Series/Universe: Family Business
Disclaimers: M7 characters belong to Trilogy, et al. Original characters are all mine ... don't mind if you borrow them, just ask first, give them back intact and give credit where credit is due.
Warnings: The usual ... violence, language, and references to ugliness. Oh yeah, and the original characters. Can't forget them.
Spoilers: All twenty-one episodes, my Road to Hell trilogy, (Recovery, Reunion and Reconciliation) and the stories in my Facets series will probably be alluded to.
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who emailed me while I was writing the Road to Hell trilogy ... I couldn't have done it without your support. Extra special thanks, as ever, to Elizabeth and Cin.
It was a small gathering. Seven men, four women, and two children. Laying to rest a man who had sacrificed himself to save two of their number. Laertes Townsend, born Lester more than fifty years earlier in the Deep South. If it had been possible, he would have been taken back to the plantation where he was born, and laid at the side of his beloved Miss Victoria. The woman who was a surrogate mother to him.
But that wasn't possible ... not just because of the geography, but because of the man's skin color. Laertes Townsend was born a slave, a colored man. And none would have stood for him being laid to rest beside a white woman. Instead, he would be laid to rest beside another family. Chris Larabee's wife and son, who perished in a fire more than three years earlier. Chris Larabee, who was older brother to two people Laertes Townsend had loved very much.
As Josiah Sanchez finished his funeral service, he looked at the two young people, standing side by side in front of the simple wooden cross which bore Laertes' name. Josiah caught Vin Tanner's eye, and motioned for his compatriots to quietly move away, until only Vin, Adriana Wilmington, and six year old Laura remained. Adriana whispered, "You'll be all right here, old friend. Sarah and Adam will take good care of you ... and we'll take care of each other, just like we promised you we would."
The young woman knelt and placed a rose on the fresh grave, putting her arm around Laura as the little girl did the same. Laura whispered, "G'bye, Laertes. Laura loves you." The little girl turned and buried her face in Adriana's neck. The last to say good-bye was Vin. A short distance away, Chris Larabee watched the trio, his green eyes giving nothing away. But his heart ached for all three. He could remember too many funerals ... too many times when he was saying good-bye to a member of his family.
And it was thanks to that man whom they buried today that Chris didn't have to say good-bye to two other family members. The man in black released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, when Vin's bright blue eyes met his own green. Everything okay, cowboy? was the message in his best friend's eyes. Chris simply smiled faintly and inclined his head. Everything was fine.
Although, that wasn't entirely true. Chris was looking forward, to what would happen when they returned to Four Corners. They had been away for several weeks, and none were entirely sure what changes had occurred in the town they had been protecting for the last year. The last news they heard, Rafe Moseley and Chanu were helping Judge Travis to look after the town, in their own ways, and supposedly, the town was still standing.
There were other things which concerned Chris. The last any of the townspeople had seen of Vin, he had been weak from a fever and put on a horse, bound for Tascosa. There were three kinds of people in Four Corners ... two kinds, which Chris could predict what they would do. There were the people, such as Gloria Potter and Virgil Watson, who would have stood up to the phony bounty hunters for Vin. There were those, like Mr. Conklin, whom Mary Travis had scathingly called 'ostriches.' They thought if they buried their heads in the sand and pretended everything was fine, it really would be.
Chris wasn't worried about Conklin. The man, for all his bluster, was a coward. Chris could and would deal with his sort. It was those in between who concerned the gunfighter. How would they react to Vin? To the pair who had sold out the former bounty hunter, Buck Wilmington and Nathan Jackson? During the last two weeks, Vin had started forgiving Buck. He didn't trust him to watch his back ... but he was starting to forgive him. Things were still hesitant with Nathan Jackson.
From what Nettie Welles, Vin's surrogate mother, had said, Nathan had never made a mistake of this kind before. It was one thing for his healing skills to prove not enough to help someone ... it was another for him to sell out Vin. Nathan had no idea what he could do to make it right. Chris wasn't sure there was any way he could make it right, but he found he couldn't fault the man for at least trying.
It was still anyone's guess if the Seven would remain a team. Vin hadn't made up his mind, and Chris hadn't pushed him. The former bounty hunter wanted to see what would happen in Four Corners before he made his decision. That was more than fair, Chris thought. But the gunslinger had made his own decision. Whether he stayed in Four Corners, or went to Tascosa, Chris would be at Vin's side.
By Larabee's lights, that was the very least he owed his friend. He had failed Vin once, failed to watch his back, and Vin almost died because of that. Besides, Chris had always promised to ride with Vin when it was time to settle things in Tascosa. Too many times, Chris was unable to keep his promise when it was given. This would not be one of those times. He sighed quietly as Josiah helped Vin back into the wagon. He knew Vin was frustrated at not being able to ride, but so far, his friend complained little.
He was still regaining his strength, and he knew it. Knew he just didn't have the energy to sit in the saddle for the hours it would take to arrive back in Four Corners. But at least he was riding again, even if it was in a wagon. Laura and Billy were keeping him company, the two children taking turns riding with Chris on his horse and in the wagon. And Adriana was riding her own horse, riding alongside the wagon.
Chris still didn't fully understand the relationship between his best friend and the young woman who was like his little sister, but he didn't really try to understand it. All he needed to know was that Adriana would die to protect Vin, would kill for him. She was totally loyal to him, and she had helped to save his life. Everything else was ... extra. He had to wonder, however, how the good citizens of Four Corners would react to this unusual young woman, who lived life by her rules. It was likely to get ... interesting.
