Warnings: Some mild cursing. Contains several references to "Second Childhood." Nothing too serious this time... just a fun little trip for Ezra, Buck and JD. I hope I can manage to tickle your funny bone at least once. Enjoy!
Let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: Ah, if only they were mine, but, alas, they're not. Unfortunately, the privilege of ownership of "The Magnificent Seven" characters belongs to the Mirisch Corp., Trilogy, and MGM, and no infringement on the copyrights held by them is intended. I merely wish to dust the boys off and bring them out to play occasionally for the entertainment of those of us who still miss them dearly.
"The Fishing Trip" completed April 5, 2000
"Buck!!" Ezra's and JD's panicked cries followed Buck as he slid rapidly toward the bottom. By some miracle, he managed to keep from getting turned around and traveled most of the distance on his back, feet first.
Ezra and JD moved down the trail a few yards and eased carefully up to the edge of the ravine. Looking down, they were relieved to see that Buck had made it to the bottom seemingly in one piece.
"Are you alright, Mr. Wilmington?" Ezra asked as he scanned the slope for the easiest way to reach the ladies man.
"Yeah, I think so... shit!" Buck swore as he tried to stand and felt a sharp pain shoot up his left leg. Sinking back down to the ground, he probed gently at the offending limb and then looked back up at his two friends still standing on the trail. "Got a sprained ankle, but other than that I'm fine. Don't think I can make it back up that slope though. There's a spot down the creek a ways that'd be a lot easier climb... I'll just hobble on down there an' then I'll be able to get back up to ya."
"Why don't you let one of us come down there and assist you. You're going to have a hard time walking on that ankle." Ezra's suggestion was readily agreed to by Buck when he stood and tried to put weight on his injured leg and found it wasn't going to be able to hold him.
Ezra and JD immediately began arguing over which one of them would go down. Buck shook his head in exasperation and finally stepped in to make the decision before one of them ended up shoving the other over the edge in anger.
"Damn it, will you two stop your fussin'?! You're drivin' me crazy!" Buck glared at the two men until they finally stopped and listened to him. "Ezra, you're too damn sore to be climbin' down that hill... let JD come down here an' you just get on down to the other end an' be ready to help me up outta here."
JD gave Ezra a look of triumph and quickly scrambled over the edge. Reaching Buck, he moved in beside him, wrapped an arm around the taller man's waist, and began slowly helping him make his way along the bottom of the ravine. The boy glanced back up at Ezra and couldn't help giving him one last smirk before he turned his attention back to helping Buck.
Ezra watched the two men to make sure they were going to be able to manage okay. He caught the look JD sent his way and knew by the frown that suddenly appeared on Buck's face, that he'd seen it, too. For the first time, Ezra began to think accepting their invitation to tag along had been a mistake. JD was miserable because he had to share Buck, and Buck was miserable because of their demands for his undivided attention. Ezra shook his head in disgust as he realized how childishly he'd been acting.
Hanging his head disconsolately, Ezra turned and began limping down the trail. He couldn't help but think it might be better if he just headed back to Four Corners now on his own. Maybe it would give Buck and JD a chance to salvage the remainder of their trip. He was amazed at how the thought of leaving Buck's... and even JD's... company bothered him. Despite everything that had happened, he was having a good time, but he couldn't bear the thought of making Buck unhappy... so as much as he hated to, Ezra decided he'd make up an excuse and leave first thing in the morning.
Buck watched Ezra until he was out of sight, and then pulled JD to a stop. He couldn't help but notice the dejected slump to the gambler's shoulders as he walked away and realized he needed to have a few words with the Kid.
"What'd ya stop for, Buck?" JD was staring up at him questioningly.
Buck looked around and then nodded toward a large rock lying a few feet away. "Set me down over there for a minute, Kid... we need to have a talk."
JD shook his head and tried to get the bigger man moving again. "We can talk later, Buck... right now we need to get you back to camp an' off a this ankle."
