Larabee re-entered the saloon and stopped beside Nathan who was battling Vin’s fever.

“How long before we’ll know?” Chris asked.

“I wish I could tell you, Chris, but I just don’t know. If he’s still with us by morning, the threat will have passed. It isn’t the blood loss or the wound or even his exhaustion. It’s all of them piling up on top of each other.”

“I understand.” Nathan studied Chris with surprise. The gunfighter appeared so at ease. Concerned to be sure and yet almost tranquil. Larabee crouched beside Vin’s bed, stared at the tracker for several seconds and then leaned close to him. “I’m right here.” With that, Chris sat down on the ground beside the cot. The gunfighter removed his hat, and leant back against the wall. He felt physically exhausted and emotionally drained. There was no way he or the others should have been out of their sick beds but when they had awoken to muffled shots, none of them had hesitated. Adrenaline gave them a strength they basically didn’t have.

Movement near him drew Larabee’s attention. One by one, the rest of the seven followed his lead. No one said a word, they just sat down around Vin’s bed. A tight circle of more than defence around their fallen friend.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” J.D. asked.

Nathan shook his head. “We just have to wait... and hope.”

“And pray,” Josiah added softly.

“And pray,” Nathan agreed.

Mary’s emotions rose up bringing tears to her eyes. Seeing these hard men who lived by their guns, sit around the bed of one of their own, choked on emotion, was too much for her to handle. There was also a sense of deja vu. Not twenty-four hours earlier it had been Chris in the bed and Vin seated on the ground beside him, gripping his arm, hoping and praying that Larabee would get through the night.

Mary walked up to the bed and stopped beside Chris. Without a word she reached for his arm. Larabee lifted his eyes to her puzzled. The newspaper woman guided the gunfighter’s arm to Vin’s side and laid it along side Tanner’s. “It seemed to help you. Maybe it will him.”

Chris stared at his and Vin’s arms laying side by side. He reached forward and threaded his arm around Vin’s. Tanner didn’t stir. There was no indication that Vin had any idea Chris was there, but Larabee could sense that his best friend knew. It was just a feeling. He’d known Vin was there when he had been battling the illness and thus there was no question in his mind that Tanner would be aware of him now.

Over the next few hours, no one moved or spoke. The only event to break the unrealistic atmosphere was Nathan rising and wiping Vin down every couple of minutes. Otherwise the room was completely still. The rest of Four Corners’ citizens were regaining their strength, but they, too, remained quiet. Vin was fighting for his life and they all knew it.

Nathan rose again, grimacing as he did so. “Here, I’ll do that,” Buck offered. Nathan passed the cloth to his friend and sat back. Buck leaned forward and began sponging Vin’s face and chest. Tanner’s entire body was coated in a fine layer of fever induced perspiration.

Ezra watched Vin’s chest rise and fall. The wounded man’s breathing was still shallow. The gambler had hoped that by now, Vin’s condition would have improved, but it simply hadn’t changed. Abruptly, a wave of anger swept over him. What the hell was he doing here? Here on the floor. Here in this saloon... this town... this territory! He had been on his way to a big card game and had simply stopped in Four Corners for a few days’ rest before moving on. That was four weeks ago. The high stakes card game would be over now. He hadn’t given it a conscious thought since signing on to protect this town. He couldn‘t really explain why he had done that. There was nothing to be gained from it. A lousy dollar a day plus room and board in a rat-hole.

Standish watched as Buck re-dipped the cloth. “He’s still hot.”

“I know,” Nathan muttered.