Judge Travis was also waiting for them in Four Corners. He had been helping Rafe Moseley and Chanu, as well as the Army unit, who had been protecting the town. He would want to know if he would be able to keep his team intact. Chris didn't have the answer for him. He knew what Travis wanted to hear ... but it wasn't that easy. Even if there wasn't the added complication of Vin being his best friend, Buck and Nathan had acceded to the outlaws.
That kind of betrayal took time to forgive, to heal. And Chris just wasn't sure if Travis was willing to give them that time. Nearly three weeks had passed since he and the others left Four Corners ... at the time, to retrieve Vin's body, believing then that Vin was dead. Although, Chris never truly accepted that ... had vowed to himself that until he saw some concrete proof to the contrary, he would believe Vin somehow escaped the fire at the prison camp.
And he did. Not because he escaped, but because two people, two unexpected players, rescued him, with aid from a six year old girl. Chris looked over his shoulder at the burned out ruins of his home, seeing in his mind's eye the ruins of the prison camp near Pordios. He shuddered, once more understanding how close he came to losing a member of his family to fire. He thought of the fire at Laertes Townsend's ranch house, two weeks earlier ... a fire which almost cost Chris his life as well.
Then he looked once again at the grave containing the earthly remains of Laertes Townsend. He looked at Adriana, whose pale face was grim as she swung herself back into her saddle. Then he looked at Vin once more, laying back in the wagon. He looked tired. It was time to get him home. If Four Corners was still their home. And if it wasn't ... if it wasn't, they would see what would come next.
The others were mounting up as well. It was Billy's turn to ride with Chris, and he squealed with delight as the man in black lifted him into the saddle in front of him. The squeal had Vin opening his eyes and lifting his head. After only a moment, a smile touched his mouth and he lay his head back down once more. But that was fine ... Chris had seen enough. That one smile was enough to convince Chris there was still hope of mending the Seven. Whatever happened in town, there was still that hope.
He was at his favorite place ... in front of the saloon, looking out over the town. Leaning against one of the pillars. One day, just a few weeks ago, Billy Travis observed that Vin did that, too. He got a little defensive, as if the little boy was accusing him of some sort of crime, though the watcher wasn't sure what that crime would have been. The little boy had grown upset and added, "Being like Vin is a good thing!"
Being like Vin is a good thing. He couldn't argue with that. However, Rafe Moseley knew he was nothing like Vin Tanner, and never would be. Despite his constant struggles to do right, Rafe considered himself a troublemaker. Even when he was trying to stay out of trouble, even when he was trying to do the right thing, Rafe found himself right in the middle of everything. Worse yet, it usually took someone else to get him out of it.
No, he was no Vin Tanner, and he never would be. The best he could hope for was to help the tracker and sharpshooter. Whether it was by taking care of his town ... and whether Vin knew it or not, this was his town ... or trying to get along with Chanu's tribe, Rafe was determined to do something in his life right. But he was very tired of trying to fill seven pairs of shoes, shoes which he knew he couldn't fill, not even at his best.
"Any sign of them, son?" Judge Orrin W Travis asked, emerging from the saloon behind Rafe. The young man turned to face him and shook his head. Travis put a fatherly hand on the boy's shoulder, saying, "Mary said they would be here sometime today. They'll be here. Why don't you get some rest? Inez told me that you rode out to the reservation yesterday, to see Koje, then helped to break up that fight in the saloon last night. And we won't discuss the hours you've been keeping ever since Mary and Billy left town with the Welles ladies." Rafe colored. It was bad enough that Inez knew how he felt about Casey, but the Judge, too?
"I gotta keep watch, Judge. Maybe if I hadn't been such an idiot, Claire would still be alive. This is the only way I can atone," Rafe answered tiredly, changing the subject before he could be reminded that Casey only had eyes for JD Dunne. Besides, he was telling the truth. That was the heart of it. His blindness had cost his sister her life. Only the Seven had prevented things from further going to hell.
"Claire's death wasn't your fault, son. Your father killed her ... you didn't. And you've always honored her memory, ever since you learned the truth. You're too young to try to take responsibility for your father's mistakes, Rafe," Travis replied. Rafe didn't answer. The judge was silent, then he said, "That's why you've been driving yourself? What are you trying to prove, Rafe, that you're a better man than your father? You've done that."
Had he? Even as he struggled against his father, he blindly accepted what Owen Moseley said. About Claire, about Chanu, about Vin Tanner. He had treated both Vin and Chanu badly, and he had been trying to make up for it ever since. But it didn't seem to be enough ... not to him, at least. Vin had accepted his apology, once Rafe found the courage to brave Chris Larabee's contempt and face the bedridden tracker.
Chanu had no rage left in him ... at least, not for Rafe. All of the brave's fury was focused on the man who had killed his wife and child. And while a bond was born between Vin and Chanu ... Rafe noticed another tie being formed between Chanu and Chris Larabee. It wasn't until several months after his sister's death that he found out why. Chris Larabee, like Chanu, lost his wife and child. Like Claire and her unborn child, Sarah and Adam Larabee were murdered.
Similar wounds cause similar scars, Rafe had heard it said, and that seemed to prove it. Not that Larabee forgave Chanu for choking Vin immediately ... Vin was, after all, Larabee's best friend, and the gunslinger was protective of him. Though not the way Buck Wilmington was of JD Dunne. Rafe almost snorted, thinking of his rival for Casey's affections. What did she see in him? Then again, what would she see in Rafe?
