Defiant 'Til the Last

by AJ

Contains violence and strong language.

As they reached the crest of a small hill Vin suddenly stopped and sucked in a breath, raising his hand in a sharp motion, indicating to stop. Buck immediately reigned in his horse and looked to Vin.

"What is it?" he asked.

Vin didn't spare him a glance but said quietly and with urgency, "Go. Ride hard. Tell Chris it was a trap."

Buck was about to question him further but reacted to the sense of urgency in Vin's voice as he whispered harshly, "Go-now! I'll cover you and follow!"

Buck made haste. Something was very wrong here, more than Vin was saying, but he knew as well as anyone that Vin's instincts were to be trusted. They had saved everyone's ass time and time again.

Gunfire erupted at Buck's retreating form and he heard the bark of Vin's covering fire. He gave his horse another urgent kick, hoping against hope that Vin was behind him.

Vin continued firing, watching as Buck retreated safely into the treeline below. A few riders gave chase before a shout of "Hold fire!" came in a loud commanding voice. "That wasn't him, he's still up here. Get the men back to search the hill, he's still up here somewhere."

Vin knew he couldn't make a break for it now. They had ambushed him well. He would have to make a stand here, had known it when he'd told Buck to go for help. He'd fought against bad odds before, but there were at least ten men that he had counted so far. He took his position in the harsh undergrowth and took out his knife. This was no time to be making noise . . .

Patiently he waited until his first assailant was within arms reach. Snaking out his arm he slit the man's throat, silently pulling him into the undergrowth with him. Another man soon followed and met the same fate, then a third, who managed a short yelp before taking his place in the bushes.

"Wes?" another man called, having heard the cry of his companion.

He was close, only a few feet away now and Vin tensed, ready again. He was numb now, void of emotion, efficiently doing what he had to, what he was best at . . . killing . . . surviving.

"C'mon," he thought to himself, "That's it . . ."

Another man emerged then, "Where's Wes?" he asked.

"Don't know, somethin's goin on. Where's Charlie and Lem?"

Regardless, they both kept coming, closer, closer . . .

Vin had to reach a little further out from his cover to stab the first man in the heart before leaping to the stunned second man and swiftly ending his life, deeply slicing his throat, almost severing the head in the process.

They were alert to him now. Men were heading quickly his way. One fired.

"Alive!" he heard an order, the same authorative voice that had called the cease fire. "Don't kill him!"

The wanted him alive, huh? That was hard to achieve when aiming at a moving target. Satisfied that he'd evened the odds some, Vin drew his mare's leg and began to run to his horse. Seeing Peso standing patiently where he'd left him, he quickly shot the man guarding him, not breaking stride. Almost within arms reach he felt a burning agony in the back of his thigh and stumbled. It was enough for the man to be on him. He turned, half kneeling and shot another man before he felt another searing pain, this time in his arm, causing him to lose his grip on his rifle.

"It's over, Indian lover."

Vin looked up to see a huge man towering above him, flanked by six other men. The large man was toying with a small silver knife. Vin looked to his arm and saw an exact copy of that knife protruding from deep in his muscle. He knew this man by reputation, Billy Blade was the name he was referred to. He was legendary for killing his adversaries with the specially crafted blades he kept around his belt. Vin could see at least three more hanging there, waiting for a chance to be let loose. He was aware of his gun, just near the reach of his limp hand.

"Don't even think about it son," Billy warned, hefting his knife almost tenderly.

As if in confirmation, the other men raised their guns, all cocked and ready to fire.

With a sigh Vin moved his hand away from his weapon in surrender. Just then a shot rang out and he was flung backwards by the impact of a bullet in his shoulder.

The men looked at each other, quickly finding the one among them that had defied orders and shot the prisoner. Then the men parted and Vin, now having struggled back to his knees, looked up to see the man he had first noticed when he'd ridden up the crest of the hill with Buck. The man's attention was on the cowboy that had shot him and he was facing him with pure rage.

"What the HELL are you doing?!" he shouted at the man who was still holding his gun aimed at Vin.

"He killed my brother!" The man said back, gesturing at Vin, clearly wanting to finish him off.

Then another shot rang out and the cowboy was dead. Still holding his smoking gun the leader said to the rest of the men, "You obey my orders or die, its that fucking simple. I'm paying you enough that you don't get personal, you don't like it leave now."

The men all stood their ground. They weren't going anywhere. He was right, it was damn good money.

The leader's attention then fell on Vin. Vin's look of hatred must have been obvious for the man smirked, an evil twist of his upper lip.

"I see you remember me Tanner," he said, observing the knives sticking out of the young man sprawled before him and the blood flowing freely from his shoulder. He took in every detail of his face, older now and pinched tight from the pain of his wounds. It was just the beginning.

"Who could forget a sick bastard like you Merris?" Vin said, his voice deceptively calm, casual almost.

The grin was gone. "Careful Tanner, or I will forget my plans for you and kill you right here."

"Go ahead," Vin replied, getting to his feet painfully, determined not to cower before the bastard, "Do it. I'm not a little kid you can fuck with anymore."

Ignoring him, Meriss turned to his men. "Where's Wes, Jackson . . .?"

"Dead Colonel." one of the men answered. Gesturing at Vin angrily he continued, "The bastard's like a fucking Indian, slit their throats, they didn't have a chance."

There was a short silence as the men took this in and then Meriss asked quietly, "How many?"

"Wes, Jackson, Phillips, Cobes, Tez . . .. Five."

Another silence. Meriss looked at Vin, not surprised and yet still unable to hold back a grudging respect for this man and his talents. He had been a talented marksmen from a young age, but Meriss had never realised how much potential he had really had back then. The men all feared the long-haired texan. He knew for a fact when he had been putting men together for this job that there were some that didn't want any part of taking him down, some out of fear and some out of respect for what they had heard about him. It was well known that he was trained by Indians and knew how to truly hurt a man if he wanted to. As slight in build as he was, he was solid and lean and moved with the graceful stealth of a predator. They had feared him before they had even witnessed his talent for killing first hand, based on his reputation alone. Right they should, too, he thought, although none would ever admit to it. But then there were some that loved the hunt, wanted to be first in line to bring down a man with a reputation like Tanner's. It was these mean sons of bitches that he had gladly paid to help him finally achieve the one goal that he had nurtured for too many years. Since the day a young boy had turned on him and left him for dead in an alley . . .

"Bring him to the camp," he snapped. "We'll head back to the property." With that he turned and left.

Billy walked up to Vin and with no ceremony, pulled the knife from his shoulder. Vin made no sound. He then turned and moved behind him, pulling his other knife from his leg. It didn't budge at first and Vin winced. It had lodged deep and came out on a hard second tug.

Vin met the man's eyes for the briefest of moments and saw no emotion in them. He was simply a hired man, paid to do his job, it wasn't personal for him. But Vin's eyes promised retribution, he made sure of that.

He was led back to the camp. Struggling with his wounded leg he was shoved roughly forward and fell once, receiving a brutal kick in his side for his trouble.

They bound his hands and feet and threw him to the ground near an old tree while they packed up to move out. To the casual observer, he appeared almost relaxed, but he was watching them all intently. He silently weighed up each man. They were a rough lot, but they were seasoned killers, all of them. For whatever else they lacked, they could kill men with ease. They looked to know each other well and respected their leader. They were definitely pissed at him for killing their friends, if they were merely objectively carrying out their duty before. This was definitely not good.

*****

Chris and the guys were in the saloon, meeting with Travis Jones, a local rancher. He was having problems with cattle theft and they were turning over the possibilities as to who may be taking them.

Chris sat quietly, not fully able to focus on the problem at hand. His mind was on Vin and Buck who had set out early that morning to track a government officials' missing horse. What hadn't sat right with him was the way in which the official had specifically asked for Vin's services. He had apparently heard that Vin was the best tracker in the area and had demanded his help to find his valuable possession. Chris had asked Buck to go along, with no argument from him. They had all thought it a bit suspect the way the man had demanded Vin on the job. Buck, too, had been worried and went along willingly. If the man knew enough about Vin's reputation to know he was a damn fine tracker, there was always the chance he had heard enough to know he was a wanted man.

*****

Buck had ridden hard to get back to Four Corners. They'd been a good half days ride away when they'd been ambushed and dusk had well settled by the time he reached the outskirts of town. It hadn't taken him long to realise that Vin wasn't following him, neither were the men, for that matter. He had circled back and seen them take Vin, and he'd known then that it was him that they had wanted and if they'd wanted him dead, they would have done it already. He needed help, there were too many of them to deal with alone. As much as it nearly killed him to ride away and leave Vin there, he knew that the only chance for survival was to get him help.