"No... now, JD... while Ezra's not around." Buck forced him to take him over to the rock and eased himself down onto it.
"What do ya mean 'while Ezra's not around'... what's he got to do with this?" JD wiped the sweat off his brow as he impatiently waited for Buck's answer.
"Everything, Kid... pretty much everything." Buck stared at the boy as he tried to decide the best way to proceed. He didn't want to hurt his feelings, but he had to make him see how he was behaving and how it was affecting all three of them. "Ya know you're my best friend, don't ya, JD?"
JD's brows furrowed, but he quickly nodded in agreement. "Sure, Buck... an' you're mine."
"What about Ezra?" Buck saw confusion appear in the youth's dark brown eyes... and then a little flash of guilt as he apparently began to see where the older man was headed.
"What about 'im?" JD looked away, a slight flush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.
Buck put a hand on the boy's shoulder and shook him gently. "I thought we settled all this when Ezra had his little problem. Remember? When you were jealous of our time together because you thought we were pushing you away?"
JD refused to look at the ladies man, but Buck could see his flush deepen. "I wasn't jealous... I was just feelin' left out, that's all."
"Exactly, JD... an' how do ya think Ezra's feelin' now? We invite him along on this trip an' then you spend your whole time makin' 'im feel like he's in the way." Buck saw a flash of anger in the boy's eyes as his head whipped up and he heatedly protested the accusation.
"Oh, come on, Buck... Ezra's been actin' the same way... tryin' to hog all your time an' attention. How come ya ain't yellin' at him, too?!" JD threw his hands up in the air in exasperation as he refused to take all the blame for what had been happening.
Buck shook his head and tried once more. "I'm not yellin' at ya... I'm just tryin' to explain something to ya. Ezra's just reactin' to the way you're treatin' 'im. He feels like he's bein' pushed aside just when he finally thought he'd found some sense of acceptance. He's hurtin', JD, an' fightin' to hang on to the first real friendship he's ever had." Buck squeezed the boy's shoulder gently as he tried to get through to him exactly what Ezra was feeling. "Ya gotta try an' remember... he's new to this whole business of bein' friends an' he don't got any idea how to deal with it. All he can do is watch what we do... how we act with each other... an' try an' do the same. He's just tryin' to learn how to fit in... that's all. He probably wants to open up to you just like he does to me, but you keepin' that chip on your shoulder ain't givin' 'im the chance."
JD struggled to accept what Buck was saying and tried to see the whole situation through Ezra's eyes. Guilt surged through him as he realized that what Buck had said was true... he had been trying to push Ezra away. JD groaned softly as he felt his anger draining away.
"You're right, Buck... I've been actin' like a selfish brat." He grinned crookedly at the ladies man. "Why the heck do ya put up with me anyway?"
Buck smiled and wrapped an arm around the boy's neck, pulling himself up off the rock. "Like I said, JD... 'cause you're my best friend."
They started to move on down the ravine when Buck suddenly stopped again and frowned at JD. "One thing I can't figure out. You were alright with mine an' Ezra's relationship when he was still our 'Little One'... at least, after our talk ya were... what made ya start havin' a problem with 'im now?"
JD thought a minute and then grinned sheepishly up at Buck. "You're gonna think it's stupid, but... well... I knew Lit'l Ezra would be goin' away eventually an' I figured I'd have you all to myself again." He shrugged as Buck shook his head, still confused. "This Ezra is here to stay... I guess I just didn't like the idea of havin' to share ya with him for the rest of our lives."
Buck laughed and lightly cuffed the young peacekeeper on the shoulder. "Damn, JD... take a look at me... there's plenty enough to go around." He was relieved to see JD return his laughter and gave him a little hug as they started walking again.
JD's smile faded and he stared thoughtfully up at the larger man. "Buck?... How did you know what Ezra was feelin'? I mean... how did ya figure out he wasn't just bein' selfish like I was, but was feelin' left out?"
