Chris Larabee sat atop his horse and stared at the now dwindling light disappearing rapidly from the plains in front of him. He and the other six of the Four Corners protectors had been at the chase for almost two days with no luck, well good luck anyway. He swiveled his head to his left to take in the ragged appearance of one JD Dunne. The kid had taken a horrendous fall from his mount that afternoon and was beginning to look rough. Seeing as how the sheriff was almost the best rider of the seven, it was nothing but a complete fluke he had been unseated, well that and the mountain lion who Ezra had stated, had taken a extreme dislike to the youngster's bowler hat.Nathan Jackson, their faithful healer, had wanted the boy to head back to town, but what was becoming a custom among the men, he vehemently refused any special treatment, stating he was fine. Of all the things that Larabee had wanted the young man to learn, stubborness wasn't one of them. He sighed heavily, as he once more received an annoyed glare from the object in question, who had caught the older man's scrutiny yet again.
Chris returned his gaze forward, watching the sun set and the dust of the outlaws they were tailing get further and further away. When the man sighed this time, the other six recognized it as the the self-anger the leader was most assuredly directing toward himself.
"We ain't gonna catch them without light. We might as well settle in that cave over there for the night." Vin Tanner was sitting to Larabee's right, also feeling the self-loathing begin inside once more.
"Yeah, sounds good." Chris straightened his stance in the saddle and resumed his role of leader. "Nathan, you and JD go on ahead and get settled in. Buck, you and Ezra head back to the creek we passed and fill the canteens. Josiah, you and I will gather firewood, while Vin scouts up ahead and makes sure we will have a clear trail come morning."
The bedraggled troop acknowledged the orders with nods and set about their tasks, each eager for the respite from the saddle sores that were burning holes in their pants.
**********************************
Vin hadn't felt this frustrated since the day he let Chaunu escape from the town jail. He had recognized one of the low life's they were chasing the minute he set foot inside Four Corners, but, unfortunately he didn't follow his instincts and decided to let them play their hand before approaching them. Wrong move.
The sharpshooter rubbed a hand through his hair and then roughly placed the hat back on his head, as he tried to memorize every speck of dirt in front of him before the light was completely gone.
He was so intent on his task and the berating he was giving his senses, he failed to notice the threat that was lurking on the edges of the shadows. A lone man was very interested in the tracker that was parallel to him, and hoped his luck would hold out just a moment longer.
Tanner suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, as he jerked his head to his right. What the hell was that? To the normal ear, the sounds were those of a typical night in the plain, but to one who's living solely on survival, the slight crunch of a horse's hoof met his ears. Vin immediately knew he had make a second mistake in as many days and quietly began cursing, while lifting his mare's leg from its holster.
His horse felt the tension, but thanks to many years of being on the run, it too recognized the need for steadiness. The sharpshooter stepped slowly down from the saddle and faced the underbrush to his right, as he walked around the front of his mount. Vin was thankful he'd always kept the carbine cocked, so he could keep the element of surprise on his side. Well, at least that's what he thought.
The tracker had only taken one step, when a bright flash, followed by an extreme burning sensation in his chest, and a loud resounding bang erupted from the shadows. Luckily, Tanner's instincts weren't all gone, for his hands reacted as they always had, firing the mare's leg into the darkness, fixing the gunman's position with the place from which the light had come. The yelp of pain and the thud of something hitting the earth registered just moments before the overwhelming urge to scream came crashing into Tanner's thoughts.
He let his gun drop from his grasp, suddenly amazed that he was still standing, swaying heavily, but standing. He attempted to take a breath, but instantly regretted it, as the pain increased ten fold. Vin raised his hand toward his left side, hovering just below the collarbone. He knew the minute he touched the wound, his resolve would crumble, with his body following close behind. So, before he let himself begin the torture, he fell to his knees and then let his body slip to its right side, happy that he had managed to stay sitting.