The young man took a deep breath, sighing. Then he noticed a trail of dust leading into town. Riders approaching the town. He glanced over his shoulder, to say something to the judge, but Travis had seen as well. As the dust cloud drew closer, and he could see the figures on the horses more clearly, Rafe realized it was the Seven. They were finally back. Wanting to make sure they were all there, the young man began counting both horses and people ... Mr. Larabee, with Billy Travis on the horse in front of him, Wilmington, Dunne, Josiah Sanchez, Ezra Standish, Jackson, Mrs. Travis, Mrs. Welles, Casey, and a young woman whom Rafe didn't recognize.
Where was Vin? They were told he was alive, so where was he? And then, Rafe noticed the way the riders were grouped. Around a wagon. Josiah Sanchez was actually driving the wagon ... he hadn't been riding his horse. Nettie Welles rode at his side, glancing over her shoulder every few minutes. And then, the riders were approaching the saloon, the wagon pulling up first. The hand which had been squeezing Rafe's heart relaxed its grip ... Vin was sitting in the back of the wagon, looking tired but very much alive. He flashed Rafe a weary grin and leaned back once more.
Rafe left the boardwalk as the riders began dismounting, and went around to the back of the wagon, his intention being to help Vin down. He found himself confronted with a little girl, no more than five or six years old. She folded her arms over her chest, looking him over imperiously, and Rafe wondered if she wasn't some relation to Standish. She asked, "Laura wants to know who you are. Laura won't let you hurt Vin."
Startled by the strange speech, Rafe started to answer, but Vin replied in a raspy voice, "This here's Rafe, Laura. He ain't gonna hurt me. He's been helpin' t' take care a' the town. Hey, kid ... good to see ya." The little girl regarded Rafe for a minute longer, then held out her arms. Rafe was impulsive and hotheaded, but he wasn't stupid. He grabbed the little girl under her arms, then swung her down from the wagon.
Vin eased himself around the bags in the back, muttering, "Aw hell ... reckon it's a good thin' yer here, kid. Ain't rightly sure I kin git down m'self." Rafe wasted little time ... as Vin eased himself to the edge of the wagon, Rafe took down the back and put Vin's arm over the back of his shoulders, while he put his arm around Vin's waist. He tried to remember what he was told about Vin's wounds, and flinched when the tracker groaned softly.
He hastily moved his hand to some place a little less tender, muttering an apology, and Vin whispered, "Ain't yer fault ... ya ain't the one who used me as a punchin' bag. Just git me some wheres I kin lay down, and I'll be fine." Rafe was relieved as Chris Larabee took the other side, and inclined his head toward the hotel. He didn't know if Vin would be staying ... but for now, this was something he could do for his friend.
So this was Four Corners. Adriana Wilmington looked around cautiously as she dismounted from Blaze. The horse hadn't been too sure about this new body at first, until he recognized her scent from her years of riding with Vin. She wondered if her scent had changed in the last four years, then realized she had to be tired if she was thinking nonsense like that. She shook herself, then smiled as she noticed Laura jumping up and down, trying to see things in this strange new place. Even though it didn't seem that much different from Pordios. But Laura spent very little time in town, and she was very curious.
She went to the child and swung her into her arms, giving Laura a somewhat better view. The little girl asked softly, "Adriana, are we gonna live here? Laura wants to stay with Vin." Adriana smiled at the little girl, not answering at first. Laura was content to just look around, allowing Adriana time to think about how she would answer the child. Was she ready to live in a town ... even to watch Vin's back?
Towns meant people, and people meant judgments. Sure, Mrs. Travis seemed nice, but Adriana was smart enough to understand that not everyone in Four Corners would be like the newspaper owner and editor. For the moment, the best Adriana could do was follow Vin's lead, at least until she knew the people a little better. Because if there were people in town who could accept Vin Tanner, former buffalo hunter, former bounty hunter and fugitive, maybe there were some who could accept Adriana Wilmington.
Mrs. Travis knew a good bit about her ... not the exact details of her captivity, but she knew enough. During the ride from the remains of the Larabee ranch, Mrs. Travis had warned her that some of the townspeople would find her a curiosity. Perhaps regarding her the same as a woman who had been captured by Indians, and who 'lived with the savages.' That almost made Adriana fall off her horse, laughing.
Granted, what she knew of Indian tribes came from her dealings with the reservations around Pordios, and that was under slightly different circumstances. But Adriana thought she would have preferred to be taken as an Indian captive, though she didn't say so to Mary Travis. She still wasn't sure if she could trust the pretty blonde widow, though she couldn't deny that Vin trusted her. He had asked her to teach him to read and write, after all.
But just because she was willing to follow Vin's lead, didn't mean she could trust the same people he trusted. Adriana's reverie was shattered as a woman's voice called out, "Vin! Vin Tanner, it's about time you came home!" Adriana blinked, her arms tightening around Laura reflexively, as a matronly woman with dark hair approached Vin and Chris, and whoever that boy was with them.
Vin smiled wearily as the woman approached and said, "Mrs. Potter. Real nice to see ya, ma'am." The woman enfolded Vin in a gentle embrace, as two children followed her, both throwing their arms around Adriana's old friend. Laura turned Adriana's face toward her, frowning, and Adriana shrugged. Obviously, there were some members of this town who didn't just accept Vin, but loved him.
"Vin, it's so good to see you! When we thought ... never mind. We just missed you, terribly. You look so tired. And you've lost weight! Did the people who rescue you come along?" Mrs. Potter asked. The two children had released Vin ... if he had made any noise of pain, Adriana wouldn't have heard him, but the children could have. Vin just waited with a half smile, as the woman ran down. Mrs. Potter turned red and said, "I'm so sorry, I'm rattling on like a schoolgirl. But we were all so worried about you, especially when Mary and I discovered that awful Mr. Browner was behind what happened to you."