Thoughts of Vin’s condition pushed the resentment away. Ezra had never consciously considered what would happen if one of them were to leave, let alone, die. It was the first time he had ever considered himself part of anything. He had always been careful not to allow himself to become involved. People could not be trusted - he had learned that at a very young age. People only used each other. Yet, these six men hadn’t attempted to use him. They had simply asked for his loyalty and his gun, but the first he hadn’t been able to give immediately. He’d never given that to another. As a matter of fact, Ezra had been scandalized at the thought but something bizarre had happened during his short stay in the Seminole village. While watching, listening and interacting with these ‘heroes’, of which he was certain he wasn’t one, Ezra had developed something strange. It was like a plague. Once it had its claws into him, it wouldn’t let go. He had not wanted to return when the village had come under attack. Instinct had sensibly sent him riding away to safety while he had the chance, but the plague had molested him and sent him back into the face of danger. Ezra had never suffered from it before - the it’ being friendship. True friendship. With the subtle but incredibly powerful disease came a conscience, loyalty and faith in others. That faith and loyalty was reserved for only a select few, but it was a major step for a man who had found security in being alone.

Now one of those few he cared about was fighting for his life and Ezra wasn’t sure what he was supposed to feel. All he knew was that he was hurting. He was hurting more than he had ever hurt before. Scanning the faces of the men around him, he could see that they too were suffering from this dreadful affliction. Surely it wasn’t worth the pain, but even as the thought formed, Ezra dismissed it. He couldn’t place a value on the friendship he shared with these heroes, or perhaps, ‘misfits’ was a more accurate word. None of these men had belonged to anywhere or anything important for a long time. Whether that was through choice, discrimination or circumstance, the fact was true for all of them.

“He hasn’t moved,” J.D. muttered. Josiah reached out and placed a hand of support on the younger man’s arm. “I keep waiting for him to wake up and start talking.”

“I don’t see why. Conversing is not one of Mr. Tanner’s strengths.”

J.D. grinned. “Nope, it isn‘t. Vin don‘t say much.”

“You, on the other hand, would received an ‘A’ for non-stop tête-à-tête.”

“Huh?”

“He means you never shut-up,” Josiah translated.

“That isn’t true. I can shut-up. Hell, anyone would think I just spoke for the sake of it and that simply isn’t true. Sometimes I’ve got a lot of things I need to say. I can’t help it if...”

“I rest my case,” Ezra chuckled. Josiah and Buck joined him.

J.D. looked mortified. “Alright, I’ll shut-up. That’s it. I’m not speaking to any of you bastards ever again. No matter what you say to me, I’m not gonna open my mouth. Don’t care how much you want me to talk, I won’t. You’ve heard your last words from me, I can guarantee that. It will be a cold day in hell when I start...” J.D.’s face clouded and then he grinned. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I?”

“You always do when you’re nervous or worried,” Buck explained gently.

“I do?”

“Yeah, you do.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologise for who you are, John Dunne. Each of us must be whom God intended. In your case...”

“Someone who can’t shut-up and annoys the living hell out of everyone,” Buck laughed. J.D. reached out and shoved the scoundrel with affection.

The men became silent again. Buck glanced at Chris. Larabee’s chin was resting on his chest, but he wasn’t asleep. His eyes were open and staring at the ground in front of him. More importantly, his arm was still linked to Vin.

“You okay, Chris?”

Larabee lifted his face and nodded. “Just tired,” the gunfighter claimed. Chris allowed his eyes to fall on his silent friend.

“We owe him our lives. Royal’s men fully intended killing all of us,” Josiah claimed.

“An action he will regret,” Chris snarled.

“What time is it?” Nathan asked. Ezra pulled his watch from his pocket and handed it to J.D. who was nearest the lantern.

“Almost three a.m.”

“What’s wrong?” Chris asked.

“I was just curious.”

“How’s he doing, Nathan?”

The healer rose to his feet and began checking Vin. The others watched with concern. “His fever is easing. That’s a good sign.”

“Yeah?” J.D. cried, his eyes lighting up with hope.

“It’s still too soon to tell.”

“But he’s getting better?” J.D. pressed.

“It’s still too early for me to say, J.D. At the moment he’s stable but that could change in a split second.”

“How? Why?”

Nathan shrugged. “I ain’t no doctor. I wish to God I was, but I’m not.”

Chris flicked his eyes to the healer. “Vin’s in good hands.” The words left not only Nathan, but every man around the bed floored. Praise from Larabee was a rare thing. Verbalised faith in another was so rare they had only ever heard Chris say it of Vin... and only the once.

