Friendship
The town had been quiet a few days. It was amazing how nervous the quietness made the seven men. All of them tried to hide their eagerness for something, anything, to happen to draw them away from their boredom.
Chris sat outside the saloon, drinking his coffee, every now and again glancing down the main street. The peacefulness of the town was enjoyable, to a point. A man who was suppose to chase away the bad element could feel out of place if there was no bad element to chase. He glanced up and saw Vin Tanner walking toward him. Ever since that first day in Four Corners, so many months ago, he and Vin had developed a friendship unlike any of the others. They never questioned each other, and they seemed to always know what the other was thinking, or was afraid to admit.
"Morning cowboy." Vin gave a teasing smile and sat down.
"Some day I may actually shoot you for that." Chris said, pouring Vin a cup of coffee.
"Just don't miss." Vin replied, taking a sip of the steaming coffee.
Chris smiled, and took another swallow from his cup. The two sat in silence, each throwing their own glances up and down the main road.
"Buck should be out in a bit, morning stage is coming through." Vin pointed at the rising dust coming from the south end of town.
"Maybe J.D'll beat him today." The two smiled at each other. J.D. and Buck would race each other downstairs to help any ladies off the stage. Usually though, Ezra beat them both. And it looked like he was about to do the same.
"What's he do, stay up all night?" Vin whispered, taking another sip of coffee.
Chris grinned. Ezra was standing outside the hotel, playing with his infamous deck of cards.
"J.D., it's just a stagecoach." They heard Buck's booming voice inside.
"But I got to make a good impression, in case there are any ladies on it." J.D. said, emerging from the saloon.
"You're both late." Chris answered, pointing at the stage, which had just stopped in front of the hotel, where Ezra stood.
"Damnation." J.D. squealed.
Buck just stood there, shaking his head. Chris just stared at the sight, gave a quick smile, before returning back to his morning cup of coffee.
"Seems you boys need to learn to get up earlier." Vin grinned, leaning his chair back against the wall.
"Looks like the lord left a few prayers unanswered this morning." Josiah came up the stairs, and leaned his back against a post.
"Not for Ezra." J.D. answered.
Chris stared at the boy for a moment. He had learned a lot since coming to town, but he still had more to learn. Like enjoying his youth while he could.
"Damnation." The sound of J.D.'s voice brought Chris out of his thoughts. He saw everyone looking at the stage. When he looked up, he felt his heart skip a beat.
Ezra thought she was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen. She was wearing a plain brown skirt, a simple white blouse, with a blue scarf thrown about her shoulders. Her long black hair was pulled back in a tight braid, though a few pieces had fallen around her face. And when Ezra looked into her green eyes, he was sure he knew what heaven was like.
"Would you like some help with your things Miss...?" the stage driver asked.
"That won't be necessary my dear friend, I do believe I can be of some assistance." Ezra flashed his gold tooth smile, and offered her his hand.
"Oh, why thank you Mr...?" she asked, accepting his hand.
"Standish, Ezra Standish. And your name, Mrs...?"
"Oh, Miss Josephine Shaw." She gently brushed away some of the dust off her skirt. "Now Mr. Standish, you wouldn't be helping me just because I'm a woman?" she raised an eyebrow.
Ezra looked shocked. "Absolutely not. I can assure you, I would be just has eager to lend my assistance to someone of the opposite persuasion."
"Why how sweet, because this gentleman," she pointed to an elderly man standing by the door of the stage, "needs help more than I do," and with that she picked up her bag, and began walking toward the hotel.
Chris saw the enthusiasm on Buck's face as he raced toward Josephine. It had been at least a year since the two had last seen each other.
"Jo!" he called out.
She turned, and cried out "Buck", running up to him, he swept her up in his arms.
"I can't believe it's you. What are you doing here?" Buck asked, still holding her hands.
"Perhaps introductions are in order first." Ezra suggested. Chris noticed that Nathan had finally appeared and was standing by the gambler. The two made fine compatriots and dangerous enemies. Not a good combination to get caught in the middle of.
"Of course Ezra you met, this here is Nathan Jackson, Miss Josephine Shaw."
"Pleasure Ma’am." Nathan shook her hand. She smiled and nodded her head.
Buck led her over to where the others were.
"This is Josiah Sanchez."
Josiah bent down and kissed her hand."A true gentleman." she whispered.
