Disclaimer: All the characters from the "Magnificent Seven" TV series are property of Trilogy Entertainment, The Mirisch Group, MGM Worldwide.
Authors Note: This story is set between One Day out West and Working Girls.
It was a good day for a hanging.
At least it was in Chris Larabee's opinion. The rain was hammering down on the parched and dusty earth, turning fine particles of dirt into a quick forming quagmire of mud. A thick cover of gray cumulous, pregnant with rain blanketed the sky overhead. It was almost noon but the sun was nowhere in sight for anyone to make a visual confirmation. The pallor of town was decidedly lacking in any color, which seemed befitting for the grim work about to take place. Fortunately, the rain had kept most people indoors and only a few diehard onlookers remained to watch the proceedings. They stood around the wooden scaffolding that made up the gallows under their umbrellas or hats, waiting for things to begin with morbid fascination.
The lack of people gave Chris some measure of comfort. The absence of a crowd hopefully meant that there was less likely chance of trouble cropping up. Despite the dismal weather and equally disheartening atmosphere that had prevailed for most of the week, Chris knew that it would only take a moment's notice for all that to change. Even now, the players most responsible for this possible change in status quo had taken their places, their eyes almost as watchful of things as he. From his observation point at the boardwalk running before the saloon, Chris' presence was difficult to miss and the warning in his eyes was almost as impossible to ignore.
Stuart James stood beneath the awning of the hotel appearing almost as stormy as the weather around him. He glared at Chris who was the most visible member of the seven at the moment, conveying his rage without saying a word. James was accompanied by an entourage of hired guns who whose loyalty to their master was evident by the hostile expression on their faces. They glared at Chris with just as much intensity but was reluctant to make their move yet. There were four of them standing with James at this time but Chris was certain there were more of them around, lurking in unseen corners, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He knew it as surely as he knew the sun would set tonight. James would not allow his kin to hang, not if there was someway to prevent it.
He had anticipated that James would make his move before this day had arrived but for some unfathomable reason he had not. Men like James did not bother to waste time when they wanted something. They simply reached out and took it. Chris had been anticipating a showdown ever since James nephew Lucas had been convicted of the first-degree murder of Four Corner's resident, Mr Potter. Potter had owned a store and during a disagreement, Lucas had shot the man in full view of everyone on the street as well as unfortunately for him, newly arrived Territorial Judge, Orin Travis. Prior to Travis' arrival, James and his kin had been of the belief they were above the reach of the law. Orin Travis had different ideas on that point.
The Territorial Judges appointed by newly installed Governor Lew Wallace had one agenda in mind and that was to bring law to the Territory that had been gripped with lawlessness and violence. Determined to see justice done, alone if necessary, Judge Travis had been more than willing to face an amused Lucas and all his cohorts. Chris wondered how things would have ended up had the seven chose not to pick that exact moment to return to Four Corners after their adventure in the Seminole village. Chris would like to think that the crusty old Judge would have prevailed but somehow he did not think so. Nevertheless, it was a moot point because the arrival of the seven ensured that Lucas was taken into custody and remained as such, despite one fleeting escape that resulted in the seven entering James' property to bring him back.
Their willingness to risk their lives in returning the prisoner had given the townsfolk backbone enough to volunteer to participate in the judicial proceedings. Travis, ever the shrewd old lawyer, moved quickly to install the seven men as the town's peacekeepers and though the title was not official, it served well enough for Lucas to be tried and convicted of murder. Since the conviction where Lucas was sentenced to hang; the town had been gripped with an atmosphere of tension. They knew that eventually Stuart James would act but when? It did not help that they were not entirely certain of their protectors either. They still saw Chris and his companions as the quintessential bad element and although the seven had won a few supporters in the community, they were still viewed with some measure of caution.
His gaze shifted when he saw Mary Travis stepping onto the boardwalk from the offices of the Clarion News with the Judge at her arm. She was clad in dark clothes, with a white lace collar framing her neck, looking ever the respectable newspaper editor. His eyes held her for a few seconds and moved away, a feeling of guilt following him for that stolen moment. He shook his head of such thoughts for she was forbidden territory he had no wish to explore. Instead he settled his eyes on more secure territory, on the Judge who's own gaze swept across the street, meeting his briefly and continuing onwards until it came to a pause on Stuart James. The enmity between both men was unmistakable and Chris knew that James held the Judge entirely responsible for Lucas' situation, even more than the seven if not by much. Suddenly, Chris felt the need to cross the street and keep a close eye on Judge and he supposed on Mary as well.
The opening door of the jailhouse put an end to that thought and Chris saw Buck Wilmington emerging from inside the building. His old friend's expression was one of complete seriousness, a far cry from his usual good humor. There was nothing good about a day like this Chris supposed. Buck had one finger hooked on his belt, a gesture that seemed harmless enough but could also allow him to reach his gun swiftly if needed. Buck stepped onto the boardwalk and behind him was Lucas James, appearing decidedly pale as he caught his first sight of the gallows. The man swallowed thickly, his eyes then began to fill with panic as the reality of what was happening finally sunk into him. In a flash of a second, Chris saw panic and fear surface all at once and then the desperate search for his uncle as a means of hope and salvation.
Chris wondered if he had felt that much when he gunned down an innocent man. Probably not.
