Small Packages

By: TJ

As the four men gathered at the stables, it was clear to see that Standish still wasn't happy with the idea of taking the orphans on a day long adventure to the pond. It was definitely not Ezra's idea of how to spend a quiet Sunday. And it wasn't as though he had really agreed to this little venture. Circumstances yesterday afternoon were not as they had appeared.

Divine intervention had played no part in the 'accidents' that occurred. It didn't take much to discover that the chair legs had been partially cut by a saw. Closer inspection of the town's remaining furniture had revealed several more 'catastrophes' waiting to happen. The southerner thought it very curious that all of them were located where the seven peacekeepers could usually be found.

Tucking a small bundle in his saddlebags, the gambler complained, "Really, Mr. Larabee. I thought that at least you would be able to see the misadventures this little trip will most certainly be filled with."

Chris looked up from securing Diablo's saddle and smiled. It was very clear by the look on the gunslinger's face that he was not going to change his mind, no matter how hard Standish tried to persuade him. It wasn't often that this magnificent Larabee smile graced their presence. Twice in the same week was unheard of... And coupled with the fact that the handsome blond was looking at Ezra sideways...

The southerner threw up his hands in surrender and attended to his horse.

Vin and JD smiled at each other as they finished up with their mounts.

Just down in front of the exchange, Josiah and Nathan finished up with the rigging for the four wagons.

Wilmington came out of the building with Luke Robertson in tow. "Well, boys. Are we ready for our 'outing'."

"Ain't no cause for mockery, Buck," the healer admonished. "We got ta go out and have our selves a fine time."

"Looks ta me like Mother Nature is in a cooperative mood today," the preacher commented as he looked up at the blue sky. "Should be a fine time had by all."

"Let's hope that is the case, Mr. Sanchez," Mary Travis replied as she appeared from the direction of the church. Billy, Casey and Rain accompanied her.

"I agree whole heartily," Mrs. Crestwell added as she emerged from the exchange. "The boys appear ready."

"As do the girls," Mrs. Travis said happily as she looked down at her son and ruffled his hair. Of course, the smile that crept onto her face next was for the gunslinger that approached their position. Diablo followed behind his master. The three other men and their mounts were close behind.

A buckboard approached from down the street driven by Nettie Wells. Inez sat beside her on the seat. "Good morning, everyone," the widow offered to the gathered crowd.

"I have all the food that you asked for, Senor," Inez commented to the preacher. "And a few extra," she said coyly, as she indicated the assortment of boxes and baskets in the back of the rig.

Nodding his head at the lovely senorita, Sanchez looked about at the gathering of people. "Luke, my boy," Josiah looked at the big lad and smiled. "I believe it is time to get the children on the wagons."

"Yes sir, Mr. Sanchez," Robertson acknowledged. He nodded his head and went into the building.

"I'll get the girls," Casey volunteered before heading back from where she had just come.

As the youngsters started to appear, the adults fanned out to attend to the assigned tasks. Nathan and Josiah were to drive the two other wagons. Luke would take the third, while Buck was to pilot the wagon they had borrowed from Virgil Watson.

Each of the ladies was to accompany one of the men in a wagon. Rain, of course, was riding with Nathan. Mrs. Travis was going to ride with Buck, and the gunslinger had warned the ladies man to be on his best behavior. Mrs. Crestwell had chosen to ride with Josiah. That left Casey to travel with Luke, and JD had given the young man his best Larabee stare impersonation as he help Casey up to the wagon seat. Luke Robertson seemed to understand the unspoken warning.

The Four Corners wagon train to the local pond set out about fifteen minutes later. All participants expected the day to be a memorable one.

As the youngsters laughed and played in and around the water, Sanchez couldn't help but smile. The day was going well. Not without incident mind you, but still going well nevertheless.

It wasn't surprising that some of the boys had discovered the insects that inhabited the surrounding countryside. Tormenting the young ladies with them however, was not on the list of acceptable activities for the day. Buck had made it clear that the bugs belonged in the grass and trees, not in the young lady's clothing or hair. Fearing another Wilmington reprisal, the lads appeared to have taken heed.

Of course, that 'lecture' had been directed to the boys of the group. The girls took matters into their own hands at lunch, with a little revenge of their own. More than a few of the sandwiches had been consumed, before Buddy Evans discovered a worm crawling out of his as he picked it up. Having dealt with the 'worm scare' earlier in the week, Ezra thought it more than a little curious that the young ladies failed to scream this time around. In fact, they seemed more than a little amused.

