JD paced nervously around the exit of the old mine. Glancing at Josiah, who sat on a nearby rock calmly chewing a blade of grass, he swallowed the frustration that loomed inside him. He was stuck at the back of the tunnels, while all the action was taking place up front. He’d wanted to confront Chris about it, but one look at the gunman’s face, and he’d decided against it. He couldn’t really blame Chris anyway. Their leader needed Buck to take the long shot, since Vin was out of the picture. He obviously needed Ezra to deliver the ransom, and his quick thinking wouldn’t hurt either, in case things didn’t go down the way they planned. He needed Nathan, because it was possible that Vin was hurt. That left him and Josiah to guard the exit. JD understood why he was placed where he was, but he didn’t have to like it.

The good news was that they’d found only two horses. Two men going against the seven, or even the six, was laughable. Just how stupid could these guys be? First they grab the wrong man, and then they try to get money for him. Tying their horses out here in the open where he and Josiah could quickly chase them off wasn’t real smart, either. He was surprised they’d managed to get Vin in the first place. JD figured the tracker must have been real distracted to let anybody get the drop on him. It occurred to him that if he’d just kept his mouth shut about the reading incident, none of this would have happened. Buck had assured him that it could have happened anyway, or maybe they’d have grabbed Chris. Either way, they’d still be out looking for one of their own. Still, he hoped he’d get a chance to apologize to Vin.

Josiah watched the youngest member of their group with barely concealed amusement. JD’s restless behavior was enough to try the patience of a saint on a good day. On a day fraught with tension, like today, it was no wonder Chris had wanted him on the opposite side of the mountain. He knew the kid hated missing the action, although he wasn’t so sure the action might not head their way before this was over. He’d happily miss the excitement, though, just to have everyone back in one piece.

Josiah grew serious as he mulled over the situation Vin had apparently found himself in. One look in the mine’s dark tunnels, and he knew the sharpshooter was in trouble. He wasn’t sure if the others realized it, but he’d known for some time now that Tanner had trouble in confined areas. The man could hardly stand to sleep indoors - he’d be half-crazy spending five minutes in the mine, let alone hours. Yet, if their assumptions were correct, he’d chosen to endure it rather than let his captors know he wasn’t Larabee. Although, that was not surprising, considering the feelings the two men shared for each other. Josiah smiled when he thought how the tough gunmen would no doubt bulk at the word feelings and what it implied. Call it respect, admiration, understanding or even affection – it was apparent that the brotherhood the seven shared extended a shade deeper for Chris and Vin. So he was not surprised at Tanner’s actions, nor at the carefully veiled desperation he saw in Larabee’s eyes.

Now Ezra was surprising.

+++++++

Ezra reminded himself that he had volunteered for this rather unsavory assignment. True, the note - if one could call the shabby piece of pulp that, demanded his presence, but Mr. Larabee had been quite willing to assume the role. He wasn’t at all sure what had come over him.

He stood nervously in a cropping of trees just downhill of the mine. It would be light soon, and time for his performance. He knew the others were in place, merely waiting for the moment when the morning rays first lifted the darkness from the black sky. With deep cloud cover, and only a slice of a moon, their ride had been difficult – the tension deep and thick as the consuming darkness. Ezra couldn’t help but think of Vin and the almost suffocating blackness he would be experiencing in the mineshafts. He doubted the others realized it, but he knew the tracker would be having a difficult time in the narrow confines of the mountain prison.

Pacing amongst the trees, he looked heaven ward once again. Surely morning would never come. He tried to take a deep breath to calm his nerves, suddenly realizing how unlike himself he was behaving. This was nothing more than a game – a con he’d played in one form or another his entire life. Numerous times, his life had been endangered by his choice of profession, this time was hardly any different. In fact, this time, he had friends watching his back – friends with deadly aim. He had nothing to be nervous about.

Yet he could not stop pacing, could not stop running the scenarios, could not stop turning his eyes to the east for a glimpse of the sun. It was different this time. For this time, a friend’s life depended on him. What did it mean that he was more nervous for Vin, than for himself? When did his own safety and well being become less important than another man’s? The other man being a scruffy, uncouth tracker, no less? Oh Lord, when this was over, he’d have to sit himself down and have a serious conversation – provided he found himself in one piece.