The innocent man's widow was standing by the doorway to the store she had inherited from her husband. Gloria Potter was still clad in the dark clothes of mourning and her children were noticeably absent. Chris guessed accurately that the lady probably felt no need to have her children see the hanging. Knowing that their father was avenged should be enough. Her eyes were hard like granite and her jaw set. She was a proud one, Chris surmised. Even when he was about to die, she would not give Lucas the satisfaction of seeing her grief over what he had done. Chris caught sight of Mary whispering something in Orin's ear before she glided across the boardwalk and ended up at Gloria's side, attempting in some small way to offer her support even though it did not appear as if the lady needed it.
Damn woman, Chris snorted silently, couldn't help herself.
Following Lucas out was Josiah Sanchez, the tall burly preacher who stood almost the same height as Lucas and Buck, his face a statue as he aided in the proceedings. Josiah had offered Lucas the last rites but the man had responded by spitting in the preacher's face. Not to be dissuaded especially when it was a lost cause, Josiah had nonetheless said a few words so that Lucas would not be entirely bereft with the Lord's favor when it came time to meet him in person. Only the three of the lawmen could be seen and the notable absence of the rest of their number was a firm reminder to James that they were anticipating trouble. Chris preferred to keep James guessing as to the whereabouts of the others. Perhaps the lack of knowledge would keep the man from doing anything foolish.
Buck and Josiah led the prisoner from the jailhouse into the rain. Lucas eyes kept meeting his uncles, pleading for rescue but the older man remained where he was. It was clear that James was anguished about the impending end of his nephew but was unwilling or unable to do anything about it. James had a reputation for keeping his hands cleans. Even though he threw his weight about town, he had always been careful to ensure that he was implicated for nothing. Even when he had engineered the assassination attempt on Travis life during the first attempt to try Lucas, he had ensured that none of the assassins could be traced back to him. As much as he may be pained by allowing the execution to follow through, there was the possibility that he might not intervene for it could not be done without risking his own freedom.
"Uncle Stuart!" Lucas cried out as he walked past James and saw that neither his uncle nor his companions were making any effort to secure his freedom. "You can't let them do this!"
"It ain't up to me," James finally deigned to speak and the strain in his voice was clear. "You killed a man in front of an entire town and you've been judged." As he made that statement, he stared at Travis again and the hate smoldered through that brief contact. "I can't help you."
"No!" Lucas began to panic, becoming more and more unmanageable as he was led to the scaffold and caught his first glimpse of the executioner. "You can't let them do this!" His frightened cry became a scream and Chris could see that James was at the edge of his ability to sit by and do nothing.
Chris stepped forward, his fingers resting gently against the peacemaker in his holster. Instinctively, he glanced upwards ever so slightly and caught sight of a faint shape at the edge of the roof on the opposite side of the street. The brim of the hat barely visible through the gray mask of rain pouring from the sky, raised slightly and a set of cobalt colored eyes met his before nodding slightly, understanding that the situation was about to escalate. That brief contact was all that was required before Vin receded into the gray once again. Chris breathed a little easier knowing that he was there and puzzled briefly at the sense of assurance he felt at the knowledge that the tracker would be watching his back.
A flutter of curtains from inside a closed window caught Chris' eye also and he knew without having to see any further that the gambler was in place well. JD and Nathan were also lying in wait, pieces in a chess game that had been positioned carefully prior to the event in anticipation of trouble. Even though Chris could not see them, he knew they were there, taking stock of the situation as he was and remaining hidden until their presence was required. The rain showed no signs of relenting and sheets of water began sweeping across the town. He saw Buck and Josiah forced into it, ensuring that Lucas kept his appointment with the hangman's noose. It was customary for these things to be conducted in good weather but Chris had no wish to wait until the weather cleared for it would bring more people into the equation and the situation was already a powderkeg, despite the rain.
"Uncle Stuart!" Lucas continued screaming even more frantically as he came to the foot of the steps that led to the top of the platform. "You can't let them do this! I'm your kin!"
"Shut up," Buck finally growled, his patience grown thin enough to snap. This was a odious duty as it was without Lucas carrying on like some coward who was not even man enough to answer for what he had done. As far as Buck was concerned, Lucas was getting exactly what was coming to him for the death of Mr Potter and who knows how many other poor souls he had taken because of his uncle's power to protect him. "Try and go out with some dignity would you, boy?"
"Go to hell!" Lucas shouted loudly, more terrified than he was angry.
Stuart James was not going to be able to stand much more of this, Chris thought to himself as he saw the restraint in the rancher's eye crumbling. James glanced at his men and though he offered nothing more than that as a signal, Chris knew that one had been delivered nonetheless. Stepping to the edge of the boardwalk, Chris touched the brim of his hat, appearing as if to adjust it. The gesture in itself was innocent enough but it was far from meaningless. One of James' men had disappeared for instead of four there were now three. It had been done so inscrutably that James believed Chris had not noticed since the gunslinger's attention appeared to be focussed on his nephew.
Josiah was edging Lucas up the wooden steps by now, not an easy thing to do when the man was reluctant to go. Although Chris knew that the preacher loathed doing it, Josiah was forced to draw his gun in order to make Lucas obey. The condemned was not whimpering and crying helplessly to his uncle as he walked awkwardly up his stairs. Out of fear that he might tumble on the slippery steps, Buck had actually grabbed him by the collar to drag him up the stairs as well as steady him. Chris remained where he was, hoping that the Judge would recognize the possibility of danger and let out a sigh of relief when he saw Travis making his way towards Mary. Travis' advance towards his daughter in law was a casual affair, not at all urgent.