"God did make a few." he quipped.
"J.D. Dunne."
"It's an honor Ma’am." J.D. said, removing his hat."Close your mouth boy." Buck whispered as they walked to Vin and Chris.
"This here is Vin Tanner," Vin said 'Ma’am' and tipped his hat, "and you remember Chris." Buck went over to stand by Chris' side.
"I remember." she said.
Chris smiled as the flood of memories flowed through him. He teaching her how to shoot a gun, her teaching him to control his anger. Him holding her some nights while she cried, and other nights, she would hold him.
Chris stood up and reached out for her, wrapping his arms around her like he'd done so long ago.
"I miss you." she whispered.
He pulled back, all too aware of the stares from the others.
"Got your letter. What's the trouble?"
For the first time since getting off the stagecoach, her body grew tense and her face dark.
"Someone's trying to kill me," she answered, "And you too Chris."
Saloon
They had picked a table in the far corner of the saloon. Chris threw a quick glance at the other men, each wearing a curious look on his face.
"So who is attempting to cease your existence?" Ezra asked, neatly putting his deck of cards away.
"My former employer, name of Jake Stone." She looked at Chris.
"Why would Stone be trying to kill you?" Buck asked.
"Well ever since I quit the," she cleared her throat, "brothel, I guess it just made him mad. He used to say that no woman ever walked away from him" she tried to smile, but flashes of pain were all that could be seen.
"See, one night, about a year and half ago, Jake said I wasn't treating the customer's nice enough, so he sent four of his men to teach me a lesson in kindness." tears began to swell in her eyes.
Chris reached over and touched her hand. That was all the encouragement she needed to continue.
"Chris happened by and helped me out. Saved my life that night. Once I was well enough to ride, the three of us left town, and kept on riding," she nodded toward Buck, who smiled back.
"So," J.D. asked, "He wants Chris dead cause he helped you?"
"So it'd seem." Vin answered, leaning back in his chair.
"What do you want to do?" Nathan asked, getting up and walking to the bar.
"Well we got to find Stone, and a safe place for Jo." Chris said.
"What's this feller look like?" Vin asked, joining Nathan at the bar and leaning against it.
"Bout Chris' height, dark hair, nice clothes." Jo looked confused. "Why?"
Vin tipped his glass toward the window. "He just rode up with three men." he took a sip of the whiskey.
"Didn't waste any time." Josiah got up and moved to the next table. Ezra and J.D. followed, leaving Buck, Chris and Jo at the table. Jo wore a terrified look on her face. Buck offered her some reassurance. "We ain't gonna let him hurt you."
She tried to hide behind a smile, but they could see the fear in her eyes. The three of them stirred at the sound of the saloon doors swinging open. Three men, dusty from riding, went to the bar and ordered drinks.
The fourth man walked over to Chris' table. "Well, Buck Wilmington and Chris Larabee, you boys sure do get around." Jake Stone's voice was gravelly.
"And I see our darling Josephine came right to you." Jake pulled up a chair and sat down next to Chris. "To warn you, or something else?" he took off his hat, and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Leave her be." Buck warned.
Chris just sat in silence, looking at Jo, and watching as she tried to keep from shaking.
"Come now Larabee, surely the least you can do is say one word to me. After all you did to me." Jake was starting to grate on Chris' nerves.
Chris looked at him. "Leave." you could hear the anger in his voice.
Jake's eyes narrowed. "Before I go, tell me something, did you get Josephine to quit the business so you wouldn't have to pay for all those nights you had together?"
Josiah whispered to Ezra and J.D. "We'd best do something, Chris looks like he's about to tear out his throat."
Ezra nodded and J.D. said, "But what?"
"I believe I have a solution." Ezra said, throwing down his deck of cards and pulling his gun on J.D.
"I warned you boy," he yelled, "Stop cheating!"
J.D. wore a confused look on his face. "What are you talking about? I ain't cheatin’’."
"So now I'm broke and a liar." Ezra wasted no time in grabbing J.D.'s collar and throwing him into the table where Chris and the others sat.
J.D. slammed into the table, and Jo, Buck, Chris and Jake all jumped away from it as it fell to the floor.
"I ain't through with you yet." Ezra started walking toward J.D. when
Buck stepped in front of him. "Hold on Mister." Ezra narrowed his eyes at Buck, but stood still.
