Whispers - Part 2

Nathan stepped out onto the small plateau, breathing in the fresh air deeply. He found Josiah sitting on a boulder, scanning the night for signs of life. "Anything out there?"

"Anything? Probably. Anybody? Haven't seen any sign. How is everybody?"

"All right for now. Laudanum's keepin' Chris an' Vin sleepin', but it'll be wearin' off pretty soon. Figured I'd stretch my legs in the meantime. Ezra's nursin' that flask of his, and Buck's passin' a bottle with JD Mrs. Travis is sittin' with Chris an' Vin. Said she'd let me know when they start wakin' up."

"How's her hand?" They had all seen the darkening bruises.

"Don't think it's broken, but it's bruised pretty bad. She's keepin' a cold cloth on it right now."

"Good. Hope Vin never finds out about it."

Nodding, Nathan said, "imagine it would wear at him pretty bad...better make sure JD knows not t' say nothin' around him."

"I already figured that out, all by myself," a quiet voice behind them caused both men to turn. JD Dunne had left the cave and come to stand nearby.

"Sorry JD, we just "

"Figured since I'm still wet behind th' ears, someone better tell me what t' do." There was no anger in his voice; only frustration and resignation. "I'll always be younger than the rest of you...but that don't necessarily mean I'm a kid."

Exchanging looks that were a mixture of shock and amusement, Sanchez and Jackson smiled.

"JD," Josiah said quietly, "you're right."

"Thank you, Josiah," the boy said with a proud smile. Then turning to the healer, he said, "I came out t' let you know that Chris seems t' be hurtin' again, and Vin's awake."

With a nod, the black man moved toward the cave. Watching him go, JD moved closer to the big preacher. Arms wrapped around himself against the cool evening air, Dunne said, "I can take a turn at watch, Josiah, you can go back inside by the fire for awhile."

"I'm fine, JD, " Josiah saw a protest coming, so he added, "it's a little close in there. I'd rather face the elements out here where I've got room t' move."

With a sympathetic chuckle, the young sheriff said, "can't say that I blame you there. Buck had an itch while ago, and I scratched."

His laughter booming in the darkness, Sanchez shook his head and slapped the young man on the shoulder. They slipped into a companionable silence, broken occasionally when JD asked a question and Josiah answered. The young man didn't feel awkward asking the former preacher questions. He rarely felt that the big man was giving him a verbal pat on the head. He also knew that Sanchez was less likely to give him an answer that was colored by his own view of the world. Josiah gave him the answers that he could use in his own life.

"You think those men are gonna come back?"

"Don't really know JD Could be they gave up, but maybe not. Could be the three Buck killed were the only one's around here, but maybe not "

"You could have just stopped after 'I don't know'," Dunne said in exasperation.

With another chuckle, Sanchez said, "sorry. Sometimes the preacher in me takes over...gotta take the longest route t' make the simplest statement." Then he stopped, turning his attention toward the cave.

Following his gaze, JD could see nothing out of order. "What is it, Josiah?"

"Preacher...religion...JD, can you keep an eye on things for a minute? I'll be right back."

"Sure Josiah," Dunne said in confusion as he watched the other man disappear into the cave.

*************************

Nathan had entered the cave to find it relatively quiet. Buck, finally giving in to the lack of sleep and his body's need to heal, was snoring softly in one corner. Ezra, still nursing his flask, was alternating between drinking and practicing a one-handed shuffle. Turning to the back of the cave, the healer found Mary trying to calm Chris. The gunslinger was mutely fighting whatever demons his nightmares were bringing him. Beyond Larabee, the young hunter was awake and obviously in pain, huddled on his side, holding his head. Going to sit between the two men, Jackson produced his bottle of Laudanum. "Mrs. Travis, think you can help me get some of this down Chris?"

Nodding, she stroked the blond head beside her. "Chris? Chris, you need to lie still. Nathan wants to give you something for the pain." Trapping his head between her arm and body, she tried to keep him still as he continued to struggle. Delirious, the injured man fought against the restraint.

"Chris, lay still, y'hear?" Nathan tried to get through to him. Still Larabee fought to get free.

"Chris Larabee!" A voice barked. "You lay still NOW!"

Reacting to the firm tone, if not the words, Chris stopped his struggle long enough to allow Jackson to feed him the medication. Releasing him, Mary sat back with a sigh. She and the healer both looked over to where the tracker lay.

"Thanks, Vin," Nathan said.

"Weren't helpin' m' headache none," Vin said with a groan.

Laughing, the healer lifted Tanner's head and pressed the bottle against his lips. Taking a few sips, the hunter nodded. Easing him back down, Nathan said, "Vin, I'm gonna change the cloth over your eyes, okay?"

"Yeah..." Tanner said slowly. "Just do me a favor an' do it quick, okay?"

With a sympathetic smile the former slave did his best, but lightening could not have been quick enough to spare the young hunter pain. As he sat back on his heels, Jackson saw that Josiah had come into the cave. The big man was standing near Chris, staring intently at the wounded man.

"Josiah?"

"Nathan," the former preacher said non-committally.

"What are you lookin' at?"

"Those designs...the pattern of the cuts and burns. I think I may have seen something similar."

"Where?"

"While I was doing the Lord's work back East. There was a sect...zealots...hell, they were a cult. Part of their ritual involved a specific pattern...'drawn in blood and flame', on the body of a human sacrifice."

"Sacrifice?!" Mary cried. "Do you mean that if Vin, Buck and Ezra hadn't found him..."

"He would have died a very slow and painful death," Josiah said softly, turning a sorrow filled face toward the young woman.

Mary blanched and fought to keep from crying at the thought of the man beside her losing his life in such a way.

"The good news if there's any in all this is that they can only sacrifice during the first night of the full moon."

"So Chris is safe?"

"For now, anyway. But I imagine they came after him to make certain he couldn't identify any of them. We can't be sure they won't try again. Secret societies tend to take a dim view of outsiders bein' able to recognize them."

"Then they may be after Vin, Buck and Ezra, too."

"Maybe, but Chris is the one they're gonna worry most about."

"Well, I for one shall be quite happy to return to the relative safety and comfort of town," Ezra joined the conversation from where he lay. "Where we can be on our own battlefield if they wish to come for Mr. Larabee again."

"How 'bout it Doc?" Josiah said. "When do you think this gaggle of invalids will be ready t' travel?"

"Well, travelin' ain't gonna do any of 'm any good, 'specially these two," he nodded toward Vin and Chris. "But we do need t' get everybody back t' town so I can tend t' 'm proper. Reckon we oughta be able t' start out tomorrow, long's we take it slow and easy."

"Good," Josiah said, "Like Brother Standish, I'll feel a lot better when we get everyone home."