In seconds, Travis was by Mary's side and he leaned over in her ear whispering quiet. Chris noted her tense a little, her dove colored eyes becoming a shade darker as it did when she was afraid before that determined mask fell over her face, the one which meant she was not about to let anything frighten her off. Would she be sensible enough to leave? A few seconds of waiting for it to happen answered his question as Mary stood her ground next to Gloria Potter. Travis' expression was creased with a frown and Chris guessed that his efforts to tell Mary to withdraw had fallen on deaf ears. Chris shook his head in annoyance; the woman was so damn stubborn. Stephen Travis must have been a goddamn saint to put up with that.
Lucas, Buck and Josiah were finally on top of the platform, sharing its space with the executioner who wore a dark mask over his face. The sight of the executioner destroyed whatever restraint still remained in Lucas James and he made a dash towards the steps but got no further than a step or two before his path was blocked by Josiah. With both hands tied behind his back, he was hardly in the position to offer much resistance when Josiah turned him around gruffly and shoved him forward to Buck who caught him and hauled him into position under the noose. Not about to quietly into the good night, the prisoner struggled hard and twisted his neck when the executioner attempted to slide the rope around it.
Chris paid little attention to this because he was confident that Josiah and Buck would be keeping things under control. It was difficult to hear through the rain but Chris did not need to worry when he saw Vin make his presence known to the gunslinger, an indication that something was coming. In turn, Chris went for his gun and unsheathed it from his holster, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by James or the other members of the seven. Orin Travis suddenly found it necessary to usher Mary and Gloria Potter back into the store and the Judge gave Chris a nod to continue without him as he disappeared into the building. Josiah and Buck were similarly on guard and Lucas had settled down long enough to stop his struggles now that he like the others around him suspected something was happening.
The rain made it difficult to hear but Chris could tell there was trouble because Vin Tanner had a better vantage point than anyone present to be able to make that determination. However, Chris saw James' men spreading out and he himself started inching towards the entrance to the saloon, in case the opening act in their hostilities was guns blazing. Suddenly the thunder of horses could be heard through the rain, even if the mud on the ground dampened its rumble. As they drew closer, Chris could tell which direction they were coming from and he remained where he was, refusing to move even though James was clearly about to make a rescue bid for his wayward nephew.
The horse rounded the corner of the main street and Chris realized he was correct in assuming that James had something up his sleeve. At least five men including the one who had slipped away to no doubt give them the signal to intervene, galloped towards the center of town where the gallows were situated. Vin and Chris exchanged another short look and Vin continued to stay concealed from everyone except Chris for the time being. Vin was his ace in the hold as Ezra would say and Chris did not wish to play his hand until he was aware of precisely what James had in mind. Of course, it was not that difficult to figure out what James plan was but Chris was always of the belief that one should never underestimate an opponent, no matter how predictable he might appear to be. Therefore it was always wise to hold a little something back. In this case, a sharpshooter who could nail a target almost five hundred yards away at night and was even more lethal in the light of day.
The horses and their riders came to a halt not far from the scaffolding and Lucas began struggling out of his bonds in anticipation of his rescue. Stuart James had stepped out from under the awning and was crossing the street towards his nephew, flanked by two of his men. The rest had drawn their guns and were brandishing them with every intention of killing the man who tried to stop them.
"Don't do this James." Chris warned as he stepped forward almost leisurely into the rain. "He was tried fair and square. Let the law be carried out."
"You son of a bitch!" James glared at him sharply, hardly pausing in his advance towards Lucas. "You think I'm going to let you lynch my kin?"
"He murdered a man." Chris returned as he placed himself between the scaffold and James. "We're going to see to it that he hangs for the crime."
James laughed. "You forget yourself. Look around you," James gestured to the men on horseback and along side of him who had their guns drawn and were more than prepared to turn this into a shooting match at a moment's notice. "You don't have a choice in the matter. And right now, you'd be advised to worry more about your own life rather than Lucas'."
"That's right Uncle Stuart!" Lucas gloated now that the moment of his freedom was at hand. "You tell him!"
"I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you," Chris responded and gazed past James and shoulder and made contact with the tracker whose rifle was primed and ready to fire.
James looked over his shoulder and saw Vin Tanner's mare's leg aimed at the space between his eyes. Vin's face was an expression in skilled confidence as he kept his target in his sights, not wavering even though the rain was battering down on him relentlessly. James only had to look to know that if he made one move against Larabee, Tanner would take the top of his head off. Elsewhere, a window opened and curtains parted to reveal the form of Ezra Standish at a second storey window, poised to fire the first man that opened fire on his associates. Ezra's focus seemed to be on the men on horseback and his present location ensured that he was clearly in a position of advantage as it was easier for him to shoot them down then it was for them to get a clear shot of him.
Meanwhile the weather beaten piece of calico strewn across a number of crates less than a five feet away from James and his flanks suddenly shifted to reveal the form of JD Dunne. The barrel of both his guns aimed squarely at the men who were protecting the rancher and his youthful features seemed to dissolve in the mask of fierce warning he projected should anyone of them make a move towards Chris. Buck gave the young man a little smile of pride that JD did not notice because his eyes were too fixed on the enemy to let it wander about dangerously. Josiah tightened his grip around Lucas with his Schoefield revolver aimed at the riders.
