JD Dunne sat in front of the jail with his chair tipped back against the wall. He pulled off his bowler and twirled it in his hands out of boredom. It had been a quiet week in Four Corners and, while it was peaceful, it was also monotonous. There was nothing happening, no distractions. Buck and Ezra were out on patrol. Chris and Vin were in the saloon. From where he sat, he could see Josiah at the church, working on some new pews.

Nathan had stopped by earlier to say he was going to Rain's village for a visit. It had been over three weeks since the healer had last seen the young woman and JD had to smile at the healer's shy admission of missing her. He knew that his own relationship with Casey Wells had progressed in the last three years to more than a friendship, but not quite to the point of courtship yet. But, truth be known though, if he didn't see her at least once a week, he usually managed some excuse to get out to the Wells ranch.

His attention was drawn down the street as he heard the jingling of harness. The stage entered town and rolled down the street to stop in front of the depot. JD placed the bowler back onto his head and stood up. Adjusting the Colts that hung from his hips, he stepped off the boardwalk and headed over to check out any passengers that were disembarking in the small town.

He was coming around the back of the stage when he heard Billy Travis' voice call out 'Grandpa'. JD rounded the stage in time to see Orrin Travis envelope the young boy in a big hug. JD noticed Billy's mother, Mary, standing on the boardwalk, watching her son and father-in-law greet each other. Stepping back from his grandson, Judge Travis joined Mary on the boardwalk and placed a gentle kiss on the offered cheek.

"Orrin, what a pleasant surprise. We weren't expecting to see you this week." Mary said quietly.

"Good morning, Mary. Had a slight change of plans." Orrin looked around and made eye contact with JD.

JD tipped his hat, smiling at the judge. "Judge Travis. Nice to see you, sir."

"And you, Mr. Dunne. I have business with you gentlemen. Could you ask Chris to join me at the jail?"

"Sure thing, Judge. Miss Travis." JD tipped his hat again and threw a wink at the boy. As he turned to head down to the saloon, he heard Judge Travis tell Mary and Billy that he would join them for lunch. JD trotted over to the saloon to look for Chris Larabee.

JD hit the bat winged doors and leaned into the dark room. He waited for his eyes to adjust and stepped in, glancing both directions until he spied Chris and Vin sitting at a corner table. Both men glanced his direction as he headed their way.

Breathless, he stopped in front of the two men. He reached up and removed his hat with one hand, as he pointed with the other. "Judge Travis came in on the stage. He wants to see ya at the jail."

Vin glanced over at Larabee, his eyes questioning the request. A slight shake of the head was Larabee's only response to the unvoiced question. The gunslinger pulled his hat down over his eyes and stood along with Tanner. They headed out the door with JD following behind.

The three peacekeepers entered the jail to find Judge Travis sitting behind the desk.

"Orrin." Chris said as he entered.

"Chris. Vin. Sorry to show up without notice. I need a prisoner picked up in Watsonville and brought back here for trial. Chris, I was hoping to get you and a couple of the others to go get him."

"Any particular reason for not going there for the trial?"

The chair squeaked as Orrin leaned back and folded his hands across his stomach. "He's accused of trying to rob the bank. Five people were killed during the attempt. One of the robbers, as well as the bank manager, two women and a child died in a gun battle outside the bank. The sheriff was wounded. He wired me, asking to move the trial. He has a couple of deputies, but he doesn't feel that he can contain the townspeople throughout a trial. Emotions are running pretty high, as you can well imagine."

Chris' mouth tightened as the Judge talked. Old memories sprang to mind and he felt his blood boiling. He heard the words, but his mind was remembering the murder of his own wife and child, the emotions fresh in his mind even though it had been seven years since their deaths. Chris shook the memories away as Orrin finished speaking.

Chris shifted his weight, as he replied, "Should be no problem. When you wanting us to go?"

"I expect that you should be back within five days, if you leave now." Orrin informed him. "Is that agreeable?"

"Don't see any reason that we can't leave today." He glanced at Vin Tanner as he spoke. Vin nodded his head. "As soon as Buck and Ezra get back, we can head out."

JD shifted from foot to foot in eagerness. The judge said he wanted Chris and two others to go. He chewed his lip hoping Chris would ask him to go. His hopes were dashed with Larabee's next words.

"Vin and I'll grab Buck and head out as soon as him and Ezra get back."

JD's eyes dropped to the floor and he quickly walked away from the others to stand looking out at the street. Last thing he wanted was Chris to see his disappointment at not being asked to go along.

Vin caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and turned his head as JD walked off. He saw the slump of the young man's shoulders and knew the kid was upset by Chris' failure to invite him to go. Tanner stepped in front of Larabee and looked at him with one eyebrow raised.

Chris frowned at the tracker, his brows knitted. He watched as Vin's eyes flicked towards JD and back. Chris glanced at the disappointed youth's back and sighed. He heard Tanner suppress a chuckle as he turned to JD.

"JD, why don't you go let Josiah know that we'll be leaving as soon as Buck and Ezra get back? They're due back here anytime. Soon as I let them know where we're going, the three of us can head out."

JD turned slowly and pasted a weak smile on his face. "Sure thing, Chris. Do you need me to do anything else? Nathan went out to visit Rain. Should I go get him?"

"No time before we leave. Buck can let him know tomorrow. He'll be back by then, won't he?"

JD frowned. "I thought Buck was going with you and Vin."

Chris shook his head. "No, I just wanted to make sure and tell him where we were going. You don't mind going, do ya? If you have something planned, I'll see if he wants to go instead."

A smile tugged at Larabee's lips as he watched the kid's face light up.

Stammering, JD shook his head and replied. "No! No, I wanna go. I just thought... I... I'll go tell Josiah. Meet ya at the livery." Not waiting for a reply, he tore out the door, grabbing for his hat as it flew off his head.

Chris stood with one hand on his hip and the thumb of the other hooked in his gun belt. He stood, shaking his head as Tanner briefly dropped a hand on his shoulder. The contact brought Larabee's head up to glare at the man.

"I hope I don't regret this."

Vin gave him a crooked grin, his eyes sparkling. "You won't." That said, he touched his hat. "Judge" he said and left the two men to themselves.

Orrin leaned forward and placed his arms on the desk. "Is there a problem with taking Mr. Dunne?"

Chris smiled at the Judge. 'Mr. Dunne? Just that I have trouble thinking of him that way' Larabee thought to himself. "No, Orrin, no problem. He's as good as they come. I just have a hard time remembering he's grown up, a man. I swear, he looks younger now than when I first saw him four years ago." Chris shook his head as he moved to the window and gazed out. "It's hard to believe that he's twenty-three. He's a good man; I just keep seeing the 'kid' that showed up four years ago. Sometimes it takes someone reminding me that he ain't. Guess that's Vin's job on this trip." Larabee nodded and left the jail. He headed down to the saloon to wait for Buck and Ezra.

Three days later, the trio had become a foursome with the addition of Vern Rankin and they were well on their way home. Rankin was a miserable excuse for a human being, ranting and cursing the entire first day. By midday on the fourth day, Chris had been ready to shoot the man when Vin had finally convinced the bandit to mend his ways and be quiet. JD watched, wide-eyed, as Vin pulled out his knife and placed the tip of the blade in the outlaw's left nostril.

"Did I tell you that I lived with a tribe that prided itself on how long they could keep a man alive with no skin?" Vin spoke in that soft voice JD had only heard when Tanner was really pissed.

JD swore that Rankin's eyes about crossed as he tried to see the knife that disappeared up his nose. "No" the man breathed.

"Do ya want to find out how long that is?" Vin asked. Rankin's eyes met the trackers.

"No."

Vin slowly pulled the blade back and slid it into its' sheath as he moved his horse away. JD discreetly laughed behind his hand, but it had worked and they enjoyed the peace and quiet for a while.

Buck sat in front of the jail, his chair tipped back against the wall, his fingers interlaced across his stomach. The town was just beginning to come alive in the cool morning air. He waited patiently as the day wore on. Josiah was due to relieve him soon. It had been a quiet three days and he missing the energy that JD exuded. Though the boy could sometimes drive a body crazy with his incessant questions and lack of respect for his elders and their good advice, he definitely livened a place up. Buck stood and stretched as Josiah strolled down the street.

"Morning, Josiah. How're you doing on those new pews?" Buck inquired.

"Well, they'd go a lot faster if I could get some assistance." A laugh rumbled up from the big chest as Buck dropped his eyes and began to look around for an escape. "Don't worry, Buck, I ain't asking ya to help. Just wanted to see ya sweat."

Buck relaxed as he grinned. "Hell, preacher, as picky as you are 'bout your woodwork, I know you don't want me helping. But, you get ready to move 'em inside, I'm there. How's that sound?"