*************************

  Morning found them all tired, but ready to be on the way back to town. After breakfast and feeding the wounded, the first order of business was getting everyone to the wagon. Josiah and JD left to get the horses ready for the trip while Nathan got his patients ready for the trip. Coming to Chris, he found the man's eyes open and looking at him. "Chris?"

"Nathan?" He looked confused.

"Yeah, it's Nathan. How are you feeling?"

"Tired," he said with a sigh.

"We're gonna head out for home in a while."

"Good," he said with a slight nod. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Chris slowly turned his head, finding the young blond woman beside him. "Mary?"

"Good morning," she said, managing a smile. "Are you ready to go home?"

"Home..." Chris said the word slowly, as if to savor every sound. Then he smiled and closed his eyes.

*************************

They managed to get everyone from the cave to the wagon without incident, although it took patience and strategy. While Josiah helped Ezra walk down the trail, Buck slung his good arm across JD' shoulder. "Well c'mon son, you can just help this wounded soldier down the hill," he said with a broad grin.

"Buck, I imagine you feel worse from the whiskey than you do from the other stuff" JD, said with a shake of his head. But then he put an arm around Wilmington's waist. "Come on...old man."

Mary and Nathan couldn't help laughing as Buck's voice rang out in feigned anger at the younger man's comments.

Returning a short time later, Josiah bent down next to Larabee. "Chris? Can you hear me?"

"Probl'y not," Nathan said, squatting at the other side of their leader. "I made sure t' give him and Vin both a strong dose of Laudanum while ago."

Nodding, Sanchez nonetheless spoke to the unconscious man again. "Chris, Nathan and I are going t' take you down t' the wagon now. Don't be afraid, alright? You're safe. You're with friends." That said, they scooped him up, blankets and all. Chris moaned softly, but then lay quiet, cradled in his friends embrace; his head nestled against Josiah's shoulder. They made their way slowly from the cave, leaving Mary with Vin.

A few minutes later, JD returned to find Mary having a devil of a time, trying to argue with the ever obstinate Tanner. Barely conscious, the man still insisted that he could make it to the wagon if she would just point him in the right direction.

"Vin, listen to me, " Mary said, exasperated. "You need to lie still and wait for Josiah and Nathan to return. They've taken Chris to the wagon, and then they'll help you."

"No offense, Ms. Travis, " Vin said, as he struggled to sit up. "But I know I can make it on my own. I don't need no help."

Coming to her aid, Dunne put his hand on Mary's shoulder. "Vin, Mrs. Travis is right. You can't see, and you've got a bad head injury. You've also had a big dose of Laudanum. You try and get down the hill like you are, you're gonna fall and break a bunch a bones or something."

"JD, I'm fine, honest "

"No, you ain't," came Nathan's deep voice from the mouth of the cave. "Knew we shoulda taken you down first."

"Nathan, I can walk," Tanner said. He made a valiant effort to sit up, but fell back with a groan.

"You done?" Nathan asked.

"Just...gotta get 'm...bearin's..." The hunter gritted out. Taking a deep breath, he tried again. And again he failed.

"Done yet?"

With a sigh of self-loathing, Tanner said, "yeah...I'm done."

"Good, 'cause we'd like t' get out of here." Gently Nathan and Josiah helped Tanner to his feet. His knees promptly buckled; only their strong grip kept him from collapsing to the ground once again.

Once on his feet, though, Vin was adamant that he stay there. "Y'all...just help me a...bit...I ...can make it."

Knowing that the opiate had already begun working, Jackson decided that he would let the Laudanum win his argument for him.

As Vin slumped between them, Nathan and Josiah half-carried the semi-conscious man from the cave. His eyes still covered, Tanner had to trust that they would not allow him to misstep.

A few yards down the trail, the hunter's legs gave out. He struggled to right himself, but couldn't. With a mumbled, "sorry," he gave in to the medication. The two men lifted him into their arms and continued on their way.   

"I was about ready t' come lookin' for y'all," Buck said as they neared the wagon, Nathan and Josiah with Vin and Mary and JD behind them with the remainder of their camp equipment. The gunman was sitting astride General, his pistol laying in his lap.

"Well, you know how it is...some of us like t' enjoy th' scenery when we go for a walk," the former slave quipped. He held Vin while Josiah climbed into the wagon bed and lifted him up to lay between Ezra and Chris.

Careful not to jostle the wagon any more than necessary, Nathan climbed into the bed and gave each man a quick examination. Satisfied that they were as prepared as possible, he left the wagon bed and climbed up on Able. The eight weary travellers began the journey back toward home.

They had been back in town for three days. The wagon had pulled into town after nightfall, allowing them to get Chris into Nathan's clinic without an abundance of prying eyes. Carrying him upstairs quickly, Nathan and Josiah were trailed by JD and Buck. Settling their leader into bed, they left Buck to sit with him and returned for the other two men. A few minutes later, Josiah and JD came back into the tiny room with Ezra supported between them. They were followed by Nathan, helping a groggy and stumbling Vin Tanner.

Setting up a makeshift ward for the night, the seven men spent their first hours back in town together. With a final look at the still unconscious Larabee, Mary Travis reluctantly departed for her little apartment behind the newspaper.

By morning Nathan had been satisfied that both Ezra and Buck could return to their own rooms. He also knew that there would be no peace until they did. The men were badgering him almost constantly, doing their best to convince him that they were fine. Finally, charging JD with seeing that the two men went to their rooms, and to bed, Nathan sent them off.

"I'll go check on 'm later, " he said to Josiah.

"Think they're actually gonna do as they're told and go to bed?"

"Buck'll go t' bed, but prob'ly won't be his bed. Ezra'll prob'ly be hustlin' cards one-handed by tonight. Figure I'll look for 'm both in the saloon."

Despite his own protestations, Vin Tanner was kept at the clinic along with Larabee. While his vision was very slowly beginning to recover, he had a long road ahead. By the third day, he could tolerate the removal of the coverings over his eyes, but could only tolerate the dim light of evening and candlelight. He spent the daylight hours in the shadows.

As for Chris Larabee, there seemed little change. He would wake for only a few moments at a time, coaxed from the darkness by one or another of the men who considered him part of their family. He would open his eyes, staring at whomever had pulled him from the safety of oblivion. The gunslinger would answer their questions, eat, drink, or take care of whatever other needs presented themselves. But as soon as he could, he slipped back into the darkness of sleep.

"Nathan, is he going to recover?" Mary asked as she watched him do just that once again.

"Physically Mrs. Travis, his body's already startin' t' heal. He's got a long way t' go, but as tough and strong as Chris is, I'm pretty sure he'll make it."

"Physically?"

"Yes ma'am."

"What about...otherwise?"

Nathan hesitated, looking at the floor. Finally he said, "Ma'am, I can't tell you that for sure. The things them men did t' him...can't nobody say how it affected his mind. No way a knowin' when he'd gonna get over them things, or even..."