"Nathan," Chris called out with out taking his eyes off James, just in case the man needed a little more convincing.
The executioner removed his mask, letting the pooling rain on the floor soak into the dark fabric and revealed the face of Nathan Jackson, the last member of their set. Nathan came up from behind Lucas and produced a gun that he held pressed against the condemned man's throat.
"I had a feeling you were not going to be reasonable about this," Chris replied smoothly, his eyes meeting James. "I'm going to accept that this is difficult for you and not take any more exception to this little party you got going. So if you leave now and take your men with you, that's where it will end."
"And if I don't?" James hissed, his face reddening with rage because suddenly the odds were no longer in his favor and he was forced to face the uncomfortable question of whether or not he was willing to die to save Lucas.
"If you don't," Chris eyes narrowed and the world seemed to be swallowed into the singularity of that icy gaze. "Then you'll die with him."
James returned the glare with one that was almost as scalding but the truth was, Larabee had him and he knew it. He was not willing to die for the boy and the tracker would almost certainly make that a reality if he attempted to push this situation any further.
"I'm sorry Lucas," James spoke after a long pause. "You're on your own. Boys, stand down."
"No!" Lucas James screamed in anguish as the last hopes for his continued existence died with those words.
"Boss?" One of them looked at James in astonishment.
"You heard me!" James bellowed, not happy to repeat himself when he knew what standing down would mean. "Stand down!"
Their weapons lowered eventually but the seven were unwilling to assume that gesture was any indication that the danger had passed. As far as Chris was concerned, there was only one thing that would convince the gunslinger that James' swift departure out of town.
"I think you'd best ride out of here," Chris warned. "While you still can."
"Uncle Stuart! You can't leave me here!" Lucas shouted in the background.
"Now." Chris' eyes glimmered with menace.
"This isn't over." Stuart James retorted but his voice conveyed surrender in every sense of the word. He was trying not to look at Lucas, trying not to let his nephew's cries for help provoke him into a making a fatal mistake. He knew that he could not win. Perhaps he had always known it but he could still hate and he hated the seven men and the Judge who had forced him to turn his back on his kin in order to save his own skin. "You're going to pay for what you made me do today. You, your men and the Judge!"
"Get going James," Chris returned sharply. "Get going before I change my mind about being so gracious and let the Judge try you for trying to commit a prison break."
James sucked in his breath as if Chris' words had the physical impact of a blow. He turned on his heels, his duster spraying water as he started towards his horse. His men threw furious stares at Chris for wounding their employer but could do little more than follow.
"You men." Chris stared up at the men on horseback. "Get going. I ain't gonna tell you again."
With as much hostility as that felt by their master, they dug their heels into their mounts and the group trotted out of town, taking their hatred and no doubt vengeance with them to fester for another day.
"Uncle Stuart!" Lucas screamed as he saw Stuart James drawing further and further away.
His uncle did not turn back and had he been able to see, he would have understood why. James was crying and he would not let the men who caused those tears see his anguish but by God, he would make them pay.
He would make them all pay.
When they had ensured that James and his men had well and truly left town, the execution resumed once more. For the second act, Lucas James was a great deal more sedate and there was every indication in his dazed expression that he had not truly believed he would die, not even after he had been tried and sentence. Following his uncle's departure from town, Lucas' struggles or cries for aid ceased entirely. Instead, he seemed to withdraw, his mind trying to distance itself from his body in order to spare himself the dying to come. Nathan was more than happy to relinquish his temporary role as executioner to the real practitioner who had come from Eagle Bend a day ago to perform the duty.
The rain continued its relentless downpour, which also had the benefit of keeping folks away from the spectacle, despite the departure of Stuart James and his men. Nevertheless, Chris refused to think that the rancher might not change his mind and come back to town to rescue his nephew. Fortunately Vin had volunteered to keep an eye out on things and Ezra was willing to join him. Chris suspected that watching a hanging was too close for comfort as far as Vin was concerned since he was wanted for the same crime in Tascosa. Still, as someone to watch for trouble, Chris could have asked for no better than Vin and he was certain that Ezra would be of some use too, that is if Vin didn't shoot him first for talking too much.
Mary and Gloria had appeared on the street again and this time, Gloria's tough mask had wavered a little to show the sadness she felt at the whole proceedings, as if hanging her husband's killer required her obligatory appearance, not provide her with any sense of justice. He was after all, still gone. Even hanging his murderer would not undo that unfortunate reality. Chris watched Mary at her side, supposing the golden haired newspaper editor could appreciate what Gloria was going through. Mary herself had been widowed through violence and her compassion, though rather misplaced when directed at him, would serve well to aid someone else.
Lucas became a little more animated when he heard Orin Travis reading him his crimes one last time and heard Josiah say a little pray for his soul. He started to struggle and beg as the noose was lifted over his head and the heavy Hessian rope was placed around his neck. His mind returned too soon and he was sound begging forgiveness and pleading for another chance. Gloria burst into tears during that and Mary prompted move to lead her away but the widow would not go. She merely dried her tears once she had composed herself and forced herself to watch. The lawmen stepped away as Lucas found himself alone on the trap door beneath his feet, his ankles weighted down with heavy sacks to make the end come quick and clean.
