HEROES'  HEARTS by C.V. Puerro

I stare across That solitary broken plain Each and every dawn Saddled with his thorn Trembling lathered messenger Churns up wind streaked tears Always searching for A hero's heart As a dark stranger bleeds Hope lays near death Dreams of sage and sweet grass swirl Around eyes of forgiveness Clutching a tangled wreath On tender brow That can only crown A hero's heart Begging the maker For just one Gentle breath It is whispered We will walk together Past that trail of blood In shadowed truth we find A hero's heart A Hero's Heart - Dale Midkiff.

• Where Heroes Lie (54K) -- Vin Tanner finds JD Dunne angry, humiliated, and frustrated because of a woman. When he tries to help the kid, things take an unexpected turn.

• Men Will Rise (94K) -- JD is upset by his memories of the night before and he's angry at Vin. The tracker, too, is upset and goes to talk with the one person he thinks might understand.

• When Ardors Collide (94K) -- Vin and JD must travel to a nearby town for a trial. It will be their first time alone since their night together.

• Pathos Runs High (101K) -- Tempers flare when Vin and JD return, a week late, from their last assignment. Will the volatility of the situation lead to the dissolution of The Magnificent Seven?

• As Thoughts Stray (92K) -- It's one thing to know, it's another thing to see. When Vin and JD are caught in the act, relationships will never been the same among the Seven.

• All Is Gray (238K) -- Vin was forced to choose, and he chose JD. But when it comes right down to it, can he stick to that decision, or are some things easier said than done?

• On Christmas Day (181K) -- Christmas is coming, it's almost here, yet not all of the seven are looking forward to the day. Will this year turn out better or worse than they expect?

• In Every Way (78K) -- Vin gave in to Chris and allowed him the upperhand. Was that the wrong decision for them all? Vin is beginning to wonder.

Please do NOT repost this story anywhere outside of the Blackraptor Fiction Website.

Characters from "The Magnificent Seven," were used without permission and this story in no way signifies support of or affiliation with The Mirisch Group, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment, and CBS Worldwide, Inc. The story itself and any non-Magnificent Seven characters belong to the author. This story will not be sold for any reason.

The poem, A Hero's Heart by Dale Midkiff, was used without permission or endorsement.

Many thanks to my beta-eader for inspiring these little epics, for bugging me until I finally watched this show, and for her encouragement and ever-helpful comments throughout the entire writing process. These stories would not have occurred without her.

1998 - 2005