“Alright!“ the leader of the mob yelled. “Call off your sniper or I’ll order my men to...“ There was a shot and the leader was silenced.

“Their leader’s down,” Josiah shouted. “Let’s go!”

Buck’s head snapped up as the others started for their horses. Wilmington rose, grabbed Larabee under the arms, reefed him to his feet and shoved him toward his horse. “Come on, Chris.”

The six regulators mounted and rode out in the confusion that followed. Several of the mob started to give chase, but the shots coming from the hill opposite were aimed with precision. Each one found its mark and those giving chase were cut down one by one. Realizing they were sitting ducks in the sites of such an excellent marksman, the rest of the hired men climbed into the saddle and rode off in the opposite direction. No amount of money was worth dying for.

Once out of range, Larabee and his men slowed their horses and looked back. The mob had been cut in half and those left were dispersing. The danger had passed and an unsettling calm spread across the now quiet valley.

Chris turned his horse around, his eyes narrowed at the hill behind them which had sheltered someone who had risked his life to cover their escape.

“Chris, who do you think it was?” J.D. asked.

Larabee swallowed, a lump forming in his throat as the image of one man formed.

“I don’t know who it was or why they chose to help us, but let us not waste the opportunity presented. I suggest we ride through the night and deliver the statement to Winton as quickly as possible,” Ezra suggested, “before those miscreants change their minds and decide to reform and pursue us.”

Chris continued to stare across the darkening valley. The brilliant sunset was already fading, replaced by dusk. Shadows lengthened across the gorge, dancing around the rocks littered across the valley floor.

Larabee lowered his gaze to the stray horses wandering and silently counted them. Almost a dozen and he knew his men hadn’t shot any of their adversaries, which meant the riders of those animals had all been cut down by the mystery shooter in only a handful of minutes.

There was only one person Chris knew who was that good from that distance.

“It’s Vin,” he whispered.

Buck shook his head sadly. “No, pard. It ain’t. You... you know it ain’t.” Chris heard the emphasis on the word ‘know’ and understood what Wilmington was implying. Larabee had no sense of Vin. The ’knowing’ they had shared was gone and yet... it had to be Vin. There was no other explanation.

Chris urged his horse back into the hushed valley. “Chris? Chris what the hell are you doing?” Buck called after him.

“The mob's gone, Buck. Relax. He just wants to thank whoever it was who saved our butts,” J.D. explained, following Larabee. “So do I.”

“No, he’s looking for a ghost,” Ezra murmured, exchanging a glace with Wilmington as the entire group pursued their leader.

“We should round up the horses,” Josiah mused. “They’ll die out here without water. We also should bury the dead.”

“I’ll see if any of the fallen are alive,” Nathan offered. He could not ignore the fact that there may be someone who needed his help. The healer dismounted and began to check the bodies, but swiftly realized he wasn’t going to find anyone breathing. Each bullet had been expertly aimed.

Chris continued on toward the base of the mountain that rose up over them in resolute defiance. He searched the limited brush for signs of the person who had saved them.

Buck drew his horse along side his oldest friend. “It ain’t him, Chris. I wish to God it could be, but... it ain’t.”

Larabee swallowed. “So who was it?” he demanded. Who else could shoot with such accuracy and would have drawn the fire of the mob, thus endangering himself in order to save the regulators?

Buck shrugged and studied the shadowed incline. “I don’t know. Whoever it was must have taken off. Chris, I know that...” Buck’s voice trailed off as both he and Chris drew weapons, their attention drawn to a small landslide of gravel. Both tracked it upward and to the left. To their astonishment they spotted a shadowy figure making its way down the side of the mountain. At first the man was difficult to make out, but as he got closer, the outline became clear and was quite unmistakeable.

“It‘s Vin!” J.D. shouted, leaping off his horse. “He’s alive. Vin’s alive. Vin!“ J.D. waved. Tanner raised his hand, acknowledging the boys as he stumbled his way toward them.

Nathan, Ezra and Josiah all jogged across as Buck lowered his revolver and dismounted, his jaw actually hanging open.