The sudden sound of wooden doors dropping and a loud crack of sound that could either be rope tightening or something far more insidious. No one wanted to make the distinction but everyone all thought they might know what it was. Lucas' neck snapped like kindling. The weight at his ankles had done precisely what it was intended to do, ending Lucas James life as quickly and painlessly as possible. Chris who had seen a hanging once before was grateful that the condemned were not left twisting and gasping for untold minutes before the end. He did not know how right it was to take one life for another, but he did not know it should have been done as cleanly as such a thing could be managed.
Gloria left first and Mary went with her. The Judge left their company and crossed the street to join Chris in front of the saloon. His eyes seemed a little older and Chris wondered if this was what sentencing men to die did to a person. JD seemed a little pale and confirmed Buck and Chris' suspicion that it was probably the first time the young man had ever seen anyone hang. The big man who had taken the boy under his wing since his arrival in Four Corners, promptly steered JD in the direction of the saloon. It seemed that the best cure for the young man's state was a good stiff drink. As one who partook in the remedy quite often, Chris could not fault Buck's logic. Nathan and Josiah seemed pleased to be done with this particular duty and joined them at the saloon.
"This isn't over you know," Judge Travis sighed.
"No, it ain't." Chris nodded in agreement. "We saw justice done but as far as James is concerned, we murdered him just as surely as Lucas killed Potter."
"Unfortunately, he'll want his own justice. It could get dangerous around here." Travis pointed out.
"Its dangerous everywhere," Chris said shortly. "It's only the names of the places that really change."
Travis held the younger man's in his gaze for a few seconds, wondering how it was possible for Chris to feel so little because he felt too much for the death of his wife and child. He supposed he could not possibly imagine what it was like to lose a family the way that Chris had. When his son Stephen had died, Travis still had the comfort of a wife, a daughter in law and a grandson. If he had lost them too the way Chris had lost his family, he would probably feel as hollowed out as the man himself.
"I have to get back to Eagle Bend tomorrow," Travis volunteered. "Are you boys going to be alright?"
Chris stared at Travis because the crusty Judge's voice had a trace of something that could almost be called affection when he made that inquiry. "We growing on you Judge?" Chris could not resist teasing.
Travis chuckled slightly before answering; "folks around here are just getting used to there being law and order in this town. It'd be a shame for all that to end if you boys were to get yourselves killed. Take a step back and I kind of like the progress."
Suddenly, Mary Travis stepped out of the Potter store and swept the street for her father in law. Chris noticed that her eyes met his first before she shifted it towards the Judge. Seeing her eminent approach made Chris feel the sudden urge to have that stiff drink with JD. He thought of leaving before she reached them but supposed it would seem odd to Travis and Chris had no wish to let the old man think he was slighting his daughter in law. Sucking in his breath, Chris told himself he could endure the meddlesome Mrs Travis for just a few seconds before excusing himself politely.
"How is Mrs Potter?" The Judge asked once Mary joined them.
"Trying to be strong but not managing it," Mary sighed. "She's trying to put up a brave face for her children. Of course it didn't help having that scene with Stuart James."
"Unfortunately, I don't think that will the last we'll here from Mr James." Travis remarked.
"You think he'll want revenge Mr Larabee?" Mary asked, directing her question at him.
Chris had been avoiding meeting her gaze since she arrived but could not avoid looking at her now that a question was asked of him.
"I'd say so." Chris retorted. "As far as he is concerned, the only reason Lucas is dead is because of us. He's mad enough to do something about it."
"You think he'll come after you?" She inquired further.
"I think he'll come after us all." Chris stated without thinking.
He saw her shudder slightly and swore inwardly at presenting the possibility to her so starkly. However, in retrospect, it was not such a bad idea either. The woman was too brave enough for her own good. It was time she understood the dangers that she so blithely took for granted when she stuck her nose in where it was not wanted.
"I don't think you'll have to worry Mary," Travis remarked, casting a frown in Chris' direction for frightening her. "James' anger was mostly at me."
"Yeah," Chris muttered, keeping his eyes averted from her. "I'm sure you don't have anything to worry about. Judge, Mrs Travis," he said stiffly before tipping his hat slightly and putting as much distance as he could between himself and them.
At the moment, a drink sounded a lot less complicated than dealing with why Mrs Travis made him so damned uncomfortable.
Within the confines of the saloon, things seemed much simpler and Chris was happy to forget his conversation with Mrs. Travis for a time, especially with the assistance of a bottle of whiskey. He doubted that James would be back just yet. The man was probably on his way back to his ranch to lick his wounds following the earlier incident. Naturally he expected to see James back in town tomorrow to collect Lucas body. As far as he understood it, the rancher had left instructions to the undertaker that the man be buried on the James' spread. Somehow, Chris had a feeling that James did not expect those instructions to be followed since he had intended to rescue Lucas long before he kept his appointment with the hangman's noose. In some ways, Chris felt a little sorry for the rancher at having to face the death of his kin and be helpless to prevent it. Unfortunately, Lucas actions did not engender much sympathy from anyone else. Still, Chris knew how hot the blood could run when it came to the matter of vengeance and he had a premonition that it would not take long for Stuart James to plot his own.