"Well seems you have other business to tend to." Jake tipped his hat,
"See you later." he looked at Josephine.After Jake and his men had gone, the small group stared at Ezra, as Nathan helped J.D. get up.
"What the hell was that for?" J.D. asked, holding his elbow where it had hit the table.
"I do apologize, but I was using you for a distraction." Ezra said, coming closer to make sure J.D. was alright.
"And here we thought you had just got tired of all his jokes." Nathan let out a small laugh, before turning serious again. "You two seemed shocked when he mentioned your," he hesitated a moment, "past relationship."
"We didn't think anyone knew." Jo whispered, still quite shaken by what had just happened.
"J.D., why don't you and Nathan follow Stone, find out where he and his men are camped." Chris suggested.
The two nodded, and left without another word.
"Now we need to get you someplace safe." Chris took Jo's arm and walked her outside.
"With all of you here, what's wrong with the hotel?" she asked.
"First place he'll look." Vin answered.
"Why not the church?" Josiah asked.
Chris nodded. "Vin, Josiah, you go with her, we'll be along later."
Vin offered his arm to Jo, and she gladly accepted. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe.
Chris eyed Buck and Ezra. "Something bothering you?" Ezra asked.
"What do we do? Even if we're the law, we can't arrest him for threatening us." They could hear the anger in Chris' voice.
"We need to wait for him to make a move." Buck suggested.
"Could take too long." Chris walked over and leaned against a post.
"I have a plan." Ezra grinned.
Buck laughed. "So long as it don't involve throwing J.D. around again."
"Let's hear it." Chris said.
Josiah walked in front, leading the way to the church that he'd been working so hard on to restore.
Jo noticed how he and Vin both kept glancing over their shoulders. Once inside the church, Jo felt her whole body relax.
"This place is nice." she whispered.
Josiah nodded to Vin. "I'm gonna go get the others, and make sure no one was watching."
Vin nodded in agreement. "C'mon." he grabbed Jo's hand, and led her to a back room in the church. A small table was in the center of the room, and there was a small bed in the corner. A few cupboards lined the walls, and there was a back door.
Vin sat down in one of the chairs at the table. Jo wandered around the place for a bit. She kept stealing glances at Vin, but he remained still.
Finally she said, "Your wanted poster doesn't do you justice Mr. Tanner."
Vin jerked his head up, and his steely blue eyes were filled with caution. "And how would you know that?" he seemed to ask this question very carefully.
"I was in Tuscosa a few months back. Saw the poster, just didn't know who it was till today." she smiled, "And in case you're interested, they have a new sheriff."
Vin grinned. "Is he as rotten as the last one?"
"Well lets just say I've known horses that think quicker on their feet than he does." she came and sat down next to him. "Thought knowing that might make it easier for you when you try to clear your name."
"Chris tell you I didn't do it?"
"No, I just assumed you didn't. Was I wrong?"
He looked at her for a long time. She had a haunted look in her eyes, a past filled with as many shadows as his own. Slowly he reached out and moved a strand of hair back away from her face. "Thanks for telling me," he whispered.
The Clarion Newspaper
Mary Travis looked up at the sound of the door to the Clarion opening.
When she looked up, she saw a well dressed man, who quickly removed his hat."Pardon me Ma’am, might I bother you for some information?" he politely asked.
"Why of course, Mr...?"
"Stone, Jacob Stone. Your Mrs. Travis, the owner of this establishment?"
"Yes that's right. What is it I can do for you Mr. Stone?"
"Well, a friend of mine was killed up around Bitter Creek. We know the killer was a woman, about your height, black hair, traveling light.
Have you seen anyone like that lately?" he asked.
Mary thought for a moment. "Well there was a young lady like that on the stagecoach this morning. I saw some men walking her to the church."
"Oh really. Well I do thank you for your time Ma’am." Jake said, tipping his hat as he put it back on.
Mary stood there for a moment. She decided that she had best go find Mr. Larabee, and ask him what was going on.
Church
"We're coming in." Chris yelled out.
Vin pulled his hand away from Jo's face, and placed it on his gun.
Chris came in, followed by Nathan.
"We got a plan. We're gonna ride out of town, and make Stone think your with us." he pointed at Jo, "So when he jumps us, we can take care of him."
