Part III: It Takes a Town...

Vin still wasn't sure what had prompted him to offer that spontaneous invitation to Nathan, to join him on his trek to Eagle Bend to wire money to Judge Henry. He hadn't told anyone besides Chris and Buck about his trouble with the judge, though he'd mentioned that the monthly trips were to take care of an obligation. Wasn't like Vin to suddenly crave company, and he wondered if the trouble in town, and the way it'd brought so many of them closer, was changing him somehow.

Whether that was the case or not, Vin wasn't sorry he'd asked. It'd been a pretty ride to the other town, and Vin had gotten his business taken care of quickly, leaving the two of them alternating between light conversation and companionable silence as they headed back.

About an hour into the ride back to Four Corners, Vin finally got curious. "Mind if I ask what's puffin' out your saddle bags?"

Nathan looked over at him with a grin. "Was wonderin' how long you'd be able to hold out."

"After all this time, Buck is rubbing off on me," Vin said, a sheepish grin of his own.

Nathan chuckled softly. "Got a couple new dresses for Rain. Things to wear out, for Sundays, picnics and such."

Vin nodded. He could understand Nathan's desire to do little things to remind himself-- and Rain-- that she had something outside of her work at Buck's. Vin had learned early on of Nathan and Rain's relationship, and he felt for them. He knew what it was like to have to do that kinda work for a living and then have to console someone you love for it. But just as Vin and Chris had managed moments of peace and contentment, so it seemed Nathan and Rain did, too. Vin was happy for them. It also occurred to Vin at that moment that maybe this was the reason for the impromptu invitation; maybe in some ways, he wanted to spend some time with another who truly understood both the bad things and the good in his life.

Vin's thoughts, and the peaceful ride, were interrupted by the heavy, loud clump of approaching horses-- a lot of them-- on the other side of the ridge they'd just descended. Vin looked to Nathan and jerked his head to the cluster of trees to the right of the trail. They reined in quickly, managing to be hidden before the other riders reached the crest of the ridge where they would see the trail below.

Vin watched as the six riders thundered past, and soothed an agitated Peso's neck with one hand while keeping a tight rein on him with the other. When they were far enough down the trail that they wouldn't hear Nathan or Vin, Vin edged his horse closer to Nathan's.

"Them saddle bags were stuffed pretty full," Vin said casually.

Nathan gave a considered nod. "And I don't think they'd be runnin' so hard if they was full of ladies' dresses."

"I was thinking the same thing," Vin replied, leaning his elbow on his saddle horn.

"And did you see what that big fella with the bushy beard was riding?" Nathan asked, looking ahead at the cloud of trail dust behind the men.

"Sheriff's horse, wasn't it?" Vin asked, by way of reply.

Nathan nodded, and sighed hard. "We going after 'em?"

Vin inclined his head a little. "Reckon so. Don't like shootin' in the back, so let's aim for shoulders, arms and legs... and stuffed-full saddle bags," Vin said, feeling his grin widening with anticipation.

Nathan agreed, with a matching smile and a tip of his hat.

A second later, Vin moved Peso back onto the trail, let out a yelp, and they were off. Herd instinct came in real handy, Vin decided, feeling the power of his horse's stride, his determination to reach the horses ahead.

The group ahead didn't hear them until Vin fired his first shot, nicking the shoulder of one of the men, sending him flying into the brush beside the trail. Wasn't much those fellas could do about him and Nathan, though, it being tough to shoot behind yourself when at a full gallop. Vin shot again quickly, getting another in the foot as his legs flung outward then inward again to kick his horse into running faster; that fella hollered in pain and slumped forward before reining his horse off the side of the trail, probably deciding to split up from the rest of the group. That fella's horse took a tumble though, and the man went sailing into some shrub. He wouldn't be getting up too quick. Nathan got one, missed a shot, then got another. In the meantime, Vin blew a bullet into two saddle bags, and money flew around in a paper cloud that mixed with the road dust.

That left two unwounded. Nathan's shots missed, but Vin's didn't; with one, he got another hit in the shoulder, but with the other guy he was off by a hair, and Vin did end up getting him in the back.

Shame, Vin thought, but didn't take it too hard. If the fella hadn't tried to veer off the trail when he did, he'd only have been wounded, like the others. With the horses and injured men scattered, along with the shower of money from the Eagle Bend bank, Vin and Nathan circled around, watching to see if any of them would come up from their injuries shooting.

"Shouldn't be long before the sheriff and his men get here. If'n he found himself another horse right quick," Vin added with a smirk as they rode back along the trail, surveying the writhing, cursing bank robbers.

Nathan's own smirk hardened, but before Vin could ask what was wrong, Nathan's arm was a blur in front of him, and a glint of metal whizzing by was all that Vin could really make out. Vin looked behind him to see one of the robbers falling to his knees, Nathan's knife buried in his arm. As he fell forward onto his face, Vin saw the crimson stain on his shoulder. They'd have to be more careful of the other wounded, Vin thought.

He spared a quick nod in Nathan's direction before he went back to scanning the countryside, keeping his eyes open for any of the others who might get bright ideas. "Much obliged, Nathan."

"I'm better with those things than the damn pistols anyway."

Vin chuckled, but didn't take his eyes off his side of the trail. He was relieved to hear another round of pounding hooves coming over the ridge, knowing it'd be Eagle Bend's sheriff and two deputies. As they got closer, Vin pulled his bandanna from around his neck, waving it in the air to keep himself and Nathan from getting shot before the man recognized them.

The sheriff and his men approached with guns raised, but lowered them once he and Nathan were recognized. Both he and Nathan had been in Eagle Bend enough that it didn't take but a glance. "One that got your horse is dead. Sorry about that," Vin called.

"Me too," the man answered, close enough not to holler too loud. "I'd like to have seen it."

"We'll help gather up the others, get 'em tied to the horses, if'n you'd like a hand," Vin offered.

"Hell, yeah, I'll take a hand, since you're offering. My boys aren't gonna have such a good time picking up all that money flying around," the sheriff replied, though Vin could see he was on the way to being amused.

A grin of pure wickedness was working its way onto Vin's mouth, too. "Didn't think of that before. Just wanted to see how plum fired up these fellas would get, seeing the money blowin' away."

The laughter Vin sensed was coming finally arrived. "You two sure pick funny ways of amusing yourselves... but you're welcome to do it in my town anytime," the sheriff added.

Vin tipped his hat in thanks.

"Oh," the sheriff added, turning back from watching his men gather up dusty bills. "Might need you to come back and testify, when it's time."

"Wire us in Four Corners, care of Chris Larabee. He'll let us know," Vin said.

"Will do. Thanks, boys."

Vin nodded, then looked to Nathan, who did the same.

Took them a while to get the men secured, and when it was done, he and Nathan were more than ready to head home.

"So much for that peaceful ride home," Nathan said, sounding exhausted.

"Yep. Ain't much looking forward to that trial, I got to say. Don't like the idea of my name being in official court records."

"This obligation of yours got something to do with that?" Nathan asked, looking at him curiously, but casually.

"Obligation's to a judge I'd rather not have pokin into my business," Vin answered.

Nathan just nodded. "Since that wire'll be coming to Chris, maybe you'll happen to be out of town for something."

Vin glanced over quickly. "Maybe. Don't want to put him in a bad spot, though."

Nathan snorted, just a little. "I think he can handle it."

Vin didn't say anything for a while, and neither did Nathan. Seemed they were at an impasse now, both curious about the others' situation, and neither willing to press.

After a while, Vin sighed in frustration. "Judge Henry's his name. He's sorta blackmailing me," Vin finally blurted.

Nathan just gave a quick nod. "Huh. That so?"

"Yep," Vin replied. They rode on a little longer, more silence stretching between them and ahead.

A while later, Nathan cleared his throat. "Chris was a steady customer of Rain's, before he realized she's my girl. Buck tried to patch things up, but it only made it worse. Things been kinda tense between me and Chris since then."

Vin swallowed his shock at that. He finally looked over at Nathan, but was pretty much still at a loss. "Huh. That so?"

"Yep," Nathan answered, and didn't say a thing more.

A minute later, they both broke out into chuckles.

"Strange times we're livin' in, Nathan."

Nathan shook his head, half-amused. "Ain't that the truth."

The silence that hung over them the rest of the ride back was much more calm and relaxed. Almost like the ones that took up the ride out to Eagle Bend earlier in the day.

+ + + + + + +

Buck lined up the cans again, hanging them on several prickly, thick branches of the brush scattered throughout the landscape, then wiped sweat from his brow with a dusty forearm. It was pretty hot out there in the open desert, with nothing for shade. Hell, nothing grew past the knees in this part of the valley, so the sun beat down on anything under it, living or dead. But even though Buck couldn't deny being devil-may-care at times, he wasn't stupid, either. With JD being so green with guns, there wasn't going to be any taking chances. Hell only knew what-- or who-- the boy might hit his first few tries. Best keep the targets and innocents limited.

JD didn't look any better off in the heat than Buck felt, but the kid was too focused on what he was doing to realize it just yet. Buck had gone through the paces with JD on cleaning and caring for his guns, so only now did Buck agree to actually teach him to shoot.

Even Vin had agreed eventually that JD should at least know how to use the dang things, even if they weren't going to let him carry them around yet. The last few weeks since the wagon train had pulled out, taking its troubles with them, had only seen more and more trouble creep into their little town. What with word of the railroad coming soon and the ranchers getting greedy, Four Corners had seen its share of dust-ups. Chris had sure been a busy man, Buck thought.

Jail had been fuller than Buck had ever seen it, too. So when Chris hadn't been wrangling these rabble-rousers, he'd been sitting in that jail watching them until they could be transported to Santa Fe for trial by the territory judge. Chris was lucky Travis hadn't decided to hold any of the trials right there in town. All he needed was having to deal with that mess on top of the rest of it.

But with all the stirring up in town lately, the issue of whether or not to teach JD how to handle a gun became more important. The boy was prone to jumping in to defend the people who'd become family to him, and it seemed nothing could get through his thick young head. Not even the switch Vin'd pulled from the tree out back and threatened to use on JD's backside. JD had half-laughed later that Vin would never actually try anything like that, and so Buck had quietly told him that if Vin wouldn't, next time he would. Still, next time was likely to be right around the corner, with the way things were going, and so Buck felt that at the very least, JD needed to know what he was doing with a gun in case it became necessary. So with Vin's blessing, Buck had brought JD out into the miserable heat to start his practice on things that wouldn't be shooting back.

"You're doing great, kid," Buck told him when got back to JD.

"I still missed a couple that time," JD said, face scrunched in disappointment.

Buck slapped him on the shoulder, sending a little dust flying. "Well hell, you're just startin' out. With a little time, and practice, you'll be hitting every single one, in half the time."

JD looked up at him, the hope in his eyes bright. "You really think, Buck?"

Buck gave him a confident nod. "I sure do. Now try it one more time, and then let's get the hell back to town and out of this sun."

JD took his stance, just like Buck taught him, aimed at the first can in the uneven row, then fired. He got five and missed only one. "See? See? I told ya, your first day out, and look at that!" Buck gushed and patted JD's back enthusiastically.

JD's mouth hung open for a while, as he looked at the scattered cans. "I might actually get good at this!" he finally said.

Buck laughed, shaking his head. "I knew it. Now let's get going. You've earned yourself a beer for this!"

JD puffed his chest a little bit. "Really?"

"Just one, now, ya hear?"

"Oh, I hear," JD answered him, obviously trying not to grin so big.

They rode back to town at a leisurely pace, Buck on his big gray mare and JD on the husky little stock horse Buck usually used for the wagon. JD had proved to be a pretty good rider, but with his money lost before he got to town, he couldn't afford a decent horse of his own yet. He didn't complain, though, always seeming happy enough to get to ride at all. Still, Buck hoped the kid would learn to be good with his money so he could save what he needed for a good quality mount.

As they got closer to town, Buck heard the too familiar sounds of gunfire. "Aw, hell. JD, when we get there, you stay outta sight. I mean it, now!"

"All right, I hear ya," JD said, grumbling a little.

They urged the horses into a gallop, not slowing till they reached the top of the main street, where Buck pulled them up so he could get an idea of what was going on without running up into the middle of it and getting him and JD shot.

Looked like the street was mostly cleared, except for the gunslingers on either side of the boardwalk firing at whoever was behind the overturned wagon right in the middle of the road. A black hat poked up from the wagon, just enough for Buck to recognize it. Chris, of course.

"Get yourself in that alley, JD, and don't you come out till I tell ya it's clear."

JD nodded at him, but Buck could see the fear in his eyes, and he just hoped that this time JD could control it the way Buck had tried to tell him.

Buck slid off the saddle and gave the reins to JD, who turned it and the stock horse into the alley to get out of the way. Edging back to the street, Buck stayed close to the shops and crept closer to the gunmen aiming at his friend. Another hat popped up from behind the wagon, this one brown and floppy, and obviously Vin. Buck bit back a curse. Figured. If there was trouble, those two would be its target more times than not.

Buck glanced around and counted five different men aiming at Vin and Chris. His friends were not in a good position to fire back with any accuracy, that much was obvious. Only the men who ventured closer to the sides of the wagon were likely to get hit, and these men were being cautious about it. Buck knew he'd have to take out a couple of the men closest to him, draw the others' fire toward him, so that Vin and Chris could have a chance to get a good aim at the rest.

Buck took one deep breath, pointed toward the first man he set his sights on, the one on his side of the street, then fired. Got him in the shoulder, just where he'd wanted, and just as he'd known, a couple of the other men whipped around and returned fire. Buck ducked behind the water trough, peering around it quickly to make sure he knew where everyone was. Vin and Chris now had more time to make their shots, and it was mere seconds before three of the men were down.

When Buck peeked over the trough again, he saw only one man left, and he was at the trough on the opposite side of the street. Where the hell was that last gunslinger?

A single gunshot and a wrenching scream a split second later from behind Vin and Chris, drew Buck's attention in that direction. He couldn't stand straight enough to see just yet, so he kept firing on the one man across the street. Three shots later, one from him and two from Vin's rifle, that man fell face first into the trough, and Buck was out of his crouch right then and dashing toward the wagon.

When he got around the other side of it, he saw the last gunman writhing in the dirt, groaning in pain. Chris and Vin stood over him, guns pointed at his body. Movement a little further beyond caught Buck's eye, and he looked up to see JD, walking towards them with his gun hanging limply from his fingers, and an expression of horror on his face.

Damn kid had snuck around behind the wagon! Must've taken the alleys, Buck realized. He was torn between wanting to strangle the boy and wanting to wrap him in a bear hug. As Buck finally reached Vin, Chris and the gunslinger, he realized Vin and Chris were laughing.

"Hell of a shot, JD," Chris said, "Got him right in the ass!"

"You get to try the switch this time, Bucklin," Vin chuckled. "I cain't very well whip his butt after he done saved mine."

JD got to the group of them at last, and looking closer, Buck could see how genuinely shaken JD was. "JD? Son? You all right?"

JD looked up at him, chest heaving as he fought for breath. "You... you told me never shoot no one in the back. I didn't know what else to do, so I just... I aimed for his leg."

Chris grinned. "I guess the kick on that gun brought your shot up a little."

Buck clenched his jaw, his heart still pounding knowing JD had put himself in the middle of trouble, again. But he was also proud of the way JD had handled himself, and didn't want to scare him. "JD, I told you to stay in the alley."

"I did... mostly. When I got this far up, I saw that fella running through the back of the stores to sneak around behind Vin and Chris."

Buck took the gun from JD's hand and tucked into his belt, then let out a long breath. "Boy, we are gonna have to have a long talk when we get home."

JD gulped and nodded, and Vin and Chris pulled the prisoner to his feet.

"Damn kid shot me in the rump!" the man whined.

"You're his first movin' target," Vin said. "Congratulations, mister."

Chris' laughter broke out anew as he yanked a little harder on the man's arm, tugging him toward the jail.

"You gonna get him back to the house?" Vin turned back and asked.

"As soon as we gather up the horses," Buck said. Vin nodded then turned back to Chris and the prisoner, going with them to the jail.

"Come on, then," Buck said rubbed his hand over JD's head. "Don't forget that ugly thing you call a hat," he added pointing to the boardwalk where it lay.

"Mary, when I hire someone, it'll be a man I pick myself, and that's that!" Chris said, again trying to get through to the woman that he couldn't trust anyone the judge sent. The judge was just getting too much pressure from the railroad company and the bigger ranchers. Wasn't his fault, it was just the way things were. If Chris was going to hire help, it'd have to be help he knew and trusted. Buck didn't envy Chris being in that position, but he knew Chris could handle it.

Buck kept his mouth shut while Mary huffed a little and paced the front office of the jail. She wanted to help, Buck knew that, but there was things she just didn't understand, no matter how many ways Chris explained it. Mary was a smart woman, but there were things a person had to have first-hand experience with to really appreciate.