"I accept any and all offers, brother," and he clapped the mustached man on the shoulder.

Buck tipped his hat to the preacher. "Well, I believe I'll go get some breakfast. I'll see ya in a little while."

Buck headed for the saloon and entered as Ezra was coming down the stairs. Inez greeted each man with a warm greeting as they sat down at a table and gave the dark haired woman their orders. A few minutes later they were enjoying the spicy food and some quiet conversation. Nathan Jackson pushed through the swinging doors and moved to join them. He moved to the bar and got a cup of coffee from Inez on his way to the table. They were still sitting, laughing at one of Ezra's tales about a 'monumental game of chance' he had taken part in, when Josiah strode in and moved quickly to the table.

"Boys, we got some trouble." He held up a piece of paper and let it flutter to the table. "This telegram just came in. It's from the sheriff over in Watsonville. Seems a group of men came looking for Rankin, the man Chris and the others went after. Sheriff thinks they may be part of the same gang. They passed through town and are probably following our friends."

Ezra put down the cards he had been shuffling. "Didn't the telegram we received from Mr. Larabee yesterday state that we should expect them tomorrow?" The others nodded in agreement. "That would leave them in a most vulnerable position should these miscreants reach our friends before they arrive here."

"I best pack some supplies. I'll meet ya at the livery." With that, the healer stood up and left the saloon.

Buck had been on his feet before Josiah had stopped talking. He glanced from one man to the other. "Well, what are you waiting for? Chris and the young 'uns need help. Let's go." He was headed toward the door before he got an answer from either man.

Josiah shook his head as Ezra grinned up at him. Raising, Ezra placed the deck of cards into the inner pocket of his jacket and said, "I believe that our Mr. Wilmington was only waiting for an excuse to go after young Mr. Dunne."

Josiah pulled his hat onto his head tighter. "I have no doubt that you are right, Ezra. Be sure to pack your slicker, looks like some weather in the direction we're gonna to be heading."

The southerner smoothed a crease from his sleeve, a grimace pulling at the corners of his mouth. "Well, of course, there is, Mr. Sanchez. For when is it ever uncomplicated, or straightforward, or even clean and dry when we must rush off in rescue of someone?"

"Ah, but that would be so terribly dull, Ezra. Where is the challenge?" The preacher laughed as the southerner made a crude sound and swaggered off.

It was going on late afternoon when Vin came drew to a halt. "Got weather coming. We need to find some shelter. Seem to remember a cave a ways up. I'll go have a look."

Chris nodded as the tracker wheeled his horse around. Vin touched the brim of his hat and rode ahead. Chris glanced over at JD. "JD, let's keep moving. Vin'll catch up."

Fifteen minutes later, Tanner rejoined them. "Chris, that cave's about two miles up. We can camp there 'til it blows over."

Chris nodded. He kicked his mount forward, trailing after Tanner. JD prompted Rankin to follow and then brought up drag. He scanned the sky, looking for what Vin had seen. Nothing. But within minutes, the sky was darkening and thunder was rolling across the heavens.

Vin pulled up and Chris drew up beside him. Tanner held onto the brim of his hat as the wind whipped around them. "Chris, over there. The opening's small, but it opens up into a large cavern." With a nod, Larabee rode past him and moved to the cave. Rankin never looked over at Vin as he followed Larabee. JD grinned as he, too, moved to the cave mouth.

Glancing behind them, Vin started after the others. He was several yards behind and within the tree line, when lightening struck off to his left. The ground shook as a tree exploded and split, crashing to the ground. Thunder rolled across the area in the same moment causing Unalii's eyes to roll as he danced around. Vin fought the frightened animal, reining in his head.

The black had just begun to calm when lightening struck again; this time to Tanner's right. Unalii's eyes rolled in fright, the whites showing in his terror, as he struggled against the man on his back. For an instant, the man was winning the battle, but power won out and the animal got his head. Unalii reared up in an attempt to flee. Vin never saw the limb above his head, but he was made aware as he was slammed into it. Darkness pushed at the edges of his vision. He clung to the saddle horn and the animal's mane in an attempt to remain in the saddle. The animal reared again and Tanner lost his battle to retain his seat as he was once again slammed into the tree. As he tumbled from the saddle, the black bolted.

Riding ahead, Chris saw the opening and dismounted. He cautiously entered, leading his mount in behind. The cavern was large enough to shelter them and all four mounts. He ground reined his horse and stepped back through the opening just as the lightening struck. He saw JD and Rankin struggling with their terrified mounts. Larabee ran over and grabbed the bridle of the outlaw's horse.

"Get off. Lead them into the cavern. There's room for the horses in the rear." He watched as JD jumped from the saddle and pulled Rankin down. As they started in, Chris grabbed JD by the arm. "Keep an eye on him. I'm going to check on Vin. He should have been here by now."

"Don't worry, Chris. I've got him." JD assured the gunslinger. He shoved the outlaw into the opening as he led the two horses through the mouth of the cave.

Chris turned and headed to where he had last seen Tanner. He was nearing the trees when a crashing sound alerted him to unseen danger. He stepped off the trail just as the black ran out of the tree line and past him. Chris watched as he disappeared into the dark. A quick glance was all he wasted on the animal before he turned, looking for the tracker. He ran headlong into the trees.

"VIN!" Dark limbs pulled at his duster and scratched at the skin of his face. He headed for the weakening light of the fire the lightening strike had started. Reaching the shattered remnant of the tree, he glanced about looking for his friend. He started to move on when he saw Vin's hat fluttering in the wind. Scooping the hat up, he spun around; looking for the man it belonged to. A flash of lightening illuminated the area and in that brief light, he saw the crumpled form under a tree.

"Damn. Vin." He ran over and turned the limp body over. Chris leaned down and held his breath as he looked at the pale face. He relaxed as he saw Vin's lips quiver with an indrawn breath. Larabee placed a hand on the younger man's chest, relieved to feel the steady thump of his heart as it beat under his palm.

Chris wanted to check the tracker for injuries, but he needed to get him back to the cave and some light and warmth. Hopefully, JD had started a fire because Vin was already shivering in the cold rain. Grabbing the lapels of the tracker's jacket, Chris sat him up, draping the limp arms over his shoulder. Larabee grunted as he hefted the man's dead weight up and onto his shoulder. Standing carefully, he adjusted the dead weight across his shoulders. That done, he staggered back toward the cavern.

The four peacekeepers were wet, cold, and miserable as a result of riding well into the night and into the storm. Remembering an old shack not far from off, Buck pointed the way and they set off in that direction. Fortunately , the rain had let up a few minutes before they reached the shack and each man grabbed his bedroll as Buck volunteered to shelter the animals.

Dismounting, Buck took the reins of mounts and led they into a shelter built onto the side of the shack. He loosened the cinches, but left the saddles on. Pulling some grain out of the bag Josiah had brought, he feed and watered the weary animals. By the time Buck got inside, Nathan had a fire started and they were preparing to fix some dinner. He shucked off his jacket and hung it with the others over the only chair in the room.

Grabbing a cup, he poured some coffee. "This rain is going to go on for a while. We're going to lose what tracks there were."

"Pray tell, if they remain enroute to Four Corners, why would we need to track them?"

"Don't imagine they wanted to get wet any more than we did, Ezra." Nathan reasoned.

"Of course, Mr. Jackson. I do not know what I was thinking of." Ezra looked up at Nathan and smiled. "It may well hamper our efforts to reach our companions, but it might be advantageous to our friends that this tempest deluge the trail and obscure their tracks. It should severely hinder the criminals that are attempting to intercept them."

The other three thought on that for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Josiah stoked the fire as he questioned. "Buck, you been out with Vin. Can you think of any place he might hole up in this kind of weather?"

All eyes turned to the man as he rubbed the back of his neck in thought. "Seems that Vin mentioned a couple of caves around here somewhere. He said he hadn't ever been in them, just noticed 'em as he passed."

"Would more 'an likely try for them if they was caught out in the rain. Reckon they got that far?" Nathan lay out a bedroll as he waited for Wilmington to respond.

"If they left Watsonville when they planned and didn't have any trouble, I suppose they would have made it easily. Maybe, even been past the caves. But I don't see 'em getting much further. Ain't no reason to push the animals as far as they know."

Josiah settled back against the wall. "I would imagine that we will not know for certain until we have located our comrades with tomorrow's sun. I suggest that we get some rest if we wish to be of any assistance."

Ezra stood and straightened his sleeves. "As I am accustomed to the late hours, gentlemen, might I volunteer to stand first watch? Whom should I awaken at the appropriate hour?"

Nathan Jackson tossed his hand up and Ezra acknowledged with a slight incline of his head. "As you wish, sir. I shall awaken you in four hours. Good night, gentlemen."