Buck opened his mouth to speak and then hesitated as he looked down at the boy. JD's feelings for Chris Larabee were no secret. Whereas he adored Buck as a big brother... he practically worshipped Chris as the father figure he'd never had. How could he do anything that would tarnish that image the Kid had of the man? The answer to that was easy... he couldn't. So Buck merely shook his head and mumbled, "I just knew... that's all."
JD continued to stare at Buck as his mind worked over the reasons why the usually talkative gunslinger... the man who was always ready to launch into a long, drawn-out story at the drop of a hat... would suddenly turn as close-mouthed as Chris or —. Suddenly, JD knew.
"It's got something to do with Chris and Vin, doesn't it?" JD saw Buck flinch, but he still wouldn't say anything. He nudged the older man gently with his elbow. "I'm right, aren't I?"
Buck glanced at the younger man and then looked away. "Just let it go, JD... I don't wanna—" Buck sighed and shook his head sadly. "Just drop it, okay?"
JD frowned at his friend, loving him for wanting to protect him, but at the same time resenting him for treating him like a kid. "Come on, Buck... give me some credit... I know Chris isn't perfect. An' I knew something happened between you, him an' Vin... something that made you real unhappy. I came close to hatin' Chris for treatin' ya the way he did, but then I realized he was just a man... not the hero I wanted him to be."
Buck shook his head in wonder as he stared down at the boy. "You're a lot smarter than I give you credit for, aren't ya? I gotta quit treatin' ya like a kid." The older man laughed softly and gave JD a light squeeze. "My turn to ask... why the heck do ya keep puttin' up with me?"
JD smiled up at him and shrugged. "Same reason, Buck... 'cause you're my best friend. Now... was I right about Chris?"
"Yeah, you were right... I knew Ezra was feelin' left out 'cause that's how I felt back then. An' ya know, you aren't the only one that let's his emotions get in the way of his brain sometimes. When I first realized that Chris an' Vin were startin' to get close, I did the same thing you've been doin'... tried to find ways to push Vin back outta the picture." Buck thought about all the times he'd tried to clown around to gain Chris's attention... or brought up things out of his and Chris's past... things that Vin wouldn't know anything about... just to try and hang onto his friendship with the gunslinger.
JD grinned and nodded his head. "Yeah, I remember. I thought either Chris or Vin one was gonna shoot ya 'fore ya finally stopped." Then he turned serious again. "Why did ya stop, Buck? Did Josiah or somebody point out how ya were actin'... like you just did for me?"
Buck shook his head and looked off into the distance, his eyes growing even sadder. "Nope, Kid... I just finally realized that what Chris and I had was over, an' that I'd be a whole lot happier with no best friend at all than with one who didn't really want the job. I just couldn't handle bein' shoved aside any longer an' gave up." He looked up just as they rounded a bend in the ravine and saw Ezra standing up on the trail, waiting patiently to help them. "I know how much that hurts, JD... that's why I can't stand the thought of us doin' it to Ezra. That's the same kinda treatment he's put up with his whole life, an' it's what he's grown to expect... I think it's time we tried to change that for 'im." He turned his eyes down to one of the two people he knew would always be there for him and then looked back up at the other one. "What d' ya think... can we do it?"
JD's face tightened into a grim look of determination as he followed Buck's line of sight and saw Ezra standing alone. "Darn right we can, Buck. It might not be easy, but between the two of us, I think we can show Ezra what it's like to have real friends."
Bucks eyes softened as he stared down at the youngster. "I knew I could count on ya, JD. After all, you were there for me when I needed a friend... even though ya had to put up with a lot of my shit ' fore I finally realized that that was what I needed. An' I know just how big that heart a yours is... there's plenty of room in it for me an' Ezra both."
JD waved at Ezra and grinned when he saw a small smile appear on the gambler's face as he hesitantly waved back. "Thanks, Buck... for stoppin' me from throwin' one of my two best friends away."