"Or...or if...if he'll get over them?" Mary stumbled over the words.

The healer nodded. "Yes ma'am," he practically whispered the words.

She slumped into the chair, her hands folded in her lap, twisting and untwisting a handkerchief.

"Mary, " Vin said quietly from his place in the shadows, "he'll make it okay. He done took the hell a losin' his family and come out th' other side. Maybe not the same, but he made it. He's got us now...another family...long's any a us got the strength t' stand up for him, he'll make it through this too."

With a smile, the young blonde rose from the chair and stepped over to Tanner's side. Sitting on the edge of the narrow bed, she reached out and touched his face. "Thank you, Vin, " she said softly. Kissing him lightly on the forehead, she went back to the chair, pretending not to notice the crimson that quickly burned across the gentle man's face.

*************************

"Hey, cowboy," Vin said as he saw the shape under the blankets stir. He had taken a turn sitting with Chris for a few hours so the others could sleep. Still unable to bear much light, he could do very little during the day, but he argued that he could probably see as much as the rest of them during the night. Although Nathan went only as far as the other bed, he finally consented to allowing Tanner to do this much to provide support for his friend. Relying on his other senses more than sight, Vin sat with one hand on the bed. He felt Larabee begin to move, waking from the deep sleep.

"Hey," Chris said softly. "Where are we?"

"Nathan's. Been here 'bout five days now I reckon."

"Five days?"

"Yep. You wanna drink a water 'r anything?"

"Sounds good."

The hunter managed to find his way to the table and pour a little water into a mug. Shuffling back to the bed, he edged his way toward the head, knelt, and helped Chris lift his head from the pillow. Drinking the cool liquid, Chris didn't take his eyes from the other man's face. Something was wrong. Vin wasn't looking at him, not exactly. It was like he was focusing on something nearby.

Easing his friend to the pillow once more, the hunter found the little bedstand and left the mug there. Scooting back along the bed, he found the chair and sat back down with an audible moan.

Something was definitely wrong with him. Chris frowned. "Vin?"

"Yeah?"

"You okay?"

"I'm fine. You need anything else?" Tanner tried to divert the attention from himself.

"No, you're not. What's wrong?"

He sighed. "I got a bump on th' head t'other day's all. I'll be right as rain purty quick. You worry 'bout gettin' yourself well."

Chris wanted to pursue the questions, but found himself lacking the strength.

"Chris, you want anything else?"

"Yeah," he said softly, hardly aware that he said it, "I wanna go home." He drifted back into the comforting darkness again.

Vin sat quietly, listening to the rhythm of Larabee's breathing. A plan began to form in his mind...

*********************

"Vin, that's crazy! Chris can't even walk t' the door without help. He can't even get t' the privy, or stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time!" Nathan was staring down at the hunter, shaking his head at the craziness the other man had just suggested.

"Nathan, it's been a week now, and you said it yourself, he ain't gettin' no better. His body's healin', but not his mind. T'other night the last thing he told me was that he wanted t' go home."

"He is home," Josiah said softly. "Just as we all are."

"No, this ain't where Chris considers home. He needs t' be away from folks for a little while. He ain't gonna get better surrounded by a bunch a folks fussin' over 'im." It had been almost a circus. The other peacekeepers had found countless reasons to come into the clinic, always with the intention of checking on Chris. It they weren't there, then Mary Travis or Gloria Potter or Nettie Wells would stop in. By the end of the day Vin, Chris' most constant companion, could feel the energy drain out of the man. Often Larabee wouldn't even wake while his well-wishers visited. He would lie there, seemingly oblivious to their attention. But often, just after they left, he would stir with a heavy sigh.

"Where exactly do you think he needs t' be brother Tanner?"

"I think he'd do a helluva lot better out at his cabin."

"That's crazy!" Nathan bellowed. "All th' way out there, takes nearly an hour t' reach the place, and you want me t' send out someone that can't even sit up alone out there...by himself?"

"No," Vin said evenly. "I'd go with him."

"Oh, even better! You can't see hardly a lick, you're still gettin' headaches anytime the light get's too bright, and you're gonna take care a Chris? Lord, help me, you must'a done a lot more damage t' your head then I thought."

"Nathan, it's the best thing for him. He needs t' start sortin' through all the stuff them bastards done t' him. He ain't gonna be able t' do that layin' here with ever'body treatin' him like an invalid."

"Vin, he is an invalid," Jackson said heavily. "Right now, he's an invalid. Now, when he's gotten a little stronger; where he can get around on his own a little; you get t' where you can see; well that's different. Then we can talk about Chris goin' out t' the cabin."

"Nathan, he ain't gonna get better in here, that's the problem!"

"No, Vin Tanner. That's my final word on this. No." Nathan turned from him and stomped out onto the porch.

"Josiah," Vin turned toward where the ex-preacher sat. "Can't y' make him listen t' reason?"

"Vin, frankly, I don't think he's the one that needs t' listen t' reason."

With a muttered curse, the lanky tracker moved slowly back toward his bed and the shadows. His head was pounding, but he didn't think it had anything to do with the sunlight that filtered into the room.

**************************

Vin Tanner took it as a sign of providence. Four of the peacekeepers had been called out of town on business for at least two days, leaving JD as the soul able-bodied member of their force to take care of things in town. Vin was left to tend to Chris' needs most of the time, while JD or Mary would look in on them every hour or so. Vin knew that he could not manage to get Chris away by himself, so he was banking on the kid's trust in him and his admiration of Larabee to get him to help. Waiting until JD came in just after sundown, he set his plan in motion.

"JD, you'd do 'bout anything t' help Chris, wouldn't y'?"

"Hell yeah, Vin, what makes you even ask?"

"I...no, we...need a favor."

"What is it?" Dunne's voice took on a wary quality.

"Well, y'know Chris ain't been gettin' better. Not like he oughta."

"Nathan said he was healing just fine."

"His body, JD, his body. But...well, you can see 'im. His mind's what's in need a healing now."

"What can I do t' help out with that?"

"Help me...help me get him out t' th' cabin...his cabin..."

"VIN! No, I can't...I...that's crazy! He can't travel out there without Nathan around t' make sure he's okay! There's no way I could get him out there, not like he is. And I've got t' come back into town I'm the only one who can watch out for the town. We've got t' wait til the other's come back, Vin."

"Can't kid. Look, I'll stay out there with Chris, all you gotta do's get us out there. We can use my wagon; borrow a team a mules from th' livery."

"No, huh-uh, no way. I'm sorry Vin, but...no way."

With a sigh, Tanner found his way to the head of Chris' bed. Kneeling beside his friend, he nudged him gently. "Chris? Can' y' hear me? Chris, I need y' t' wake up."

"What?" Larabee asked groggily, his hazel eyes tracking from JD to Vin and back again.

