Last of a Dying Breed

by Aldaj

Warning: Death of a canon character.

As the sun began to set slowly in the west, seven rough and tired men on horseback rode into Four Corners, the town they had called home for the past months. They rode in a line, one behind the other. For the people who lived in the town, a part of it looked odd, but only to those who had seem them ride together before. Strangers would not have noticed that Chris Larabee, the man that had always been in front, leading the others, was the last man. In his place in the front, was Vin Tanner, the bounty hunter.

Vin led the way through the crowded streets as people rushed home at the days end. The seven came to a halt in front of the boarding house and dismounted. Chris got off his horse with a little difficulty, grimacing as a bruised rib reminded him of the ordeal he had just been through. Tying his horse to the rail like the others, Chris nodded to the others, then turned and walked through the door of the boarding house and up to his room. He was exhausted, and all he wanted to do now was sleep. The six remaining men watched him disappear into the building silently. Buck turned and Nathan who was slowly walking up the steps to the building.

"Need a hand there, ole pard?"

Nathan smiled, "Thanks, Buck."

Buck put his hand on the small of Nathan's back for support and helped him up to his room, where the injured healer fell asleep quickly. The pain from the gunshot wound in his shoulder seemed to be lessening, and for that, the seven were all grateful.

Buck came back outside where the others were still waiting. Ezra nodded to Buck. "How's he doin?"

"Good. Fell asleep quick." Buck turned and crossed the street, followed by Ezra, JD, Josiah, and Vin. They entered the saloon and got comfortable at one of the tables in the back. Conversation was light, and a lot of gaps were filled with awkward silence. Something had happened in Jericho. The group of men were now a little more on-edge. Their leader had been in trouble, and it had proved to all of them that they were not as indestructible as they thought.

The five men now drank together in the saloon. It felt good to be home after the days they'd spent looking for Chris. Though it was not yet late in the evening, Buck emptied his glass and stood up.

"I'm gonna turn in." and with only nods from the others, he turned and walked out the swinging doors. As he walked towards the boarding house, he stopped and began walking down the other way. His mind was being overrun by thoughts, and there was no way he'd be able to sleep. Thinking about the events about the past weeks, he realized that he'd been scared he was going to lose Chris. They had been friends for a long time, and they'd been through a lot together. Although he never admitted it to anyone, when Nathan had found Chris' gun in the general store, he hadn't been mad that they'd been lied to, he'd been scared. The thought of Chris without his gun, defenseless had made him almost panic. Who knows what could have happened; a man like Chris Larabee had a lot of enemies from a lot of places. But they found him, even though he'd been through hell, they'd found him. But yet, it was not the same man.

During the long ride home from Jericho, Chris had been quiet. He had barely said two sentences. A deep feeling of pain was etched on his face, and it worried the others. Chris had always been quiet, but never that quiet. Maybe he's just tired. He'll be better tomorrow. Buck thought to himself. Realizing that he actually was getting a little tired, Buck turned and walked to the boarding house, moving down the hall to his room, he paused briefly by Chris' room and put his ear to the door. He was greeted with silence, and could tell that Chris was fast asleep. Smiling, Buck walked the rest of the way to his room, and closed his door for the night.

+ + + + + + +

Mary Travis looked up from her desk to see a man enter the newspaper shop. Her heart leaped into her throat, and she had to struggle to speak.

"Mr. Larabee! How lovely to see you. I see you're doing better." To her great surprise, Chris smiled.

"Yes ma'am. Thank you." Mary got up and handed Chris a paper, which he accepted with another smile. Mary, caught off-guard by his good mood, let a confused but happy smile cross her face, which just made Chris smile more. With a wink and a tip of his black hat, Chris walked towards the door. "Good day, ma'am." And with that, he was gone into the street. Before returning to her desk and back to work, Mary sighed and felt her racing heart began to slow. That man's smile… She thought to herself, shaking her head. goodness. With that, Mary left the newspaper office and headed over to the bank to make a deposit.