The mud-slinging incident hadn't lasted too long this morning, and the disappearing clothes had mysteriously reappeared when it looked as though everyone would be heading back to town. Only the wild beehive incident had caused some concern, but Nathan had declared the stings 'non-life threatening', and everyone continued on with their day.

"You should be very proud of yourself, Mr. Sanchez," the matron complimented Josiah as they sat on a blanket in the shade of a large tree. "I can't think of a time when the children have had this much fun."

"Life without occasional merriment, Mrs. Crestwell, isn't a life I care to live," the preacher replied. "And ma'am, that should go ten fold where children are concerned."

"Do you have any children of your own, Mr. Sanchez?"

The preacher was momentarily distracted as he watched Standish wander off down the path with several of the smaller children in tow. Josiah frowned a little, wondering what the gambler was up to.

"Something wrong, Mr. Sanchez?" the matron asked.

"Oh... no ma'am," the preacher responded. "Just keepin' an eye on things."

"So you are used to children then?"

Sitting up, Josiah thought on the question. Turning to the woman he smiled. "No ma'am. Was never blessed by that particular calling. But being in the positions I've been in over the years. I reckon I've had my fair share of experience."

As Ruth returned the preacher's smile, she gazed out at the children and watched as they enjoyed their day. "Well said, Mr. Sanchez. I must agree."

"Miss Inez," Wilmington greeted the pretty senorita as he stood at the edge of the water.

Miss Recollis stood about four feet away in the water. He skirt was hiked up over her knees and her hair was pulled back in a bun. "Senor Buck," she replied happily.

"Coolin' off a little?"

"I thought I should cool my feet, before I will need to see to our dinner."

"Yeah... Reckon Chris and Vin should have that fire pit all ready about now. You know they's gonna do it proper." The ladies man took off his hat and wiped his brow. "We're gonna have ourselves a good old fashioned cook out, and we's gonna do it right."

"You look hot, senor," Inez said sensually as she swirled the water around with her feet. Kicking up the liquid as she moved, she giggled. "You should go in for a swim, senor. It will cool you off."

"Don't mind if I do, ma'am," a half-naked Vin Tanner answered the sultry brunette as he pushed past Wilmington. With nothing but his pants on, the tracker walked out well pass Inez and dove into the water.

"Fire pit must be ready," the ladies man quipped to himself as he watched the tracker swim.

Shirtless had been a good way for Larabee and Tanner to finish chopping the firewood. With one quick motion, Chris buried the axe in to a block of wood and grabbed the bucket of water that sat beside it. Taking a long cool drink, the gunslinger poured the rest of the water over his head.

"And with all the beauty in nature to gaze at," Mrs. Travis said quietly. "I find myself distracted by a handsome spectacle such as the one before me now."

Chris glanced over his shoulder at the lovely woman who stood in the tree line. "Poetry?" he asked. Turning away from her, he couldn't help but smile at her words.

"Perhaps," Mary replied, as she moved closer to the blond. "But true."

"Vin go down to the pond?"

The widow nodded her head. "His boots didn't even make it that far. Saw him jump in a few minutes ago. That's why I came," she said coyly. "I wanted to see if you were ..."

"Done." Chris finished her sentence, then turned to stare at the woman before him.

The widow's pursed lips turned back into a smile as she moved her head from side to side. She was trying to show indecision at his choice of words but all Mary really accomplished was to expose her pleasure at his playfulness.

"Come here, Mrs. Travis," the gunslinger said mischievously as her grabbed her around the waist.

"Oooooh, Mr. Larabee," Mary objected happily. "You're getting me all wet."

Their smiles betrayed them as they shared a tender kiss.

As JD looked around, he could see that this idea was one of the best that Josiah had ever had. The seven peacekeepers actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. Five lovely ladies made that easier to do. The matron and her young assistant appeared to be quite relaxed as well.

Matthew and Rebecca Potter were here, along with Caleb Henderson and Billy Travis, of course. Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Henderson had agreed to watch over Nathan's two patients in his absence. In return, the peacekeepers suggested they take the children along for a day of fun.

The arrangement seemed to suit everyone accept Caleb. While Matthew had learned better from his night in jail for stealing, the Henderson boy was less remorseful about what the five boys had done. Josiah and Caleb would be spending a great deal of time together in the coming weeks. The preacher would be enlightening the boy on some more social behavior.

The laughing and giggling behind him caused JD to turn. Nathan and Rain were busy playing at the water's edge with Robert, Georgia and Hope. The kid smiled warmly at the sight, but was distracted by someone calling his name.

