Guy Royal stared out at the horizon. The sun was beginning to set and storm clouds were rolling in from the east. How could he have been so wrong? How had they done it? It was inconceivable that all seven of the gunfighters had suffered the illness before and yet that was the only explanation.

Worst of all, his failure had been witnessed by Henry Davis. The professional gunfighter had stood with a patronizing smile on his face as Royal had been forced to explain his defeat at the hands of the Seven.

“If I were you, Mr. Royal, I’d quit while you’re ahead.”

That was when Guy Royal had offered the gunfighter five hundred dollars to exterminate Four Corners' peacekeepers. That had wiped the smile off the other man’s face. He hadn’t agreed yet, but five hundred dollars was five hundred dollars and Royal felt certain that by the time the sun disappeared, Henry Davis would be working for him and plotting the downfall of the Seven once and for all!

**********

Allison, Jane and Mary stood frozen. Chris, despite his weakened state, had just sent Vin flying backwards into the wall. Tanner regained his balance and leaped back to Larabee’s side.

“Come on, Chris! Settle down! Yer gonna hurt yourself.”

The patient on the bed continued to thrash. His body was soaked in sweat, his mind filled with images of his wife and son after the fire.

“Sarah!”

“She’s gone, pard. I’m really sorry.”

Further up the room, Buck stirred. “Chris?“ he asked weakly.

Jane moved the scoundrel‘s cot. “It’s alright, Buck. Mr. Larabee is just dreaming.“

“Oh, God no.“ Buck tried to sit up.

“No. No, you don’t. You’re too weak.“

“I have to get to him.“

“It’s okay. Mr. Tanner is with him.“

“Vin?“ Buck asked blinking. “Vin’s with him?“

“Yes.“

“Thank, God. Vin will help him. If anyone can help him, Vin can.“

Larabee threw his entire weight at the slight tracker. Tanner caught his friend and rolled him back into the cot. “Larabee! Larabee, listen to me! Damn!” Vin knew through past experience that Chris would not be able to hear him. His friend was trapped in a spiraling world of terror.

“Oh, God! Adam!”

Vin stepped back, his face blanketed with anguish. “I’m real sorry, Chris, but I don’t have no choice.” Tanner curled up his fist. He pulled his arm back.

“Vin, don’t!” Mary shrieked.

The tracker froze. He shot a look of desperation at the newspaperwoman who had covered her mouth with her hand.

“I can’t let him suffer no more,” Vin whispered. He swallowed, dropping his attention to the writhing figure on the bed. His conversation with Nathan replayed in his mind.

“I gotta try, Chris.” Vin stepped closer to the bed.

“... the ranch... on fire...Vin!” Larabee shouted.

Tanner’s face flashed with confusion. He dropped by Larabee’s side. “Chris?! Chris, I’m right here.”

The frenzied man began mumbling incoherently. “Vin... the fire... Buck’s in the fire...Stage... God... NO!... Vin?... where are... you’re hurt... the stage!...”

“Chris. Calm down. I’m okay. Buck’s okay. I’m right here.” Instinctively, Vin took his best friend’s hand. As he did so, a thought struck him. He grasped Larabee’s forearm. It was a sacred ritual - one that the pair had used to communicate and symbolize their profound friendship. If Chris couldn’t hear him, then perhaps, somehow through the haze of his nightmare, he may sense their locked arms. “I’m right here, Chris. I rolled under the stage. Ain’t hurt. Buck ain’t in no fire. He’s sleepin’. Now, you just settle down there, Cowboy.” Tanner reached for the damp cloth with his free hand and went back to trying to lower his friend’s temperature.

Larabee’s thrashing began to subside. “Buck?... fire... Sarah and... my ranch.”

“Don’t know what’s goin’ on in yer head, Larabee, but it’s okay.”

“Vin’s up... Buck doesn‘t...”

“Don‘t know where I‘m up or what the hell Buck‘s doin‘, but we‘re okay. We‘re all okay.” Vin gripped Larabee’s arm firmer. “I’m right here. Me and the boys are all right here.” Tanner continued to saturate his best friend with water all the while speaking in a hushed tone.