“Would it help if we talked to him?” J.D. asked. “It’s just that when Mr. Robinson got ill, the doctor told his wife and daughters to sit and talk to him.”

“Mr. Robinson?” Ezra asked curiously.

“The man my ma worked for. He was thrown from a horse and was unconscious. The doctor said that hearing his wife and girls may help. What do you think, Nathan?”

“It can’t hurt. During the war, men claimed they heard those around them even though they were unconscious.”

“He knows we’re here,” Chris whispered.

The other men stared at the gunfighter.

“I reckon he does,” Buck agreed.

“I’m curious. What do you say to a man who is unconscious?” Ezra asked.

“Anything. What’s said isn’t important. It’s just the sound of your voice.”

“But if he’s unconscious? That simply doesn’t make sense.”

“Were you aware of Vin when you were ill?” Nathan asked. Ezra’s brow furrowed. His head bobbed once. “Most of the time you were basically unconscious. I knew he was there. I figure the rest of you did too.”

Silence settled again as each man entertained his own thoughts.

The sound of a rider sent Ezra, Josiah, J.D. and Buck rocketing to their feet and out onto the veranda. A lone rider tentatively approached the group. All four men felt rage.

“What do you want, Hallow?“

“Mr. Royal sent me to town to ask for a truce.“

“You tell that...“ Buck started.

Josiah stepped in front of his fellow regulator. “We’re agreeable to a truce on our terms and for the length of time that suits us.“

‘What sort of deal is that?“ Royal’s foreman demanded.

“A very generous one. Feel fortunate that we have not decided to seek retribution already.”

Hallow glanced into the saloon behind the group. “So, how’s Tanner?”

Buck exploded. The huge man lunged at Hallow and dragged him from the saddle. “Royal’s only worried about his own worthless hide! You tell that pathetic piece of shit that if anything happens to Vin we’ll be riding out there and he’ll pay! By God will he pay!”

Ezra and Josiah stepped up to the scoundrel and dragged him back. “You tell him I said that!” Buck screamed.

“Just tell him to pray,” Josiah suggested.

“Now get!” J.D. growled. “Before I forget we’ve got a temporary truce!”

Hallow glared at the four men, but had enough sense to climb onto his horse and leave.

**********

Guy Royal was pacing the veranda when Hallow rode back in. The cattle baron waited.

“Tanner’s still alive, but them hired guns are all fired up.”

“The truce?”

“Mr. Royal, if Tanner dies, they’re gonna come out here. I think you better start preparing.” Guy Royal took a deep breath and nodded. “Alright. Call the men together.”

“Sorry, pal, you can do it yourself. I’m getting out while I can.”

“WHAT?!”

“Most of the men have already left. None of them want to face the Larabee Gang. You’re on your own!”

**********

Chris lifted his eyes as the other four regulators returned.

“Chris, what are we going to do about Royal?”

“I think it’s a little early to be worrying about that now,” Josiah snapped.

“I wasn’t saying that I thought Vin was going to die!” J.D. cried. “I just mean that, we can’t let him get away with this.”

“He won’t,” Ezra stated firmly. “When Mr. Tanner has recovered, we will deal with him.”

“Are you hungry?” Mary asked approaching the group. She had been reticent to interrupt earlier.

“Actually, I’m famished.”

“Some food would be wonderful,” Josiah agreed. “Thank you, Ma’am.”

Abruptly, Chris Larabee sat up. His eyes darted to Vin. The others, who had settled on the floor crowded close to the bed. “He’s awake,” Chris whispered. Before, Vin’s hand had been limp, simply laying on the bed with Chris’ arm entwined around it. Unexpectedly, Chris had felt Tanner’s fingers flex and then close around his arm.

Nathan reached forward, placing his hand on the ill man’s brow. “Fever’s gone. Vin? Vin, can you hear me?”

The six men around the bed held their breath. Vin’s chest inflated fully and then the air was expelled with an accompanying groan.

