DISCLAIMER: The Magnificent Seven characters are the property of MGM, Trilogy, and the Mirisch Company. I have just borrowed them, and then will give them back.
RATING: PG13 — (language — violence)
NOTE: This is my first story, and it's unbeta'd.
"Well" Buck said to no one inparticular, "Why am I not surprised?" He looked to where he could clearly see Chris still sittin on his horse about 50 feet from Vin, who'd taken up a position under a tree an was sittin cross legged an lookin for all the world like he was out for a Sunday picnic instead of chasin down another man.
The other's stopped beside the lady's man, each looking from the gunslinger to the tracker.
Ezra turned to Buck as he felt that he was the only one here that would have any grasp on just what was going on. "Shall we?" He indicated with a sweep of his hand inviting the other man to move forward.
Buck turned a big smile on the gambler "I recon we shall." He moved toward the tracker, felt like that was the safest route to take at this particular moment. Cause when he looked over to the gunslinger an saw his horse movin under 'em, knew fer dam sure it must'a been pickin up on the mood of it's rider. That was one trail he was sterin clear of.
Vin had traveled bout 3 hours he figured, Chris always keepin just a ways back of 'em. Knew by now he was gonna hafta deal with the other man an was not at all pleased to see the rest of the peacekeepers come over the rise, but he was not surprised, knowin those men. Nosey bunch that was fer sure. So he sat an waited for them to reach 'em. Saw Chris move forward in line with the other men. He thought it'd be a simple thing fer him to take care of, but weren't nothin ever simple when it came to anyone of them, "Shoulda known."
Chris Larabee had went from concerned to all out pissed in the course of the last three hours. Keepin Vin in his sights, knowin the tracker could have shook him off his backtrail at many of the passes they moved through. Couldn't figure why he'd not tired, an then he saw the other regulator's come over the rise. Not sure if their being there was gonna help or hurt. He looked up at the sky as he moved his horse toward the little group, guessed it was getin on to late afternoon.
Jesse knew that the tracker was not gonna let 'em get away that easy, so he headed North a town an now had circled round not botherin to find out if anyone was on his trail fer sure. He figured the town's other regulators would be out after the tracker, knowin it fer a fact after seein the way they were with 'em in town.
"Well, time fer a little fun" fore he headed South to cross the boarder, only place he was gonna be able to go now. Sure wished he could get one more try at the tracker but he was not stupid nough to try to take on his friends too. He licked his lips at the thought of a certain woman with who he'd like ta get his hands on. What better way to get back at the tracker than to take his women.
He could take her South an sell her in one of the boarder towns, she's bring 'em a nice bit a gold with her eyes an hair. First things first, an evil grin appearin on his face.
Vin just gave up, right then an there, never was one to turn himself in so easy but they made it hard on a man. Chris was still mad, nough so that he'd grabbed his coffee an moved off with Buck on his heels.
The tracker looked round the fire an caught a look from the preacher man, noticed a knowin grin on the big mans face. 'Ah, Hell" Was gonna hafta let it go or bring 'em all along.
"I know yer worried Chris bout Vin an all, but..." he was cut off mid sentence.
"I ain't no more worried bout him then I'd be about any of the rest of you, if you were in this same fix." Green eyes glared over the top of the coffee cup as he took a drink.
Buck had known Chris too long to believe that, " Yea right" he snorted as he turned an walked back toward where the other men were.
Chris was not sure when all of this had got so mixed up, seemed almost silly the way he was chasin after Vin and the boys chasin after him. All grown men an able to make their own choices. What he said to Buck was true, he would ride out after anyone of them if he thought they were doin something that was gonna end up getting 'em killed.
That brought his gaze to rest on the tracker, who sat a little apart from the rest sipping his coffee. Chris could tell he was thinkin hard how to get out of here with out the rest on his ass. In that moment the gunslinger understood what was happening here. Family, like brothers, that's why they were always mixed up in each other's business. Buck with JD an him with Vin a little more than the rest, but that was because those two were the youngest and often was the most trouble. Well, got in the most trouble.
