JD reached down, grabbing Vin under the arms. The semi-conscious man groaned as the movement shot pain through his injured shoulder, but he didn't completely regain consciousness. Dragging Tanner across the rocky ground, Dunne lowered him onto the cool earth shadowed by three large boulders. Checking quickly and seeing that the other man's latest injury didn't seem to be bleeding too badly, he left the sharpshooter where he was. Pulling his Colts, the young sheriff leaned around one of the boulders, searching the landscape for signs of their attackers. He didn't have to look far.

The bounty hunters were riding hard, right toward their hiding place, secure in the knowledge that they faced less than even odds. JD cursed under his breath, wishing for the thousandth time that it was one of the others here rather than him. They would be able to face down the two men easily, he knew that as certain as he knew his own name.

A bullet whipped past his ear, sending the young man ducking for cover. Before he could quite manage it, he felt a sharp sting of pain as a second bullet tore through his shirt sleeve and grazed the flesh of his arm beneath it. Shrugging off the pain, he moved to fire his own weapons, only to be surprised by the sound of gunfire off to his right. Flattening himself against the warm stone, he watched for signs of an attack from that direction. When he finally caught sight of the new threat, he relaxed and even managed a smile as he recognized the familiar forms of Chris Larabee and Buck Wilmington. With a relieved whoop, he watched the two men riding to intercept the bounty hunters.

To their credit, the Watkins' realized immediately that they were no match for these two riders, and wheeled their horses around. Riding hard, the bounty hunters quickly disappeared over a nearby rise, a hail of bullets quick on their heels.

Larabee was tempted to ride on, his anger toward the men goading him to take them down. Common sense, in the form of concern for his friends, caused him to slow, turning his mount toward the rocks, with Buck at his side. The two men quickly reached the rocks, dismounting before their horses stopped. Chris located Vin in the shadows and strode quickly toward the young Texan, Nathan's heavy saddlebags in tow. Buck tuned toward JD, long hours of worry and concern coming out in a loud tirade.

"Boy, what th' hell did you think you were doin', coming out here on your own like this? Do you see how close you came to gettin' you and Vin both killed? Damn it! You thick-headed, mule-stubborn... fool!" He sputtered, accentuating his words by slapping Dunne with his hat. On his part, the young man ducked and weaved, doing his best to sidestep as much of the attack as possible. He was doing well until Wilmington hit his injured arm. Yelping as pain burned through the deep gash, he grabbed his arm and dropped to his knees.

Immediately the big ladies man stopped, dark blue eyes growing wide at the sight of the young sheriff on the ground, holding his bleeding arm and obviously in pain. Dropping to his knees beside him, Buck asked softly, "ah hell, Kid, is it bad?"

Blinking back tears of pain, the smaller man shook his head and ground out, "just a scratch."

Wilmington looked ready to pick the young man up and carry him, but instead said, "come on, let's get you patched up."

Dunne allowed himself to be helped up and walked wearily beside Buck to where Chris was already looking Vin over. Dropping to the ground once more, he said, "watch his shoulder, he dislocated it yesterday. I think I got it back in place okay, but it's still hurting. He caught a bullet in the side, but I don't know how bad. They dragged him a half mile or so yesterday, and that was after they made him walk all day. The ropes dug into his chest and his wrists, and he's awfully sunburned. Guess that's easy to see. I got a little water down him, but he needs more. We haven't had time to eat anything, so he hasn't eaten since breakfast yesterday as far as I know. Can't think of anything else. Can't tell you how glad I am to see you guys."

The two older men exchanged looks as their youngest member quickly and quietly catalogued Tanner's injuries, then smiled as he finally greeted them. From where he knelt beside Vin, Chris said, "not as glad as we are to see you two. You did good, Kid. Damn good. Thanks."

Dunne's head snapped up and he locked eyes with the gunfighter. He saw the frank expression of gratitude in the usually cool, hazel eyes. Crimson stained his pale cheeks as he managed a smile before dropping his gaze. "I just... I didn't know for sure what to do. But I couldn't just stand by and let them take Vin away."

Buck cupped a big hand around the back of JD's neck and coaxed the young man's focus off the ground. When he managed to make eye contact, he said softly, "you did a damn fine job of gettin' Vin free of those bastards, son. No one could have done better. Be proud of that, okay?"

The young sheriff smiled as he saw the pride in his surrogate big brother's eyes. Then he flinched as he saw fire return to the deep blue depths and heard Wilmington's tone change.

"And if you ever do anything so foolhardy and dangerous again, I'll kick whatever's left of you clear across the country!"

He felt something cool slowly chase away the painful burning that had taken up residence in his face and neck. Then something damp was placed over his swollen and aching eyes and blotted out the sunlight that filtered through his closed lids.

Hands gently moved along the ragged and throbbing flesh at his wrists, then wrapped something soft around them. The process was repeated around his chest and back. Next the fire in his side was doused, first with cool water and then soothing comfort. Finally, softness was tucked tight against the dulling pain.

He cried out, the sound weak even to his ears, as his boots and socks were carefully but firmly tugged off. Then the hands were there, too, cooling the tortured flesh of his feet. Next came the comforting sensation, and finally the torn flesh was encased in soft cocoons.

The hands lifted him slightly and something was pressed gently against his aching lips. Then a soft voice coaxed him farther from the fog. "Open up, pard, I've got some water for you here. Come on, Tanner, open up."

"Chr... Chris?"

Larabee smiled. "About time you woke your sorry ass up. Me and Buck ride all this way because we thought you needed help, and we find you curled up in the shade, sleeping."

He managed a hoarse chuckle, then concentrated only on drinking the cool water as long as it was offered. When it was taken away he moaned softly, one hand lifting weakly as he sought to find the denied pleasure. Crossly he insisted, "more."

"Take it easy, you don't want to drink too much at once, you'll make yourself sick," Larabee reasoned.

"More," Tanner repeated, his foggy mind refusing to accept the other man's advice.

Settling Vin back onto the ground, Chris said simply, "in a while."

"How is he?" Buck asked from where he was finishing tying off the bandage around JD's arm.

Looking down at his friend, the lean body a patchwork of burnt and bandaged flesh, Larabee shook his head, "he'll live, but I don't think he's gonna be to comfortable anytime soon."

Glancing up at the sun, marching mercilessly toward the top of the sky, Wilmington said, "we need to find somewhere more out of the sun, let him rest up some before we head for home."

Larabee nodded, "we'll put him in the saddle with me."

"C'n ride... on m' own," Tanner argued.

Leaning over the stubborn man, imagining he could see the proud flash of blue fire despite the bandages over his eyes Larabee said, "You could, but you don't have a horse, pard."

"Ah... hell."