He saw the saloon ahead and once more spurred his tired horse forward.

*****

Chris looked up as the saloons swinging doors burst open and a tired and weary Buck dragged himself in.

The men were on their feet instantly.

"What is it?" Chris asked, straight to the point, "and where's Vin?"

"Ambush." Buck said simply. "It was a setup, they were after Vin." Downing the drink thrust into his hand as Nathan pushed him to a chair he told them how Vin had sensed the danger and covered his escape before he was taken.

"Who was it?" Chris asked in a low voice, one that all five men knew well as indicating a calm before the storm. "Was it the government official?"

"I don't know, I couldn't make out a leader," Buck said, "there were too many of them around him. There were at least ten left when I saw Vin get taken." He looked up at Chris who was standing above him, his body rigid and waiting for the chance to fly into action. Chris liked to have all the information he could, though, before he entered a battle. "I think he was hurt, he was on the ground but I couldn't make much out. They wanted him alive though, I heard the order not to kill him. I knew I had to get help, there's too many of them."

Chris was already at the door by the time Buck finished the sentence.

The others all moved to follow and Buck got up wearily to do the same. He knew he'd need another horse for the long ride back.

*****

They'd thrown him over a horse, strapped down tightly to prevent escape. Another man sat on Vin's horse, under order from the Colonel, his fear evident as he waited with certainty to be thrown off the ornery beast. The Colonel knew Vin would hesitate to leave his horse behind.

Vin had lost feeling in his arm, due to the wound and the harsh bindings holding his hands behind his back, and it was all he could do to concentrate on breathing as he was jostled and bumped with the horses movements, his chest pummeled continually by the hard saddle. He hoped Buck made it back. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew his friends were his only hope now. The colonel would never let him go alive.

They rode on through the night and Vin started to doze, he had lost enough blood to make him feel sick and weak. His mind recalled the time when Meriss had treated him like a son, not that Vin had had anyone to compare that too. Vin was a natural marksmen and Meriss had spotted him out hunting one day. It had taken little to get the skinny, ragged little boy to follow him and his men into missions for the army. He convinced Vin that the people they were killing were murderer's that had to be stopped and that they were working under orders from the government to help innocent people. Vin was young and nieve enough to believe that an army could only act nobly, that they were bound by rules of honour. Meriss's strict leadership did not surprise Vin, he'd spent years with a Grandfather that had punished him for the smallest mistakes. When he had met up with the Colonel, he had believed that his life was worth little, that being beaten and abused was a normal thing to be endured. He was tired of being alone in the wilderness, always scavenging for food and watching his back from predators, animals and humans alike. And the Colonel had never layed a hand on him, so he stayed. But he watched what happened to men who did the Colonel wrong and remained wary.

They were camped on the outskirts of a town and Meriss had taken him with a few men to case out their next mission. Leaving them to drink in the saloon for a bit he had wandered to the livery. He always felt more at peace with animals than humans and sought out his horse. It surprised him when a man had stepped out of the shadows of a stall to talk with him. He had felt instantly that the man meant him no harm. It was in his face and most especially in his eyes. He had thought that he knew how to read people well back then . . . He remembered his face as he had spoken to him in the dim light of the stable. He'd told him that he knew why he was in town. He's said that he knew that Meriss was good to him and that he was loyal to him, but that his trust was misplaced. He told him that Meriss was using him to do bad things, to kill the wrong people. Vin had gotten mad when something in the man's tone when he next spoke stopped him from speaking out. He'd quietly said, "Son, there have been others before you. It's not your fault. You're young and he has used you wrongly. You're a good kid, I can tell. Meriss gives you a chance at regular meals and a place to sleep, it's OK that you don't believe me and it's good to be loyal, but he's going to ask you to kill a young boy." At Vin's protesting face he held up his hand, "Just hear me out. You are here to kill a young boy and no matter how he justifies it, that boy is innocent. You, too, have been an innocent . . . until now. You kill that boy and you do it knowing that it's wrong. They want to punish the boy's father for getting in their way and they aim to do it by sending him a message by killing his innocent son. You do it son, you're stepping over the line . . .." He grabbed Vin's chin and lifted his face to meet his own kind but intense eyes . . . "and I don't want to see that happen to you." Vin had been upset and was torn between protesting and asking the man why the hell he cared what happened to him, he'd never met him before, when the man had turned and said he had to go before they saw him talking with him.

He had been quiet on the return to camp, although he hardly ever spoke anyway so nobody thought anything amiss. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he was looking at Meriss with new eyes. Everything Meriss said and did from that point on seemed to be slightly off centre to Vin. Had his own selfish need to belong somewhere blinded him to what was going on?

It was a few days later that Meriss told him their plans in town. Walking through the town he laid out how it would go down, who would be where during a street celebration the next day to welcome a new minister to the town. Finally he told Vin to observe a man down the street, the new minister. Next to him was a boy younger than Vin, laughing with a little girl who held his hand and looked up to him, sharing a joke. Vin's heart had begun to race, he just knew then. Maybe he'd known it on some level before, but hadn't wanted to believe it. Meriss was using him to kill people, and the people didn't deserve to die. He listened as Meriss told him the rest of the plan to take out the boy and remained quiet, as always, giving no indication that anything was wrong.

That night he hadn't slept well but knew what he had to do, no matter what it cost him. In some way he had to start atoning for his sins. The killing had to stop.

The celebration was in full swing when the minister took the stand at the makeshift podium and began to thank the crowd for the warm welcome they had given him and his family, standing beside him. That was Vin's queue. He looked down his scope from his position on the roof of the general store and saw the young boy, looking up at his father so proudly and with such love that it almost hurt him to watch. He began to squeeze the trigger of his rifle, slowly edging it down, barely breathing in his concentration. Finally he fired . . . and missed. The shot hitting barely inches above the boys' head and sending the crowd into a mad panic. The minister gathered his family behind him and began to move towards a building.

Vin leapt down from the roof and ran madly for his horse. He knew that Meriss would come after him and he had no time to waste. But Meriss already held the reigns to his horse and was glaring at him.

"I missed." Vin had said calmly.

"You don't miss." Meriss had said with eyes so cold Vin began to sweat. "Get on your horse," he ordered.

Vin got up and Meriss kept his hold on the reigns, not riding away but heading towards the podium where the minister had last stood with his family only moments before. He kept going and suddenly spurred the horses towards a building and went into the alley at its side. There Vin saw the minister, trying desperately to shelter his children and wife from harm. Vin saw their eyes, round and full of fear . . . fear of him.. and he felt sick.

"Finish it," Meriss demanded, and Vin turned to look at him, then back at the boy, now crying openly.

"This is wrong, Colonel. Ain't right ta kill a boy, he aint done nuthin wrong."

Meriss looked at him as if he'd sprouted another head. Perfect, silent obedience was all he'd had from the boy, until now. He was livid and struck out instantly, nearly knocking him from his horse. "You're disobedience has cost the whole family boy. Now we have to kill 'em all, thanks to you."

Vin was appalled. He couldn't stop looking at the children, their tears and wide eyes were destroying him. Then the minister spoke, "Please, spare my children . . . my wife . . . it's me you want . . .."

"I wont do it anymore, I aint doin it, this's wrong." Vin said, feeling himself being closed in, his back to the wall. His mind was reeling, trying to find a way to escape the whole scene.

Meriss looked at him a moment, his rage almost audible. Then he raised his gun and shot first the father and then moved his rifle to the wife. Before he could get the shot off he was thrown backwards and toppled to the ground. Vin lowered his rifle and looked down at the man he had trusted. The shot was right in his chest, a mortal wound, but he had no regret. "It's wrong what you do, Colonel. I aint gonna let it happen no more." He turned to the ministers wife, "I'm sorry m'am. Get him help." He indicated the minister on the ground, writhing in pain. He turned his horse and sped the back way out of town, not stopping for anything until he was long gone and knew they weren't following him.

After that came a long year of hardship. He knew how to survive, had done it for years before he'd met up with the Colonel, but now that he'd known what it was like to be a part of something, he was lonely this time. When he met up with two Indian braves about his age out hunting one day, he knew he was entering into the next phase of his life. He'd felt an almost immediate sense of peace when they'd asked him to join them. Over the years he had learnt much from them about life and what is truly important. With their help he became a good man, and was able to forgive himself for the time he had spent doing Meriss's bidding. He learnt to worry about the present and what lay ahead, not things in the past that he couldn't change.