Vin had better be in one piece, as well. He had no intention of suffering all of this aggravation and emotion without good reason. Of course, if he screwed up, and Mr. Tanner was harmed in the process, he wouldn’t need to worry about the consequences – for Mr. Larabee would surely kill him. And it would be a fate he deserved.

Yes, he definitely needed to have a talk with himself.

+++++++

"Damn."

"Ain’t gonna change the situation, no matter how many times y’ curse about it, Buck."

"Well hell, Nathan, don’t you think I know that? Makes me feel better is all. Damn," the lady’s man said again, although a bit softer this time. It was just too dark for him to get a fix on the best spot to cover Ezra.

Both Nathan and Buck had taken positions on a rising slope just adjacent to the entrance of the old mine, but the available cover - in the form of boulders or bushes – was few and far between. They were limited in their choices, and so had done the best they could to find a protected area that would also afford a decent view of the action below. Of course, in the black of the night, it was nearly impossible to tell where the ground ended and the mine began.

In the black of the night . . . Buck rolled that around in his head for a moment. As dark as it seemed in the stillness of the outdoors, it must seem a thousand times darker inside those tunnels. He shuddered to think of Vin in that place.

Nathan could barely make out the form of his teammate a few yards away, but he instinctively felt the uneasiness in Wilmington. "What y’ thinkin’ about, Buck?"

"Nothin’ much," he answered. It wasn’t right talking about a friend’s fears with another friend. Vin wouldn’t like everyone knowing how uneasy he was in close spaces. Just because he’d figured it out, didn’t mean everyone else had.

Nathan sighed. He didn’t know what was going through Buck’s mind, but he sure knew what was going through his. What state would Vin be in if and when they found him? Even if he weren’t hurt physically, how would he be after spending nearly a day inside that mountain? He knew how Vin felt about being hemmed in. He’d almost mentioned it to Chris, but decided against it. Their leader had enough to worry about, without adding Tanner’s mental state to the mix. The Texan had the coolest head Nathan had ever seen – never even flinching in a gunfight, but he wondered if Vin had been able to keep that calm while trapped in a prison with no light and precious little air. To top it off, there was the possibility – make that probability - that he’d been injured having, no doubt, put up one hell of a fight.

Nathan shifted around to get a better look at the area below, but still heard and saw nothing. He didn’t like this anymore than Buck did.

"Damn," he whispered.

"You can say that again," Buck muttered back.

+++++++

He didn’t like it. It was too dark. He was too far away. They were too late. Buck was right. They should have ridden up here last night and just went in and got him. They should have went in through the back and surprised them.

He should never have let this happen.

Chris crouched down behind the gentle slope that lay to the left of the mine’s opening, on the opposite side of Buck and Nathan. He had heard nothing and seen less. They must be deep inside, for he had not even witnessed a flash of light. He could no longer think about how his best friend was fairing, concentrating on just getting him out and getting him back.

Getting him out. God, it must be like a tomb in there. Chris nervously fingered the map tucked away in his pocket. Hopefully, they wouldn’t need it, but he felt some relief just knowing he had it. They’d brought plenty of lanterns, too, and he wished he could light one now. Anything to chase away the darkness.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d experienced such a black night. It was a wonder they’d made it there without incident. It was just as well, though. At least he didn’t have to see the looks the others kept throwing his way. And for a few brief hours, he could let the mask slip. For a short time, he didn’t have to pretend he was all right with this. In the starless night, he could forget to be Chris Larabee, confident and fearless gunslinger – and allow himself to be just a man, a man desperately afraid of losing a friend.

He looked again at the mine’s opening, and realized he could just barely make out the timbers that framed the entrance. It was nearly dawn. He readied his weapon and held his breath before peering through the shadows at the con man. Ezra paced about at the foot of the incline, and Chris wanted to shout at him to take some cover. Fool would get himself killed before this even started. As if hearing the blond’s warning, Standish turned suddenly and moved to stand among the trees.

