacher could only imagine what the younger man was going through, knowing that the young, tortured, and nameless child had died in saving his life.

And while Josiah could scarcely fathom Vin’s pain, he could not avoid the tidal waves of unabashed grief that flowed from their youngest brother of the gun.

JD Dunne had become a ghost in their midst. He had barely spoken since they had returned to Four Corners. If he answered them at all, it was in monosyllables that rivaled Chris Larabee on the worst of days. Most of his time had been spent alone; he barely even seemed to notice young Casey Wells. His longest conversation had been with Vin and Chris the morning after their return. He had crept quietly into the clinic. The others, as always, gathered to check n their recovering friends, excused themselves.

A short time later, the young man had re-emerged and walked determinedly away without a word. Later, after Buck’s incessant questions, Vin had admitted only that they had been making arrangements for the young boys’ burial. They hadn’t seen young Dunne again until he had appeared at the head of the funeral procession. Now, he stood alone at the foot of the grave, his bowler clinched in white-knuckled hands. Tears flowed silently down his palely handsome face; for once he made no move to hide them.

Josiah sighed inwardly. What could he say to these men? Three of their brethren had been snatched from them and sent through hell. There were few words that could even begin to address their hardships. Clearing his throat, Josiah said in a soft rumble, "William Wordsworth wrote:

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The soul that rises with us, our life’s Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting,

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come

From God, who is our home:

Heaven lies about us in our Infancy!

"Now, poetry means different things to each of us, but to me, it says that we arrive here with all of the best things we can ever leave this world already written on our soul. This child had a strength and nobility that few ever know, even if they live to be a hundred. His soul was inscribed with courage. Although I know it’s a lot to ask, I want you three to consider what he would have wanted. I imagine that our young friend would expect you to honor his deed, not blame yourselves for his death. What was given was given freely brothers, and should not be celebrated with sack cloth and ashes."

Chris nodded, his head ducking as if in prayer. Vin nodded his agreement, a shadow of a smile thanking the former missionary for his words and the comfort they brought, no matter how frail. JD seemed to be in another world, his eyes seeing only the simple marker that he had ordered made to mark the grave. Tears continued to flow, his shirtfront soaked through by them.

Following the bigger man’s gaze, Vin and Chris both saw the immense grief that seemed to permeate the teenager’s very being. Chris mused that JD had not seemed this devastated after the tragic death of Miss Annie. Vin’s eyes misted over in sympathetic misery for his young friend. He wondered, even as Chris did, if they would be watching JD Dunne climb into an eastbound stage once again.

Josiah caught their attention once more, and communicated with a quick gesture that he wanted to talk to JD alone. Taking his cue, Vin announced that he was getting tired, and would Chris mind helping him get the blasted chair back to the wagon. With a conspiratorial glance at his two friends, Chris handed the grumbling hunter his crutches and, limping, began to push the chair back toward the wagon where the others waited.

Sanchez stood patiently, watching as JD grappled with his demons. After several long minutes, the boy said, "shouldn’t have been him."

"You’re right," Josiah sagely agreed.

"Should’a been me."

"Now there you’re wrong son," the deep baritone voice rumbled.

"But he was behind me, Josiah. It should have been my back that caught the bullet, not his. It’s not right!" His voice broke with pain.

"JD, just because it isn’t right doesn’t mean there was a right. None of the things that happened to you, Chris and Vin, should ever have gone on. Talon was a monster on two legs, responsible for a whole lot of misery. You know better than any of us what had happened to that child began a long time before you ever met him. It would not be hard to imagine that sweet child dying in the very near future. Son, for whatever reason, I don’t believe that boy’s life was meant to be long. I think that, once you forgive yourself for being alive, you’ll see that too. At least look for solace in the fact that his death was noble – "

"But he should be alive!" Dunne cried out. "If anyone should be in that grave, it should be me. I should have put him in front of me on the horse. I should have…" he trailed off, dropping to his knees at the edge of the soft earthen rectangle. "I should have known…"

Coming to kneel beside the grief-stricken young man, Josiah said, "I never knew that you were a prophet John Dunne. How long have you been able to see into the future?"

Glaring angrily through his tears, the young sheriff said "your homespun wisdom and bible quotes can’t change the way I feel Josiah. Nothing can. I am responsible for his death, and that’s all there is to say." He turned his head, dismissing the preacher’s presence.

Before he regained his feet, Sanchez recited in a soft voice, "death be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so, for those, whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow, die not, poor death, nor yet can’st thou kill me." Squeezing the young man’s shoulder, he went to join the others for the return to town. Reaching the wagon, he turned, watching with the others. For nearly an hour they stood in silence, watching the lone figure kneel at the graveside, his shoulders quivering with grief. Finally they stole away, leaving the young man to exorcise his demons. Each one knew that they might leave him for today, but they would not abandon him. They would be there to help JD find his way back from the edge of the dark chasm and into the light.

At the foot of the little grave, John Dunne heard his friends quietly leave, but made no move to go after them. He looked up, his eyes focusing on the inscription that he, Chris and Vin had agreed on: