“Any questions?” Nathan inquired of his attentive audience. All shook their heads. A group of fifteen volunteer nurses were collected around the town healer. He, with Vin’s help, had just finished explaining what to look for and how to treat it.

Around them, the saloon had been turned into something that resembled an army hospital ward. All of the tables and chairs had been moved out and beds and stretchers moved in. Only one bed was occupied, but that was a temporary situation.

“You should all go and get some sleep now. There are enough of us here to deal with things. I’ll send for you when I need you. The six of you who have had the illness before, I want you to sleep. You’re going to need to be rested if you’re to cope with what’s coming up in the next few days.”

The group of men and women moved off, commenting softly to themselves. Nathan glanced over at his patient. The stranger who had brought the terrible illness to Four Corners was being cared for by a number of ordinary people who had rallied to help.

“How’s he doing, Mrs. Potter?”

“His fever is getting worse.”

“Keep wiping him down.” Jackson turned and found himself confronted with a very serious-faced Vin Tanner.

“Vin?”

“Need to ask you somethin’.”

“Your head still hurting?”

“Is a fella aware of other people when he’s dreamin‘?” Vin’s face was so serious that Nathan considered the question carefully before answering.

“I know that when I was working as a stretcher bearer, some of the patients claimed they were aware of people when they were unconscious, but I couldn’t say about dreams. Something wrong?”

“If a person is hit hard enough to knock them out, will it stop the dreams?“

“I don’t know.” The dark skinned healer was perplexed by his friend’s questions, but more than anything else, he was disturbed by the look on Vin’s face.

“Would it hurt them?” Vin asked quietly.

“Knocking them out while they’re sick? It isn’t going to help.”

“But would it stop the dreams?”

“I... I guess it probably would. I don‘t really know.” Vin reflected on Nathan’s answers, nodded and then turned and left without comment. Nathan Jackson stared after his companion for several seconds but calls from his ‘nurses’ sent him striding back toward his lone patient. At the last possible moment the young healer stopped. He replayed the expression on Vin’s face and realized that his friend needed his assistance far more than the stranger did. “I’ll be back shortly. Just try to keep him cool and calm.”

Nathan turned and jogged out onto the veranda. Vin Tanner was standing at the top of the two steps surveying the street.

“Vin?” Tanner glanced back over his shoulder. The haunting look in Vin’s eyes sent Nathan’s mind racing back to the last time he had seen that look - a time when things were very, very different in his life.

“Everythin’ okay, Nathan?”

Jackson wasn’t sure what to say. Instead he moved across to one of the chairs and invited Vin to join him with an inclination of his head.

“Nathan, I can’t...”

“Please.” Tanner nodded and took the seat. He waited, but Nathan appeared lost in thought. Finally the dark-skinned man turned. “When I was a boy, I saw a lot of terrible things. One of the worst was watching as family and friends were split up because their owners had sold their loved ones. I suffered that myself. My father and I were sold and my mother - she had to stay.”

Vin’s brow furrowed but he didn’t comment. Clearly his friend just wanted someone to unload to.

“The look on their faces was one I’ll never forget. At first I thought it was just sadness and anger, but I realize now it wasn’t. It was a look of complete and total helplessness to protect those they cared about. They had to face a force bigger and larger than they were and they knew that they had no way of combating it.” Nathan paused. He lowered his voice. “I see that look in your eyes.”

Vin turned away and focused on the street ahead of him. For several moments there was silence. “I’ve seen this thing before. A man can’t fight the demons in his mind.”

“A man who has good friends can,” Nathan offered softly. “He doesn’t face his demons alone.”

Vin flicked his eyes to the healer, considering the other’s claim. Again there was silence.

Nathan nodded his encouragement. Tanner rose to his feet, tipped his hat and strode away. Nathan watched his companion with concern. He had only known the other man for five short weeks and yet he cared more deeply for Vin and his other five friends than he had cared about anyone for a long time. Nathan knew he didn’t fully understand the quiet, reserved tracker... not like Larabee did, but he knew enough to know Vin’s worry wasn’t for himself. What was plaguing Tanner was his concern for his friends. Nathan knew men like Vin. Hard men who had the strength and the skill to always be in control of their lives. Vin made his own decisions and he faced what life presented head on without fear or the assistance of anyone. What separated Vin Tanner from many such men was that he protected what was his with a fierce determination and loyalty that humbled those who were afforded such protection. Like Nathan, Vin’s life had changed since signing on to protect Four Corners. For the first time he had found true friendship. Nathan knew Vin would die defending those he deemed worthy of his trust. For all of those reasons, the sharpshooter was feeling frustrated and helpless. Vin knew what was going happen but he had no way to protect those he cared about from it.

Nathan rose to his feet, still watching Tanner stride down the almost empty street. The ambling relaxed strides that marked Vin’s gait were gone. The healer could feel his companion’s anxiety and now, he shared it.

**********

After taking care of a few pressing matters, Vin turned into the alley that housed his wagon. Nathan had been correct about one thing, he needed to get some sleep now, for there would be little time for it over the next few days.

Instinctively Vin knew someone was watching him. The young man didn’t panic. He sensed he was in no danger.

Chris Larabee stepped out of the shadow of the building. “How’s the stranger?”

“Reckon he’s been better,” Vin stated.

“The town’s going to be pretty vulnerable once all of the boys go down with this thing.”

“I know.”

“There could be trouble from the miners. Apparently this is the time of year they get paid.”

“Yep.”

Chris stared into the almost blank face of his friend. “You’ll be on your own.”

Tanner inclined his head. He had already sent a sentry to the church tower. “Soon as anything appears on the horizon, he’s gonna ring the bell so I know. When he goes down, I’ll take over. I’ve got three rifles already loaded up there. I can take down eight to ten men before they know what’s hit’ em. Should be enough for them to turn around and find somewhere else to go.”

Larabee nodded and despite the seriousness of the situation, he smiled. Nathan’s words from the day before filled his mind. ‘Vin’s a dangerous man when he’s up there.’

“How’s your head?”

Vin shrugged. It was pounding but he was ignoring it successfully. “Gonna go and get some rest. It’s going to be a long couple of days.”

“You shouldn’t be sleeping yet. It hasn’t been eight hours,” Chris murmured.

At this Vin grinned. He patted Larabee’s arm and continued on toward his wagon. Chris watched him with disquiet but knew there was little he could do to change the situation. The gunfighter turned and headed for the grain exchange that was now the temporary saloon. He knew the rest of the boys would be there and Chris felt like some company.

As Chris disappeared into the room, Buck shot off for Vin’s wagon. Tanner was just settling himself when Buck’s face appeared in the opening at the back.

“Vin?”

Tanner grunted.

“I...” Buck climbed up into the covered buckboard.

The owner of the wagon frowned. Buck raised his hand in apology. “I want to know a bit more about this sickness.”

“Ain’t much more to tell. Best person to talk to is Nathan.”

“No it ain’t and we both know it. You’ve had it before, haven’t you?”

“What do you want, Buck?”

“I’m not worried about me, it’s just that... I mean...”

“I’ll keep an eye on Larabee when it all starts.” Wilmington stared into Vin’s piercing blue eyes and saw nothing but sincerity.

“Thanks. He’s got a lot in his head that he don’t normally let out and...” Buck stopped and nodded. “Thanks, Vin.”

Tanner’s eyes were unblinking as he stared at his fellow regulator. Buck could see the turmoil in younger man’s face. Wilmington felt at a loss. He didn’t know what to say to Vin. If it were J.D., it would be easy. J.D. was a kid and Buck could treat him as such. Words of support and encouragement would be accepted for what they were. Vin was a different matter altogether. He was a man who wouldn’t take kindly to having someone comment on his behaviour and Wilmington had nothing but respect for Vin Tanner. When Chris was absent, Vin automatically shouldered the leadership responsibilities. It hadn’t been an official decision on anyone‘s part, it had just happened. None of the Seven had questioned Tanner‘s orders. There was something very sensible about Vin and yet, he had shown evidence of being something of a rascal - like the day when he had placed a legless lizard in Chris’ bedroll. Vin Tanner had laughed like a teenager, his face softening and losing the guardedness that permeated his very being. Ezra had been the one who had commented on Vin’s age that day as he and Buck stood watching Vin try to regain control of himself while at the same time dodge an enraged Larabee who appeared intent on wringing his friend’s neck. It had been the only time Buck had ever consciously considered Tanner’s age. Ezra had expressed it in a way only Standish could. “Mr. Tanner is one of those rare few whose age changes to suit the situation. He is as old and as wise as he needs to be. However, I suspect that our tracker is far younger than he allows the world to know.”

Staring into Vin’s face at that moment, Buck knew that every word Ezra had spoken was true. Vin Tanner was not someone who had ever appeared vulnerable to Buck - in the last fifteen seconds that assessment had changed. However, right before Buck’s eyes, the mask fell back into place and the vulnerability was gone. The man before him had returned to the person Buck felt he knew. Someone who had the experience to deal with every situation that came up. Someone that Buck would gladly follow to hell. None of that changed the fact that the scoundrel had seen behind the mask for the briefest of moments. His view of the younger man had changed forever.

“How’s your head?”

Tanner smirked. “Feels like I’ve got a beehive in it. ‘Course, that ain’t surprisin’ considerin’ I have to sit here and listen to you rabbit on while I’m tryin’ to sleep.”

Buck shoved his friend good-naturedly and climbed from the wagon. His face became serious. “Vin, if you... I mean, you can talk to me if you need to.”

For a split second the mask was stripped again, but the lapse was so fleeting that Buck wasn’t sure if it had even happened. Tanner’s head bounced once, the movement both a thanks and a dismissal. Buck was intelligent enough to know that Vin wanted some time alone and so he left his companion to deal with the situation in his own way.

**********

Ezra realized quite quickly that his boots were not made for running. His feet and legs were aching which was why he had started cursing Chris Larabee some time back. Thankfully the sounds of children yelling and laughing reached his ears. He replayed in his mind what he was going to say so that he wouldn’t frighten anyone. For the hundredth time he felt relieved he had spent all morning in his room. By some miracle, he had been spared the horror of this illness - an illness that, according to Buck, had Vin and Nathan ‘riled up’. Riling Nathan up was one thing, but Vin? Ezra had been pressed to think of a time when Vin had outwardly frowned as opposed to looking serious and almost blank faced even in the most dangerous and worrying situations.

“Look!” one of the children shouted. The group of six children and two adults turned to watch Ezra as he closed the gap between them.

Mrs. Howard rose to her feet and smiled. “Have you come to join our picnic?”

Ezra stopped several feet from the group. “While nothing would please me more, Ma’am, I’m afraid I can not. Would you please collect the children together and return them to the two buggies.” While there was a smile on his face, both women could read the silent signals of urgency.

In moments, carriages were loaded and ready to depart.

“Mr. Standish?”

“Please take the children to the Bolson ranch. Tell Mrs. Bolson that ‘Dream Sickness’ has hit Four Corners. All of you have not been exposed to the illness and thankfully, neither have I. Mrs. Bolson was a nurse. Apparently she needs to look for headaches, fever and a purple rash. If any of you begin to show signs, you must come to town immediately.” Ezra stepped back from the carriages.

“You’re not coming with us?” Mrs. Allcott asked with concern.

At this Ezra smiled. “I’m afraid not.” He was needed back in town. Ezra wasn’t sure at what point he had made the decision to return, for not minutes before he had been thanking his creator for sparing him from the illness. Yet, never at any stage had he even considered going with the women. Subconsciously he had always intended going back to assist his fellow regulators. “The curse of responsibility and dependability, I’m afraid.”

Ezra watched the two carriages head off to the east. With a sigh he turned and, once again cursing Chris Larabee for sending him on his errand on foot in his expensive leather boots that now looked like they were thirty years old rather than recent arrivals from Italy, Ezra headed back to where he was needed.

**********

Vin rolled onto his back and winced. He reached up and rubbed the back of his head, his hand coming to rest on the lump that was every bit as big as a chicken’s egg. His mouth felt parched and his arm was throbbing from the impact of the horse’s hoof.

“Great,” Tanner muttered. Despite his slumber, he didn’t feel rested. With a sigh of resignation, Vin pulled himself up into a sitting position, but his world began to spin and he found himself toppling. With a thud the disoriented regulator fell into the side of the wagon, the entire structure rocking under the force of his weight.

“What on earth are you doing in there, Brother?” Josiah’s head and shoulders were forced through the back flap. The big preacher eyed the lop-sided man curiously as he tried to right himself. “You okay, pard?”

“Yeah.”

“You’ve been sleeping about four hours,” Josiah informed Vin as he picked up his hat and moved to the back of the wagon ready to step down. The preacher grabbed the sharpshooter’s arm and steadied Vin once his feet hit the ground. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, just got up too quickly. Four hours?” It had taken him at least half of that to fall asleep. His mind had refused to switch off, replaying scenes and events from his past. “Anyone gone down to it yet?”

“Yeah, about six people so far. Headaches and weakness, just like you said.”

“The boys?”

“J.D. wasn’t looking great last time I saw him.”

Tanner nodded. The pair headed for the Grain Exchange where many of the town’s citizens had collected to await their fate. Life in Four Corners had almost stopped. No one was trading. There was almost an impending doom as they continued to feel their own brows trying to detect signs of the fever they all knew was coming.

As Josiah and Vin entered the room they spotted J.D. being lifted to his feet by Buck and Ezra.

“Easy there, Kid. Time for you to go and lay down.”

“Head’s pounding,” the young man whispered.

“Nathan will be able to help,” Buck reassured his friend.

Vin watched the trio leave and then moved across the room and took a seat next to Chris. “Ezra reach the kids?”

“Yeah.” Larabee assessed Vin’s condition with his eyes. “You don’t look great.”

“Thanks.”

Chris frowned. “Your head still hurting?”

“Got a hell of a lump. I got a few hours sleep. Should help. No sign of any more miners?”

“Not yet.”

Vin ran his eye over the room. “People are lookin’ scared.”

Chris nodded. “At the moment, they’re calm.”

“Are there enough beds in the saloon?”

“Nathan seems to think so. Should you be using one?”

Vin flicked his eyes to Chris for the first time. “Nahh. Head’s hurtin’, but it ain‘t nothing I can‘t handle.”

**********

Nathan glanced up as Buck and Ezra half-carried J.D. into the room. “Put him over here,” the healer instructed. The two older men escorted the team’s youngest member to the cot indicated and lowered him down onto it. Buck reached down and yanked the boy’s shoes off while Nathan removed his shirt. Ezra stood back and watched, his poker face reflecting concern. J.D. looked terrible.

“Alright, J.D. Lay back,” Nathan instructed, assisting his patient to do so.

The youth stared up at the healer with large alarmed eyes.

“You have my word you’re going to be okay, J.D,” Nathan whispered, patting his young companion’s arm.”

“Feel so weak.”

“You’re going to feel rotten the next few days, but you’ll be okay. You have my word.”

“Mind if I sit with him for a while?” Buck inquired.

Nathan reached for a damp cloth and handed to the other man. “Wipe him down and keep him cool. The fever is on its way.”

“You got it.”

The healer glanced at Ezra. He hadn’t expected Standish to return. Guilt flashed across his face. Not for the first time he had unconsciously misjudged his Southern companion. In a way, that angered him. After so many years of being ‘judged’ for what he was, rather than who he was, he hated the thought that he was capable of the same thing.

“I left my deck of cards in my room and had to return for them,“ Ezra claimed seriously.

“Right.”

The two men exchanged a smile. Despite all of their differences they were friends, nothing could change that.

“Is there something I can do to help?“

“Mrs. Potter, we’ve got another willing volunteer.”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say ‘willing’,” Ezra claimed with apparent disgust.

“I would,” Jackson whispered patting Ezra’s shoulder as he moved passed him to greet two more people who had come to the temporary hospital seeking help.

**********

“Well?” Royal demanded. Dennison handed his boss the wire that had just arrived from Peter‘s Gap. The cattle baron snatched the piece of paper and read the words quickly. A smile of pure unadulterated pleasure settled on his face as he re-read the note savouring every syllable. “Remind me to thank Davis next time I see him.”

“The gunfighter?”

“I have a feeling the fire is going to be put out in Four Corners and then I can ride in there and sweep the ashes away.” Royal’s laughter echoed off the walls.

**********

“Come on, Buck. Time for you to take residency,” Josiah coaxed.

Buck shook his aching head. “Have to stay with the Kid.”

“J.D. is sleeping. Come on.”

“He is?“ Josiah inclined his head. To Buck’s surprise, his young friend was breathing evenly. There was a fine layer of sweat covering his face and chest. Buck leaned forward with the damp cloth and began to wipe him down.

“Kid’s really sick, Josiah.“

“So are you,“ the preacher pointed out removing the sponge from Buck’s hand. He pulled Buck to his feet and ushered him over to the next cot.

“Someone needs to sit with him.”

“He’s fine. You’re just going be over here if he needs you,” Josiah stated, assisting Buck to sit down on the cot.

“Can’t remember the last time I felt this damn sick.” Wilmington muttered as Josiah knelt and yanked his shoes off.

“I do. It was last Saturday morning.”

Buck smiled despite his pounding head. “It was a hell of a night.”

“That it was. All right. Lay back.” Buck allowed Josiah to ease him down onto the bed. The preacher patted his shoulder. “Can I get you anything?”

“Something for this headache.”

“Why’d you let it get bad before asking for something?”

“Five minutes ago, I felt fine.”

Josiah frowned. Vin was right. This thing came on you quickly and without any warning. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Josiah scanned the room searching for Nathan. The healer was leaning over a woman who was whimpering softly. Almost every cot in the saloon was occupied now. The ‘nurses’ were doing their best to comfort the sick, but it was fast becoming an impossible task.

“Nathan?” Josiah asked. The healer turned. “Looks like we need more beds.”

“Yeah. It’s happened quickly.” Nathan was shaking his head. There were so many people who were genuinely ill. The room was becoming stuffy and uncomfortable, the atmosphere depressing. “I thought it might spread out over a couple of days, but... Vin was right. By tomorrow, he and the other five people who have already had it will be the only people left standing.”

“How long will it last?”

“I can’t be sure. So far we’ve only got headaches, weakness and some people are just staring to come down with the fever. The stranger is more advanced. He’s been vomiting for the last hour. We should see signs of the rash and then the vomiting in everyone else shortly. We’re going to need some pits dug to dispose of it.”

“I’ll see to it. And I’ll see if I can round up some more beds.”

“Yeah, but where will we put them?”

Josiah ran his eyes over the room. It was full. “We’ll have to push the beds together in pairs. It will mean the nurses will only be able to treat each person from one side, but it’s the best I can think of without moving to another room.”

Nathan nodded, patted Josiah shoulder and moved off to try and ease the pain of his patients.

Across the room, Josiah heard Mrs. Potter’s impassioned voice. “Mr. Standish, I really think you should lay down.”

“Madam, I assure you I am fine.”

Josiah crossed the room and nodded to Gloria Potter. “He giving you some trouble Ma’am?”

Ezra turned and scowled. His face was pale and his brow slightly furrowed as he attempted to control the throbbing pain from his temples. “Mr. Sanchez, I’ll have you know...”

“That you’re sick. Come on, Ezra. Into that last cot.”

“I refuse...” Josiah took his companion firmly by the arm and dragged him to the bed. Unfortunately the illness already had secure hold of the gambler and his feeble attempt to fight Josiah off was less than successful.