+ + + + + + +

Around 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the seven men were all in the saloon. Nathan had a sling over his right shoulder, but appeared to be in very little pain. The healer had a knack even for healing himself. Chris sat at a table with the six others, discussing the events that occurred in his absence, as few as there were. Chris smiled. He wasn't surprised. Word of the Seven gunmen who protected Four Corners had made more than a few outlaws keep riding past the town without stopping.

As the men sat and discussed things, Josiah couldn't help but notice something different about Chris. The gunslinger seemed extremely relaxed, and seemed almost…happy. That seemed odd though. A lesser man would have been completely devastated by the situation Chris had just gone through. Josiah just shook his head and smiled. No wonder so many followed him so easily.

Across the table, Buck was also thinking, but his thoughts were more in the sense that he thought Chris had gone insane. He had been smiling all morning, and showed no signs of the hell he'd just been through...but to the trained observer, pain was clearly visible behind the contentment in his green eyes. His mind must have finally snapped!

But Chris Larabee, whom everyone at the table was concerned about, was having thoughts of his own. His time in the Jericho prison had taught him more than one thing about life, and respect. When he had awoken that next day and felt Bucks hand telling him to rest, he had felt that he was a new man. The six men that he rode with had risked life and limb to save him. He knew then that the past would have to be put behind him, because right here, right now, he had 6 of the best friends a man could ask for, a job of sorts, and a reason to go on. He liked making sure others got what they deserved; be it punishment, or a chance.

As soon as the thoughts had come into his mind, they were gone. The seven were interrupted by a man storming into the saloon. They recognized him from the town and knew that he worked at the bank, although they did not know his name. The man searched the saloon until his frightened eyes fell upon the group of men that were 'the law'. Rushing over to them, he spoke hurriedly.

"You gotta come quick! The banks' getting held up!" The man was clearly shaken, and stepped aside as six rose from their chairs and quickly exited the saloon. Nathan stayed inside the saloon, but pulled out his gun and placed it on the table anyway, He knew with the wound in his shoulder, his aim would be no good. When the other six got to the street outside, Vin stopped Chris by putting a hand on his arm. Chris turned to face him.

"You should stay Chris, you're still too weak." Vin's voice was commanding, but yet filled with concern.

Chris smiled. "Vin," he said sarcastically, "I never knew you cared." Chris paused. "You know you need every man you can get. I'm fine. Come on." Without another word from Vin, he knew Chris was right, they joined the other four. As they paused briefly outside the door to the bank, Chris headed to the back quietly, while the rest went through the front door, all with guns drawn.

The robbers were taken by surprise as the doors to the bank burst open and six armed men stormed inside. One of the robbers turned and ran to the back and disappeared, but he wasn't followed. The six knew that was the sole reason Chris were guarding the back door, to make sure none got away.

"Give it up fella's." Vin's voice was anything but kind, and the six stood stiff, ready to take any action necessary. As the robbers realized slowly that they were caught, one that was holding a gun on a bank teller turned suddenly and grabbed a young lady off of the floor, wrapped his hand around her waist, and pointed a gun at her head.

Gasps escaped the lips of a few of the other residents in the bank, and also from JD. Mary Travis was being held hostage. The man spoke to the group.

"Yah all's better back off, if yah want this purty lady to live." The man waved the gun around Mary's head for emphasis, and she shut her eyes tight in fear. Buck and the others had to realize what to do, and quick. The robber was now heading slowly towards the door.

"Back off!! We're walkin outa 'ere!" The six gunmen, unsure of what else to do, slowly moved away from the door. The other robbers followed their apparent leader in making their way to the open passageway. Just as it looked as if they might get away, a single shotgun blast filled the afternoon air, startling the robbers, but not the gunmen. Mary reflexively dropped to her knees at the sound of the blast and out of the mans hold. The six opened fire. In a matter of what seemed like seconds, all four of the bank robbers were down, and they stayed down.

"Everybody okay?!" Buck yelled to the citizens in the bank.