The sharpshooter was lifted up between the two bigger men and carried to where the horses waited. They managed to get him into the saddle in front of the man in black. There he slumped tiredly, barely resisting when Larabee coaxed him back to rest against his broad chest.

Chris slipped one arm around the lean man, taking most of his weight as Vin slipped back into unconsciousness. Grabbing up the reins with the other hand, he coaxed his horse forward. He was quickly joined by the other two men, noting with a tight smile that Buck made certain JD stayed between them. They had sent the bounty hunters running, but they couldn't be certain the men wouldn't try to come after Tanner again.

They wouldn't be safe until they got back to town.

Sonny Watkins cried out as his cousin roughly bandaged his arm. Perly glared at him, but didn't say anything as he tied off the rag he used to bind the wound the smaller man had received earlier. Finished, he stood and moved away. "Come on, let's go."

"Where?" Sonny struggled to get to his feet, stumbling after the other man.

"Where the hell y' think? We go git that sumbitch away from them other bastards an' finish what we set out t' do... take Vin Tanner back t' Texas,"

"What? Perly, y' cain't mean that. Ain't a way in hell we c'n take on them men. No, I ain't doin' it. Ain't gonna git m'self killed! There's other bounties we c'n go after, damn it!"

The other Watkins had climbed onto his horse, and now sat looking down at his cousin. "Suit yerself. I'm goin' t' git that raggedy bastard."

Sonny stood watching his cousin riding away, fear chasing the anger from his face as he realized that Perly wasn't coming back. With a frustrated growl, he managed to climb onto his own horse one-handed and chased after the other man.

Sonny didn't remember much about his childhood, just bits and pieces. He did remember a time when he had been the leader, and Perly his tag-along shadow who tried to do everything he did. Then after he started having headaches, things changed and he had to rely on the younger man more and more. Perly became the leader, and he was the tag-along shadow. His cousin never failed to make it clear that he didn't like having him around most of the time, either. No one in the family ever said much about it, and Perly would only say that having Sonny around was his penance. Sonny never could get more of an explanation and finally he stopped asking. It usually just gave him a headache, anyway.

The headaches had started when he was a kid, and grew worse as time passed. He suffered them from time to time, and after a while they led to what he called 'the dark time'. He never had any memory of what he did then, but when he came out on the other side of the spell, something bad had almost always happened. The first time, he found himself standing over the body of one of his female cousins. She had been raped and stabbed to death. He was holding his knife and still had his pants around his ankles. There was blood everywhere. The family had told Perly to take him and light out before the girl's daddy found out and came after him. They had grabbed what they could and rode out an hour later, never to return. He had been fifteen and Perly eleven, and they'd been on their own ever since.

Perly had never forgotten or forgiven any of it, and often threatened to take off and leave him all alone. Sonny knew that one day his cousin would make good on that threat, and it terrified him. He never knew when one of the headaches might take him into a dark time, and never knew what horrible thing he would do while he was trapped in that awful nothingness. Perly always found a way to get him safely away and to cover their tracks so that no one could blame him. Without his cousin to help him, he knew he'd be caught and hung, or shot and killed. So, despite the abuse he took from the hot-headed man, he knew he couldn't afford to be without him.

Just as he always did, Sonny rode after Perly.

They found shade in the form of a stand of trees. In their midst was a pool of water. Not much, but it would serve the men and horses through a short stay. Buck quickly spread out his bedroll in the deepest shade, then helped Chris carry Vin from the horse and lay him in the cool shadows. The injured man had drifted in and out of consciousness during the ride, and was now sleeping as far as they could tell.

Chris checked the bandages for signs that the wounds beneath them were bleeding. Satisfied that the boiled cloth was still clean, he accepted a freshly filled canteen from Wilmington and slipped an arm beneath the sharpshooter's head. Lifting him slightly, he said, "come on Tanner, take a drink."

Too tired to answer, or even to pull himself farther from the comforting darkness, Vin opened his mouth and swallowed the cool liquid as long as it was offered. When the canteen was taken away, he sighed, letting his head rest heavily on the supporting arm.

The blond watched his friend for a minute, not certain of what to make of the fact that he didn't make a fuss this time when the canteen was taken away. Laying Tanner back down, he gently brushed an errant strand of chestnut hair from his forehead. The battered man felt hot, but Larabee couldn't tell if it was fever, or the heat of the sunburn.

"He'll be okay," Buck said, reading the man's thoughts. "That boy's too damn stubborn not to be."

Chris nodded shortly, but otherwise didn't answer. Pulling a jar of salve out of the healer's pack, he opened it and began spreading some of the soothing balm on the deep red flesh of Tanner's face and neck. The exhausted man muttered softly, his lips twitching slightly as Larabee carefully covered them with some of the salve. Finishing his ministrations, he left the younger man to sleep and moved to where Buck was fussing over JD. Smiling at the put upon look on the young sheriff's face, he squatted down beside the two man. Looking Dunne over, he said, "how's the arm?"

With an impatient roll of his eyes, the youngest peacekeeper said, "its nothing but a scratch, Chris. Think you could tell the 'mother hen' here that I'll be fine?"

Shaking his head know, Larabee said, "wouldn't do any good."

Without looking up at either man, the ladies man said, "you'll thank me for bein' a 'mother hen' when this arm don't get infected, y' ungrateful whelp."

"I'm more likely to lose the use of it because you cut off the circulation. Do you have to tie the bandage so tight?"

"Yeah, I do. And if y' don't stop your grousin', I'll tie another one around your mouth!"

The cousins topped the rise, looking down onto the prairie below. The late summer had burned everything dry, and the landscape was an unbroken brown. They had doubled back, searching for a likely place to ambush their bounty and the other men. They would need every advantage they could find if they had any hope of pulling it off. The Watkins' had spent several days in the little New Mexico town. Perly had managed to gather a lot of information on the wanted man they were after without raising suspicion. They knew that Vin Tanner traveled with a strange combination of men. The two men had little concern for most of the men, but one name had almost sent them packing without even trying to claim the $500 reward. Chris Larabee.

It had been an act of providence that Tanner had ridden out of town with the young woman, and Perly moved to act upon their good luck quickly. It looked as if providence was still working in their favor. The Watkins cousins watched as a lone rider crossed the prairie not a quarter mile away.

"That's one of 'm," Sonny said, nodding toward the man.

"I know that," Perly growled in exasperation. "It's that darkie healer... Jackson. Reckon things 're goin' in our favor after all."

"Whattaya mean?"

Loosing a deep sigh, the bigger man said, "just shut up an' c'mon."

The two men rode down the hill, approaching the single rider at a leisurely pace. As they drew near, Perly tipped his hat and said in a congenial tone, "howdy."