"Chris, if we could do anything fer y' right now, what would it be?" He was banking on a long shot that Chris would even understand what was going on, let along respond to the question as he had before.

"Anything?"

"Yeah, tell JD here what y' want...what'd make y' feel better?"

Looking their youngest member directly in the face, Larabee did indeed understand what Vin was doing. "JD I...I wanna go home..." his eyes widened, pleading with the boy, then he closed them and drifted back into the darkness.

Dunne's face blanched, his hazel eyes filled with a mixture of concern and fear. It was true, he would do anything Chris asked him to. With very few exceptions he had never questioned Larabee's orders. But this? How could he do this? Take Chris away from the care and concern of the town and deposit him in the rustic shack in the hills that he called home. Put Chris at risk of relapsing or even dying from further strain on his weakened body; even worse, leave him out there, far away from the little town, with only a man who could barely see his hand in front of his face to care for him. There was no way he could do that.

But then he saw Chris again, in his mind's eye; saw the pain in his eyes, like a caged tiger he had seen once in the circus. The animal had wanted nothing more than to be free; to live and die on his own terms. That was the look he had seen in Chris' eyes. With a sigh that was almost a moan, he dropped his head, shoulders slumped in defeat.

"I'll go get a team and your wagon," he said. "You gather up what you need here; herbs, medicine, bandages, whatever. I'll be back as quick as I can." 'Before I lose my nerve', he thought to himself.

"Thanks, JD" Tanner said simply.

"He lives through this, that's all the thanks I need," JD shot over his shoulder as he hurried from the room.

************************

"JD?"

"Hey Mrs. Travis." He jumped at the sound of her voice.

"What are you doing with Vin's wagon?"

"Uhhhh...well, Vin wanted me to bring it over closer to Nathan's, so he...could move out there in a couple of days. He figured that it was about time he got out of Nathan's, but he ain't well enough to be completely on his own yet." JD hated lying. He wasn't good at it. He ducked his head, intent on hooking up the borrowed team, hoping that Mary Travis couldn't see the crimson that was spreading across his face.

"JD, that' doesn't make any sense."

Nodding, he said, "yeah, I didn't think so either ma'am, but that's what Vin wanted. Figured I'd just humor him and go along with it." He could feel the knot in his stomach tightening, and hoped that he didn't deposit the remains of his dinner at the pretty newspaper woman's feet.

"Maybe I should go over and try to talk to him. This seems like a big waste of your time."

"No ma'am!" He practically grabbed her to stop her from leaving to confront Tanner. If she saw him gathering up supplies she'd know something was up. "I mean, he's sleeping right now. It's no bother, really, I don't mind. When he's well again, he can bring the wagon back over here."

"Well..." Mary regarded him for what seemed an eternity. Finally she nodded and said, "alright. As long as it's not hurting anything, I'll stay out of it." Giving him a smile, she turned back toward the street.

"Night Mrs. Travis," the young sheriff called after her. When she disappeared into the evening gloom he heaved a sigh and leaned his head against the flank of one of the mules. He would be lucky if anyone ever trusted him again.

**************************

"Careful JD!" Vin hissed in a harsh whisper. They had loaded the supplies into Vin's wagon, and were trying to maneuver the half-conscious gunslinger out of the clinic.

"I'm trying!" JD hissed in return.

"Why don't you two just put me down? Hell, I could crawl out of here faster than this." Chris said tiredly.

"Chris, the last thing we need is for you t' tear open them stitches."

"Hell, Vin, you bang me up against the door jamb again, that's going t' be the least of my worries!"

With a sigh, the two younger men realized that he was right. They were probably doing more harm than good. "Okay, JD, let's put 'im down and go from there." Lowering Chris' legs to the floor, the young sheriff moved to help Vin support him at the shoulders. They had managed to get Chris in a pair of Josiah's pants, the only ones that would fit over the bulky bandages. A sheet sufficed to cover his upper body, though. They were not about to irritate the burns on his chest and back with any thing more than they had to.

Pulling the gunfighter's arms across their shoulders, Tanner and Dunne tried once again to escort their leader and friend from the clinic to the wagon. JD managed the task of guiding both men through the door and down the stairs, Vin still relying very little on his vision. Chris shuffled along between them, his legs quaking with the effort. They had to stop several times to allow the gunfighter to rest against one of them, to gather his energy for another journey of yards. By the time they had managed the last step the two young men were ready to come to blows; tension shortening their tempers.

"Damn it JD, you durn near plowed me int' that wall!" Vin hissed.

"I told you t' come t' your left, dammit!"

"I'm gonna bang your heads together in about two minutes," Chris said softly, his even tones contrasting with his threat. "Now both of you calm down. Alright?"

Mumbling sounds that vaguely resembled agreement or apology, the two men grew silent and resumed their task. Carefully they helped Chris into the wagon bed. Nearly getting into another fight, they managed to agree that Vin would ride in the back with him. Climbing onto the wooden seat, JD slapped the reins and coaxed the mules into action. The trio made their escape through the darkened streets without incident, reaching the edge of town before either JD or Vin took a deep breath.

In the wagon bed, Vin kept a hand on his friend's chest, letting it read the man as his eyes could not. The blond had slumped back into unconsciousness as soon as they had settled him in the wagon. Although the tracker couldn't explain it, this time it seemed different. Larabee seemed more relaxed, almost happy. If he had any doubts before, he did no longer. Chris needed this; needed to go home.

JD drove the team as quickly as he could, still afraid that they were going to be caught. Behind him he could hear the muttered curses of the tracker as he was left to keep Chris from bouncing around in the cluttered wagon bed.

"Damn it JD! Slow down a little! You'd think Satan was on our trail 'r somethin'!"

"If Buck and Nathan get back into town, we're gonna wish it was just Satan," the young man shot back over his shoulder.

"JD!"

Something in Tanner's voice brought Dunne up short. Pulling on the reins, he said, "okay, okay. I'm slowing down."

"JD, I need you to come back here. Now."

With a chill running down his spine, the young man brought the mules to a halt, set the brake, and bounded off the seat. Running to the tailgate he yanked it open, and peered inside. "Oh, damn."

Vin was holding on to Chris with everything he had. The gunfighter's body was rigid, quivering. His legs stretched out stiffly, his back arched. His arms were drawn in against his chest, his head thrown back. Crawling inside, JD went to Larabee's side, looking across him at Vin, he said, "what should I do?"

"Just make sure he don't hurt himself, Kid. Ain't much else t' do."

Looking down into Chris' face, he saw that the hazel eyes were opened wide, as was his mouth. It looked for all the world as if Chris Larabee was screaming in rage, but there was only a soft gurgle. Turning away from the frightening sight, he concentrated on keeping the man from banging into the stacks of who knew what Tanner kept squirreled away in the wagon. After several long minutes, the taut body relaxed and grew quiet. Almost too quiet. JD and Vin found themselves catching their breath, waiting for the gunslinger to breathe. Finally he did, then followed it with the soft snore of deep sleep.