Over the next few minutes, Chris settled. Whether it was the water, his voice or the vice-like grip he had on Larabee’s arm, Vin could be sure, but Chris had calmed down. The cloth in Tanner’s hand stopped moving. He could no longer feel heat radiating off his friend. The fever was under control and hence, the nightmares had stopped. Vin shut his eyes and dropped his face. At that very moment, he felt totally drained. His physical fatigue was now joined by his emotional exhaustion.

Mary approached the tracker and gently laid her hand on his back. “He’s sleeping, Vin. He’s okay,” she assured the young man.

Vin drew in a deep shuddering breath. “Yeah, but for how long?” His eyes remained closed and his breathing became deeper and slower.

“You need to go and rest,” Mary urged softly, taking the cloth from his motionless hand. “Come on, Vin. We’ve got one spare cot down here.” She looped her hand under his arm and started to pull him to his feet.

Vin’s eyes opened. He gently removed Mary’s hand and seemed about to comment, when his attention was drawn outside.

“It’s dark?”

“Has been for an hour,” Jane whispered.

“Aww hell,” Vin muttered. “I’ll go light the torches. I’ll be on top of the church if ya need me.”

“Young man, I would never presume to tell you what to do - God knows I owe you my life already, but you look dead on your feet. You have got to get some sleep,” Allison stated firmly.

“I appreciate your concern, Ma’am, but I’ve gotta keep an eye out for an attack.”

“Surely we can take turns.”

Vin rose to his feet and shook his head. “Not at night. I have to be the one. I know what to look for.”

“You could tell us.”

“Ain’t that easy.” Vin glanced down at Chris. His friend’s face still looked tight and strained. “If his temperature starts to rise, come and get me. Immediately.”

Allison stepped forward, but Mary laid her hand on the woman’s arm and stilled her.

“Perhaps you should stay with him,” the blond woman suggested. A flash of consideration lit Vin’s tired eyes... just as she had hoped. Only one thing may sway him from his ‘duty’ and that may be his concern for Chris.

“Don’t suppose I can do much more than any of you.”

“Don’t you kid yourself,” Allison snapped. “He calmed down because of you. Somehow knew you were there.”

“I think she’s right, Vin.”

Soul brothers. “Yeah, I reckon he knew I was here. And I reckon he’ll understand why I’ve got to go.” With that, the tracker headed for the door.

“Vin.” Buck raised his hand and beckoned the tracker over.

Tanner moved off to his friend, smiling with relief. Buck was conscious. That was a damn good sign. “Welcome back, Bucklin.”

“I heard him.”

“He‘s okay now.”

“The fire?”

“Yeah.”

“Ain‘t right for any man to have to go through that.” Vin nodded. Buck started blinking. He was falling asleep. He had called Vin over for a reason and he realized he had better get on with it before he lost his battle with the darkness calling him. “They’re right. About both things.”

“Huh?”

“You look dead on yer feet and the only reason he ain’t still in the grip of hell is because of you. Stay with him.”

“I can’t, Buck. We may have fooled Royal’s men, but there ain’t no guarantee they ain’t gonna recognize my dumb ass plan.”

“You really think they may try again?” Buck asked blinking again.

“Yeah, I reckon it’s a pretty good bet. Royal ain’t gonna pass up on this opportunity.” Vin grinned as Buck started rubbing his eyes in an effort to stay awake. “Don’t fight it, Bucklin. You’re in the final part of the sickness. You’ll sleep for a whole day.”

“Wake me if there’s trouble.” The smile slipped from Tanner’s face. If only he could. For the next forty-eight hours, Buck and the rest of the boys, would be as weak as a newborn calves.

“You rest easy, Pard.”

“Vin...” Buck drifted off to sleep before he could say any more.

Tanner frowned, spun on his heels and disappeared out into the darkness without further comment.

“What are we going to do?” Jane whispered.

“What he said,” Mary replied with a sigh. “Monitor Mr. Larabee’s temperature and call Vin the moment it starts to rise.”