The sudden halt of the horse beneath him brought him awake. Dawn was upon them and they had halted on a rise and met with more riders who led them down to what Vin thought was a veritable fortress. There were numerous buildings and the place appeared impenetrable. He was beginning to lose hope and was determined that if he was going to go down, he would take the colonel with him.

They entered the compound and Vin was pulled roughly from the horse. He stumbled and fell, weak from his wounds and the long ride. He got to his knees and was kept there by a hard hand on his shoulder from Billy.

The riders dismounted outside the stable and the colonel called over his shoulder, "You know where to put him," as he went to the main building.

Once again he was dragged off. He was led into a small building around the rear of the main house and shoved inside a door. His heart froze as he realised there was nothing in the room save for a table and chair. He did not look closely at the items laid on the table. A knife . . .. Was that a whip?! Dear God . . .

He was led to the centre of the room where there was a length of rope hanging from a thick beam. Billy and two others circled him. One pulled a knife and moved to cut his ropes. His hands free, Vin lunged sideways, kicking the knife from the man's hand and grabbing it in one swift move as it fell towards the ground. Unprepared, the man could only gasp as Vin thrust the knife deep into his throat, kicking out at the other man at the same time and delivering a solid blow to his chest. He was extricating the knife to use again when he was punched hard to the side of his jaw and stumbled, dazed. Billy followed up the blow with another punch to his head and he felt his lip explode under the impact. He staggered again before he felt an agonising burning in his shoulder where the man he had kicked was applying pressure to his bullet wound. He cried out involuntarily, more a howl of frustration, and was pulled forward, his arms pulled roughly above his head and his wrists strapped to the beam by the rope, his feet barely touching the floor forcing his arms to take most of his weight. The rough rope bit instantly into his wrists and he hung there a moment, adjusting to this new plight.

"You'll pay for that Injun-man!" the outlaw said angrily, still holding his ribs and moving forward with deadly intent.

Billy turned to leave. "Don't kill him," he said and left them alone.

"That was my friend you killed you savage bastard!"

Vin didn't speak, just kept his gaze steady on the man before him.

Disconcerted by the lack of emotion in the smaller man, the outlaw hesitated, then looked again to his fallen friend and the blood pooling from his throat. He began with a hard punch to Vin's already bruised jaw and proceeded to beat the living hell out of him.

Just as the darkness was beginning to take over his vision, the blows stopped abruptly. He looked up to see the colonel holding the man's arm back, his face a blatant mask of outrage.

"What the HELL do you think you are doing?!" he raged, taking in the sight of Vin's battered and barely conscious form.

"He killed Bryant," the man said simply, gesturing to his dead friend. The colonel was silent a moment, when he spoke again his voice was low, deadly.

"I thought I made it clear when I got everyone together not to let this man get to you, that it wasn't personal for you," he said.

"It GOT personal," the man spat back.

"You're an idiot Simmons," the colonel said, pulling his other arm up to reveal his gun. He aimed it at Simmons' head and with no further preamble, sent the man to hell with one shot to the head.

Vin flinched back as the blood and matter sprayed his face and chest and the man dropped to the floor, clearly dead before he hit the ground.

Men came running at the sound of the gunshot. Several burst through the door and stood trying to work out the scene before them.

"Colonel?" one asked, looking at the still smoking gun in the colonel's hand.

"Take these bodies outta here," was the short reply. As an after-thought he added, "I'll say this one more time, I will not tolerate weakness amongst my men. I gave an order not to touch this prisoner and I will not tolerate disobedience."

The men looked at him silently as they gathered the fallen bodies and dragged them outside, their eyes flicking to the man hanging by a rope in the centre of the room as they left him alone with the colonel.

"Finally," the colonel said as the door closed behind the men. He looked angrily at Vin's bowed head and the markings of the beating he had just taken. It wasn't that he didn't want him hurt, he wanted the satisfaction of doing it himself.

He grabbed Vin by the hair and yanked his head up to meet his gaze. He was startled by the clarity in the blue eyes.

"Get on with it you gutless sick bastard, what the fuck are you waiting for?" Vin said in a surprisingly strong voice.

The colonel recovered quickly. "You never learn Tanner. Even now you refuse to bend, but I will break you. I owe you much pain. You've been a thorn in my reputation for years and I will end that this night."

"Go ahead Meriss. Reputations outlive the person. You can kill me, but people will know how much I got to you to force you to do it. They will always know I was better than you, how I bested you. In killing me, you'll lose again."

The colonel was livid. He had spent years hearing about the man Vin Tanner had become. Tales of his ability to hunt people and buffalo followed him everywhere he went it seemed. He had never taken the time to find out what sort of a boy Tanner had been all those years ago. Had only used him where he was needed. Now he knew that in that quiet boy had been a quick and cunning mind. There had to have been for him to achieve all he had and live this long. But he planned to be the one to put an end to that, and he was determined to not be baited by him.

Meriss used his free hand to backhand Vin hard before stepping back, visibly trying to control himself. He had all night, he didn't want to get carried away and spoil his plans.

*****

Chris and the others had ridden hard through the night, the bright light of a full moon allowing them to push on instead of having to wait until dawn to set out. They reached the site of the ambush as the sun was beginning its slow climb into the sky and were looking for signs of which way the men had gone with Vin.

"Over here!" Ezra suddenly called, crouched on the ground.

Chris and Buck moved over and saw blood covering the ground.

Nathan was searching some nearby bushes and called out, "There's a lot of blood here, a lot of scuffling around . . . sweet Lord!"

All six looked up sharply.

"What is it Nate?" Josiah asked, straining to see where Nathan was looking.

Chris quickly moved to Nathan's side as he peered into some undergrowth. "What are - Jesus . . ."

Overcoming his shock he moved further in and saw the bodies, piled on top of each other, 3,4,5 . . ."My God . . .", he whispered, "Vin . . ."

"What is it?" Buck asked, straining to see.

"Help me here," Chris said, dragging the first body out.

Nathan and Buck helped until all five dead men were lying flat on the open ground.

"What the hell happened to them?" JD asked in horror.

"It appears Mr Tanner was not taken without a degree of opposition," Ezra stated.

"How many were there if they still managed to get him after he took out five of them?!" Nathan asked.

"At lease fifteen then," Buck said.

"He was being quiet about it, must have hidden here," Chris said, indicating the bushes were the men had been hidden. Chris was in leader-mode, he had to be if he was to stop himself from quickly becoming insane with worry and guilt.

The men were in silent awe. Each knew that in the same situation with the odds so high against them, they would most likely not have survived. They had all known that Vin was a talented hunter, but had never before been witnesses to the brutal carnage that now lay in his wake, however necessary it had been. There was a new respect being formed here.

"This one has a bullet hole, Vin's gun by the looks," Nathan said, nudging one of the dead men with his boot.

"Which means he was overcome if he had to open fire," Chris replied, thinking out loud. "Their own men must have dragged the last one's in there."

"So now what? And who the hell are they?" Buck asked impatiently. He wanted blood. He was dealing with guilt and anger and was growing more agitated by the minute.

"This one looks kinda familiar," JD said, studying the one named Wes. "Might have seen him on a wanted poster or something."

"Most likely JD," Josiah said.

"Lets search for tracks, they had to go somewhere," Chris said.

It wasn't hard to find the trail. There were still nearly ten riders and they had made no effort to cover their tracks.

"A lot of riders for one man," Josiah said solemnly, "They wanted him bad."

No-one answered him. This was getting worse by the minute.

Chris studied the ground in front of him, trying not to let his fear and rage overcome him. He was worried, damn worried and the trail wasn't headed to Tuscosa. Whatever this was, it was personal and the riders were confident, not caring who followed. All he could do was pray that Vin stayed alive until they found him. "Hold on Pard, we're comin, you hold on."

*****

The door opened, casting a sliver of light on the body that hung limply inside the sparse cabin. For all appearances, he appeared dead already, but if you looked close enough, his chest was still moving painfully in and out.

Vin heard the Colonel approaching but did not raise his head. He was damn tired and fading fast. His arms now took all of his weight, his legs unable to hold him any longer.