People began to rise to their feet, and brush themselves off. Except for a few shaken ladies, and a baby crying in a mothers arms from the sound of the gunshots, everyone was fine.

"Mrs. Travis," Ezra asked, pulling Mary to her feet, "are you alright, ma'am?"

"Uh…yes. I am thanks to you gentlemen." She smiled weakly, and Vin tipped his hat to her, but before he could speak up, JD yelled from outside the bank.

"Nathan!!! Come quick!!!" the young man's voice was filled with fear. The others ran out with Nathan to the back of the bank. As they ran out into the sun, they saw Chris lying on the ground, covered in dust, and blood.

"Sweet Jesus." Buck muttered under his breath and quickly kneeled beside his best friend, who's eyes were closed. At the sound of Buck's voice, the stormy green eyes opened slowly, to show a pain that none of them had ever seen before. They looked up at the sky, but nothing else. Buck looked pleadingly over at Nathan who had knelt down on the other side of Chris. He hoped Nathan would tell them all it was not as bad as it looked.

"Damn." Nathan quickly saw that the shotgun blast that they had all heard had shot Chris directly in the abdomen. Blood was everywhere. JD had to turn his back, because the site was too much for him. Vin just stood over the gunfighter, saying nothing, but his mouth open in shock. Josiah crossed himself and said a quick prayer for Chris, knowing that things were not good. Ezra simply stood nearby, his jaw clenched tightly, fear in his eyes.

Nathan himself was in shock, but he pulled himself out of it and started giving orders, "Give me a hand! We've got to get him…" before he could finish, he felt a hand grip his arm. Looking down, he saw Chris looking at him with haunted eyes. The gunfighter slowly shook his head, silently telling Nathan 'no'.

"Chris please!" Now Buck begged. He didn't want to lose his friend. Chris painfully shifted his gaze until it rested on his young friend, and spat out "No."

Knowing that even if he were to get Chris to the clinic, Nathan would not be able to save the man, he reluctantly obliged. JD had now come to face Chris, and soon all six men were crouched around him. By now, towns people had also come looking still unsure of what had happened.

Unable to breath easily now, Chris coughed violently, blood coming out of the corner of his mouth. Once the fit ceased, his face was twisted in pain, but to the surprise of all, his eyes looked calm. With one final look to the others, and the faintest hint of a smile beginning to form on his lips, Chris Larabee let out his last breath.

Even after he had passed away, the six remained motionless, their heads bowed. Suddenly, startling the others, JD got up roughly. He had tears streaming down his face. Walking away, he pushed his way past the growing crowd, not bothering to stop or even slow the show of emotion. By JD rushing past them, and the site of the others still kneeling by Chris Larabee, everyone knew what had happened. Hands went to mouths in shock, and tears escaped eyes. The street was absolutely silent. Not a thing moved but dust and time.

After a few more minutes, Buck Wilmington lifted the light frame of Chris into his arms, and began walking towards the undertaker. The scoundrel was followed by the others, walking on both sides of him. The pool of people parted as they passed, some crossing themselves as they saw the body, some just bowing their heads. Inside the newspaper office, where Mary was getting a cold towel for the bump on her head, she looked out her window in just enough time to see the procession. Collapsing on the floor in a wail, she sobbed uncontrollably.

+ + + + + + +

The dreary clouds hung low over the plains as a light mist fell. Away from the deep forest, in the clearing eight people stood, near a freshly covered grave. At the old Larabee place, next to two old graves, a new one had just been completed. Everything about the crosses was identical, that they had taken care of. But one aspect was different, and could not be fixed: The handwriting on the new grave was different.

The six riders that were burying their friend were not alone. Judge Travis stood with his arm around his daughter in-law, as they watched the burial. Mary's shoulders were shaking as she sobbed. Judge Travis had come willingly and quickly when he heard of Chris' death. HE had not known the man well, not too many did, but he knew enough about Chris to know he was a great man.

