Chris preceded the Judge and Maude up the stairs and stopped with his hand on the door latch. "Vin and Nathan were gonna tell Ezra what's happening... you'll have to wait out here while I see how it went. As long as he's pretty much okay with it, you can come in."
Orrin nodded and silenced Maude with a single dark look of warning as she started to protest.
Chris entered the clinic and saw Ezra jerk his head up and stare at him with wide, frightened green eyes. God, he hated putting that look on his face again. He moved over to sit beside Ezra on the bed, taking his slender hand in his larger one... stroking it gently. "You okay with this, Little One?"
Ezra looked up at the others before returning his gaze to Chris. His voice shook and he closed his fingers tightly around the older man's, gripping so hard it made Chris wince, but he nodded slowly. "I f'ink so, Chwis. But I'm w'eawy scarwed."
Buck smoothed back his hair and smiled down at him. "The Judge is gonna be here too, Ezra... an' he won't let her take ya outta here either."
Ezra glanced at Buck and then back at Chris, his eyes hopeful. "Do you f'ink d' Judge would come in herwe firwst so I can talk to him?"
Chris squeezed Ezra's finger's gently. "I'm sure he will. You want me to go ask him for you?"
Ezra nodded eagerly. "Uh-huh... tewll him I said pwease... okay, Chwis?"
"You bet I will, Little One. Don't you worry, he'll come in." Chris stood and headed for the door, smiling as he heard Ezra's sweet lisping drawl follow after him.
"Don't forwget to say pwease, Chwis!" The others smiled down at Ezra... the pride they felt at how brave he was being shone brightly in their eyes.
Ezra watched nervously as Chris opened the door, spoke a few words, and then stepped back to allow the Judge to enter. Everyone saw the Southerner breathe a sigh of relief when he saw Chris close the door behind Judge Travis.
Orrin approached the bed and sat down on the edge, smiling at the younger man who managed a small smile in return. "What can I do for you, Ezra?"
Ezra plucked anxiously at the blankets, his eyes focusing on his fingers as he tried to get the courage to talk to the intimidating figure sitting beside him. Finally he managed to ask his question, his hesitant words coming out in the smallest of whispers. "I'm s-scarwed, Judge Twavis... wiwll you... wiwll you p-pwomise you won't w'et Mama t-take me away? Pwease?" He risked a quick look up at the Judge and was encouraged by the warm smile that remained on his face.
"You have my word, Ezra. You're mama will not be allowed to remove you from the clinic." Orrin placed his hand over Ezra's and pressed gently, stilling its nervous movements. He could feel the heat from the gambler's fever warming his skin and wished fervently that they didn't have to subject him to Maude's visit when he was obviously so sick.
Ezra stared at the large comforting hand covering his and then looked up into the Judge's eyes. He gazed into them for a moment, trying to decide if he dared trust the man. "C-crwoss yourw hearwt?"
The Judge stared solemnly back at Ezra and slowly drew a cross over his heart.
Ezra nodded now that the promise had been made official, and spoke to Chris who was still standing over by the door. "I'm w'eady now, Chwis."
Chris stared back at him before opening the door. "You sure, Little One?"
Ezra hesitated only for a second before nodding once more, and Chris finally swung the door wide and allowed the irate woman anxiously waiting on the landing into the clinic. The gunslinger grabbed her arm and held it a moment as she went to move past him. Leaning in close so that Maude would be the only one to hear his words, he whispered one last warning. "Hurt him, and you'll regret it the rest of your life."
Maude nodded once and jerking her arm out of his grip, walked over to the bed where her son sat surrounded by his friends. She stared at his face and knew immediately, before Ezra even opened his mouth to speak, that Nathan hadn't lied to her... Maude could see it in his eyes... an innocence that she hadn't seen there since he was a very small child. She looked at the Judge and arched her brows, her unspoken request quite clear to all of them.
Orrin looked down at Ezra, and after squeezing his hand gently one last time, regretfully rose off the bed and moved to stand over by Chris, motioning for the other men to follow. He knew for this plan to work, Maude had to have at least a little privacy for her talk with her son.