"Afternoon," Nathan said, his dark eyes watching the strangers intently. "Can I help you fellas?"

Grinning, Perly drew his gun, pointing it at the big man's broad chest. "Reckon y' can, boy... reckon y' can."

The sun was moving toward the Western horizon, and three of the four men sharing the little oasis were chomping at the bit to be on their way. They were all men who preferred being on the move as much as possible, and hours of inactivity were beginning to gnaw on their nerves. As for the fourth man, he had barely moved since their arrival, his injured body craving the rest afforded by their stay. As far as the others could tell, he had been unconscious since their arrival, but suddenly he began to move, mumbling as awareness began to pull at his traumatized mind.Larabee was beside him in a heartbeat, trying to cut through the confusion with a quiet voice. Touching the man was out of the question, years of living in the shadows as a hunted man left Tanner far too dangerous to startle. Instead, he relied on words. "Vin, it's okay. It's Chris, pard, you're safe. Come on, now, calm down."Despite the blond's efforts, the sharpshooter's movements became almost frantic, his voice piercing the air in a mixture of Kiowa, Comanche, Spanish and English. Then, despite his injuries, he surprised the others by pushing himself up, grabbing at the rough bandages around his eyes and trying to yank them off. Larabee threw caution to the wind, then, slipping behind his friend and pinning his arms to his sides. "Damn it Tanner! Calm down, you're gonna hurt yourself!"Slowly the slender man's movements quieted as he recognized his friend's voice, and the words began to cut through the panic-filled haze."That's it, come on now. You're safe... come on. That's it, lay still now. You're hurt, remember? You're gonna make it worse if you keep moving around. Calm down." Larabee stopped as the younger man slumped wearily against him, panting, trembling, but calm. "Cah... Chris?""Yeah, it's me. Calm down.""Cain't... cain't see," the lean body began to tense."Calm down, it's okay. You're eyes are bandaged, that's all. We're gonna leave them bandaged until we get back to town, so Nathan can look at them.""Ain't... ain't blind?" The soft voice quavered with fear, and one hand found its way to latch onto the blond's forearm."No, here," he took one of the man's hand's in his and raised it to touch the rough cloth. "See, bandaged. You were sunburned... your face is swollen, your eyes were swelled shut. We bandaged them so they could heal up. You'll be fine in a day or two."Tanner processed the words. "Be... fine?""Yeah, now you just rest and let us take care of you." "Us... JD?" The memory of the young sheriff freeing him hit him. Looking around, despite the fact he couldn't see, he whispered hoarsely, "he okay?""I'm fine, Vin," Dunne said from where he had come to sit nearby. The injured man managed a relieved smile. "Y' saa... saved me."The young brunet blushed, looking down at the ground. Wilmington had come to sit beside the sharpshooter and broke the silence, laughing heartily. "Damn if that ain't a miracle... JD Dunne's speechless.""Ah hell, shut up Buck," the boy managed to protest."Hey... Bucklin," Tanner said, recognizing the big ladies man's voice. "Hey Stud," the big man said fondly. "Chris, we... we goin' home... soon?""Later. We wanted to give you a chance to rest first," Chris explained."'M... okay," the Texan protested."Well, we're gonna stay here for a while," the blond said decisively. Turning to his old friend, he said, "Buck, can you get that mug from the fire?"Nodding, the bigger man retrieved the mug. Chris was still supporting the injured man, and continued to hold him while Wilmington slowly fed Vin the strong brew. The man's expression told them quite clearly how disgusting the herbal tea tasted. The other men could sympathize, having had their fill of Jackson's 'boiled skunk' at one time or another. After the mug was emptied, they watched at he began to relax, the brew sending him back toward sleep. Larabee started to settle the injured man back to the ground but Tanner's grip tightened on his arm. Shifting slightly, he tightened his hold on his friend, letting the younger man rest against his chest. Only after the injured sharpshooter was deeply asleep did he lower him back to the bedroll. Vin mumbled softly, but didn't wake. The blond watched him for a minute and then, satisfied that his friend was resting, he pushed himself to his feet and moved over to where Buck was fixing dinner.Looking up at his old friend with a grin, the ladies man asked, "y' get him all tucked in?"Flashing a glare that softened quickly, the blond said, "shut up and dish me up some beans, stud."With a hearty chuckle, the mustached man spooned out beans into a metal plate, adding two biscuits and some jerky before he handed it to the other man. The three men settled in and ate in a companionable silence. Then, while JD stretched out beside the fire, leaning against his saddle, the older two men stepped away from the fire. They moved slowly around the little glade in opposite directions, searching the countryside for signs of the bounty hunters. As they came back together, they shook their heads simultaneously. Neither one had seen any signs of pursuit."Think they gave up?"Larabee shook his head, "doubt it. I'm pretty sure I hit one of them, maybe they're holed up like we are."Nodding, Wilmington expelled a breath and said, "I'll sure 's hell be glad to get back to town.""I'm with you there," Chris agreed. He looked up at the darkening sky. "Wish we had a full moon tonight. It'd be easier on him... on those burns... if we moved him at night."Nodding once more, the bigger man followed his friend's gaze and said, "too damn bad we ain't gonna have anything but a sliver."

Vin woke in the darkness, unaware that the world around him was almost as dark at the moment. He lifted a hand to his face, feeling the bandages. Then his hand was nudged carefully away, and a voice anchored him to the moment."Let the bandages alone, Vin. Lay still.""Chris?""Mm hm. You hungry?"He thought about it for a minute before answering honestly, "a bit.""Think you could handle some beans?""Reckon... JD ain't et 'm all?"Chuckling, Larabee glanced across the fire to where Dunne lay, snoring softly. "Think the last couple of days finally caught up with the Kid. He's sleeping."The blond retrieved and filled a plate and a mug as well, returning to where Tanner lay. He helped his injured friend sit up, propping him against a saddle, then tried to decide how to proceed. The injured man sensed his confusion and spoke softly."Reckon I ain't gonna be... able t' handle... 't m'self."Seeing the defeated set of the slender man's shoulders, Larabee settled cross-legged next to his friend. Holding the plate in one hand, he wrapped the bounty hunter's fingers around a spoon. Guiding the slightly trembling hand, he helped his friend eat.Managing to eat only half the food, Vin released the spoon into the plate and slumped back. "Cain't eat... 'nother bite.""All right. I've got more of Nathan's tea for you - ""Ah, hell."

Smiling, Larabee said, "you don't have to like it, you've just got to drink it."

"Y' ain't... slick 's y'... think. C'n he... hear y' smilin'."

Laughing, the blond said, "caught me. Come on, let's get this over with."

As he had with the food, Larabee let Tanner hold the mug, guiding him so he could drink. His smile broadened as he watched the man register the difference.