Mary pulled away from her father in-law and approached the grave slowly. Reaching out, she placed a folded piece of paper on the dirt; a letter from Billy. Mary had not told Billy what happened, and she would not yet, but Billy did know that Chris had left Four Corners. This made him sad, so he asked his mother if there was still time to write Chris a letter, and he did. She didn't read it, and now it lay unopened and how it would remain until the wind carried it away.

Josiah, who is standing in the front, gives a eulogy to his dear friend and colleague as the rest stare at their feet. When Josiah finished, he crossed himself, and let a single tear fall down his hard face. He knew that Chris was going to go to a better place, no matter how many bad deeds the man may have done, he saved more souls than the preacher himself.

Ezra Standish stood with his hat in his hands. Looking at the ground, he felt nothing but sorrow. Their leader was gone, and now they would all have to go on without his courage. But he had no doubt they would. They had all learned so much from him. Ezra had finally found a place that felt like home, although part of that feeling was now gone. The thought of moving didn't cross the gamblers mind. Not once.

JD Dunne stared at the ground where they had just covered the coffin. It all seemed unreal. Chris had been a mentor to JD, actually, he was more like a hero. The man may have tried to keep him far, but JD knew that the gunslinger had always cared for him. He knew it ever since Chris took time to ask him if he was alright after their first battle together, and that show of concern in the steeled green eyes was something that JD would never forget.

Nathan Jackson kept his head bowed as his own thoughts of the man flowed back to him. If it were not for Chris and Vin, Nathan would have died a long time ago by the lynch the two saved him from. Chris had come to the rescue without even knowing Nathan's name. At the time, it seemed odd to Nathan, but he didn't know that now, it was something even Nathan did constantly, and never questioned it. Chris had, to put it simply, made them all better men.

After the last of the dirt was placed on the grave, Vin Tanner looked over at the hills. They seemed so far away in the mist. The two men had begun to have a great relationship, which had begun when the two strangers came together without a word to save another stranger. Vin was glad they had a chance to become friends. His thoughts were pulled back when he realized that now he would have to become leader of the six, not seven. Although he was up to the task, he knew that no matter the number of years, or no matter what people said, he would never be able to hold a candle to Chris Larabee.

Silently, Ezra, Vin, Josiah, Nathan, JD, mounted their horses. JD wiped away a tear that had fallen when he'd lifted his head, not caring if the others saw. Judge and Mary boarded their horses, and with a tearful nod, rode off. The five followed until they got to the tree line, where they paused and looked back.

Buck Wilmington cleared his throat, wanting to say something one last time to his friend, but nothing came out. Biting his lip, Buck bowed his head so that his chin almost touched his chest. There he stood motionless for minutes, until he finally lifted his head. The movement caused two tears to roll down his cheeks, which he brushed away. His mind flooded with memories of all the times that he and Chris had shared. From the first time they'd met, to the last time they'd actually smiled. Smiled. Buck thought. At least you were doin a lot more of that lately, ole pard.

Buck, walking over, leaned down and lightly kissed the top of Sarah's grave. She had been one of the greatest ladies Buck had ever known, and they had been as close as kin. Next, he looked over at Adam's grave. The young boy had always wanted to be like his dad. Adam would be proud now. Slowly, he once again turned his attention to his best friends grave. Without a word, he said good-bye to the brave gunfighter, not wanting to be overcome once more with emotion. With a sigh, Buck walked over to his horse, mounted, and with one look back, rode to join the others, who were still waiting patiently, but silently at the tree line. With only a nod to them, Buck spoke, "Let's go."

The words came out in a choked voice, clearly from crying, but none noticed, nor did Buck attempt to hide it. The six men rode off, back to Four Corners. All six of them leaving behind a man to be respected, and always would be. But for Buck, it was something more. He was leaving behind family. The three people had considered him of the same blood, and in a way, he was. In his heart, he was happy that they were all together. The wish that had Chris Larabee had wished for every night since they're death had finally come true: Chris was with his family again.

The End