His gaze shifted to Buck who sat talking quietly to the Kid, now that was unusual, Buck could be heard from one end of town to the other, one of the reasons he didn't sit so peaceful in his presence. Always in motion, body an soul he thought with a slight grin.
Vin stood so abruptly that JD grabbed the butt of his ivory handled Colt's, an started looking around for an unseen enemy. Spinning in circles with his hands on the but of his guns until Buck spoke up "Settle down JD." Brought a flush to the young mans cheeks and a welcome chuckle out of those present. JD sat back down an swatted the Lady's Man's hand away as it started to rest on his shoulder. "Stop it Buck." Came out on a breath of embarrassment. He was nervous enough, been here nigh on ta 30 minutes. Long nough to get some coffee an nobody sayin much of nothin. He watched as Vin moved off away from the horses, so he knew he wasn't tryin to shake them lose, lest he didn't think so.
In truth all the tracker wanted was a moment of peace to answer the call of nature. He guessed he was gonna hafta work them into this, maybe if he played it right, he could get them to go back if he agreed ta take Chris along to watch his back. 'Specially didn't want JD to see him kill another man or die tryin, not like this was gonna be. He turned back toward where the other men were restin.
"Shit" Restin after only three hours in the saddle, he only stopped to face Chris or see what he would do. Felt awful funny to have that man at his back "Like That" an had the hair's crawling along his neck. 'Sides, shoulder was painin him some from the jar of Peso's uneven gait.
"...what is he gonna do Buck, jus sneak up on him and shoot him or ..." Vin walked up to hear part of JD's question, the younger man did not complete it at the nudge he got from Buck. Voice trailing off as he noticed Vin move forward with an angry look on his face.
"Now, Vin he weren't sayin nothin none of the rest of us ain't wondered about, so don't be gettin all pissed off at 'em" Buck defended the young Sherriff. Would have stopped the conversation to start with but he was just askin what was on all their minds 'bout how this was gonna play out.
"I didn't ask a fuckin one of ya ta follow me." Voice mild but unmistakable anger behind it, thought these men knew him better that to think he would jus walk up an shoot another man like that. When he caught the eyes of the gunslinger he realized that maybe they didn't know him that well. Never was one to be talkin fer the sake of hearin his own voice but his actions shoulda spoke fer themselves. His anger drained away in a moment, knew he didn't have a right to it in this case.
"JD, boys...I ain't gonna jus ride on up tap 'em on the shoulder an shoot 'em pretty as you please." He looked at each man an knew what he said next was not gonna sit well with some of 'em.
"I aim to face 'em, this'll be 'tween 'em an me." He looked at the gunslinger "Only one of us'll be left stanin'." With that he dropped down on his haunches beside the fire an poured himself another cup of coffee. Was gonna give 'em a minute to think on it an then he was headed out. Done lost too much time sittin her palaverin'.
Vin's anger went Hot then Cold when he'd heard JD talkin. Didn't take him long ta see this thing with a clear head an try ta look at it from their side, he guessed he'da been thnikin along the same lines anyone of them was doin the same things. Took Buck pullin JD away to his horse to get him ta go. Let 'em know that he'd have Chris with 'em an shook each man's hand 'fore he got up on Peso's back, the gunslinger a second behind.
It was an easy thing to pick up Jesse's trail, an figured he'd be on 'em in about an hour. Well that was an hour ago an Jesse was not headed North, he'd circled back round an was headed back toward town or around it an on into Mexico. Vin sure hoped he was passin Four Corners by, he didn't want to think about what reason that man had for goin back there.
Jesse figured he'd come back in behin' the news paper office an slip in the back way. By the time that tracker picked up his trail he'd be in an out with the pretty lady. He looked to the sky "be dark in about an hour or so" he'd wait, go in under the cover of darkness an take care of business.