"It's alright, ma'am, nice to know I was missed. And yeah, they came with us. Mrs. Potter, I'd like ya to meet Adriana Wilmington, and her daughter Laura. Drina, Laura ... this is Gloria Potter. Runs one a' the stores in town," Vin said. It always startled Adriana when people referred to Laura as her daughter. Technically speaking, legally speaking, she hadn't adopted Laura, and knew she probably couldn't. But Laura had decided that she now belonged to Adriana, and Adriana belonged to her, and that was that.
Gloria Potter looked at Adriana. She carefully released Vin, nodding to Chris and the young man who was also supporting Vin, and walked over to Adriana and Laura. She stared at the pair for a long time, then Adriana was startled yet again when the woman slipped her arms around them both, hugging them fiercely. Gloria Potter whispered, "Thank you. From all of us. We thought we had lost him for good."
Cautiously, with her free arm, Adriana returned the embrace. After several moments, Gloria Potter pulled back and looked at Adriana more clearly. Her eyes widened and she said, "You're hardly more than a child yourself! And you need some more meat on your bones ... did you wear yourself down, taking care of him?" Adriana turned crimson as she heard more than one person answer 'yes!'
"She barely ate enough to keep a bird alive, Gloria. Collapsed from sheer exhaustion into Casey's arms. I may need your help, putting some meat on that girl's bones," Nettie Welles said, coming up behind Adriana and Laura. It took all of Adriana's self-control to keep from jumping in surprise. She hated it when people snuck up on her. And she still wasn't quite sure how to take Nettie Welles.
With the older lady, it wasn't a matter of trust, exactly. Nettie Welles said exactly what she thought and let you know exactly where she stood, and where you stood with her. And Adriana appreciated that honesty. However, what she was having a hard time with was, how did she fit into this new group? She had the feeling at times that Nettie Welles had adopted her without Adriana's knowledge.
Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Nettie Welles was nothing like her own mother. In fact, when she and Vin discussed their mothers, she found herself envying her friend for being raised by Julia Tanner for those five years. And Nettie knew about her years in captivity, but that didn't stop Adriana from being afraid that she would disappoint the tough old lady. Yes. That was it. For the first time in years, Adriana was afraid of disappointing someone.
Laertes had seen her at her absolute worst, and loved her anyhow. She bit her lip, thinking of the man they just buried. She was never afraid of disappointing Laertes, because he had seen her at her worst, and he couldn't be disappointed. He told her once that if that was the worst she had, she wasn't the bad ass she pretended to be. She didn't take pleasure in hurting other people, not like some of the people he knew while a slave and as a free man.
The trouble was, both Mrs. Travis and Nettie had seen her pretty much on her best behavior. What would happen when she allowed the real Adriana to be seen? Those were both respectable women. Enlightened women, yes. Mary Travis enjoyed her work as the editor and owner of the Clarion. She and Nettie were both as adept as any woman in the West with a rifle. They could take care of themselves. But they were still respectable.
Adriana was not, and never would be. She lost too much of herself while simply surviving. She had been lucky to hang onto her humanity ... dignity and self-respect took time to come back. It took her time to regain her old spirit.
And when she did get it back, she made a silent oath that she would never lose it again. If the price of her self-respect and dignity was her respectability, then so be it. She would never allow herself to be hurt like that again, she would never be a victim again. Did these women understand that? Would they understand it, if the real Adriana came through, when one of hers was threatened?
She stood at another crossroads. She made a choice, to let Chris back into her heart. And she was aware that she had more choices to make. Whether she would stay here ... where she would find the strength to deal with the consequences, if she did stay. And what would be done about Buck ... if she could find the strength, the courage, to take that leap of faith and trust her brother again.
The girl was makin' a mountain outta a molehill. Vin could read her as well as he could read Chris Larabee, and he knew right now, Drina wasn't sure how to deal with Gloria Potter, or with Nettie. Wasn't sure if she could trust Nettie to accept the whole package, as Josiah had put it. Didn't know if she could trust Mary, either. What was worse, Vin also knew that he couldn't tell Drina to trust him, 'cause that weren't the point.
Drina had to trust them on her own, or it didn't work. Vin also knew he wasn't being fair to his friend. Even when he knew her, trust was difficult, and it gotten even worse in the last few years. He mouthed to her, 'it's okay.' Her answer was to roll her eyes, especially when Gloria Potter led her and Laura away toward the restaurant, clucking her tongue over how thin Adriana was. Nope, there wasn't no help for her now, no way she could escape from them two!
Smiling, he turned his attention back to the two Potter children, Jamie and Elizabeth. The two youngsters smiled back happily, each almost dancing with excitement. He didn't remember anything about them on the day he was taken from Four Corners, weeks earlier, but that didn't mean nothing. Jamie said, "We're so glad to see you, Vin! We thought we'd never see you again, when those awful men took you away." Well, that answered that question. The boy continued, "Ma said you were comin' back today! She said you were alive and gonna be okay. And you are, aren't ya?"
"I'm gonna be just fine, Jamie. Ya been takin' care of yer little sister?" Vin asked, putting his hand atop Elizabeth's head, and she blessed him with a brilliant smile. Jamie nodded vehemently. Vin continued, feeling himself weaken by the moment, despite the support from Rafe and Chris, "Ask yer ma if ya can come by later ... I gotta lay down. Still ain't fully recovered." The pair nodded, Elizabeth slipping her arms around his leg one last time.
"Take good care a' him, Mr. Larabee. 'Lizabeth and me, we wanted to 'pologize to you. We weren't real nice to you, 'fore you left town, and we're real sorry," Jamie said, looking at Chris. The blond man just smiled and gently ruffled Jamie's hair. No slight was taken, it seemed, but Chris wouldn't be offended. Not when ... no. No, he wouldn't think about that. Elizabeth released Vin's leg, and Rafe and Chris guided him toward the hotel.