“I meant about Mr. Tanner. He looks dreadful.”

“Jane, go and wake Kate and Jenny. It’s time for their shift. Allison, make some coffee. I think we could all use some.”

**********

Thunder rolled low in the dark sky. The storm had hit with vengeance some minutes earlier. A howling and merciless wind lashed the lone figure perched atop the church tower - a silent sentry overlooking the safety of his pride.

Darkness blanketed the earth. The huge rain clouds totally masked the welcome light of the moon - light that would have made Vin’s job easier but it simply wasn’t to be. At least the rain was keeping him awake. While his faithful buckskin coat was protecting his chest, the rest of his body was drenched. One hundred and one curses continued to be uttered by him.

Movement! Vin raised his rifle. Below he could see a figure moving on the street. Tanner frowned. He set off across the slippery roof, careful not to lose his footing.

Mary held one hand up to shield her eyes from the driving rain. She pulled in closer to the church. “Vin?”

“Is it Chris?” the tracker asked, appearing out of the shadows. Mary gasped. She hadn’t expected him to appear so quickly. “Sorry, Ma’am. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No, that’s okay. I made you some coffee,” she explained, handing him a mug.

Vin accepted it gratefully. “Thanks, Mary. I could use some.”

“We’ll put some soup on in about an hour.”

“How’s Chris?”

“Still sleeping. His temperature seems to be hovering a little, but it’s still okay.”

Vin nodded. “The others?“

“Everyone else seems to be over the nightmares.“

“Good. You better be gettin’ back. You’re gettin’ wet.”

The woman refrained from voicing her concerns about his welfare but couldn’t help making a comment she hoped would make him see sense. “Surely Royal’s men wouldn’t venture out on a night like this.”

“Maybe that’s what they’re hopin’ we’re thinkin‘.”

“You don’t give up, do you?” Mary smiled.

“Nope,” Tanner agreed, returning her grin. “You call me if Chris’ temperature rises. Reckon if I just shake all over him, should bring his temperature down,” the young man chuckled, before turning and disappearing back into the darkness.

**********

The night dragged on, the rain increasing in intensity. Vin found himself shivering. He wasn’t sure if it was simply because he was wet and cold or because his body was now actively trying to combat his fatigue.

“Get Vin, NOW!” Tanner heard the shout and was on his feet and running before he had consciously made the decision to do so.

In the saloon, Mary stepped back. Larabee’s temperature had risen without warning. His muttered cries were becoming more desperate by the second. Jane rushed out onto the veranda to call the only man who had a chance of dealing with the gunfighter, but the tracker flew past her before she could utter a cry.

Pushing by Mary, Vin dropped at Larabee’s side and snaked his hand along his best friend’s arm.

“Calm down there, Cowboy. Get me a sponge!” he yelled at Mary. “Chris, you just relax now. We’re gonna get that temperature down.” Frantically, Tanner began to wipe his friend down. There was no way he was going to allow Larabee to suffer again... even if it meant knocking him out.

The seconds became minutes, Vin’s efforts relentless.

“He’s stopped muttering,” Mary whispered.

“Yeah, but his temperature is still rising,” Vin argued. “Get another sponge.”

Working together, Vin and Mary did their best to reduce Chris’ soaring fever, but to no avail. Larabee was burning-up, and yet, he was calm and still. As a matter of fact, his temperature was far higher this time but there was no sign of the hallucinations.

Mary glanced at Vin’s right arm. It was interlocked with the gunfighter’s. That was the reason why, she realized. That link was preventing Chris from entering an abyss of emotional torture. The reporter knew that for these two men, their friendship was their lifeline. It hadn’t taken her long to appreciate that the unspoken bond between them provided both with salvation from past demons and the trust needed to actively participate in life.

“Chris, you just keep calm. Everything’s okay. We’re just tryin’ to get your damn temperature down. You just keep restin‘. Stay relaxed.” Vin’s soft, running monologue continued for several minutes.

“It’s coming down,” Mary stated.