Taking a short, even breath, he finally let his hand probe the angry hole now adorning his chest. The scream that followed startled the tracker at first, but as reality came crashing down once more, he realized it had come from him and he was no longer sitting, rather he was sprawled helplessly on the ground.
"Damn..." The raspy, Texas drawl slurred slightly, as he closed his eyes, trying to block out the pain encompassing his body.
Tanner hoped in some ways that his friends would hurry and show up, but another part of him, that had been vying for his attention lately, was glad they weren't there. He knew it sounded morbid, but he wanted this, needed this feeling of dependence on no one but himself. And now that it was his once again, he realized the loneliness that such independence accompanied, but refused to let it take over.
He had lived many years alone, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, and now he needed to know that if need be, he could do it again. So, as his mind and heart settled on the decision he thought he would never make, he forced his blood soaked carcas from the dirt and knew his time was running out.
He miraculously retreieved his gun and mounted Bounty, before he realized the pain, but only enough to push him into action once more. He spurred his horse forward, letting only the instinct for survival lead his way.
**********************************
Buck Wilmington had dreaded this day for over two years. The day he would have to pick of the pieces of Chris Larabee again. He, along with the others left behind, knew the tracker wasn't going to return as the early morning hours approached. They all sat in grieved silence as they watched the back of their leader, as he stood at the entrance of the cave.He hadn't moved from the spot since he and Josiah had finished their chore, and they were afraid he would never move again. As much as Buck hated to do it, he had to get them refocused on their job. "Chris, we need to head out. The gang needs to be caught as soon as possible." He felt JD's eyes land on his back, but refused to turn around and acknowledge the sadness he knew was there. That he knew was lurking in all their eyes. He waited patiently, giving Larabee the time he needed to get his emotions under control.
"I know." Chris closed his eyes against the haunting emptiness the sun was now displaying before him, and turned to his men, well, what was left of them. "All right. Let's ride." The stoic mask was there, but held something new that none of them wanted to even venture a guess too, at this time.
Josiah Sanchez passed the blonde gunman, patting his shoulder as a show of support as he left the cave. Nathan followed next, nodding his head to the leader, knowing nothing else was needed. Buck led himself and JD past the man, neither looking at him. The last to leave was Ezra Standish, a man who had lived his life in untruth and farce, but today he couldn't hide anything, especially from himself.
He stopped a foot from the man he now called friend and looked him directly in the eye. He suddenly felt the temperature drop around him, as the aqua-marine eyes that he had seen bouncing with new life only days earlier, were now locked with his, empty and dead. The con-man blinked and left quickly, trying desperately to erase the scene he had just witnessed, but he knew as long as there was breath in his body, he'd never forget.
Chris had wanted to say something to each of them, for he knew they were also feeling a loss, but the words just wouldn't come. He had no evidence to back up the doom they were all expereincing, but somehow, he knew. He quickly capped the emotions and followed the others, knowing now wasn't the time to dwell, they had a job to do.
**********************************
Vin didn't know how long he had ridden, but the he figured it was far enough. He slid from his horse and just laid where he had fallen, letting his breathing and heart rate stop the race they had entered. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he felt them slow to normal and slowly opened his eyes to take in his surroundings.
He immediately recognized the property, but his strength was waning so the perusal was too quick to gain a full recongition. He let his body relax completely and drifted into what he hoped was healing slumber.
**********************************
JD sat at the sheriff's desk, methodically cleaning his guns for the third time that day. Nathan had given his explicit orders not to overdo it and so far the hardest thing he had done was got up and went to the outhouse. The marshals were to arrive today and releave them of their prisoners, that they had finally captured. Dunne restlessly waited for that moment, so the six could finally shirk their responsibilities to this town and go after their friend.JD sighed, he tried not to think about what might have happened to Vin, but the hideous things he had read in his dime store novels, mixed with what he had experienced himself since coming out west, was winning the war on his imagination. He threw his towel down and smacked the desktop. Hard. He flinched and began rubbing at his now aching hand.