Vin was starting to think he might actually make it to his rented room, when he heard a familiar voice exclaim, "You shouldn't have brought him back here!" Aw hell ... it was Conklin! Vin felt Larabee's arm tighten protectively about him as the storekeeper stormed up to them. As Chris tightened his hold, Rafe released his, and moved to intercept the furious Conklin, who fumed, "You get out of my way, Rafe Moseley, or have you forgotten your sister already?"
Vin couldn't see Rafe's expression, but he could see the set of the boy's shoulders. Rafe growled, "I haven't, but you obviously have, Mr. Conklin. This man tried to save my sister ... and he might have succeeded, if it weren't for people like you and my father. Mr. Larabee is gonna take Vin upstairs to his room, where he can get his rest, and you're gonna leave them alone. You got me?" Rafe kept moving forward until he was practically nose to nose with Conklin.
"Mr. Conklin!" Uh-oh ... there was the ladies. All five of 'em, no less ... Nettie and Mrs. Potter had stopped their approach toward the restaurant, and were coming toward the small gathering. Nettie, Mrs. Potter, Casey, Mary and Drina, his friend still carrying Laura. And Nettie was leading the charge, her eyes burning with fury. The others were closing in from the other side, and for a moment, it looked likely to get nasty. Then a familiar voice asked quietly, "Is there a problem, Mr. Conklin?" Dead silence fell as both the ladies and the remainder of the Seven stopped, allowing the Honorable Orrin W. Travis to approach the tracker, the leader, and the boy. Conklin fell silent, cowed as always by the judge's presence. The man stared at him steadily for several moments, then looked at Vin, and his face warmed considerably. He said, extending his hand, "Welcome home, son. It's not been the same without you."
Vin smiled wearily and shook the judge's hand, too tired to reply. The judge looked at him intently, then continued, "Chris, this young man looks like he's just about to fall over from exhaustion." Chris was staring at Conklin, and Vin had the uneasy sense that something happened between his best friend and Conklin before Chris and the others left for Pordios. Judge Travis asked softly, "Chris? Do you trust me?" From the corner of his eye, Vin saw Chris nodding, his own eyes never leaving the storekeeper. Judge Travis continued, "Then trust me now. I will deal with Mr. Conklin. You see to Vin."
Slowly, the tension left Larabee's body and he nodded, then carefully guided Vin toward the hotel, Rafe running to catch up with them. Closing his eyes, Vin took several deep breaths. Rafe said quietly, "He's jealous, you know. Jealous of you. He'll never have your courage, and he knows that. And he hates you for it." Vin didn't know about that. Rafe continued, "It's one of the reasons I hated you at first. Because I knew you were braver ... more of a man ... than I ever could be."
By this time, they had reached the hotel, and Chris and Rafe started guiding Vin up the stairs. One ... two ... three ... four ... Vin said softly, "I ain't brave, kid. I ain't no hero." He had only to remember barely being able to put up a fight when Daniel Neely had beaten him to know that. The rational part of his mind told him that he was sick and weak from the fever, that there was no way he could have protected himself from Neely and his friends.
"Yes, you are," Rafe said quietly, "you risked your life to help Chanu, you've risked your life a thousand times since you came to this town. Why don't you understand that you're a hero? That you're a brave man, that you're a good man. Why don't you understand that?" Because I ain't, Vin thought wearily, I done things that would make ya sick, kid. I done what I thought I had to then, 'cause I thought it was the only thing I thought I could do. And some of them things, I'd do again. But for some of them things ... I coulda found another way.
But he said none of this to Rafe Moseley. His energy was concentrated on just getting up the stairs. Chris, however, said softly, "Leave it alone, Rafe. He needs to rest." Vin opened his eyes and glared at Chris. Hell, he didn't need no one talkin' about him as if he weren't here! Chris just quirked his mouth in a smile, adding, "Should we head back downstairs and make sure Conklin is in one piece, after we get you settled?"
"Reckon ya might wanna do that. Ya ain't really seen Drina when she gets her Irish up. Girl's damn dangerous. Ya heard about them bandits beatin' me half to death, and what she done to stop them?" Vin asked softly, all too aware of Rafe on his other side, and equally aware that Rafe didn't know Adriana. Chris, however, did know ... and he knew that story. Buck got roaring drunk after hearing the story from Vin, and told Chris.
Vin told Chris the rest of it. The condition of the outlaws after she was finished with them. That streak of savagery which shocked even Vin ... even Adriana herself. He knew what happened during the rape ... Drina locked herself deep inside, in a place where them outlaws couldn't reach her. It was her way of protecting herself, protecting her soul. At least until they were finished ... and then she took her justice.
But Vin was far too aware of what would happen if people realized she was a captive of white slavers ... that she had been raped on the trail. She would never be truly respectable, because she was different. But if people found out that she was a captive of white slavers, that she was raped ... things would quickly get nastier than they had to be. No. No, he would not stack the deck in the town against her. Mary knew the truth, as did Nettie, as did Casey. And they would protect her secret, whether she trusted them to or not. He knew that ... he knew they would have done so, no matter who she was.
But Rafe was impulsive, something which the kid acknowledged himself. While he didn't believe Rafe would ever deliberately hurt someone who hadn't hurt them first, Vin knew Rafe well enough, and the world, to know that sometimes the greatest harm was inflicted by those with the best of intentions. People like Buck and Nathan, you mean? a part of his mind whispered as Chris and Rafe settled him on the bed. Vin hissed at the voice, at the memory, and Chris murmured, "Sorry 'bout that, pard."