When he arrived at the table occupied by the other men, Chris noted that Buck was already plying his young companion with liquor. JD seemed to need it as he downed the contents of his glass with a sharp tilt of his head. The alcohol seeping into his system did very little to return the sparkle to those youthful eyes and Chris knew from experience the liquor would only make the pain go away for a little while, not remove it completely. The mood around the table was somber despite the sounds of people chattering enthusiastically, glasses clinking against each other and the trickle of fluid from various bottles. Saloon girls working the room sauntered through the crowd in brightly colored clothes that hid worn and dour looks, attempting to catch the eye of those seated at the table. Only Buck offered something of a response as he made his promises of an interlude at another time.
Chris sat down heavily and reached for one of the empty shot glasses in the centre of the table. Helping himself to the bottle of Red Eye, he filled the shot glass to the brim and drank the fluid quickly, before moving to replenish it again.
"That was a chore I could do without," Chris remarked when he finished his second glass and began working to a third.
A rumble of agreement followed his statement as the others showed their own discomfort at the day's events.
"I ain't ever seen a man hang before." JD swallowed, starting on his second glass. "Its different to shooting him."
"It sure is," Buck agreed. "You don't have to think when you're defending your life but to watch it done slowly, that takes something out of you."
"He was so scared." JD replied, looking to his older companions, hoping to see if there was something in their experience that would allow this feeling in his gut to go away. He did not feel anything for Lucas James and in his heart, he truly felt the man deserved to die but watching it happened made him hollow and he could not comprehend the reason for the feeling. "You could see it in his eyes how terrified he was. You don't see that when you're fighting."
"No," Josiah muttered reverently as he sipped his own glass and stared into its contents as if the swirls might provide some revelation. It didn't.
"You don't." He answered after a moment.
"Mr. James was pretty torn up," Nathan remarked. "When he calms down, he is gonna start wanting to take it out on someone." The healer pointed out and put on the table something that had concerned them all since James' outburst.
"He might take it out on us," Buck suggested.
"He might," Chris tilted his head forward in the spirit of a nod. "I don't think so."
Outside, the pelting of rain against the muddy ground was temporarily interrupted by the creak of hinges when the batwing doors swung open. The five men at the table shifted their gazes to the entrance to see the arrival of the last two members of their set. Ezra was removing his duster and shaking the water from it while Vin just shook his himself of the excess moisture that clung to his buckskin coat. Both men looked as waterlogged as the duty of surveillance would have left them and Buck raised his hand instinctively to one of the barmaids in a silent request to bring them another two glasses and a fresh bottle.
"He go straight out?" Chris asked as Vin settled into his chair.
"Yeah," Vin responded in his usual quiet voice. "Just rode on out and didn't look back."
"I honestly do not think he could bring himself to watch the event," Ezra offered.
"Like I said, he's gonna be mad when he finally calms down," Nathan repeated. "He'll be back."
"I'm not sure if it will be us that bears the brunt of his anger Mr. Jackson," Ezra remarked offhandedly as he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
"What do you mean?" Nathan stared at Ezra skeptically, still of the belief that there was very little about human nature that Ezra could accurately guess unless of course it was for the purpose of a con. "Some people feel take a lot of exception to kin being killed. Mr. James looks to me like he'd feel it his duty or something to take revenge."
"A wasteful expenditure of time," Ezra retorted sipping his drink.
"For you maybe," Nathan muttered under his breath with just enough derision for Ezra to notice it.
The gambler's expression did not show that the insult had registered but it was clear that he had heard it. "I mean to say that the Judge would most likely bear the brunt of Mr. James' anger since it was the Judge who precipitated the entire matter of a trial."
Vin Tanner threw Nathan a brief look of disapproval and the healer was somewhat taken back at its intensity before realising that Vin had not been entirely impressed at the remark he had taken at Ezra's expense. Nathan wondered why Vin would feel so strongly for Ezra when they had barely spent any time in each other's company and were as different as two men could be. Nathan was almost prepared to question it when Vin's gaze moved away from him and rested on the gunslinger.
"Ezra's right," Vin remarked in a clear show of solidarity for the gambler which reflected in a flicker of surprise in Ezra's eyes. Vin made no reaction to noticing it and continued speaking. "We're just hired guns, we're getting paid for doing what we done but the Judge, the Judge he pushed this. He's the one who went after Lucas in the first place, who insisted on there being a trial and it's the Judge who sentenced him to hang. If James is gonna go after anyone, it will be the Judge."
"When's he leaving town?" Buck inquired now that this possibility was tabled.
"Tomorrow." Chris replied. "I'm thinking we might give him an escort as far as we can, just to make sure he gets off okay."
"Good idea," Josiah agreed. "What about Mrs. Travis?"
Chris sudden gulp did not escape those at the table. Raising his eyes abruptly to the preacher, Chris immediately retorted. "What about Mrs. Travis?"
"Well Chris," Nathan looked at him. "It stands to reason that since she's his kin, she'd be in trouble too. If he wants to get revenge on what the Judge did to Lucas, Miss Mary might be the closest thing he can get to it."
"I suppose," Chris shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "You know her best," he said to Nathan. "You and JD can keep an eye on her for a few days."
"I don't know about that," Nathan straightened up in his chair. "She's awful independent. She ain't gonna like us keeping an eye out on her, less she knows why. Maybe you ought to talk to her first."
"Look we're doing this for her own good," Chris snapped. "If she don't like it she can come talk to me and the only thing I'll be telling her is to either put up with it or take her chances with James alone."