"No problem, Pard... just returnin' the favor. I just happened to see what was needed before you did this time." Buck watched anxiously as Ezra eased himself down the side of the ravine, wincing every time he saw him flinch from the pain it was causing, then allowed the two younger men to help him back up onto the trail.
Buck smiled as they immediately pulled his arms around their necks and took most of his weight upon themselves. It was as if all the former unpleasantness between the two men had never happened and all they wanted to do now was concentrate on helping him.
Buck knew he could have made it back to camp just fine on his own... the pain in his ankle had eased considerably... but he didn't have the heart to tell them that. He realized that at that moment they needed to take care of him, and if it would bring the two of them back together, then he'd gladly allow it. Besides... it felt damn good to be fussed over like that... at least for a little while. There was just one problem... they were being way too serious in their work. He decided to lighten the mood up a bit.
Buck gradually relaxed his muscles and allowed more and more of his weight to fall on their shoulders. He smiled when he heard them grunt and felt them stagger slightly under the extra load.
"Damn, boys... you two need to build up those muscles. Listen to ya huffin' an' puffin' just 'cause ya gotta carry a light-weight like me." Buck shook his head and smiled sadly as two sets of eyes glared up at him. "Pitiful... just pitiful."
Suddenly, Ezra and JD stopped and stared at each other. Nodding in unspoken agreement, they quickly released their hold on the bigger man and slipped out from under his arms. Buck hit the ground with a resounding thud and watched as the two of them threw an arm around each other's shoulders and stalked off.
"Hey! There weren't no call to do that!" Buck struggled to his feet and limped slowly after the two men. "Come on, fellas... is this anyway to treat your best friend? Huh? Is it?"
Buck grinned when he saw their shoulders shake and heard their peels of laughter ringing through the forest. Well, at least he'd helped patch up their differences... now if he could just make it back to camp. He noticed that Ezra and JD carefully kept themselves within earshot of him in case he needed help, so he decided to stay back and allow them to do some much needed bonding on their own. The trip had finally taken a turn for the better... he just hoped it would continue that way until they made it back to Four Corners. Buck didn't think any of them could handle anymore unpleasant surprises.
JD, being the least injured of the three, threw together a quick dinner while Buck and Ezra stretched out on their bedrolls and offered their unwanted advice on how to cook. Afterward, they limped back down to the pond and got in a little more fishing... thankfully Buck's prayers were answered and the rest of the day passed without incident.
By the time it started to get dark, all three men had managed to land a few more fish... but to Buck's and JD's consternation, none of them were as big as Ezra's previous catch. It looked like they didn't need to worry about throwing the bet... the gambler was probably going to win it fair and square.
"Well, Gentlemen... I don't know about you, but I'm ready to call it a day." Ezra stood looking down at the two men lying stretched out in the grass as he wound his line around the end of his pole. He had wisely chosen not to join them, knowing his bruised bottom would have made sitting on the hard ground much too painful of an ordeal. He had no idea how he was going to manage a full day in the saddle when they returned home... just thinking about it hurt. Ezra produced a pack of cards from his jacket pocket and waved them at his friends. "Perhaps we could relax with a few rounds of poker before we retire for the night. Anyone up to a game?"
The other two men readily agreed, and after helping Buck to his feet, they made their slow, halting way back to camp. Even JD was limping by then, because every part of him that had hit a branch or twig in his fall out of that tree had begun to ache.
As much as Ezra hated to accept their help, it was necessary in order to get him settled on his bedroll in a position that didn't aggravate his already throbbing butt. His bedding was still lying where he'd dragged it the first night... halfway between Buck's and JD's. Neither man had suggested that Ezra move back around to the other side of the fire and had even thoughtfully held back any jokes that had come to mind at the relieved look on the gambler's face when he saw that he was going to be allowed to stay. Ezra would have moved before he'd have admitted to the measure of protection he felt being in their close proximity, but since they'd decided not to make an issue of it, he gratefully remained where he was.