"That help?" Buck had decided to take a break from his vigil over Chris and see how his other charge was holding up.
Dunne grimaced, "no."
Wilmington sauntered over to the table and propped himself against it. "I know how ya feel, kid. So, I can tell you for a fact that no matter what you hit, or what you cuss at, or how much you blame yourself, the only thing to cure the hurt inside is to find what's missing." Buck stopped suddenly, as a lump sprang into his throat. He had tried to stay focused on keeping Larabee together for the past two days, that he hadn't really let himself feel his own loss.
"I know, Buck. I'm just afraid that when we find what's missing...." JD also had to stop mid-sentence.
"Yeah." The ladies man plopped into the chair beside him.
"Well, isn't that just damn touching, Eugene." Bart Harper laughed, as he over heard the dramatic display.
"Sure was, Bart. I almost felt a tear pooling up in my eye." The outlaw reached up and pretended to flick a non-existent water drop from his eye.
"Shut the hell up." JD was surprised they instantly complied, but knew why, as he glanced down to see the pearl-handled revolver now aimed at the men. He didn't even realize he had picked up the weapon, and that scared him.
"It's okay, kid. Just let it go." Buck had also been surprised, but not by what happened, but with how Dunne had in that moment sounded just like Chris. And that scared Buck.
But before either man had a chance to examine the scene that just unfolded, a US Marshal walked through the door, followed by six deputies.
**********************************
Josiah paused in his task of replacing a loose floor board inside the church, to acknowledge the entrance of Jackson. "Nate."
"Josiah." The healer stopped near the pew on the opposite side of the ex-preacher. "You got a minute?"
Sanchez pulled his neckerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his brow, before sitting unceremoniously on the floor. "For you, absolutely." He smiled, as he watched the many different emotions play across the man's features.
"What if we find him and he's still alive, but there's nothing I can do to help him."
The missionary's son recognized the ongoing doubt the healer had for himself immediately. "Listen, Nathan. You have saved this bunch from the clutches of death far too many times to stop now. When we find him, and he's still alive, I know you will be able to save him." Josiah realized suddenly that the words he spoke weren't just placating, but he truly believed them.
Jackson must have realized it too. He let a slow smile rest on his face, then he got up and left as quickly as he arrived.
Sanchez watched the door close quietly and looked toward the cross at the front of the house. "I just hope our souls aren't too far gone for healing, my friend." He closed his eyes briefly, saying a prayer, then resumed his menial task.
**********************************
Chris stared at the full glass in front of him, not making a move to lift the liquid to his lips. He had been like this since they had arrived that morning. He had wondered in here to drown out the pain, but this time he couldn't do it. He knew Vin wouldn't want him too. They had been through to much over the past two years to even try and erase the memories with whisky.
Tanner deserved more respect than that, and the gunslinger aimed to give it to him. He pushed the glass to the far edge of table opposite him and leaned back in the chair. As soon as he relaxed, the thoughts rushed into his head and this time he didn't stop them. He wanted to feel all the hurt and pain, all the way back to when he had found Sara and Adam. It was time to let the healing of the past to begin, so he could properly grieve for the 'brother' that he had lost in the present. Ella Gaines surfaced almost immediately, but he controlled the fury and fear, until she passed by, to rest in the cage he had created for the past. He then allowed Fowler to come and go, then his father-in-law, then one by one, all the nameless men and faces he had exacted his fury onto over the years. It seemed like it had only taken minutes, but as he blinked, the darkness dancing around him told him the past had taken longer than he expected to visit.
He stretched his stiff limbs but made no move to leave the chair. The past had been quieted, but now it was time let the present take its place in his heart. He felt the tightness in his chest, followed by the short breath that always preceded the emergence of tears, but he fought it. He wouldn't let it get that much of a hold on him just yet. He still had to find proof, then and only then would he allow the cleansing to begin.