Any moment now, the outlaws would show themselves and this would be over. All he needed was one look at Vin, just to see that he was really here and really alive, before he took out the man who held him. Buck and Nathan would cover Ezra. Even if there were five men guarding the tracker, he’d take them down before they knew what hit them. They were just plain stupid to mess with his friends, and they deserved what they would soon get.

Hopefully, Vin would be able to help with his escape, but if not, Chris would go get him. They just couldn’t allow the men to somehow get him back inside that mine. He’d made that clear to the others. If they lost Tanner and his captors inside the tunnels, their jobs would be a hundred times more difficult. They had to keep this all out in the open. The kidnappers had to bring Vin out in the open. He just needed one good look.

+++++++

The pounding in his head finally woke him, but it was the dryness in his throat that drove him to distraction. What he wouldn’t give for just a sip of water. And a sliver of light. And a breath of fresh air. Surely it had to be morning by now. Surely Chris and the boys were on their way. He tried once more to free his hands, and found that they were numb, along with his arms. The ache in his shoulders was nearly unbearable, though, and he decided maybe the water and the light and the air could wait, if he could just maneuver his arms back into their natural position.

On second thought, he’d kill for the water. Now there was a comforting thought. He’d kill these idiots before this was over. Chris had better leave one or the other for him. Preferably Jeb.

Almost on cue, Jeb hobbled into the tunnel that housed his prisoner; the lantern once again bumping against his leg as it swung by his side. He said nothing as he reached down to untie Vin’s torso from the beam. Vin could see that he’d slept little, and he appeared to be in pain. That made him weak, vulnerable.

It also made him mean. Jeb knew he’d need Larabee only a few more minutes, just until he collected his rightful due, and killing him quickly held little appeal. He pulled the weakened man to his feet and delivered a vicious blow to his midsection, followed by another. Vin gasped and doubled over, the thought that Jeb really could throw a decent punch fleeting across his hazy consciousness.

Before he’d had a chance to recover, Jeb roughly pushed him forward, the ever-present rifle once again digging into his back. "Its show time, Larabee," the outlaw growled.

Vin would have liked to shout, "It’s about damn time!" - but he could barely breathe at that moment. He stumbled in the dimly lit shadows of the rock walls, his entire body tired and sore and dry as the desert dust. But Chris was here, and this would all be over soon. With a sudden pang, he worried that if the brothers got a good look at the real Larabee, they might figure out their mistake. Larabee decked out in his usual black attire made an imposing image – one that was hard to dismiss. As stupid as the brothers were, they were sure to recognize the famous gunman when they saw him in front of them. Maybe Chris would get smart and wear that white shirt for once. He had one – Vin had seen him in it, and teased him so badly that the blond never put it on again.

The spinning of his head made it difficult for him to think, but there was no way he’d let them get at Chris now. He just had to be ready for whatever came. Just get him out into the open, and he knew the boys would take it from there.

+++++++

Just get them out in the open, Chris had told him. Drilled it in his brain over and over again, in fact. As if he would forget. As if he were that stupid. Oh, what was that you do told me to do, Mr. Larabee? Get the bad guys out of the mine? And Vin, too, you say? I hadn’t thought of that.

Ezra stopped his pacing and tried to calm his rattled nerves. He wasn’t really perturbed with their leader, knowing they were both on edge. The darkness had lifted just enough for him to notice an interesting assortment of rocks near where he stood. That is, if rocks could ever be considered interesting. A thought came to him. If the money were not on his person, he would have reason to lead the scoundrels from the entrance of the aforementioned mine. Get them out in the open.

He pulled out the envelope tucked in his coat pocket, and quickly hid it under the stones. Glancing up the incline, he noted movement at last from the black hole.

Jeb couldn’t see the gambler, but he knew he was out there. He knew how much his prisoner meant to that town. The gambler had been part of the group that had busted up that brawl last week, in fact. He was one of them. He’d be here, and he’d pay to get his friend back.

Jeb prodded the tracker to within ten feet of the opening, then checked to see that his brother was in place. "Don’t let him out until I say," he instructed the younger man. "And once I got the money, take care of the gambler."