Vin stayed pretty quiet too, Buck noticed, leaning back in one of the chairs in the office, rifle in his lap. There was still some tension between Vin and Mary, Four Corners being a small town and Mary having realized pretty quickly that Chris spending so much time with Vin was more than just a novelty. But some of the trouble over the last weeks had happened right in Mary's rooming house, and Vin had been there, helping Chris a couple different times to get things under control. Not to mention the extra care Vin had taken to keep an eye on Mary's place when that crazy Pinkerton was in town, looking for a victim. Mary might've been a tad or more jealous, but she apparently respected Vin and was grateful to him despite that.

Mary took a long breath, obviously preparing to try again. "So how long do you think it'll be before you find someone you know and trust?" she asked.

Buck cleared his throat to take that question. "Chris already knows people he could trust. Problem is that these aren't the kind of people who can officially be on the payroll, Mary."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "And you would have these kinds of people protecting this town in an official capacity?"

"These kinds?" Vin said, his first words in a long while.

Mary turned an uppity look at Vin. "I assume Buck is referring to people who live outside of the law?"

"Matter of fact, yes," Chris answered. "And that label applies to a lot of people in this town, if you remember."

Mary flushed at that, realizing that Chris was putting her in her place, albeit subtly. "I see what you mean," she finally replied and smoothed the front of her dress.

"Anybody who's officially sworn in would have to have their name on record, and to be a full time deputy, you have to be sworn in. The men I trust couldn't do that. There are a lot of reasons for it, Mary. Some people just don't need that kind of attention, and some people would flat out be refused, right or wrong," Chris explained.

Mary paced in a small circle, hands steepled as she thought. Then she looked over at Chris, her face drawn in contemplation. "So why not pay for help on a part time basis? If you can get a budget from the territory, and you can pay for hired guns, each man only part time, you won't have to officially put any of them on the payroll, will you?"

Buck's eyebrows both shot up. He cocked his head toward Chris. "Is she right? Can you do that?"

A grin slowly moved across Chris' face. "I believe I can."

Mary smiled, too. "I'll go and send a wire to Oren, and ask him to get your budget set up. All right?"

Chris nodded. "Thank you, Mary."

"You're welcome. Evening, gentlemen," she said, and marched out the door.

"Oren?" Vin asked, confused, and tossed back a shot of whiskey sitting on Chris' desk.

Chris snickered. "Oren Travis. Territory Judge, Oren Travis. Mary's father-in-law."

Vin choked, and Buck rushed over to slap his back, laughing. Once Vin was breathing again, and looking back and forth from Chris to him, Buck answered his unspoken questions. "Oren's boy, Steven, was a regular at my place. He only saw Mary, never anyone else. He finally married her when their boy was about a year old... at least, we're all pretty sure the boy is his..."

"Buck," Chris interrupted. He always had been a little uncomfortable with Buck retelling people's past.

"Hell, Chris, he's been here months now. I'm surprised he hasn't heard any of this already."

Buck looked back at Vin to go on, despite Chris' crabbing, but stopped at the pained look on Vin's face. Oh, hell. Buck realized then that Vin was wondering if Mary's boy could be Chris'. He'd have to fix that.

"Anyway," Buck continued, "Chris here, he missed most of this, 'cause he'd done left and married Sarah long before Steven started coming around."

Buck caught the relieved glances between Chris and Vin, and knew things had been smoothed over.

Chris looked up at Buck, then at Vin again. "Steven was killed before they'd even been married a whole year. Nobody ever knew who did it. But at least he left her with enough money to open the rooming house. She's worked hard to make a decent life for herself and her son. She wants this town to be safe enough to bring the boy back here, to live with her. No matter what else I think of her, I respect her for that for that," Chris said, and swiped Vin's shot glass to pour a drink for himself.

"So, Chris," Buck said, ready for a well-timed change of subject. "If you get this money for hired guns, you know you got Vin and me, right?"

He looked to Vin, who jumped in right away. "Like he said, you know you got the two of us. Hell, we been doing it anyway, might as well take in a little money for it," he said with a grin.

"That'll help, boys, thanks," Chris answered, and tossed back his shot.

"Now, I guess we just have to wait for Judge Travis to let you know what kind of money he can give ya, so you know how much more help you can get," Vin said.

"I imagine I'll hear something in a few days," Chris replied.

Vin stood and stretched his back a little. "Well, I best be gettin' back to the house. Likely to be a busy night."

"In more ways than one, the ways things have been lately," Buck said as Vin reached for the door.

"Watch your back, Vin," Chris called out as Vin walked through the door. Vin turned for a short nod before closing it behind him.

"I hope Travis pulls through for us," Chris said once Vin was gone, reaching again for the bottle.

"You and me, both," Buck answered, thinking of grabbing that bottle himself.

Chris was more than just surprised when Oren Travis stepped off of the stage four days later. He wasn't sure yet if it was a good surprise, or a bad one. He knew it meant that Travis was taking the troubles in the area seriously, though. Chris couldn't help but hope that it was a good sign.

He stood back, leaning on the the hitching post in front of the jail, as Travis took his bag from the driver, while little Billy Travis ran to his mother. Watching Mary sweep the boy into her arms reminded him that, true to his words days earlier, there were times that he very much respected the woman. Chris just hoped that Oren could manage to keep her in the house and busy with Billy while they talked business.

Travis didn't waste any time, Chris realized, when an hour later the man walked through the door at the jail and sat in the chair across from him. "So, you need a budget for temporary help, do ya?"

Chris grinned. "Good to see you, too, Judge."

Travis snickered a little. "I know, I've heard it's been pretty wild around here lately."

"It woulda been wilder, without the help I been getting."

"So you definitely have good men to back you up?" Travis asked, looking a tad skeptical.

Chris' grin returned, sly this time. "They're good, but they're not exactly... traditional."

Travis barked a short laugh. "This is coming from you?"

Chris could see how Oren would be amused. Traditional was not something people would call Chris Larabee these days, either. Hell, he damn near refused the job. Had refused several times before, until he finally decided he'd rather wear the badge himself than have to put up with another donkey's behind wearing it.

"Well, I'd like to know who exactly these untraditional men are, Chris, before I get this budget established for them."

Chris took a deep breath to ready himself for plunging in. "Well, Buck's ready to join in."

Travis shook his head, grinning again, but unsurprisingly, he agreed. He'd always liked Buck. "The man has a good heart, and an almost decent sense of right and wrong. He'll do fine."

"I've got Josiah and Nathan, too," Chris added.

Travis looked to the ceiling, considering. "You're right in that Nathan wouldn't be accepted as a fully sworn deputy. But as hired help? He's a good man. Josiah, though... good man, sure, but is he... reliable?"

Chris gave a soft snort. "Says he's reliable part time, 'cause he's sane part time." Travis gave another laugh at that, before Chris went on. "He's more interested in his church, honestly. Says that's his calling, but he's ready to strap on his guns for the town when we need him."

Travis nodded. "Sounds like it's for the best. Okay, who else?"

Chris sat back, trying to fight his biggest grin yet. "Ezra Standish."

"That little weasel?" Travis sputtered.

Chris laughed outright. "Who better to understand the weasels looking to make trouble here?"

Travis shook his head, looking boggled. "I suppose you're right. But he's actually willing?"

Chris nodded. "Surprising, I know, but he's come in handy already."

"I'll take your word for it. All right then, is that it?"

Chris shifted in his seat, a little uncomfortable, but not ashamed, by any stretch. "One more. Name's Tanner."

"This Tanner... someone I know?" Travis asked, apparently sensing Chris' slight discomfort.

"Nah, he's new in town since you been here last. He's a little young, but he's good. He's real good," Chris assured.

Travis gave him a measured look. "Aside from being a little young for a badge, what's his story? What makes him as untraditional as the others?"

"Earns most of his money working at Buck's," Chris answered without hesitation, which he quickly realized was his mistake.

Travis shook his head. "More to it than that, and you know it. He could earn probably as much doing this full time, and people in these parts wouldn't hold his current profession against him. Best I know now, Chris, than when something happens and I'm caught unaware."

Chris leaned forward. "It's complicated," he warned, not sure he wanted to share this, but positive there would be worse trouble if he didn't.

"I have time," Travis answered, cocking his head to listen.

"He's having some trouble with a judge in Colorado," Chris started.

Travis was immediately on alert. "Is he wanted?"

Chris shook his head. "No, he isn't. It's personal between them. But this judge has made it clear Vin could be wanted, at this man's whim, if he doesn't cooperate."

"Who the hell is this judge?" Oren asked, anger lines etching into his face.

Chris sighed. "Nothing you can do, as far as I can tell. His name is Tyler Henry. He's really got Vin under a barrel."

Travis let out a long breath. "Henry... Henry..." Realization dawned on his face. "Tyler Henry, based out of Denver now, I believe... yes, I remember hearing some vague rumors that he had unusual... tastes. Nothing ever came of those rumors, though."

"Now that's a pity."

"How's he got this Vin Tanner under a barrel, exactly?" Travis asked.

Chris swiped a hand over his hair, sure he was messing it more than smoothing it, but he didn't care. "He asked for Vin's services once. Vin decided not to go back for more, and the judge didn't take that too well. Tried to get physical, to push the issue. Vin didn't take it lying down, so to speak. Both came away a little scuffed, but Henry decided to make Vin pay for it."

Travis looked at him sideways. "Blackmail?"

Chris nodded. "Yeah. Vin has to wire him money every month. If he's late, Henry releases a wanted poster, the charge depravity and prostitution. Enough to make it dangerous for Vin, considering who'd bother going after a bounty with those charges."

Travis looked ill. "I can see why the young man would want to keep his name off the books."

"We don't see much way out of it, for now."

Travis shook his head. "I wish I could do something, Chris. I just don't have the right connections for the time being."

"Way things are now, I didn't think so," Chris said.

"Things can change, though. And I'll be sure to keep this in mind if they do," Travis answered.

"Thanks. I appreciate that. I know Vin will, too."

Travis grimaced. "Men like Henry are a blight on our judicial system. I hope these changes come soon."

Chris could only agree. After a brief silence, Chris pushed back from his desk. "How about a quick drink at the saloon before you and Mary sit down to supper?"

"I could use one," Travis agreed, standing up and moving toward the door with him. "I'll bet you a bourbon that Standish has a card game going on already in that saloon with the stocky little traveler who was on the stage with me."

Chris laughed. "I'd lose that bet. But I'll buy anyway."

"All right, you buy the bourbon, and I'll get your budget prepared," Travis offered.

"You got yourself a deal," Chris said, grinning as he pulled the door closed behind them.

Officially, Buck's place was a rooming house, and the people who worked there were the tenants. Anyone with half a mind knew what it really was, and most didn't pay it much attention. It was a necessary evil to some, to give men a place to work off their worries and take care of the more unseemly side of their nature. At times, Chris wasn't sure what it was that led a town to accept such a house, as long as the pretenses were kept up. It was a strange sort of bargain, Chris thought; the house pretended to be something it wasn't, and everybody knew better, but everybody acted like they didn't know better as long as the house made at least some effort to keep pretending. All around, everyone seemed happy with the well-known lies.

That being the case, it wasn't a problem when Travis wanted to have a drink there after supper, to have a quick word with the others who'd be Chris' part-time hired help. Nathan and Josiah each stayed long enough for that drink and then left, neither one happy to be there, each for his own reasons.

Chris had to pry Ezra away from old James Bradley so that Travis could have a word with him. Vin was sly enough to slide into Ezra's spot to keep the old man company for the moment. By the time Chris and Ezra reached the bar, Travis couldn't control his smirking any longer.

"Ezra Standish, a hired peacekeeper. If someone had said those words to me a year ago, I'd have laughed them out of the territory," Travis said through his chuckles.

"I'm happy to see that I can provide someone in this territory with merriment and general amusement," Ezra replied, looking only a little put off.

Travis finally got hold of his mirth and gave Ezra a friendly slap on the shoulder. "Can't blame me for being a little skeptical, Ezra."

Ezra's face twisted briefly into grimace. "I suppose not."

Travis just grinned at him. "Never mind that, Chris says you've been helpful around here lately, and I'll take his word for it."

Ezra finally finally managed a small grin of his own, but Chris also saw a little pride in Ezra's eyes. Chris just hoped it wouldn't go to his head. "I should probably return to my discussion with Mr. Bradley. If you gentlemen will excuse me?"

Travis nodded and waved him off, turning back to Chris. "Well, that's all but the young Mr. Tanner."

Chris looked over his shoulder, watched as Vin smoothly stood to give Ezra his seat back with Mr. Bradley. "He's on his way now."

Vin stopped at a couple tables to make sure nobody needed for drinks, then slid up to the bar next to Chris. Travis looked over at Vin, not exactly measuring him up, but more like studying him. Chris knew that Vin's age was the first thing on Travis' mind.

Vin did't seem to be bothered, in fact, he looked more curious as to what Travis would conclude from that study. "Vin Tanner," Vin said, holding his hand out and making the first move.

Chris stepped back to make it easier for Travis to take it. "Oren Travis."

"Reckon you'd like to know what your budget is gonna get," Vin said then, a slight grin.

Travis considered it for just a second before he replied. "I'd feel better knowing the budget is going to save more trouble than it brings."

Vin nodded, looking thoughtful. "Can't blame you for that. Anything particular you want to know?"

Chris suppressed a grin as he watched the exchange. Travis had already taken his word for it that Vin was good; the old man was just enjoying himself, putting Vin to a little test.

"Are you as good with your guns as Chris says you are?"

Vin cocked his head in thought. "If'n Chris told the truth, then I guess I am. How good did you say I was?"

Chris shook his head, chuckling. "I told the truth, Vin." He looked over at Travis then. "Best aim I've ever seen."

"I ain't a quickdraw, but when I can aim, I don't usually miss."

Travis nodded, a gleam of amusement in his eyes. "Ever aim at something you shouldn't?"

Vin stared up at the ceiling, looking to be mulling it over. "My first hunting party with the Comanche, the boys brought along a few bottles of whiskey. 'Fore I knew it, they had me aiming at coyotes, only I's too drunk to figure out they was just shadows they were making from the firelight."

Chris tried not to choke on his drink, waiting to see how Oren would react to Vin blurting out that he'd run-- and hunted and got drunk-- with Comanche.

Surprisingly, Travis just nodded thoughtfully. "I'd say it's a time when your aim was off, then."

Vin shrugged. "Didn't hit no coyotes, but I plugged the buffalo hides with plenty of holes."

"Bit of a hangover, too, I'd imagine."

Vin winced, but there was also a distinct twinkle in his eyes. "Woke up feelin like a herd of indian ponies was runnin in my head. After that, I learned how to drink a lot less'n what people think I am."

Travis laughed softly. "I think my budget'll do just fine."

Vin held out his hand again, matching grins with Travis as they shook again, then Vin turned away with a subtle smirk in Chris' direction.

Travis edged closer to Chris at the bar, sending one last glance in Vin's direction. "That young man has lived a lot in his few years of life."

"Grew up faster than a lot of us had to," Chris agreed, sipping his drink.

"You don't think it'll be a problem?" Travis asked, and Chris couldn't blame him for his misgivings about Vin, despite the fact that Travis had obviously taken a liking to him. A man that young, who'd been through the things Vin had, couldn't possibly be as reliable as Vin appeared to be.

"I don't think so. I'm not claiming he's perfect; in fact, he can be so damned mule-headed it makes you wanna spit nails. But I trust him to get my back," Chris said, being as honest about Vin as he knew how.

Travis put his glass down and looked at Chris, studying him the way he had Vin earlier. "Good enough," he finally replied. "I think I better get back to Mary's, now. "

Chris nodded, watched as Travis settled his hat back on his head. "I'll see you tomorrow, Judge."

Buck slithered over then, standing on the other side of the bar. Chris rolled his eyes, knowing damn well that Buck had likely heard a lot of the judge's conversations that night. Still, he decided to play along.

"So, Chris, the judge gonna get that budget for ya?"

"Yes, Buck, you all passed inspection," Chris said, grinning as Buck refilled his glass.

"Well, all right then. You got yourself a passel of peacekeepers. Hey, you know what, give it a couple years, and JD'll make seven of us," Buck added, grin wide.

Chris chuckled at that, even though he was a tad worried that Buck would be putting ideas in JD's head. With JD, it was an easy thing to do. "Well, we'll see about that in those couple years."

"So, when do we start?"

Chris wasn't surprised by Buck's enthusiasm, and had really come to count on it, he realized. He just wished the circumstances leading to this particular enthusiasm were different. "Soon as we get some trouble, Buck. And they way things have been lately, could be soon."

Buck's smile faltered for a split second, just long enough to get Chris curious-- especially with how quickly Buck put that smile back on his face. The back of Chris' neck prickled, and he couldn't help but turn to look behind him.