"M'lassas?"

"Found some candies in your jacket and melted one in the tea. Don't tell Peso... don't want him trying to take a bite out of me."

The sharpshooter smiled now. "Won't say a... word."

"Let's get you back on the blanket," Larabee started to shift his friend back to a prone position.

"'Fore I do, I... I kind 'a need... well, got a call a nature t'... answer," Tanner replied softly.

"Oh." The blond studied the situation. Grabbing the man under the arms was out of the question due to the deep rope burns around the well-honed chest. The wound in his side made lifting the sharpshooter around the waist impossible. The burns on his wrists, though not as deep as those on his chest, still made lifting him that way difficult. Not to mention that Vin's feet were nothing more than raw meat at the moment.

"Buck's keeping watch, guess I'd better wake JD to help - "

"No!"

Looking at his friend, he could tell by the set of his jaw that the sharpshooter didn't want so much fuss made over him. "Vin - "

"Chris, please... I don't wan'cha wakin' 'im up... I - "

Laying a hand gently on the tense shoulder, the older man said, "okay, we won't."

Finally he slipped behind his friend, wrapped his arms around him and held him by the forearms. Carefully he lifted Tanner up, trying to ignore the hissed breath and pain-filled moans.

They managed to get the tracker to his feet, only to have him nearly fall as agony shot through him. He felt as if his feet were on fire, the ripped flesh burning painfully. Vin slumped in his friend's arms, relying on Larabee to support him until he could do it himself. Then finally, with the blond taking much of his weight, he made his way a pain-racked few feet.

Chris guided him to a nearby boulder, helping the injured man lean against it. "Think you can take it from here?"

"Yeah... this I c'n do in th' dark," the younger man quipped.

With a chuckle, Larabee moved away a few feet to allow his friend some privacy. He waited until Tanner called him, then quickly moved to guide him back to the bedroll. Chris help Vin settle back on the blanket, spreading his own over the sharpshooter. He noted the slight tremor and said, "you cold?"

"A... bit. It night?"

"Yeah." His hand stole lightly to the man's reddened forehead, wondering once more if he was feeling the head of fever or sunburn. Tucking the blanket closely around the slender frame he said, "get some sleep."

Managing a faint smile, the tracker said, "yes... pa."

Chuffing in mock irritation, the blond said, "damn, no-count, smart-ass, long-haired Texan."

The smile remained on the younger man's face, even after he fell asleep.

Chris sat beside Vin, watching him for some time. He wanted this to be over, and for them to be back in Four Corners, where Nathan's expertise would heal the injured man.

Nathan.

Larabee slipped to his feet and padded quietly to where Buck had taken up a position as sentry.

The bigger man turned to watch him approach and said in a whisper, "he doin' okay?"

"About the same, I think. Got him to eat some, that should help. Can you see anything at all out there?"

Shaking his head, the ladies man said, "not much. Don't hear anything though."

Nodding, the blond said, "just thinking. We've been out here two days."

"You just figure that out?" Wilmington quipped.

Ignoring the other man, Chris continued, "unless something else came up, Nathan should have been back on the trail by now."

Frowning, Buck said, "yeah, you're probably right. You worried?"

Shrugging, Larabee stared out into the darkness. "I don't know. My gut tells me that maybe we should be."

Nathan let his head drop back to lean against the tree the bounty hunters had tied him to. He was angry, but wasn't certain just who he was angriest at. The men who held him, certainly. They had said enough that he knew they intended to use him as a hostage against Vin, in an effort to take his friend back to Texas.

He was angry at himself, too, for allowing the men to get the drop on him. He had prided himself on being able to read men, but he'd missed a page or two when these two had ridden up. They didn't seem like men to be wary of, hard ridden and worn down by hard lives. The smaller of the two was scarred up, a large crease in the side of his head that spoke of serious injury at some time in the past. Other scars, across his face and neck, said that he was no stranger to the fight. The larger of the men looked as if he never smiled, his heavy brows drawn together over cold, colorless eyes. He wore scars as well, although each of his seemed more like a badge... a rite of passage. And he seemed to hold a grudge against the entire world.

They hadn't particularly mistreated him throughout the day. Instead they scarcely seemed to think of him at all. One of them had held him at gunpoint while the other tied him up. He had been forced to mount his horse without the use of his hands, but managed it, the man tying him to the saddle. They had ridden for a few hours, until the darkness called a halt to their search for Vin and the others. He said little to them, but learned enough to know that Tanner was in a bad way. Jackson trusted Larabee and Wilmington to know enough to care for their friend, but the tracker would need rest and care to recover from his injuries. Something the man wouldn't get out here, playing cat-and-mouse with the bounty hunters. The dark man pulled himself from his thoughts to watch as the smaller man tried to tend a wound in his arm. He struggled to remove the filthy rag that had been tied around it, yelping in pain as the cloth tugged at the bloody bullet hole. Despite the fact that these men had hurt a good friend, and were set on using him as a pawn in their scheme, he was still a healer.

"I can tend that if you let me loose."

The wounded man's head snapped up, a look of relief coming over him. "Y' can?"

Nodding, Jackson said, "yeah, I don't have a lot with me, but I carry enough to tend wounds like that."

The other man stood up, cuffing his companion on the shoulder, eliciting a cry of pain as he jostled the injured arm. "He's playin' you, y' fool."

"No, I wasn't," Nathan argued. But the men ignored him. With resignation, he watched the injured man return to tending his own wound.

The sun was busily coloring the sky with pale rose and azure as the men readied to break camp. Chris had rousted the injured Tanner and once more helped him eat, guiding the spoon from plate to mouth and back again. Vin groused as he drank more of the medicinal tea, and was even more vocal at the thought of being held in the saddle for a second day. The others let him fuss, and just quietly went about the business of getting him into the saddle. Larabee climbed up behind him, took up the reins, and set off, Buck and JD beside him.

Wilmington glanced at his friend, seeing the hazel eyes scanning the landscape ahead of them. "Still worried about Nathan?"

Nodding, Chris said, "it's not like the trail out's hard to find. Unless something happened, he should have found us by now."

"Nathan?" Vin asked, "Nathan was comin' out here... alone?"

"He was with us when we started off, but Dan Tate came for him. His missues went into labor, and Nathan promised to be there for the birth," Buck explained.

"An' then y'all expected him t' ride out here, alone?" Vin's body grew tense.

"Take it easy, we never asked him to come back out here... told him we'd bring you home," Chris said softly. "You know Nathan, though. If he figures you, or any of the rest of us, needed him, he'd ride right into the gates of hell. Buck and I have just been worried that he would ride back out after us."

"Ah hell. We need t' git... 'm."