Buck narrowed his eyes and glared hatefully at Maude. He bent down next to Ezra, wrapping a long arm around his slender shoulders and hugged him tightly for a minute. "You remember, Little One... she's got no say over ya anymore... nothin' she says or does means a thing because you're our little boy now. Okay?" His voice stroked soothingly across Ezra's ear, his words so faint the gambler had to strain to hear them, but once he did, he felt himself grow a little calmer... a little less scared. Buck was here. Buck would protect him and keep him safe.
Ezra nodded and turned his face to whisper quietly back, "I w'ememberw, Buck... I wuv you."
Buck whispered 'wuv you, too' and finally released Ezra and backed away from the bed... his eyes never leaving his Little One as he moved to stand beside the others.
Ezra stared up at his mother as she moved toward him. She removed her cloak and hat and after depositing them on a chair, settled herself beside him on the bed.
"Hello, darlin'... did you miss your mama?" Maude reached for his hand and let a slight frown cross her features when it lay limply in hers, no return squeeze, nothing. And no answer to her question. "I asked if you missed me, sweetheart."
Ezra shrugged and glanced down at her hand covering his. "I guess so."
Maude released his hand and reached to tip his face up so she could look into his eyes. "I heard you had a little accident. Nathan said you fell and hit your head... does it still hurt?"
Ezra shook his head and just stared at her for a moment. "I brwoke my arwm, too. See?" He pulled away from her hand and looked down at his chest. "Nafan had to put it in a s'wing an' strwap it down so I wouldn't huwt it again."
She reached out and gently touched the arm wrapped tightly against him and then reached to stroke his hair off his forehead, her fingers lingering against his warm skin as she felt the fever that still had a hold on him. "I hear you've gone and caught yourself a cold, too... you always were a sickly child."
The others watched Ezra's face and saw him wince at the disapproving tone of voice she used when she spoke of his illness. "I'm sowwy, Mama... I didn't mean to get sick. Nafan's takin' carwe of me an' says I won't have d' cowld verwy w'ong."
Maude just stared at Ezra... it was amazing... absolutely amazing how much he sounded like he had when he was really five years old. Nathan had been right... even his facial expressions gave one the impression they were talking to a child.
She turned slightly on the bed and glanced back at the healer. "He feels quite warm, Mr. Jackson... what are you usin' to treat him?"
Nathan moved forward and felt Ezra's forehead, smiling reassuringly at the smaller man when he looked up at him. "He is a mite warmer. I've been givin' 'im willow bark tea, ma'am. It helps the fever and eases some of the aches and pains that go along with the cold." He stared appraisingly at Maude and nodded as he walked over to the stove. "In fact, it's about time we tried to get another mug of it down 'im. I'll fix it up an' you can give it to 'im. He's not real fond of the taste, but I'm sure he'll take it jus' fine from his own mama."
Ezra and Maude both stared at Nathan like he'd lost his mind.
Maude glanced at her son, saw his mouth already clamping shut and frowned. Obviously they'd spoiled him in just the short time he'd been in this condition... her child would never have dared to refuse his medicine when he was sick. He had been well aware of what the consequences for such disobedience were.
Nathan walked over and handed her the tea, noting with satisfaction the stubborn look that was glinting in Ezra's green eyes. Now they'd see just how confident he was of his place in their little family. If they'd finally gotten through to him like they'd tried... Maude was in for quite an experience.
The healer walked up beside the Judge and Chris and whispered softly, "I left out the honey... an' he's already got that look in his eyes."
Chris smiled and nodded. "This oughta put a chink in that mask of self-control she's got on. Even Maude's no match for Ezra when he decides he doesn't want to cooperate."
Maude heard them whispering behind her, but couldn't quite make out what they were saying. She assumed they were probably discussing her ability to take care of her ailing son and was determined to show them how well she could get him to behave.
"Here you go, darlin'... some nice warm tea to make you feel better. Now just sip it because it's a little hot." Maude confidently placed the mug to Ezra's lips and tipped it slowly. She definitely wasn't prepared for Ezra's reaction to the liquid as it reached his sore throat.