At first, he didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

"Why don't we just take this little celebration down to the saloon?" Buck asked, his tone warning Chris that Buck wanted him out of there for some reason.

That was when Chris spotted Vin, standing next to old man Bradley, Ezra beside the man on the other side. The pieces fell together quickly, and Chris felt his stomach drop through the floor. Bradley was a favorite customer of Ezra's because the old man had lost his ability to function in manly ways years ago. Some damned carriage accident. Wasn't a whole lot Ezra had to do when he entertained him.

But now, Bradley had a gleam in his eyes; a gleam aimed at both Ezra and Vin. When the three of them turned to the stairs together, Chris' suspicions were made good. Bradley couldn't perform for neither Vin nor Ezra, but they could perform for each other. And from the conspiratorial looks Bradley and Ezra shared as they ogled Vin's ass on the way to the stairs, Chris knew just how this performance was going to play out.

"Chris. Chris!"

He turned, looked straight into Buck's worried eyes. "I'm not gonna do anything stupid," Chris said softly.

"It's business. It don't mean a thing and you know it," Buck said, his expression tight with concern.

Chris snorted, shook his head. "Don't mean a thing? I'm a cold son of a bitch sometimes Buck, but not so cold that Vin going upstairs to let Ezra fuck him doesn't mean anything."

He slammed back the rest of what was in his glass, and headed for the front door, forcing his eyes forward, not letting himself turn around to watch as Vin led Ezra and Bradley to his bed.

Buck caught up to him as Chris reached the outer room, laying a hand on his shoulder. Chris stared down at it until it moved away from him, and only then did he turn around.

"Nothing you can say to me will make this right," Chris said, throat closing in on his words.

"Lot of things around here ain't right. But it's the way it is. We do what we have to, until there's things we can change."

"You always had a way with words, Buck. But do me a favor? Save 'em for somebody dumb enough to take 'em to heart."

He turned back to the door, but Buck called out to him. "Where you headed?"

"I got a town to look after," Chris answered, already halfway outside.

The door closed behind Mr. Bradley, and Vin's stomach did a huge flip. His dick was starting to twitch a little, but it was pure nervousness, not excitement. He'd had to do a lot of things, but he'd never had to let a friend fuck him, let alone in front of somebody. Thoughts that it's better to have a friend in him than a stranger didn't help. Sometimes it really was better that it was a stranger.

"Look at that blush." Bradley's rich, deep voice made Vin jump. The man chuckled softly. "One would think the boy is still a virgin!"

Vin felt his cheeks flush even deeper. "I'm sorry. I--"

"Nonsense," Bradley whispered. "It's delightful."

Vin nodded, but ducked his head, acknowledging that Bradley had been sincere and meant to compliment him, but he was mixed up inside at what he felt about it.

Bradley limped over to Ezra's overstuffed chair and sat with a relieved sigh. Coming up those stairs had taken a bit out of the old man. Vin was suddenly very glad that Ezra had subtly directed them to his room instead of Vin's own. He didn't think he'd be able to go through with this if he had to do it there. Bad enough he had to take regular customers in a room that had gradually been filled with reminders of Chris; letting a friend take him in that room would feel too much like betrayal. In here, though, it could feel more like the business it was.

Bradley leaned his cane against the arm of the chair and crossed his hands in his lap. Ezra turned the lamp down just a little bit, and Vin shivered. Ezra ran a comforting hand down Vin's back and offered him a gentle smile as he passed him on the way to the head of the bed. To Vin's surprise, it helped. Ezra took the throw pillows from the ornate, cherry wood bed and placed them on the second chair in the room, then slowly closed the deep burgundy drapes. From the looks of things in here, Ezra was an expert at setting a mood, something Vin hadn't put much thought into. Vin had always just used his body to seduce, and it had worked. But this... the whole room, now that Vin took time to look, created a sensual atmosphere and Vin couldn't help but start to feel sensual himself. He wasn't the seducer, this time; he was the seduced. The stirring in his groin starting turning to part nervousness and part excitement, whether Vin wanted it to, or not. Whether it was a betrayal, or not.

Ezra stalked over to Vin's side of the bed, Vin's heart beating harder the closer Ezra got. The other man stopped right in front of him, and twitched a half-smile at him, then lifted a hand to softly cup Vin's face. Soft and gentle, the touch made Vin's cheek tingle. He closed his eyes and exhaled a long, slow breath. He could do this. It was just sex, nothing more. Sex with a friend. Business.

Warm breath stirred into Vin's ear just before smooth lips brushed over it. "Just feel it. Forget all the rest and just feel."

Vin shuddered, at the words and at the effect of the warmth humming into his ear. Ezra's lips skimmed from Vin's temple, over his cheek, and ghosted over his jaw before settling over Vin's mouth. Instinctively, Vin opened, and Ezra slid into a slow, wet kiss, his tongue slicking over Vin's. Ezra's fingers threaded through Vin's hair, and Vin clasped Ezra's forearms lightly to ground himself as they kissed deeper. Vin swallowed the lingering taste of Ezra's fancy cordial, sharp but sweet, and felt his groin heat up.

Ezra dropped his hands from Vin's hair to his shoulders, clutching a little before sweeping down his back, where they paused just at the dip of Vin's pants. A second later, the hands moved over Vin's ass and gave him a tight squeeze. Vin moaned into Ezra's mouth and clutched his arms a little tighter.

At last, they pulled away to breathe, but Vin kept his eyes closed and panted. Little shivers danced on Vin's skin wherever Ezra's hands went, and they now went up and down his back, and up to his shoulders again. They slid down Vin's chest and Vin looked down to see Ezra undoing the buttons of his shirt. He swallowed hard and glanced up to Ezra's face.

The intensity in the other man's eyes gave Vin's belly another flip. Ezra's face was fierce with concentration, but as the last button gave way, he looked up and met Vin's gaze. This was more than either of them had anticipated when they'd walked into the room, and Vin just knew that this was going to change things between them. Selfishly, he wanted to get the most of the encounter before that could happen. They were gonna have regrets, both of them, so why not make sure they had some pleasant memories from this, something good to have come of it?

Ezra slipped Vin's shirt off, and carefully laid it on the big, cherry dresser. Vin's shaking fingers moved to return the favor. He met Ezra's eyes again, and offered him an apologetic smile at his clumsiness. But all he saw in Ezra's expression was patience... and a good deal of affection; the kind that went beyond what was comfortable for Vin. Oh yeah, this was going to be trouble when it was over.

When Vin's fingers faltered on the last button, Ezra kissed him quickly, but softly, and took over, getting the shirt off and next to Vin's. Vin scanned the expanse of Ezra's chest, appreciating the contour of his muscles and the creamy skin covering them. He kept his hands on Ezra's waist, though, and let Ezra guide him to the bed. With a push on Vin's chest, Ezra had Vin sprawled onto the soft bedspread. A quick tug on each heel had Vin's boots off in a flash, and the next thing he knew, Ezra's hands were caressing his belly, fingertips swirling at Vin's waistband.

Vin closed his eyes as the buttons of his britches came free, and his dick began to thrum with excitement. He lifted his butt when Ezra gripped the edges of the britches and tugged. They slipped off his legs swiftly, and Vin was bare, and hard, for both the other men in that room to see. He kept his eyes closed as he listened to the rustling of Ezra's clothes falling away. For a moment there was only silence, and Vin opened his eyes.

Ezra stood before him at the foot of the bed, watching him intently. Ezra's smooth chest rose and fell with hard breaths, and from there, Vin's eyes were drawn down to a narrow waist, and then to a thatch of dark hair, from which a thick erection rose against Ezra's belly. Vin would have to be blind to not like what he saw, and he was pretty sure his vision was as sharp as ever.

Ezra licked his lips then crawled onto the bed, to Vin's thighs. He pressed soft, wet kisses to each one, nuzzling a little so that his hair brushed against Vin's balls, and Vin sucked in a gasp at the tickling sensation on the sensitive skin there. Ezra then kissed his way to Vin's hip bones, then lingered at the center of Vin's stomach to lap at the little ripples of muscle there. Vin combed his fingers through Ezra's hair, caressing his scalp as the other man laved him with his tongue. Ezra moved up then, and took Vin's right nipple between his lips, flicking the hardened little nub with his tongue, and tugged his gently with his teeth. Vin moaned softly, feeling jolts from the sensitized nipple to his his throbbing erection. Vin clutched and caressed Ezra's back, loving the feel of the baby-soft skin under his hands.

The second Ezra left Vin's nipple, he was there on Vin's mouth, kissing him fiercely, almost desperately. Nervouseness was long gone, and Vin felt nothing but the thrill of lust, future regrets shoved away ruthlesslessy by Ezra's skillful sensuality and its effect on Vin's body.

Ezra pulled away from Vin's mouth, and Vin looked up to meet his gaze. There was no doubting the desire that Ezra felt for him; it was shining bright in the fire of Ezra's eyes, and it made Vin's blood burn with need, even if the intensity scared him a little. To be wanted that much could be overwhelming-- as it was now.

Ezra crawled backward until his face was just above Vin's groin, and Vin's breath hitched in anticipation. Eyes still locked, Ezra slowly went down and licked from the base of Vin's cock to the leaking head. Vin groaned deeply, and Ezra did it again, this time stopping at the head and flicking his tongue over the soft fold of his foreskin where it met the tip.

Vin fisted his hands into the bedspread as hot sparks of intense sensation flared from his cock with each flutter of Ezra's tongue. Finally, Ezra took the glistening tip into his mouth, the soft, wet warmth heaven itself. Suction made it even better, and he couldn't help but roll his hips to seek more. Ezra held Vin's hips in a light grasp, allowing Vin to thrust upward and fuck his mouth.

Ezra's grip on Vin's hips eased even more till he was just caressing, his hands moving down to frame Vin's groin and tease the crease where hip met pubic hair. Hot, wet mouth, open and waiting for Vin's every plunge into its soft depths, sucking sensation out of him with moans and gentle slurping sounds. Ezra's thumbs explored Vin's balls with light strokes, then moved under them to tease his perineum and just beyond. A light brush over over his asshole just as Ezra sucked particularly hard, and Vin squeezed his eyes shut tight, fighting off orgasm.

Ezra sat up then, leaving Vin's wet shaft feeling chilly without the heat of Ezra's mouth. Panting raggedly, Vin watched his friend's face, a little unnerved by the suddenly wicked glint in them. "Roll over," Ezra told him softly, but firmly. Vin shuddered, but did as he was told. Ezra took his hips and gently pulled, bringing Vin to his knees, though his upper body was still pressed to the bedspread. Warm hands caressed Vin's ass, a fingertip sliding into his crack now and then to tease his tight hole.

Vin hadn't had time to do his usual preparation before searching out his first customer of the night. He wasn't worried, though. Ezra sure as hell knew what he was doing.

Oh, god! Soft, wet warmth tickled over Vin's hole, like nothing he'd ever felt before. Ohgod, ohgod, again... Ezra's tongue danced over his sensitive opening, teasing, flicking, making him clench and open, clench and open, in uncontrollable spasms. Hot breath then, as Ezra whispered softly against the most intimate place on Vin's body. "Relax."

The moist velvet of Ezra's tongue skimmed over him again, and Vin whimpered, rocking his hips, wanting more of the delicious sensations. Wet circles spiraled inward, closer, closer, until the tip of Ezra's tongue formed a point and gently prodded Vin, right at the hot center. Vin cried out as it slid inside him and flickered, then pulled out, and pushed back in again.

Vin had never had anyone's mouth there before; the thought had never crossed his mind. Most men just wanted to be teased a little, then wanted to bend him over and give him a poke-- but never a poke with their tongue. Lord, what the devil was Ezra doing to him? Fucking him with his tongue, Ezra drove him to the brink of insanity with intense sensation that centered on his asshole and spread outward in waves.

"Ohgod, ohgod, ohgod," Vin whimpered as Ezra spread Vin wider and drove his tongue in harder and faster. Vin slid his hand underneath his body, where his cock pressed against his belly. He took himself in his palm and began to stroke, needing friction, needing more.

Ezra pulled away again, and Vin moaned in protest. He let go of his shaft, and looked over his shoulder to see Ezra slicking up his fingers. Beyond Ezra, Vin caught a glimpse of Bradley; saw envy, arousal, passion, but above all, a deep melancholy that suddenly made Vin sad inside, too. In that very second in time, Vin really understood for the first time what the old man had really wanted, and it wasn't the cheap thrill of watching two younger men fuck. Well, yeah, it was partly that. But it was mostly that Bradley wanted to feel... he wanted to know again what desire felt like, and what it felt like to have that desire satisfied. This one night, this one chance, with himself and Ezra, would be the closest the man could ever come to feeling all of that, and it would only be from watching and trying to absorb how he and Ezra felt.

Excitement still hummed through Vin's body, but the urgency settled some. Vin wanted what was about to happen; he couldn't help it, after all Ezra had done to make every nerve in his body come alive. But the desperation had eased enough that Vin felt he could respond without letting his body make promises to Ezra that his heart couldn't keep. He mustered a cocky smile and willed Ezra to look at his face. When he did, Ezra answered it with a devilish smile of his own. "I'm waitin' for ya, Ez," Vin rasped.

"And you shall have me, Vin." The smirk that came with Ezra's answer was confident, but a little sad underneath, and Vin knew that Ezra understood that this could be no more than feeling good while giving an aging customer what he paid for.

Ezra's slick fingertip against his hole made him shiver. Vin hummed as it slid inside him gently and began to massage, swirling within and tugging tenderly on the tight ring of muscle, opening Vin up. As he had when it was Ezra's tongue in his ass, Vin rocked back and forth, taking the finger in and feeling it slip out again, letting a rhythm build. A second finger joined the first, and Vin felt himself spreading, both fingers moving within him easily. He heard Ezra's breathing grow more and more labored, the anticipation obviously gettin' to him.

Soon enough, Ezra pulled his fingers out, and Vin felt the tip of Ezra's cock pushing against his hole. He took a deep breath, and did his best to relax. A second later Ezra popped through, and slowly pushed in the rest of the way. It stung, ohgod it stung, but it was good, too, Ezra's thick shaft filling him up until he couldn't go any further and the crunch of Ezra's bushy curls pressed against Vin's ass cheeks.

Vin closed his eyes and took deep, harsh breaths, waiting for his asshole to loosen its tight clench around Ezra's hot shaft. Ezra waited, too, trembling hands roaming Vin's hips and backside. "Oh, god, Vin," Ezra moaned. "So tight... so tight..."

He felt the grip of his hole start to give, at least a little, and he gave an experimental squeeze. Ezra gasped and clutched at Vin's hips. Ezra pulled out of him then, nice and slow, but shoved back in quickly, and it was Vin's turn to gasp. "Again!" Vin ordered, his throat tight.

Ezra did do it again, faster this time, and again faster. Each time Ezra pulled out of him, Vin clamped a little on him so that there was a tighter drag on the skin of Ezra's hard cock. Vin let go of his hold with each thrust in, not wanting anything to slow up Ezra gettin' back inside him. After just a few times, he and Ezra picked up the rhythm together, and it felt so good. But he wanted more, he needed more.

He began shoving back with his hips to hurry it even more, wanting Ezra fast and deep. "Easy, my fiery young friend," Ezra said with a strained laugh and took hold of hips again, this time to control Vin's frenzy.

"I need it, Ezra. I need it fast!" Vin said, not caring that he was begging. He only knew what his body demanded.

"As you wish," Ezra whispered, and quick as lightening, Vin was flattened to the bed, with Ezra sprawled on top of him, his cock buried deep in Vin's ass.

Vin groaned and clutched the bedding tight in his fingers. Ezra pressed wet kisses to Vin's shoulder and began thrusting into him, hard, deep and fast. With each shove into him, Vin's own cock rubbed against the bedspread at the perfect rhythm and speed.

"Ohgod,ohgod,ohgod," Vin cried out, colors flashing behind his tightly closed eyes as orgasm rushed through him, hot bursts of sensation that centered in his groin and washed outward in every direction. Ezra groaned above him, his thrusts erratic and hard until one, last, deep shove into him before he collapsed to Vin's back in a gasping heap, his body shaking.

Vin gulped for breath himself, vaguely aware of the damp mess around his dick and Ezra's bedspread.

Seemed like only seconds before reality kicked in, and Vin didn't want it to. He wanted to drift and let the tingles in his body slowly fade before he had to think about anything... such as consequences. Ezra left more kisses on his shoulder, soft ones this time, and the sweetness of them made Vin's belly turn over a little.

Slowly, Ezra pulled out and off of him, and swept his hand from Vin's neck, down his back, and lightly over the cheeks of his ass. Vin sighed softly, but didn't move, wanted to fake oblivion just a little longer. He heard a quiet gust of a short laugh from Ezra and knew his friend was on to him, but Ezra didn't give him away.