The crack of a whip was the next sound he heard before his head was once again yanked up. Damned if he wasn't going to cut his hair off if he managed to get out of this mess. That thought brought a smile to his lips. That would make Buck happy at least, stop him hassling him every second day about getting a hair cut.

"Still cocky Tanner?" I'm gonna do this slow-like so you don't die on me too quick."

A second man sliced the shirt from his back, cutting him deeply in the process.

"Stand outside the door," the Colonel commanded the man who obeyed silently.

Vin waited, preparing himself for a pain he had hoped never to endure again. It had taken years for his old scars to fade and he was still wary to remove his shirt even now, and here it was, starting over.

No amount of preparation could have helped him from the agonising lash of the whip as Meriss toyed with him, famous for his mastership of the weapon – and his cruel use of it. Indeed Vin had seen him use it on men more times than he liked to remember.

Meriss hadn't intended to lash out so hard this first time, but sick as his mind was, he fell into a frenzied excitement once he saw blood start to surface. He pulled his arm back again and again, waiting for some sound, any noise at all, to come from his prisoner. It was several minutes later that he stood silently, looking at the bloody mess of Vin's back and his limp, lifeless body, that he realised he had passed out.

Frustrated he moved to the door.

"Bring me water!" he barked to the man outside.

Vin was floating somewhere in a dark, painful hell all of his own, not quite conscious and yet not completely free of the pain that consumed him. Freezing cold water thrown into his face roused him again and he blinked to clear his eyes, opening them to focus unsteadily on Meriss's cruel stare.

"Welcome back Tanner, ready for another round?"

"Do what you have to Meriss," he said hollowly.

Meriss was furious and he struck out, slapping Vin hard, before grabbing his jaw in a hard grip and staring into his defiant blue eyes. "You will break, Tanner, everyone has their limit, we'll reach yours soon."

"Ya think?" Vin said. He knew he shouldn't challenge him, but couldn't seem to stop himself.

"I don't think you bastard, I know. I'm going to make you beg me to kill you before this is over."

Vin mustered his waning strength and gave him a hard stare. "Never," he said with quiet conviction.

Unable to contain himself Meriss began to pound him, punching him with painful, lowly dealt blows to his stomach and chest until Vin again passed out.

When he woke again it was still dark and he was alone. He let a low moan of utter pain and desolation escape his throat, unheard by another living soul. He hurt everywhere. Why couldn't he just stay unconscious?

A short while later Meriss entered with Billy and another man Vin didn't recognise.

"Jesus, you've had a good time hey Meriss?" the man laughed, eyeing Vin with amusement.

"Just do what I'm paying you to Alvis and hurry up," Meriss snapped.

"Alright, alright," Alvis said, not phased in the slightest. "You'll have to hold his mouth," he said, nodding to Billy.

Billy grabbed Vin's jaw and pried open his mouth. Vin could see Alvis fiddling with a vial of dark fluid and began to panic. Physical pain he could deal with, as long as his mind was clear and he could focus on it.

He began to struggle then, causing the wounds on his wrists to tear open and blood to again flow from his shoulder.

"Hold him still!" Alvis said moving forward.

Vin's struggles increased, he was frantic now. He could not stand the thought of being drugged and unaware.

"Jesus!" Meriss said in frustration. He stepped forward and pistol whipped him, just the right amount of practiced force to his temple to stun him and yet keep him aware of what was happening.

Vin's jaw relaxed while they held his mouth open and poured the liquid in. The vial empty they closed his mouth and held it tightly shut, pinching his nose so that he could not breath.

Vin's eyes were closed. What could he do? He held his breath, he had no choice. Until he swallowed they weren't going to give him any air. Seconds turned into a minute.

"He's a tough one hey Meriss?" Alvis said, watching the concentration and determination on the young man's face.

"Everyone has a point, Alvis, he wont be strong for long," Meriss returned confidently. "Keep the pressure on tight," he said to Billy, "this outta do it", and he punched Vin in the stomach, hard.

Unable to let the forced air out Vin began to choke through the hand covering his mouth and nose. To his horror, he swallowed reflexively. Seeing this, the hand was instantly gone and he gasped for air.

"Excellent!" Meriss said happily.

"Fuck you, Meriss", Vin gasped raggedly, struggling to get his breath back. "This the only way you can beat me? You know . . . that one on one . . . you'd be dead, so's everyone else know it you weak bastard."

"Nevertheless, you are beaten Tanner. I won. However you choose to look at it, you will soon be dead." Meriss's voice reflected calm, he was controlled for once, refusing to be goaded with victory so near in sight.

They left him then to succumb to the liquid coursing down into his stomach, soon to take a hold of his body and mind. He attempted to throw it up to no avail, a small empty heave as much as he could produce from his aching chest.

*****

From their vantage above the compound the rest of the seven watched the comings and goings of the men down bellow. The layout was daunting in its size and there had yet to be a sign of Vin.

"He's here somewhere, we'll wait for some indication where he is." Chris said, eyes never stopping their constant surveillance of the buildings and men.

There were men guarding the entrance to the main building and several stationed around other posts, the rest were inside who knew which building, although Chris assumed it was one of the smaller, outter ones that was allocated for hired hands.

After some time JD pointed to the right of the main building. "Look there," he said.

"What is it, JD?" Buck asked.

"Few men went round the back there, behind the building," he said.

They continued to watch until the three men returned from around the right wall back into view.

One of the men was massive and Chris, Buck and Nathan all sucked in their breath.

"Is that . . .."

"Looks like it."

Only Chris didn't speak. They knew who the man was by sheer reputation. They could see the knives glinting from his belt in the dawning sunlight.

"Who is it?" JD asked impatiently, "The tall man? Who is he?"

"That's Billy Blade, JD. One mean bastard you don't want to mess with."

"What's he-"

"Shhh!" Chris indicated silence.

They strained to hear the voices but couldn't make anything out.

"We're never going to get any further down there without being spotted," Nathan said in frustration.

They remained silent, each frustrated and looking for a solution.

"Excuse me for a moment, gentleman, I will return shortly," Ezra said and was gone before anyone could react.

"What the hell is he up to now?" Buck asked.

Within a minute he was back, carrying one of his saddlebags with him.

"Might I make a suggestion?" Ezra asked quietly, emptying the contents before them.

All except Chris turned to look at the ground.

"Jesus, Ez, what the hell you doin' carrying that stuff around?!" JD asked, shocked.

But Buck was smiling widely and he clapped Ezra on the back, "Good thinkin' son, we'll win this fight yet!"

Chris now turned to see what Ezra had with him. He studied the dynamite for the briefest second and shot Ezra a look of what, gratitude? It was so brief that Ezra wasn't sure he'd even seen it.

"OK, boys, Ezra, you circle back, come up round the outer side of that building there. The main blast can come down from that side, you place it right, just under that overhang of rock there, it should bring a lot of the verge down with it, as well as create a mighty big distraction. We'll wait for your blast and move in." Ezra moved instantly to do as Chris had ordered, turning and moving off before Chris stopped him. "And Ez..?" Ezra turned.

"Be careful, set it up and get the hell away quick, you've got a decent length of fuse to work with there, but get back all the same. They'll be lookin' up there first off until we can pick 'em off."

Ezra gave a short nod and moved out.

"Josiah, you've used this stuff before aint ya?" Chris asked. At Josiah's nod he continued. "You get round bit further ahead here, we'll set a small blast just to create a bit of dust and distraction. Soon as you hear Ezra's go, light her up and get yourself down there. JD you stay up here 'til the rest of us are down." At JD's look of anger and the protest he saw about to burst forth he continued, "You're our sharpshooter for today, kid. As they come out you'll be able to pick a few of 'em off from here, give us more cover as we head down."

Buck almost laughed at the emotion on JD's face as it turned quickly from anger and indignation to obvious pride, but the situation was too serious.

"And take that damned hat off!" he said, bursting the kid's bubble and voicing his concern in one hit.

"OK lets go, Ezra wont take long to get round, soon as the first blast goes we'll run down and take positions. I'll take the two by the main building, you guys head out that way, wider.." he was gesturing impatiently with his hands, "Close in on the back o' that building. We don't know which one the rest of the boys are holed up in, hopefully JD'll peg a few as they come out, but watch your backs."

Nathan and Buck nodded, getting ready.