The tracker shook his head, drawing his mind back. Those wounds were still too fresh. And he wasn't fully convinced that they did have the best of intentions. Vin knew his limitations, as a sharpshooter, as a tracker, and as a man. And he did have his moments of insecurity, awakened by what he thought was a failure (Chanu), or a temptation (that rifle belonging to Lucius Stutz). Now, more than just a moment of insecurity was awakened, as he struggled to accept what they told him.
It was a struggle, too. Nathan had already lied to him once. And Buck had lost faith in him once before, not that Vin could blame him for that. Buck had only wanted to protect Claire. Even so, even with the last few weeks, Vin still had a hard time accepting ... aw hell. He was too damn tired to think about this. He was tired, he hurt all over. He wasn't aware he had spoken until he felt Larabee's hand on his shoulder and heard Chris say softly, "Then sleep. We've got your back. I need to talk to the judge ... Rafe's gonna be right outside the door. Just in case."
Vin opened his eyes, not realizing until then that he had closed them. His eyes met Larabee's, and Vin felt the reassuring old silent communication flowing between them. I won't let you down again, Vin ... you got my word on that, Chris said without words. Vin nodded and smiled faintly. Chris returned the smile and released Vin's shoulder. The tracker closed his eyes once more, allowing himself to relax. If nothing else, he could still trust Chris.
Well, this is promising, Sarah Larabee observed as she watched her husband leave his best friend's rented room. She was alone today. Her two usual companions, Julia Tanner and Katrien van Gesen, had other things to attend to ... both related to their respective children, but not to Four Corners at the moment. Katrien was checking on the status of her daughter's inheritance ... would it be better if she had that money, or would it lead Avery Wilmington straight to Four Corners to try one last time?
In a way, Sarah hoped Avery Wilmington never set eyes on his child again ... she didn't want him to have any more chances to hurt her. On the other hand, she knew that final confrontation should happen. And not just so she would have the pleasure of watching her Chris tear into the bastard for what he had done to her husband's beloved little sister. And after Chris was finished with him, why, then it would be Buck's turn ... and Vin ... and anyone else who loathed the idea of selling your own child like that, just to get your hands on her inheritance.
But there really was another reason Sarah wanted that confrontation. She wanted Adriana to face her father, and finally understand that she was a far better person than he could ever dream of being. Chris had told her, but this was something Adriana had to understand on her own.
Julia's errand involving her son was of a different nature. They had done all they could about the Tascosa business, but there were other things for Julia to intervene in. Gentle nudges of her family members, so Vin could finally be reunited with the rest of the Tanner family. While Sarah enjoyed their company, she also enjoyed her time alone. And sometimes ... like today ... Adam would spend time with Stephen Travis, allowing Sarah that time alone.
Sarah returned her attention to the Lake of Remembrance, smiling as she saw that final communication pass between her husband and Vin. She had loved the young tracker on sight, seeing what Adam might have grown into, had he been given the opportunity. In the last year, she had cried for him, laughed with him, and wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled. Like Mary Travis, Sarah had come to see him as a little brother.
Mary Travis. Sarah tilted her head to one side, as the Lake showed her Stephen's widow, still fuming at that fool Conklin. Sarah shook her head sadly. Don't be foolish, Mary, and waste your breath, she told the other woman, he's not worth it. Vin is, of a certainty, but you should spend your energy on other people, people who will listen to you, to what you say about Vin. And beside Mary stood Adriana, looking for all the world like a deer about to take flight, sweet little Laura clutched in her arms, as if that child was all that she had left in the world.
That wasn't true, of course, and she knew it wasn't true. But right now, Adriana was terrified out of her mind. Not of Conklin, but of whatever came next. She was afraid she wasn't strong enough to remain at Vin's side, if he decided to stay in town. She was afraid that someone would push her too far, and she would disappoint Nettie in particular. Foolish girl. Didn't she know yet that Nettie could see right through her? That the old lady had a temper all her own?
No, Sarah realized sadly, no, she didn't know that. The woman who had braved her own personal nightmare to rescue a friend, who had literally ridden into hell for that friend ... was afraid to even look into Nettie Welles' eyes and see the truth there. Just as she was afraid to trust Buck again. Ooooh, Sarah could shake him until his teeth rattled! She hadn't stopped being angry with him since he left that damnable place without even asking to see his sister's body!
So maybe she couldn't fault Adriana for her fear, where Buck was concerned. And maybe she shouldn't fault Adriana, either, for being afraid to see truth in Nettie Welles' eyes, when she was used to the contempt or fear in the eyes of too many of the residents of Pordios. There were good people in that town, people like the minister and his family, people like Aurora, people like that sweet old lady who told Ezra Standish what he needed to know about Adriana.
But like Vin, Adriana had learned to be wary of people. And it would take a great deal of time and effort to win her trust. Personally, Sarah thought she was worth it ... because once you won her trust and friendship, again like Vin, she would walk through fire for you. Of course, if you declared yourself her enemy ... usually by hurting her, or someone she loved ... she'd happily make your life a living hell. It made more sense to be her friend, at least to Sarah.
Then again, she didn't suppose 'sensible' was a good description of a woman who fell in love with a gunslinger, much less the notorious Chris Larabee.
But she couldn't regret it. Not even with the interference of her father, not even because of Cletus Fowler, not even because of Ella Gaines. Least of all because of that lying, murdering bitch. Another ally was watching out for that woman, though. Just as another ally was keeping an eye on Avery Wilmington. This wasn't exactly how Sarah pictured herself spending eternity, but she couldn't deny it was a good way.