“Vin?“ Chris whispered. “Time to wake up, Cowboy.“ Tanner’s eye-lids flickered several times and then opened to reveal two blank blue pools. Vin looked up at Chris and then slowly ran his heavy lidded eyes around the six faces crowded above him. The young man swallowed and then his eyes closed. “Damn. I’ve died and gone to hell.”

Smiles filtered on to the faces of his friends. They all looked to Nathan. Jackson was nodding. “He’s going to be okay, guys.”

“YES!” J.D. shouted. “I knew it!

“Bullshit!” Buck claimed.

“I did!”

“Ya did not!”

Vin’s eyes opened. “You fellas mind? I’m tryin’ to sleep here.” Chris squeezed Tanner’s arm. His best friend rolled his head to the side.

Vin gave Chris a half grin and then went back to sleep.

“Well, I could eat a whole cow!” Josiah celebrated.

“While such a proposition is certainly enticing, I do believe I will give it a miss.”

“Ezra?” Nathan asked.

“Relax, my friend. I do not know about you, but my desire to sleep far outweighs my appetite at this point. I think I will find myself one of these uncomfortable cots and sleep for a week.”

Nathan smiled and patted his friend’s arm. “Now that does sound good.”

“Chris?”

“I’ll stay with him for a while. You go on.”

Nathan and Ezra exchanged a glance and moved off. Buck, J.D. and Josiah already had.

Chris settled his back against the wall and shut his eyes. He felt so relieved he was feeling ill. He honestly hadn’t realized how much had changed in his life over the past month. Ezra, Josiah and J.D. had made him recognize he had found something worth fighting for. Something he could believe in again. First there was Buck and Vin who he had allowed to touch his soul. Two men who had changed his view of the world after the callus murder of his wife and son. But that wasn’t all. He also had family in the other five. Not true family, but closer to it than Chris had ever thought he would feel again. What the seven men shared was more than simple friendship. They shared a sense of responsibility for each other and that after all, was really the basis of family. Families always had their problems. There were some members who were closer to each other than others. Some who bickered and some who had the potential to grate against each other, but none of that changed the responsibility they felt for each member. They could fight among themselves, insult one another and put each other down, but if anyone outside of the family had the audacity to do so the other members closed ranks and reacted defensively.

The more Chris thought about it, the more sense it made. He was closer to Vin and Buck than to the others. Ezra and Nathan did grate against each other at times. Buck and J.D. bickered constantly. Josiah could be down right frustrating, but the moment a member of this family was threatened, the others rallied to defend him.

‘Family,’ Chris reflected. It felt good to part of something again.

A loan groan brought him back to reality. “Hey there, Cowboy.” Vin stirred. His face was no longer grey. He was pale, but considering what he had been through, he was looking well.

Vin glanced up at Chris and asked weakly, “How is everyone?”

“Fine.”

“Could use a drink,” Tanner muttered. Chris rose to his feet and collected a mug of water. He placed his hand under Vin’s head and lifted him gently while tipping the mug to the weak man‘s lips.

“Chris! Ya spilling it!”

“Stop complaining and drink it.”

“How can I drink it? My mouth ain’t in the middle of my neck!” After successfully getting some of the cooling liquid into his friend, Chris lowered him back down onto the pillow.

“Okay?”

“Yeah.”

“You had a rough night,” Chris explained.

“Yeah?”

“Nathan wasn’t sure if you’d make it.”

Vin looked surprised. “Wound wasn’t bad.”

Chris grinned. “Small bullet.”

“Yeah.” Vin stared up at Chris. “Knew you were there.” His voice was soft and full of gratitude.

“Yep,” Chris agreed squeezing his best friend’s hand. For several seconds they stared at each other.

They had a connection that couldn’t be explained by anything other than Josiah’s philosophy, but that was fine by both of them. It was there and it had saved each of their lives.

“Chris, what about Royal?”

“You let the rest of us worry about Royal.”

“Nope.”

“Huh?”

“I got a few choice things I want to say to him... right before I bash the crap out of him.”

Larabee had to smile. “ I reckon you’re entitled.”

“Damn right I’m entitled! I... I’m feelin’...”