*****

Vin couldn't tell how much time had passed when he again woke up and realised that something was terribly wrong. The pain he felt was so intense as to wash over him in endless waves that had him struggling not to scream in agony as each one hit. He began to sweat, suddenly, profusely, the sweat finding every cut and tear in his skin, causing still more pain. He felt sick, nausea threatening to make him throw up. He kept his eyes closed and his teeth clamped tightly, willing his brain to focus and get his body back under control. He didn't see Meriss seated in the chair, watching his mounting pain with immense satisfaction. His tortured, delirious ramblings had stopped for the time being, but Meriss knew it wouldn't be long before they returned.

He moved up to him and pulled his head up, almost gently this time.

"Look at me, Tanner," he demanded softly.

Nothing. Vin's eyes remained tightly closed.

He slapped him then, "Look at me you son of a bitch!"

He slapped him again until Vin finally looked up and tried to focus on the source of his pain, his blue eyes reflecting his inner misery . . . and anger.

*****

Ezra stepped back to check out his handiwork. There wasn't much time for messing around. He looked out over the complex below and although he couldn't see his friends from where they were concealed, he knew they would be ready. He lit the fuse and got the hell out of there.

Meanwhile Josiah was as ready as he could be. His hand hovering over the fuse he waited, ready to light it and take flight. He said a silent prayer that everything would be alright just before he heard the massive explosion come from Ezra's position. He lit his fuse and ran to join the others.

"Lets go boys!" Chris said, already getting off a shot and making his way down to the buildings. One down, so far so good. The explosions had created utter chaos amongst the men. They were running from everywhere to see what the hell was going on. Experienced men they may have been, but none of them wanted to be inside when the buildings were going to come down on them and bury them alive. Buck fired off two shots, taking another man down. Nathan had taken cover behind a wall to avoid gunfire that started heading his way. A shot sounded from behind him and the bullets stopped coming at him. JD, bless his soul!

JD smiled in triumph as he shot the man that had Nathan pegged behind a building and watched Nathan make his way further towards the main building. The gunfight below was intense now but he could see that as Ezra and Josiah joined in, adding to the hail of bullets, things were evenly matched. They still had the element of surprise working for them as the men tried in vain to shoot all around them at once. They had created a loud entrance that had given the impression that the men were well and truly surrounded. He picked off two more before he was spotted and started to make his way down to join the others.

*****

Meriss sucked in a startled breath as he took in the blatant fury he saw staring back at him from Vin's face. Even now, this man dared to defy him. In a rage he grabbed his whip from the table and circled it round Vin's throat, pulling tight and instantly cutting off his air.

"This is it, Tanner. You've pushed me too far. I'm just gonna end your fucking worthless life here and now." He continued to choke him until Vin could not even manage a gasp. He was losing consciousness.

"Ask me to stop," Meriss said almost patiently.

Nothing.

"Ask me, just once . . . and I'll let you live. It's more than you gave me."

He let the leather out a little, giving Vin a much needed desperate gasp of air and the chance to speak.

His throat was on fire and he was literally writhing in agony from overwhelming pain that seemed to emanate from his very soul. He still recognised Meriss. He was staring at him, waiting . . . wanting something from him.. what did he want?

"Ask me to stop, just say stop and I will."

Vin could see his lips moving. He focused everything he had on that mouth and willed his mind to clear. If only for a second, he brought his gaze up to meet Meriss's eyes, holding them as he spoke. "You lose . . . Meriss," it was a soft whisper, barely audible, but Meriss had heard it clear as day and his face changed colour. He'd just tightened the whip with renewed force when he felt the ground shake beneath his feet.

Forced off balance he relinquished his hold, barely acknowledging the blast outside so intent was he on his task of killing Vin. There was madness in his eyes now, clear and frightening to behold.

"You left me for dead you little bastard. Turned on me and ran.. now I will return the favour . . . I'm gonna shoot you and leave you to bleed real slow like.. let you feel the blood leaving you as you hang there and I just sit back and watch . . .. Gonna shoot you more than once too . . ." Suddenly he shook him in frustration, "You won't defy me again! This is it you worthless little bastard!"

He moved back and took out his gun, unable to hold back any longer. He sensed all the activity outside but did not stop to acknowledge the gunfire. He was confident that his men would hold them off, but didn't want to take the chance of them stopping him before he was done.

Suddenly the door burst open and Billy was there.

"What the hells going on out there?" Meriss asked, annoyed, even as the sounds of gunfire again erupted, closer now. Men were shouting and running, it sounded like a war had started.

"There's men coming down from all around. It's the peacekeepers from the town."

"Damn I thought we were ready for that? We knew they'd come sooner or later!" Meriss said angrily. He turned to Vin, "This is it you filthy bastard, the game ends." He leveled his gun at Vin's chest, determined to get a few shots in first before he killed him.

"Get out there and kill them!" he ordered Billy, not glancing his way.

Billy moved to go back out the door just as a dark figure emerged in the still-open doorway and ended his life with a single shot to his head. Not pausing in stride the man in black turned to face the other occupants of the room, and his heart skipped a beat as he watched Vin jerk violently with the impact of a bullet in his chest at close range.

Chris continued forward and emptied his gun into the man still holding the smoking weapon trained on Vin before he moved to desperately try and help Vin. He was barely aware of Nathan and Buck coming in behind him and the quiet that now marked the end of the gunfight. All's he could see was Vin being jerked under the impact of that bullet and his battered, tortured body hanging limp before him. Buck moved to hold Vin up to take the pressure off his arms as Chris slashed the rope that bound him to the roof.

They lowered him to the ground and Nathan immediately ordered Buck to hold pressure to the gunshot wound on his chest.

"Sweet Jesus, Vin . . ..." Buck whispered hoarsely. He, too, was overcome with the sight of Vin in this way.

"Keep that pressure there, Buck!" Nathan ordered, frantically trying to determine the seriousness of all the other wounds. There were so many . . . "I need to get some bandages onto the exit wound." He knew that the shot had just happened in this room, and he knew that in such close proximity the bullet would have gone straight through.

They gently lifted and turned him, Buck trying to keep as much pressure as he could on the large hole in Vin's chest. The exit wound was gushing blood and Nathan could not keep the look of despair from his face as he raced to try and staunch the flow. There was another bullet wound in his shoulder. It had stopped bleeding but there was no exit wound.

Ezra came in then followed closely by JD and Josiah. None spoke as they took in the horrific scene before them. Even JD was at a loss for words.

"We get 'em all?," Buck asked.

"All but two, they took off on foot. Thought we'd check in here and go after em," Josiah said.

Vin moaned then, a low, guttural sound of pure agony that tore at all of them. Chris openly flinched at the pain and sorrow he heard there. He clasped Vin's hand harder. "Easy Pard, we're all here now. It's over, you're gonna be OK, you're safe now," he soothed.

The exit wound was bad. It was all Nathan could do to replace one soaking bandana and strips of shirt that the men were throwing at him with another. He ignored the rest of the bloody mass that was Vin's back for the time being. He'd registered the cause of all the blood but had not dared to give it any more thought, yet. The fact that one of his own had been brutally whipped was something he wasn't ready to face. He'd endured that pain himself, years before, and didn't want to see someone he loved as a brother enduring the same.

"You'd be better off stayin here. They wont go far on foot. They'll be back for what's theirs."

"JD, Ez, check in the main house, see if you can find some sheets or somethin'," Nathan instructed, not looking up.

Grateful to have a job to do, JD and Ezra quickly left the room.

There was silence as the men worked to stop the blood flow, broken only by the low, ragged moans that came from Vin and the sound of his harsh breathing that was getting worse by the minute.

Chris continued to sooth him, holding his wrist and mumbling incoherent words in a soft, gentle voice.

"Never break me.." came a hoarse whisper, barely heard by the men gathered around him.

Chris's jaw tightened, he looked up to see Vin's eyes open, unfocused and glazed with pain. Yet there was determination in those eyes, there was fight left yet.

"Nathan," Josiah said, returning from where he had been studying the bloodied instruments laid out on the table with anger and rising fury. If Chris hadn't already killed that man, he wasn't sure what he would do to him. He crouched down and held out the vial for Nathan to see. "This was on the table."

Nathan looked up distractedly but paused when he saw the small bottle in Josiah's hand.

"Let me smell it," he said, offering his nose for Josiah to hold the bottle up to it as his hands were full putting pressure to Vin's wound.

He sniffed the bottle and frowned in concentration.

"What is it?" Buck demanded.

Nathan ignored him and took another sniff. He continued to frown. "Don't know . . . never smelt anything like it. Better hold onto it Josiah, we can send it off to be examined."

Josiah pocketed the vial.