"Ow... Ow!!! It's too hot, Mama... it's burwnin' me!" His hands shot up to clutch at his throat, knocking the cup out of his mother's grip and spilling tea over her, him and the bed covers.
Nathan reached out quickly and grabbed Buck's arm as he made a move toward the bed. He shook his head at the panicking gunman and reassured him it wasn't really that hot, it was just Ezra being his usual whiney, sick, and miserable self. The healer walked over and handed the distressed woman a towel, and then took the cup and went to pour another dose of tea. On his way back over to the bed, he grabbed another clean nightshirt and set it beside Maude. "You'll have t' remove those bandages first... but don't worry, I'll put 'em back on for ya. He's not too happy when it has t' be done, an' I'm not sure ya could handle it."
Maude stared back at the group of men clustered by the door... not missing the looks of amusement they quickly tried to hide. She saw the little game they were playing, MJ had been right... she was being set up. But she'd be damned if she'd let them win. "There's no need for you to trouble yourself, Mr. Jackson... I'm sure we'll be able to handle things just fine."
Turning back to Ezra, she quickly used the towel to mop up the mess he'd made and then set it aside. She picked up the second mug of tea and blew on it. "Here, darlin'... this one's cooler... it won't hurt you." She lifted the cup to his lips and was met by a petulant shake of the young man's head. "Ezra... sweetheart... open your mouth for Mama. You need to drink this if you're goin' to get better."
Ezra merely stared back at her, his lips sealed tightly shut, and again shook his head no.
Maude drew her eyes down at him and put a touch of steel in the tone of her voice... a sign he'd come to know as a child that she meant business and expected to be obeyed. "Ezra... Mr. Jackson went to the trouble of preparing this for you, now I expect you to be a big boy and drink it all down... now."
Ezra glanced at his brothers and saw Nathan nodding at him. "She's right, Ezra... the tea'll make ya better. Drink it down... for me?"
"Okay, Nafan." Ezra smiled at him and then looked back at his mother. He caught her glaring at the others and knew she wasn't at all happy with him now. Her face when she turned back to him let him know exactly what she thought about his brothers and the fact that he was willing to take orders from them but not her. His confidence in his safety slipped a little and his smile slowly faded... he decided he'd better try being a little nicer to her before she really got angry. He didn't want her turning it on the others. Ezra knew he was used to it and could handle it... sort of... but he wasn't too sure about them.
This time when she held the tea up, he grimaced at it's taste as usual, wondering why Nathan hadn't put any honey in it, and drank it slowly down until he'd finally drained the mug of the healing brew.
He smiled winningly up at his mother as he saw her remove the now empty cup. "D'erwe, Mama... I finished all of it."
"Well, it's about time. You'd think the stuff was poison or somethin' with all the fuss you made. It's a wonder Nathan is still agreeable to takin' care of you if this is how you've been actin'." Maude never even looked at his face, never cared that her words had produced a sheen of tears in his eyes and a look of hurt that went so deep there was no doubt that it had its roots in his real childhood. Maude may not have noticed... but his brothers and the Judge had.
"Yes, Mama... I'm sowwy." Ezra blinked rapidly to keep the tears from falling... he knew from experience that that would just earn him another reprimand.
"As you should be." Maude knew the others might think she was hard, but she had to remind her son who was in charge. He had to know when he went home with her... and he would be going with her, she was confident of that fact... that he wasn't going to be receiving the royal treatment he was having lavished upon him here. She refused to cater to his childish whims and unreasonable behavior. "Now apologize to Mr. Jackson."
Ezra turned his eyes to Nathan and saw him nod encouragingly at him. "I'm sowwy, Nafan... I won't do it again."
"Don't you worry about it, little guy... I'm proud of ya for drinkin' all of it. You're a real good boy for doin' that." Nathan smiled coldly at Maude as she glared at him, wishing with everything he had that he was capable of hitting a woman. Because he wouldn't hesitate for an instant to repay this miserable excuse for a mother for the way she treated her son.
Maude glanced from Nathan to the Judge and found him coldly staring back at her. She realized she was on the verge of throwing away any chance she had of winning this little test of theirs, and decided she'd better change her tactics with Ezra.