“Rest, Vin. Just rest.” Chris watched his friend drop off into a peaceful slumber. That peace spread to the gunfighter as he leaned back against the wall and allowed sleep to take him as well.

**********

“Stage is coming!”

Hearing the cry, Buck and J.D. exited Potter‘s store where Buck had unsuccessfully been flirting with Miss Georgia. For some reason, Miss Georgia was immune to his animal magnetism and it was very disconcerting for the resident lady’s man. However, the arrival of the stage sent Buck dancing with joy. He loved greeting the stage. Thankfully, Miss Georgia was not representative of most ladies. Buck had complete faith that his animal magnetism would ensure that any fine ladies aboard the stage would succumb to his charms.

“Hurry-up, J.D. We don’t want someone else to greet them fine ladies aboard.”

J.D. shook his head. Buck was so predictable. “There haven’t been any fine ladies for the last week.”

“I’ve got a good feeling today!” Buck insisted. “El Buck can sense when fine ladies are around.”

Ezra stepped from the saloon and scrutinized the arrival of the carriage. The well-dressed man watched as three male passengers disembarked. Unfortunately, none of them resembled anyone he would be interested in. J.D.’s laugher echoed over the street causing the gambler to smile. “So which one of them did El Buck sense?!”

Turning, Ezra re-entered the saloon and sought out someone to entice into a game of chance.

It had been two days since Davis had shot Vin. After washing every building down with bleach to ensure the illness wouldn’t spread to any of the town’s children when they returned, Four Corners had basically returned to normal. Most people were still feeling a little weak, but otherwise everyone was well on the road to recovery. Vin had spent much of the time sleeping. He had quite a bit to catch up on and his friends were determined to see he got all the rest he needed. Under the watchful eye of both Nathan and Chris, Vin, too, was on the road to a full recovery.

Ezra noticed Chris sitting in the corner of the saloon. That surprised him. Larabee had pretty much stationed himself inside the clinic since Vin had been moved there.

“Ah, Mr. Sanchez. How about a game?” Ezra cooed, stopping above the preacher. Josiah inclined his head to the chess board in front of him.

“The game is chess.”

Ezra frowned and then shrugged. “What the hell.”

“J.D., it’s animal magnetism! Sheesh. When are you gonna get it right?!” Buck burst into the saloon alone. He scanned the room, spotted Chris and invited himself to Larabee’s table.

“Damn it, Chris. We haven’t had any new women arrive in town for ages.”

Chris smiled. “Feelin’ a bit itchy, Buck?”

Wilmington grinned. “Just a touch. So, Vin still sleepin’?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s looking a lot better. So, how are you doing?”

“Okay.”

Buck nodded. The question had been pointless. He could see for himself that Chris was doing well. For the first time in three years there was truly a calmness about Larabee’s eyes. Buck’s thoughts turned to Vin. Vin was responsible for the peace Larabee seemed to have reached and Wilmington felt nothing but indebted to the young tracker. In reality, Vin had consciously done little toward saving Larabee’s soul. He’d just been himself and stayed around. That was all it had taken. ’Soul brothers’. Josiah’s whiskey inspired phrase sprung to mind. Buck believed it passionately now. Vin and Chris shared a soul, it was the only explanation. From the moment they had met, Tanner had understood Larabee and that was an inconceivable accomplishment. The same could be said of Chris. He just seemed to identify with Tanner.

“He held them off for three days,” the scoundrel mused.

“That he did.”

“Pretty incredible.”

“Spit it out, Buck. You aren’t much good at hiding things when you’ve got something on your mind.”

Buck grinned sheepishly. “You know me too well, pard.” The smile slipped as Buck collected himself. He had been waiting to have this conversation with Chris for three long years. “All that’s happened has got me to thinking... about a lot of things. About Sara and Adam.” Buck studied Chris to see if he should go on. In the past, the mention of his wife and child was met with swift rage. Today, that wasn’t the case. Today, Chris looked curious. “When you lost them...”

“We,” Chris interrupted.

“Huh?”

“When we lost them.” Buck stared at Chris stunned. The churning acid in his stomach jumped.