Instead, Ezra moved off of the bed, Vin feeling the slight give of the mattress as Ezra left it. He heard faint whispers from Ezra and Mr. Bradley, but couldn't make out what they were saying. He felt like a real dog, lying there pretending to be so far out of his head from sex, but he just couldn't make himself get up and look those two men in the eye.

"You can't imagine what you've done for me," Bradley said to Ezra, one of the few things Vin could make out. A thank you from Ezra was easy enough to understand, but not the rest of it.

From the sounds now, Ezra must've gotten his clothes on, and they were making their way towards the door. He didn't want to, but Vin made himself... it was his last chance to be a man about this. Slowly, he turned over and pushed up to lean on his elbows. Ezra stood near the door, looking at him curiously, while their customer stood beside him, looking at Vin with gratitude and awe.

"Thank you, Vin," Bradley said softly. Vin nodded once in acknowledgment and tried to smile. From the twinkle in the old man's eyes, he was buying it, but one look at Ezra's smirk told Vin that his friend saw right through him.

"Allow me to escort you to the bar for a refreshment, Mr. Bradley," Ezra said and took the man's elbow.

"As charming as ever, Ezra," Bradley answered with a laugh, and the two left the room.

Vin was grateful. He needed to get his head together before he could face anyone else. There was just too much going on in his mind about what he'd just done, and it didn't help that he could still feel the stretch of Ezra's cock in his ass.

It wasn't like all the others, and nothing Buck said could make Chris believe it. The others only had a piece of Vin-- a small piece-- but otherwise couldn't touch him. This was Ezra, someone both Vin and Chris would have to look in the eye every damned day. It wasn't right. It was personal.

Chris didn't look to his bottle for solace, though. It was true enough, what he'd told Buck about having a town to look after. He'd have to save the bottle for his own time, if he ever got any. Wasn't any solace to be found for this, anyway. All Chris could do was patrol the streets and try to keep his mind on the town, and keep it off of what Ezra was getting up to with Vin.

He gave it a little over an hour, then couldn't take it anymore. Town was quiet, and he needed to see Vin. His feet hit the boards of Buck's front porch sooner than Chris realized, and when he strode in the front door, his head was swimming. He scanned the room with his eyes, couldn't help but squint into a glare when he spotted Ezra laughing, sitting close to Bradley, as though they hadn't just been upstairs with Vin, when Chris damn well knew better.

Vin wasn't anywhere to be seen, though. Chris didn't know if it was because Vin was upstairs with another customer, or if he was taking the rest of the night off. Buck didn't seem to be around, either, he realized, taking another look around the room.

Chris hadn't even reached the bar before Jimmy looked about ready to piss his britches. Just one more reason Jimmy hadn't been considered when Chris thought about who he'd be taking on as part time help. But what Jimmy lacked in gumption, he made up for in honesty.

"Vin have a customer up there?"

Jimmy sputtered a wide-eyed answer right away. "No, he don't. Never came back down from, uh, the last one."

Chris managed something of a nod, and headed straight for the stairs.

He surprised himself by stalling outside Vin's door. What the hell would he do now? He had no call to be angry with Vin. Dammit, he didn't even really have call to be angry with Ezra, even though it'd be easy. This was the worst kind of fury; the kind he couldn't direct at any one person... the kind that he couldn't just figure out how to fix and be done with it.

Deep breath, and Chris gave a light rap on the door. He didn't hear anything from Vin inside, but it wouldn't stop him. He pushed the door open slowly, his heart speeding up and his cheeks feeling hotter and hotter as he stepped inside.

No lamps lit, and Vin wasn't anywhere Chris could see, so that meant Vin was likely curled up on his pallet. This wasn't looking good, but no way could Chris turn away now. Felt like a damn fool, trying to quiet his steps when he knew good and well Vin was wide awake. But he did it anyway, carefully easing around the bed until he caught sight of the man-shaped lump under a pile of blankets.

Chris sighed softly, caught between the ache for Vin and the one for himself. He shook his head, then sank down next to Vin, laying a hand on what he guessed was Vin's shoulder. "Didn't see anything like this coming," he whispered.

A muffled snort came before Vin's equally muffled voice. "Makes two of us."

Chris gave Vin's shoulder a squeeze before he set about getting his boots and clothes off. He had a lot of doubts, but his welcome wasn't one of them. When Chris slid under the blankets, Vin turned over and pressed against him easily enough, but wouldn't look him in the eye. Chris wasn't sure he was ready for that anyway.

He stared straight up at the ceiling, wondering where the hell they went from there and wishing that somehow, they'd never have to walk out of that room again and come face to face with Ezra. Irrational as it was, Chris also couldn't help the way his jaw locked up tight even thinking Ezra's name.

That irrationality took hold before Chris could stop it. "Tell me."

Vin tensed against him. "Tell you what?" Vin asked, suspicion slowing his words.

"You know," Chris replied, feeling his own body go rigid.

Regret left him as cold as the lack of Vin's body heat when the other man scooted away from him. "You ain't saying you want details? Larabee, don't tell me you want details."

"I don't know what I want," Chris admitted, turning his head so he wouldn't have to look at the accusation in Vin's eyes.

"I didn't hate it. You happy now?"

Chris' head whipped around. "Happy? No. I'm not anywhere near happy."

There it was, the accusation in Vin's face, along with a heap of hurt. "You'd rather I did something that made me miserable. That's good to know."

Chris cleared his throat. "That's not what I meant. Dammit, Vin."

Vin shook his head no, his face pinched with anger. "Then say what you mean. Come on, I'm waitin."

Chris sat up, letting the blankets fall to his waist. He held his head in his hands for a long moment, willing away his sudden headache. Taking another deep breath, he tried again. "I don't ever want you doing things that... things that make you hurt somehow. But I can't help it that I hate the idea of you liking this job. I don't like knowing someone else makes you feel things it's my place to make you feel."

Vin rolled his eyes and flopped back down to the pallet. "Listen up, 'cause I'm only saying this once. Don't matter what other people might make my body feel. Only thing that matters is what a person makes me feel on the inside."

Chris stared at Vin's face-- his profile-- until Vin turned his head to look at him. Chris wasn't sure he'd believe it once dawn brought along a new day, but for that moment he believed; nobody could make Vin feel what Chris did, and the softness in Vin's eyes proved it.

He reached over slowly, caressed Vin's face with the tips of fingers before sliding them into the tangle of his hair to urge him closer again. Vin came willingly, curling against him and bringing the warmth back. For that night, anyway, Chris could pretend Ezra didn't exist. With a sigh and a casual brush of his lips over the top of Vin's head, Chris relaxed and started pretending.

Thick cock, snug in his ass, filling him up good. So damned good. Vin grunted and pressed his ass back, hoping that cock would start to moving soon, start giving him the friction he wanted. A brief chuckle came before the anticipated thrusting, and Vin was feeling even better. Faster, harder, deeper, his ass was deliciously pounded, and Vin just rode the waves of sensation.

A tongue traced his shoulder, making him shiver, and then lips skimmed the juncture of shoulder and neck. The tickle of mustache gave his dick an extra hard twitch, and before he knew it, he was coming hard, Buck's amused laugh sending puffs of hot breath in his ear.

Vin bolted upright, shivering from a cold sweat, hearing a string of jibberish coming from his own mouth.

"Vin? Vin!"

Chris' voice finally broke through the fog in his mind and the thundering beat of his heart racing in his ears. He turned in the direction of that voice, realizing that Chris' hands were on his shoulders and that his face wore a worried-- almost panicked expression.

"Chris?" Vin croaked, still getting his head together.

"Nightmare, pard."

Vin let out a deep breath. "You might say that."

"Well, it's all right now," Chris said, his face relaxing. "You wanna tell me about it?"

Vin opened his mouth, but nothing came out. "Can't remember it now," he finally said, then eased back down to the pallet. Chris came down with him, reaching for him to gather him in again. No way Vin would resist. He snuggled up tight, reminding himself-- and his body-- where he belonged.

He squirmed a little, to get comfortable, but the dampness at his groin finally registered.

"Aw, hell," he hissed, sitting up again quickly.

Chris sat up then, too, and pulled back the blankets. Vin felt his cheeks flush red-hot. The way Chris ruffled his hair was half-comforting and half-humiliating. His soft chuckle sure didn't help none.

"Vin, it's all right. Hell, it's a wonder this don't happen more often. I didn't stop this kinda thing till I was damn near twenty-five."

Vin just groaned and flopped back to the pallet, squeezing his eyes shut tight. What the hell was wrong with him? His head was too fuzzy to answer, and honestly, it wouldn't clear up till he'd had a couple more hours sleep.

What did help was the soft wipe of cloth Chris used to get them dried off. At least the evidence was gone quickly enough. As he drifted off again, he made every effort to keep his thoughts on cleaning Peso's stall, Mrs. Potter's store room, all mundane thoughts as far away from sex as he could imagine.

The sun was high in the sky but there was a bit of a nip in the air. As Vin headed up the steps of the church, he heard Josiah's everlasing hammering. The man always seemed to have that hammer in his hand, but nothing ever seemed to change much. Vin thought that maybe when he had some actual free time, he'd lend Josiah a hand, get a closer look at where all those nails and boards really went.

He wasn't too comfortable in the church, but then again he wasn't there to pray. There'd be ice over the length of the Rio Grande before he'd believe in prayers anyway. Maybe that was why the church made him feel twitchy, he wondered, as he came around the corner, following the incessant pounding of nail into board.

"Afternoon, Vin," Josiah called out, putting down the hammer once he'd spotted Vin hovering.

"Josiah."

"Something I can do for you?"

Vin shrugged, not knowing where to start.

Josiah grinned. "I'll just take that as a yes."

Vin sighed, scanned the interior of the church to stall for time.

Josiah wiped his hands on his pant legs, then eased down into one of his rickety chairs. "Might be something I can do to help. No guarantees, but we won't know till you tell me."

Might as well, since he'd come this far, Vin decided. He snagged another chair and sat in it, straddling it to where his chin rested on the top rung of it's ladder-back. "Just 'cause you dream something, don't mean you really want it to happen, right?"

"Dreams are funny things, Vin. No, a person doesn't always want what they dream about. Most of us call those dreams nightmares."

Vin shook his head. "This wasn't like no nightmare I've ever had before. It was... it was something I liked in the dream, but wouldn't have ever thought about while I was awake."

Josiah gave a soft hmm while he thought on it for a minute. "Well, in that case, maybe it's something that deep down you know wouldn't be terrible, but that you'd still never consider while awake. Can't help what you dream. Maybe this is your mind's way of letting you indulge in that which your conscience would never allow."

"My conscience, hell. I don't even want to think about this thing again. I don't think I gotta worry about my conscience on this one."

Josiah chuckled softly. "Exactly."

Vin blew out an exasperated breath. "You're in one of them crazy moods again, ain'tcha."

Josiah's laugh was more robust this time. "Quite possibly. But what I mean, is that if your conscience would never allow this thing, then there's no reason to feel guilty that it crossed your mind. Everybody has thoughts come in their mind that they'd never act on. Vin, does this have something to do with Ezra?"

Vin stiffened. "How'd you know about that?"

Josiah held his hands up in surrender. "Small town is all. Bound to be a little gossiping now and then, even when there's better things to gossip about."

Vin dropped his chin back to the rung on the back of the chair. "I had a dream about someone else. How could I dream that, after I done had to... you know, already do something my conscience wouldn'ta wanted?"

Josiah looked at him, head tilted to the side. Made Vin squirm, when he didn't say anything for a while. Finally, Josiah did answer him, though. "It'd be easier in a way if it'd been a horrible experience, huh." Vin nodded, and Josiah went on. "Vin, lots of things might be pleasant, but it doesn't mean you'll be looking for more of those things. Maybe that dream was your mind's way of telling you that."

Vin shrugged. "Could be."

Josiah grinned at him again. "You and I both know that you won't be looking to repeat that situation, with anyone. Chris knows it, too."

Vin felt a blush rise on his cheeks. "I hope so."

"If you and Chris are strong enough, this thing will pass. Have you talked about it yet?"

That blush deepened. Damn strange place to be having this conversation. "A little. Didn't say a whole lot-- either of us-- but I thought it would be okay. Till that damn dream."

"Well, neither of you is the type to say every little thing on your mind," Josiah said, his grin turning wry. Vin couldn't help but return it.

"That's a fair way to put it."

"So maybe you can find a way other than words to say what you want him to know."

Vin thought about it. Made sense, really. There were lots of ways he could show Chris that what had happened with Ezra didn't mean a thing compared to what Chris did for him. "Not bad advice for a crazy man."

"Kind words, Vin," Josiah replied with a short laugh.

Vin laughed back at him. "Really, Josiah, thanks."

"Don't thank me yet. Last time I gave crazy advice, it didn't work out too good. Then again, it was Chris I gave it to, and we both know he can't just follow advice."

Vin laughed, knowing exactly what Josiah meant. "Even with advice, he's got to do it his way."

Josiah stood then, and Vin did too, thinking he best get out of Josiah's hair since today he wouldn't be able to lend that hand he'd thought about earlier.

"Oh, Vin... I'll be heading out to Vista City day after tomorrow to see Hannah. If you'd like to ride along for a change of scenery, you're welcome to it."

"I think I just might take you up on that. Saw some pretty little blankets I didn't have time to look closer at last time." Vin appreciated the offer, and took it for a further indication of the trust Josiah had already had shown.

Josiah gave him a wistful smile and a nod, then turned back to his work. Vin headed out of the church feeling a hell of a lot better than when he went in. Even if he didn't pray, Vin decided that there was still a lot to be said for men like Josiah, who still had faith of some sort, even after what he'd been through.

Vin couldn't imagine watching his own sister slowly go mad in a whorehouse. Couldn't imagine the guilt of wondering if there was more he could have done than just watch. It made sense now, why Josiah had settled in Four Corners. It was close enough to Vista City to make visits to Hannah easier, and it had a house similar to the one Hannah had worked in; seemingly the more benevolent house of its kind to be found, but still housing its share of sin-- and not all of it in the bedrooms. Vin could understand Josiah making a study of the town and Buck's place, could understand him making his home where he could watch out for the folks who worked in that house, and just maybe help one of them where he hadn't been able to help his sister.

Vin found himself looking forward to that ride to Vista City, and to hearing a little more of what the half-crazy preacher had to say. More than that, he was looking forward to doing some explaining to Chris.

He found him at the jail, sifting through the latest batch of wanted posters. Chris gave Vin a puzzled grin when he didn't speak, and looked even more confused when Vin reached behind the desk to take Chris by the wrist.

"I'm guessing you want something?"

"Wanna talk," Vin replied, still tugging.

"All right, all right. I'm coming."

Vin gave him one of his most wicked grins, which earned him the horny light in Chris' eyes that he was hoping for. So far so good. Vin decided there was no need to give the town a show, so he let go of Chris' wrist when they got outside. Besides, no way Chris wasn't coming with him.

Vin didn't stop to look at any of the folks hanging around the main floor at Buck's, just kept going, ignoring the curious looks he knew were flying at him and Chris. Taking the stairs at a brisk pace rarely left him out of breath, but this time anticipation conspired with the light physical exertion, and Vin found himself almost panting.

By the time he got Chris into his room, he'd worked himself into a real good frenzy, need rushing through his veins. Chris still looked puzzled, but the hungry set of his jaw and eyes was unmistakable.

With a push on Chris' chest, he was tumbling down onto the pallet. Vin followed right on top of him, straddling Chris' waist. He didn't often get this obviously aggressive with Chris, but if the now wild glint in Chris' eyes was any indication, he'd have to do it more often.

He leaned over Chris, framed his face with his hands, and bent his head. Instead of a kiss, though, he flicked out the tip of his tongue and lightly painted Chris' lips, a light brush over the top one first, then a more lavish lick along the lush lower one.

Chris' hands skimmed Vin's back then settled over his ass, giving Vin shivers in the seat of his pants.

"Thought you wanted to talk?" Chris whispered raggedly against Vin's mouth.

"I am talking," Vin answered softly. "You just ain't listening."

Vin finally closed his mouth over Chris', plunging his tongue deep inside, slicking it against Chris'. He inhaled a breath taken from Chris, moaning into the kiss at the tingles it gave him, and began to rock his body, rubbing in slow, sensuous undulations over Chris' hard body.

When he finally pulled back to suck in a lungful of air, he buried his nose against Chris' neck, licking the salty skin while he rode out a fierce wave of euphoria. Chris' hands remained clasped onto Vin's ass, encouraging him to keep up the slow groin-to-groin grind. "God, Chris."

"I know," Chris rasped against his ear.