Once JD had Buck settled in, he eased himself down on the ground and pulled one of his blankets up around his shoulders. The night air had cooled considerably and the heat from the fire felt good on their aching bodies. Ezra reached behind him and retrieved his flask, and after taking a few warming sips, passed it to his friends and commenced dealing the cards.
Chris nodded at the three empty seats and shook his head. "Sure is quiet without them here."
Nathan looked up at him in surprise as he checked his cards and tossed two down on the table. "You ain't complainin' are ya? Personally, I'm enjoyin' not havin' t' listen t' Ezra's constant braggin'. It's bad 'nough losin' t' 'im most every game, but havin' t' hear 'bout how good he is jus' makes it that much worse." Nathan looked down at the table as he picked up his two new cards and missed the looks that the other three men exchanged over his words.
Josiah focused his attention on his cards as he spoke quietly, disagreeing with the healer's less than flattering opinion of the gambler. "I don't know, I thought Ezra had been doin' a lot less of that since his accident." He looked up and grinned at the others. "In fact, I think Brother Ezra has become down right humble during our nightly card games... while he's takin' all our money."
Vin laughed softly and nodded in agreement as he anted. "Hell, I think he's even throwin' a few games jus' t' give us a chance t' break even. He has t' be... seein' as how that's 'bout the only way any of us could beat 'im."
Nathan snorted in disgust and threw in his hand. "Fold. Prob'ly jus' doin' that to make sure we keep playin'... he's still winnin' a helluva lot more than he's losin'." He leaned back and took a long drink of his beer as he watched the hand play out. "You can bet that southern con man ain't gonna do nothin' that ain't gonna benefit 'im in the long run."
The other three men stared at him in surprise. They were all aware of how much Ezra had grown since they'd first met him and couldn't understand why Nathan just couldn't... or wouldn't... see it. They'd hoped the healer's feelings had finally changed after all the time he had spent caring for Ezra when he was locked in his five year old world, but all his old hostility for him had gradually returned when the old Ezra had reappeared. Apparently his resentment of the gambler and his southern heritage ran a lot deeper than they'd ever imagined.
JD grinned and raked in the pot for the second time. "What's a matter, Ezra... ya havin' trouble concentratin' 'cause of your...um... injury?"
Ezra reached for the cards and winced as the movement sent a dull pain radiating across his backside. It had taken some shifting around and experimenting, but he'd finally managed to get somewhat comfortable by stretching out on his left side. He'd checked on it once when he went into the woods to relieve himself and had moaned when he'd found a large, purple contusion covering his right cheek and part of his left. The trip back to town was becoming less and less appealing all the time.
Buck saw the look of pain cross Ezra's face and wondered again how he was ever going to make it home. He'd offered to go back for a wagon, but knew before he even brought the subject up that the stubborn gambler would turn him down. His pride couldn't handle the kind of beating it would take when everyone in town discovered the exact nature of the injury that had forced them to cart him home in such a manner. Ezra would much rather suffer the physical beating he was going to take from the prolonged contact between his bruised bottom and the hard leather of his saddle than suffer that kind of humiliation.
And surprisingly, after all that had happened, he still seemed to be having a good time. He hadn't uttered a single complaint and had even accepted their pranks and ribbing good-naturedly... merely promising some dire form of retaliation as soon as he got the chance.
"Don't worry, Ezra... once we get home, Nathan'll probably give ya some liniment to rub on that an' then it'll quit hurtin' ya so much." JD had also noticed how much discomfort the gambler was in and felt a stab of guilt since it was his horsing around that had caused it.
Ezra glanced up at them and then quickly looked back down at the cards. "Um... I was hopin' we could just keep all these unfortunate incidents to ourselves. At least... as far as our esteemed healer is concerned."