Buck and Josiah tossed out their bedding and, pulling off their boots and were soon asleep and snoring. Ezra walked quietly to a window and stood staring out into the dark. He did not turn, but spoke softly as Nathan approached. "Mr. Jackson, you should get some rest. It is a fair bet that the morrow will bring a bit of excitement and your services may be required."

"You okay, Ezra? You been awful quiet this trip." The tall black man stood slightly behind and to the side of Standish. He could see the man's features in the dim moonlight. The green eyes were shrouded in deep pools of black and unreadable, his mouth compressed into a thin line.

Cocking his head, he half turned to Nathan and the glint of firelight revealed his eyes to the healer. Nathan's features softened as he looked into those eyes. Smiling slightly, he placed a hand briefly on the red-jacketed shoulder.

Ezra reciprocated with a smile of his own. "I believe that I will be fine as soon as we ascertain the location and well being of our friends."

"They'll be fine, Ezra. Buck will lead us to those caves tomorrow. Chris and Vin are capable men. They'll be just fine."

Ezra took his watch out of his vest pocket and squinted as he read the hands. "Now, Mr. Jackson, you should rest. I will alert you at midnight and you may take over the watch."

Jackson nodded and went and lay down. Ezra did not have to wait long before he was being serenaded by snores from all three men. He turned back to the window and gazed at the moon. Tomorrow could not come soon enough to suit the southerner.

JD sat Rankin down and shackled him. He moved the animals further back and loosened the saddles. Moving back to the front, he checked Rankin and then went out to get some wood before the rain soaked it all beyond use. Heading back in, he glanced around for Chris and Vin. Not seeing them, he reentered the cave and started a fire. The rain had increased in intensity and JD was beginning think he should go look for his friends, when Chris staggered in.

JD jumped to his feet and helped Chris lay Vin down near the fire. He ran back and got the bedrolls off the saddles. Chris sat about checking the tracker for injuries and discovered a gash on the back of Tanner's head. He thanked JD as the kid handed him a canteen.

"What happened to him, Chris?" the youth asked as he sat Larabee's saddlebags down and lay out the bedroll. Larabee told how the black had bolted past him and, backtracking, he had found Vin unconscious under a tree. JD helped Chris get the wet clothes off the tracker and then onto the bedroll. The young man took the wet clothing and laid them out to dry. He placed the gun belt and the sheath encased knife next to the bedroll. Deciding that they were in need of coffee, JD left Chris to do the bandaging and he started some coffee.

The young easterner kept one eye turned to the black clad gunslinger in case he needed something. After warming some water, he handed it to Chris to clean Tanner's face with, noticing that Vin never flinched or even moaned as Chris tended to him. Finishing, Chris sat back and rubbed his eyes.

"How is he, Chris?" JD asked as he held out a cup of steaming coffee.

Larabee took the offered cup with a nod. "Well, he's alive. And his head stopped bleeding." He shook his head. "I'm not sure, JD. I'd feel better if he woke up, but right now, I'm just glad he's breathing."

JD nodded and turned back to the fire. "Guess we'll have to wait and see."

"Yeah, guess we will." Chris agreed. "How about some supper?"

"Sure. Coming right up." JD said. He started the meal, while Chris stood and stretched and then walked over and checked the prisoner. Walking back to the front of the cave, he stood watching the rain as it poured down. He had been standing there for quite a while when JD called to him. He tossed his cheroot out into the night and headed back to the fire. Taking a plate from JD, he sat down and began to eat, while keeping an eye on Vin. JD carried a plate over to Rankin and handed it to him.

"What's this? Beans? I don't like beans. Ain't you got anything else?" Seeing Tanner unconscious had made the man bold again.

"You eat that or you don't eat. It's real simple." JD told him and turned back to the fire. He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes wide, as Larabee jumped up and pulled his gun.

"You throw that plate and I'll put a hole in ya. Now, shut up and eat."

JD glanced over his shoulder and saw the blood had drained from the man's face. Dropping his eyes, the outlaw began to eat. JD grinned as he went back to the fire and joined Chris.

"Thanks, Chris. Hate to be wearing those beans."

Larabee nodded as he sat back down and went back eating. The meal was finished in silence as he sat, watching the tracker. JD cleaned up and then went to the back to tend to the animals. Chris took first watch with the younger man spelling him four hours later. JD commented about the quiet of the evening since the rain had stopped a couple of hours earlier. Larabee nodded as he sat down on the bedroll nearest the tracker, checking him before lying down and relaxing into a light slumber.

JD woke Chris a little before dawn. The blonde was awake in an instant. He looked over at Tanner, "Any change?"

"Hasn't even twitched far as I noticed."

Chris nodded and stood up and stretched. He glanced over at Rankin and, seeing that he was still secure and sleeping, asked JD if there was any coffee.

"Sorry, but I drank the last of it a little while ago. I can start some." The young man took the pot and rinsed it with water from a canteen. He got the coffee going and turned back to the black clad gunslinger. "Chris, I need to... ah... I gotta go. I'll be right back." Seeing Larabee's nod, the young man hurried out the cave entrance.

Chris sat down and stared into the flames of the fire. He was wishing Nathan had come with them as he glanced over at Tanner. Larabee froze at the sight that greeted him. Vin stood swaying slightly, his mares leg at hip level and pointing at Chris' gut. Frowning, he slowly moved his hands away from his body and guns.

"Vin, what are you doing?"

Tanner heard voices, but he didn't recognize them. He opened his eyes just enough to get a feel of where he was. His vision was a little blurry, but he could see that they were in a cave. He thought he had heard two voices but glancing around, he only saw one man. He was dressed in black and sitting near a fire. Tanner could smell the coffee and he heard his stomach rumble, making him wonder how long he had been unconscious. The pain in his head was enough to tell him that he had probably been hit over the head and therefore out for a while.

He looked around cautiously and was surprised to see his weapons lying close at hand. Slowly, he reached over and picked up the mares leg. He pushed himself upright and was reaching for his knife when the man in black turned around and their eyes met.

"Vin, what are you doing?"

Tanner kept the rifle pointed in the direction of the stranger. "I'm leaving. And you're not stopping me."

Chris kept his hands away from the gun that rested on his hip. "Vin, you got thrown and hit your head last night. You've been out since then." Something was wrong and, until he found out what it was, he did not want to provoke a confrontation with the lean tracker. "Vin, do you know who I am?"

"No, I don't know you. I figure that you're trying to collect on the bounty." Vin gestured with the weapon for Chris to move aside. "You just keep those hands up and out."

Vin glanced around and located his clothes near the fire. He slipped on the boots without bothering to slip on his pants. He could dress once he escaped. The sound of rocks clattering drew his head around. He saw someone coming through the mouth of the cave and brought the sawed off rifle around to bear on him. He felt the weapon buck even as he registered the fact that the young man stood with his eyes wide and his hands splayed away from his body, fingers spread wide. Vin's heart froze as he realized the kid was unarmed.

His attention snapped back as a blur of black passed between them and a scream reverberated off the walls of the cave.

"VIN! NO!"

Tanner saw the blonde man slam into the hard packed ground and lay motionless. The dark haired boy cried out, "CHRIS!" and took a step forward, but halted as the rifle came to bear on him again.

"You just stay there, kid. I don't want to have to shoot anyone else. I just want to get out of here." Tanner tossed his clothing over his shoulder and sidled out of the cave past the young man. Once outside, he quickly trotted into the tree line and took off.

JD was just entering the cave mouth when he thought he heard Tanner's voice. Smiling, he quickly trotted into the cave, dislodging some small rocks as he did. He slid to a stop when he saw the scene before him.

Chris stood to one side of the fire as Vin gathered up his clothes. Tanner had his rifle trained on Larabee. The rocks clattered under his feet and he stared in horror as the mares leg swung in his direction.

Time seemed to slow as the next few moments ticked away. He saw the sawed off rifle belch smoke at the same instant he saw Chris launch himself forward. JD was vaguely aware of shouting, but he didn't understand the words. His world consisted of Chris Larabee diving between Tanner and himself. He saw Larabee's body jerk as the bullet impacted and then crash heavily to the ground.

JD was aware that he yelled something and then the mares leg came to bear on him again. He had taken a step forward to help Chris, but froze in his tracks. Tanner had his clothes thrown over a shoulder and was making his way past him and out the cave entrance.

Time seemed to snap back normal after Vin left and JD ran over to the unconscious Larabee. Turning the gunslinger over, JD found that the bullet had passed through Larabee's shoulder. He grabbed some bandages out of his saddlebags and pressed the material against the front and back of Chris' right shoulder. As the bleeding slowed, JD sat back, trying to figure out what to do next.