The six men at the table exchanged short glances all around, most saying the same thing although JD was not quite adept at catching on entirely but Chris' behavior was somewhat volatile when it came to the subject of the newspaper woman.
"I'll say something to her," Vin volunteered, always quick to diffuse a tense situation. "She don't bother me much."
"I didn't say she bothered me," Chris stared at the tracker sharply.
"I didn't say she did," Vin returned coolly, more amused by Chris' reaction than anything else. Of course, he had noted the way Chris seemed to avoid Mrs. Travis. He noticed everything that came into his presence. He had a suspicion of why Chris felt so strongly in the company of the woman but did not mention it to the gunslinger himself, mostly because he had no desire to be shot full of lead by a man he was starting to call his best friend. Chris was still too filled with his wife and child to even start thinking about another woman and the feelings Mrs. Travis inspired in him probably scared him half to death after the loss he suffered.
"Alright," Chris remarked pushing himself back into his seat. "As long as we got that clear."
"Oh I think we all got it clear Chris," Buck retorted, no small measure of sarcasm in his voice as he made that statement.
Chris shot a venomous look in Buck's direction but his old friend seemed to shake it off. However, Chris had noticed a definite thawing in their friendship of late and could not deny feeling some guilt as to having been the cause of it. In truth, he had treated Buck badly considering how much the man had put up with him following Sarah and Adam's death. Buck had refused to give up on him even though a lesser man might have moved on. Following the death of his family, Chris had moved through his life in a stupor with Buck taking care of most things afterwards. He remembered Buck helping him to bury them but beyond that, things got a little hazy. This had much to do with the fact that he had spent the first six months in a drunken haze. He could not even count how many times he tried to end his life but he knew Buck had been there to see none of those attempts were successful.
After he had started to come out of it, he felt embarrassed that Buck had seen him so vulnerable and it was from there the rift began to form between them. Buck, sensing that he needed to give Chris space, had finally departed and though Chris knew he should have said something in that parting, he did not and Buck went without Chris even saying a word of thanks. Buck had pulled him through the most difficult period of his life but the truth was their friendship had been damaged irreparably in the process. He certainly knew Buck had not deserved having a razor held to his throat for the sin of telling Mary Travis something of his past and yet again, Chris had not apologized even though Buck had done it innocently with no intention of malice.
Since then their relationship had been distant. Buck made no further comment about the episode but Chris sensed that he was hurt. There was something deciding lacking in Buck's manner when he addressed Chris in any way and Buck seemed to console his wounded feelings by pouring his attention into JD, someone who could be helped and who was not likely for turning on him. Chris knew that a simple remedy to the situation would be to apologise but he could not bring himself to do so. Buck should not have told Mary about his family. He had no right to involve the woman in his private affairs. Perhaps he had overstated the matter in his reaction but Chris did not think he was wrong to wish some privacy about a very painful subject. Normally Buck would have overcome his anger by now and things would be back to their usual self between them but this time it was different. Buck was not overcoming it and it almost appeared as if his old friend had decided that he was wasting his time trying to save Chris from himself.
The funny thing was, there was a time when Chris would have welcomed Buck's indifference. Even until recently, he was uncertain whether or not he wanted Buck to get into his business again but now that it was a reality, Chris could not help but miss the meddling good intentions of his best friend just a little. If that alone did not constitute a serious rift in their friendship, Chris' relationship with Vin Tanner added another deep groove as well. Buck could not be blind to how close Vin and Chris were despite the fact that they had known each other for a very short time. Chris could not explain the close bond that he felt with the tracker but he recognized that it was far stronger than any he had felt with Buck, despite their years of close friendship.
Was Buck jealous?
Chris wished he could ask him but the truth was, they had crossed a line with their friendship the day he had taken Buck into account over the whole affair with Mrs. Travis and they both knew it. Perhaps in that instant, Buck had realized that who Chris had been was gone and Chris had realized that who Buck was once to him, did not matter as much as it should have. He looked across the room and saw Buck making some comment about that ugly hat that JD insisted on wearing, seeming more like the friend he knew with the boy then he was with Chris. Perhaps Buck would have better luck with JD then he had Chris, God knows he had tried hard enough. JD would probably be more receptive and less ready to discard him when it became too difficult. Buck had nursed him through the hardest part of his life and their friendship had paid the price. It could never be the same, not even if they managed to overcome the hurdle of recent events.
"How long do you think it will be before James make his move?" Nathan asked. "He might be inclined to do it sooner than later."
"I wouldn't expect him tonight or tomorrow," Vin responded. "He'll be more interested in burying his dead. Once that's done, he'll turn his attention to the Judge."
"Good thing the Judge will be leaving then," Josiah responded.
"But Eagle Bend isn't that far away," JD spoke up. After traveling to the West all the way from New York, he measured distance in far more miles than the space it took to get from one town to another. "If he's mad enough, can't he follow the Judge there?"
"Possibly," Buck entertained the notion. "He might not be so eager to go after the Judge in a large town with witnesses. After all, taking out a Judge would bring down the Union Army."
"Gentlemen if I might interject?" The syrupy voice of Ezra Standish entered the equation again. " Mr. James is a man of means. If he chooses to take revenge on Judge Travis, he may not soil his hand or that of his men, he has to means to pay very well for it to be done by someone who is accustomed to moving in covertly."
"So basically we're not going to be able to do very much for Travis," Vin muttered, unhappy that there was nothing more than could do other than wait and see what Stuart James was planning.