"Hey, JD," Robertson called out as he approached. He held a large fish in his hands.

"Hey, Luke," Dunne replied. "That's a beauty."

"Yeah, Mrs. Wells said we can add it to the rest fer tanight." Glancing over his shoulder, the young man looked at Casey and Nettie as they made their approached from down the shoreline. "You sure are lucky ta have such friendly folks like them around."

"Why thank you, Luke," the senior Wells acknowledged the boy's compliment. "Afternoon, JD."

"Ma'am," Dunne greeted the older lady with a tip of his hat, then focused on her companion.

For her part, Casey just smiled.

"Now, shall we go see about preparing this monster for the cook out," Nettie indicated to Luke's catch then motioned for him to follow her.

"Yes, ma'am," Luke said happily as he followed the widow to her buckboard that they were using as their mobile kitchen.

Casey and JD looked at each other coyly. Dunne pointed to the blanket behind them, and the young woman nodded her head.

"You havin' a good day, Casey?" the kid asked as they sat.

"Ain't it fun ta watch these kids enjoyin' themselves, JD." Miss Wells looked around at all the activity that abounded and smiled. "I sure hope they remember this day for a long time to come."

Following her gaze, JD nodded his head.

"Everyone else seems to be havin' fun too," Casey commented as she focused on Nathan, Rain and the three children.

Looking around curiously, Dunne nodded his head again, but seemed distracted.

"What's wrong, JD?"

Shaking his head to indicate that it was nothing serious, the kid looked at his girl and frowned a little. "You seen Ezra?"

Casey shook her head in the negative, as the two young people scanned their surroundings once again in search of the elusive gambler.

Having positioned himself between the two occupied sections of the pond, Ezra was nestled under the shade of a big tree. With a blanket set at his feet, the gambler was perched comfortably on an old log. A book lay open in his hands. The children who sat settled before him all listened intently to the words that were spoken.

"He remembered how once he had been despised and persecuted; and now he heard everyone saying that he was the most beautiful of beautiful birds." The gambler looked up from his book just long enough to gaze out at the children who sat mesmerized by the fairy tale he was recounting.

"And the lilac bushes dipped their branches into the water before him, and the sun shone warm and mild. He rustled his feathers and held his graceful neck high, and from the depths of his heart he joyfully proclaimed, "I never dreamt that so much happiness was possible when I was the Ugly Duckling."

With a grand smile on his face, Standish closed the book and looked out at the gathered youngsters. "And that my little friends is the end of the story."

"Read another, Mr. Standish," a little boy called out.

"Yes please, Mr. Standish," a blond girl added from the far end of the blanket.

"Please," another girl said.

"Well children, I know the dinner hour shall be upon us shortly," the gambler replied as he pulled out his pocket watch. Flipping it open he smiled, "but, I'm sure we have time for a brief one."

A chorus of cheers and thank yous echoed out as Ezra began to flip through his little book. After looking over his choices, Standish decided and held up his hands and motioned for the children to settle.

Knowing that another wonderful story awaited them, the boys and girls quickly complied.

Seeing that they were all waiting, the gambler began his story. "Many years ago there lived an Emperor who was so fond of new clothes that he spent all his money on them. He did not care about his soldiers, he did not care about the theatre; he liked only to go out walking to show off his new clothes. He had a costume for every hour of the day; and just as they say of a King, 'He is in the council chamber,' they always said of him, 'The Emperor is in his dressing room.'"

Giggles and laughter could be heard escaping from the children as the gambler continued. "Life was very gay in the great city in which the Emperor lived..."

"I can not thank you gentleman enough for the wonderful day we all had yesterday," Ruth Crestwell said to the assembled peacekeepers outside the church.

"Well, ma'am. As you just said, we all had a real nice day," Chris said as he smiled at the matron.

"Amen to that, brother," the preacher added, as a group of children went running by.

"Should see them wagons in the next few hours," Tanner commented.

"Yes," Ruth agreed. "I've already started to gather all of the children's belongings. We should be ready to leave tomorrow morning."

"That's if they made good time," Dunne responded.

"Perhaps I can ensure the arrival of the wagons in question," Standish volunteered.

"Seems you spent most 'a yesterday hiding off by yaself," Wilmington quipped. "Suppose it would be fittin' if ya rode out and brought them in."

Standish only smiled at Buck's insinuation.

"By ya self," the ladies man added quietly.

"I dare say that having this many children under foot for this long has been trying for all of you gentleman," the matron said quickly.