"But you want me to stay?" she asked.
"Yep," Chris said. "Vin, you stay and watch her," he said, turning around and walking back out.
"Stay here." Vin said, following in Nathan's footsteps.
"Chris." Vin hollered. Chris turned and looked at him. "Why you want me to stay?"
Chris leaned close to Vin and whispered, "I trust you." he then strode over to his horse and mounted.
"Hey Ezra," Buck said, coming alongside the wagon, "You sure you don't want to dress up like Josephine? I mean you looked so pretty the last time." Everyone let out small chuckles.
"I will not dignify that with an answer." Ezra said, refusing to look at Buck.
"Hey Vin," J.D. came up behind him, "Here's a deck of cards, in case you get bored."
"Thanks." he answered, taking the cards.
"I'm sure you won't know what to do, without J.D. and his jokes." Buck teased.
"Buck, shut up." J.D. said mounting his horse.
"We'll try not to be gone to long." Chris said looking down at Vin.
"She'll be fine." he tipped his hat and walked back into the church.
Jo was still sitting at the table, and Vin saw that her hands were shaking. He shut the door and walked over to a cabinet in the corner.
"What are you looking for?" she asked.
Vin opened the door and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. He walked to the table and set the bottle down. He took his coat off and hung it on the back of the chair. Then he set down the deck of cards.
"Hmmm, whiskey and cards. You know how to show a girl a good time." Jo picked up the deck and started to shuffle.
"So, what do we play?" she asked, looking up at Vin, and noticing a man behind him. "Vin!" she cried, standing up. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her head, and the last thing she heard was a gunshot, then everything went black.
Chris looked at the small group. Ezra was driving the wagon, Chris rode on one side, while Buck rode on the other. Josiah, Nathan and J.D. all rode closely together at the rear. Chris let out a small sigh. He hoped this worked.
"Mr Larabee?" He recognized the voice of Mary Travis. "May I have a word with you?"
Chris looked at her and sternly replied, "No Ma’am, we got some business to take care of."
"Concerning that young woman?"
"That's right." For some reason, Chris was starting to get a bad feeling in his stomach. "Why?"
"Well, a man was in earlier today, and he asked if I knew where she was." Mary seemed to be holding something back.
"You didn't tell him, did you Mrs. Travis?" Nathan asked, riding up alongside Chris.
Mary looked at the ground and started to answer when they heard a gunshot.
"That sounded like it came from the church." Buck yelled.
Chris didn't even wait to see what the others were doing, he rode his horse to the church and ran inside. He ran into the small back room where he had left Vin and Jo.
Now the table was overturned and one of the chairs was broken. On the floor next to Vin's gun lay his hat. Chris ran to the back door, but saw no sign of anyone.
"They took them both?" Buck asked.
"Yep. Now we're gonna get them back." Chris went over and picked up Vin's gun. It would take longer to find them since Vin was the best tracker, and he was obviously unable to do it. "Let's ride!" he yelled, walking past the others. Chris mounted his horse and hoped his two friends would be okay.
Vin awoke with a start. "Oh." He winced as he felt the pain in his back from where the chair had hit him. He played it over in his mind, feeling like a damn fool for not noticing Stone's men. By the time he realized what was happening, one fellow had already knocked Jo out, and all Vin remembered was reaching for his gun and hearing it go off.
Now Vin opened his eyes, and saw that Jo was laying next to him, still unconscious. A certain smell caught his attention. He looked around and saw that the barn they were in was on fire.
"Jo." he went to her side and started to shake her. She had some blood on her neck and the sleeve of her dress was torn.
She started to move, and opened her eyes. "Vin?' she reached up and felt the back of her head.
"Come on. Barn's on fire." he said, helping her to her feet.
The two of them looked for the doors leading out of the barn and ran to them. Vin heard a loud crack and saw the beam falling. He grabbed Jo's waist and turned, pushing her and himself to the ground. Jo let out a scream, and Vin quickly looked around for another way out. Almost the entire bottom was now engulfed in flames. "There." he said, pointing toward the hay loft.Vin led Jo to the ladder. "It's burning!" she yelled over the roar of the fire.
"Best hurry then." he said, climbing up after her.
Flames climbed the walls, as Vin ran toward the doors of the loft. He tried to push them open with his hands, but he felt the hotness of the door."Stand back." he held up his hand, and Jo moved back some.