He glanced over at Rankin. The man sat up against the wall of the cave, smirking. As much as the dark haired youth wanted to wipe that smirk off the outlaw's face, he maintained control and turned his attention back to the wounded man. JD became aware of the chill in the morning air and tossed more wood on the fire. Taking hold of the unconscious man under his arms, JD dragged Larabee to the bedrolls and nearer to the warmth the fire produced.

Settling Chris onto the bedroll, he unfastened the gun belt from around the man's waist and set it aside. JD managed to get the blood soaked shirt off and got his first good look at the wound in Larabee's shoulder. The young man pulled on his lower lip and tried to remember what Nathan did when one of them had been shot.

First, stop the bleeding. That was accomplished, he moved on to the next thing-clean the wound. He grabbed the pot he had cooked beans in the previous night and poured some water into and then sat it over the fire to boil. He crawled over to the saddlebags that sat on the opposite side of the fire and dumped the contents of Chris' onto the ground. Nathan made sure that each man had some medical supplies and JD gathered up the one's from both his and Chris' saddlebags.

He dropped the supplies next to the prone figure and sorted through them. More bandages, tea, and a small vial of laudanum were about the extent of his findings. JD leaned Chris onto his side so he could reach both the entrance and exit wounds the bullet had made. He took a bar of soap and the hot water and cleaned the blood from both. Using some of the bandages, he poked a portion of the material into each hole to seal it from dirt and more blood loss. He had to fight the sick feeling in his stomach as he did. Dunne told himself to thank Nathan next time he saw him. It was beyond JD's understanding how the man could do the things that he did. After he plugged the holes, he wrapped the remaining bandages around Chris' shoulder and chest.

JD sat back and scrutinized his handiwork. It wasn't as neat as Nathan could have done, but it would do until he could get the man home. The young man propped the gunslinger's head and shoulders on the underside of his saddle. It would cradle the wounded shoulder and keep it from pulling. JD had found it the most comfortable way to sleep after he had been stabbed in the shoulder. He draped a blanket over the man and sat back.

JD watched the man's chest rise and fall with each breath and wondered what had happened after he had left the cave. Why would Vin pull a gun on Chris? They were best friends, as close as he was to Buck. There was just no way Vin would shoot Chris on purpose. 'Of course, he had been trying to shoot me, not Chris,' the boy thought to himself. Still Vin had no reason to shoot him, either of them. He rubbed his head as he tried to puzzle it out.

"Hey, kid. You going to feed me today? And I need to go. How about a little consideration for the prisoner, kid?" Rankin was yelling at him and it took a moment for it to register with him. JD stood and turned to the man. He really wished he could knock that grin off the man's face. JD turned back to check Larabee and a wave of dizziness washed over him. He sat down hard, sliding past the rock he had been sitting on and ended up on the hard packed ground next to Larabee.

"Hey, kid, you all right?" Rankin laughed as he continued. "Maybe seeing all that blood made ya light headed. You ain't gonna pass out or something are ya? I'd sure hate to see that happen, kid."

JD never thought about it. He simply pulled Chris' pistol out, turned and fired. Rankin dove flat on the ground, his hands coming up to shelter his head, as small rocks and dirt settling down on him. JD turned back and replaced the gun in the holster. "Now, shut up."

It was after that the boy realized he was in trouble. He had a wounded man, plus a prisoner that he needed to get back to Four Corners. He also had a man missing and there was no way he could leave without finding him first. Lord, he wished Buck or one of the others were with them. All these decisions were giving him a headache.

He put his hands down and started to stand up. A searing pain took his breath and strength away and he fell back to the ground, clutching his side. When he was able to breath again, he moved his hand and felt the warm stickiness of blood. Frowning, he pulled up his vest and shirt and saw the hole in his right side, just above his waist.

"Shit," he whispered as he dropped the material and leaned back against the rock. He took a couple of deep breaths and looked again. It didn't look too bad. The wound was bleeding some, but not an excessive amount in his eyes. He took the remaining water and cleaned around the hole as best he could and then wrapped it with the remaining bandages.

He grabbed the vial of laudanum and took a small sip. JD knew if he drank too much, he would get drowsy, so he took as little as possible. Capping the vial, he sat with his head in his hands and waited.

The four men had risen early and headed out after a cold breakfast. Buck led the way. They decided to stick to the main trail for an hour or two in hopes that the absent trio would go back to it after being holed up during the storm.They did not go far before they came across evidence of several men and mounts on the road. Buck and Ezra dismounted and studied the tracks.

"It would appear that they are backtracking themselves, " the southerner noted.

"Yeah, 'pears so. Think they know something we don't?" Buck frowned as he turned his head toward Standish.

"If they came from that direction, it is most likely, they missed our companions. If Mr. Larabee turned off the main trail per Mr. Tanner's advice, to take shelter in this cave you spoke of, the bunch of hooligans missed the track and are now retreating in hopes of reacquiring it."

Buck grinned, "You been listening to Vin."

Ezra cocked an eyebrow at the big man squatted next him. "I find the knowledge that Mr. Tanner possesses to be quite remarkable and I relish the fact that he deems me worthy enough to pass it on to."

Buck took hold of the gambler's arm and drew him upward as he stood. "Ezra, you're worthy of that and a lot more." Buck's face had neither a smile nor a frown as he spoke, only an open look of truth.

Ezra simply smiled. He was no longer the man that went to an Indian village in hopes of finding gold. He was now a man with friends and a home. While he still enjoyed a good game of chance and would hoodwink an unsuspecting victim, be he a stranger or a friend, Ezra was not a lone wolf out for only himself. His mother's teachings were a thing of the past. He had learned that not everyone he met was a potential mark. There were people in the world that only wanted to be friends. He had six such people.

The two men mounted and then turned to the other two. "Looks like the gang is ahead of us. If we want to catch up, we better ride." Buck headed toward the area Vin had said the cave was in. The others followed close behind.

JD heard Chris moan and he gingerly moved to the man's side.

"Chris, you awake?" the young man asked. He was rewarded with a frown and a hint of green as the man opened one eye only to close it again. Finally, the gunslinger groaned and struggled to sit up. Dunne offered the man his hand, but Chris shook his head.

"I'm fine," he said. Larabee looked around the cavern and then back at JD. "Where's Tanner?"

JD shook his head. "Vin left. He's been gone 'bout three hours, now. You up to telling me what happened?" JD stood and moved to the fire. He listened as he poured some of the strong coffee that sat near the campfire.

"I ain't exactly sure. One minute he was laying there, the next he had a gun pointed at my gut."

JD frowned as he handed the man the coffee. "Why do you think he would do that, Chris?"

Larabee took a sip of the coffee and grimaced. "I don't think he knew who I was. Didn't act like it, at least."

"Must be 'cause of hitting his head. He don't remember you, but does remember that there's a bounty on his head. Maybe he thinks we're bounty hunters. That's probably why he pulled a gun on ya."

Chris nodded as he flexed his shoulder. "Makes sense. If he noticed Rankin in shackles, that would convince him." Chris sat the cup down and threw off the blanket JD had across him.

The young man stepped over and placed a hand on the uninjured shoulder. "Whatta you think you're doing?"

"I'm going after him." He looked over his shoulder at the easterner, noticing the bloodstained clothes for the first time. Chris frowned as JD threw the blanket back over his legs.

"You aren't going anywhere. I planned on tracking him just as soon as you woke up so you could keep an eye on Rankin."

"JD, where'd all that blood come from?" Chris reached over only to have the younger man move away.

Brushing at the stain, JD said, "I had to move ya nearer to the fire. Got some blood on me when I did." JD moved further away as he continued to talk. "I'm going to find Vin and see if I can get him to come back. He seemed a mite skittish, so I plan on going real easy with him. I'll get back as soon as I can. I don't think Rankin will give you much trouble, but I left your gun close, along with the rifle and ammunition. Supplies are right next to the fire and I fed the horses already and there's a small pool of water that they can drink from. If I can't find him today, I'll head back first thing tomorrow. Once I get you and Rankin to town, I can get a couple of the others to help me find Vin."

JD had gathered a few things as he spoke and now stood in front of Larabee, ready to leave. "You said in the telegram you sent Buck to expect us today. Chances are that we'll run into them on the way back."

He went to the back of the cave and retrieved his mount. Leading the animal back to the cave entrance, he turned to Larabee one more time. "Don't worry, Chris. I'll be careful. I ain't planning on pushing Vin into doing something stupid. You rest and I'll see ya tomorrow at the latest."

"JD!" Chris called out. "JD, I think we should go on to town and see if we can get some help. We can make it by tonight."