“Yep, it is. You’re gonna be fine, Cowboy. Your temperature is coming down. You had us worried for a bit, but you’re gonna be fine.”

Tanner handed his cloth to Mary. He leaned down close to Chris’ ear. “I ain’t sure if you can hear me, Cowboy, but you’re doin’ fine. I gotta go. Rest easy, pard.” Vin rose to his feet, his arm still laced along his sleeping friend’s. Slowly he released the hold and then waited for several seconds.

“He’s okay,” Tanner breathed with relief.

As Vin spoke, Chris stirred. “Vin?” It was a mumbled whisper.

Vin crouched beside his friend. “Hey, Cowboy.”

Larabee blinked trying to focus his vision. “You’re all wet,” he muttered.

Vin Tanner burst out laughing.

Chris frowned. Vin picked up the puzzled man’s hand. “It’s raining out. I’ve been watching for an attack.”

Larabee studied Vin’s face. “You need some rest. You look worse than I feel.”

Again Vin laughed. “Thanks a whole hell of a lot, pard.” The pair became silent.

The nightmares should be over now, Chris. “Close your eyes and sleep. I’ll see you in about a day.”

Larabee blinked twice and allowed his eyes to close. Vin rose to his feet and started to move away, but Chris maintained his grip on his friend’s hand. Tanner squeezed Larabee’s fist and then lay it on the bed.

“Vin, would you like some soup?” Kate asked approaching him. “I put it in a mug so you could take it with you.”

“Thanks, Ma’am. Now that Chris is okay, you all can go and get some sleep. The hard part is over. They’ll all sleep for the next day, maybe more. We’ve just got to keep wakin’ them and gettin’ them to drink water and broth.”

“It would be useless for me to suggest that you stay in here where it’s dry and warm, wouldn’t it?” Allison asked.

Vin winked at her and left the room.

“He’s the most stubborn man I’ve ever met!”

“I think he’s wonderful,” Jenny murmured.

**********

Dawn. Vin rose to his feet unsteadily.

“Damn,” the exhausted man muttered. He needed to hold it together one more day and night and then the boys would be back on their feet... and then he could sleep. The thought of the word made him shudder - or was that the fever he had developed during the night sitting soaking wet and freezing in the rain?

Vin moved stiffly along the roof and headed for the saloon. “Mornin’.”

“Good morning.” Mary frowned. “You look terrible.”

Vin smiled. “You ain’t the first person in my life to tell me that, Ma’am.”

“Come and sit down.”

“Can’t. We’ve got things to do. Miss Jenny, I need to you sit up on the church. Now, you be careful climbing up there, it’s slippery.”

“I will, Mr. Tanner.”

“Did you all get some sleep?” Vin asked.

“Yes,” Allison replied. “Which is more than can be said for you.”

“Boys okay?”

“All of them are sleeping. We’ve been able to get water into most people. Ezra was impossible.”

“I’ll handle him in a minute. I need you all to listen good. We have to go over our plan.” During the long hours alone, he had refined his strategy for dealing with a second attack. “In a moment, I’m going to put the barrels out. You all know what to do when I give you the signal?”

The women nodded.

“It’s real important that you hold off until I tell you to shoot.”

Again the women nodded.

“All things going well, our plan should work. If it doesn‘t, we need to have a back up.” Vin glanced at Chris. “Royal’s men are only going to be interested in taking the boys down. After that, they’ll probably do some damage, but they aren’t gonna be much interested in anyone but the boys. So, in a minute, I’m gonna move the boys to the basement.”

“The basement?”

“They’ll be fine down there. All they’re gonna do is sleep anyway. It means that if something happens to me and Royal’s men get in here, they won’t find who they’re lookin’ for. If that happens, I want you all to tell them that Chris and the others high tailed it out of here the moment they recognized the illness. Royal’s mob will believe that. They wouldn’t know loyalty if it rose up and bit them on the...” Vin clamped his mouth shut. “Sorry, ladies.”

All were smiling at him. “Go on, Mr. Tanner,” Kate prompted.