“It is Vin,“ Ezra uttered in absolute astonishment. “He didn’t go to Tascosa.“

“He’s alive,” Buck whispered.

Chris remained in the saddle, shut his eyes, muttered two words and then climbed down to wait as Tanner skidded down the rocky side of the mountain.

“Vin!” J.D. cried again. “I told you! I told you it had to be Vin.” The youngest member of the group was bouncing from foot to foot, his relief leaching out of every pore. He removed his bowler and tossed it into the air in celebration. “I knew it. I knew we’d find him... well, I guess he found us. But I knew it would turn out right. I told you boys I was psychic!”

As Tanner jumped the final few feet to the ground, J.D rushed him and without thought, he threw his arms around his friend. “Vin... I knew it... I mean...“ Embarrassed, Dunne pulled away. “I mean... it’s good to see you, Vin.” Tanner nodded without comment.

Josiah placed his hands on each of Vin’s shoulders as J.D. shuffled out of the way, Dunne’s young face beaming. J.D. had never been in any doubt.

“And the lost sheep returns to the fold. We truly have been blessed,” Josiah preached, quietly. “Welcome home, brother.“ Vin said nothing, his expression specifically blank.

Nathan pumped his friend’s hand warmly, but a frown formed on his dark face. Despite the limited light, Nathan could see more than he wanted to.

Buck dragged Nathan out of the way, glared at Vin for several moments and then shoved him hard in anger. “Why the hell didn’t you let us know that...“ The anger faded quickly and Buck thrust his hand into Vin‘s. “It’s really good to see you.” He grabbed the younger man in a bear hug. “Thank God.” Buck raised his eyes to Heaven and repeated, “Thank you, God.”

Still Vin said nothing and provided no definable reaction to the welcome given by his partners. He appeared distant. His buckskin coat was absent revealing filthy clothes that were ripped and torn.

Buck released the silent man and moved away, allowing Ezra to approach. Standish calmly offered his hand. “You are a ghost, my friend. I didn’t think we’d see you again.” Ezra could tell that Vin wasn’t actually listening. This Standish understood. Clearly, there was one thing on Vin’s mind and until it had been dealt with, Vin could think of nothing else.

Tanner’s eyes moved passed Ezra to the man who was still standing with the horses. The other five shifted out of the way, allowing Vin and Chris to come face to face for the first time since they had tried to tear each other apart a fortnight earlier. Both men’s expressions were impossible to read. A multitude of emotions ignited at that moment... and began to simmer and build.

Buck and the others held their breath. They had no idea what it was that had caused these two to have such a terrible fight. It appeared they were about to find out.

For an eternity they stood and then Larabee crossed the ten feet between he and Vin, bearing down on the younger man like a bull spying a red flag. Tanner didn’t move, holding his ground.

J.D. looked to the others in desperation. Surely they would step in and prevent the pair coming to blows. The youth moved to intercede, but Josiah gripped his shoulder and shook his head. This was between Tanner and Larabee and despite how it affected them all, it had to be settled between the two men who had initiated the disagreement... settled one way or another.

Chris stopped only a foot away from his companion. The pair studied each other, each trying to read the plethora of emotions reflecting back at them in the growing darkness. The connection between them was gone, for despite standing this close to Vin, Chris still had no ‘sense’ of him. As he looked into Vin’s raging blue eyes, he realized that that was Vin’s choice. He had cut himself off from Chris deliberately... withdrawn the bond of brotherhood he had gifted Chris with a few months earlier.

Without a word, Larabee thrust his arm out. It was apology and an offer to reaffirm their friendship all rolled into one. Vin looked down at the arm for several moments and then lifted his eyes to meet the gunfighter’s intense green orbs.

Buck held his breath. ‘Come on, Vin’, he appealed, silently. The seconds ticked by, each one excruciating. J.D. licked his lips, nervously. Vin stood unmoving. Ezra willed Vin to accept the apology, but Vin remained still. Larabee’s arm and offer of friendship remained between them in the screaming silence. Josiah, Buck and Nathan exchanged glances and prayers, but it didn’t look like those prayers were going to be answered today. It was obvious that the forgiveness Chris was asking for wasn’t going to be granted.