Besides, she would have been bored to tears any other way. Sarah Connelly Larabee had always been a caretaker ... a woman who loved taking care of other people. She took care of her father after her mother's death, she took care of Chris ... just as he took care of her ... she took care of Buck, and she took care of Adam. It seemed natural to just keep doing that, just in a different way.
Julia had jokingly called the trio 'guardian angels,' but to Sarah, it was probably close to the truth. They weren't angels ... but they were guardian souls. The Indians had what they called guardian spirits, but it wasn't quite the same thing. No matter what the second word was, they were still guardians of a sort. Watching over those whom they loved most in life, and guarding those who made their lives worthwhile.
Sarah waved her hand over the Lake of Remembrance, changing the picture from Mary Travis to Nathan Jackson. The woman rocked back on her heels, regarding the healer with a puzzled frown. Nathan. What to do about Nathan? She supposed she could ask Obadiah or Rose, since Nathan was their son, but Obadiah was on a training assignment, and she wasn't entirely sure if Rose would do any good.
The healer had an uphill battle ahead of himself. Not only had he lost the trust and the respect of the men he worked with, as well as the trust and the respect of the town, but he lost respect for himself as well. And it would get worse before it got better. Billy Travis wasn't the only child who was afraid Nathan would give him away when he got sick ... the same was true of both Potter children, and others.
There was also the matter of the well-meaning galoots in town ... well, the ones who genuinely liked Vin, but didn't have the sense to come in out of the rain. The ones who would see it as their duty as Vin's friends to rip apart Nathan's clinic, to avenge the tracker. Fortunately, she didn't have to put Rafe Moseley into that category, as he was too damn exhausted to cause any trouble. That was one less potential troublemaker out of commission.
However, there were others. Yes, things for Nathan would get worse before they got any better. Judge Travis had lost faith in both him and Buck Wilmington. It wasn't just that they turned Vin over to the pseudo bounty hunters while he was sick. It was that they caved to pressure from bullies, and that set a very bad precedent for the town. Now, as a direct result of that action, more trouble than ever would find the Seven.
Vin would remain in Four Corners. He didn't know it yet, but he already made up his mind. The question wasn't if Vin would remain one of the town's peacekeepers. Rather, the question was whether he would be able to trust Buck and Nathan.
That would take time. Maybe a long time. Unfortunately, just as the course of true love never runs smoothly, nor did the course charted for the men known as the Magnificent Seven. Sarah saw some of it. There were more betrayals ahead for those men, more betrayals and more heartbreaks. But she had faith. In her Chris, and she had faith in his second in command. When Vin didn't have the strength he needed, Chris would give him that strength ... just as Vin had always given his own to Chris. They would prevail. Sarah would bet her soul on it ... and as she thought that, she was very glad Ezra Standish wasn't around to hear that!
His father had been right ... again. The chief dreamed that their brother would return today, and as he rode into town, Chanu could see that was the case. He held back, watching as Rafe helped Vin Tanner down from the wagon, and the young warrior frowned. Tanner was leaning heavily against Rafe, and while Chris Larabee took some of the weight, Chanu was troubled by his brother's health.
He continued to watch at a distance as the kindlier townspeople welcomed their lost friend back ... and as the cowardly one confronted Larabee, Tanner, and Rafe. He didn't hear the words, but he did see Rafe step in front of Vin protectively. Chanu smiled faintly, sensing his beloved's approval with her younger brother. He was becoming a good man, whether he understood that or not. Chanu was proud of him.
He also watched the small, fierce woman with the child in her arms. That one would be dangerous. She held her head high, a proud woman who found her own strength the hard way. Chanu nodded to himself ... yes, she would be very dangerous. He had his doubts if this town was ready for a woman such as that one, but even if they weren't, she had powerful allies already. The same allies he found, when he was falsely accused.
Chanu turned his horse to the side, slipping around the town until he reached the back of the hotel. He knew where Vin Tanner's rented room was, and he knew how to get in there without anyone knowing about it. He was always a good climber, and that hadn't changed over the years. And, as Chanu suspected, Chris Larabee left the window open before leaving the room, Rafe accompanying him to keep watch outside.
Chanu eased himself into the room, carefully settling himself down onto the floor, watching Vin all the while. The tracker turned his head toward the window, rasping out, "Reckon it's a good thin' ya made 'nough noise gettin' in here. Mighta spooked me." Chanu just grinned, walking to the bed and sinking to the hard wood floor. Vin returned the smile, adding, "Hear tell ya helped to watch over the town. Thanks."
"I could do no less," Chanu replied. Vin just smiled. He looked very tired, and Chanu could tell his brother was in a great deal of pain. The young warrior asked softly, "Should I leave?" Vin shook his head immediately, even as he closed his eyes and relaxed against the bed. Chanu continued, "Then I shall tell you what you should know. First, and most importantly, you belong here. This is your town ... until you were taken, none realized that."
Vin opened his eyes at Chanu's bluntly stated observations. Chanu wasn't finished, either. He continued, "Much changed while you were gone. Including, I am certain, you. But you are still needed here. And you still need this town ... these people. The people who would have stood up to those men on your behalf. You know that. You still need those men ... Larabee, Sanchez, and Dunne."
"Ezra tried to stop 'em, Chanu. What happened, weren't his fault," Vin answered softly, and Chanu inclined his head. So he had learned from Judge Travis. As Vin had told him on that night, so many months ago, the judge was a fair man. A man who listened to the opinions and thoughts of his daughter-in-law, who had advocated hearing Chanu's side of the story. It was because of Vin and Mary Travis that Chanu had taken a risk, and trusted the judge.