Larabee sighed and stared down at the table. “I’ve been doing some thinking too.” He’d been selfish in his grief. He had denied Buck a shoulder to lean on when his best friend had needed it most.

Buck swallowed. He didn’t know what to say. This was more than he had hoped for. Chris was actually listening to him.

“Go on,” Larabee prompted.

Buck shrugged. “I... I just wanted you to know that... “ Chris watched his oldest friend struggle. “...that you and me are still friends. We were as close as brothers once and I just want you to know that you can depend on me just as much now as before even though you‘ve got Vin to lean on now.” Buck’s voice trailed off. There was more but he didn’t know how to say what he felt.

“Are.”

“Huh?”

“You and me are brothers.” Chris stood, gave Buck a contented bob of the head and exited the room.

Buck started breathing again. He hadn’t realized that he’d been holding his breath. He felt so stunned. The man who had just left the room wasn’t the man Buck had sat and drank with a week earlier. Chris hadn’t been this at ease and expressive in years. Relief, joy and disbelief accosted the town scoundrel. His best friend... no, his brother... had returned.

**********

Following a second failure with Miss Georgia, Buck went in search of more receptive souls. He had been riding a high after his talk with Chris, which was probably why he had made a renewed attempt to win over the fair Georgia.

The big man strode down the alley grumbling quietly to himself. His second failure had been somewhat public. J.D. would never let him live it down. Buck had almost reached the end of the alley, when he heard his name. Wilmington slowed his pace. His name was uttered again. Buck strode to the end of the lane, but on catching the next phrase he withdrew.

“Doesn’t he have just the most beautiful eyes?”

“Breath taking.” Buck Wilmington’s face lit up with excitement. Beautiful eyes, huh? Yeah, I guess I do. He strained to hear more of the conversation. He could identify the voices of three young women. Miss Kate, Miss Jenny and Miss Jane.

“And the way he walks. So easy and proud.” Buck started to swagger back and forth. You are right, of course.

“I always thought he was handsome but...”

“I know what you mean. After hearing what he was saying, when he didn’t even realize I was there...”

Buck paused, considering what they meant. The three girls had taken on the job of nurses when he had been sick. Just what on earth he had been saying when he had been attacked by the hallucinations?

“And he’s sooooo brave.” That I am.

“He’s just a honey. Yep.

“Ladies, I’m sure he is but...” Ezra stated.

What the hell is Ezra doing there? Buck rounded the corner, with a pronounced swagger. The group of three girls and Ezra turned.

“Hi, Buck.”

“Well hello there, Miss Jane.” Buck fluttered his eyes in an exaggerated fashion. It was the least he could do. Ezra looked like he was going to throw up.

“Buck, would you mind getting a carriage ready for us?”

“Now, Miss Jenny, you know I would do anything for someone as pretty as you.” The girl giggled. Buck shot Ezra a smug look.

Ezra Standish smiled. “Still, ladies, I am not sure Mr. Jackson is ready to release Mr. Tanner from the clinic let alone for a carriage ride.”

“Mr. Tanner?” Buck asked. The smile on his face crashed with a thud.

“Yes.”

Wilmington was so stunned his jaw dropped open. They were talking about Vin?! Vin?! Vin had beautiful eyes and a proud walk and was brave, not to mention a honey?!

“We were hoping to go on a picnic with him.”

“So Vin can choose his bride,” Ezra pointed out. Buck and Ezra’s eyes met. Both men began to grin.

“Well, hell, Vin’s gonna think all his Christmases have come at once. Ladies, I’ll go and get that carriage ready at once. One of the smaller ones so you can all snuggle up on your way,” Buck suggested with animated movements.

The eyes of the three girls lit up with excitement.

“It’s the least I can do,” Buck claimed grinning at Ezra.

“Buck, we knew we could count on you.”

“Yep. Just the generous, thoughtful person I am.”

“Mr. Tanner will not know how to thank you,” Ezra chuckled.

**********

Nathan and Chris were standing on the landing outside the clinic. They had left the room to get some fresh air and to discuss the patient out his earshot.