Turning back around, she softened her expression and reached out to gently pat her son's cheek. "I'm sorry, darlin'... Nathan's right... you were really brave drinkin' down that nasty ol' tea." She saw Ezra's expression brighten a little and realized he was so desperate for her approval, all she needed to do was throw him a few crumbs of praise and he'd be eager to accompany her back to St. Louis. And then she'd quickly remind him how things worked... he obeyed or he was sent away... it was quite simple.
"Now... let's get Mama's sweet boy cleaned up." She carefully unwound the strips of cloth and eased his arm out of the sling, before slipping the restraint over his head. After placing it on the pile of bandages beside her, she turned back to Ezra and reached for his arm. "There, that wasn't so bad. Next we'll take off this dirty old night-"
Maude was totally unprepared for Ezra's reaction when she attempted to remove his nightshirt. He jerked violently away from her and began protesting... loudly.
"No, Mama!! You can't do d'at!" Ezra wrapped his arms tightly around himself and rolled up in a ball. "I want Buck! He can change my nightshirwt forw me... pwease, Mama?!"
The men stared over at the battle of wills that was taking place on the bed, and were surprised to see that Maude was holding her own against her son's incredible stubborn streak. They were also thrilled to see Ezra so openly defying her. Each man there took it as proof positive that he had completely put his trust in their love for him... otherwise he never would have had the courage to go against her wishes.
"We do not need Mr. Wilmington's assistance in this." Maude scowled, her patience slowly ebbing away as Ezra continued to avoid her grasping hands. "For heaven's sake, Ezra... I'm your mother. I've seen you nekkid before... now let me get this off of you and finish gettin' you cleaned up."
"No you haven't, Mama... you've neverw seen me naked. An' I don't want you to see me now... Buck! Pwease hewlp me!" Ezra squirmed further under the covers while staring despairingly at the men on the other side of the room.
Finally, Maude had had enough. She leaned over Ezra, blocking the others' view of what she was doing, and grabbed hold of his chin, forcing him to look at her. He immediately stopped struggling when he saw the anger glinting in her eyes, grimacing in pain as her fingers dug cruelly into his skin.
Maude's voice was deceptively soft, carefully pitched for Ezra's ears only, but her words sent a shaft of terror spearing through the gambler. "You listen to me, you spoiled little brat... you stop this nonsense and quit makin' me look like a fool. Otherwise, you'll be goin' straight to your uncle Matthew's instead of home with me. And don't let them fool you with all this talk of keepin' you here... no court in this land is goin' to take a child away from his lovin' mother and hand him over to a bunch of gun-totin', beer guzzlin' hooligans. Now sit your rotten little self up here and behave."
Ezra stared at her... he wanted to believe that she was lying... wanted with all his heart to be brave enough to continue to fight her... but she'd used the ultimate threat. Uncle Matthew. All the certainty he'd had about his place in his new family flew right out the window with those words. Ezra's little five year old psyche was too scarred by his horrid experiences at the hands of his uncle to allow him to ignore them. Never taking his eyes off his mother, the gambler slowly sat up in the bed. His arms fell limply to his sides and he offered no further resistance as she started unbuttoning his nightshirt.
Chris and the others watched in bewilderment as Ezra underwent a complete transformation. Gone was their brave, obstinate new little brother... and in his place they were saddened to see the cowering, fearful, lost soul he'd been when he first appeared.
"What the hell did she say to 'im?" Vin glanced at the others, seeing the same question on all their faces. They knew Maude had threatened Ezra with something awful to produce this big of a change in his demeanor.
Chris stared at the sad, defeated look on Ezra's face and started toward the bed. "I don't know, but I think he needs a little help dealing with it."
Maude and Ezra both jumped when the angry gunslinger clamped his hand over hers and wrenched it away from Ezra's shirtfront.
Chris's steely gaze drilled into her as he placed his hand gently on the back of Ezra's head, stroking the soft hair in an effort to calm the younger man. "He said he didn't want you to do it. I think you look like you need a nice, hot cup of coffee... why don't you let Vin pour you a cup and sit yourself down at the table and drink it." He glanced down at Ezra and smiled sadly at the incredible look of gratitude that filled his face. "And turn your back... Ezra needs some privacy. We'll let you know when we're finished."