Vin could feel the sweat rolling down his face and he wiped off his forehead. Then he kicked the doors open.
"Come on."Jo ran to him. "That's a long way down." she whispered.
Vin nodded and moved closer to the edge. He saw movement below and threw himself on the ground taking Jo with him. They both heard the gun shot, and realized Stone was still outside.
Vin shook his head, gathering his thoughts amidst all the smoke and fire.
"Now what?" Jo coughed.
"We got two choices." Vin said. "We can get burnt or shot?"
Jo looked at him like he was crazy. She looked at the fire that was almost completely upon them. Then she nodded. "Shot."
The two stood up, and Jo wrapped her arm around Vin's. Then the two of them ran toward the open doors and jumped.
Vin felt the pain in his left shoulder before he even heard the gunshot. As he hit the ground, more pain shot up through his back. He heard Jo land next to him, and she let out a loud groan.
"Go," he grabbed her hand and started to run to the trees when he felt a sharp pain in his leg.
Vin stumbled and rolled a few times. Jo ran to him and asked where he was hit.
"My leg," he said, moving behind a log.
Jo touched his leg. "We won't last long without a gun." she said, as she tore off a piece of her skirt and began wrapping his leg.
"No you won't." The two looked up and saw the barrel of Jake Stone's gun.
"Finally decided to do your own dirty work?" Vin asked, pulling himself up between Jo and Stone.
"I was going to apologize for involving you in this sir," he pulled the hammer of his gun back, "but now I'm just going to enjoy it."
Vin reached back and took hold of Jo's hand. His eyes flinched when he heard the shots. It took Vin a second to realize that Stone hadn't fired. He looked up at Stone, saw the man's face twisted with pain. He fell to his knees and then Vin saw six men. Six men who had all fired their guns at the same time. He let out an exhausted sigh, and leaned back against Jo.
She smiled at him. Then she looked at the others. "Thank you." she whispered.
Nathan dismounted and ran to check on Vin. Chris got down and walked over to them. He wrapped his arm around Jo's shoulders and she leaned into him. He looked at Vin, then Nathan.
"He'll be fine, one shot in the leg and one in the arm. Both are scratches." Nathan said.
"Easy for you to say," Vin winced, "They ain't your scratches." he added roughly.
Chris smiled. "Let's get you home pard."
Vin nodded as Nathan helped him up.
A few days later
Vin sat in a chair in front of the saloon. He had his left leg propped up with the help of another chair. It had been a few days since the incident with Jake Stone, and Vin was anxious for his leg to heal. He hated the thought of not being able to run, just in case someone started chasing him.
He reached for his cup of coffee on the table and instantly regretted it. His right shoulder was still a little sore, so he had to be careful.
He heard the sound of spurs and a brief smile touched his lips. "Morning cowboy." he grinned, looking up at Chris.
Chris let out a sigh and shook his head. "How's the leg?" he asked, leaning against the post opposite Vin.
"Sore." Vin took a sip of his coffee.
"The shoulder?"
"Same." The two remained quiet for a few moments. Vin enjoyed Chris' company, even if there were no words spoken.
"Jo left this morning." Chris broke the silence.
Vin nodded. "Did she say where?"
"She said something about a friend in Tuscosa." Chris saw Vin flinch at the name. Vin saw Chris looking at him, and just nodded his head. Chris saw something else in Vin's eyes, though. He just wasn't sure what.
"She'll be back." he added.
"Maybe." Vin took another sip of coffee.
They both looked up when they heard footsteps coming toward them.
"Anybody seen J.D.?" Buck asked.
Chris and Vin smiled at one another. "Seems our young friend tried to stay up all night, so he could be the first one out for the stage." Chris explained.
"He beat Ezra?" Buck asked.
"Nope," Vin chimed in. "He started walking down the stairs in front ofthe hotel and passed out, pure exhaustion."
"And," Chris continued, "on the way down, he hit his head. So Nathan'staking a look at him now."
Buck tried to keep from laughing but it was no use. He started walking over to Nathan's laughing all the way.
Vin and Chris looked at each other. Vin gave a quick smile and Chris let out a small chuckle.
"Well now he knows how hard the west really is," Chris said.
"Just hard steps," Vin said, and the two laughed for a long time.
The End