"Oh, no ma'am," the healer replied. "We have ta deal with strange things happening around here all the time."

"And that's the gods honest truth," Sanchez said calmly, as he raised his eyebrows.

"Yet this is the first time in memory that I can recall our little municipality being quite so... active," the gambler said as another group of children walked by.

"Well, Ezra," Larabee said in response. "Things have been reasonable quiet all mornin'. Lunch is done. If you wanna ride on out and see if you can spot them wagons..." Lowering his head, the gunslinger raised it just enough to see Standish over the brim of his hat. "I'm sure we can make do without ya."

"I would appreciate a little ...quiet time," the gambler said with a smile. Truth be told, he had enjoyed yesterday's outing immensely, but he wasn't about to let on to that little fact, any time soon. Ezra also knew, deep down, that all the headaches and practical jokes that he had endured over the past nine days were memories he would hold on to for a long time.

"Suit yer self," the gunslinger said calmly.

"I think I shall do just that, Mr. Larabee. Mrs. Crestwell," the southerner tipped his hat to the matron.

"Mr. Standish," the woman replied.

"Gentleman," Ezra indicated his goodbye with another tip of his hat before heading for the stables.

"Well I'm gonna go check on Jake," Nathan said matter-of-factly as he followed Standish towards the clinic.

"Yep," Buck said happily. "And I got 'a go see a lovely senorita about some pies."

"All them apples you two picked yesterday?" JD asked curiously.

Wilmington raised his eyebrows and only grinned his reply before strolling off down the street.

"I'm going up ta the office, Josiah," Dunne remarked. "You wanna clean that rifle while I'm doin' ma pistols?"

"Don't mind if I do," the preacher replied as he stepped forward and tipped his hat.

The kid copied the courtesy, before he and Sanchez followed the path Buck had just taken.

As he watched the two men leave, Larabee spotted Mary Travis in the street, handing out her daily addition of the Clarion. "If you'll excuse me, ma'am," he tipped his hat to Mrs. Crestwell.

Ruth smiled as the gunslinger departed.

Finding it curious that seven men could all find enough to do while they fulfilled their responsibilities to a town such as this, the matron studied the remaining man as he watched the children playing tag off in the distance. After another minute she felt compelled to speak. "When you watch the children, Mr. Tanner, you are a thousand miles away."

Caught off guard by the woman's remark, Vin shook head. "Ma'am?"

"You watch the children with such wonder in your eyes. One might guess that you didn't have much of a childhood."

"No, ma'am," Tanner did his best to deny everything the woman was insinuating by shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders.

After careful consideration, Mrs. Crestwell decided she would speak the words this young man needed to hear. "I have worked with children all my life, Mr. Tanner. All that experience has given me the gift to know when someone is lying."

Vin lowered his head to hide his eyes from the matron.

Moving closer to the tracker, Mrs. Crestwell smiled. "Tell me a fabrication if you must, Mr. Tanner... but have the integrity to at least be honest with yourself."

There was no response from the tracker, and Ruth hadn't expected any. Setting her hand on his shoulder for just one second, she smiled again. "Good day, Mr. Tanner," she said quietly as she went back to the church.

Lifting his head only enough to see the departing form over the brim of his hat, Vin returned the woman's smile. "Good day, Mrs. Crestwell."

"Wagon's ho!" JD called out as loudly as he could, as the three wagons rounded the corner at the north end of town.

Ezra Standish rode in beside the first rig. He tipped his hat to Chris and Mary outside the Clarion News as he went by. Indicating to the driver the direction he would be moving in, the gambler moved off toward the livery. The three rigs close behind.

Some of the remaining peacekeepers gathered as the wagons came to a stop at the livery. A large man jumped down from the lead wagon and smiled as he looked around.

Ezra handed Loki off to Yosemite and went to stand beside the driver. "And this, Mr. Jacobs, is our little community."

"Right nice. If I do say so ma self," the burly man quipped as he took in the surrounding. "Is that fresh apple pie I smell?"

"Sure is. Picked 'em maself," the ladies man said as he approached and held out his hand. "Buck Wilmington."

"Hank Jacobs," the man replied as he shook Buck's hand. Looking at the four other men as they joined him, he continued with the introductions. "This here's Joe, Toby, Pete, and Amos."

Shaking hands with the other men, Wilmington looked at Ezra. "See ya found 'em."

"After an enjoyable few hours to myself, I might add," the gambler replied. "Did I miss much?"

Buck smirked. "Not a bless'id thing, Ezra. Reckon we plumb wore 'em out yesterday. They been good as gold all afternoon."