“So, he should be up and about tomorrow?“

“Probably sooner. I’ve had a hell of a time keeping him in the bed since you left. His side is healing just fine and he’s had a fair bit of sleep. He still needs to take it easy, though.”

“Easier said than done,” Chris muttered.

Nathan nodded. “He’s the most stubborn, pig-headed man I’ve ever met.”

Larabee winked at Jackson. “That he is.”

“So, you and the others had a ‘chat’ with Guy Royal?” The group of five had ridden out to Royal’s farm that morning, leaving Nathan to contend with Vin.

“Mr. Royal has agreed to stay out of town and keep to himself.”

“Yeah?” Nathan asked with the slightest trace of a grin on his face.

“Buck made it real clear just what would happen if he ever stepped foot in Four Corners again. Ezra helped out by painting a very vivid picture.”

“I’ll bet.” Nathan stared out at the town. “So that’s it then? He gets away with sending that man here to make everyone sick? Not to mention sending his men to kill us.”

Chris shrugged. “Wasn’t much else we could do.” They had intended going out there and teaching Royal and his men a lesson, but the place had been deserted. All of Royal’s ranch hands had left and cattle baron had been hiding under his bed when the regulators arrived. All had noticed the purple spots on his arms. Guy Royal had contracted the illness. In Ezra’s words, ‘it couldn’t have happened to a nicer bastard!”

“So... that’s it?” Nathan repeated.

Chris realized what the healer was fishing for. Larabee raised the back on his right hand. The knuckles were red and bruised. “You should see Royal’s face.”

Nathan nodded, doing his level best not to grin. He had known Chris would personally ensure Royal understood the error of his ways, and targeting the regulators was one hell of an error in judgment.

Larabee was about to comment when he spotted a group of three ladies crossing the street, their arms chock-full of gifts. Chris shot Nathan a look. Both men smiled. Nathan hadn’t allowed Kate, Jenny and Jane in to see Vin on their previous twenty-six attempts.

“Here they come again. Looks like Vin’s going to get some visitors.”

“Now just what do you think that boy got up to while we were all so sick?” Nathan laughed.

The three girls climbed stairs and looked at Nathan longingly. “Mr. Jackson, would it be okay for us to go in and see him?”

“That would be fine, ladies.” Squeals of delight escaped the excited females.

“He was just saying how much he was looking forward to seeing you ladies again,” Chris stated seriously. The girls burst out into eager giggles and entered the room, Nathan and Chris right on their heels. They wouldn’t miss this for the world.

Vin Tanner’s eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling evenly.

“Shhhh. He’s sleeping,” Kate whispered.

“Maybe we should come back later,” Jenny suggested.

“Well, that’s strange,” Chris muttered loudly. “He was awake a couple of seconds ago.”

Vin’s right eye opened a slither. Chris beamed a smile at him the size of the Grand Canyon. “Surprise.”

“Hello, Mr. Tanner.”

“Ladies,” Vin welcomed, drawing himself up in the bed. He winced at he did so and the girls flocked him. Jane adjusted his pillow, Jenny started tucking the blankets around him and Kate poured him a glass of water.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m feelin’...”

“We were just passing and thought we’d drop in and see you. You don’t mind do you?”

“Well, of course...”

“You still look pale. Doesn’t he look pale?” The other girls nodded with concern... Chris right along with them.

“Definitely pale. What do you say Nathan?”

“I think I might find myself somewhere safe to be. If you ladies wouldn’t mind stayin’ with Vin for a few minutes while I’ll go and get myself a bath.”

“NO!” Vin cried.

“It’s okay, Mr. Tanner. We’re here.” Jane laid her hand on his arm, her face full of concern and sympathy.

Vin shot Chris a look of desperation.

“You’ll be fine, Vin. These ladies have nursing experience, remember?”

Vin looked stunned. Surely Chris would help him out here. He was drowning. His mouth opened and then his eyes narrowed. Realization settled in one fowl, horrifying swoop.

Larabee’s lips curled into a smug smile. Payback time.