"What the hell happened?" JD asked quietly.

"Don't know. All of a sudden he was buckin'."

"Are you okay?" He saw Vin rubbing his forehead, his eyes squinted even in the moonlight.

"Yeah, just got another one a them headaches."

"You bring the powders Nathan fixed up for you?"

"Yeah, they're somewhere. Let's just get on out t' Chris' place. Take care of it then."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, come on. Let's go." He said impatiently.

Without another word the young man slid back out of the wagon and moved around to take his place on the seat. Releasing the break, he clucked and slapped the reins to begin the mules once more.

*************************

  Finally the little cabin that Chris had built came into view, and JD hurried the team forward. He pulled up in front of the tiny building and hurried around to the rear of the wagon. When he looked inside he knew once more that he was going to be in serious trouble with the older members of their little group. Vin was huddled along side Chris, his arms cradling his head. He moaned softly once, taking a deep breath as he tried to ease the pain. It only made it worse.

"Vin?" The boy sheriff called softly.

"We there?"

"Yeah. Come on, I'll get you inside and mix up some of those powders."

"No, let's get Chris in t' bed. You go on in an' light the lantern, okay?"

"Yeah," JD answered solemnly as he moved to the cabin. Moving slowly around inside, he finally located a lamp on the little table and got it lit. Out of habit he looked around the room, just in case there were any unwanted visitors. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, he turned down the blankets on the narrow bed set in one corner, and returned to the wagon. Vin had managed to move Chris near the tailgate, and was sitting slumped against the side, holding on to the unconscious man.

"You ready?" Dunne asked as he reached up to take Chris' arm.

Nodding slowly, Vin eased off the wagon, staggered and nearly fell. Catching himself, he straightened and helped maneuver Larabee from the wagon bed. He slumped between them, not even seeming to register that they were there. Supporting his dead weight, they carried him into the cabin, Vin guided not only by JD, but by the painful glow of the lamp inside.

Getting Chris into the bed, they stripped the heavy pants from him and covered him with the blanket. Guiding Vin to the table, JD went to mix some of the herbal medicines that Nathan used. By the time he had managed that task, he found Tanner slumped in the chair, his face turned away from the lamp. Nudging the hunter gently, JD said, "Vin? Here's some a that headache medicine."

"I'll take it in a bit, JD Go mind Chris for me, would y'?"

"Vin, please. I'd feel a whole lot better if I saw you take the medicine." Dunne was young, but not stupid. He knew that the stubborn man would deny his own pain in order to care for his friend.

"Later, JD, " Vin meant the words to be firm so the damn kid would let him alone, but they came out in a tired whisper.

"Now, Vin."

The tracker's head snapped up, a move he immediately regretted. JD Dunne stood over him, holding the cup, anger etched across his young face. Suddenly JD looked a lot older...and a lot bigger...then he ever thought of him being. Vin wasn't afraid of the kid, exactly. But as bad as he felt at the moment, he knew JD could more than likely take him if it came to that.

"Alright," he accepted the cup and tipped it up, drinking the concoction. He kept one eye on the other man, hoping that he would be satisfied, turn, and allow Vin to spit the medication out. He didn't. 'Damn kid's been 'round us too long...he knows better'n t' trust me.' Vin swallowed the bitter drink and handed the mug back to the other man, knowing that JD was going to inspect it anyway.

Satisfied that Tanner had followed his instructions, JD felt a bit full of himself at the moment now that he had gotten one of his 'older brothers' to listen to him. That feeling lasted about ten seconds, then he had to contend with the dark stubbornness that was Chris Larabee. Kneeling next to the narrow cot, he moved to lift Chris' head from the pillow. "Chris? You need t' drink this."

"Leave me be, boy," the gunslinger's voice was as dark as the face that turned toward the young man.

"Chris?"

"I said, leave me be!" Larabee swung an arm out, knocking the mug from J.D.'s hand.

Backing up, actually fearing for his life at that moment, Dunne turned to Tanner.

Squinting to try and make out exactly what was happening, Vin turned toward the shape he knew to be the kid. "What happened?"

"He looked like he wanted t' take my head off, then he knocked the mug out of my hand," JD said in a voice hurried with fear.

"Prob'ly ain't awake all th' way. He can be kinda grouchy first thing in th' mornin'," Vin said with a nod. He had been the recipient of more than one tongue-lashing in the months they had been together. Chris was not an easy person to be around when he first opened his eyes. And as bad as he was hurting, it was no wonder he was out of sorts.

"I've seen him in a bad mood," JD replied, "but this was more than being grouchy. Vin, I swear, if he'd had his gun, I'd be dead right now!"

"Alright, look. Mix some more a that medicine, and I'll get it t' him."

A few minutes later, Vin was kneeling next to his best friend. He had left JD to hold the mug, until he could get Chris awake and alert to what was happening. "Chris, wake up pard."

"What?" The voice wasn't angry now, just tired.

"I need you t' wake up. Time t' take some medicine."

Opening one eye a slit, Larabee said, "I'm fine."

"Ain't neither. Now c'mon an' wake up. Y' don't want me feeding y' like a damn baby, do y'?"

Mumbling things that Vin was pretty certain he was better off not understanding, Chris complied and they managed to get the entire contents of the mug into him. Laying the blond head back on the pillow, Vin leaned back on his heels, nearly toppling when the medicine he had taken gave him a sense of detachment, as if he were trying to move through syrup.

A hand on his shoulder steadied him, and he turned toward the young brunet. "Thanks, JD"

"Yeah, well just remember, when the others go t' kick my ass for helping you out, you'd better back me up," Dunne grumbled. Before Vin could answer him, he said, "I'm going t' go get your bedding and bring it in here, so I can you t' bed. Come on, come sit at the table." He helped the tracker to his feet, and led him to the straight back chair. That accomplished he brought in the trackers tic mattress and blankets, depositing them on the floor near Chris. Hoisting a still-complaining Tanner to his feet, he put him to bed, skinning him out of his coat and boots and depositing them nearby. Pulling the blankets up over the groggy tracker, he brought the man's hogleg over and lay it next to him.

Putting Vin's hand on the sawed off shotgun, he said, "don't know if you can even use this, but here's your gun."

"Thanks, JD," Vin said, stifling a yawn. "Look, I know I put y' in a hard spot, kid, but I knew that I could make you understand "

"You knew you could buffalo me!" The hurt was evident in his voice. Tanner could hear it, even if he couldn't see the boy's face clearly.

"Kid, I'm sorry. It's just...damnit...I needed someone t' help me." His voice was filled with barely restrained emotion. For the first time, JD could see just how worried Vin was for Chris' life. Hell, he wasn't just worried, he was plain, out and out scared... out of his mind with fear that Chris wouldn't recover. That his best friend was slipping away, even as his body healed.