Buck and JD shared a puzzled look and then stared at the Southerner and noticed how nervous he now seemed. "Ya don't want us to tell Nathan 'bout what happened? How come? He ain't gonna rib ya no worse than any of the others... an' ya know he oughta look at those welts an' that bruise... just to make sure you're okay."
Ezra concentrated on shuffling the cards as he tried to come up with a plausible explanation for his reluctance to see the healer. He couldn't tell them the truth since they apparently hadn't noticed the looks Nathan gave him... or the disparaging comments he made, usually disguised as jokes. No matter how much progress Ezra thought he was making toward becoming the man his friends seemed to think he could be, Nathan could destroy it all with just one look or a few negative words. He shook his head slightly and silently berated himself. Come on, Standish... obviously it's all in your head. Just your same old insecurities making you doubt your new friends. No one else sees it the way you do... so you must be wrong.
Buck reached out and lightly touched the younger man's arm. "Ezra? Is there somethin' goin' on with you an' Nathan?"
Ezra fixed a smile on his face before finally looking up at the other two men. "Of course not. It's just my usual aversion to submittin' to our esteemed healer's poking and prodding... that and the thought of bein' forced to ingest one of those vile concoctions of his. You needn't worry however, I'll be sure to pay Mr. Jackson a visit upon our return and allow him the satisfaction of informing me that I should have stayed in the saloon where I belonged, while he's working his healing wonders on me." He rapidly dealt the cards and deftly changed the subject. "May I remind you gentlemen that I am currently winning our little contest. Perhaps we should make this the last hand so that you'll be able to get an early start on your futile attempts to procure a fish large enough to wrest the lead from me."
Ezra successfully redirected their attention away from himself and turned it toward a discussion on the next day's round of fishing, and how they would make him eat his boastful words. Buck and JD assured him they had a few secrets left to try that would certainly enable them to land a few of those whoppers they just knew were lurking somewhere deep in the pond.
Ezra was relieved to see that he'd convinced them there was nothing wrong between he and Nathan... now if he could just convince himself.
JD slowly opened his eyes, saw it was barely dawn and started to roll back over for another hour or so of sleep, when he suddenly remembered what he'd had planned for this morning. He quickly raised his head and peered around the campsite, and was disappointed to see that Buck had made it up before him. Oh well, guess I'll have to be satisfied with getting just Ezra. Prob'ly safer that way anyhow.
He saw Buck open his mouth to speak and quickly made shushing gestures at him before he had a chance to waken the still slumbering gambler. Pushing himself up out of his blankets, he hurried over and began whispering in the older man's ear. Buck shook his head once and gave him an 'are you crazy?!' look, but finally just shrugged his shoulders at the boy and settled back with his coffee to watch the show. Ezra had said that all the little things that had been happening to him... including the practical jokes... had made the trip interesting. Well, it was about to get even more so if JD could just pull this one off.
JD poured some water out of his canteen into his mug and held it over the fire for a few seconds until it was lukewarm, then moved stealthily toward Ezra's sleeping form. He tugged gently at the blankets that were tucked around the Southerner's waist and slowly lifted them up. Glancing at Ezra to make sure he was still asleep, JD carefully eased the mug of water under the covers and emptied it a little bit at a time. His eyes never once left the other man's face, and every muscle in his body was tensed, ready to run if the gambler so much as twitched.
Buck had all he could do to keep from laughing out loud when Ezra suddenly shifted position and mumbled softly. JD jumped, jerked the mug back out from under the covers and scurried quickly over beside Buck, collapsing on his bedroll and putting... what the boy hoped was... a complete look of innocence on his face.
They waited expectantly, but Ezra merely pulled the covers up under his chin and went right back to sleep. JD finally allowed himself to breathe again and placed his hand on his chest as if it would help slow his racing heart.
"God... I thought he had me for sure. All I could think about was that darn gun lyin' beside his hand that I forgot to move." JD shakily poured himself a cup of coffee and took a few quick gulps in an effort to calm his jittery nerves.