"I am pleased," Standish said with a sly look. Turning to look at the five new arrivals, Ezra continued. "May we offer you gentleman a light supper before we see to the matter at hand?"

"Hank Jacobs, you crusty old geezer. Is that you?" Jake Webb called from the clinic balcony.

Recognizing the voice, Hank had a smile on his face before he even looked up. "You put us through hell worryin' about ya sorry hid, Jake Webb. And now you got the gall ta stand there and call me names."

"All right you two," the healer interjected. "That's enough. Jake, you need ta get yourself back inside and finish them fixin'. You ain't goin' nowhere tomorrow if you ain't strong enough."

"Listen to the doc now, Jake," Hank called up. It didn't take this man long to size up a situation.

Webb looked at his old friend and smiled. Looking at the healer he nodded his head and carefully made his way back inside.

Josiah and Vin arrived to greet the travelers and introductions went around again.

"Well, we should see ta the horses," Hank said loudly as he clapped his hands together.

"Now you go on now," Sanchez urged. "Go have some supper and a slice of that fresh apple pie. We'll see to horses and rigs. Get thing all squared away for ya."

Tanner and Wilmington both nodded their heads at the suggestion.

"Well that's mighty nice of you boys," Jacobs replied as he patted his belly. Looking back at the four men he could see the agreement on their face. "Alright then, we'll do just that."

"Well good," the ladies said happily. Even though today had been a relatively quiet day, it was still lot busier than usual for the town. He'd assist in any way possible if it meant getting the orphans back on the road.

"This way, gentleman," the gambler waved the way clear to the saloon and headed in that direction.

Patting the lead horses, Tanner started to unfasten the rigging on the first wagon. Josiah and Buck moved back to the others to accomplished their tasks too.

"Well that's a real shame," Jacobs said mournfully. "Henry was a good man." There was a long silence before he continued. "Sure am glad you come through it okay though."

"Oh, I'm gonna be hurtin' for a few weeks ta come yet," Webb replied. "But I'm alive."

Glancing over at Mitch asleep in the corner, the man leaned in to talk quietly. "Don't think Beth would have ever forgiven ya if you'd up and died. Leavin' her and the kids in a brand new place and all."

The smile on Jake's face faded fast as he thought about how close he'd come to dying. Things would be extremely hard for a widow with five children all under the age of twelve. "Well, we'll be home in five or six days. She can give me heck all she wants while she tends me."

"She's probably give you a very big hug, Mr. Webb," Ruth Crestwell said as she closed the door behind her.

Jake laughed, then looked at the matron anxiously. "She does know my ribs is all busted up, don't she, ma'am?"

Both Ruth and Hank had big smiles on their face.

Realizing that they were putting him on, Jake joined in their amusement.

"So, gentlemen," Ruth turned the conversation to the business at hand. "Shall we discuss the trip to Bitter Creek?"

Both men raised their eyebrows before Hank got up and pulled Nathan's big chair over for the woman to sit on. "Lets," was all he said.

Four Corners was a flurry of activity the following morning. Nettie and Casey had arrived early to help Inez make breakfast and get the lunches ready for the trip. The plates were well filled as the children arrived for their meal. It would be a long while before they got the next one. The biscuits the women baked up would be served as lunch for at least three of the days.

Nathan rechecked his patients from head to toe in his usual thorough manner, before Rain assisted him in preparing the wagon that they would be traveling in. The two men were to have a wagon all to themselves for the journey to Bitter Creek. Nathan had insisted that both men remain laying down for as long as possible during the journey. As the sixth wagon would haul all of the supplies, number five would take no one but a driver and the two injured men.

Luke Robertson made sure that each of the boys had everything they arrived with as they lined their belongings along one wall of the exchange. All of the bedrolls were stacked neatly in one corner, and the blankets were taken over to the church. Coat and pant pockets were also checked to ensure that none of the lads had anything on them that didn't belong in their possession.

Mrs. Crestwell accomplished a lot of the same tasks with the girls inside the church. Then all of the young ladies, who were able, assisted in the folding of the blankets that had been so generously lent to the children. Each one was folded neatly and piled in one corner. When that task was accomplished the stacks were counted to ensure that all blankets were present.

Once all the tasks were completed the children were let go for half an hour. They were told to visit the outhouse, say any farewells they needed to and come back as soon as they were done.

At the other end of the street, Mrs. Travis was busy making notes for another article when she spotted Rebecca Potter saying her good-byes to some of the girls. Billy too was saying goodbye to a few of the boys he had played with all week. Her son came and stood beside her when he was done.