But as good as it was, it wouldn't get better until they were naked, Vin knew. He slid beside Chris and began kicking off his boots and pulling off his clothes, urging Chris with his eyes to do the same. It pleased Vin to see that Chris' fingers were just as shaky and clumsy as his own, in getting everything peeled off. When everything was tossed aside, Vin climbed back on top of Chris, letting his legs drop to either side of Chris' to fit their erections snugly against each other. He lay his chest down flat on Chris' for a moment, to just bask a while in the feel of the warm flesh pressed to his own. When Chris' hands took their place on Vin's ass again, it was perfect.

Tiny nudges with his hips gave Vin just enough tingling friction to keep him excited, but not so much that his arousal spiraled out of control again. Wild was good, but now he wanted it slow and lingering. Chris seemed to be just fine with that, too, lazily kneeding and parting Vin's cheeks, only occasionally dipping a fingertip in between.

Vin's lips found a tasty spot at the base of Chris' throat and latched on, tenderizing the tangy skin, Vin knowing he'd be leaving a mark. Eventually, Vin realized that he was increasing suction in time with the increasing urgency of Chris' fondling, and his hips picked up the pace in kind. Intensity gradually swelled, a slow climb they made together, and Vin felt his need was completely in tune with Chris'.

Heart racing again, he raised up enough to reach behind Chris' head for the oil. As he pressed it into Chris' waiting hand, he bent his head to lick a delicate pattern over Chris' jaw. Light stubble rasped under Vin's tongue as Chris sighed softly and rubbed a slick fingertip over Vin's twitching hole.

Vin moaned as the finger slid inside him, easily and unhurried. A swivel of his hips was hint enough that he needed more, and Chris complied, moving in and out, crooking the finger in just the right spot, giving Vin the most intimate of little massages. Vin skimmed his lips to Chris' chin, then up to his mouth, dropping soft, breathy kisses that felt more profound to Vin than any others they'd shared before.

Vin's cock throbbed from the sensations tingling outward from his ass. He needed to be filled, and soon. He eased back just enough from Chris' mouth to be able to look him in the eyes. Chris gave him one, short nod, never breaking eye contact.

He held Vin's eyes all the while nudging the head of his cock at Vin's asshole, and as his hard length slowly sank all the way inside, Vin lifting his body from Chris' chest and sitting back to take Chris as deeply as he could. As bliss washed through him, Vin finally had to close his eyes and let it carry him a while. Even the burn and stretch of Chris' weighty cock felt like pure heaven, and Vin was a little bit sorry when it melted away so soon.

But the loss of that pleasure brought a whole new one. Vin pulled off of Chris slowly, then lowered himself back down, not stopping till his ass cheeks met Chris' upper thighs. Chris laced his fingers into Vin's, giving him leverage, as Vin began a sultry rhythm, fucking himself on Chris' cock with leisurely abandon.

Vin barely heard Chris' panting over his own whimpers, and when Chris released one of Vin's hands so he could grasp Vin's cock, Vin was sure his cries cut through every wall in the house. He didn't care. All that mattered was that he was surrounded by Chris; his hand stroking Vin's most urgent need, the sweat of his body under him, the musky smell of Chris sucked into his mouth and lungs with every breath, and Chris' cock deep inside of him, filling him with more than anyone else ever could.

Vin's thighs trembled from the effort, but he couldn't stop, he was so close. Chris' eyes were bright and hungry, demanding that Vin rise and fall on him faster and faster. Chris helped it along, thusting up to meet Vin halfway each time he came down on him again.

Their cries sounded at the same time, Vin suddenly overloaded by the sensation that rushed out of him, his seed spurting from him in what felt like torrents, landing in splashes over Chris' chest and belly. His vision was hazy, but he managed to catch Chris' eyes again, holding them fast as aftershocks ripped through Vin's frame.

Completely drained, Vin collapsed forward to Chris' chest again, burying his nose in Chris' neck and ignoring the damp mess between them. Chris' cock slipped out of him, then, and Vin shivered at the chill wafting over his exposed bottom.

He stretched out his aching legs, but still kept them on either side of Chris', needing to feel as much of Chris' skin as possible. He didn't move again until the sweat on his body began to cool, and even then, he only slipped to Chris' side, keeping himself pressed against the length of Chris' body.

Chris' fingers stroked through Vin's hair, and he hummed contentedly.

A soft chuckle made Vin crane his neck to look at Chris.

"I think I get it now," Chris whispered.

"Get what?" Vin asked, completely lost.

"What you were trying to say."

Vin smiled. "About time."

Chris grinned back at him, but there was a possessive glint in his eyes that warmed Vin's belly. "But I have to tell you, Vin. If Ezra starts getting sweet on you, I'm gonna have to shoot him."

Vin snorted. "Sweet on me? Chris, if you try puttin me in petticoats, I'm gonna knock you a hard one."

Chris pulled him closer, giving him an affectionate squeeze. "I don't know. Might be worth it. You'd look awful pretty."

"Jackass," Vim mumbled, hiding his smile as he burrowed against Chris' shoulder. He let himself drift off to the feel of Chris' body shaking just a little with suppressed laughter. Vin was sure they'd said enough, anyway.

It was amusing, the dark looks Chris gave Ezra over the last couple weeks, but only because Ezra's temporary infatuation proved to be just as fleeting as Vin had hoped. It wouldn't have been nearly as funny if Ezra had held on to any of the feelings their encounter had dredged up in him. After the first couple days, the wistful expressions became self-satisfied smirks, Ezra no doubt recalling his prowess, and the responses-- both physical and vocal-- he'd gotten from Vin. And no matter what, Vin couldn't think of a reason to regret that the experience really had been pleasurable. He'd had enough lousy experiences in the business to last a lifetime.

What wasn't so amusing was the way Mary had been lately, with her little boy in town. Vin could't blame her, really, for being drawn to Chris and for noticing the easy way Chris had with Billy. Vin wasn't exactly jealous; he knew good and well that Chris didn't return Mary's feelings. But he was definitely concerned, knowing that someone was likely to get hurt, and selfish as he knew it was, Vin was relieved it would most likely be Mary.

She sat at the top of the church steps, Vin two steps below with his ankles crossed in the dirt of the road. Her face was aglow as she watched Chris play tag with the little boy. Vin enjoyed the sight, too, but because it was nice to see Chris as carefree as he probably had been when playing around with his own son. But Vin knew that what Mary saw was a potential husband, and replacement father for Billy. Her vision was more delusion than she was apparently willing to admit. Nope, Vin wasn't jealous in the least.

"They both just look so happy," Mary murmured.

Vin kept his eyes on spectacle in the road. "I know."

"Not enough of that in life, just plain being happy."

Vin shifted, feeling more and more uncomfortable. "We get it when we can."

Mary sighed. "Sometimes, we give it when we can."

Vin turned to look up at her. "That, we do."

Mary dipped her head for a moment, then finally met his eyes. "Sometimes it's hard to know when you should be giving, and in what ways."

What the hell was she saying? Vin wasn't liking where this was going. Not at all. "Ain't hard if you follow your heart."

Mary looked out at Chris and Billy again, her expression thoughtful. "What we see out there, that's an easier path, a happier path, for both of them than the one they've been on. There are better ways for all of us, if we have the courage to take them."

Vin shook his head. He was afraid of this. He could see from Mary's eyes that she believed what she was saying. She'd made herself believe it. They were long past the days of Mary snubbing her nose at him. Well, sorta long. Intentionally, anyway. So when she sat there trying to tell Vin that Chris would be happier making a family with her and Billy, she believed it. She also apparently believed it was within Vin's power to make that happen for Chris, and was asking for Vin to let him go. That told Vin that Mary never really knew Chris at all. Vin could no more give Chris to Mary and Billy than he could bring back Chris' wife and son.

"Sounds nice, and all. Even sounds like it's the way it should be," Vin said carefully, watching Mary's expression turn guarded.

"It does."

"But it don't work like that," Vin said softly, casting another glance at Chris as he swept Billy into his arms to swing him around.

"Why not?" Mary asked, her face pleading.

"'Cause as perfect a solution as it sounds, it ain't what he wants. And if he went and did it anyway, all that happiness you see out there would disappear."

Mary looked out at them, sadness pouring from her eyes. Vin felt for her, having to finally face the truth. "How do you know it would disappear?"

Vin shifted again, soaking in the sight of Chris' smile. Just then, Chris caught Vin looking at him, and the smile changed subtly, but it was enough for anyone really looking to see. There was a warmth in it just for Vin, and Vin felt that warmth seep into him. "'Cause I know him. I know his heart."

Chris went back to spinning the little boy he held, and Vin turned a look back to Mary. Grief seized her face-- Mary had indeed seen what Vin had seen, that the smiles for Billy didn't compare to the ones for Vin. Vin could tell she was trying to hide the pain of realization. He didn't blame her for wanting to hold on to a little more dignity. "I suppose you do," she finally whispered, resigned.

They were quiet for a time after that. Vin didn't push conversation on her. Hell, Vin wasn't much for conversation anyway, so he felt no need to. But he was curious about something and wanted her to know he didn't hold a grudge, so when the urge came over him, he asked.

"Mary? What was that contraption I saw Calvin and those other fellas hauling into your place yesterday?"

Surprisingly, Mary laughed. "It's a printing press."

Vin turned sideways more, wanting to hear about this press of hers. "What're you gonna print?"

She took a deep breath, and Vin watched, curious, as much of the sadness seemed to drift away, determination taking it's place. "I'm thinking of starting a local newspaper."

"Yeah? Right here in town?"

"Yep. My column is being syndicated in Santa Fe now, too. Not just Albuquerque. So I figured there's no reason why we can't have our own newspaper right here."

Vin grinned, impressed. "You're gonna publish a newspaper, all by yourself?"

Mary smoothed out her skirt, a measure of pride helping her sit up straighter. "It won't be as big as The Denver Post, but I can manage a reasonably sized, small town paper."

"I don't doubt that," Vin said, shaking his head.

"You really don't?" Mary asked, sounding a little bit suspicious.

"I think you can do darn near anything you set your mind to," Vin answered right away, meaning it, too.

"Near everything," Mary said softly, a regretful smile as she looked at Chris.

"Don't matter how strong you are, or how smart you are. The heart feels what it wants, and there's no fighting that."

Mary didn't answer, but Vin didn't expect her to. She slowly stood, straightening her skirt once again, and called out to her son.

Chris took the boy by the hand and led him over.

"Thanks, Mary. Nice distraction, rounding up little hooligans for a change, instead of big ones," Chris teased, ruffling Billy's hair.

Mary smiled, taking Billy's hand. "I know Billy enjoyed this. Thanks to you, too."

Chris swung a friendly arm over Vin's shoulder. "Come on, Tanner. Buy a tired old sheriff a beer?"

Vin snorted, but grinned. "Tired old sherrif can buy me a beer. You losing your mind already? I got the tab last time."

"Fine, fine," Chris said, grinning back at him, clearly having been baiting him again, as Chris often did when in a playful mood.

Vin looked back over his shoulder as they walked away, suddenly proud that all those reading lessons with Mrs. Potter were giving him good things to look forward to. "I'll be wantin to hear more about that paper, Mary."

"Oh, you will!" she promised, hugging her son to her hip affectionately.

There was still a trace of melancholy in her eyes, but Vin saw strength there, too. Mary would be just fine, once she truly stopped dreaming about a path she'd never walk. Now, all Vin had to worry about was enjoying a drink before he had to drag himself back to Buck's for work. Chris wasn't the only one who could use a temporary distraction from his responsibilities.

+ + + + + + +

Vin's head pounded, and the voices echoing around him intensified the pain. He'd only just dragged himself up from the bliss of unconscious oblivion, and now he was wishing he could let go and sink back down into it again. Aside from the ache throbbing from the base of his skull to his forehead, his ribs hurt, along with his back and his wrists, which were bound tight in front of him.

He lay on his side, facing away from the hushed but agitated voices that still hissed behind him. His memories were foggy, and he couldn't quite grasp the recollection of just how he'd gotten there, wherever he was. He had the vague image in his mind of hearing a noise in the alleyway behind the barn at Buck's and walking in to see what it was, but that was about it.

"I ain't sure this was our best idea yet, is all I'm saying. There's a bunch of men who watch that town and a lot of the area around it. We don't want them coming after us," one of the voices said.

"Kyle, he's just a whore. Those men ain't gonna waste their time on him. They got respectable people there to look after," the other one reasoned, and Vin felt his cheeks burn. If not for the bond he'd made with the other men, what these fellas were saying would be absolutely true. Peacekeepers and lawmen didn't usually go after men who stole away with common whores, unless the whore's keeper was damned mad about losing business.

"I suppose you're right. It's just... we ain't done anything this bad before." Vin gritted his teeth. For regret, that fella's statement was a bit lacking.

"We wouldn't have had to do it if he hadn't messed up our chance to grab that sack of coins from that old lady. If he'd minded his own business, we coulda paid for a whore fair and square."

Vin's stomach lurched at that. He remembered earlier in the day, Mrs. Lange had dropped her satchel and coins, coming out of the bank. It'd been a bit busy on the boardwalk, and some big kid had run clean into her, knocking her stuff all over the place. Vin had snatched the coin sack up for her before another fella could get his grubby hands on it. He'd handed it over to the elderly widow, seen her to Mary's rooming house and been on his way, not thinking anything more of it. Now it looked like these boys had set up the whole thing, and it hadn't been an accident at all.

Worse, those two boys had planned on using that money for whoring at Buck's, among other things, probably. And from what the one fella had said, they still planned on doing a little whoring after all, despite not having the money to pay for it.

"All right. But if we're gonna do this, let's do it and git out of here. I wanna be long gone, just in case somebody decides he's valuable and comes looking."

Vin tried tugging at the rope around his wrists, but it didn't do any good. They had him tied real tight, in a god-awful mess of a knot that he couldn't do a damn thing about.

A hand on his shoulder made him jump. He was turned onto his back and quickly slapped across the face. "Bobby! Little son-of-a-bitch is wide awake!"

Vin glared up at the two faces, his cheek still stinging, realizing that these fellas couldn't have been more than a couple years older than he was. If they had this little conscience now, how dangerous would they be as they grew older?

"Don't be thinking you're gonna get away. 'Cause you ain't," Bobby told him, a hard line forming on the young man's lips. He was a big one, Vin could tell from his place on the ground at their feet, and he finally recognized the man as the one who'd run into Mrs. Lange. Thin wisps of hair hung over the man's eyes, but even in the dark, Vin saw a dangerous glint in them.

"Let's just get this over with," Kyle said and shoved Vin over onto his stomach. Despite this one's earlier reluctance, he now seemed more than ready to carry out their plan.

Vin's heart hammered in his chest as his mind raced. Nothing came to him, no last minute flash of a plan to get himself out of this. Strong hands yanked him by the waist and brought him to his knees, leaving his lower body pressed to the ground. Oh, god, they were really gonna do this. Panic rushed through him, and he began to struggle, twisting his shoulders and digging his knees into the dirt to try to gain traction to push himself away.

Kyle grabbed a fistful of Vin's hair and jerked his head back with it, straining Vin's neck to the point where he could hardly breathe. Bobby dug his hands into Vin's hips and knelt between Vin's knees, shoving them further apart with his own.

"You best hold still, or this is gonna hurt a lot more than it could," Bobby grated.

"I will kill you, ya hear?" Vin choked out from his strained windpipe.

"Don't see why you're so worked up over this," Kyle told him in a cold, flat voice. "You're a whore. Ain't like you never been fucked before."

"Even whores get to say who--" Vin stopped when Kyle suddenly had a knife at his throat with his free hand.

"Just fuck him already, Bobby. Maybe that'll shut him up," Kyle said and yanked Vin's hair again and pressed the steel of the blade against Vin's windpipe.

"That's the plan, little brother," Bobby said and reached for the front of Vin's pants to the buttons there. Vin rasped for breath, his heart still racing, as the buttons easily came undone.

A second later, the pants slid over his hips, and Vin's ass was exposed to the chilly night air. Meaty hands clutched at the cheeks and spread them, leaving Vin feeling more exposed than he ever thought possible. A finger shoved into him, making him suck in a ragged breath, and he flinched hard. "Damn, Kyle! He's already greased up back here! Either he's already been fucked tonight, or he keeps himself ready for a fuck."

Vin squeezed his eyes shut tight. As was his habit, Vin did at least a little preparation before he started working for the night. Didn't trust customers to take time or care with him. It humiliated him to have these strangers know something so intimate about him, that they were taking something so personal and intimate from him, and he couldn't do a thing to stop it.

"Well, if he's ready, then do it already. I want my turn, Bobby."

Vin fought the fear, and the nausea that came with it, as something blunt and hard probed his asshole. The nudging only lasted a second, though, before sharp, burning pain radiated from his hole and rippled throughout his groin. Bobby's hips bumped Vin's ass when he was in to the root. Vin held back the scream that struggled to burst from his lungs, but he couldn't hold off the hot sting of tears that streamed down his face.