The boy was shaking his head before the man finished speaking. "Chris, I owe it to Vin to try and find him today. If he remembers who we are and what he done, he might not come back. I'm pretty sure he thinks he killed you. I can't let him go on thinking that. If he won't come back, that's one thing, but I have to make him understand that you're alive and he can come home anytime he's ready."

Chris nodded. It made sense that he wait and build up his strength while JD tried to locate the tracker. Larabee held out little hope that the young man would be able to track the other man. Vin was good at what he did and knew how to hide a trail.

JD glanced around the cave. "You should be safe in here until I get back. Keep an eye on Rankin. He's got food and water near by, so you don't have to worry about moving around to accommodate him." Tipping his hat, he led his horse outside. He studied the ground for a few minutes and then, mounting, rode off in search of Tanner.

The group of men drew their animals to a halt as the leader threw up his hand.

"Jacobs, you see anything?"

"Trail is pretty washed out after that rain, but I'm pretty sure that we're on the right track, Sam."

Rankin looked at the man with contempt. Sam Rankin was as arrogant as his brother was worthless. Sam was the younger of the two brothers, but he ran the band of outlaws, planning each robbery. He knew that Vern was the cause of the fiasco in Watsonville, but he was family and that meant that Sam was obligated to rescue the man.

Sneering, Rankin leaned onto the horn of his saddle, saying, "We better be. I want my brother back today. And I don't care how many men have to die doing it."

Horses moved nervously as their riders squirmed in their saddles. Rankin eyed each of the six riders with him. Jerking the reins, he unknowingly rode toward the cave that Chris and Vern Rankin occupied.

Chris grunted as he shifted positions. It had been two to three hours since JD left in search Tanner. The man in black could only wonder about how the two were faring. He didn't like the idea of Dunne hunting Tanner, but he couldn't go and that left it to the kid. Larabee trusted the young man, but doubted his ability to track the ex-bounty hunter.

He glanced over at Rankin. The man had not said a word since Chris had come to. Chris almost wished he would start mouthing again. Blood loss was making him a little woozy and a distraction would help keep his mind sharp.

Chris paused in reaching for the coffee pot when he heard a horse whinny outside the cave. His brow knitted as he struggled to stand. He could not imagine that JD was returning already. Gaining his feet, he supported his right arm and shuffled over to the entrance.

Larabee leaned heavily on the wall and stole a look out the cave mouth. He quickly drew back at the sight of the armed men approaching the cave.

"Damn" he muttered. Moving back into the cave, he staggered over to the fire and grabbed his gun. Hearing a chuckle, he turned on the chained man sitting on the other side of the cavern. "I'll save one shot for you." A cold look of loathing was the man's only response. Chris moved back to the narrow entrance. He waited for the men to come closer and make the first move.

He didn't have to wait long. Sam Rankin looked at the black mouth of the cave and dismounted. The six men with him followed suite. They tied the horses and started toward the cave.

"There's one set of tracks leaving the cave so the others have to still be in there." Jacobs pointed to JD's trail as he spoke.

Rankin nodded. He looked at the cave and then at his men. Gesturing, he had the men spread out across the front of the cave. Once he was satisfied with their placement, he took a stance in front of the entrance.

"In the cave! All I want is my brother. Send him out and we'll leave."

Chris glanced over at Rankin. The man was smiling. "Sorry, I can't do that. He has a judge to see." the gunslinger yelled back.

Sam shook his head and said softly, "I didn't think so." He turned his back and nodded. "Get 'em out for me, boys." He stepped out of the line of fire.

Jacobs pulled his pistol and fired a shot into the opening.

Chris moved back and flinched as the bullet chipped the rock face near his ear. "Okay, if that's the way you want it." He smiled a feral smile and returned fire.

Josiah pulled up on the reins. "Hold up a minute." The others halted and waited. He heard it again. The others nodded.

"That was a pistol shot." Nathan said.

Another shot echoed across the mountain. "That was a peacemaker. Chris."

There was a moment's hesitation and then the four horses jumped into action.

Chris kept his head back as bullets assaulted the mouth of the cave. Rankin's men were hard pressed to get any of the shots to actually enter the cave. Most of them struck the surrounding rock face. But enough made it through to prevent Chris getting too many shots off. He knew his position was secure as long as he could protect the only way in.

He had seen at least five men riding in before ducking back inside. Larabee knew he would have a hard time actually hitting anyone he fired at. Picking his shots, he knew he hit someone as the sound of a scream echoed around the cave.

Checking his belt, he figured he would last one, maybe two, hours if he picked his shots carefully, before he ran out of ammo. He thought about JD and Vin. If the kid could find Tanner, would they come back together? Could Dunne even persuade the man to listen to him? Would he still be alive when they got back?

A ricochet tore into the dirt at Larabee's feet and drew his attention back to the men outside. He hazarded another glance and smiled at what he saw. Buck and Josiah were sneaking in from the back of the men off to the left. Chris figured that meant that Nathan and Ezra were doing the same to the men on the right. He waited and listened.

Buck looked at see that the other three men were in place. Josiah and Nathan both nodded while Ezra touched his hat. Buck pushed his hat off and peeked around the tree. He saw four shooters for sure. Glancing over at Nathan, Wilmington saw him indicate he could see five men from where he stood. Buck figured that meant seven to nine men between their two vantage points. He nodded and took a deep breath.

"You boys got a bear cornered in there? Sure are throwing a lot of lead at them rocks."

He ducked behind the tree as men dove for cover and started firing at him. The others joined in. The bandits soon found themselves in the middle of a crossfire between Larabee and the others.

Sam Rankin stood off to the side and watched as the battle raged. 'That fool Jacobs is going to get killed. All of them are.' But Sam had no intention of getting caught or killed. He moved silently away from the action. He was reaching for the reins when he felt the warm barrel of a gun press against his neck.

"I don't mean to be accusatory, but I believe that it is extremely rude to leave the party when you sent out the invitation, sir. Your compatriots are sure to miss your fine company."

Rankin put his hands up, releasing the reins as he did. He turned to see a dandy, his clothes more appropriate for a New Orleans riverboat than a small town in the west. Rankin smiled. "How right you are, sir. But then, I don't remember sending you and your friends an invitation." He lunged forward and knocked Standish to the ground. The two men wrestled, rolling under the hoofs of the large animals that stood near by. Rankin grabbed Ezra by the collar and rolled, pushing the man toward the panicking animals.

Ezra hit the chest of one animal and curled into a ball as hooves pounded the ground around him. He inched away as the animal pulled away. Rising, he caught a glimpse of the robber mounting a skittish roan. He jumped to his feet and launched himself up. Already nervous, the animal reared and tossed the man off his back. Then he bolted off, leaving his rider groaning on the ground. Ezra scooped up his fallen gun and leveled it at the robber.

"I am really fighting my baser urges to not discharge my pistol into your troublesome person, but I promise you, I will not hesitate if you offer any more resistance. Am I making myself clear?"

Rankin nodded. Ezra gestured with the pistol. The man rose and the two began their trek back to the others. They arrived to find Buck and Josiah checking the men that lay on the ground. Of the seven men who attacked Chris, four lay dead and two were injured. Sam Rankin was the only one of the outlaws that escaped unscathed.

Nathan had met Larabee just outside the cave entrance. The blond smiled as the others appeared out of the trees.

"Let's get you inside and checked out, Chris." Nathan turned the man back around. Ezra and Sam Rankin followed them in. Standish didn't miss the look of disgust on the man's face when his brother called out.

"Hey, Sam, you come to get me out of here? Where are the others?"

Standish shackled one brother next to the other. "You gentlemen enjoy your family reunion." He turned and walked away, but could still hear the two men conversing.

"Sam, how we gonna get out of here?"

"Shut up, Vern. Why I came after you is beyond me."

Ezra chuckled as he moved to join Chris and Nathan. Buck and Josiah had tied up the two injured thieves. The three gathered around as Nathan examined Chris' shoulder. Ezra noticed Buck looking around. Chris caught the movement also.

"Buck, the kid's not here."

"Not here? Where the hell is he, Chris? For that matter, where's Vin?"

"JD's gone after him." Chris flinched as Nathan worked at removing the bandages over the wound.

Ezra looked around, frowning. "Chris, how did you manage to dress your wound in the middle of this mélé?"

"I didn't. JD did."

"Who shot you, brother?"

"Vin." As much as he hurt, Chris almost laughed at the expressions on the men around him. He took a breath and told them the story. "When the storm hit last night, Vin's mount tossed him into a tree. When I brought him in, he was out cold. He woke up this morning and pulled his gun on me."

Chris looked at Nathan as he continued. "He acted confused, like he didn't know me. He was grabbing up his clothes when JD came back in. He swung around and I jumped between them. That's when he fired. I don't know what happened next. I came to and JD was there. He'd cleaned my wound and bandaged it. Said he's going after Vin and he'd be back in the morning."