"Are you alright, Billy?" Mary asked of her son when he rubbed his face on her dress.

Billy only nodded his response.

"We'll wave goodbye as they leave... alright."

As her son once again silently indicated his agreement, Mary saw Inez, Nettie and Casey taking several bundles down towards the livery. "Come on," the widow said to her child. "Let's go over and help take the biscuits to the wagons.

Chris tipped his hat to the newspaperwoman as she crossed the street in front of him.

"Everyone's helpin' out," Tanner said quietly as he noticed Mary and Billy go by. "Must mean folks either made some peace with 'em all being here... or they's mighty anxious to send 'em on their way."

Larabee stood up straight and turned away from the support beam to face the tracker. He lowered his head momentarily then looked his friend in the eye. "Did you make some peace, Vin?"

There was a long silence before Tanner smiled. "I reckon," was all he said, as he looked up to see a small boy approach the jail. "Looks like you got a visitor," he said solemnly.

The gunslinger turned back around to Phillip Johnson. "Well hey there," Chris said happily. Larabee glanced back at Tanner. Silent words passed between them.

"Got 'a get me them blankets for the wash. Be right back," Vin said casually as he disappeared inside their office.

Larabee turned his attention back to the boy. He sat down on the step and motioned for the child to join him.

With eyes fixed on the black clad gunslinger, the boy did just that.

"Well, I sure am glad you stopped by. Wouldn't want ya ta leave without saying good bye." Chris paused and smiled. "I wanted ta thank you again for spendin' some time with me the other day. And I sure did have fun on Sunday with you and Billy."

Phillip smiled as he remembered.

"I reckon I wasn't suppose ta get that wet though. You two sure did drench me something awful."

Phillip nodded his head happily.

Chris took a deep breath. There was a moment of hesitation before he spoke. "So... do I get a hug before you leave?"

Slowly the boy stood up, and just as slowly he moved around in front of the gunslinger and opened his arms to meet the man's big grasp. Phillip and Chris exchanged a big hug for a long minute, before the man released his hold on the child.

"Thank ... you," the little boy whispered in Larabee's ear. Giving the big man one more squeeze the boy stood back smiled and took of running down the street.

Larabee lowered his head and pursed his lips. An emotional response was clearly swelling in his eyes before he beat it back down at the tracker's return.

Looking at his friend's back from where he stood, Vin understood that the man needed a few minutes to gather his thoughts. He said nothing as he set the blankets on the second chair and took up residence in the first. Vin would give Chris all the time he needed.

A group of youngsters ran past Chris and Vin then swerved around Rain as she stepped out into the street. Georgia and Hope followed with Nathan and Robert close behind. As the five gathered into a group they headed down to the stables.

"When I learn my letters betta I can write to ya?" Georgia said as she looked up at Rain.

"It would be a wonderful thing to receive a note from you," the young woman replied.

"And that goes for you too, young man," the healer prompted the boy with a pat on his head.

"Ah, I ain't much for learnin'," Robert replied.

Nathan stopped in his tracks and knelt down in front of the children. As he looked at three sets of beautiful brown eyes, Jackson smiled. "I want you all ta remember that the power of learnin' is what's gonna take you some place in this world."

Robert took a deep breath before nodding his head. Georgia looked up at Rain again and smiled before looking back at Nathan.

"And if we do lots 'a book learnin' and study hard," Hope said quietly. "We might get ta be real doctors some day."

Jackson looked up at his lady and smiled. "Some day," he repeated happily as he stood up and ushered the children towards the waitin' wagons.

"Alright," Luke Robertson announced as the boys began to line up out front of the exchange. "Who missin'?"

"Ain't seen Hugh or the others yet," a voice piped up from the crowd as Nathan and his group arrived.

"Hummmm," Josiah said loudly as he rubbed his chin. "I believe I know where to find 'em. Care ta join me, Buck?"

"Don't mind if I do," the ladies man replied before following the preacher up the street.

"I have all of the young ladies and their belongings, Mr. Jacobs," Ruth Crestwell called out to Hank as she approached the wagons. A line of girls stretched out behind. All carrying a small cloth bag.

"Alright, Mrs. Crestwell, take them to the fourth wagon please," the man said pleasantly.

The matron smiled and waved with her hand, before leading the girls to their transportation.

JD patted the last trailing girl on the head as he passed the procession and stopped in front of Hank. "That's the last of the supplies, Mr. Jacobs. And the food's all here too."