"Fuck him, Bobby, fuck him good," Kyle urged, hand still clenched in Vin's hair.

Bobby pulled back out of him, and Vin panted for breath, eyes still closed tight. The shove back in was as painful as the first, making Vin see flashes of light behind his eyes. The next shove, and the next and the next came rapidly, and Vin couldn't seem to draw a breath at all for long minutes, as it went on and on.

At last, Bobby grunted behind him, and ground against him with quick, erratic thrusts. On Bobby's long, low groan, Vin knew the man was coming inside him and Vin finally managed a rough, but deep breath. When he exhaled, it was with half-sob, half-scream.

"Damn," Kyle whispered, an appreciative tone in his voice that stirred the nausea in Vin's stomach.

He opened his eyes, but couldn't hardly see, with them being wet from tears and having been shut so tight for so long. When they finally cleared, he caught a flicker of light toward toward the ground. Kyle's knife, reflecting off the moon. Vin's head was yanked back, but the brief glance he managed showed him that Kyle's grip on the handle wasn't tight.

Bobby pulled out of Vin's tender ass, panting harshly behind him.

Instinct kicked in before Vin could even put a conscious, coherent thought together. His hands were bound together, but he still had the use of his fingers, and at least some mobility in his wrists. It happened fast. He tensed his back for support then lurched forward and grabbed Kyle's knife hand, twisting it so hard he knew the man's wrist snapped. He used his grip on Kyle's hand to shove upward, sinking the blade into Kyle's belly without having to even touch the handle.

Bobby grabbed for Vin's waist again, but he'd scrambled just out of reach, and he only managed to get hold of the pants bunched at Vin's thighs. Vin's fingers dug at the knife stuck in Kyle's belly.

"Son of a bitch!" Bobby screamed.

"Bobby?" Kyle gurgled softly, his strength rapidly waning.

Vin got the knife yanked from Kyle's gut while Bobby tugged at Vin's pants. Vin twisted his body at the waist, knife held in his fist. Bobby still had one hand twisted into Vin's pants, but his other hand worked frantically at his own britches, leaving him at an awkward angle.

Vin lunged up, but Bobby blocked the blow with a beefy arm, dropping his grip on his britches. Vin lunged again, though, and ripped into Bobby's shirt in a horizontal swipe. He caught at least a little flesh with that strike, though, and Bobby dropped his handful of britches and slapped his hand over the wound, rage on his face.

Vin struck out again, and this time the knife went squarely into Bobby's heart, the man's hands wrapped around Vin's, a split second too late. With a vicious shove, the knife went in just a bit further. Vin jerked it out again, hard, and Bobby's expression dissolved from fury to utterly blank, and then his body fell over sideways with a thump.

Vin turned back to Kyle. The other man sat on his heels, shock and confusion on his face. Vin crawled the short distance and knelt in front of him, knife firmly in his grasp. Kyle watched him, not moving at all.

"I warned you," Vin croaked and then faster than he thought possible, sank the knife into Kyle's heart. The man keeled over instantly.

Vin caught his breath and tried to calm himself. He was shaking, all over, and not just from the cold. He dropped the knife in front of himself and awkwardly dragged his pants back up over his hips. He scrambled for the knife again, but couldn't get it turned the right way to cut through the ropes.

He sat back on his calves and wedged the knife handle between his thighs. He kept his legs together, real tight, and that helped keep the blade steady as he rubbed the rope along the edge. Felt like forever when he finally broke free, and he had probably a dozen little cuts on his hands by the time he was done. But done it was, and he was released.

He tossed the rope aside and got to his feet. His legs were wobbly, but he could walk. He turned in a half circle till he spotted the men's horses, tied to a tree about thirty feet away. He reached a big, brown gelding first, and untied it.

Hurt when he lifted his leg to the stirrup, but he grunted through it and managed to pull himself up into the saddle. He rode to the top of a ridge nearby, to try to get his bearings. Once there, he knew exactly which way was town. He had about half an hour's ride. Pain lanced through him from head to toe, concentrated in his ass, but he could make it.

"He was just heading out to check on Peso," Inez told Chris again. "That stupid mare of Buck's had kicked him, and Vin was just going to check the bandage on his leg and come right back in. But he never came back."

Chris paced the kitchen, thinking. Not much they could do at night; they couldn't track Vin, that was for sure. Buck and the others were already out questioning the townsfolk.

"Is that tall fella from Little Rock still in town? He visited Vin twice this week, seemed pretty taken with him," Chris said.

"He left yesterday on the stage," Inez answered. "I think," she added with a visible wince.

Chris held his tongue, with effort. "I guess I'll just go make sure," Chris answered tightly, and turned for the front door, ready to march over to the hotel across the street.

He got as far as the hallway before Inez cried out for him. "Senor Chris! Come quickly!"

Chris spun around and ran back to the kitchen.

He was there, thank god. He looked terrible, though. Vin could barely stand, his hair was wildly mussed, he was filthy, and his shirt was ripped. Chris took him by the shoulders and guided him to a chair. Vin's body was hard with tension, and Chris felt a slight tremor under his hands.

"Go find the others and tell 'em," Chris said to Inez.

"JD's doing that now. He found him outside, arriving on a strange horse. I'll grab a bottle of whiskey," she offered.

Chris nodded, and she scurried off. Chris pulled up a chair and sat in facing Vin.

"Hey. You wanna tell me what happened?" Chris asked softly.

Vin brought his vacant stare to Chris' eyes, and slowly his glazed expression cleared. "What?"

"What happened, Vin?" Chris repeated quietly.

Vin's mouth opened, but for a long second, nothing came out. Then, so soft Chris could barely hear, he answered. "Got jumped out back. There was two of them."

Chris took a deep breath, trying to keep rein on his anger-- and his fear. "Where are they now?" he asked calmly.

"Killed 'em, Chris. Killed 'em both. Rode back to town on one of their horses."

Vin dropped his eyes again, fixing his gaze at nothing but the wood grain of the kitchen table.

"Vin? Vin? Look at me, now," Chris gently ordered. "How bad did they hurt you? We need to have Nathan see to ya."

Vin shook his head wearily. "I been worse, Chris. Just bruised and sore, is all. I... I need to get clean. I want this filth offa me."

"All right, Vin. We'll get a bath ready for ya."

Inez came in with a bottle and a glass, poured a drink and handed to Vin, who took with shaking hands-- hands stained red. He downed the shot quickly and held the glass for another. Inez poured without question.

"So much blood. God, there was so much," Vin muttered, to himself mostly, then downed the second shot. His hands only shook worse, though. "I gotta get it off me, Chris." His voice was barely a whisper, but the strain in it was painful to hear.

"Inez? Can you get that bath ready?"

"Right away, Chris," the woman answered and scurried away.

Buck came charging into the kitchen through the back door, JD on his heels, and stopped cold when he got a look at Vin. Chris found Buck's eyes with his own, and shook his head, knowing Buck would get the message to go easy.

Buck nodded his understanding and shooed JD off to his room, then moved slowly to another chair at the table. "We're glad to see you back, Vin."

Vin nodded in acknowledgment, but didn't look up. His eyes were fixed on his shaking hands.

"Vin? You're gonna have to describe where you left the bodies. We have to send someone out to get 'em," Chris said quietly.

Vin's head snapped up and Chris' stomach tightened at the look of fear etched on his face. "I'm gonna have to go to jail?"

"Oh, god, Vin, no. It was self-defense. But we have to bury them, and the incident has to be officially recorded."

"Judge Henry," Vin hissed. "He gets word of this, it's just one more thing he'll have to hold over my head. Might as well be dead, now."

Chris' jaw clenched, but Buck answered before he could. "We will not let that happen, Vin. Ya hear? This wasn't your fault. We'll think of something."

Chris sighed. He didn't want to make promises he couldn't keep, but maybe Buck's instincts were right this time. Vin needed to hear something positive right now.

"That little valley just past Sully Ridge. About a mile northeast past the gully. Other fella's horse was still tied there when I left."

"Buck, send Josiah and Nathan. Have 'em bring back everything they find."

Buck nodded and rose from the table. He stopped beside Vin and pressed his hand to Vin's shoulder. "It'll be all right, Vin."

Vin just shook his head no, but didn't answer. Buck let out a long breath, then left.

"Ain't never gonna be all right, Chris."

Chris held his hands over Vin's, waiting until Vin's eyes met his. "Somehow, sometime, we'll make it right. For now, let's just get you upstairs and cleaned up."

He drew Vin from the chair, and with a hand on his back, guided him up the back stairs and to the bath Inez had started.

As Vin peeled his clothes off, the reality of what had happened to him hit Chris full on. Vin moved stiffly, telling Chris how much pain he was in, and the bruises told their own story. They covered Vin's ribs and back, and marks in the shape of fingers colored Vin's pale hips.

It was hard enough to watch Vin walk up those steps night after night with strange men, knowing Vin had to let them use his body. It was what Vin had to do, for the time being, to survive. But this? This had nothing to do with what Vin had to do for a living.

When Vin wasn't working, he belonged to Chris. Those bastards had taken what belonged to him, and he was sorry they were already dead; he couldn't do it himself.

He watched Vin sink into the water, sighing as his abused muscles found temporary relief. Chris dragged a chair to the head of the tub, needing to be closer to Vin. Chris talked a big game, but when it came down to it, he belonged to Vin as much as Vin belonged to him. The younger man had claimed a piece of Chris the first night they met, and Vin had made that piece of Chris all his own.

Looking at the pain and worry that tightened Vin's face, Chris knew that he would go along with whatever Buck and the others came up with to keep Vin's name from getting into the official record of what happened to those two men who'd taken him.

"They said I was just a whore anyway. Shouldn't make much difference what they was doing." Vin's voice was flat, and sounded empty.

Chris swallowed the lump in his throat, and slid off the the chair to kneel next to the tub. He carefully took Vin's face in his hands. Vin's eyes opened, the despair in them making them bluer than ever. "It makes every bit of difference, and you know it."

Vin looked like he wanted to believe, but doubt still lingered, and his eyes became glassy. "I'm tired, Chris."

"I know."

"I'm just so damned tired."

Chris rubbed his thumbs over Vin's cheeks, still holding his face lightly. "I know."

Those words echoed too much of Vin's description of his childhood, but he could understand the feelings behind them. Sometimes a person just got too tired to fight for a while. In Chris' mind, though, those were the times when you let your family do some of the fighting for you, for just a little while. Till you got strong enough again to stand up and fight for yourself.

Chris sat with Vin, helping him get the dirt and grime of the night off his body, and washed Vin's hair for him. After a while, the water got chilly, and Chris helped him out of the tub. He dried him with gentle strokes of the towels, then wrapped Vin in a blanket and led him to his room.

"I got some liniment here, for the bruises. Lie down and I'll get it spread on you."

Vin nodded and dropped the blanket. He eased down onto his pallet, on his side, away from Chris and curling in on himself. Chris sat on the edge and tentatively touched Vin's shoulder. "Let me help, Vin. Let me get this on you, then we'll get you covered up under those blankets."

Vin closed his eyes, but rolled onto his back. Chris warmed the liniment on his fingers before he began applying it in light strokes over the bruises on vin's ribs. Vin flinched on almost every single flutter of Chris' fingers, and each time was a punch in Chris' gut.

"Vin? I'll need you to lie on your belly, now. We're almost done. Just a few more of these to see to, and you can rest."

Vin's breathing grew more rapid, and Chris knew he was fighting panic. Chris tried to be as gentle as he knew how, and though Vin remained tense, he didn't try to move away. When he was finished with the mottled bruises on Vin's back, he reached for the ointment that would help the pain of the tearing he knew Vin had experienced.

"Vin? Look at me, pard. I'm gonna need you to trust me again." Chris stretched next to Vin, and tried to hold Vin's eyes to his own. "I got some ointment. It'll help with the pain down there."

Vin squeezed his eyes closed again, and Chris' heart sank. But then Vin finally answered, real soft. "Just... go easy, Chris. I'm awful sore."

"I know, Vin. And I'm sorry." Chris stayed where he was, so that if Vin opened his eyes again, first thing he'd see would be Chris' face.

He slowly pressed his finger between the cheeks of Vin's ass, and sure enough, Vin flinched. But he didn't try to move away. Chris gently touched the hot pucker of Vin's anus and spread the ointment with as light a touch as he could. Vin's eyes remained shut tight, but Chris saw moisture gathering at the corners, and he felt the protective clench of Vin's hole, despite the care Chris was taking.

Soon enough, Chris figured he got the ointment on Vin best he could, and he carefully pulled his finger away from Vin's ass. "All done. Now why don't we get you under these blankets so you can get some rest?"

Vin nodded, and sat up enough for Chris to get the covers pulled back, then he curled up under them, onto his side again, but this time facing Chris instead of away from him. Chris wasn't sure what to do next. He wanted to stay with Vin, but he looked too skittish to be able to relax with Chris there. Chris hated it, but if Vin wouldn't be comfortable with him here, then he had to leave. He started to get up, but Vin's hand grabbed hold of his wrist.

Vin hesitated, looking like he wasn't too sure what he should say, but finally he met Chris' eyes, and said softly, "Stay?"

Chris felt a half-smile forming on his lips, but he knew it was a sad one. "Sure," he answered, kicked off his boots and settled next to Vin, but on top of the covers. A tentative hand skimmed over Chris' stomach, and a second later, Vin had his arm draped over Chris' waist. A moment later, Vin's cheek came to rest on Chris' chest.

Chris' stomach fluttered. He didn't know if Vin was doing this for himself, or because he knew Chris needed it. In the end, he decided it was probably a little of both. Only trouble was, Chris couldn't decide how little or how much he should be touching Vin in return. He didn't want to spook him, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know that his touch was unwelcome, now that the tending of Vin's wounds was all done. Maybe after they'd both had a little rest, things would start to look better to both of them.

Chris lay staring at the ceiling for a couple hours, Vin quiet and unnaturally still against him, then he saw the door slowly push open, and Buck slipped inside. The lamps were turned down, but Chris could make out a glass and something balanced on top. Chris slid out from under Vin, who curled in on himself more once Chris was up.

"Inez made him a sandwich, and I got him a glass of milk, too. Wouldn't hurt him none to try a little," Buck said, nodding his head in Vin's direction.

Chris looked over his shoulder at Vin, wanting to take the offered food over and kick Buck the hell out of there, but for some reason, he felt stuck where he was. He wanted to be good at this, at helping Vin through whatever was going on in his mind about all this, but he was honestly a little lost.

"Chris, why don't you head down and get a bite yourself?"

Chris whipped his head around, feeling as though Buck was chastizing him somehow for his inadequacy. But there was no accusation in Buck's eyes, just the same, gentle understanding Chris was used to seeing when someone close to him was hurting. "Don't know that I should leave him, Buck."

"I'll sit with him a spell. You can wind down a little and come back up when you're feeling a little better. Go on, it's all right," Buck added, easing past him, food and milk still in his hands.

Chris sent another look Vin's way, still not sure. "Not quite sure what to do next."

"Well then, take a break until you decide. In the meantime, I have an idea what to do," Buck answered, seeming a hell of a lot more sure of himself than Chris felt. That pretty much settled it.

"I'll be back in a while. Holler if he needs me before then."

Buck nodded, and edged over to the pallet. Chris looked once more over his shoulder to see that Vin hadn't moved an inch. He hoped Buck could get Vin more relaxed than he'd been able to manage.

Vin had seen the food in Buck's hands, from the corner of his eye, but he wasn't much tempted. He'd also heard Chris and Buck's hushed voices, though he hadn't been able to make out the actual words. His heart pounded when he realized Chris was leaving, but he fought down the panic. Chris would be back; he didn't have to doubt that.

"Hey, kid," Buck said, setting the glass on the floor next to the pallet and plopping down right in Chris' spot next to him.

Vin looked up from where the blankets were tucked up under his chin. "Ain't too hungry, but thanks," Vin said, voice sounding small to his own ears.

"Well, we'll just put this down right here, and if you feel like it, you can have a bite or two," Buck said, then put the sandwich on the bed, little crumbs from the bread rolling around on the napkin.

It was easier to watch the excitement of bread crumbs than think too hard about why he'd been so jumpy about Chris leaving. Wasn't like him at all to be so damned clingy, and despite the worries he'd had about Buck showing so much interest in JD, Vin himself hadn't ever felt remotely threatened by Buck.

"Feel like talking about it?" Though Buck's voice was a whisper, it was still a little bit startling in the silence that had stretched out.

Vin's eyes darted up reflexively. "Not a lot to say," Vin answered.

Buck's mouth twitched, considering. "Well, you could say how mad you are, you could say how you feel about killing them boys who done it. Hell, you could say anything about it you want."