Buck waited til JD nodded his readiness, and then gently began calling Ezra's name. It took several tries, each one a little louder than the last, but the gambler finally began to stir. "Come on, Ezra... daylight's wastin' an' those fish are down there just waitin' to be caught."
Ezra buried his face deeper in the blankets, his mumbled words almost unintelligible. "Then go catch them, Mr. Wilmington... and let me sleep."
JD poured a mug of coffee and placed it on the ground next to the older man's head. "Aw, come on, Ezra... we've only got a coupla days left... ya can't spend it lyin' around sleepin'. What's the fun in that?"
Ezra cracked open one eye and peered out at JD. "May I assume correctly that you have no intentions of leaving me alone until I pry myself from the relative warmth of my bedroll and join you in the fun of sitting in the chilly, damp, mornin' air waitin' for an elusive finned behemoth to devour my dubious offering of an early mornin' repast?"
JD just stared at Ezra as he tried to comprehend what in the world he'd said and finally gave up. After a questioning glance back at Buck, who merely shrugged and shook his head, he decided to just guess at the answer. "Um... yeah?"
"I thought as much." Ezra sighed and eased the blankets down away from his face, resigned to the fact that his peaceful sleep was over.
JD realized he must have guessed right and gave Buck a smug grin of satisfaction as he sat back down beside him. Both men had to work extremely hard to maintain an air of studied nonchalance as they kept a close eye on Ezra, waiting for his reaction to the strangely damp condition of his clothes and bedding. They didn't have to wait long, and his reaction when it did come, was priceless.
Ezra stretched, moaning softly as his still tender backside throbbed in protest, and suddenly froze. His eyes widened in shocked confusion and a bright, scarlet flush slowly spread over his cheeks as he shot a quick glance at the other two men to see if they were looking at him.
Buck and JD appeared to be concentrating on their coffee, but were actually carefully watching Ezra out of the corners of their eyes... and finding it almost impossible to keep from roaring with laughter at the look of complete mortification on the gambler's face.
Moving gingerly, Ezra eased himself up onto his side and, slipping a hand under the blankets, discovered to his horror that his first impression was correct... his pants and blankets were definitely wet. How in God's name had that happened? And what the hell do I do now?!
Buck had to elbow JD hard in the ribs as he heard a soft snicker escape the boy's trembling lips, but risking a quick look at Ezra, he saw that he needn't have worried about him hearing it. The distraught Southerner was too busy eyeing the distance between himself and his saddlebags... which held the only change of clothing he had left... to worry about what his two friends were doing.
Buck decided it was time to add to the gambler's discomfort. "Well, come on, Ezra... what are ya waitin' for? Get your butt up outta there an' let's get goin'. Oh shit... I forgot! Is your butt still hurtin'?" Buck nudged JD and winked at him. "JD... get over there an' help Ezra up. I would, but my ankle's still a might sore."
Buck nearly lost it at the sound of Ezra's startled squeak of panic when he saw JD start in his direction.
"No!" Ezra pulled the blankets tighter around him, and his face got even redder as he quickly refused JD's offer of help. "I can manage just fine on my own... thank you anyway, Mr. Dunne."
JD kept walking toward the now frantically gesticulating gambler, impressed with himself for being able to retain a straight face even though his insides were cramping with the effort he was making to keep from laughing. "Are ya sure, Ezra? Why don't ya at least let me hold the blankets for ya so it's easier for ya to get up?"
Buck reminded himself to congratulate JD on his excellent acting performance later when he saw the boy reach for the Southerner's blankets and somehow manage to keep a straight face as he ignored Ezra's attempts to wave him away.
The gambler's eyes widened and his fingers clutched desperately at the covers as he struggled to convince the Kid that he didn't need or want any help. "Stop! I said I'm fine, JD!!" Ezra's head whipped around as he saw Buck push himself to his feet and limp toward them. "Really, Mr. Wilmington... I can manage on my own! Why don't y'all just go on ahead without me an' I'll join you as soon as I make myself presentable." He uttered a nervous, high-pitched laugh which was nearly Buck and JD's undoing as he tried to convince them to leave. "After all, c-can't be scarin' the fish away with my undoubtedly r-rumpled appearance."