"We go with what we've already decided." Chris retorted. "No point twisting ourselves up when we have no idea what James is planning if he is planning anything at all. Man says a lot of things when he's angry. He might decide to do nothing and if that's how it goes, good. If not, we'll act when it's necessary to act."
An awkward silence followed because nobody liked the prospect of doing nothing but Chris was right. Until they could be certain that there was anything to do, they had no choice but to wait.
Unfortunately, waiting was something none of them were very good at.
A short time late when the rain had abated somewhat and the others had scattered, Vin and Ezra found themselves facing each other in a game of cards. Buck had run off to make a date with one of the saloon girls and JD went to sleep off the effects of too much alcohol. Nathan had returned to his infirmary, while Josiah decided to spend some time working on that dilapidated structure he was so determined to turn into a church. Chris who preferred to drink alone, had disappeared with a bottle of whiskey to his room and though Vin had only known the gunslinger a short time, had no wish to be around the man when he went on that binge. All of the seven had learnt early on that it was unwise to remain to close to Chris when he was particularly broody. Thus he and Ezra found themselves alone together in the saloon for a time. The present assortment of patrons did not appear to be worth Ezra's attention and the instead the gambler took the moment alone in the company of the tracker to satisfy his curiosity.
It was difficult to know Vin Tanner, Ezra had decided early on. He was the most enigmatic member of the seven next to Ezra himself. He did not say much but Ezra was certain he saw everything and that was little that could get past him. His manner was affable and difficult to provoke, unlike his darker clad companion who had revived the lost art of growling as a method of articulation. Vin was not educated but he was extremely intelligent and Ezra had a feeling he had soft and noble side to him that was rarely shown to anyone.
"That's it," Vin tossed his cards on the table. "I'm done playing with you."
The last four games had seen Ezra snaring the victory and if Vin continued to play with the gambler, he was going to be broke and he could not afford to be on a dollar a day.
"I assure you its skill," Ezra defended himself before the tracker had a chance to accuse him of cheating as no doubt Mr. Jackson would do if he were present.
"I'm sure it is, " Vin retorted, detecting a hint of too much insistence that he believe that statement in the gambler's voice. "I just ain't no match for you when it comes to cards that's all."
"May I ask you a question?" Ezra asked after a moment of silence.
"Sure," Vin shrugged, hoping it was nothing personal because he did not like those kinds of inquiries.
"You stood up for me earlier," he said meeting Vin's gaze. "Why did you do that?"
"You act as if it's such a big thing." Vin retorted.
"In my case, it usually is." Ezra volunteered after another pause. "People do not often stand up for me. I would like to know why."
"You had a point to make and you were right," the tracker replied raising his half-filled mug of beer to his lips.
"That is not what I was talking about," Ezra persisted. "Mr. Jackson was clearly making a remark regarding my character."
"I noticed," Vin nodded. It was not hard to see that the rest of the seven viewed Ezra a little more distantly then they did each other. Nathan's feelings bordered on disdain and toleration even though Ezra's initial prejudice towards the man had not surfaced since returning from the Seminole village. Chris always seemed to pay more attention when it was Ezra he sent out to do something and JD's feelings were made clear when he had locked Ezra up in jail.
"So answer the question," the gambler asked. "Am I suddenly your favorite charity?"
Vin could see the outrage that someone should feel pity for him in Ezra's eyes. He was prouder than he liked most people to think and it was not simply because he was a gentlemen it was because he was trying so damn hard. The others did not notice it but Vin did. He knew what it was like to be outside looking in and in someway, he still felt like that here in Four Corners. This was the first time in his life Vin had never felt a part of anything and he appreciated why Ezra might want that too and if he could make it a little easier for the gambler by being in his corner now and then, why not? Certainly no one had done it for him when he was in Ezra's position and he always wondered how things would have been if someone had extended him that kindness.
"I don't believe in charity Ez," Vin met his eyes. "You came back and you didn't have too. If you had kept riding on, no one would have blamed you. We would have been as good as dead back there and no one would have said you were a fool for saving your neck. As it was, if you hadn't have come back and distracted them long enough for Chris to think of something, we wouldn't be here today. "
Ezra dropped his eyes to the floor because he did not wish to show Vin the emotion pooling within them at the words the tracker had just spoken. He rarely was touched by anything but Vin's sentiments at giving him some credit for what was the hardest choice he had ever made in his life, did penetrate that mask of cool deliberation he always wore around himself. "You seem to be the only one who feels that way."
"Nathan is a good man but he's also a self righteous son of a bitch," Vin retorted. "He'll come around once he gets to know you a little better and once he gets past the fact that the everything Southern isn't to blame for his being a slave."
"I behaved poorly towards him during our initial encounter," Ezra confessed.
"And you've also saved his life and fought at his side a couple of times since then. He'll come around, just like the others. They just don't know you." Vin answered.
"And you do?" Ezra looked at him with a raised brow.
"Not really but I know I trust you," the tracker returned. "That's enough for me right now, we'll work out the rest later."
"You surprise me Mr. Tanner," Ezra said with a little smile. "I did not think that was possible any longer."
"Anything is possible Ezra," Vin replied. "Like you buying me a drink for instance."
"I suppose I can manage since I have most of your money," the gambler chuckled.
"That's what I get for being nice to you," Vin muttered before he raised his glass and clinked it against Ezra's.