Vin burrowed further into the blankets. Should he just come out and say it, he wondered? What the hell. "I'm glad they're dead."

Buck nodded. "I can imagine that."

"I mean it, Buck. I ain't sorry at all that I killed 'em, and I'm guessing there's folks who think I should be."

"Those folks didn't have to go through what you did, though," Buck replied right away, holding Vin's eyes with his own.

"They won't understand," Vin said, shaking his head and suppressing a shiver. It also wasn't like him to worry much on what other people thought.

"Hell, folks who matter-- folks who care about you-- understand, and I can tell you that they are just as glad as you are that those boys are dead."

Vin didn't know what to say to that. He was so damned mixed up inside, he didn't know up from down. He couldn't wrap his head around it; folks caring about him enough that it didn't matter he'd killed those boys. Gutted them, escaped, and left 'em deader than a beaver hat. "Don't make sense."

Buck surprised him with a short laugh. "I've heard that a lot from you over the months. Give it a little more time, and it'll make sense."

"Seems I've heard a lot of that from you, too," Vin replied, a little bit irritated on top of things.

Buck laughed again, and leaned down, squishing the sandwich between them, to clasp Vin by the shoulder and pull him into an awkward hug. Hell, in the middle of the road or in the middle of Vin's pallet, Buck didn't seem to care when or where he was; if he was of a mood to squeeze the life out of someone, he would. Vin found himself drinking it up, without quite understanding why. The hug plucked a little at his aches and pains, making them a tad sharper, and yet it made him feel better than any healer's brew could.

After a long moment, Buck released him, but still kept a hand tangled affectionately in Vin's hair. "It's gonna be all right, Vin. Maybe not right away, but it'll be all right."

Vin sighed softly and nodded. Wasn't sure he really believed it, but it felt damn good to hear. It occurred to him then, that Buck had known exactly what Vin needed to hear, and was ready to say it. And from the way Buck'd said it, sounded like he really believed himself. It was kinda like Buck having faith enough for both of them. Maybe that caring stuff was starting to make a little more sense after all, Vin decided.

Vin cleared his throat and took a quick glance up at Buck. "Don't recall that I ever come out and said it, but... I'm glad you been here for JD."

Buck smiled at him, his expression gentle-- again, just what Vin needed. "I'm glad, too. Didn't have a little brother growin up. It's kinda nice to get to play the part of big brother now and then."

Vin couldn't help it, and smiled back, though he knew it was a weak one. "You're awful good at it, for someone who don't get to do it that much."

Buck's expression grew amusingly smug. "Aaahhh, I'm a man of many talents."

Vin let out a soft snort and relaxed under the languid caress of Buck's fingers on his scalp. He thought back to the last time he and Buck had talked about how people who care for each other, treat each other. Vin hadn't been happy that Chris and Buck had thought for even a moment that he'd lied to them about Charlotte Richmond. Buck had eanestly explained that people who care-- people who consider their friends to be family-- make allowances for each other when they get upset. Buck had wanted that consideration from Vin. He'd wanted Vin to consider him family.

Buck's easy, freely given comfort, the soothing touch he offered now, finally allowed Vin to see; it wasn't just that Vin had given Buck and Chris a little leeway to act out. They'd done the same thing for him, all along. They'd allowed him to overreact to their fleeting doubts, and didn't fuss at the distance he often kept between them. And they hadn't called him on it, neither one of them of had. Vin realized then that they never would. Because they cared for him. They'd already considered him family. Hell, the big dolts loved him, both of them did, in their own ways.

It was a heady feeling, almost overwhelming when coupled with the storm he was carrying inside over having been grabbed, beat and raped. So much emotion, churning and boiling within him; so much that it damn near hurt from all of it trying to burst out of him at once. He found his throat tightening again, and his eyes started to sting.

Buck gathered him close again, and it was like a damn broke inside him. He couldn't control the torrent. He let Buck hold on to him so he wouldn't get washed completely away. He tried not to make a lot noise, but there was nothing he could do about soaking the front of Buck's shirt with his tears.

He had no idea how long it went on, only gradually became aware that the storm was passing, and that he was finally quiet, head resting heavily against Buck's chest while Buck very slowly rocked side to side. Vin had the thought that if he had any pride at all, he'd be ashamed of acting this way. But he couldn't summon the energy, and figured maybe this was one of those things Buck would make allowances for.

A while longer, and Vin eased away a bit, comfortable as it had been. Couldn't wallow against Buck forever, he decided. "Glad I didn't do that while Chris was in here," Vin finally whispered.

Buck just rolled his eyes at him. "You know Chris wouldn't have thought no less of ya for it."

Vin shrugged. "Ain't just that, though. I seen it in eyes, Buck. Hurts him to see me like this."

"Well, of course it does. But it'd hurt him more knowing he couldn't help you with your grievin. It's bad enough when someone you love is in pain. But it's worse when you can't do nothin to make it any better."

Vin let out a shaky sigh and thought on it some. Maybe Buck was right, but Vin still didn't feel right, heaping his own hurts onto Chris. He'd just have to wait and see if Chris was with him if he reached the breaking point again. "Got myself in a hell of a mess this time," Vin finally said, sliding deeper into his blankets.

Buck rubbed his head again, a slow, warm gesture. "You don't have to worry about that just now. We'll work it out. You just get yourself some rest, and we'll figure all this out later."

Vin's rest lasted four days, before he started making noise about needing to get back to work. Chris despised the idea, of course, but there wasn't much he could say. He couldn't order Vin not to do his job, no matter how much he wanted to.

Vin just wasn't ready, Chris was sure of it. In those four days since the attack, Chris had yet to sleep under the covers-- and it was definitely just to sleep; no way could Chris consider getting intimate with just yet. Vin was obviously skittish about getting skin to skin, even though he still seemed to want the physical affection and closeness Chris had carefully offered. It just didn't make sense, then, that Vin would shy away from Chris and yet put himself on the floor for customers.

The best Chris could guess was that Vin was trying to deny to himself that something that horrible had ever even happened to him. He treated the whole thing like it'd been something more along the lines of taking a fall from his horse than having been brutally raped. The oddest thing, though, was Vin hadn't even mentioned the trouble that could be looming, with those boys having been killed when Vin escaped. It'd been one of Vin's biggest worries, those first few hours, but since then he hadn't uttered a word.

Truth be told, Chris was actually a little relieved at that. He still wasn't sure what to do about it, and time was running out before he'd have to get something about those boys' deaths on official record. He'd spent so much time looking after Vin that he hadn't really had time to talk with Buck at length about it, either. Chris resolved to make the time to do that tonight, while Vin worked the floor at the house.

He hated it, watching Vin work, but he knew he had to put it aside for Vin's sake. Whether Vin admitted it or not, he needed Chris there when he stepped onto the floor to go back to the job that had gotten him beat and forcibly took.

Buck gave him a somewhat sour expression when he sidled up to the bar, but Chris just shrugged. "I know. I don't like it either, but if he's determined to get back to it, I'm determined to be here if it don't go right."

Buck's expression softened then. "Can't say I blame you there."

Chris sighed, keeping an eye on the stairs for Vin to come down. "Still don't know what to do about getting those boys' deaths on record."

"Seems to me somebody had to have seen something that could back up Vin's account of it all."

"If somebody did, they aren't talking," Chris answered, his jaw clenching.

"Well, it could still happen. We ain't exactly been advertising why we're asking questions about those boys, on that night. Could be that somebody who saw something and just don't know how bad we need 'em to come forward."

Chris winced. Unlikely but possible. "We can hope."

Buck didn't answer, and Chris didn't expect him to; Vin was standing at the top of the stairs, looking like he was about to face the firing squad. Wasn't fair, Vin having to do this. Not now, if ever.

"I know he needs you here, Chris, but are you sure it won't be harder if he actually sees you?" Buck asked.

It was a fair question, and Chris didn't know the answer. "I suppose I could hide out by your office door," Chris said, thinking Vin could spot him there if he felt the need to look for him, but that he'd be otherwise out of Vin's way.

"I'll stick around over here, in case I see something you can't from over there."

Chris turned to him and nodded. "Appreciate it, Buck."

Chris was leaning against the office door long before Vin made it down the stairs. His hesitance was painfully obvious, and it ate a hole in Chris' gut. Once Vin was down and on the floor, though, it seemed to get a little easier for him. He picked up a couple drink orders, and even managed a friendly smile a time or two.

A quick look at Buck had Chris jumpy again, though. Buck subtly signalled in the direction of the front door. One of the ranchers from the Redfork area, big fella going bald, stood there, hat in his hands, eyes pinned on Vin. Chris didn't remember the man's name, only knew that he came this way for his needs because Redfork wasn't known for tolerating male whores. Michael had had the man a couple times before he'd left town, and had said he was all right, but this fella would be new to Vin, and Chris knew that it wouldn't go well. He felt it in his gut.

Chris nodded at Buck, letting him know they'd have to keep a close watch.

The man didn't make any moves at first, just took a seat at an empty table and watched Vin circulate around the room. Only those who knew Vin would have recognized the falter in his step when he realized he was being watched. Chris didn't know how he managed it, but Vin did give the man something of a smile. Chris winced, though, because not knowing Vin, the man was visibly enamored of what he interpreted as shy interest.

Chris' stomach turned over, but he didn't move to interfere just yet. He watched closely as Vin took the man's drink order, not dallying to get it filled and bring it back to him. He took a seat next to the man, and appeared to be doing okay holding a conversation with him. The man finally stood, with a smile of anticipation, and headed over to the bar, presumably to leave his payment for Vin's services. Vin trailed behind him, looking more and more green with every step he took.

Before they reached the bar, Vin finally faltered noticeably, looking as though he'd fall on his face any second. The man turned, and even though his concern appeared genuine, Chris couldn't help but hate him. Chris couldn't stop himself, he was headed in Vin's direction instantly.

It was a shock when Ezra got there first, though.

"Now, Vin, did the doctor not warn you that broken ribs were not something to take lightly? I'm sorry, Mr. Dodd, is it? Perhaps I could interest you in some quiet conversation while Vin takes a little better care of himself?"

"Oh... uh... yes, that'd be fine," the man stammered, eyes still watching Vin with that damned concern.

Chris hooked an arm around Vin's waist and guided him away, listening as Ezra quickly spun a little tale about barnyard accidents and young men entirely too reckless with green horses. He spared a quick look over his shoulder, just long enough to give Ezra the grateful nod he deserved, then focused on getting Vin out of there before anyone else noticed just how pale and panicked he looked.

The stairs were tricky, as Vin leaned on him more and more with each step, but before too long, Chris had Vin in his room and was easing him down to his pallet. Vin's head immediately sank into his hands. Chris sat beside him, rubbing Vin's back gently as his body began to shake. Vin didn't utter a sound, but Chris knew it was silent sobs that wracked his body.

To hell with what he could and couldn't order Vin to do, Chris decided. "That settles it. You aren't going back to work till I say. If I say."

"We ain't talking about this. Not now," Vin croaked.

"Yes, now," Chris replied harshly. "I'm not watching you go through that again. I'm not letting you put me through it again."

Vin surprised the hell out of Chris by turning to him, burying his face against his shoulder. Chris wrapped him up tight, rocking just a little. "You're not going back to that," Chris repeated. "Not now, and maybe not ever."

Vin didn't answer, just clutched him tighter; and while the familiar misery scared Chris, it was also something of a relief to finally feel like he could at least share some of the worst of Vin's pain.

It was another night spent with Chris on top of the blankets, with Vin curled up under them, his body held tight against Chris'. Vin didn't seem to sleep much more than Chris did, drifted off now and then only to jerk awake and clutch at Chris, before relaxing again.

When dawn crept up on the horizon, Chris was wide awake, and he knew that Vin was, too. Still, Chris was content to just lie there until the full light of morning. At last, he knew he couldn't put it off any longer. "We need to talk, pard."

"I know."

Chris wasn't sure how to start, just knew he had to somewhere. "I'm worried, Vin."

"You ain't the only one," Vin replied, his voice getting tighter.

"What I don't know is if you and I are worried about the same things," Chris said, rolling to his side to better see Vin's face as they spoke.

"Chris, I..." Vin started, then dropped his eyes and stopped.

Chris waited, expecting Vin to soon confess that he was more deeply wounded and humiliated by the experience than he'd admitted. Vin had finally had the breakdown last night that Chris had known was coming, so the rest had to be coming, too.

"It changed me," Vin finally whispered. "It changed everything."

Chris scooted down a little, trying to catch Vin's eyes. "What changed?"

He wasn't nearly prepared for the hurt he saw when Vin's eyes did finally meet his. "Never mattered before when people called me a whore. What men bought from me didn't change who I was. Now, it's all different."

"Vin, you're the same person you've always been. Those boys couldn't change you," Chris said, though deep down he wasn't sure of that at all.

Vin shook his head. "Used to think those men could touch me on the outside, but not inside. Not as long as I was the one who decided to let 'em touch me at all. Hell, even that old bastard Tyler Henry, he never got a piece of me that I didn't let him have. But them boys, they made me a real whore. I never got to choose. I ain't who I'm supposed to be."

Chris was completely, utterly out of his depth. He'd been right that Vin wasn't ready to go back to work, but he hadn't even been close to understanding why, and what Vin had really been going through. It wasn't the physical act of being raped that had him so out of sorts; it was that the act had changed everything Vin had believed about himself.

"Vin, listen to me. Doesn't matter who you been with, doesn't matter who's took you. You were right all along-- what's inside of you, that's still yours to give. Nobody can take that, nobody can change that. Nobody but you."

Vin closed his eyes tight. "Don't feel that way to me."

Chris felt his throat closing up. "It does to me, 'cause you done proved it."

The pain in Vin's eyes was even darker when he opened them again. "How?"

"You told me that nobody can make you feel inside what I can. That makes a part of you inside, mine. You gave that to me, and I sure as hell didn't give it away, so that means it's still mine."

"I suppose that's all that's left in there, then," Vin whispered.

"There's more, Vin. You just need a little time to find it again, is all."

Vin shook his head, looking more weary than Chris had ever seen him.

A sharp knock on the door startled them both, Chris sitting up abruptly while Vin shrank further into the bedding. With a pat to Vin's shoulder, Chris hauled himself up and went to see what else had been heaped on their doorstep.

Chris opened the door just enough to peek out, Buck's grim face greeting him. "We got trouble, Chris."

"Hell, I'm not surprised. What now?"

"Kyle and Bobby Gates. Descriptions came through the wires a few minutes ago. Old man Gates is a small time cattle rancher out of Dunn Springs, and he's wanting to know what happened to his boys. We're gonna have to figure out how to get this on record and keep Vin's name out of it. We can't wait no more."

From bad to worse, Chris throught, then turned slowly, getting the feeling Vin had heard every word. Vin stood just behind him, as Chris suspected, looking his age for the first time in as long as Chris could remember.

"Guess it's time for me to move on soon," Vin said, voice flat and tired.

"The hell it is," Buck said, pushing his way into the room. "We already told you, we're gonna work this out, and we will. We're just in more of a hurry than we expected to be."

"Buck's right, Vin. We'll think of something," Chris added, though deep inside, he had to wonder if it was a lie they were all telling themselves. If it was, Chris had the feeling he'd be doing as much packing as Vin. Chris was never good at losing what was his.

Nobody ate much at breakfast. JD was especially quiet, though he was visibly restless. "I got stuff to do," the boy finally said, and scooted back from the table. "Thanks, Inez," he added, picking up his plate and scraping the leftovers into a bowl for the barn cats.

Inez smiled at him and gave him an affectionate pet over his head as he passed.

"If I have to leave, he's gonna take it hard," Vin said softly, pushing his eggs around on his plate.

"He ain't the only one, you know," Buck answered quickly. "And we ain't decided yet if you're leaving at all, if you remember."

Vin surprised Chris by grinning-- just a little. "I remember," Vin said, though by his tone, Chris knew Vin was humoring Buck, even though Chris could tell from the warmth in Vin's eyes that Buck's sentiments were definitely welcome.

Soon enough, they all rose from the table, taking the conversation over to the jail. He, Vin and Buck needed to put their heads together, get this figured out quick.

Vin paced in front of the bars of the cells, while Buck perched on the edge of Chris' desk.

"As long as it doesn't go to trial, the records can stay local to the territory. Murder trials, even if under local jurisdiction, have to go on the federal record, we don't have a choice," Chris said, pinching the bridge of his nose. It was a hell of a mess. Two dead bodies, with no one to absolutely back Vin up that he'd been snatched, beat and raped. They had enough to show it was likely, with what Inez had seen, and the condition Vin was in when he got back, but it still looked bad enough for Vin that any judge would have to hold it over for trial.

"No way would Travis find Vin guilty," Buck said, looking at Chris, then glancing at Vin, still pacing. "Couldn't he review the case and decide not to have a trial at all?"