"You let him go after Tanner after he shot you? Dammit, Chris, are you loco?" Buck stood with his hands propped on his hips.

"Vin won't hurt JD, Buck. I doubt JD can even find him. Tanner had a three hour head start."

"Don't think he'll hurt JD? Chris, if he shot you, ain't nobody safe."

"It was an accident, Buck. Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going after the kid." Buck had turned and headed out. Ezra's voice slowed his departure.

"Mr. Wilmington, do you mind if I accompany you?" he called out. He smiled as Buck turned and nodded. Touching his hat, he looked at Chris. "I will endeavor to keep our friend composed and in control of his excessively protective nature toward our youngest member." With a touch of his hat, the southerner quickly followed Wilmington out the cave entrance.

JD wasn't sure he could actually track Vin, but he knew he had to try. He carefully followed the slight trail and soon came to a shack. He had to talk to the man even if Tanner didn't know who he was.

Moving cautiously, he approached the shack. JD squatted and thought about his next move. Vin hadn't gotten far since he was on foot, but it had taken the easterner four hours to track him even this far. Figuring the ex-bounty hunter wouldn't be in too good a mood, JD chewed on his lower lip as he considered his options. 'Well, if Vin is in there, he knows I'm here', he thought to himself. Okay, that leaves only one option-go straight in and try to talk to him. Taking a deep breath, JD stood up and stepped into the open area in front of the shack.

"VIN? I know you're in there. I just want to talk. Vin?" JD moved closer to the ramshackle building. He glanced down as he moved forward and was surprised to see hoof prints in the dust. Judging by the sharpness of the prints, they were recent. Realizing he was getting distracted, he brought his attention back to the shack.

"Vin, I don't want to make any trouble. I know that you might not remember me. My name's JD, JD Dunne. We met four years ago. There's seven of us that ride together. You and Chris-Chris is the man that you.. well, that got shot back at the cave. He's a real good friend to ya, Vin. He's gonna be fine, just as soon as we get him back to town. Anyways, ya'll were stopping a hangin'. Some cowboys were fixin' to hang Nathan. He's another good friend of ours. He's a healer, ain't no doctor, but he sure knows what he's doing. He's patched us up more than I care to think about, but he always manages to pull us through."

JD chuckled. "He's always harping on us ta stop bringin' him so much work. Says he don't need all the practice. Anyway, ya'll stopped him from getting' hung. Then there's Buck. Him and Chris have known each other a long time, back before Chris was married. And Josiah, he's a preacher. Well, it least, he used to be. But now he protects Four Corners with us. Still preaches on Sunday, though. He's got a mighty powerful speakin' voice. That leaves Ezra. He's a gambler by trade. Only, he don't believe in taking chances, so he only bets on a sure thing. He's got more big words than Buck's got ladies, but I trust him, we all do."

JD leaned forward, attempting to see into the dark interior of the shack, but it didn't work.

"Vin, I just wanted you to know that Chris is going to be okay. He said that you acted like you didn't know him, so we thought that maybe that blow to the head last night might be making ya confused or something. I wish you'd at least come out and talk to me. I ain't a bounty hunter. The seven of us were hired by Judge Travis to protect the town. Mary Travis is his daughter-in-law and her and Billy, her son, live in Four Corners, so he wanted to make it safe for them."

JD stopped and looked around. Frowning, he tried to think of something that would draw the man out. "Vin, the Judge sent us to Watsonville to pick up that man Rankin. He was the prisoner in the cave. We were in there to get out of the rain." He worked at the muddy ground with his boot toe as he waited.

"Vin? Please come out. I ain't gonna try take ya back or anything. I just need to know that you understand. Chris is gonna be fine. I don't want you to go away thinking that ya killed him. When ya remember the last few years, you can come back home. Chris ain't mad; he knows that ya would 'a never shot him, except that I snuck in and startled ya."

"Vin, are ya listening to me? You have to trust someone. Hey, how about I take off my guns? Just to show that I trust ya? I'll even give 'em to ya; cause all you got is your mare's leg and knife. Course, that's plenty for you, but you're welcome to these if ya want 'em. You want to take Dusty? I know your horse, his name is Unalii, he ran off last night. Chris says it must have been a lightening strike. Probably was, cause that horse is a hard headed, stubborn cuss. 'lot like his owner' that's what Chris says. Oh shoot, I shouldn't have said that. Chris probably didn't even say that to you. I don't think you're hard headed. You just have a clear view of right and wrong and you don't change your mind very easy." JD had paused to take a deep breath, when he felt the knife lay against his throat. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple scrapping against the blade. "Hey, Vin. Thought you were in the shack."

"If ya didn't talk so much, ya'd heard me leave." The soft Texas drawl was whispered next to his ear and JD was relieved at the sound of Tanner's voice. The young man knew there wasn't anyone else around, but the knife had surprised him. He was glad to know a friend was at the other end.

"What the hell do you want, kid?"

"I don't want ya to leave, Vin. You're my friend and we depend on ya."

"Right. Why the hell should I believe anything you have to say? I don't know you, boy." The last words were hissed.

"I ain't a boy, Vin. I'm twenty-three years old. I ain't that much younger than you. And you don't have to believe me. I just wanted ya to know that you don't have to be afraid. If ya don't want to come back, that's fine, but you're welcome to. I needed to make sure ya knew Chris was okay, cause one day you're going to remember us and I wanted ya to know you can come back anytime."

Vin reached around and took the brace of pistols JD had removed earlier. "Kid, I'm wanted for murder. Why the hell would you stand here and take off your guns?"

"Cause I know you're not a killer. I told you, we're friends. Have been for four years. I know that Eli Joe framed ya. And I know that Chris had to kill him to save your life." He felt the blade bite deeper into the tender flesh of his neck. "I'm sorry, Vin. I forgot. You don't remember, but you didn't hold it against Chris. He had to do it, or Eli Joe would've killed ya."

He waited a minute until he felt the pressure lessen. "Vin, I don't how I can convince ya. You're about the most closed-mouthed person I know. The things I knew about you are very few. You was raised in Texas and your mama, her name was Ruth, well, she died when you was little. You've lived with the Indians. They had an Indian name for ya, 'Sky in his eyes' cause ya got such blue eyes. And ya hunted buffalo. I don't.. I can't think of anything else, Vin. Just come back with me. Maybe Chris can tell ya more. Please Vin, just come back with me."

Both of the men jumped at the sound of a new voice. "Let 'em go, Tanner."

Vin grabbed JD's jacket and spun them both around to face Wilmington. Tanner was vaguely aware of the sharp intake of breath that the young man drew in. He concentrated on the tall man at the edge of the trees. He had a mustache over a hard-set mouth and glint in his eye that revealed the anger that burned within him. Vin noticed the gun; it didn't waver. Tanner knew the look. This man meant business.

JD held his hands out. "Buck, back off. I got it under control."

"Yeah, I can see that kid."

"Buck, please. Just go."

"JD, he's got a knife to your throat. I ain't leaving here without you. I'm hoping that Vin is coming with us, but either way, you leave with me."

Vin watched and listened as the two talked. A movement off to the side drew his attention. Stepping back a pace, he pulled JD around to the left and blocked the man that slowly moved toward him. "You can just join your friend, mister."

"Mr. Dunne, I see you have managed to once again ensnare yourself in some form of difficulty that has placed your life in peril."

Vin grunted. "You must be Ezra."

Standish raised an eyebrow at the statement. "I take it Mr. Dunne has told you of your partners from the small township of Four Corners." Ezra stepped slowly over to where Buck stood. Both men had guns drawn, but only Wilmington still had his directed toward Tanner.

Vin turned him and JD to face the men again. JD held up a hand. "Buck, put the gun away. You ain't going to shot Vin."

"Son, the man has a knife to your throat. I don't put the gun away, until the knife is put away." Buck's mouth was set in a straight line, his eyes hard as he watched the knife wielder and his captive.

"Buck, you ain't listening. Vin won't hurt me, so holster the gun. You know as well as I do, that he ain't no killer." JD glanced over at Ezra. "Would you go get Dusty, Ezra?"

The southerner tossed him a two-finger salute and, holstering his gun, turned back to where the animals were tied.

"Kid, you're giving him your horse? Is he taking your guns also?"

"Yes. And he's welcome to them."

Vin listened and watched the three interacting. He wished he had friends like these men. Years of only himself to depend on had made for a lonely existence. These men were close, depending on and watching after each other.

"Buck, you know Vin would never hurt somebody, unless he's pushed to it. He's gonna get on my horse and he's going wherever he wants. He won't hurt me."

Buck gave the dark haired youth a look of exasperation. "JD, he shot Chris."