"I want t’ take out Larabee," Roy argued.

"You just do what I tell y’ and shut up." Jeb was in no mood for this. He’d waited ten years for the chance to take out Chris Larabee. He’d been the one to see their father gunned down, and he’d be the one to finish it.

Vin hadn’t gotten past the part about taking out the gambler. They were expecting Ezra? Even in his muddled state, he quickly grasped the reasoning behind that. Jeb had seen Standish on a winning streak, and probably figured he’d have the cash. Too bad the brothers had no idea how unwilling Ezra would be to part with it. Too bad his life now depended on it – or rather on him.

Now matter what, though, he couldn’t let harm come to Ezra any more than he could to Chris. He could just barely make out the entrance where Jeb now stood, peering out into the gray morning. He’d thought it would be lighter somehow, and wondered if maybe his busted up head really had affected his eyesight. He turned his gaze to Roy, who scowled at his older brother, while blocking any move Vin hoped to make with his rifle.

"Gambler! You out there?" Jeb called suddenly, breaking the deceptive calm of the early morning.

Ezra shook his head as he moved from behind the trees and began a slow trek up the steep hill towards the booming voice. He must have lost his mind. Half-way up, he replied uncertainly, "Yes, I am on my way."

Chris strained to see from his position on the slope. It was still too damn dark, and he cursed the overcast skies. It hadn’t rained in weeks, so why the hell it would threaten now was beyond him. He saw the "big, hairy man" of Billy’s description standing in the shadows, but no sign of Vin, or anyone else for that matter. He thought about filling him with lead where he stood, but the uncertainty of how many others may be holding onto his best friend, forced him to remain patient. He’d have to trust Ezra to lure them out. He’d hoped to never be in the position where he had to trust Standish with a life other than his own, but it hadn’t turned out that way. Ezra had taken great pains to improve his standing with the gunslinger in recent months, and it had worked to some extent – but Chris surely didn’t want Vin’s life to be the ultimate test.

By the time the con man made it to the top of the incline, he had to stop a moment and catch his breath. Opening his arms wide, he called out once again, "Well, here I am." The kidnapper remained in place, his rifle pointed directly at the gambler. Ezra was sure he could smell him from where he stood several yards away, and he noted that the man’s grizzly appearance actually made Vin look clean cut and tidy. Oh Lord, he was in for a long morning.

"Where’s the money?" Jeb asked pointedly.

"Where is Mr. Larabee?" Ezra returned.

"Show me what I want, and I’ll show y’ what you want."

Jeb spoke wearily, a fact quickly noted by Standish. His opponent was tired, which left him vulnerable – and possibly prone to acting more stupidly than he already had.

Ezra replied, " We could be in for quite a long wait then."

Jeb huffed as he motioned to someone inside. He knew he’d have to show their prisoner eventually, but he’d hoped to have at least gotten a glimpse of his money first.

"Cover me," he instructed his brother as Vin was pushed to the opening.

As if to prove he’d gotten the point, Roy stuck his rifle out of the entrance and began firing wildly in all directions.

Ezra ducked and hollered, "What the hell are you doing?!"

"Just lettin’ anybody who was stupid enough t’ follow you, know that I’m not alone here," Jeb offered.

Chris lifted his head after the rounds had been fired and held his breath when he saw the men’s prisoner being forced into the open. Vin. Relief warred with fear as he took in the appearance of his best friend. Even in the gloomy light, he could see that Tanner was banged up pretty good. But he was still standing – and more than ready to go, by the looks of him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get a good enough view to take out the man, the second gunman he now realized, holding Vin at gunpoint. The outlaw was a loose cannon, too, judging by the errant shots he’d fired. Ezra would have to force them all out, or there was no way he could free Vin.

Nathan yearned to spring up from his hiding place and rush to his injured friend. Every instinct told him that Vin needed help, probably more than even the tracker realized, but he knew he had to be patient and wait. He had to trust Ezra – something that still did not come easily for him. Glancing over at Buck, he saw that Wilmington’s full concentration was on the man talking with Standish. When Chris gave the signal, he’d take him out, while Larabee took care of the man holding Vin. With a little luck, it would be that easy. There would be no more men, no more injuries, no more surprises.