Chris blew out a hard sigh. "If Travis reviews it, he won't have a choice but to have a trial. He can't decide for himself who's guilty and who's innocent without going through the official process. That's why we have trials and juries, Buck. And even if it was a bench trial, and Travis found him not guilty, it's still gonna have to go on federal record. What we need, is to stop it from getting that far."

"Hey, I was just askin," Buck said, getting testy.

Just then, the door to the jail swung open, and Mrs. Lange stepped through, JD right behind her.

"I need to report a crime, young man," she said, giving the floor a rap with her cane.

Chris looked at the hard set of her weathered face, and couldn't help but notice how it contrasted with JD's satisfied grin. "What happened, Mrs. Lange?"

"A little less than a week ago, two young men tried to steal my change purse. I can tell you what they looked like easy enough. Vin saw them, too, I believe. If it weren't for him, they'd have gotten away with it," she added, sending a grateful smile Vin's way.

Chris couldn't help but notice the way Vin's eyes softened, gratitude and a little bewilderment lighting them up.

"Thank you," Chris said, feeling hope that there was a way out of this after all. "We'll take those descriptions and make sure it's filed."

"Here's Mary," JD said, opening the door again.

"Morning, Chris." She nodded at the others. "I saw something several nights ago that I just realized I should have reported. I'm sorry it took me so long to think of it."

"What'd you see?" Chris asked, more than a little suspicious.

Mary took a deep breath. "I remember seeing two men sneaking behind Buck's barn. It was dark, but I could tell from my window that one of them was tall and broad, the other was average, and rather thin. They weren't customers, or they would have gone right to Buck's front door. I just got busy after I saw them, and forgot about it until this morning. I hope it's not too late for me to make a report."

Mary hadn't seen a damn thing, and Chris knew it. But here she was, ready to lie to her father-in-law and to make a false report, for Vin's sake. "You sure you want to make an official report?" Chris asked, needing to give Mary one more chance to back out.

"Absolutely," she said, sending a supportive glance in Vin's direction. Vin's throat bobbed as he swallowed, but he nodded at Mary, giving her thanks.

When the door opened yet again, Buck rolled his eyes. "You'd think we was serving drinks and money in here," he said to Chris, but his eyes twinkled.

Calvin Brady pulled his hat off his head and nodded to everyone. "Chris. Thought I better say something about a couple of troublemakers we might have around town."

Chris grinned. "Guess we better get it all down, then."

Before Chris could even ask for details from Calvin, Gloria Potter pushed her way into the jail, followed by Ginny Baker and Yosemite. Chris didn't have to be told why they were there, and from the looks of it, neither did Vin.

Vin looked a tad overwhelmed, as though he wasn't sure what he should be feeling. His posture was humbled, grateful, and yet somehow dignified. It reminded Chris of something Buck had said just a couple days earlier; that every day, Vin was growing into the man he was meant to be, and every day that man was closer and closer to the surface. Seemed to Chris that Buck was right. And from the outpour of gratitude and respect from the towns' folk, they were seeing that man in Vin, too.

JD squeezed his way through the crowd, face about to crack from his smile. Vin ruffled his hair when he got to him, and JD blushed, looking as proud of himself as he should be.

Everyone talked at once, blithering about unsavory young men causing trouble in town, and Chris just grinned through it all, jotting down everything he managed to catch, to put in the reports to send to Travis.

At one point, Chris caught JD's eyes, and he gave the boy a nod of approval that lit his face up even more. Hell, maybe Buck was right about JD, too, and it wouldn't be all that long before JD officially made them seven. The boy was certainly headed in the right direction.

The next several days seemed to be alternately rough and yet easier for Vin. With the weight of a trial off Vin's shoulders, Chris tried to concnetrate on doing what he could to help Vin start feeling like himself again. He still looked out of sorts a lot of the time, and hadn't put up a fight about not going back to work, though he expressed his concerns now and then about pulling his own weight-- and with getting his payment off to Tyler Henry in time.

Chris had taken care of it for the time being though, sending Josiah and Nathan to Eagle Bend for this month's wire. Vin had immediately forked over to Chris the entire payment, which about wiped him out, when he'd heard Josiah and Nathan had gone. Understanding Vin's pride and his need for independence, Chris had accepted the cash, though it hadn't hurt him to pay the blackmail money himself. It was the same old argument, though, Vin refusing to be 'kept', as he put it. Chris didn't see it that way, but he could kind of understand how Vin would.

It was obvious though, that they'd have to work something out for the next month's wire. If Vin didn't find something to do for money, he'd be short for the month, especially considering he'd refused the pay for the days he hadn't been able to help out with his part time duties to Chris as hired help.

Chris knew they'd have to talk about it again in the morning, but for the time being, he was beat, and looking forward to curling up with Vin and getting some sleep. As he approached Buck's, Chris saw Vin sitting on the porch, legs swinging over the edge.

"Evening, cowboy," Vin called out with a grin once they were close enough to see each other's expressions.

Chris grinned back. It was good to see Vin in a playful mood again. "What're you doing out here?" Chris asked, scanning the windows of Buck's place to see that the crowds were indeed thinning out for the night.

"Don't feel like going in just yet," Vin answered with a shrug.

It was plain to Chris that there was more to it than that. Not having much to do inside, Vin was probably wondering just where it was he really belonged. "How about we change things around a bit? Why don't you come stay at my house tonight?"

Vin looked surprised by the idea, and even a little confused, but definitely not opposed. "You sure?"

Chris chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure. Come on, then." Chris nodded his head in the direction of the end of the street.

Vin hopped off the porch and joined him, walked next to him with a serene smile. Once inside, and Chris had closed the door behind them, he realized that Vin was actually a little nervous. Chris gave Vin's neck a rub as he squeezed past him to get into the tiny kitchen area.

Vin twitched his lips, fighting a grin. "Just don't seem to be here that much."

Chris slid him a grin of his own. "That could change, you know. Hell of a lot more quiet than your room at Buck's."

Vin's eyes narrowed a little in confusion. "Usually pretty quiet by the time you show up anyhow."

Chris shook his head, amused. For a bright boy, Vin could sometimes be just a little thick. "I meant quieter for you. No need to be staying there if you aren't working," Chris added.

Vin stiffened and turned half-way from him. Obviously he'd got his back up. "I aim to earn my keep, Chris. Buck's been good to me, but I ain't lookin to take adva--"

"Vin!" Chris interrupted, laying a hand on his shoulder. "That's not what I'm saying. We all know how you feel about earning your way, and we respect it. I'm just saying that if you don't have to deal with working, why not spend some time here, instead? Whole reason we did up that pallet was because it was easier to stay there after working hours. If you don't have the same working hours, we can stay here, have a little more privacy."

Vin's eyebrows climbed. "More privacy? As long as I stay at Buck's everyone will keep pretending they don't know about me. But if I start staying here with you regular, Chris, folks will talk."

Chris shook his head. "Not if we don't give 'em reason. I figure room and board should be included in your pay." Vin started to lock horns with him-- that damned independence again, but before Vin could get the argument out of his mouth, Chris continued. "It's only fair, Vin. You'll be taking on a little more than the others anyway. A quiet, free place to put yourself up is worth it. It's enough to keep folks minding their own business about where you sleep, too."

Vin let out a deep breath, ducking his head. When he looked up, it was through his eyelashes, abashed. "All right, then. Sounds real nice, I gotta admit, gettin away from Buck's now and then, spending more time here. Guess that's why I was sittin outside just now."

Chris edged over the few steps needed to be close to him again, and pulled Vin to him. Vin's arms wrapped around Chris' waist, and he rested his chin on Chris' shoulder. Chris slid the fingers of one hand into Vin's hair and craned his neck to press his his lips to Vin's temple. His other hand rested gently in the dip of Vin's lower back. Felt nice, having him near again, the warmth of him, the sweet musky smell of him.

Before Chris realized it was happening, he was bone-hard, flush against Vin's groin. His heart pounded, loving the feel of it, but he worried that it was too soon for Vin.

Vin's mouth skimming his neck dispelled that worry, though. "'Bout time," Vin muttered against the sensitive skin just below Chris' ear.

Chris chuckled softly. "You been waiting on me?"

Vin nodded, sucking softly, before his lips pulled back fractionally. "Been waiting for you to realize I ain't gonna break."

Chris pulled him in tighter. "I realized that a long time ago, Vin. Just didn't want to test it out, is all."

Vin squeezed him back, and Chris finally felt Vin's hardness matching his own. Damn, he'd missed this. Chris gripped his hand in Vin's hair tighter, and tugged Vin's mouth to his own, crushing their lips together and sliding his tongue against Vin's.

Clutching Chris' back and shoulders, Vin grew more frenzied, sucked Chris' tongue and moaned softly, sending vibrations from their fused mouths all throughout Chris' body. When they finally drew back for air, Vin dropped his forehead to Chris' shoulder.

"I know I've seen a bed in this place. Head's too fuzzy to remember where it is, though."

"Right back here, pard," Chris said, walking backwards and bringing Vin with him. Chris maneuvered them past the curtain at the back of the little house, to the big bed that took up most of the rear nook. When the backs of Chris' legs hit the edge, they tumbled down upon it, Vin atop Chris, his mouth returning to that sensitive spot on Chris' neck.

Vin nipped, quickly but sharply, sending a thousand and one zinging tingles throughout him. Chris surged, flipping them so that Vin was underneath. Bright blue, very aroused eyes twinkled up at him, making Chris' breath catch. He was torn between wanting to rip off their clothes right that second, and wanting to slow down and drown himself in the affection that Vin's eyes bathed him in.

Vin smiled up at him then, probably sensing his struggle. Didn't seem to be much Chris felt that Vin didn't somehow know about already. But at that thought, Chris realized he had to be sure of that. This wasn't something he could take for granted, if he could help it.

Supporting himself on one elbow, his other hand resting low on Vin's belly, Chris cleared his throat, and looked Vin in the eyes. The words were stuck, stubbornly lodged in his throat, and he had to glance away a moment. When he turned back, Vin was looking at curiously, but patiently.

"Vin, you know I... ah hell, it's just... I... you know."

A happy, yet somehow wicked grin formed on Vin's mouth. "Yeah. I know."

"Yeah?" Chris asked, relieved even though his heart was now in his throat.

"Yeah. And you know... me too," Vin added, a light flush on his cheeks.

"Yeah?"

"Oh yeah."

Chris felt his own grin about to split is face wide open. From Vin's chuckle, he must've looked pretty damned silly. But he didn't care. Finally, it felt as though things were falling into place. Vin was here, with him, and for the time being wouldn't be working at Buck's.

And more than that, he and Vin had at last come out and said what they meant to each other. Kinda made it official, Chris thought. No more fiascos with troublesome townswomen looking to snare one or the other away, and no more tangles with wayward gamblers and their overeager customers. It was just Chris and Vin, the way it was supposed to be.

Vin pulled him down again, greeting him with soft lips and an active tongue. Vin really wouldn't break, he knew. He'd only get stronger, and Chris with him. Accepting Vin's hot, wet kisses, Chris let go of the last of his worries for Vin, and just let himself feel.

The day was unusually warm for the time of year, and it seemed all of Chris' hired guns had found their way to the saloon for a beer. Wasn't often that they were all gathered like this, and Vin found himself enjoying it. He liked all of the men's company, different reasons for each man, but each reason genuine. He trusted all of them, too. Though again, each of them in different ways.

Mostly, though, Vin also enjoyed the way Chris was trying hard not to stare at him too much. Not having worked at Buck's for a few weeks, Vin'd taken to not shaving every day. The light stubble on his cheeks gave him a sort of scruffy look that Chris had admitted he found even more appealing than his baby-smooth face. Vin was letting his hair grow a little wilder, too, and from the way Chris had taken to yanking around on it while they was having sex, the hair was equally appealing these days.

Chris was grinning at him again, and Vin knew that Chris had it on his mind that nobody else was going to get to sample this dusty version of Vin Tanner. Oh, Chris knew it was a possibility that Vin might have to turn back to his old profession at some point, if he was left without other options. But for the time being, Vin's body was every bit Chris' alone as his heart was, and Vin was well aware that Chris was grateful for that. He showed Vin every damn chance he got.

"Vin?"

Buck's voice brought him out of a brief reverie. "Hmm?"

"Where'd you run off to?" Buck asked, a teasing twinkle in his eyes. Seemed that Buck hadn't missed the way Chris was looking at him, and Vin was smart enough to realize he'd probably seen Vin looking back. At least Buck'd stopped moo'ing at him, calling him a lovesick calf. Vin could turn away from a lot, but ignoring the moo'ing had been tough.

"Just thinkin," Vin replied after a moment, somehow feeling his mood sink a little bit, not particularly knowing why.

"Guess they wasn't the happy thoughts I figured, then," Buck said, looking at him strangely. As they all were, now.

Hell, no matter how good things got, it always came back to what he was going to do that month about getting Tyler Henry paid off. It was getting to be that time again, and even if Vin hadn't realized it right away, the thought was always just under the surface. "Gonna have to look for more work, soon," he finally said.

"Vin," Chris started, warning-- and worry-- in his voice.

"Not just yet, Chris," Vin promised. Didn't have to go into any more detail than that for all of them to know they were talking about whether or not Vin was going back to work again for Buck.

"Seems to me, there's got to be a way out of this," Nathan said, putting his glass down and leaning forward.

"With six of us to put our heads together, I'd think so, too," Josiah added.

"Six and half," Ezra chimed in, nodding just behind Chris. "We mustn't forget the boy, there."

JD shifted foot to foot, obviously unsure of his welcome, even though Vin could see the others didn't mind JD's presence in the least. "So, what do we need six and a half people for?" JD asked tentatively.

"The boys are thinking they can get Tyler Henry off my back," Vin answered without hesitation. Hell, they all knew what'd happened with the Gates boys, and they all knew what he got up to at Buck's. He'd long stopped worrying about them knowing about Henry.

JD took a swig of his milk, and Vin tried not to laugh. That thoughtful expression and milk mustache just didn't go together. "I got an idea," JD said, putting his glass on the table.

"By all means, JD, do not keep us in suspense," Ezra said, his grin teasing.

"Well... we know he likes, uh, boys about a certain age, right?"

Vin flicked a look at Chris, which Chris returned with one of his own that confirmed that this was not going to be good. "Go on," Vin said.

"Why not set a trap? We can use me as bait."

A chorus rang out, six voices at once. "No!"

JD flinched. "It was just an idea."

Chris shook his head, grinning. "JD, it's a decent idea, but we're not going to use you as bait. It's too dangerous."

"But thanks, JD," Vin added, feeling a little choked up that the kid would offer himself up so quickly for him.

"Isn't there anything I can do to help?" JD asked, looking too damned earnest for Vin's comfort.

"You can pull up a chair," Chris said. "You're making my neck hurt, standing where I can't see you."

JD grinned big, as Buck pulled a chair next to him. JD scrambled for it, nearly spilling the contents of his glass.

"Actually, the boy might be on to something, though," Ezra said, causing all heads to whip in his direction. "Of course, I don't mean using him in whatever scheme we concoct," he clarified under the weight of all their glares.

"Then what do you mean?" Josiah asked, looking as skeptical as Vin felt.

"I just mean that with our collective resources, we would be in a position to execute a plan every bit as bold as JD's."

Vin caught Chris' eyes again, and was surprised to see intense interest sparked in them.

"Keep talking," Chris said, nodding in Ezra's direction.

Ezra cleared his throat, and Vin could see his mind working. "I would assume that Mr. Larabee's brand of persuasion wouldn't be advisable, as this concerns a federal judge."

"Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind, though," Chris growled.

Ezra's head gave a nervous twitch at the thought. It made Vin oddly proud. "Be that as it may," Ezra went on, "Though outright intimidation would not be wise, perhaps we could indeed find a way to use a somewhat more subtle means of intimidation."

"How're we supposed to do that?" Nathan asked, looking real hesitant to trust anything Ezra came up with, but he wasn't counting Ezra out, Vin could tell.

Ezra shrugged. "If it were that easy, we'd have figured it out by now. But as I've said, between all of us, I believe we can come up with something effective."

"I believe you're right," Chris said, easing back in his chair. His grin, cold and menacing, made Vin's groin tingle a little. Chris' sometimes surly demeanor always did the funniest things to him.

Vin then scanned all six faces at the table, and felt his throat tightening again at what he saw. They all showed unwavering support, even enthusiasm at the thought of digging in and doing something about Tyler Henry once and for all.

When Vin had ridden into town almost a year before, he'd been looking for a place to finally take a long-needed rest from the series of messes and tangles that had been his life. Sure, he'd had his share of tangles even after finding this little town. But the difference was that here, he had friends to help him find his way when the paths ahead were uncertain. Hell, he had better than that; he had family now.

The End