"Thanks, Mr. Dunne. Really do appreciate all this help you boys are givin' us."

The kid stood up tall. He realized that Hanks Jacobs saw him as a man, and not a kid, as the other so often referred to him as. "Ain't no trouble at 'll," he said proudly.

"Got all the boys but three, Mr. Jacobs," Luke reported as he arrived beside the two men and nodded a greeting to Dunne. "Mr. Sanchez and Mr. Wilmington are lookin' for 'em right now."

"And I wouldn't wanna be them three when Buck and Josiah find 'em," JD concluded with a smirk.

Outside Potter's General store were the same five boys who had been getting themselves into trouble all week. Caleb Henderson leaned against the support column while the other four boys sat on the step.

"I don' know, Hugh," Matthew Potter said casually. "You sure can get ya self inta trouble without tryin' too hard."

Wylie punched the boy in the arm, but not out of spite. "Well, you ain't so good at stayin' out 'a trouble ya self, Matt."

The boys laughed a little.

"I had a good teacher," Potter replied. There was a pause while he studied the three boys beside him. "But you's gonna stay out 'a trouble now ain't ya?"

"Suppose, we'll try," Hugh replied.

"Well I ain't looking ta spend anymore time behind them bars," Buddy added seriously. "So like Mr. Larabee said, Hugh. You best fix ya ways right quick or I ain't hanging out with ya no more."

"Ah, you's all a bunch 'a girls," Caleb added to the conversation as he threw a rock out to the middle of the street.

"You ain't gonna be talkin' so big when Mr. Sanchez gets finished with ya," Hugh grinned. "I sure am glad I said I was sorry."

"Well here he comes now," Matt said quickly.

The four boys stood up and dusted themselves off.

"We was just comin', Mr. Wilmington," Buddy said quickly, as he noticed the stern look on Buck's face. Having spent the better part of a day looking at it from the other side of a cell door, the boy wasn't interested in provoking the man further.

"Well, that's good boys," the ladies man replied. "Mrs. Crestwell is waitin' on you fellas."

"Ma," Matthew called into the store. "I'm just going down ta see the fella's off."

"Alright, Matthew," Gloria Potter's voice echoed from the store.

As the boys stepped into the street, Josiah noticed that the Henderson boy didn't look like he intended to come along.

"I think it would be a good idea if you came along with us, Caleb," the preacher said.

"I don't need ta say no goodbye," the boy replied gruffly.

Sanchez looked at Caleb blankly and took the tone he planned to use over the next few weeks, as the two got to know each other a little better. "That wasn't a request, son," was all he said, before holding his arm out for the boy to follow the others.

Throwing another rock into the street, barely inches from Josiah's legs, Caleb huffed and stepped into the street. He followed Buck and the four boys back down the street, kicking up dust as he went.

Sanchez chuckled to himself as he followed. He knew he had his work cut out for him, but he also knew he was up to the task.

As the six loaded wagons prepared to leave Four Corners, Ezra Standish walked passed the assembled onlookers. Smiling to the other drivers and fellow peacekeeper, as he passed by, he came to a stop in front of the fourth wagon.

Luke Robertson held on to the reins. The matron sat comfortably beside the young man.

"Good morning, Mrs. Crestwell," Ezra said flamboyantly.

"And a fine good morning to you, Mr. Standish. I thought perhaps you were not around as I hadn't seen you today."

The gambler looked down at the bundle in his hand then looked back at the woman. "I was occupied in preparing this gift."

Ruth looked a little lost at the declaration.

"A modest token for you and the children, Mrs. Crestwell." There was a long pause as Ezra handed the parcel up to the matron. "Something for you read to these 'small packages' when they are finally delivered," he said poignantly. Tipping his hat to the matron, Standish waved good bye to Luke and stepped away from the wagon.

Looking at the bundle in her hands, Ruth smiled, then watched as the gambler joined his friends in front of the church. Of all the places they could have happened upon in their hour of need, Mrs. Crestwell was more than grateful that they had ended up here. This little town and its people were indeed a well-knit community. Each member an intricate part in the whole.

Hank Jacobs took stock of his wagon train before he signaled that they were ready and climbed up to the lead wagon. Flicking the reins, he set his team in motion and the procession of wagons made their way down the street.

Buck, Josiah, Vin, and Ezra stood with Nettie and Inez at the church as they waved the wagons off. Nathan and Rain waved their good-byes from the clinic. Further up the street, Casey stood with JD outside the sheriff's office. Gloria Potter stood with Rebecca and Matthew outside their store and waved. Annie and Caleb Henderson stood with them.