Sure wish'd he'd could be here to see the look on the other man's face when he found out his women was gone. By the time he found her, wouldn't much left. Anyone that could have seen his face would have been chilled to the bone.
Jim had finished off a couple of beers jus sittin there thinkin bout Clem and Jesse. Things jus didn't figure in his mind. That Jesse would kill Clem, guess'd he didn't know him that well ta say one way tor the other. But what didn't fit was that Tanner wanin to let Jesse lose, if'n he done all they'd said to 'em then "Why?"
He knew it was gettin on ta dark, wasn't gettin no where sittin here by his self. Guess he could go over an talk to that there newspaper women. She might be Tanner's women an lyin fer 'em, but least it'd be a place ta start.
He got up an moved outside.
Vin spurred his horse on, a knot formin in his stomach, knowin fer sure now what Jesse had done. If he'd not spent so much time worrin bout Chris an the other men, he'd a been on his ass by now. He leaned low over Peso's neck in an all our run, didn't have time to stop an explain, knew without lookin the gunslinger'd be right behind.
Chris picked up his pace to match Vin's sudden spurt of speed. Didn't take any words for him to understand something had changed. Spent a moment wishing the other men had stayed with them. He thought back to several hours ago when they's split, him with Vin and the other men reluctantly agreein to head back to town.
The boy's had been reluctant to leave them after hearing what Vin was planning on doing, specialy JD, he took it hard. He understood a fair gunfight or even a brawl in the saloon, but after seeing what Jesse had done to the tracker and knowing he was still hurt. Well, he was worried that Vin wouldn't be still standing since the other man was pretty healthy compared to the tracker.
Vin didn't have it in him to reassure JD, so he'd left it to Buck. Sides Ole Bucklin was better at talkin an explain things anyways. He cast a look over to Chris who had come up along side em.
"You gonna run Peso in the ground" The gunslinger shouted.
Vin pulled up on Peso's reins an came to a slow jerky halt. He turned to his friend, "Chris, he's headed back toward town." That's all that was needed before he found himself eating the gunslingers dust. Hearing an echoing "Fuck" as he urged Peso to catch up. Dam fine horse, could out distance most an was able to keep goin when other men's horses were ready to lay down an die. Hated to run 'em in the ground now, but life's might be at stake, an that came first. He also didn't want Chris to see that the stichin in his side'd been torn some, he could feel the cool air beat against his wet shirt. "Dam fine time for that ta happen."
Jesse had no trouble slippin in the back of the news paper office just bout dark. He came in with gun drawn but the women was not here, must be in the other room an with only one oil lamp lit, he moved back inta the shadows an waited.
Mary was still reeling over what had been said outside earlier today. She wanted to speak to Vin but when she went to find him, it was only to be told that the seven had ridden out. Now she walked along the boardwalk back toward the Clarion, she guessed Vin would not be by for his lessons, and was secretly relieved. Her thoughts turned to Chris Larabee, wondered what he was thinking about all of this, her hands went to her cheeks as she felt another blush at the thought of that man.
Jim saw the pretty lady coming down the boardwalk an go into the building right in front of where he was stanin. Guess'd he was gonna afta jus go on over an talk to her, would be better anyways with them regulators outta town.
The rest of the seven were headed back to Four Corners at the request of their leader, did not sit well with anyone of them to leave the other two. Vin being hurt and the gunslinger still out for blood.
Josiah looked over at the healer riding at his side. "Nate?"
"Yea." The other man turned to look at the preacher.
"You think Brother Tanner is well enough to face Jesse alone?"
Nathan took a deep breath before answering, "Don't know Josiah, his shoulder is still painin 'em some, head seems ta be fine an as long as he don't tare the stickin outta of his side, he's got a good chance I recon." Words laced with worry for his friend. "Like ta get back ta town, be ready case he needs more healin when he gets back."
"Amen to that" He sent a silent prayer for the other two.