Josiah looked away.

Ezra shut his eyes.

Buck shook his head.

J.D. swallowed.

Nathan released his breath slowly.

Larabee’s eyes shadowed with regret and his arm started its descent... a descent that symbolized the fall of his and Vin’s brotherhood. He had hoped that… prayed that Vin would…

His arm got half way before Vin’s shot out and took a hold of it. Tanner was frowning, but gradually the entwined arms rose until they were level, the forearm grip firm and strong.

“Yes,” J.D. cried, unable to control himself.

Vin and Chris stood frozen.

As their arms had come together, Larabee had been flooded with an inexplicable feeling. It washed over him and through him and his soul opened up and welcomed it. It was not something he would ever be able to describe, but the feeling was almost overwhelming. For the last forty-eight hours the reassuring ‘it’ he had never truly understood but cherished, had been absent, withdrawn... perhaps as a punishment, though Chris knew intuitively that the motivation had not been anything so cruel. It had been self-preservation, for as Buck had correctly pointed out, Vin tended to react as Chris did and thus Tanner had repelled boarders to protect himself just has Larabee had done, so many times in the past.

Buck subtly inclined his head to the others and all but Nathan backed away. Jackson remained, his attention on Vin’s gaunt face. In the shadows of dusk, Nathan could see that Tanner’s lips were colourless against his ashen and bruised face.

“Chris,” Vin acknowledged in a voiceless whisper. He swallowed and blinked only the once.

“Chris,” Nathan warned, lunging forward as Vin’s knees buckled.

Startled, Larabee seized his friend. Tanner sagged against him, his eyes lifting to his best friend’s face momentarily before they shut with an accompanying groan.

“Vin? Are you hit?”

“Ease him down,” Nathan ordered.

Chris gripped his companion firmly and sank with him, pulling the sharpshooter into him. This wasn’t happening, Chris thought with horror. It couldn’t be. “Nathan?”

“Give me a minute,” Jackson ordered, removing Vin’s hat and beginning to search for the tell tale sign of blood.

“What happened?” J.D. cried, as he, Buck, Josiah and Ezra rushed to stand over their friend.

“Don’t you even think about it, Tanner,” Chris growled into his partner’s ear. “You hear me?”

Nathan's experienced hands danced over Vin's prone form. "He wasn't shot," he breathed with relief. "But he's lost a hell of a lot of weight and he looks like death warmed up."

There were expressions of relief mixed with concern from all.

“He looks terrible,” J.D. murmured. Tanner’s hair was matted to his head. His usually muscular frame was a shadow of what it had been. Dark patches resided under his dull blue eyes and his healthy tanned skin was anything but.

Jackson attempted to ease Vin away from Chris and onto the ground, but found resistance. “Chris, I need you to...” Nathan paused and looking into Larabee’s face, realized that Chris had no intention of ‘letting go’ just at the moment. Nodding his understanding, the healer began to unbutton Vin’s grimy, sweat drenched shirt. As he peeled it back, all above Vin gasped. The sharpshooter's upper torso was a kaleidoscope of green, black and blue bruising.

“Holy mother of God,” Josiah murmured as his eyes lifted to Chris.

Larabee's face darkened in shock and anger.

J.D.’s jaw trembled as his thoughts found voice. “Chris you didn’t…?” Surely this wasn’t a result of the beating Chris has given Vin!

“No,” Nathan stated, firmly, knowing what J.D. was implying. “This is only a few days old. Look, I need water and light,” he added, as if expecting one of the boys to produce a lantern.

“I’ll start a fire,” Ezra offered.

Tanner moved uncomfortably against Chris. Larabee adjusted his hold of his friend, lifted one hand to Vin’s head and let it rest there. As Vin's tasselled head rolled into his friend, he cursed weakly and again attempted to get up. “Easy. Let Nathan have a look at you."

Vin knew where he needed to be.

"Hush there," Nathan scolded, bushing Vin's hair to the side so he could examine the fortnight old bullet wound. Carefully, he titled his patient’s head toward the light of the small fire Ezra had started, grimacing as he did so. "Man, you were lucky, Vin." Tanner's face was still puffy on that side, though the bruising was fading, giving him a yellowed complexion.