Outside the Clarion News, Billy Travis sat perched on the railing. Mary stood behind her son. The black clad gunslinger stood behind the lovely lady, hands resting on her hips. He watched quietly as the wagons neared the end of town and he smiled to himself as he whispered good bye to a little boy that he was glad he had been given the time and opportunity to know.

And as the wagons disappeared around the bend at the end of the street, a whole town and its inhabitants breathed a sigh. It wasn't a 'thank goodness they're gone' sigh, or a 'I'm gonna miss them' sigh, it was merely a sigh. Four Corners could return to its usual business once again.

Chris and Mary sat on the porch of the Clarion and watched as the town wound down from its first quiet day in a more than a week. Mrs. Travis watched the blond intently as he studied their community with just as much intent.

"Are you all right, Chris?" she finally asked.

Larabee looked at the lovely lady and smiled his best smile for her. "Yeah," was all he could manage to say. It was all he needed to say.

On the balcony at the clinic, Nathan sat with Rain, cuddling her in his arm as she rested between his legs.

"They sure were somethin'," the healer said quietly.

"I could say the same thing about you. You are a man of many talents, Nathan Jackson."

"Why thank ya, Miss Rain. But you weren't so bad ya self. Takin' on those kids. Helpin' me out with them men. Nice ta have a helpin' hand when I need one."

Rain turned around to face her man and looked at him for a long moment. She ran her hands across his cheek and smiled.

"What is it, girl?" he asked. He was more than curious at her display.

Before she spoke, Rain bowed her head for a moment. "I think I would like to stay in this town for a while, Nathan..." she looked up into the healer's eyes. "If that would be alright with you?"

With each silent second that passed the smile on Nathan's face grew a little wider. "Well, of course it's alright with me, Rain," he said happily. There was another long pause. "Truth be told, I been waitin' a while ta hear them words."

Rain turned back around and looked out on the town that she would now call her home for a while. "Well you have heard the words, Nathan. You are stuck with me now."

"Yes ma'am," Nathan said happily as he cuddled his lady close.

"I don't know about you fella's," JD said as he swallowed down his beer, "but I think the last ten days have been the longest we've ever had around here."

"Your talent for understatement, Mr. Dunne, is matched only by your aptitude for gratuitous articulation." The gambler too, indulged himself in his drink.

The kid glanced at Standish and frowned. He looked at Buck and Vin and realized they would be no help in deciphering the gambler's message. Shaking his head he turned to the preacher and raised an eyebrow.

Understanding that this was the kid's way of asking 'what!' Sanchez sat back in his chair and smiled. "What our esteemed colleague means, JD is..." he adjusted his position in his chair and continued. "We've all had too many hard days, kid, so just shut up and drink."

Standish smirked at the preacher's interpretation and raised his glass in a salute.

JD was completely taken aback by the remarks and huffed loudly. Yet, looking around at his fellow peacekeepers, he quickly realized that they were all just as exhausted as he was. Dunne's expression softened into a gentle smirk.

"See kid," Vin added to the conversation. "Now ya know why we get so flustered over all that energy you got bottled up inside ya all the time."

"Flustered!" the ladies man repeated as he set down his glass. "Hell, Vin. That ain't the word you used two weeks ago. Seems ta me it was a little more... descriptive than that."

Standish laughed out loud at the exchange then turned to Dunne and looked at him curiously. "Seriously, JD. Those 'small packages' will finally be delivered to their intended destination, and they were a little more of a handful than you could ever be, my friend. We are all, very aware of that fact. And we are all grateful that the arrangements for their continued journey was made sooner... rather than later." Ezra fingered the glass in his hands, then sat back in his chair. "Thankfully, we can now return to our normal, dull, quiet, everyday existence."

"I'll drink ta that," Dunne offered in return.

Although Sanchez, Tanner and Wilmington joined in the toast each was quietly considering the gambler's words.

As his smile wavered into thoughtfulness, Tanner studied Standish carefully and wondered about the significance of Ezra saying 'JD' instead of 'Mr. Dunne'.

Wilmington's curious expression revealed the thoughts going through his head. He was clearly stuck on the word 'friend' that the southerner rarely used.

Josiah, on the other hand, was intrigued by the references the gambler made to their 'normal, dull, quiet, everyday existence.' Even before the peacekeepers had become residents of Four Corners, nothing about this town had ever quite met that definition. And seeing as The Seven were here to stay, Sanchez seriously wondered if it ever would.

THE END