**********************************
Ezra had been watching the leader all through the day and could have written a book just from the expressions that had been placed on Larabee's face over the hours. He felt himself cringe, sigh, and tense with each emotion displayed. He could only imagine what was running through the man's mind, but as he took in the present facial expression, no imagination was needed.
It was the look of loss and loneliness, that all humans show when they had lost a loved one. And Standish knew that a mirroring emotion could be found on each of the remaining five men. The gambler sighed, finally averting his eyes from the anguished site, giving the leader the privacy he needed to tell the tracker goodbye, once and for all.
**********************************
Tanner never remembered moving, but he now found himself laying on a soft surface, which felt like a mattress. He opened his dead laden eyelids and was shocked to find himself sprawled across a bed. *How the hell did I get here?* He raised his head a little more and was even more surprised when no pain or dizziness accompanied the movement.
He reached over with his right hand and felt for the wound on his left shoulder, extremely bumfuzzled when his hand rested on a bandage. *I sure as hell know I didn't do that.* Vin swiveled his head from side to side, hoping to find some idea on where he was and who was here with him.
He took in the lodging and almost laughed out loud as the realization hit him of where he had landed. Chris Larabee's shack.
"Damnit all to hell!" The tracker let his head fall back against the pillow, cursing himself for coming here.
"Such language, me'jo."
Vin sat straight up in bed, instantly regretting it, but managed to curb the pain so he could stay upright. "KOJAY!" The sharpshooter couldn't believe his eyes as the elder chief stepped up to the side of the bed.
"Yes." The Native American smiled down at the young man, not coming forth with any other explanation.
"What are you doing here?" Tanner felt himself drifting back onto the bed as the shock began wearing off, and gave the chief his best glare.
"You called for me."
Vin felt his glare turn into a frown. "What?"
"You called for me to help you." Kojay waited a moment, before he continued. "I was in my tent when I felt you spirit arrive beside me. I thought for a moment you were dead, but then I realized the feeling was too strong. As I felt this, I heard a hawk's cry in the distance and then your spirit was gone. I knew then that you were calling for me and so I followed. I found you lying outside the door and so, brought you in here."
Tanner didn't know what to say. He just stared at the man, wondering what it had all meant. As his reading his thoughts, the chief began to answer him.
"I was surprised when I found you alone, but then thought about what would make you be that way. It was your choice, was it not?" Kojay didn't wait for an answer. "Men like yourself are the hardest understand, especially from within. We all sometimes need to break the bonds, in order to make them stronger, my son. You were feeling a fear of something you had never expected, therefore you had to face it. And face it you did. You left them behind, but at the same time, you came back to them."
Vin's head began to spin as the understanding to the man's words began seeping into his consciousness.
"It is not a weakness to rely on someone else. The true weakness is being blind to it. As long as you know you need them, Vin, the fear of losing them will never win." Kojay reached out and rested his hand on the tracker's forehead. "You must rest, for you have a job tomorrow." He let his hand slide down Tanner's face, closing the man's eyes, then turned and left the cabin and its occupant behind.
**********************************
The six men saddled their horses in complete silence. No words were needed as they tried to finish their tasks in record time. But as they began to lead their mounts from the confines of the livery, gunshots erupted around them, sending each man to cover.If the bank robbers' had had forewarning as to their timing, then they might have reconsidered their foolish endeavor, but they weren't privy to the mood swings of Chris Larabee. That was their mistake.
They were quickly pushed to cover themselves, as six gunmen cornered them from the stable area. The shots weren't foolish, so the men knew they were dealing with professionals. But they had something the other six didn't, 10 men.
The bullets flew through the air much like flies but with a more deadly purpose. Luckily, none of the volleys' had found their marks and the gunfight continued.