“If Royal’s men don’t find the boys they’ll leave. I’m gonna need some help getting the barrels ready.”

“I’ll help!” Jane cried.

“Thanks, Miss. First I’ve gotta get Ezra to drink something and then I’ll carry the boys downstairs and then we‘ll organize the barrels.” Vin paused to reflect. He‘d remembered everything hadn‘t he?

**********

“Tell me exactly what happened,” Davis demanded. He had finally decided to take Royal up on his offer. The seven gunfighters should prove worthy opponents, but first the professional ‘exterminator’ wanted to find out just what had taken place the day before.

“Ain’t much to tell. We rode in. All them seven gunfighters were waiting for us. Smiling at us.”

“When you say all of them, do you mean they came out to face you?”

“Yeah. Tanner was standin’ there grinning at us. Bastard! Look, they wanted a fight but...”

“But what? Why didn’t they take you on?” It didn’t make sense.

Hallow shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t know.”

Davis picked up another chicken leg. It was noon and he was sitting with the rest of Royal’s cowhands eating lunch. “And none of them looked sick?”

“Nope... well, I didn’t get close enough to really see. Tanner wasn’t sick. Just stood there smiling at us... the bastard!”

“Wait a minute. What do you mean, you didn’t see them clearly?”

“I don’t know. The preacher was in the church. Larabee was in the general store.”

Henry Davis’ eyes narrowed. “Did you actually see Larabee?”

“Yeah. Plain as day.”

“Think, did you see his face?”

Hallow looked at Davis like he was some sort of fool. “Can’t you hear what I’m sayin’? I saw him.”

Davis’ hand shot threw the air and encircled the foreman’s throat. “Think very carefully before answering this time. Did you see Larabee’s face?”

Hallow swallowed. The other men at the table stopped eating.

“No. No, I guess I didn’t.”

Davis released the other man. “Did any of you see his face?”

The group began to shake their heads.

“So what did you see?!”

“It was Larabee. He was dressed in back.”

Davis was beginning to nod. “What about the Kid?”

“He was in the sheriff’s office. Came out onto the veranda when we rode in.”

“Did you see his face?”

Hallow frowned. Slowly he shook his head. “I know it was him. He was wearing that bowler hat he always wears.”

Henry Davis began to smile. “So the only one of the seven you actually saw was Tanner?” Davis shook his head. “You fools. You saw what they wanted you to see.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Tanner must the only one left standing. He’s good,” Davis muttered. “Very, very good,”

“But we saw...”

“You saw a bowler hat and you assumed it was that Kid sheriff. You saw someone dressed in black and because you were expecting to see Larabee, you thought that’s who you were looking at.”

“But Tanner called to them and they...” All of the sudden, the penny dropped. Hallow leaped to his feet and began cursing at the top of his lungs. “I’m gonna belt the crap out of that no good sonofabitch tracker!”

“I thought your boss wanted to do that,” Davis chuckled. “Tell me a little bit about Tanner. Where’s he from? What’s his background?”

“How the hell would I know?!” James Hallow was absolutely beside himself. He had been fooled by the simplest of tricks.

Davis leaned forward, his eyes piercing straight through the foreman. “Tell me what you do know.”

“He’s a sharpshooter. Real good, too, from what I’ve heard.”

“What else?”

“Ain’t much else. He keeps to himself. Ain’t real bright, I guess.”

Henry Davis burst into rollicking laughter. “He ran rings around you lot. Don’t mistake quiet for stupid. This man is cunning and he’s clever. And with a rifle in his hand, he’s deadly. But at the moment, he’s got to be tired and his attention is focused not on himself but on protecting his companions. That‘s his weakness.”

“Do you think you can take him?”

The smile left Davis’ face. “Maybe.”

Hallow eyed the other man with distaste. Davis really thought he was something.

“So you don’t think you can take him?”

“I didn’t say that.” Davis knew Tanner was too clever to take on on his own terms. The gunfighter understood that his only hope of defeating the sharpshooter would come because of something that was out of the Tanner’s control. “It will be a matter of waiting for opportunity to knock.”

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