"Nah... ya look fine, Ezra. Here, let's get ya up an'—" Buck and JD both reached a hand out for Ezra's blanket, but stopped immediately when he tried to push himself away from them, forcing a low groan of pain as his bruised and battered body protested the quick movement. They both backed off, realizing they'd pushed him far enough and needed to quit before he hurt himself.
The incredible look of relief that washed over Ezra's face was almost as comical as his earlier panic, and both men had to turn away quickly before he saw the huge grins that they just couldn't hold back.
"Well, we'll go down to the pond then since ya don't need our help, an' ya just come on down whenever you're ready. Okay?" Buck listened for the gambler's reply, still not able to turn around without giving the whole joke away.
"That's fine, Mr. Wilmington. I'll be down in just a bit... feel free to start without me." Ezra's eagerness to have them leave was so evident, that all Buck and JD could manage in reply was a quick wave of their hands as they hurried away.
As soon as they were safely out of Ezra's range of hearing, they collapsed on the ground and howled with laughter. Once they'd finally gotten themselves under control, they sat up and stared back toward the campsite.
JD looked at Buck and grinned evilly. "I think it's time we let him off the hook."
Buck watched, a puzzled frown on his face, as JD sauntered over to a nearby bush. Reaching behind it he pulled out a rumpled pair of men's dress pants, a white linen shirt, a black vest, and a dark green tailcoat.
Buck's frown turned to a look of immense pride as he realized the thought JD had put into his little prank. Limping over to the boy, he clapped him soundly on the back. "Kid... I'm real proud of ya. You've obviously been payin' attention all these months when I was tryin' to teach ya the fine art of playin' a practical joke. I think you've even outdone me this time."
JD's grin widened at Buck's praise and he thanked the older man for the excellent example he'd set for him as the two of them quietly made their way back to the camp.
Ezra was still wrapped in his blanket and bent over his saddlebags, digging furiously for the set of dry clothes that he knew he'd packed, but just couldn't seem to find.
"Lookin' for somethin', Ezra?"
The Southerner froze at the sound of JD's voice, his face warming with a combination of anger and intense embarrassment as he was suddenly aware of exactly what was going on. Another goddamn prank... and he'd fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. Thoughts of revenge burned brightly in his mind as he slowly stood and turned to face the two men.
It took every single bit of his self-control, but Ezra was able to put on a mask of cheerful acceptance as he stared back at the pair who were now laughing uncontrollably.
"Got me again, didn't you? So it was you this time, Mr. Dunne?" Ezra kept a smile plastered firmly on his face as he limped toward the two men. "Very ingenious of you, I must say. You've learned well from the master, haven't you? May I have my clothes now, please. It's a little uncomfortable standing here in my damp attire."
Their smiles faded slowly as they realized how well he was taking the whole thing. This just wasn't how they'd expected him to react.
"Um... sure, Ezra... here ya go." JD held the pile of clothes out to the gambler and couldn't help but flinch when he reached for them... but nothing happened. Ezra merely thanked him quietly and turned and began limping slowly away.
Buck and JD exchanged a worried look, jumping nervously when Ezra stopped and spoke again.
"Would you mind going on down to the pond now so I can change here near the warmth of the fire rather than out in the woods?" Ezra's voice was still perfectly calm and the two jokesters were completely unnerved by it.
With only a quick nod of their heads, they hurried away from the camp, not even risking a look back at the Southerner. They were well aware that they were in for a world of hurt when Ezra finally came up with a way to get back at them... and they knew there wasn't a darn thing they could do about it. The day seemed a little less perfect now that they had the specter of his revenge looming over their heads, and Buck and JD knew it was going to actually be a relief when the axe finally fell.