Buck had tried his best to settle the Kid down. The boy was still mad at him for makin him leave Chris an Vin, wouldn't say nothin to him on the ride so far. Every time he tried JD would move his horse forward or slow down an Buck would be left talkin to air. Too young an too new to the west to understand, thought he could help by bein there, didn't know that if he got in the way that one or both of the other men would die to protect 'em. He shook his head pulled his hat low an prepared for a slow trek back ta town.
Ezra did not relish the thought of going back to Four Corners and had been fighting the urge to turn his horse around and find the other two men. He felt the odds were in their favor but still did not like the fact that he did not exert his own will in wanting to stay with them.
He could see the other four men in front of him and with a quick decision, he moved out around them and urged his horse toward town. If they were not back by morning then he would ride out after them. He knew that his talents did not lay in tracking across the dusty plains, but felt he could manage well enough.
His moved brought the heads up of the other four and they all picked up the pace with a new sense of urgency.
Mary had come through the door and was startled when a hand went around her waist and one across her mouth.
Hot breath on her cheek, "Hey there sweetheart, we're gonna go play some." And the arms that held her started pushing her across the room toward the back entrance. She started to stuggle until she saw the knife flash in the dim light and heard "Would hate to cut up that pretty face, but..." the rest left unsaid.
Mary stopped her struggles and moved forward with the uncomfortable feel of the man pressed tight to her back.
Jim came up in front of the door an started ta knock but saw that it was open jus a little bitty bit, so he pushed it open an was shocked at what he saw.
Jesse heard a movement behind him an whirled around with the women still held to him by one arm around her waist. "Fuck" seein Jim standin there with his mouth hangin open.
"What the hell are ya doin Jesse?" both shocked an angered at what he was witnessin.
Mary knew what happened next was so fast that it could only have been moments, but seemed like an eternity to her. She felt rather than saw the hand holding the knife come up and knew without a doubt that Jesse was going to kill Jim.
Jesse raised the knife, an knowin his skills, he'd bury it right in the other man's throat. He moved the women in a tight hold to his side preparin ta throw.
Jim saw Jesse's arm raise an pulled his gun, not willin to wait an see what the other man intended. Seein 'em in here pullin this lady out the back under that knife was 'nough fer 'im to understand who'd been tellin the truth.
Mary saw the gun fire and the knife go flying at the same time. Throwing out her arms as she felt her self falling from the impact of a body hitting her in the side. When she looked up it was to see Jim on his knees with the knife protruding from where his neck and shoulder meet.
She turned her head to see Jesse lying on the floor clutching his stomach. Blood pooling underneath. She heard a sound and looked up in time to see Mr. Conklin standing in the door with a gun in his hand.
Vin and Chris came riding in to town from the South side, passed the Church and headed down the street both with eyes scanning for trouble. Then they saw activity out in front of the Clarion where a mob of people had gathered and were circled around something they were looking at.
Vin's heart hit his stomach so fast he thought he was gonna be sick, prayin that nothin bad had happened to Mary an knew if'n it did it'd be his fault somehow. He cast a look to the man in black at his side an could see his shoulders had gone high an tight. Tension flowed off him in waves an his horse was dancin under him at the vibrations.
Chris was not a prayin man but one passed silently from his lips now. "Please let her be alright." Knew if she wasn't it was somehow his fault.
They both were jerked out of their musings by a shouted "There they are now!" And noticed it came from Mr. Conklin neither surprised as he was always very mouthy around town and especially when it came to any one of the seven.
Chris ignored the man as he dismounted, people moved back as he moved threw. He spotted Mary sitting outside the newspaper office and the pounding of his heart slowed. Started to move toward her when he spotted Jim sitting with what looked to be an old shirt packed up against his neck, blood soaked already. He again moved toward Mary only to have to step out of the way as a couple of men were bringing a body out feet first from the buidling.
He noticed it was still alive, as the legs were moving. He felt a hand on his chest and looked down into the tear pooled eyes before him. Took her in against him without a thought or a care as to who was looking on.