JD shook his head. "That was an accident. He didn't mean to shoot Chris. I startled him and he fired on reflex." JD explained as his body swayed slightly in Tanner's grasp.

Buck's brow furrowed as he listened. "Kid, you alright? You look a little peaked."

"I'm fine, Buck. Just had a hard last twenty-four hours," JD told him. "Please, Buck. Put it away."

Wilmington shifted his weight onto his right leg as he dropped his gun down to his side. He shook his head as he rested his right hand on his hip. He lowered his head, but after a moment he holstered his pistol.

The tracker didn't know these men, but he could feel the kid's heart pounding under his arm. He hazarded a look at the youth he held clutched to his chest and saw the sheen of sweat on the young face. The sound of Standish returning drew his attention back to Wilmington.

"Ezra, turn 'em loose." The southerner did as the young man asked and released the animal. JD made a chucking noise and the horse came up to him as a dog might. "Good boy."

He rubbed the big head as the animal gently scrubbed his head on young man\rquote s chest. Vin moved his arms from around the youth and stood with one hand on the shoulder of his hostage. As the big animal leaned into the young man, Vin noted that the boy staggered and grunted a bit.

JD took the reins and turned slowly toward Tanner. He held out the reins and smiled. "Here, Vin, take him. When you remember us, or you just need to trust somebody, you know where to come. You can bring him back, then. I just want you to remember that you got friends that 'll miss ya. Chris is going to be okay, so don't think that you can't come back 'cause of what happened."

Vin looked at the hand that held the reins and noticed the slight tremor. He looked up and into tear-filled hazel eyes. Glancing over, he saw the sad faces of the other two men. He sheathed the knife as he turned back to the young man.

"Ah, hell." He took the appropriated brace of guns and handed them back to the dark haired youth. He saw the young shoulders relax as the mouth turned up in a smile. "I don't know what to think, but my gut tells me to believe ya."

Buck moved forward and held out a hand to the tracker. "Welcome back, Vin. Chris will be glad to see ya. He was really worried, though he didn't say anything."

"Mr. Tanner, your absence would have truly deprived our small community of a most valuable member."

Vin looked at the gambler with a crooked grin. "I ain't real sure what ya said, but I think it might have been a compliment."

The men all smiled. Buck placed a hand on JD's shoulder as he said, "About half of what he says can't be understood, but you get use to it after a while."

Ezra had a look of incomprehension on his face. "I fail to see why you found my verbal communication so difficult to decipher. I am speaking as commonly as my upbringing will allow. Perhaps if I spoke at a more leisurely pace..." He let the statement hang in the air.

"Hell, Ez, if you speak any slower, we'll all be asleep before ya finish one of them long winded stories you tell," Buck grumbled teasingly.

Ezra opened his mouth with a scathing retort on his lips, but he clamped his mouth after stating he would 'retrieve' their mounts.

"How's Chris? Nathan with him?" JD asked.

"He's okay, except for worrying about you two. He was in a gun battle with Rankin's gang when we got there." He gripped the boy's shoulder tighter at the look of surprise and worry. "He wasn't hurt. That cave made it almost impossible for anyone to get a good shot off at him. We got them all. Judge should be pleased."

At that moment, Ezra returned with the mounts.

"Vin, you want to ride with me?" JD asked. A nod of the head was his answer. Buck and Ezra mounted up as JD put his foot in the stirrup. He took a deep breath and released it as he swung his leg over. He failed to notice the looks he was getting from the other three men.

Buck moved his mount closer. "You sure you're okay?"

JD looked into the tall man's eyes. "I will be as soon as we get back to that cave and I know Chris is all right."

The young man took his foot out of the stirrup and reached a hand down to Tanner. All three men heard the audible sound of a groan as he hoisted the lean man up. Buck shot a look at Tanner. The tracker shrugged in answer. JD nudged Dusty with his knee and moved away from Ezra and Buck. They spurred their mounts forward to join the two young men.

Buck took another at the dark haired youth. JD was pale and sweaty. The man noticed that the younger man was sitting slightly hunched over. He started to say something, when the boy turned to him.

"Buck, you better lead. I'm not too sure of where we are." Seeing the concern in his friend's eyes, the youth added, "It ain't gonna kill me. Nathan'll fix me right up."

Buck's face flashed several different emotions at the words. Fear, concern, anger. He finally settled on determined. He took the lead and set a brisk pace. Heading straight to the cavern, they would arrive within an hour. He glanced over his shoulder several times to check on the young man. Each time found him lower over the saddle horn. By the time they reached the cave, Vin was supporting the limp body of Dunne and Ezra was leading their mount.

Buck yelled to Josiah as he dismounted in front of the cave. Pulling JD's mount up close to Wilmington, Standish grasped the animal's bridle and held him steady. Buck was reaching out to take JD when Josiah came out.

"Let me have him, Vin."

Tanner leaned the limp body towards Buck and Josiah's outstretched arms. "His side is bleeding." Vin indicated JD's right.

"Okay" was Wilmington's only acknowledgement as they accepted the boy's weight. The two men took the boy gently and went into the cave.

The interior of the cave was dark after the bright sun outside. Both men hesitated as their eyes adjusted to the dim light. Once they could make out the shadows as people and rocks, they continued in.

Nathan grabbed a bedroll and spread it on the ground close to the fire. JD was beginning to come around as he was placed on the ground.

Chris looked on with worry written on his face. "What happened? Vin didn't.." He let the question hang in the air.

Buck looked at the blond and shook his head. "I don't know. Kid just collapsed. Vin didn't hurt him."

Nathan had opened the boy's jacket and vest. Josiah aided the healer in removing the clothing and then laid them to the side. Jackson got the shirt open to find the bandage JD used to cover his wound with saturated with blood. He removed the soiled dressings and revealed the wound. Not looking up, he stated, "It's a gunshot wound. Don't look to be deep. He cleaned and dressed it, but the bleeding didn't stop." He glanced around to the others. "Blood loss is probably why he passed out. I'll know better when I get the bullet out."

Ezra and Vin led the three horses to a makeshift corral. They unsaddled the animals and turned them in with the others. They were just entering the cave when Nathan announced that JD had been shot.

Chris saw the men enter and breathed a sigh of relief that JD had located the tracker and convinced him to return. Buck noticed Larabee's attention and turned as the two men approached. Buck turned to meet them.

"Tanner, did you shoot JD?"

Vin drew up short and studied the man that confronted him. "I fired one shot. I hit him." Vin pointed at Chris with his chin as his hands rested on his belt.

"Then who the hell shot the kid?" Buck inquired.

"Buck?" JD's voice was no more than a whisper, but the man heard and turned back to the dark haired youth.

"It's okay, JD. I'm right here. We all are."

"Buck? Make sure Nathan checks Vin's head, okay?"

"Don't worry about Vin. Nathan will look at him as soon as he finishes with you." Buck patted JD's shoulder as he spoke.

"Buck?"

"Yeah, kid?"

"Is Chris alright?"

Buck shook his head. "Son, stop worrying about other people. We're all okay. Right now, you only need to worry about taking care of your self. Okay, JD? Don't worry about the rest of us for a while."

"'kay" he whispered.

Buck sat at the young man's shoulder, one hand resting on the sweat slick skin. He glanced up to see Nathan ready to cut into the young man's belly in search of the bullet. Wilmington shifted around to hold both of JD's shoulders as Ezra moved to his feet. Josiah had come forward, but just sat down on the boy's left, waiting. Nathan nodded he was ready.

The tall man leaned over the boy's head and spoke softly to him. "JD, Nathan's ready to start. You reach up here and grab hold, okay?"

Two arms slowly came up and Wilmington took hold of them at the wrists. He crossed their arms and laid his head next to his friend's. Nathan looked at Wilmington and they each nodded. Nathan took a deep breath and started probing for the slug.

Buck felt the muscles tense as Nathan began. That was his cue to start talking. He began to offer words of comfort and encouragement as the young man moaned and tried to move away from the pain. He was aware of large hands moving into his field of vision. Josiah held JD's stomach to keep him from moving. It didn't seem to be a moment later Buck thought when Nathan said he had it. He heard a sigh even as the body under him relaxed.

Releasing the boy's arms, Buck sat back. He looked at the slack face of the young man. "You did good, kid. You did real good," he whispered. He looked around at the other men.

Nathan was cleaning and bandaging the wound as Josiah examined the slug. JD stirred as Buck lifted him so Nathan could bind the wound.

"Slug wasn't in deep at all. Maybe traveled a good distance before it hit him. Or maybe a ricochet?" Nathan commented as he bound the wound.

Josiah looked up. "Not a ricochet. Bullet is still smooth. May have passed through something."

"Chris."

Buck looked down at the word. "Say what, JD"

The young man licked his lower lip. "It passed through Chris."