"When was the last time you had something to eat?"

To this, there was no answer. Vin’s battle against the darkness calling him was finally lost as his eyelids fell over his dazed eyes. "Vin?“ Nathan prompted, gently tapping his patient’s face.

“Nathan?“ Chris demanded, his voice rising with concern. Anxiously, he began to shake his best friend.

“Let him sleep," Nathan ordered. "He's pretty weak. I'll make some broth. We need to get some food into him. Doesn't look like he's eaten in a week."

"Not since he left town," Ezra predicted.

“You’re probably right. It's a bad head wound. There’s still some swelling. He was on his own. Probably passed out somewhere, too weak to look after himself. God knows how he survived.”

Nathan’s words struck Chris like blows. He was responsible for this. “Damn,” Larabee growled at himself. God, I'm sorry, Vin.

“He’s okay, Chris. He just needs rest,” Nathan assured.

"I'll go find Peso," J.D. offered. "Then we can spread out his bedroll." The youth disappeared and Josiah and Ezra moved off to tie the other horses, set camp and bury the dead.

Buck crouched beside Chris. "We were wrong."

Chris glanced at his friend. "Thank God."

"Oh, I wouldn't be counting my blessings yet. J.D. really believes he's psychic. We'll never hear the end of it," Buck chuckled. “He’ll probably start charging people to hear his predictions.”

Chris smirked gratefully at his oldest friend and then lowered his gaze to the precious bundle he held. "I never thought that..." He swallowed.

"I know," Buck acknowledged, clapping his friend's shoulder.

“If I get my hands on the people who did that,” Chris growled, nodding his head toward Vin‘s battered body.

Buck squeezed his friend‘s shoulder. "Yeah, I know.“

“He shouldn’t have been out there on his own in that condition. I could have stopped him. I should have.“ Larabee again adjusted his grip on Vin. Tanner half stirred, but Chris leant down and provided assurances which stilled his agitated friend.

“Vin’s a stubborn man. I ain’t so sure you would have been able to stop him, pard.“

Chris lifted his strangled gaze to Buck. “I could have. I knew he wasn’t telling me the truth about his head, but I was...“ Chris drew in a deep breath. Selfishly, he’d been so wound up in his own emotional hell that he had accepted Vin’s stubborn refusal to rest. The fight obviously hadn’t helped either. Larabee shook his head with self-reprisal. He shouldered complete responsibility for the pounding Vin had taken.

“Chris, beating yourself up over this isn’t going to help him. He came back and he didn’t do that for me... or for Ezra... or anyone else. He took your hand. Whatever happened is over as far as he’s concerned.“

Larabee stared down at Vin’s pale face in the limited light of the moon. “Not even close,“ Larabee whispered. Chris had seen the look in Vin’s eyes. It wasn’t over. Not yet.

Buck frowned and decided to change the subject. “As soon as J.D. gets back with the bedroll, I'll help you shift him onto it." Like Nathan, Buck could see that Chris wasn't ready to be separated from all that he had thought he had lost. He needed the physical contact, for Chris, like Buck and Ezra, had believed Vin to be ’gone’.

Quietly, Buck rose to his feet. Any one of the boy's bedrolls would have sufficed, but waiting for J.D. to find Peso would give Chris the time he needed to come to terms with the fact that Vin was back.... a little worse for wear, but back all the same. “I’ll go and help J.D.”

With that, Buck left to delay his young partner‘s return.

****

It was almost an hour before Buck and J.D. ambled back into the small camp. Ezra, Nathan and Josiah were collected to the far left, talking quietly. The fire Ezra had started had been shifted away from Chris and Vin and had a tin of beans cooking over it.

Chris hadn't moved. He could feel Vin's heart beating against his own chest and found himself focusing and waiting for every distinct beat... each confirming that Vin was back and alive. Larabee now was able to face his fear. He had honestly believed that his best friend was dead. In that he had been wrong, on two accounts. Vin was a live, and Vin Tanner was no longer his best friend.