He waited until Maude had reluctantly moved away from the bed and allowed Vin to seat her at the table facing away from the bed, before he sat down beside Ezra and pulled the willing gambler into his arms.
Chris bent his head and whispered softly, "You okay, Ezra? Did she hurt you?"
Ezra shook his head, but remained silent as he clung tightly to Chris, tears of relief trickling slowly down his cheeks. The older man held him for a few minutes and then gently sat him back up. He stared into Ezra's eyes and could see that he just wasn't capable of explaining what had happened right at that moment. The fear she'd put in him was still burning too brightly.
"I don't know what she said to you, Ezra... but I know that whatever it was, it was a lie. You just keep reminding yourself that she can't do anything to you, and she can't take you away. No matter what she tells you... she can't. The Judge won't allow it, and more importantly... we won't allow it. You understand?"
Ezra nodded and reached up to scrub the tears from his face. "F'ank you, Chwis... I'm sowwy 'bout bein' a spoiwled brwat."
Chris frowned and shook his head slowly. "You're not a..." he stopped and glanced back at Maude. If looks could kill, she would have perished where she sat. He turned back to Ezra, pasting a smile on his face as he slowly finished unbuttoning the smaller man's nightshirt and gently lifted it over his head, careful to keep the blanket wrapped loosely around his waist.
"Don't you listen to her, Ezra. You've been a good little boy since you've been here, and we're proud of you for going through this so bravely. You just hang on a little bit longer and it'll all be over. Then you won't ever have to talk to her again if you don't want to." He slipped the clean gown over Ezra's head and buttoned it up tight before replacing the sling and strapping it back down. Ezra was just so happy to have Chris taking care of him and to hear his words of reassurance, that he didn't even complain when the restraint was put back on.
Chris hugged Ezra tight one last time and then cupping his face in his hands, leaned in to whisper fiercely, "You remember, Little One... you're ours now so you don't have to listen to anything she tells you. You got it?"
Ezra nodded and managed to give Chris a small, lop-sided grin. "I got it, Chwis."
Chris pressed a quick kiss on the Southerner's forehead before moving off the bed and reluctantly telling Maude she could return now. He felt himself shaking with anger as he quietly filled the others in on Ezra's condition and had to actively restrain Buck from going over to the bed. "He's alright, Buck... and she's right on the edge. Let's give it a little longer... we need her to crack. Right, Judge?"
Orrin stared regretfully over at the two on the bed and nodded. "It would help, yes. I can keep him in my protective care for awhile in hopes that his memory returns... but eventually, Delacourte would be able to force me to prove without a shadow of a doubt that she's unfit or relinquish my control over Ezra."
Buck ground his teeth together and shook off Chris's hand, but he remained where he was... his eyes never leaving Ezra.
Maude sat and stared coldly at Ezra. She could see that whatever Larabee had been whispering to him, it had given some of the confidence she'd worked to destroy back to him. Well, she could fix that... she knew just the threat to push him into returning with her.
"Alright, Ezra... I've grown tired of this little game your friends are playin'. We're goin' to end it now. I want you to tell them that you've changed your mind, and you wish to go with me. You are to convince them that you've realized how much you've missed me and that you want them to let you go home now." She watched as Ezra slowly shook his head, his eyes nervously darting over to stare at the men. "Oh yes, Ezra... you will do as I say... or your uncle Matthew will come and forcibly remove you from this clinic."
Maude enjoyed seeing Ezra jerk his gaze back to her... the fear quickly returning to his delicate features. She'd known just the mention of Matthew coming here would straighten his attitude up. Maude had worried a little at first when Ezra seemed afraid to stay with his uncle, but Matthew had assured her it was only because he was made to mind while he was there. And now she was glad he'd instilled that little bit of fear in Ezra, since it was obviously going to help her get him back. "Would you want to take the risk of one of your friends bein' hurt when they tried to stop him? It would be all your fault for not going with me in the first place if they were, you know."