"You think they gave him somethin' Nate?" Buck asked.

"I'm sure of it." Nathan replied. "His pupils clearly show he's been drugged with something. It aint just pain causing that glazed look he's got."

JD and Ezra came rushing back then, carrying bundles of sheets and blankets in their arms.

"Tear some sheets up," Nathan ordered.

 

As he felt the pressure again press on his aching chest and back, Vin groaned in despair. "Fuck you, Meriss.. fucking coward . . ."

"Vin, its Chris . . .. Meriss is dead Pard, he can't hurt you no more . . ." Chris knew it was useless but he had to try. He couldn't take seeing Vin like this and hearing his strained voice. He wished to hell he hadn't killed Meriss so quick. If only he'd hesitated a second and shot him in the leg or something. But he knew the man had been aiming his next bullet at Vin's head, he'd had no choice but to kill him then and there, he could'nt risk him getting his shot off.

"Chris..?" a weak almost inaudible whisper.

"Vin?" a hesitant answer. Daring to believe that Vin might yet be OK.

"Chris . . .. Gonna kill me.. don't know how to . . . . . . . . ...stop . . .."

Chris closed his eyes, he knew what Vin was saying, but did not know how to comfort him. Vin was a major part of his life, a reason to get up and face each day. He'd known it, but had never been forced to confront his feelings before now. If he lost Vin, he didn't know what he would do. He loved him as he would his own brother.

"It's OK pard," he said in a ragged voice, his emotion overcoming him. "I got him, It's OK now. Just take it easy."

"Chris? . . ... not gonna be.. OK.. not gonna . . .. Make it.. so.. sorry . . ."

There was silence as everybody listened to his painful words.

"You're gonna be fine Vin! Goddamn it you give up I'm gonna kick you're fucking ass!" JD exploded.

Silence again as they listened to Vin's ragged breathing.

"We've gotta move him to a bed inside . . ..." Nathan indicated with his head the main building as he continued to work.

"No." Chis said, not looking up. "We gotta get outta here, get back to town. We didn't get 'em all. They'll be back I reckon."

As Nathan looked up to protest Josiah cut in, "He's right Nate, you know it. 'Sides, he'd be better off at the clinic."

"We can't move him like this, he'll never make it." Nathan argued. When Chris looked up to glare at him he said, "I'd take the clinic over this place any day and I don't have nearly enough supplies here.. but Chris I'm tellin ya, you try and move him now, with that bullet still in him and all the blood he's lost, he's gonna die for sure."

Chris held his gaze a moment longer, his words registering before he again looked down to Vin. He couldn't let Vin die. Those men would be back, but they would just have to deal with them, Nathan would move Vin if they could.

"OK, lets get him to the main building, find him a bed. Ez, Buck, JD, you guys get the horses put away and take up positions round the building, those boys'll be back. Josiah help me grab him, we'll go in and settle him."

They managed to get him settled inside in what appeared to be a master bedroom, probably Meriss's own, but is was in the best position to keep a watch outside and hear a warning from the boys.

Josiah went to the front of the building and took up a position at the main window by the door, breaking the glass and checking his gun.

Chris hadn't moved from Vin's side since they'd layed him on the bed. Vin was sweating profusely now and mumbling incoherently. Ever now and then they'd catch a few words and both he and Nathan would clench their jaws in renewed anger over what he had gone through.

"I need to close this wound and get that bullet out," Nathan said. "I need to get a fire going, boil some water."

"I'll do it, you keep at it," Chris said, placing his hand on the side of Vin's face as he moved to stand. "Be right back, cowboy," he said and went to get some water boiled for Nathan.

*****

"You reckon they'll come back, Buck?" JD asked as they scoped the building for the best vantage to watch for approaching men.

"For sure, kid. More than money now to those boys, they were onto a good thing here, be mighty pissed we broke up their little band." He pointed to the roof of a building, "seems a good spot to keep a lookout."

"Sure thing," JD said making to find a way up there.

"JD." JD turned at Bucks quiet voice. He turned to see worry openly reflected on his face. "Take it easy son, watch yer back."

JD grinned, "You too old man."

Ezra found the bunkhouse the men had come from and went inside. He figured if he was one of the men who had fled, he'd want to come back for his things. He too broke a window and got comfortable for a long wait.

*****

Finally satisfied that his instruments had had long enough to sterilize, Nathan had Chris get them from the boiling water over the fire that had been set in the well-equipped kitchen. As Chris laid them out on one of the sheets Nathan had also had him boil, Vin chose that moment to rouse.

"Chris..?" he asked weakly.

"Right here pard," Chris said, taking his hand.

"Sorry Chris . . ."

"Shhh now, just lie still, its gonna be OK."

"Sorry . . . killed them . . .I stopped him.. just a boy . . . just a... boy.. shouldn't die . . ..."

He was moving his head from side to side, delirious. Chris kept talking to him, trying to sooth him.

"Hold him down, he aint gonna like this, but we gotta get it outta there and look at the rest of him. I aint got no Laudanum, wish to God I did but I was waitin on supplies to come today."

Chris grabbed hold of Vins shoulders as Nathan poured Carbolic onto the bullet wound on his chest. Vin's back arched off the bed and he groaned with the pain, his breathing becoming more rapid. "Fucking bastard!" he spat, relaxing back onto the bed and saying on a sigh, "Never..." as his eyes closed, yet still he remained conscious.

"Easy there Pard, nearly done." Chris looked at Nathan, his own pain showing clearly in his eyes. "Should I knock him out?" he asked quietly.

Nathan considered it. "It'd probably be better for him and us both . . . but I'll tell you straight Chris, he aint in too good a shape . . . the blood he's lost.. I reckon the only thing keepin him alive is his own damn stubborness and defiance."

Chris looked down at him again. So much pain. Why did this happen to Vin? Why did people do things like this to people like him? Vin who never willingly hurt anyone, who placed such great value on the life of all living creatures. What was the story behind that Meriss guy? Would he ever find out?

"I'm gonna close up the exit wound first, we gotta turn him over."

As Chris moved to help turn him, he felt Nathan's hand on his arm. "Chris . . . I don't think you saw before . . ."

"Saw what, Nathan," he asked inpatiently. Chris liked straight talk, didn't like hedging around things. If something had to be said then a man should just come on out with it. That was part of the reason he liked Vin so much. He'd never yet heard him mince words. He chose them carefully and used them sparingly.

"They've whipped him . . . bad."

Chris blanched then and rocked back on his heels.

"Just wanted to warn you, c'mon, lets fix him up." Nathan encouraged.

They turned him over and Chris then saw the extent of damage to his best friend's back. He couldn't stop the tears that spilled out, didn't care who saw them then as Nathan moved in with more carbolic and he held Vin as he bucked against the pain pouring into his wound. He remained in a detached state as Nathan closed the wound and they again turned him over to close the smaller entry wound. It wasn't until Nathan was probing into the older bullet wound and Vin again cried his name that he snapped out of his daze and looked down in shock to see Vin's vivid blue eyes staring back at him, dulled with pain.

"Chris . . . you OK?" he hissed between his clenched teeth.

Chris was shocked and ashamed that Vin was worrying about him. He hastened to reassure him, "Course I am, you just worry about you, k?"

Nathan again dug in, trying to locate the bullet and again Vin arched and cried out. The first tremors of fever were beginning to emerge and he again clamped his teeth tight against the pain. Every now and then the fog covering his brain would clear and he got a clear picture of Nathan and Chris hovering above him. "Nate..?" he asked weakly.

Nathan looked up, "Quiet Vin, let us fix you up, save your strength now." He said softly.

Vin promptly ignored him. He didn't know how long it would be before the fog came back and he wanted to talk now. "Gave me.. somethin' . . . made me swallow.. pain ev.. rywhere . . .." The last came out on a sharply exhaled breath as Nathan finally located the bullet..

"I know Vin, I know, Jesus you never talk and now you wont shut the hell up. It's gonna be fine, you're gonna be fine if you just lay quiet OK?" He was reaching for his large tweezers while he held the wound open.

"Made me drinkit . . .. Can't think . . .."

Nathan looked at him, "Vin," he said sternly, waiting til Vin looked at him hazily, "It'll wear off, just relax and it'll go away, OK?" Vin seemed to understand and remained quiet.

"Hold tight Chris."

Josiah could hear Vin crying out and figured as long as he was yelling he was still alive. Damned if he'd ever heard Vin make a noise before when he'd been shot. He put it down to whatever they'd given him. What he'd give to have that man back again just for five minutes while he gave some back to him.