Nathan and Jeb may be on the opposite end of the spectrum in most things, but they were both hoping for the same things at that moment. The older brother peered out into the surrounding area for a sign of Larabee’s gang. He didn’t need any surprises right now. He was tired and hurting and ready to get this over with. He moved once again to stand in front of the gambler.

"All right. Y’see he’s alive. Now get on with it. Give me the money."

Ezra looked down as he nervously dug the toe of his boot into the stony ground. He’d met Vin’s eyes only briefly, just long enough to see the hope there. Tanner’s hold was tenuous, his strength fading. He needed to get this moving along.

"Yes, well, I shall be obliged to share with you the exact location of your remuneration once I have ascertained the true condition and security of my compatriot."

"What the hell?" Jeb asked, clearly annoyed and confused by the gambler’s reply.

Ezra sighed. "I said, bring me my friend, and I shall take you to your money."

"What do y’mean, take me to my money. Where the hell is it? You were supposed t’ bring it here."

"It is in a secure location that is nearby, I assure you."

Jeb rubbed a hand across his eyes. He should have known the gambler would try something. He knew enough con men in his day to have expected this. But he wasn’t about to play the game, not this time.

The angry man suddenly stalked over and took hold of Ezra’s coat. Jerking him close, he pushed the rifle against his chest and growled, "I ain’t playin’ with ya, mister. I want my money, and I don’t rightly care what happens t’ you or your friend Larabee there. My brother can take him out real quick like, and he’s itchin’ t’ do it, too."

Ezra swallowed. He so badly wanted to look in Larabee’s direction for some sign of what he needed him to do. Vin appeared to be in the clear, from where Standish stood, but it was doubtful that the gunslinger could get off a decent shot at the tracker’s guard. He thought of pulling his own concealed derringer, but the shotgun currently imbedded in his chest gave him considerable pause. Now would be a good time for one of his cohorts to make an impossible shot – or preferably two. Unfortunately, the man who had the best chance of making that shot, was the same man who needed rescuing at the moment.

Chris nearly felt lightheaded from holding his breath so long. He had no idea what Ezra was doing – but it didn’t appear to be working. The long-haired outlaw was becoming more agitated by the minute, and he still couldn’t get off a shot at the equally unkempt man with his rifle situated solidly in Vin’s back. Trying to maintain his legendary coolness, he shifted his position just enough to get a better look at his best friend. Even in the dreary shadows of the gray morning, he could see the weariness and pain in Vin’s eyes. They had to end this soon.

Vin had tried not to look too desperate when he was finally brought out to the opening, but he couldn’t hide his relief when he felt the fresh air hit his face. In spite of Jeb’s words, he was still stunned to see Ezra there, supposedly delivering the ransom. Standish appeared tense and uncertain, something that took the tracker by surprise. He sensed that Chris was nearby, waiting for the moment to make his move. He could only hope the other boys were there, as well, with Jeb’s instructions to take out the gambler still clearly in his mind.

He’d met Ezra’s eyes when he first came out, and saw a promise there that he hoped the gambler could keep. But reality hit home when Roy once again jabbed his back with the rifle and jerked on the rope that bound his hands. He may not make it out of this, and he didn’t want either Standish or Larabee blaming themselves. Hoping to catch Ezra’s eye, he lifted his head once more, but his heart sank when he noted that Jeb had rapidly spun out of control. Standish was going to end up dead, too, if something didn’t happen quickly.

Where was Chris? Peering up into the surrounding hills, Vin knew instinctively where the gunman lay in wait. Although he couldn’t see his friend’s face, he knew that Chris could most likely see him. He felt a slow, gut-wrenching feeling of dread spread through him, and suddenly water and light and air lost all importance. He needed to let Chris know that this had all been worth it – that he was worth it. No matter how it ended up, he had no regrets.