"Take it easy," Larabee repeated. "Chances are they wouldn't even know who he was if they did meet up with him."

"They know us, Chris," Dunne broke in. "They were in town for a couple of days at least. I even talked to one of them."

"Then they know us all," Buck said with a sigh.

"An' Nathan's in danger, if he's come out after us... me," Tanner rasped. "We need t' ride."

"Take it easy," the blond said firmly as he easily deflected the injured man's bids to take the reins himself. "You're not in any shape for us to ride hell-bent-for-leather, and we can't afford to kill the horses out here. We'll move as fast as we can and keep our eyes open for him, as well as any signs of danger."

"Chris, we cain't just stroll along, when Nathan could be in trouble!"

Huffing a sigh, the older man said, "we don't know that for certain, Vin. But we do know for certain that there's hardly an inch of you that hasn't been hurt. I'm not going to make it any worse. Now, you settle down and let me, Buck and JD take care of things."

"But - "

"But nothing, pard. That's the way of it."

Vin growled, but admitted, at least to himself that there was little he could do. He resisted his body's need to rest for as long as he could but, finally, he relaxed in the bigger man's hold, drifting into a restless sleep.

They rode until the sun was near the top of the cloudless sky. Chris did his best to keep Vin from getting the full brunt of the sun, but his friend still muttered and tried to hide himself from the burning rays from time to time. Finally the man in black called a halt to their trip, guiding his horse toward the shallow shadows cast at the foot of the hills. He and Wilmington once more carried the injured tracker from the horse into the deepest shadows they cold find. Stretching him out on his back, they did their best to make him comfortable.

Buck looked up to see JD slump wearily to the ground near by. "You okay, Kid?"

"Fine."

Frowning, the big ladies man said, "yeah? Y' might want to notify your face."

"Drop it, Buck."

His frown deepening, Wilmington continued, "is your arm bothering you?"

"It's fine," Dunne was growing more and more exasperated. "I'm fine. Just tired. Can I just sit here and relax without you hovering over me?"

"Okay, fine." The big man did little to disguise the hurt in his voice.

Chris half listened to the exchange, smiling as the banter served to break the tension he'd felt for so many hours. He carefully checked the multitude of bandages covering his friend's body, happy to see that they remained relatively clean. The one covering the bullet wound was stained with blood, but it was a small stain, and had already dried. Deciding to leave it until they stopped for the night, he moved to give Vin a drink, supporting the shaggy head and pressing the mouth of his canteen against the lax mouth. He watched as the younger man registered the container's presence against his lips, and began sucking at the opening as he carefully fed him the water. After a few sips, he took the canteen away, allowing himself a single drink before capping it. At this time of year, they might not find any more water until they reached town.

"What 're they... fussin' 'bout?" Tanner asked in a hoarse whisper as the argument continued. He turned his face toward where he sensed his friend sat.

"Hard telling," Chris answered. "You know those two."

Vin smiled. Yes, they all knew well the arguments the two friends could get into. Most of them had been forced to dodge flying food or other items thrown by one toward the other when Buck and JD got going. "Reckon y' c'n keep me outta th' line a fire if they start up flingin' things at each other?"

Chuckling, Larabee said, "I'll just shoot them, how's that?"

"'Preciate it. Any sign a Nathan?"

Shaking his head, then realizing the futility of the movement, he answered, "not yet."

"Sadie!" Tanner lifted his head, suddenly realizing that he hadn't asked after the young woman.

"What?" Larabee asked.

"Miss Wills... Sadie. She...she okay?"

From where he sat, JD nodded, and Chris translated, "yeah, she's fine."

Slumping back to the ground, Vin sighed, "thank God."

The gunman smiled as he remembered watching the man riding out of town, the young seamstress beside him. "Another day or two, and we'll be back home. Reckon she'll be makin' a fuss over you then."

Even through the sunburn, the gunman could see his friend blush.

Nathan sat his horse, the big animal being led by one of his captors. He was angry, tired and frustrated. He watched the landscape around him, hoping to see some sign of the others. He had no qualms in calling out to warn them, even though it would more than likely mean his death. He only hoped he'd see them first.

His stomach growled, his throat felt as if it was coated with sand, but it didn't matter. It didn't matter that the men hadn't allowed him even a single drink from his own canteen, or allowed him a bite of hard tack. The only thing that mattered to the former slave was doing what he could to protect his friends.

The day was over half over, the sun still high in the sky, but moving westerly toward the far hills. He had kept watch since they had ridden out sometime after sunup, his dark eyes roaming with determination. They had stopped for a while, one of the men even allowing his tired mount a drink from their hat. He was grateful for that, even if he wasn't allowed the same consideration.

He knew that the chances of the others moving in their direction were good, even if Vin was near death. They'd want to get the injured man into town, where he could be tended to properly. That meant that the chances of them running into one another were even better, the trail they rode traversing relatively comfortable countryside.

As if his thoughts had conjured them, Jackson spotted a small knot of riders coming toward them. They were still too far away to tell who they were, but he knew it was them. He forced himself to swallow, working up enough moisture to call out to his friends. But then the bigger man holding him prisoner spoke, and destroyed his hopes.

"There they are, Sonny... comin' right towards us."

The one called Sonny strained to look in the direction his cousin indicated, finally catching sight of movement. "Y' cain't be sure it's them."

"It's them." Drawing his horse abreast of their captive, he tied his kerchief around the man's mouth. "Jist in' case y' thought about hollerin' out."

Brown eyes flashed with anger over the top of the gag. The message was clear in their dark depths. He would kill both men if he got a chance.

"Buck, JD, hold up." Larabee called out. They had been on the move again for just over an hour.

The two men reined in their horses, staring expectantly at the gunslinger. Quietly, Buck asked, "what's wrong stud?

Canting his head forward, the blond said, "they're out there... about half a mile... coming this way."

"Think it's them?" Vin pulled himself upright, away from the support the broad chest offered.

JD retrieved the spyglass he'd been carrying, opened it and sighted toward the distant riders. Studying them for a few seconds, he lowered the 'glass. Nodding, the young sheriff said, "it's them...and Nathan's with them."

"Damn it!"

"Tanner, settle down. I told you, let me and the others take care of things!" Chris struggled to keep the injured man from ripping the bandages from his injured eyes. "Settle down!"

"You settle down! I ain't jist sittin' here while they hold Nathan! Lemme have a gun, I'll shoot th' sons a bitches!"

"And how do you plan on doing that?" Larabee's words were deceptively calm. "You're hurt Vin... hurt bad. Now, listen to me. We're gonna leave you and JD back here, while me and Buck - "

"I ain't sittin' back here twiddlin' my thumbs!"

