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.