Chris didn’t possess Vin’s eagle eyes, but he could read Tanner’s face as clearly as if his friend stood only inches away. And there was no way he’d let the Texan get away with this. If Vin thought it would be all right for him to give up his life in Larabee’s name, he’d better just think again - because it was not going to happen.

Chris couldn’t figure out why Standish didn’t hand over the money. True, Vin was not in the position he needed him to be in, but he didn’t expect Ezra to get himself killed, either. "Just give him the money, Ezra," he muttered softly. That action was sure to distract the outlaws long enough for him and Buck to take care of them both.

Ezra, in the meantime, wondered if he’d done the right thing stashing the bills under the rocks. He hoped his intentions wouldn’t be misunderstood if this all went badly. He truly didn’t mind giving up his income – truly it was just a ruse to move the kidnappers away from the mine. But if he ended up dead – would the others think he’d held out on them? Held out on Vin?

With just a hint of desperation, he spoke again, "Calm down and listen to me, please. The money is here. We will walk there together. You and I, and Mr. Larabee." There, that sounded reasonable.

Jeb huffed again, but backed away a few steps from the gambler. He turned slightly towards his brother and their captive, trying to work out the best way to handle this. He might have gone for it - might have done the smart thing, but fate intervened.

As Jeb moved away from Standish, Vin moved ever so slightly away from Roy, whose full attention was on his brother. Chris saw that the moment had come, and with a low whistle, signaled to Buck.

Buck raised his weapon at the very moment the sun finally made an appearance. Its soft light sought out the gleam of Wilmington’s gun, and reflected directly into Roy’s eyes.

The chain of events that ensued was not predicted in any of Ezra’s scenarios. The youngest of the avenging bandits caught the glare and immediately identified the threat for what it was. He called out in warning to his brother, "Jeb!"

Jeb quickly turned, followed his brother’s gaze to the adjacent hill and prepared to fire. But he never got the chance, for Buck’s bullet found its target and the outlaw fell to the ground, his rifle discharging as he went down. Standish hardly even noticed the burning pain in his shoulder as he careened head over heels down the slope. Instead, his only thoughts were that he’d failed to get Vin out into the open, and that his friends would never find the money he’d hid – that they’d believe he had held out on them. When he finally came to a rest at the bottom of the hill, he decided he might as well go ahead and die – and save Mr. Larabee the trouble of killing him.

Chris’s shot ricocheted in the stony cavern just inches from Roy’s head. Fearful that he might hit Vin by mistake, the gunman had hesitated just a moment too long. "Damn," he whispered. Heedless of the bullets peppering the ground around him, he abandoned his cover and moved towards the mine.

Roy had responded by again firing wildly into the surrounding hills, while still maintaining a tight grip on the rope that tied his captive’s hands. He spared his stricken brother a passing glance before making the first independent decision of his life. He was getting out of here. He’d take Larabee along – just until he was clear of his men, then kill him like he’d wanted to do all along. Jeb always made everything so damn complicated. From now on, he’d live his life the way he wanted.

Buck remained where he was, attempting to cover Chris. He was convinced that his old friend was about to get is damn fool head shot off. From the corner of his eye, he saw Nathan move on down to where Ezra had landed in a motionless heap. Although his shots kept the second gunman busy, he knew he had no real hope of hitting him. Vin was just too close. And when Roy pulled Vin back inside, still squarely in front of him, he knew their worst fear had come true - they’d be searching those tunnels for their friend.

Chris knew it, too, and once again his stomach churned with the sick foreboding that had tormented him since this whole thing began. Once inside, the kidnapper would have little reason to keep Vin alive. Josiah and JD may catch him at the other end, but what would it matter if Tanner were already dead? He stopped that train of thought almost as soon as it began – Vin was still alive, and he’d keep him that way. He noted that Nathan headed towards Ezra, and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the gambler try to lift his head.

As Chris rushed towards the dark caverns, Vin caught his eye. Their gazes locked for only seconds, yet it seemed so much longer to the gunslinger. He saw the despair and resignation that blanketed Tanner’s face, and something else, as well. But before he could determine what his best friend had tried to tell him, he was gone – swallowed up into the black hole.

++++++++

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