"Chris, I want to help - "

Glaring at the youngest peacekeeper, the blond continued. "If me and Buck fail, it's all going to be up to the two of you. Now are you gonna waste more time arguing, or do we rescue Nathan?"

The two young men continued to communicate their displeasure, but said no more. They moved to a scattering or boulders, carefully depositing the injured Texan behind them. JD ground reined Milagro and stepped down to stand near the injured man. He watched as the gunmen rode off, going to face down the enemy while he was relegated to the role of nursemaid.

"They gone?"

Frowning, he glanced down to where Vin was slowly pushing himself to a sitting position. "Yeah."

"How far 'way... are they?"

"I don't know... about ten, fifteen yards. Why?"

Tanner leaned heavily against the cool stone at his back, fumbling to get the rough cloth from around his eyes. "Gimme a hand, Kid."

"Vin, you can't!"

"Yeah, I can, but it'd be a mite easier if y'd help me. Now, c'mon."

"Vin - "

Growling in frustration, the slender man said, "JD, they're gonna need someone t' watch their backs. That's me 'n you. Now, c'mon."

Still uncertain, Dunne realized that his friend was going to do it with or without him. Kneeling beside his friend, he pushed the floundering hands away and carefully eased the bandages off the burned face. Tanner growled in pain as the first light in days assailed his closed lids. JD noted that the flesh was still puffy and swollen, the lids caked closed with crusty residue.

"Vin - " he started.

"Help me, Kid. Wet me a cloth... okay?"

"Yeah." The young Easterner hesitantly wet a handkerchief and carefully began to dab at the sealed lids. It was evident that each touch was painful for the injured man. "Vin, this is dangerous. I don't know what could happen to your eyes."

"But, I've gotta try, JD. Cain't let 'm hurt Nathan - "

"Will you stop and listen to yourself? Chris and Buck are taking care of things. You know they'll do whatever it takes to rescue him. Are you saying you don't think they can do it?"

Tanner's movements stilled, his hands clinching and unclinching. "No... course not. If anyone can, Chris can. 'S jist... "

"Just what?"

Hanging his head, Tanner said, "'s jist... I cain't stand th' idea of any of 'm gittin' hurt 'cos a me."

Laying a hand on the slumped shoulder, the smaller man said, "they're not going to get hurt, Vin. They'll take care of what needs to be done. And you're wrong to think that you're not worth them taking the risk. Now, come on... let's get your eyes bandaged up again, before you hurt them even more. Nathan will skin us both alive if that happens."

Larabee and Wilmington rode side by side, neither slowly or quickly. They moved unerringly toward the three horses coming their way. Buck carried his rifle across his lap, his Colt loosened in its holster. Chris held his Colt, hidden from the bounty hunters by the pommel of his saddle.

They reined in their horses a few yards from where the trio had already stopped. The two men could see that Nathan had been gagged, his hands bound to the saddle. They could also see the look of unleashed fury in the dark eyes.

"You liked to killed one of our friends, and now you've got one trussed up like a Thanksgivin' turkey," Buck said, his voice low and serious. "Let him go."

Perly Watkins snorted with laughter. "I don't reckon y'all got th' picture here. Y'all ain't th' ones callin' th' shots... me 'n Sonny is. Hand over Tanner, 'n y' c'n have th' darkie."

"Don't reckon we can do that," Larabee said. His voice was hardly louder than a whisper, but it carried in the stillness.

"Then, reckon y'all c'n watch this 'n die," Sonny piped up, nodding toward the big healer.

"Don't reckon we'll do that, either," Chris replied.

"Yer a cocky sumbitch, I'll give y' that," Perly growled. "But, reckon y' ain't got much of a hand t' play here. Me 'n Sonny's holdin' all th' aces."

The two men never saw the gun as it swung upward, neatly drilling a hole in each forehead. The cousins dropped from their horses, landing on the ground near one another. In his death throes, Perly's hand smashed hard against his cousin's head, just at the place he had shot the other man so many years ago. Death rattles announced the passing of each man only seconds apart.

None of it was noted by the two gunmen as they hurried to release their friend. Cutting through the thick ropes at his wrists, and loosening the gag, Buck and Chris quickly had Nathan freed.

The big man looked at his two rescuers, gratitude shining in his broad face. But all that he said, was, "where's Vin?"

Vin didn't remember falling asleep, but decided that one of Nathan's teas was responsible. His last clear memory was of the big man kneeling beside him, checking over his injuries. As he had poked and prodded the burns and bullet wounds, the big man had apologized for not being there for him. And all he could do was apologize for being the cause of his being held captive by the Watkins' cousins. Finally Buck had put a stop to the mutual groveling.

"Good lord, you two act like you did something to make any of this your fault!"

"It was," they said in unison.

"Bullshit! There's only two men responsible for this whole mess, and they're dead. Now, why don't the two of you just be happy that we're all safe and... well, relatively sound... and we'll be headin' home t'morrow."

The two of them had eventually agreed that he was right, and let things drop. At least for the moment. He had taken the brew with a minimum of fussing and soon after he had fallen asleep.

Listening to the quietness, he realized it was night. He hated losing long hours to sleep, but also knew his body needed it so that he could heal. He hated not being able to see, but knew that the temporary darkness was far preferable to permanent. As if to verify that he was still wearing the hated bandages, his hand went to his face. To his surprise, a big hand gently took hold of him before he could make contact.

"Leave the bandages alone."

Running the tip of his tongue across dry lips, he rasped, "Nathan?"

"Yeah, it's me. Now, leave those bandages alone. JD told us you took them off earlier."

"It was jist fer a minute."

"A minute could be too long . You've got sun poisoning, Vin. I ain't for certain what all it can do to you, but I do know you're gonna have to take it easy for a while. We're gonna have to keep you out of the sun for a few days after we get home, too, so you can heal up."

"Ah... hell."

Ignoring the protest, the big healer said, "it's dark now, so I'm gonna take the bandages off your eyes. JD told me they were matted up pretty bad, so I'm gonna clean them. I don't want you tryin' to open them up unless I say so, all right?"

"Yeah", Vin said softly.

Jackson carefully removed the bandages, sighing when he saw the matter gluing the blue eyes closed. He had warmed a cup of water beside the fire, sprinkling some dried herbs in it that would help the healing process. Taking the container up, he dipped a piece of cloth into it, then began the painstaking process of bathing the injured tissue. It took nearly half an hour to finish the process. The tracker lay quietly throughout the ordeal, only the hard set of his jaw indicating how difficult it was.

Finally he sat back, making certain that he was positioned between Tanner and the low campfire. "Now, I want you to open your eyes, slow and careful. Don't panic if you can't open them far, they're still pretty swollen. And don't panic if you can't see anything, it's dark out. I just want to see if you can open them, and I've got some salve I want to put along the edge of your lids to keep them from getting matted up again."