The bullet came out on a final pull, having lodged itself well into Vin's collarbone. Nathan knew it was gonna be a long while before he could move the shoulder freely for a while and gave thanks that it wasn't his shooting arm, or Vin would be truly pissed off. He smiled a little as he closed the hole, realising that he looked forward to Vin being well enough to be pissed off over his wounds and being stuck in the clinic drinking his "ditch-water", as he so called it. He had to drink it often enough, he should know, Nathan supposed.

"Whatsso . . . funny..?" Vin asked weakly, shivering now with the fever beginning to rise.

"Jus thinkin on all the ditch water you're gonna have to drink soon." Nathan said, tying off the last stitch he was putting in the shoulder. He would have to bind it tightly once he'd cleaned up Vin's back to hold it in place. It was going to take a long while for the bone to mend.

"Tastes like . . . shit . . .," he said with a slight tilt of his lip.

Nathan chuckled despite the concern he still felt. Vin's fever was rapidly taking hold. He knew it wouldn't be long until Vin made no sense at all. He hurried to clean the knife wounds and stitch them closed before turning him again to clean his back. As he poured the last of the carbolic onto his back, Vin finally gave an anguished cry and passed out.

Chris was relieved that Vin finally had a respite from the pain. There wasn't much Nathan could do but sew some of the larger slashes closed and clean them up as best he could. They decided they would leave him on his stomach for now. His breathing was ragged but not too shallow so they would keep a close eye on him as they worked to keep his fever down.

"Let's get these pants off him," Nathan said. "He's got a wound on his leg there." He held him up while Chris undid his belt and they slipped his buckskin pants down, revealing another nasty knife wound in the back of his leg.

"Got some whisky in my saddlebags?" Chris said, looking to Nathan.

"You better get it, I used the last of the Carbolic on his back and this is deep, into the bone."

Chris flinched. "I'll be right back." Again he put his hand to the back of Vin's head before he left.

"Everything allright Josiah?" Chris asked as he moved to the door.

"Quiet as a mouse, how's Vin?"

"He passed out. We're nearly done checking him over, Nate's run outta carbolic I'm gonna get some whisky from my saddlebag."

Josiah nodded, there was no need to tell a gunslinger to watch his back, it was basic instinct.

Chris surveyed everything from the window where Josiah had stood by the door. His sharp eyes took in everything from the ground to the building to the rooftops to the trees beyond. He couldn't see JD, Buck or Ez, which was a good thing, there'd be hell to pay if they were exposing themselves out there. He moved to the door and stepped out, making his way to the small livery he'd noticed on the way in, amongst all of the gunfire.

Ez saw Chris step out of the building and raised his guns, looking beyond Chris to make sure there was no-one else watching him crossing to the livery.

Chris saw the glint from the gun and swung his gaze to the window, giving Ezra a brief nod before he kept moving.

Ezra's eyes widened slightly although he should have realised Chris would pick him out, its what he was best at. He hoped that nod was also saying Vin was allright.

Up on the roof JD was becoming bored. The sun had risen steadily in the hour he had been up there and he was starting to sweat. He was contemplating going down for some water when he saw movement in the distance. He waited to make sure what he was seeing were men and not animals in the trees or Buck would give him hell for calling the alarm. But animals didn't wear bright red shirts. These men sure weren't too smart if they were planning an attack. Instantly he let out a whistle that would signal to Buck that there were men heading in.

Buck came instantly alert from where he'd been sitting leaning against a chimney stack on a roof opposite JD's building. The chimney gave him some shade and respite from the heat but he was dreading the sun moving directly overhead and frying him. He popped his head round and caught JD's eye as he signalled to him that there were two men coming in and where they were moving in from. The men had split up to come in from different sides. Buck indicated he would take the one coming his way and JD acknowledged he'd take the other one and they turned away from each other.

The men crept closer, having not seen the men on the roof. They had thought about waiting for nightfall but had impatiently decided to get on with it. They figured they had the advantage of knowing the place well. They planned on grabbing their things and heading into the main building via the back to grab the money they figured Meriss had to keep in the house that he'd planned to pay them with once Vin Tanner was dead. Then they'd grab their horses and get the hell out of there.

They approached from different sides, one heading for the bunkhouse, the other for the main building.

Just as he rounded the livery Chris caught a glimpse of a man coming out and before he knew what had hit him he was flat on the ground, unconscious from the sharp blow to the head with the butt of a rifle. Buck was watching the man approach, waiting for him to move round the livery wall when he'd ducked back in. Damn. Chris was in there. He scrambled down and hurried to the livery to warn Chris.

JD kept the other man in his sights, but he kept to the treeline and he was yet to get a clear shot. The man was being cautious but JD was patient. He'd be ready when he came out from the cover of the trees.

Ezra was standing ready at the window when he heard a noise from the next building. A crack and then a moan followed by nothing. He was darting his gaze out front when there was a load crack and he turned to see a man dropping through the roof behind him, amidst timber and thatching. Before he could get a shot off the man ducked and rolled behind a set of drawers and Ezra was now out in the open. He dove for a nearby bed as the man opened fire. Quickly he turned the bed on its side hoping the wooden slats would offer some protection from the bullets heading his way. He returned fire from the side of the bed before he felt a burning sensation in his shoulder and realised he'd been hit through the slats.

He clutched his shoulder thinking damn. Where is everyone?

Buck found Chris starting to come round on the livery floor and moved to sit him up. "C'mon Chris, the guy's headin for the bunkhouse I think."

Chris sat up, clutching the side of his head. It was throbbing with the pain from the blow but he was thinking clearly. "Damn, c'mon, Ez's in there."

JD heard the shooting coming from the bunkhouse and grew more impatient. Were his friends in trouble? Damn damn damn . . . He was distracted, trying to see if he could make out anyone below the building and when he looked back up, he saw a flash of red dash behind the first building from the trees. Damn! He cursed himself in a thousand ways for his stupidity. He'd never get a shot off now and the buildings were so close together the man could get to the main one easily. He scampered down from the roof, still cursing himself as he cautiously moved towards the main building where his friends were inside.

*****

Vin was shaking hard, the tremors were racking his body and causing him to lose energy faster than Nathan wanted him too. He was clearly exhausted and when he dozed his mind obviously would not let him rest, replaying his torture over and over. Nathan could do nothing more that sooth him and try to cool him down with a cloth and cool water from a pump he found in the kitchen, much to his surprise. He checked and rechecked bandages but was concerned he had nothing to clean the leg wound with. One small thanks was that he knew the man that had put the knife there was meticulous in his care of his weapons, it helped to avoid a dirty knife in the first place.

"N..nnnnaate?" Vin tried to talk through his chattering teeth and rasping breath.

Nathan was becoming distressed. "Vin.. please . . . please just stay quiet, allright? You gotta save your strength to getting well . . . ya never listened before, but now I'm tellin ya, ya gotta do's I say . . ."

But Vin wasn't listening, he was back in his delirium moaning softly. Nathan made out the words, "Never . . . fuck you . . ." and couldn't help but smile thinking Vin might have intended that for him.

*****

Ez looked at the mattress from his side of the upturned bed that was now peppererd with holes. How he hadn't taken another bullet God only knew, but he knew he had to do something because it was only a matter of time. He looked to the door and was stunned and relieved to see it fly open and Buck and Chris barge in, aiming their guns around the room.

"Over in the back behind the chest!" Ez poked his head out and yelled.

Chris and Buck aimed shots where Ez had pointed and moved toward it. Ezra came out from behind the bed, clutching his shoulder but still ready to fire.

"There's three of us, cowboy, give it up," Buck ordered the man still yet to show himself. The following silence told them there was no way he was giving up that easy. He was prepared for a showdown against greater odds.

"Fucking cowboys," Buck mumbled to Chris, shaking his head. Chris's lip twitched in response, the guy was cactus . . .

*****

Josiah could hear the gunfire across the path and kept scanning outside for any sign of movement. He was unprepared for the shot that whizzed past his head, nicking his temple as it shattered the window, from behind him. It was the last thing he registered as he fell unconscious to the floor.

JD had lost sight of the man in the red shirt but knew where he was heading, he was a building over when he heard the shot that took Josiah down.

Nathan jumped at the shot and looked up in shock to see a gunmen in the doorway. How had this man in such a bright shirt gotten past everyone?, he thought fleetingly. His hand moved for his gun instinctively but the man stopped him. "Don't even think about it. Throw your gun out this way."