Mary has looked up to see Chris moving toward her and she rose from where she was sitting when he stopped to look over at Jim and what was happening over there. She could not bring herself to look so she boldly stepped up to him and laid a hand against his chest, hoping to covey her need without words. She was so grateful when she was pulled against his chest.
Vin stood rooted in shock, he was relieved to see Mary in Chris's arm's, knew she must be alright by seein that. He noticed Jim sittin off to the side, looked like he was nursin a neck or shoulder wound. But what stopped 'im dead in his tracks was the man they were bringin feet first outta the newspaper office. He couldn't hear anythin fer a minute, knew that Conklin was workin his jaws bout somethin but rightly didn't care. His eyes trackin across the body of Jesse as he was moved out onto the boardwalk.
"God god it hurt" That was all that was goin through Jesse's mind right now. Clutchin his stomach, knew he was gut shot, he was able to choke out "get a doc" he felt weak an light headed, his eyes closed tightly. He opened them to find that fuckin tracker standin almost over 'em. So he turned his head an closed his eyes again feelin the life drainin from 'im an no voice left to shout fer help.
Vin moved to find himself stadin by the man who by what he could tell lay dyin right there on the dusty boardwalk outside of the Clarian. It final regersterd that Conklin was runnin his mout, heard "I told you people that if these men were allowed to stay in this town, things like this would happen." Vin ignored him an moved over to Jim, who was growin paler by the second.
"Here let me help ya." He offered an hunkered down in front of the man. Helped him to move down onto the boardwalk an put his buckskin coat under the other man's head. He looked up to find Yosemite standin there, "Can ya go get somebody ta get some stuff from Nathan's, this man's gonna need some stichin an Nate's about an hour outside town I figure." He looked back down at the man laying prone before 'em. "Want some whiskey?" he offered but got a negative shake of the other man's head.
Mrs. Potter accompanied Yosemite to Nathan's clinic to see if she could help find the things that Vin had asked for.
Vin used what little skill he had to sew up Jim's neck. Hoped Nathan'd be here soon ta take a look but couldn't count on the timin so he put in the stitches after he cleaned it with that stuff Nathan used. Knew the bottle cause he'd had it used on him often nough.
He looked up to see that Chris was behind him an he didn't see Mary anywhere. His brow went up on the unspoken question.
"With Mrs. Potter." The gunslinger said. He looked at Vin with new respect, didn't know he knew anything about healing. He layed his hand on the trackers shoulder in a sign of support.
"Don'tk now Chris if it's gonna be 'nough or even if I did what I was supose ta." He cast a look up over his shoulder at his friend. His body jerked at the intruding voice of Conklin.
"Well, you gonna help this other man, he's hurt worse." The man had moved up on the other side of the man Vin had been helping.
The tracker looked up at him an then back down to the man who lay before him. Guessed the right thin' to do would be to see to it. Nothin else he could do for the man in front of 'im. He moved to his feet without words an moved over to where they had Jesse. Could see him shiverin, knew it had to be shock settin in. His body fightin to stay alive.
Chris moved back and laid an hand on Vin's chest as he started to move around him. "You don't have to." But the tracker moved on past without words.
"Ain't nothin I can do fer 'em." He said after lookin at the wound. "Don't think Nate could do much fer 'im either was he here." He stood up an moved back to Jim, who was still passed out.
Nathan and the rest of the peacekeepers rode into town an hour later. What they saw was men loading a body into a wagon out in front of the Clarion.
Nathan spurred his horse forward, coming to a stop in front of the Newspaper office an throwin the rains over the hitchin post, he moved to the wagon to see who was in it, heart racing. He felt a hand on his shoulder an turned to see Chris there.
"Nate he's fine. Jim needs some lookin after, we got him up to the clinic and Vin's with him." He started to move off but stopped at the other man's question. Noting that the remaining four had moved up to them as well.