Buck and JD had taken refuge behind a wagon near the corral, while Josiah and Nathan were perched just inside the livery doors. Ezra was hiding behind some hay bales Sam had left out earlier. Chris, on the other hand, was blatantly making his presence known, as he stood behind a post on the general store's porch. How the gunfire had missed him, only the angels knew.
The fight didn't seem like it would ever end, until an unexpected shot hit one of the robbers between the eyes. This spurred the six men on and they quickly picked up their firing. The now nine bandits also felt a change as yet another bullet took another one of them down.
The gunfire lasted only a few minutes more, then there was nothing but silence.
Larabee immediately glanced to his mens' positions, sighing happily, as each of them came into view with no new holes. But the smile suddenly left the gunslinger's face as he realized they had help, but who?
Chris stepped down from the porch issuing orders. "Buck, you and JD check and make sure all of them are taken care of. Nathan, you go with them in case any are still alive." Larabee paused as he let his eyes gaze up and down the street in hopes of finding their guardian angel. "Josiah, you and Ezra check inside the bank and make sure everybody's alright." He didn't even notice if any of them had done as he told, he knew they had.
He still watched the area with caution as the men moved efficiently behind him. He finally stopped his scrutiny when he felt the others move in beside him.
"All of them are dead, Chris. Nobody else was hurt." Nathan paused in his description, not sure how to say the next part.
Larabee noticed the hesitation. "What is it, Nate?"
"Well," still the healer was at a loss for words.
"What he's trying to say is, I can't leave you boys alone anytime without having to pull you asses out of the fire." The Texas drawl wafted around the six men like a blanket.
The stunned men didn't move, didn't even breath, afraid they had all lost their minds. It was JD's whisper that revived them. "Vin!"
They turned at the same time and all encountered the buckskin covered tracker leaning against the post Chris had used for shelter only moments earlier. Tanner suddenly felt uncomfortable at the six stares, which were all changing rapidly.
Dunne's had gone from astonishment to pure joy. Buck's was almost as radiant, but a frown was layering the outer edges. Josiah cocked his head upward, closing his eyes briefly, then smiled at the sharpshooter. Ezra thought he was masking his intense relief quite well, but one look into Vin's blue eyes and he knew he had failed, as he noticed the twinkle. Nathan had yet to reach the younger man's face, as he was slowly giving the tracker a healer's once over. As his eyes rested on the left side of Tanner's chest, he noticed the slight bulge near the collarbone and immediately went toward him.
Vin started to step back as he realized Jackson was heading straight for him, but he knew he had used up all his strength firing his rifle, so he sighed dejectedly and waited.
"How bad is it?" Nathan didn't expect an answer, so he lifted the jacket and shirt to examine it for himself. He snorted, as he saw the growing blood staining the makeshift bandage. "Fool. You should be in bed resting, instead of out galavantin' around and firing guns." The tracker nodded his head at the lecture, figuring arguing with Jackson when in this mood, was pointless. "Let's get you up to the clinic before you fall over here in the street." The healer gently took the sharpshooter's left arm and began moving him forward.
Vin didn't notice someone had taken his right arm until he heard the voice near his ear. "Where the hell have you been, cowboy?" Tanner turned his head slightly, smiling a slow grin, as he came in contact with the Larabee glare.
"Hunting." The tracker grimaced as they began the climb to the clinic. He felt Chris' grip tighten, so let the pain flow, knowing he was safe.
"You find what you were looking for?" The leader tried to curb the anger he knew was laced in his words, but couldn't.
Vin had expected the anger, so just let it go as he stopped suddenly. Both Nathan and Chris were startled, but Tanner's voice kept them from continuing. "Yeah. The funny thing is, I'd never lost it." He let his eyes travel to Jackson, then settle on his best friend's face. The look that was exchanged erased their past two years together and replaced it with the present feeling of contentment and home.
"Welcome home, Vin." Larabee started the younger man forward once more, realizing he too hadn't lost anything.
THE END