The men looked at each other as the young man related the events of that morning. "I heard Vin talking. I thought he had woke up and was okay. But when I came in, he had a gun on Chris. I kicked some rocks and he swung the rifle around. Chris dove in between us just as he fired."

Vin had stood off from the others since coming in. JD's story drew him in and he listened to the dark haired youth's tale unfold.

JD cleared his throat. "After Vin left, I dragged Chris over by the fire and tried to clean his shoulder. It wasn't until I was waiting for him to wake up that I figured out that I got hit."

Vin stood with his arms crossed over his chest. The muscles in his jaws flexed as he met the gaze of each man. He looked at Larabee last and for a second he remembered those eyes. The thought was gone in a flash, but it left a vague sense of familiarity in the tracker.

JD chuckled. "Heck of a shot-hit two men with one bullet."

Buck wiped at the sweaty brow of the young man. "Ah, hell, kid. We always knew Tanner was the best shot around. You just lay back and rest now."

"Sounds good, Buck."

The boy lay back and drifted off to sleep. Buck sat and watched while the others decided what to do.

Chris had sat up while Nathan worked on JD. He now sat near the fire and sipped a cup of coffee. He had noticed Tanner stood apart from the others. When JD finished, Larabee had glanced up to see Vin looking at him. For a moment, he thought the tracker remembered him, but the flash of recognition was gone as fast as it came.

"Vin?" Jackson said. Tanner looked his way. "You come over here and let me look at that head."

Vin stood for a moment and then moved over to where the healer stood. He sat down and allowed the man, a man he was supposed to know and trust, to probe the wound at the back of his head. After Nathan finished, Vin glanced at the men around him.

Wilmington was sitting next to the young man with the dark hair. The expression on the mustached face told the whole story. They were close, real close. The kid was going to be okay, but Wilmington was not going to relax until the boy was awake and moving.

Josiah was moving around preparing to cook a meal over the wood that had been brought in to keep the fire going. The man had a big chest and strong hands. Vin thought about how easily he held the struggling youth still as the healer worked on him. The intense blue eyes held a sad quality to them. They were eyes that had seen a lot in the man's lifetime.

Nathan Jackson had moved from Tanner to Larabee once again. He checked the bandage. Satisfying himself, he moved away to check on the wounded outlaws. The two men lay near the Rankin brothers. One man took a hit in the leg and was conscious. Nathan had removed a slug from the second man's chest. Now all he could do was wait and see if the man survived.

Ezra had gone back out to feed the horses. When he reentered, he wore a self-satisfied smile on his face and was carrying a saddle. He pointedly looked Tanner's way after setting the saddle with the others. "It would appear that your wayward mount was missing his fellow steeds. I found him standing passively at the temporary corral. I have placed him in the enclosure and given him some feed. He looked none the worst for wear."

Vin started to stand up with the intention of checking on the animal when he met the blond man's gaze. Chris Larabee was sitting up, leaning against the underside of his saddle. His shirt was open to reveal the bandage that ran up over one shoulder and across his chest. The man seemed pale to the tracker, but the eyes were as clear and piercingly sharp as any Tanner had ever seen. He felt the intensity behind the green eyes and it gave him a chill. He felt like the man was staring into his soul.

Tanner felt a hand on his shoulder and looked over his shoulder into the dark brown eyes of Nathan Jackson.

"Don't worry about the horse, Vin. Ezra took good care of him for ya." Jackson turned his attention to Larabee. "Chris, we need to get two wagons back here, so we can get everyone back to town. I figure Ezra and Josiah can go get the wagons, while Buck and I keep as eye on the prisoners."

Chris nodded. "Sounds good. They can leave first thing in the morning. That should get them back tomorrow, late. We can start home the next day."

Josiah and Ezra both acknowledged the decision as Sanchez finished up on the meal.

The next morning the two men saddled seven horses. It was decided that they would take the dead men back to town, while Buck and Nathan kept an eye on the rest of the gang. The man with the chest wound had died in the middle of the night and Nathan was sitting with him as he drew his last breath. The healer took the loss to heart. Larabee thought it best if the dead were taken to town and turned over the undertaker as soon as possible. Ezra and Josiah tied the bodies to the horses. They would let Judge Travis know what had happened before returning with the wagons.

The day passed quietly. Vern Rankin had become quiet again after the return of Tanner. Not even his brother's presence brought the man comfort. The two brothers had remained silent and kept their meager conversations low.

Buck and Nathan took turns watching first the prisoners and then the injured men. Vin insisted to Nathan that he was all right. The healer finally gave up and told the man to do what he wanted, he would anyway. Chris had snorted at the exchange. Vin went outside, but he merely sat in the warm sun and watched the animals in the corral as they moved around restlessly.

JD had slept most of the day with Wilmington hovering close by. Nathan assured him that the young man was mending. Sleep was what he needed to restore his strength. Buck nodded his head.

Chris watched as Nathan once again told Buck to relax and let the boy sleep. The blond struggled to stand and started to make his way to mouth of the cave. Nathan threw up his hands and walked away mumbling to himself about hard headed fools.

Chris found Vin sitting outside, enjoying the fresh air. He knew the man would rather sleep under the stars than a roof, even if that roof was made of rock and dirt. Larabee took a seat next to the tracker. They sat together, comfortable in the silence. Even though Tanner did not remember the last four years, Chris felt that the man was at ease around the others. The gunslinger hoped his friend's memory loss was temporary because the guilt was evident on the lean face.

"Forget it, Tanner."

Blue eyes cut over. "I shot you. I shot the kid."

"Survival instinct is what got you this far. You don't trust that, you're done."

Vin turned his head to face the man he had almost killed, yet who welcomed him back like it had never happened. "The kid told me 'You have to trust somebody'. I trust my instincts and they're telling me I can trust you, all of you. Sorry I wasn't thinking clear yesterday."

Larabee's only answer was to lay a hand on the slender shoulder of his friend as they sat and watched the sun set.

Two Weeks Later

The seven men sat in the saloon at the table most citizens acknowledged as the peacekeepers'. The day had been quiet, routine. JD and Chris were still moving slow as a result of their wounds. Vin suffered no after effects of the blows to his head. He still had not recovered his memory, but the six as well as the entire town had made him comfortable. No one pushed the issue of him not remembering the last four years. If he asked, they politely answered, but no information was volunteered. Chris had made it clear from the first day that Vin was not to be instructed. He would remember when he was ready.

"JD, I'm tellin' ya, if you want to impress that little girl, you need to learn how to dress, starting with a decent hat." Wilmington was once again picking on the kid's bowler, but JD was ready and when the tall man made a grab for it, the kid moved it out of reach.

"I think the boy is finally learning." Nathan chuckled.

Ezra sat leaning over the table shuffling a deck of cards. "Our young compatriot has surely grown weary of the necessity of replacing his head covering, inappropriate as it is for our region."

JD's snort was the only response he gave to the assault. He looked over at Tanner. "You don't mind my hat, do ya, Vin?"

The tracker glanced over from under the brim of his hat. A shrug of the lean shoulders and a 'your head, your hat, kid' spoken softly was his only contribution to the conversation.

"Yeah, but it's still a ugly hat, don't you think, Tanner? Don't even protect the kid's ears from the sun. He can't hardly keep it on his head when he's riding." Buck ranted. He tried to grab the hat only to once again find empty air.

Tanner's soft drawl drew the big man's attention. "At least it looks better on JD than it does on you. I remember what you looked like when you escorted that wet-behind-the-ears easterner into the village four years ago. Now that was an ugly sight."

Buck shrugged. "Just trying to show the boy how bad he looked with that hat on."

Tanner felt eyes on him. He turned to the side where Chris sat. A smile was pulling at the normally somber features. Vin frowned at the man.

"You remember that?" JD asked quietly.

Vin turned back to the young man. "Sure. He looked like a fool. He had that hat of yours on top of his head, rifle slung over his shoulder, grinning like a loon. It was embarrassing." Vin noticed the others were now looking at him also.

JD's face split with a huge grin and he surveyed the table. Everyone was smiling at the tracker. Looking back at a frowning Tanner, he said, "You remember. Vin, you remembered that."

Tanner suddenly realized what JD was going on about. He felt a smile pulling at his lips as the realization sparked in his eyes.

Nathan sat forward. "Do you remember anything else, Vin?"

The tracker thought for a minute and then shook his head. "Ain't sure. Maybe."

"Well, if you remember one thing, chances are you'll remember everything."

Vin sat back in his chair, a lop-sided grin on his face.

Chris stood and placed a hand on Tanner's shoulder, before striding across the room and out the bat winged doors. His step was lighter than it had been in weeks.

"Welcome home, Vin."

THE END

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