"All right." Tanner did as he was told, slowly forcing the painful lids apart. He managed to open his eyes only half way, the ravaged flesh too damaged to move farther. He did his best not to panic, heeding the other man's words, but it was difficult.

Hearing the change in the younger man's breathing, Jackson said, "you're doing fine, Vin. Now, keep them like that as long as you can, and I'll get the salve on as quick as I can."

"'Kay," the sharpshooter whispered breathlessly.

With a gentle touch, the healer carefully coated the reddened lids with salve. "Okay, you can close them."

Doing just that, Vin let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. "Nathan?"

"We'll know more when I can get you back to town and take care of 'm proper. I don't see no sign of infection, so that's good. Reckon Chris and the others took good care of you."

"Bunch a mother hens," Tanner groused good-naturedly.

With a deep chuckle, the former slave said, "just be glad they are."

Sighing, the injured man said, "oh I am, Nathan, believe me... I am."

As if to give them a much needed break, the next dawn broke to a cloudy sky, heavy gray clouds muting the sun's light. Chris was up before the others, Nathan finally having given in to sleep as some point during the night. He stoked the fire, put on the coffee, and began breakfast. The others were soon stirring, the aromas calling them from their dreams.

Larabee moved to where Tanner lay, nudging him gently. "You awake?"

"Reckon so... kind 'a hard t' tell sometimes," the younger man admitted.

"Imagine so. Are you hungry?" When the injured man answered with a nod, he continued, "well, let's get you up so you can eat, then."

With the blond's help, Vin was soon sitting up, leaning against a tree trunk. As the man had before, Chris helped him, guiding the spoon and mug, trusting him to manage the biscuit alone. When he had eaten his fill, the blond helped him move far enough to take care of the rest of his morning business, then guided him back to the blanket.

There, Nathan took over, while Larabee went to the fire for his own breakfast. The healer carefully checked over his injuries, poking and prodding at the deeper wounds, in search of infection. Jackson spread a heavy salve over his face and neck, protecting his burned flesh from further damage. He was getting fidgety by the time the other man had finished, weary of being fussed over. As if sensing his frustration, the former slave patted his shoulder.

"I know you're tired of being taken care of, Vin, but it won't be too much longer. I figure we'll be able to take the bandages off your eyes in another couple of days at the most. The burns will heal up pretty quick when we can keep you out of the sun, and the cuts won't take much longer. The wound in your side should be fine in a few weeks, too."

"It ain't like I ain't grateful, Nathan," the young sharpshooter said softly. "'S jist... I ain't used t' havin' folks fussin' over me so much."

Jackson smiled, being only too used to what Tanner was like when he was healing up from one injury or another. None of them were especially easy to deal with when they were laid up. Aloud he said only, "I know, Vin. I know."

The ride back was uneventful. Buck and JD rode on ahead, leading one of the Watkins' horses, the two dead bodies tied to it's back. That left them with a horse so Vin could ride on his own. That in itself gave the young sharpshooter a sense of peace, feeling that he had some control over his life. It didn't matter that Larabee held the reins, while he gripped the saddlehorn instead. It didn't matter that he nearly tumbled to the ground several times during the day, having to rely to the other two men to keep him in the saddle. It didn't matter that his head throbbed and his other injuries burned with pain. It didn't matter that he was so exhausted by the time they stopped for lunch that he could barely hold the spoon. None of it mattered. He was sitting the horse on his own, and wouldn't be seen riding into town huddled in Chris' arms.

The street fires had been lit by the time the three men made it back to town. They found the other peacekeepers waiting for them at the foot of the stairs leading to Jackson's clinic. Buck and Josiah quietly slipped up and pulled a drowsing Tanner from the saddle, the injured man mumbling softly as they settled him between them and carried him up the stairs. Chris, Nathan and Ezra followed behind, while JD led the weary horses around the corner to where Yosemite would take care of their needs.

Inside the clinic, the lanterns were already lit, water warmed on the stove, and the bed was turned back, ready to accept the wounded man. Vin barely registered his transfer to the soft mattress, the long day having taken its toll. Once he was settled, Josiah stayed to help the healer while Buck and Ezra coaxed Chris back out with promises of hot food and strong whiskey. At the bottom of the stairs they met Dunne, and the four peacekeepers ambled down the boardwalk toward the saloon.

A short time later, they were settled in at their favorite table, finishing dinner. Ezra had been filled in on most of the adventure by Buck, but JD had been uncharacteristically closemouthed about the entire thing. Larabee, his hazel eyes missing nothing, studied the young man.

"Your arm bothering you, son?"

Dunne looked up, locking eyes with the older man. "What? No, it's fine. Why?"

"Usually one of us would be threatening you to get you to shut up by now. Why so quiet?"

Shrugging, the young sheriff said, "just don't have anything to say, I guess."

One corner of his broad mouth quirking up slightly, the blond said, "now I know something's wrong."

A ghost of a smile crossed the fair-skinned teen's face, but he did nothing more than slump down in his chair, staring at the table. The other men grew quiet, each one concerned for the sudden change in behavior. Finally, realizing that he was being covertly studied by each of the men at the table around him, JD spoke.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what, son?" Standish asked.

"For not being able to find a way to rescue Vin earlier. I know it was stupid for me to ride out like I did, and if it had been one of you, you'd have found a way to rescue him a lot earlier. I couldn't do anything but watch when they kept making him walk out there in the hot sun with no water. I couldn't do anything but watch them drag him for what seemed like forever and didn't know how to stop them. If it had been one of you, Vin wouldn't be hurt as bad. Maybe he wouldn't be hurt at all."

"Kid, are you through beating yourself up?" Chris didn't raise his voice, but the soft tones filled the room nonetheless.

The youth frowned at the other man. "Well, it's the truth!"

"No. The truth is that you had no other choices, and you did your best with a hell of a situation. Maybe one of the other of us could have found a way to get Vin free before we did, but we weren't there. By the time Buck and I got there, you had already saved him. If he'd had to wait for us to rescue him... he'd be dead. You saved his life, JD."

"Chris is right, Kid," Buck took up the conversation. "If it hadn't been for you being willin' to go out there and risk your life, Vin would be dead right now, not layin' up there in the clinic sleepin'. He'll be up and around in a few days, most likely milkin' those cuts and scratches for all their worth when that little filly with the red hair comes around. Don't act like it's not true, boy, you know it is."

"I concur," Ezra interjected. "It is only by your quick wit and willingness to put your own life on the line that Vin Tanner is still among us. Be proud of that, John Dunne. You did a fine job."

The young sheriff could only look from one man to the other, blushing as he realized that they meant every word. Finally, he smiled.