Ezra's heart started pounding furiously at the thought of Uncle Matthew even touching one of his brothers. "No, Mama... pwease, don't..."
Maude nodded, knowing she'd won. "Then you better start acting like you love your dear mother and make them think you want to go with me. Now... come here and give me a nice big hug and put a smile on that sour face of yours."
Ezra allowed her to pull him into a hug and tried unsuccessfully to conjure up a smile. She held him for a moment and then sat him up, her hands retaining their tight hold on his arms as she nodded at him to make his announcement. He had just opened his mouth to speak the words she wanted when his eyes drifted across her shoulder and came to rest on the men who said they were now his brothers, who said they would take care of him forever, and he hesitated.
Buck saw the look on Ezra's face and knew he was in trouble again. He locked his eyes onto the younger man's and held his tear-filled gaze, trying to push as much confidence and strength into him as he could.
Ezra tried to remain firm in his resolve to save them from Uncle Matthew, but his own fear and his incredible need for this man who had captured his heart, held him back. He sensed what Buck was trying to do for him, but didn't know if he had the strength to fight anymore... until he saw Buck slowly mouth 'I love you, Little One.'
Maude felt the change immediately and tightened her hold on him. "Don't even think about it, Ezra... it's over." But she forgot it was a grown man she was attempting to restrain, not really a child, and she lost her grip on him when he quickly wrenched himself out of her arms.
Ezra sat back and pushed her hands away when she attempted to pull him back into the hug. "No, Mama... w'eave me a'wone! I don't wanna go wif you!"
"Now listen to me, Ezra Standish... that's enough." Maude's voice was low and harsh as she tried to force her son into bowing to her demands.
But Ezra had had enough... the stress of dealing with his mother, his illness, and his unrelenting fear of his uncle Matthew all crashed down on him. His face turned red with the anger that surged through him and his anguished cries echoed through the clinic as he finally broke. "I said w'eave me a'wone, Mama!!! I hate you... do you hearw me, Mama?! I hate you an' I'm stayin' herwe wif-"
That was all it took. The crack in Maude's self-control they'd been waiting for finally appeared as she lashed out and slapped Ezra across the face... the sickening sound of her hand striking his cheek hung in the air as everyone froze in shock.
Ezra's wide green eyes immediately filled with tears as his hand slowly moved up to cup his stinging face while he stared at her in total disbelief at what she'd done.
Maude's face mirrored his disbelieving look. As bad a mother as she was... the one thing she'd never ever done was struck him. She immediately reached for him and tried to rationalize her actions using her normal tactic of turning the blame on her son... stammering out that he shouldn't have pushed her... he shouldn't have said such hateful things to her. But before she could touch him, she heard a roar of anger and pain erupt behind her that chilled her to the bone. She leaped off the bed and turned, intent on trying to get to the door... but before she could take two steps, Buck was in front of her, blocking her exit... his hands clenching and unclenching as he fought against the rage that threatened to consume him.
Chris and Vin were jolted out of their trance by the inhuman cry that sprang from their friend's throat and belatedly grabbed for Buck as he launched himself at the woman still standing by the bed.
Chris saw him battling against the urge to kill her and walked slowly up behind him, placing a warning hand gently on his back. "Don't do it, Buck... don't sink to her level. If you touch her, you'll lose any chance you had of getting Ezra." Chris couldn't tell if he was getting through or not, but at least he knew the man was listening. "She'll win, Buck. For God's sake, don't let her win. Think of Ezra maybe spending the rest of his life with her... and his uncle Matthew."
Chris felt a slight shudder go through Buck's big frame at the mention of Ezra's uncle, and pushed on. "Don't do this to our Little One, Buck. He'll never survive if he witnesses you killing his mother. And no matter what she's done, she is still his mother. Don't do this to him, Buck." Chris heard him moan in frustration and knew he almost had him. "He needs you, Buck. Look at him... look at his eyes. If you don't stop now, he'll be lost to us forever."
Buck tore his eyes away from Maude and looked over at the man huddled in the center of the bed. The others surrounded him, but the gambler acted as if he didn't even know they were there. His eyes were glued on the scene being played out in front of him, but the older man could tell he was no longer actually seeing it... he had completely shut down to protect himself from what he feared was about to happen.