"It's okay, Vin," JD lay a hand on the other man. It registered with him that Vin was actually closer to his own age than Chris'. How would he have felt if it had been Buck laying there? 'As helpless as Vin's been feeling', came the answer. He would have begged one of the others to help him do whatever it took to make Buck well. And it dawned on him that Vin would have been the first one to listen. "It's okay. We're going t' make this right for Chris. And if I have t' listen t' the others yelling t' high heaven, so be it."

Vin nodded slowly, but didn't reply. He didn't think he could right then. Not without making a worse fool of himself than he already had. 

*************************

"JD Dunne! Get your worthless hide down off that wagon seat and get over here right this minute!"

Buck was back. JD flinched at the stream of profanity he heard from his surrogate big brother. Shit! Wouldn't you know that they'd come back early? He had stayed at Chris' til late afternoon, making certain that Vin would be able to take care of things alone. Finally he realized that if he didn't return to town and something happened, he would in all likelihood lose his job. Reluctantly he had left the two injured men in the cabin alone. Now he wished that he had risked his job.

Doing as he was ordered, the young Easterner left his hat behind. He knew that Buck was going to need to take out his anger on something; his bowler was just too easy a target. Straightening to his full 5' 8" height, he tried to make himself appear even taller. It didn't help, especially considering that he was going to be taking on a 6' 4" mountain of fury.

"Hey, Buck, you're back! Things must have gone pretty well, huh?"

"Yeah, we're back," the big man growled. Grabbing JD roughly by one arm, he dragged him along behind him, until they were out of earshot of the townsfolk. Buck was seething, but still had enough control to know that whoever had hurt Chris could very well be nearby. "Not soon enough t' keep you from playin' right int' that crazy buff hunter's schemes. Dammit boy! What were you thinkin', taking Chris out of town? We come back and there ain't a sign of y' anywhere, no sign a Chris. You have any idea what it was like t' walk int' Nathan's and find an empty bed?" JD had not thought about that. He knew that Buck must have been nearly out of his mind. But the big man wasn't finished. "Then we see Mrs. Travis and she tells us she seen you hitchin' up Vin's wagon, had some cock-n-bull story 'bout Vin wantin' it moved, and then she sees you drivin' it outta town, lookin' over your shoulder. Damnit boy, Chris ain't able t' take care a hisself, and Vin ain't in much better shape."

"I stayed out there with them, Buck. Vin's doing okay. There's not much cabin t' get around in, and I helped him lay everything out so he could find it. We took plenty of Nathan's herbs and stuff out there, he can keep Chris comfortable."

"And what about them headaches, boy? How's he gonna take care a Chris when he gets one a them blindin' headaches a his?"

"Well, he...uh, well, look...you're back now. I could go back out there, help out. It'll be okay."

"Ooooh no! Hell no, boy, you ain't goin' out there. You know why? Cause I'm goin' out there. I'm gonna kick that damn Tanner's skinny, raggedy ass for startin' all this. Then I'm gonna bring my friend back t' town so he can get the proper care he needs. When I get back, I'm gonna kick your ass for fallin' for Vin's hair-brained ideas. THEN I'm gonna go get a drink, just so's I don't kill y' both for this!" His tirade continued under his breath as Wilmington stomped out of the alley and onto the street, heading toward the livery.

"Oh yeah, that went well," JD said as he rubbed the place where Buck had grabbed him. He tried to decide what to do. If he hurried, he could beat the gunman to the shack. He was a better horseman; faster and lighter. But, if he was caught, he'd get more than an ass kicking. It would be the last straw, and he could very well be branded unreliable by the others. As he stood there, trying to make a decision, Nathan Jackson entered the alley and his decision was made for him.

"JD, get in the wagon. We're going t' the cabin, and you're going t' help bring Chris back here." The ex-slave seemed as calm as ever, but Dunne could read the anger and disappointment in the big man's eyes. Dropping his head, he walked dejectedly toward the wagon he had just left.

*************************

"Chris?" Vin said the name softly, not wanting to wake his friend if he was still sleeping.

"Yeah?"

"Thought I heard you movin' around. How y' feelin'?"

"Don't know yet. Where are we?" He was groggy, his words slightly slurred.

"Out at your cabin."

"My cabin?" Surprise began to wake him up.

"Yeah."

"How'd I get here?"

"Me 'n JD brought y' out in m' wagon."

"You?"

"Yep."

"JD?"

"Yep."

"Where are the others?"

"Uh, they had t' go outta town." Vin was beginning to worry. Was Chris getting upset? Had he misread the man? Maybe they should have stayed in town?

"Snuck me out?"

"Naw, we drove right down th' street."

"In the daylight?"

"Well, no, but "

"You snuck me out."

"Chris, look, I thought that "

Larabee chuckled softly, then said in a relieved tone "Thanks pard."

He sighed. "Anytime, cowboy."

*************************

Buck and Nathan were on horseback, riding ahead of the wagon. JD watched them as they talked nearly the entire way to the cabin. He was certain that they were talking about him. Stupid kid, letting himself be roped into such an idiotic plan. How gullible was he? They were probably discussing what they were going to do to him when this was all over and they were back in town.

JD felt his heart quicken as they neared the cabin. At least from here, everything looked alright. Then Buck turned in his saddle and leveled one of the darkest, angriest looks on him that JD had ever been the recipient of. No, things were not alright. They would probably never be alright again. His heart sank. Looking down at his feet, he slumped in defeat.

Pulling up in front of the little cabin, they saw that the front door was open a crack, the barrel of Vin's hogleg visible just inside.

"Vin, it's us...Nathan, Buck and JD" the healer announced. They saw the hogleg disappear and the door closed firmly.

Buck leapt from General's back and hurried onto the porch. Nathan caught up with him there, grabbing his arm. "Buck, calm down now."

"Nathan, the last thing I want to do is calm down, " the gunman said in a voice dangerous in its quiet tones.

"Listen t' me!" He stood between Wilmington and the door. "You remember one thing; Vin's my patient too. I ain't gonna take kindly t' having t' patch him up again before he's even healed the first time."

"Patch him up now, patch him up later, I don't give a damn Nathan. It's gonna happen...I'll see t' it. That crazy fool coulda killed Chris bringin' him out here. Hell, how do we know he ain't? I'm gonna knock some sense int' that raggedy, long-haired head."

"All I'm saying is that he ain't in any condition t' get whooped on right now. What you do t' him when he's better, well, that's between you an' him. But he's my patient now, and I want him t' heal right."

Taking a deep breath, thrusting his balled fists against his hips as he glared first at Nathan and then at the closed door, Buck finally said, "fine. But as soon as you tell me he's okay, I'm gonna clean his clock."