"I know that. I also know that Mary Travis and Nettie Welles would move heaven, hell, and earth for you. I saw them do it, once Larabee wired back that you were still alive," Chanu said quietly. He paused, laughing almost under his breath, adding, "You should have seen them chastising the cowardly one. Why Larabee and Travis allow that fool to remain in this town, I do not understand. He contributes nothing." Chanu was taught to respect his elders, and he did ... but he had since realized that not even his father, or Judge Travis, respected Conklin.
"Cowardly ... oh, ya mean Mr. Conklin. Cain't drive off respectable folks, Chanu, 'specially not when ya ain't respectable yerself," the tracker answered, and Chanu winced at the pain in his friend's voice, particularly when 'respectable' came out of his mouth. The warrior had heard from various sources (usually when those various sources had no idea he was around) that Conklin, the cowardly one, had huffily informed Vin that 'his kind' wasn't wanted in town. His kind. Old fool.
"Respectable? Hah," the warrior retorted. He wouldn't dignify Conklin with any more than that. The cowardly one wasn't worth any more than that. Instead, he asked, "Who is the small fierce one who came with you?" Vin mouthed 'small fierce one' in confusion, and Chanu clarified, "The woman? The one with the child in her arms?" Now Vin smiled, his eyes lighting up with laughter at the same time.
"That would be Drina. Rode with her years ago ... she's the one who got me outta that place," Vin answered. Chanu simply looked at his friend, wanting to hear more. Vin sighed and went on, "Met her 'bout six years ago. We was both nineteen. I was hired to bring her back to her family ... 'cept, they weren't really her family. Turns out, they was white slavers, and she was runnin' away from 'em. After that, she rode with me. We took care 'a each other." Vin smiled faintly, his blue eyes growing distant as he became lost in his memories. Good memories of his friend, the young Indian warrior hoped.
Chanu vaguely remembered hearing references to the young woman, now that he thought about it. A conversation between the judge and his daughter-in-law? Probably. If he remembered correctly, this 'Drina' was really Adriana Wilmington, the younger sister of the traitor. There was a justice to this ... one sibling rescuing the man who was betrayed by the other. Vin continued after a moment, "Reckon ya could say the little girl is her daughter. Laura was in that place, too. Her pa and ma dumped her there."
Her parents left her in a prison camp? Chanu's blood began to boil, but before he could further quiz his friend, Vin went on, "Oughta warn ya. Drina ... she's a mite protective. Ain't sure how much she knows about ... well ... about how we met. I didn't tell her, but that don't mean nothin.' What I'm sayin' is, don't be surprised if she don't seem to like ya ... just give her time. Once she's sure 'a ya ... "
Chanu grinned, replying, "I look forward to meeting the small fierce one. My father warned me of a woman such as her. She will be very, very dangerous." Vin just smiled in response, and Chanu's own smile left his face. He said gently, "You should rest. I will leave, but I will come back when you are stronger. Welcome back, my brother." Vin extended his arm, which Chanu clasped briefly, then the warrior slipped to the window.
The last he saw of Vin, the tracker was lying back once more, and then Chanu descended from the room ... to find Chris Larabee waiting for him below. The man in black said only, "Have a good visit?" Chanu just stared at the blond gunslinger in amazement, and Larabee continued, "I caught sight of you when I went back out to ... talk ... to Mr. Conklin. But the judge settled that for me, so ... "
Larabee shrugged, a half smile appearing, and Chanu said, "He is still very tired. But our brother is returning." The gunslinger nodded and Chanu continued, "I see the two traitors are still with you." Again, Larabee nodded and Chanu asked simply, "Why?" The green eyes flickered up to the window of Vin's room, and Chanu understood. He thought. The warrior asked, "He forgave them? He trusts them?"
"Somewhat, and no," Larabee answered laconically. Chanu just stared at him, not entirely sure what the gunfighter meant by that, and Larabee continued, "He's starting to forgive Buck, I think. And I would imagine that's because Buck apologized to him properly the first time, instead of an 'I'm sorry, but ... ,' trying to put conditions on Vin's forgiveness. Didn't try to make excuses for himself. But Vin doesn't trust either of them. He hasn't made up his mind, about whether he's staying in town or not."
Chanu snorted, drawing a curious look from the gunslinger, and he said, "He has agreed to return to this town. He has made his decision, he has not yet admitted it to himself. Or maybe he has, and he simply wishes to torment the traitors." Larabee frowned, and Chanu explained, "He will stay, Larabee. In his heart of hearts, he knows this is his place. He knows he belongs with you and the other three, if not with the two traitors." And if the traitor Wilmington was willing to admit how wrong he was, then there might still be a place within the ranks of the Seven for him. Jackson, Chanu still didn't know. Time would tell.
"He may be afraid to admit it, even to himself," Larabee murmured. Chanu responded with a disbelieving glance, and the gunfighter went on, "He's not a coward. Hell, Vin Tanner is one of the bravest men I've ever known. But if you tell him I said that, I'll shoot you myself. Either that, or I'll let JD tell Adriana about you choking Vin into unconsciousness." Chanu suppressed a smile, and Larabee continued, "Two things scare Vin Tanner. Letting down someone who is important to him ... and coming to need someone, then being shut out."
Chanu wasn't used to Larabee saying so much at one time. But as he thought things through, it made sense. Chanu was a warrior. He could fight for his people, for his friends. But as he worked his way through what Larabee told him, Chanu made a sickening discovery. This was one battle he couldn't fight. Vin Tanner was his friend, his brother ... and there was nothing Chanu could do to help him in this battle.
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