Buck stared at the younger man's incredibly pale face, his features slack and emotionless, his slender hand still pressed tightly to his slowly swelling cheek. And then Buck finally looked into Ezra's eyes... those beautiful green eyes usually so alive and vibrant that were now completely blank and lifeless... and he knew Chris was right. He wouldn't just be killing Maude... he would be killing Ezra... their Little One... their little brother who depended on them to protect and love him.
And then Chris pushed the final button, the one he knew would force Buck completely away from the mistake he was about to make. "It's not just Ezra you'll be hurting, Buck... think about JD. He looks up to you... you're his big brother, too... his hero. What'll happen to him if he sees you go through with this?"
Buck's eyes shifted to JD... sitting frozen beside Ezra... his dark eyes staring back at him, pleading for Buck to not destroy his faith in him. He trusted Buck to do what was right... to do everything he could to keep his new little brother safe. And now Buck knew without a shadow of a doubt that Chris was right. Sure, he'd have the satisfaction of paying Maude back for everything she'd done to Ezra... but he'd be losing the two most important people in his life in the process.
With that realization, Buck shook himself and finally managed to gain some control over his rage... his mind focusing on one thing only now. Ezra. He couldn't lose everything that mattered because of his hatred for the woman who stood trembling in front of him, waiting for him to break. Their Little One had become the most important thing in their lives and had taught them an invaluable lesson. He'd made them realize how much they all cared about each other, and he had even proven to them that it didn't really hurt if they allowed it to show occasionally. Buck knew he couldn't let that sweet soul who had done so much for them just slip away because of him.
With a gut-wrenching cry of disgust, he grabbed Maude and her things and with Chris's help, dragged her toward the door and out onto the landing. Chris quickly jerked Maude out of Buck's hands and pushed her toward the railing... out of the younger man's reach just in case he lost the tenuous hold he had on his anger.
The Judge followed quickly after them. Their plan had worked... too well, unfortunately... and he was determined to make sure that nothing happened now that would make Ezra's suffering all for nothing.
Chris and the Judge both kept a restraining arm on Buck. They could feel the tremors that rippled through him as he fought to hang onto his self-control.
Buck stared at Maude and saw a flash of fear cross her face before she replaced it with a cold mask of indifference. He shook his head and uttered a harsh laugh. "Don't worry, Maude... I'm not gonna touch ya. You heard Chris... that would be stoopin' to your level, an' I refuse to do that." He saw her relief that she wasn't going to come to any bodily harm and continued. "Oh, don't get me wrong... there's nothin' more in this world I'd rather do right now than to choke the very life out of you. But I won't, because... unlike you... I can control my anger. And also unlike you... I love Ezra too much to hurt 'im that way."
Maude, for once in her life, was speechless. MJ had been right... it had been a trap... and she'd let them and her son push her right into it. The realization that she may just have completely destroyed any chance she had of winning the battle for Ezra left her scrambling for a way to explain her actions, but she knew nothing she said right now would help her case, so instead she uncharacteristically kept her mouth shut.
"And now I think I've wasted enough time on your sorry ass so I'm goin' back inside to try an' repair the damage you just did to your son." Chris and the Judge moved aside so he could pass and waited til he'd closed the door behind him before turning back to Maude.
"What's it feel like to lose for a change, Maude?" Chris couldn't resist getting one little dig in at the cold, unfeeling woman.
She opened her mouth to reply but was stopped by the Judge. "Don't, Mrs. Standish... I've had enough for one day. Just leave. Because if you utter just one wrong word, I might just turn my back and allow Mr. Wilmington to do whatever he wishes to you."
Maude took one look at the Judge's face and realized he wasn't bluffing. She was a gambler and knew when it was time to fold... and now was definitely the time. She'd go back to the hotel, get some rest, and talk to MJ. Let them think they'd won for the moment... she knew better. She was far from finished. Nodding briefly at the two men... and mustering as much dignity as she could under the circumstances, Maude turned and walked away.