“Mr. Sanchez, you are... I feel dreadful.”

Josiah smiled in sympathy as Ezra sat down on the edge of the bed. “Let me help you out of your jacket.”

“I was fine a moment ago.”

“Uh huh. Shoes,” the preacher ordered.

“Take care of those. They are... I feel dreadful,” Ezra muttered sinking back onto the hard uncomfortable cot.

“I’ll be back in a moment with something to ease your head.”

Standish nodded. “Preferably a bullet for I fear that and that alone is the only thing that will ease the excruciating ache in my skull.”

**********

“Where do you want this one, Nathan?” Vin asked as he entered the room carrying yet another stretcher.

The healer pointed behind the bar. Tanner moved down between the rows of beds and deposited the last cot. “It should be enough.”

“How many people are still walking around?”

“Outside of you, me, Chris and Josiah, only them,” Vin muttered. Nathan eyed the five ladies who had moved in to take over the nursing role. Everyone else had succumbed.

“Three people left... four beds. That’s what I call cutting it fine.“

Vin ran his eyes over Nathan critically. “How are you holding up?”

“Head started aching a couple of minutes ago. I’ve only got a little while before the weakness sets in. You need me to run over anything?”

“Nope.”

“I think...” There was a yell across the room. The stranger began thrashing. Nathan raced down between the beds. Vin shook his head. “Dream sickness.” The young man turned and left the room. He needed to check on the pits and on the trail leading into Four Corners. His scout had become ill almost an hour earlier and the job of security had fallen on Vin’s shoulders.

**********

Vin surveyed the street from the top of the church. The road leading into Four Corners was dry, dusty, but thankfully very empty. Word had probably already been spread which was good. It would make the regulator’s job easier. Movement on the bare street below Vin caught his eye. Chris was striding toward him.

“Anything?”

“Quiet as a millpond.”

“We’ve finished the pits.”

Vin nodded, turned and made his way down.

“I might ride out and take a look around,” Larabee stated as Vin re-appeared.

“Ain’t no need,” his best friend disagreed. “No one with any sense is gonna come within 10 miles of us.” Chris still looked unconvinced. “If anyone comes, I’ll deal with it.”

“And what happens if it’s more than one man can handle?”

“What do you want me to say, Chris?!” Vin exploded. Like Larabee, he was feeling helpless and helplessness was an emotion these two men didn’t experience often.

Chris reached for Vin’s arm in silent apology. Vin dropped his eyes and shook his head in frustration. “I’ll make a hell of a fight of it.”

“I know.” The pair turned. Chris reached for his temples and massaged them unconsciously.

“Headache?”

“I can handle it.”

“Best if you go and lay down. It gets real bad, real quick. You don’t know what’s hit you.”

“I‘M OKAY!”

Vin stopped walking.

Chris took two more steps and then stopped. For several seconds neither man moved or spoke. “I’ll stand with you for as long as I can.”

Vin moved up beside his best friend. “Ain’t no threat for us to be standin’ up against. You and me just got suspicious minds. Don’t reckon no one will come within cooee of here.”

“Unless the stranger was sent here on purpose.”

Vin grunted. The same thoughts had been running through his mind. “If that’s the case, they won’t attack for another day or so. Once the dream sickness sets in, ya can’t stand. Ain’t aware of nothin’ except what‘s going on inside yer head.”

“Maybe we should send for help?”

“From where?”

Larabee shrugged. He didn’t know from where. He was clutching at straws. The idea of Vin standing alone against God knows how many men was one that weighed on his mind.

“Look, we don’t even know there’s going to be a problem.”

“I’ve got a bad feeling,” Chris claimed softly.

“Them’s just the beans you had for lunch.”

Larabee grinned. “You’re a mad bastard, Vin Tanner.”

“Takes one to know one, Cowboy. Come on. Let’s go book you a cot.”

“I don’t need one yet.”

“Fine. But if you fall down in a heap, don’t expect me to carry you to a bed!”

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