Chris peered into the dimly lit room, smiling when he saw his friend sitting up in the bed, looking back at him. Blue eyes shining in the still healing face, Vin smiled back at the gunslinger. Larabee stepped into the little clinic, closing the door before he crossed the room to sit beside the bed.

"Well, I've got to say, I like being able to see those big blue lady killers," he quipped.

"Yeah? Well, I'm jist glad t' be seein' anything," Tanner replied. They had been back in town for two days, Nathan finally willing to remove the bandages that morning. "Jist be glad when I c'n go outside."

Nodding, Chris said, "what did Nathan say?"

With a sigh, the younger man said "'nother day or two, dependin' on how well I c'n tolerate th' light. Thing I cain't figger is, how 'm I gonna know I c'n tolerate 't if I ain't allowed out in 't."

Larabee chuckled, "don't look to me to help you test that theory. Nathan knows best."

The tracker shot a frown toward his friend, but said only, "never figgered y' a coward, cowboy."

With a smirk, the gunslinger said, "if not risking my hide so you can go outside a few hours before you're allowed to is cowardly... then reckon I am."

It was just before sunset the next day when Jackson released the injured man from his clinic. Chris was there, as always, ready to lend a hand. The gunman helped his friend slip into a shirt, and slide his still sore feet into soft moccasins. He reached out a hand, helping the younger man to his feet, steadying him until he was able to stand alone.

They moved slowly from the clinic, Vin's sore body stiff from long hours of inactivity. At the top of the stairs, Larabee slipped a hand beneath his elbow, waiting until he steadied himself against the rail before moving forward. It was painstaking minutes before they reached the bottom stair, Vin trying not to show just how much the trip had worn him out already. Without saying anything, Larabee simply stood there, waiting until he felt the trembling of the lean body diminish. Then they moved toward the boardwalk.

Townspeople greeted them as they moved carefully down the dusty walk, Chris nodding and speaking. Vin managed a nod or the wisp of a smile from time to time, but for the most part concentrated only on keeping his feet under him and carrying him along the creaking boards.

The two men made it as far as the jailhouse, Larabee guided Tanner to the ladderback chair near the door. Vin slumped against the chair's back, heaving a sigh of relief. Finally he looked up with a smile.

Chris had been expecting that look. Vin Tanner was never as content as when he could feel the sun and wind on his face. "Think you can manage to sit there long enough for me to go to the saloon and bring us back a couple of beers?"

"Y' figger I'm gonna fall on m' face without y'?"

"No, I figure you'll try hiking down to the livery to visit that mule of yours."

Placing a hand over his heart, the former bounty hunter said, "I promise I ain't gonna move from this chair 'til y' git back."

Studying his friend for a minute, the blond finally nodded. He turned and headed down the boardwalk toward the saloon. Inside, he greeted a couple of the patrons before heading for the bar. There he ordered beers from the pretty young bar manager.

Setting the mugs in front of him, Inez teased, "you are drinking with both hands today?"

Giving her one of his more dazzling smiles, the handsome man said, "not today. I'll be taking the mugs with me... I'll bring them back later, okay?"

"Does this mean senor Vin is up and about?"

Nodding, the man in black said, "yep. Figure it's a good thing... he'd have Nathan climbing the walls in another day or so."

Laughing, the young woman reached beneath the bar, bringing a small packet out and handing it to the man. "Could you give this to him? They are oatmeal and molasses cookies. I was going to send them up to the clinic later."

With a grin, the man in black took the cookies and beer, heading back out the door. He stopped as he looked down the street to where his friend sat. Vin was no longer alone. Larabee quickly recognized the young woman who had been with his friend that fateful day. The gunman smiled, his gaze softening as he watched his friend laugh and duck his head, once more acting like a schoolboy in front of the seamstress. Settling in the chair outside the saloon, Chris stretched his legs out in front of him, sipping at one of the beers as he watched the scene down the street unfold and waited until the young woman left. Their growing relationship had already been interrupted more than enough, he wasn't going to disturb the young couple for the world.

The sun shone bright in a cloudless sky as the buggy drew to a stop at the edge of the fishing pond. The young man bounded from the seat and around the carriage to help the young woman who had accompanied him, to the ground. Taking up the picnic basket and blanket stored in the wagon boot, he led her to the shade beneath a nearby tree.

Vin Tanner smiled as he and Sadie Wills settled on the blanket, lunch laid out between them. It had been almost a month since their first picnic, and the tracker showed few signs of his ordeal. His vision had returned to its previous eagle-eye status, the burns had healed and, other than an occasional twinge when he moved wrong, his side was on the mend.

Sadie had come around to visit him several times during his convalescence, and he had gotten up the nerve to ask her out twice since. They had gone to dinner at the town's single restaurant, and later he had escorted her to a town social. Tanner had been amazed that she would even consent to accompany him anywhere after what had happened. She had surprised him, though, by readily accepting his invitations.

The real test came when he had gotten up the courage to ask her to join him back at the pond. He hadn't missed the flash of fear in her eyes, but she had quickly recovered, and accepted with a smile.

They finished a picnic of cold fried chicken, boiled potatoes, green beans, biscuits, and apple pie. Taking the basket to the buggy, the sharpshooter returned with a pair of fishing poles. With a broad grin, he escorted her to the water's edge, spreading out the blanket before they sat down on the bank. Casting both lines out into the water, he handed her one of the poles, leaning back on an elbow with a sigh of relaxation. They sat quietly for several minutes before Tanner spoke up.

"Sadie I... uh... I wanted t' tell y'... well, back when them two men grabbed me? I... well, I had a lotta time t' think. I spent a lotta that time... well, thinkin' 'bout you."

She smiled up at him. "You did?"

Unable to manage the dual feats of looking at her and speaking, he stared out across the pond. "Yes 'm, I did. And... well... I came up with another poem. I'm not sure... I don't know if it's any good, but... "

"Say it to me, Vin, please?" Her green eyes shone with excitement, and she was blushing.

With a wide grin, he nodded shyly and began softly...

Finishing the poem, he took a deep breath and looked over at her. Once more he was shocked to find that his words had moved her to tears. Before the young tracker knew what was happening, the young seamstress moved to his side, leaning her head against his chest and clinging to him as she cried softly. Eventually recovering, he gently put his arm around her, holding her as she wept.

On a nearby hilltop, a single rider sat, watching the scene below. As the breeze tugged at his black duster, he inhaled, drawing in the smoke of his cheroot.

The whisper of a smile pulled at the corner of his mouth as he watched his friend below. Then, taking a final look around, he was satisfied that the young couple had no company that might interfere with their day. With a final glance at his friend the man in black turned his horse, heading back the way he had come.