"As long as we're agreed," the healer responded shortly. Turning, he led them into the cabin. The two big men brushed past Vin, as if he didn't exist. They moved to the narrow bed in a few easy strides. Kneeling next to it, Nathan began to examine Chris.

For several minutes the only sound in the room was the breathing of the five men and an occasional groan from Chris as Nathan probed his injuries. The gunfighter didn't awaken completely, but mumbled several times to Nathan that he wanted to be left alone. Finally the healer sat back on his heels.

"How bad off is he now?" Buck asked, shooting a look behind him toward Vin and JD The kid was envious of Tanner. At least the tracker couldn't really see the anger flare again in the dark blue eyes.

"Actually, he's in pretty good shape, considering. Didn't do much damage. Pulled open a couple a cuts, but they've already stopped bleedin'. Think he's okay."

"I told you " Dunne started. He closed his mouth and took a step backward as Buck rounded on him once more.

Turning back to the former slave, Wilmington said, "he be okay t' take back t' town tonight?"

"I think we oughta let him rest tonight. He's sleepin' good, I'd just as soon as he stayed that way."

"Hell, Nathan, he ain't hardly done anything but sleep for over a week."

"I know, but this is a deeper sleep than I've seen him in. Probably just worn out, but whatever the reason, he can use the rest. Why don't you go back into town for tonight? Come on out tomorrow morning and we'll take everybody back t' town."

"I'll just stay out here."

The healer looked meaningfully from Buck to Vin to J.D and back to Buck. "I think it would probably be a good thing if you went on back into town Buck. For everyone."

With a grumble of protest, Wilmington had to admit that the former slave was right. If he stayed in close quarters with JD and Vin overnight, he could almost guarantee that his temper would get the better of him. "Fine, I'll see you boys in the morning."

As they watched the big man leave, JD breathed a sigh of relief. But when he turned away from the door he saw almost as much anger registered on Nathan's face. His stomach tightened, he was torn between going back into town where he had more places to hide from Buck's anger, or staying at the cabin, where he could only rely on Nathan's calm nature to prevail. Listening to the sounds of General's retreating hoof beats, he said, "I'll...I'll go take care of the horses."

"You do that," Nathan said quietly. "Then you get back in here. You're gonna help me take care a these two men t'night."

"Nathan, I don't " Tanner started to protest.

"Shut up, Vin," Jackson ordered. "You're gonna do what I tell you, and you're gonna keep your mouth shut. Got it?"

His eyes flaring with blue fire, the tracker decided to remain quiet. He needed to get Nathan on his side for now, but later, when he was better...well, that would be a different story all together. 

When JD returned from the corral, he found the lamp burning brightly and Nathan busy at the little cook stove. Vin was curled up on the mattress, his back turned to the light. Even then he had the blanket situated so that it hid his face from the lamp's glow as well. Chris was still sleeping, but the young man was convinced that the gunslinger's face held no hint of the pain it had shown earlier.

"You scrounge around and find us some plates and such," Nathan ordered from the stove, not turning to face the boy. "We're gonna help Chris and Vin get some dinner int' 'm and then you and I are gonna sit down and eat."

"Alright," JD said softly. He felt uncomfortable searching through Larabee's personal belongings while the man was laying right there, but he wouldn't have disturbed him for anything. Finally locating enough things to serve all four of them he stood, waiting for his next instructions. Like Vin, he knew he needed to keep the healer from getting angrier right now. They needed an ally if they were going to keep Chris at the cabin. Nathan was the logical choice.

Without a word, Jackson picked up a mug and filled it with a dark broth. Holding it out, he said, "you go take this t' Chris, make sure he drinks it all."

Remembering the response the gunslinger had given him earlier, he almost asked Nathan to allow him to help Vin. Instead, he nodded and took the mug. Going to the bed, he nudged Larabee gently, trying to remember how Vin had gotten him to respond positively earlier. "Chris? I need you t' wake up. You need t' eat."

Opening his eyes a slit, the blond regarded him coolly, but didn't seem angry. "I'm not hungry right now kid."

"You really need t' eat. Let me help you sit up..."

"I can do that myself, too, JD Don't need you fussing over me."

Glancing over his shoulder, he found Nathan watching him, a look that showed both humor and anger. He was getting back at Dunne alright, in the best way possible. Chris could be difficult on his best days; now he would be nearly impossible.

"Chris, please? Just let me help you tonight. Okay?" The pleading in his voice made JD sound even younger than he was.

Staring at him for a full minute, Chris finally said, "tonight."

Nathan saw the surprise he felt reflected in Vin's face. They had both overheard the conversation, and neither could believe that Chris Larabee would give up that easily.

With a small smile of gratitude and relief, JD set about propping Chris up in the bed. Retrieving the mug, he held it while the older man took a few sips at a time, resting his head back against the wall in between. It took nearly a full hour, but JD Dunne managed to feed Chris the entire mug of broth. Handing the gunman a cloth, he allowed the man to wipe his own face. JD knew he had pressed his limit already. Afterward he helped Larabee slide back down in the bed, and straightened the covers over his mangled and bandaged body. Hazel eyes drooping shut, Chris yawned and said sleepily, "thanks, pard." He was asleep then, and didn't see the look of pride that crossed the sheriff's face.

Moving back to the table, JD found a plate of food waiting for him. Nathan was already eating, having been successful in getting Vin to eat almost an entire plate of food. Wordlessly the young man began eating, afraid to look at the man across from him.

"You think you can get him t' eat like that in the morning?" Jackson asked without preamble.

"I don't know..." JD turned and regarded the man half-hidden in the shadows. "He told me he'd only do as I asked tonight. But, I'm willing t' give it a try."

"Good," Nathan said. "Cause if we can get him t' eat like that a few more times, he might really start improving."

Dunne couldn't help it. He smiled broadly at the thought of helping his hero recover.

************************

"Nathan?" Chris spoke softly and uncertainly, trying to make out the figure sitting in the chair next to his bed in the semi-darkness of the lamplight.

"Yeah, it's me Chris."

"What time is it?"

"Night time."

"Where are we?"

"Your cabin."

"My ... oh, yeah, I remember. Vin told me earlier that he and JD brought me out here."

"Yeah, that's right."

"They didn't talk to you?" He heard the barely restrained anger in the man's voice.

"Before they did it? Not really. Vin got the idea that you needed t' come out here t' rest, but I told him you needed t' be where folks could take care of you."

"He was right, Nathan...I remember...I asked him to bring me out here. JD too. I asked them to bring me out here." He could see their faces in his mind's eye. Vin resolute, willing to do whatever it took. JD, willing but afraid. He couldn't blame the kid, he knew he had been asking a lot.

"Don't make no difference, Chris," Nathan interrupted his thoughts. "You ain't well enough t' be traipsin' the countryside. I told them that, and they should have listened. If I'm gonna be healin' you men, I need people to listen to me. I know I don't know a lot about medicine, but I'm the best you got."