“We spotted the fire of the fellas who attacked us from up there. They’re camped a few miles on the other side of the mountain. They won’t be giving us any trouble tonight,” J.D. stated, with confidence.

“Is that a prediction?” Josiah chuckled, watching as Buck tethered Peso to the other horses.

J.D. grinned. “I was right about Vin, though, wasn’t I?”

“You were,” Nathan agreed, smiling.

“How is he?” Dunne asked, lowering his voice and glancing across at Chris who still held Vin.

“Still sleeping.”

Buck released Vin’s bedroll from Peso and wandered across to Larabee with Nathan at his side.

“Here we go,” Buck stated, laying out the blanket.

“You ready?” Nathan asked Chris as he crouched in front of Larabee and reached for Vin’s arm. Tanner awoke startled.

“Easy,” Chris assured, placing his hand in the middle of Vin’s battered chest.

“Hey,” Nathan greeted. “How do you feel?

Vin blinked several times as he considered the question. "Ahhh... I don't know." He grimaced and reached for his head. Suddenly aware that Chris was holding him, he mumbled, "Larabee, help me up,”

“Your head hurting?” Nathan asked, fingering the area around the wound.

"No," Vin snapped. "I ain't askin'... you bastards... again. Let me up." He weakly shoved Nathan back and sat, but that was the end of his energy. Swallowing, he released his breath and then cursed. He glanced at the healer and his weary eyes flashed an apology. "Head's been good, doc. Aching a bit at the moment."

"You black out many times?"

"A couple in the days after it happened. I'm okay now. Really. Don't know why my legs got rubbery on me."

"Might have something to do with the fact that you haven't eaten or slept in days," Josiah murmured, from the other side of the camp.

"Vin, what happened to you?" J.D. asked, approaching and indicating the bruising to Tanner’s chest.

"Was camped in a cave for a bit and a couple of bastards decided to rob me. Weren't real happy when they realized I had nothin' worth stealin'."

"They really worked you over," Buck grimaced.

Chris shook his head. He could pinpoint the exact moment it had happened. He’d been sitting on the edge of Bison Cliff, looking down on the land below. It was then that he had been overwhelmed with the feeling Vin was in trouble.

"They got the worst of it," Vin claimed, pulling his threadbare shirt around himself.

Wilmington grinned. "I'll bet they did."

"Introduced them to that little something you keep hidden in your boot?" Ezra asked, joining the group and trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Tanner nodded, though didn't smile. The frown on Vin's gaunt face was intense. He turned his head to Chris, who still had one arm around his back ensuring he didn't fall.

Slowly, Larabee withdrew the support. "You sure you're alright?"

When Tanner failed to answer, Chris directed his gaze to Nathan for confirmation.

"He needs some rest and some food. Vin, I wouldn't be trying to get up just yet. You're pretty weak. I'm guessing you haven't eaten much since you left Four Corners?"

Vin shrugged. "Guess not."

"Why don't you lay back and rest while we get some dinner prepared?"

Tanner's attention had returned to Larabee. Chris knew what was on his friend's mind. "Later. You get some rest."

Vin started to open his mouth, but had second thoughts. He nodded. Before he could do anything, three sets of hands, those of Nathan, Buck and Ezra, guided him onto the blanket.

"Thanks," Vin said with sincere gratitude. Standish gave his partner a one finger salute. Ezra was only just beginning to accept that the alarming dream he had had was only that. Vin was alive and he was exactly where he was supposed to be... surrounded by those who cared.

Again, Larabee and Tanner's eyes met.

The other men watched with uncertainty. Vin had accepted Chris' hand earlier, but it was clear that things were still strained between them.

"He can forgive what Chris did, but hasn't been able to forget it," Josiah murmured to Nathan as the pair moved off.

“Forgiving and forgetting are two different things," Jackson agreed, solemnly.

Vin drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. Chris settled on the ground only an inch from the injured man.

Buck Wilmington again raised his eyes to the Heavens. "I owe you," he whispered. His two friends had been given a second chance. How they chose to use it was up to them.