“I made you a pie. Mrs. Potter said you liked apple,” Jenny stated, placing it on Vin’s lap.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“If Mr. Jackson says it’s okay, I’ll cut you a slice when he gets back.”

“That would be real, nice.”

“Vin, I sent your coat to Eagle Bend to be mended. There’s a seamstress there who’s supposed to be very good.”

“Thank you, Ma’am.”

Jenny placed her hand on Vin’s other arm. “I cleaned up your wagon for you.”

“My wagon?” Vin shrieked in a high pitched voice.

“Are you getting hot in here, Vin? You’re looking a little flushed,” Chris stated. The gunfighter was leaning against the wall truly enjoying the spectacle. The look Vin gave Chris could have ripped the skin off a rhinoceros. Larabee simply grinned. Soul brothers they may be, but when it came to revenge, Chris and Vin were as ruthless as any man alive. Vin would have to get himself out of this one.

Chris Larabee paused to consider his mood. He felt genuinely happy. He had honestly forgotten how that felt. All was right with Larabee’s world. He and Buck had talked, which was something he knew Buck had wanted to do for a long time. The rest of the boys had recovered and Vin was gaining strength by the hour.

Chris reflected on the past few days. How easily it could have ended in disaster. After all, they had been six down with only one man left standing between them and death. Thankfully, one was all that had been needed.

Chris gazed at the pale tracker in the bed who was looking remarkably uncomfortable. After the recent incident they had come through, Chris felt closer to Vin, if that was possible. He loved Tanner like a brother and the fact that he was happy to admit that to himself convinced him that he had indeed found a reason to go on. J.D., Ezra, Nathan and Josiah had all played their role in the restoration of his soul... and of course, there was Buck. Larabee’s new family would never replace the one he had lost. Sarah and Adam would forever live in his heart but now he felt like he could start living again and not simply existing until he caught a bullet.

“I brushed Peso down for you,” Jenny informed Vin. The girl’s voice dragged Chris back to reality.

“I oiled your saddle,” Kate pointed out.

“I cleaned your boots!” The women were no longer looking at the man in the bed but were competing across him.

“Careful there ladies. Don’t knock that blanket. Vin’s in his birthday suit.”

“CHRIS!” Tanner roared. Jenny, Kate and Jane all sat stunned and then began to giggle.

“Ladies, you better leave. Vin’s getting all worked up and he is supposed to be resting,” Chris pointed out crossing the room to tower over his friend.

“Oh, okay, Mr. Larabee.”

“You get some rest, Vin.” Kate flashed Vin the gushiest look he had ever seen. It was all too much for Chris, who burst out laughing. The laugher was loud, deep and unrestrained. Vin Tanner’s jaw clenched in mild disgust. Larabee was going to pay for this!

The three women stared at Chris puzzled and then returned their attention to the silent man in the bed.

“You are looking a little tired,” Jenny pointed out. “Do you want me to help you to lay down?”

“No, Ma’am. I’m fine.”

“Come on, girls. He needs to rest. Vin, we can go for that carriage ride when you’re feeling better,” Jane claimed, rising to her feet.

“Carriage ride?” Chris asked curiously, sinking down into the chair beside the bed.

“We told Buck that we wanted to take Mr. Tanner on a picnic and...”

“And Buck was only too happy to help,” Chris laughed. “Yep, sounds like Buck. As soon as Vin is strong enough, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to go on a carriage ride with the three of you. Or maybe one at a time.”

“Oh, yes.”

“That’s a better idea!”

The three girls thanked Chris for his brilliant suggestion, wished Vin good bye and danced out of the room, their high pitched chatter accompanying them.

Chris grinned at Vin with a look of total and complete triumph.

Tanner scowled at his older friend out of the corner of his eye. “Larabee, you do realize, this means war!”

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© Oct 2001 Brigitta B. : This relates only to the creative property in this story. The distinctive way the story unfolds, the specific dialogue and unique situations are mine. I acknowledge that some of the characters and settings belong to the owners of “The Magnificent Seven” and I thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while.