Chris could hear the frustration in the other man's voice now. Jackson was only trying to do his best to keep them healthy. But he was wrong. This was what Chris needed; to be away from the claustrophobic feeling of the town. "Nathan, don't sell yourself short, you're a better doctor than a lot I've seen. But I needed to get away from town."

He heard a sound, part sigh, part huff of frustration. Their healer was still not convinced, and certainly not happy. He wanted to tell him more, but the darkness welled up once again and dragged him back inside its embrace.

Nearby, Nathan Jackson watched his friend, his leader and, for the moment, his patient. Chris' face was, for once, unguarded; a book to be easily read. In the lamplight the ex-slave could see the pain and torment etched across the handsome face, but there was something else. A hint of peace...serenity...contentment. He was sleeping easier, too. Since they had brought him back from the cave, he had slept most of the time, but it was a light and restless sleep. His eyes would flash open at almost every sound, and they had all seen the fear that had taken up residence there. But here, in this tiny cabin that was as marshaled and Spartan as the man himself, Chris was at ease.

He began to realize that perhaps he had been wrong. Vin had known Chris, really known him, since the moment they had first looked across that dusty street at one another. They all knew that there was something in this particular relationship that the other five members of the group were not privy to; could not know. He would have to think about this more. Perhaps Chris did belong here at the cabin...

*************************

The dawn brought with it Buck Wilmington, smelling of liquor and still in a mood. He barely restrained himself from barreling into the little cabin, but stopped to knock and announce his presence before stepping in the door.

"Morning Buck, " Nathan said from the table where he and JD were just sitting down to breakfast.

"You look like hell, cowboy," came a quiet voice from the bed. Wilmington looked over to find Chris sitting, propped up with pillows against the wall, watching him with a hint of amusement in the finally clear eyes.

"Yeah, well, after what these two yahoos put me through yesterday, it ain't no wonder, " he growled. Then he strode over and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.

"You're lookin' a little less like someone three days dead though, gotta say that."

"Fell better, too," the blond admitted. "Think the cobwebs are starting to clear a little."

"Good, good. We get you back in town and the ladies can "

"No." The word was spoken softly, but with an air of finality.

"What?"

"No, Buck. I'm not going back there for now. I'm staying here."

"Chris, c'mon now, son..."

"No." That was it. He had made his decision.

Buck looked toward the table, searching for someone to back him up. While JD concentrated on his plate, Nathan looked back at him steadily. "I know what you're thinking Buck, and I don't disagree. Fact of the matter though, is he's doin' a hell of a lot better out here. I think that Vin and JD had the right idea."

Across the table from him, Dunne did not look up, but a smile of relief played across his young face.

"DAMMIT! Nathan, I thought you had more sense about y' than this. This ain't never gonna work out."

"We'll find a way to make it work," Jackson replied simply. "JD can stay out here for a few days if need be; the rest of us can come out and check on them a couple of times a day. It'll be rough, but since when do we have it easy?"

"Yeah, and what happens when them bastards that done this t' Chris come sniffin' around? They hear one word about him bein' out here, and they'll be on 'im like flies on a dog turd. You know it and I know it. And," he turned to look at his long-time friend, "you know it too, Chris Larabee."

"Let 'm come," a quiet voice came from the doorway. Realizing that he hadn't seen the young hunter, Buck whirled around to find Vin standing in the doorway. He was squinting from the dawn's light, his hat pulled down over his face. "Me an' JD can do what we need t' do if they show up."

"Buck, I'm not helpless, I can protect myself."

"Bullshit! You need lookin' after right now, old son. That stubborn ass pride a yours ain't gonna play this time. Now, if I gotta hog-tie th' lot of y' t' do th' right thing, then that's just the way it's gonna be." He stood up, pulling himself to his full height.

"Buck, why'nt you stay out here then, if you're so all-fired worried. Let JD get back t' his duties in town," Vin said matter-of-factly.

"If I'm out here with you right now, Tanner, I'm likely t' do somethin' I'll regret."

The younger man smiled. "If it makes y' feel better, Buck, take a swing at me."

His fists balling and unballing, Wilmington looked as if he might do just that. Then he took a deep breath. "Ain't gonna take on no invalid, son."

"Why, don't think y' can take me?"

"Alright! You two knock it off. Buck, I'm staying out here. You go back t' town and take over. JD, you want t' stay out here for a couple of days?"

"I'll stay as long as it takes, Chris," his voice was filled with commitment.

"Fine. Buck, you're in charge back in town. See if you can find out if any of those...men..." he stumbled over the word as jumbled visions came to him of his days in the arms of the cult. "See if you can find out anything on them. Nathan, can you make sure that Vin and JD have whatever supplies they need?"

"Yep," came the answer.

Buck glowered at every other man in the room in turn. He wanted to argue with everything and everybody, but he knew that tone. Chris was in charge of his life again, and no one was going to change that. Without another word he turned on his heel and left the room. A few seconds later, they could hear General gallop away.

Slumping back against the wall, it was obvious that the confrontation had exhausted Chris. Nathan hurriedly mixed up some herbs. Leaving them to steep, he went to Larabee's side. Bathing the man's flushed face, he checked his vitals as well. Satisfied that the exertion had not been too much for him, he helped the man slide back down into the bed. Bringing the herbal drink to him a few minutes later, Jackson managed to get the once more semi-conscious man to drink the entire contents. Gently laying him back down on the bed, he tucked the covers around him. Chris was already sleeping.

*************************

Nathan left to return to town a few hours later, leaving JD and Vin to care for their leader. JD watched the big ex-slave ride away, suddenly feeling very young and very alone. He wasn't certain that he was up to the task of caring for Chris and, to an extent, Vin, but he couldn't admit that to the others. Chris was counting on him and so was Vin. Somehow they were going to get through this, he would do everything in his power to see to it.

Going back inside the cabin, he found Tanner slumped in one of the chairs, his face carefully hidden from the light. "You got another headache Vin?"

"Yeah, ain't bad though. It'll go 'way in a bit."

"You get it when you went outside this morning?"

"Started then. Reckon I shoulda left well enough alone and stayed inside another day 'r two. Just couldn't stand bein' in here cooped up any longer."

"Well, I'll fix you some of your medicine."

"Naw, that's okay kid. It'll pass."

"Ain't so far," JD pointed out firmly.

"Vin, take the damn medicine," Chris said from the bed. "If I've got to stomach the stuff, you do too."

"I'm fine, Chris."

"Ain't arguing, Vin."

"Chris."

"Vin."

Convinced that they would be grunting at one another next, JD threw up his hands and went to the table to mix the medicine. He would put it in front of Vin and let the headache and Chris convince him.

It was going to be a long few days.