"What the hell happened here, Chris?" Nathan asked
The gunslinger looked at all the men before he spoke. "Jesse came back here. Tried to take Mary but Jim shot him, took a knife high up on the shoulder. Jesse died bout half hour ago, gut shot." He took a breath. "Vin stitched the wound in Jim's shoulder an he's up to the clinic with him." Not saying anything else he moved off.
Nathan entered the clinic to see Jim tucked in the bed an to his surprise Vin stretched out on the floor under the window. He closed the door quietly after Josiah moved in an turned toward the man on the bed.
He didn't get two feet before the tracker was sittin upright an had that dam mares leg loaded an cocked aimed right at 'im. He threw up his hands "Whoa there Vin." Relaxed as the other man laid the sidearm down an moved toward the bed.
"I done what I could Nate but ain't sure it's 'nough." The tracker looked to the healer. Felt he owed Jim somethin fer takin care of Jesse. Still upset with himself knowin this could'a turned out different an maybe Jim wouldn't be layin here.
Nathan moved in to check out the other man as Vin moved back toward the door. Felt he could leave now an felt the need fer a couple gut warmers. He picked up his jacket from the floor an started to swing his arms into it, when he was stopped by Josiah's big hand on his arem.
"Brother Tanner, you're bleeding again." And said loud enough the Healer heard an turned from his medicine cabinet to put a hard stare on the tracker.
Vin cast Josiah a look that clearly said "I'll get even with ya fer this." And removed his jacket without being asked, moved his hands to his shirt an started to peel that away as well. Movin slowly so as not to aggravate his shoulder nor his side.
Vin and Chris sat outside the saloon, it was a breezy day and peaceful so far. Jesse was dead an burried. Jim on the mend an headed home to Texas in another week or so.
Vin looked up to see Mary crossing from the News Paper office with a paper clutched in her hand an determined set to her mouth. She was gunnin fer Larabee by the look of her. So he sat back an prepared to watch the fireworks.
Chris looked up when he felt a shift in the tracker an saw Mary marching toward him. He stood up as she approached.
"Mr. Larabee! I have just received word that a Gypsy Caravan has set up outside of Red Fork." She looked to him waiting for him to say something.
Chris grinned at the tracker sitting past Mary's shoulder and then turned his attention back to the pretty widow. "And?" he put his hands on his hips sure she was gonna try to drag him into another one of her crusades and just as determined he was not gonna do it.
Mary crossed her arms under her breast and stamped her foot, leaning in close to the man in black she said "These people might be headed our way, and from what I have heard we do not want that kind of riffraff in town."
An explosion of laughter both from the gunslinger and the tracker interrupted her tirade.
Buck came out of the saloon in time to hear just enough to understand that there was a band of Gypsy's in the area. Rubbing his chin between forefinger an thumb he cast a look to Vin an then stepped up to the other two. "Miss Mary, I believe I can take care of this for you without getting Ole Chris involved." He smoothly stepped in-between the two an put a hand to the lady's elbow movin her away.
Mary cast a suspicious look back over her shoulder at the two men left there as she allowed herself to be drug away.
Chris looked down at the tracker, glade to see he was looking better an seemed to be healed. "Headin out to the cabin for a couple days, you take care of things here while I'm gone" He knew the answer before it had been voiced as he moved off toward the livery.
"Sure thing" The tracker kicked back an started to reach for his harmonica when he heard a voice.
"Vin?" Hey Vin!" He turned his head to find JD coming from the direction of the Stage Company.
"Hey Kid!" an started to reach for his harmonica again on to stop short when he heard the next question.
"You ever been with a woman Vin?"
"Ah, Hell" The tracker stood up an moved into the street toward Buck who seemed to be in a big hurry an had a big smile on his face. Cat that got the cream kinda look.
"Bucklin"
"Can't stop now, Vin got ta go see a Rooster bout some Hen's!"
The tracker just shook his head an said "You take JD here with you Buck fore I shoot 'im."
(and that is another story)
The End
04/13/2003
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