Nathan looked down at Vin and did as he was ordered. Damn.. what had happened to the others?

Red Shirt gathered up Nathan's gun belt and started moving about the room, keeping his gun aimed at Nathan as he searched for the money he was sure Meriss had kept in this room. There was little in the room to search, just a desk and closet and he quickly realised it wasn't in there. He moved over to the bed and looked thoughtfully down at Vin, sweating and shivering in pain. He kept his gun on Nathan who was in a chair on the other side of the bed and suddenly reached down to yank the matress up to reveal the slats below. Nathan reached out as Vin was pushed forward and moaned in pain.

"What are you doing? Please, what are you after?" Nathan said anxiously settling Vin again.

"What's mine!" the man snarled, having lost his patience now. He ran to another room and Nathan could hear him tearing it apart before he again came back and looked at the bed. His face showed he'd made a decision. "Git im up," he ordered Nathan.

Nathan just looked at him in shock. "He can't go anywhere."

The man raised his gun and pointed it to Vin's head. "Paper says dead or alive, mister, don't matter none ta me, jus figured it'd be easier if you hauled his ass fa me and you'd probably be more willin ta do that if'n he's still alive."

Nathan closed his eyes a moment. Would this ever end for Vin? Couldn't the world just let him be? Hadn't he suffered enough?

"Hurry up! Let's git movin'!"

Nathan stood and put his hands on Vin's shoulders, "I'm so sorry Vin," he whispered. To the man he said, "Just let me get his pants on."

When the man protested he said, "Would attract less attention on the way to Texas if a man wasn't naked on a horse."

"Jis hurry up."

*****

Chris and Buck were both calm as they stopped a few feet from the chest. There was no doubt who would win here, but they would be stupid to make light of the situation. There was always a chance the man would get a shot off and hit one of them.

Finally the cowboy rose from behind the heavy chest of drawers and stood facing them, waving his gun back and forth between them.

"Doesn't have to go down like this, son. You can hand the gun over all peacable-like."

"Like fuck I will. I came for what's mine."

"You know we caint let you leave here." Chris said in a low voice, not moving his eyes from the man before him.

The cowboy looked into the man in blacks' eyes then and with totally clarity, saw his own death there.

"He's jus a damned Injun-loving half breed, what the fuck do you care?!" he said, finally desperate.

Wrong words. Larabee's eyes narrowed and Bucks jaw tightened. Ezra took his position next to them and he faced all three, their faces angry and all directed at him.

"I don't take lightly to people hurting my friends, son. You fuck with them, you've fucked with me."

The man swallowed unconsciously and his fingers twitched. Damn these righteous bastards, he would go down fighting.

Chris saw the intention in the man's eyes the second before he attempted to fire his gun and had two shots off before the man could even squeeze his trigger. His arm fell back down as his body was kicked backwards, a shot from both Ezra and JD adding to his impact with the chest behind him.

*****

After a struggle with the dirty, blood caked buckskins, Nathan got them up and tied them loosely. He then grabbed some sheets for extra bandages and gathered Vin in his arms. They moved out of the room and Nathan saw Josiah sprawled on the floor by the window, blood streaming down the side of his face. "Let me look at him." He said to Red Shirt, knowing it was futile but having to ask anyway.

"Get moving", he indicated the door with his gun.

Nathan stepped out on the porch just as JD stepped out in front of him. Knowing instinctively what to do, Josiah dove right, protecting Vin as best he could as he landed. He heard the shot as JD fired and saw the man, his gun unfired, fall to his knees. He raised his gun at JD in a last effort but was driven back by several more bullets that entered his chest and he fell, dead, to the floorboards beneath him.

JD turned to see Chris, Buck and Ezra all standing with their guns smoking on either side of him and smiled, happy they were all alive and there backing him up.

Nathan began to rise from the floor of the porch and they all moved to help him. Buck took Vin and they moved back inside.

"Damn! Josiah!" JD exclaimed and rushed to his fallen friend.

Nathan ran quickly to check the wound and was relieved that Josiah began to moan and flutter his eyes as he touched the wound on his temple. "I'll just look to Vin and then check out this head wound," Nathan said, rising. As he moved to the bedroom he turned to Chris, "Did you get the whisky?"

Buck laughed, a short bark that had everyone else smiling despite the seriousness of the day's events. Chris raised an eyebrow at Nathan's retreating back a smile tugging at his own lips.

"Ezra's been shot Nathan, you'll need to look at that too. Bullet's still in there."

There was a groan from Nathan from the other room, "Anyone else shot, stabbed, drugged, bleeding from the head?!"

"I'll go, Chris. You check on Vin," Buck said, still smiling and pushing Ezra into the bedroom.

Chris tugged Ezra's good arm towards the room and then went straight to the bed and took Vin's hand. "How's he doin Nate?" he asked softly, taking in Vin's gaunt appearance and the harsh lines of strain around his mouth and eyes.

"He's in a lot of pain . . ." Nathan let his voice fade and then looked up to meet Chris's eyes.

Chris looked back at him and saw the words Nathan couldn't say. He didn't think Vin was going to make it.

"Damn it Nathan I aint givin up on him and you're not either!"

Nathan lowered his gaze. How could he tell him?

"Still . . .. Here.. ya know . . . could ask.. me," came Vin's voice from the bed.

Chris chuckled despite his worry. It was just damned good to hear his complaining. "Sorry cowboy, how ya doin?"

"Feel like.. shit, half dead . . . what you expect.. fuck . . ."

The rest of the boys smiled at that, having taken positions out of the way around the room. Typical Vin crude fashion, but he got his message across effectively.

A wave of pain made him tense on the bed and grip Chris's hand tight. When he had some control again his voice shook as he asked, "Everyone.. ok?" and tried to see past the bed to who was gathered around.

"All present and accounted for, Mr Tanner." Ezra returned. Vin looked at him, his vision was still hazy but he could make out Ezra holding his shoulder, "You hurt . . . Ezzz?" he slured, losing consciousness again.

"Only a graze compared to you, Vin," he said and surprised everyone with the emotion in his voice.

Nathan turned to him, "Sit down before you fall down and I have to stich your head too. JD you wanna boil some more water and set my things to sterilize again?" He turned back to Chris, "We gotta get some fluids in him before his fever kicks in again, and it will believe me. I'm gonna look to Josiah and Ez, we need to send Buck and JD back to town to get some supplies."

"I'll take care of it Nate, look after the others." He looked again at Vin who now seemed to be sleeping restfully.

Chris was about to speak when he felt Vin's hand squeeze his. "Chris . . .?" barely a whisper.

Chris's face instantly softened and he squeezed the hand back. "Hey Cowboy."

"Chris . . . you k? Everyone.. ok?"

"Yep buddy everyone's fine, you rest allright?"

Vin gathered his strength, there were things he wanted to get said. "Nuthin ta do with ya . . . this whole thing.. started afore you's round . . ."

Chris blinked back tears. He could hear it in Vin's voice, he was squaring things away before he could rest.

Vin opened his eyes and looked at him hazily. Another wave of pain took him before he could say more and he tensed, closing his eyes to ride it out.

"Damn . . .Vin . . . Vin take it easy OK? You're not going anywhere and neither are we. It's not your time cowboy, you might think it is, but its not, damnit look at me!" he grabbed Vin's bruised jaw gently and turned his face to look at him. "Open your eyes and look at me damnit!" Vin managed to open his eyes and hold them on Chris's face, the command in his tone causing him to do it automatically. But the gaze was unfocused, distant.

"Now you listen, this aint your time to go, you got too much to do to go bailin' out on us! You listenin to me?!" When Vin's eyes continued to drift he gave him a little shake, "I said are you listening to me?!"

"Chris.." Nathan started, turning from Ezra to look at him.

"Hear you, Cowboy . . . damn, can't help but . . .. hear you . . ."

Nathan looked down at Vin and was amazed to see a slight smile on Vin's lips despite his pain.

Chris held Vin's gaze and in that unholy way of theirs they seemed to say something until Chris seemed to relax and take the seat next to the bed. "Well OK then."

The rest of the boys just shook their heads. They were getting used to this but it still amazed them. Chris was ordering Vin not to up and die on him, and damned if Vin wasn't doing it just for him.

 

The next few days saw them constantly bathing Vin in cool water and forcing water and broth down his throat, most of which he threw up but managed to keep enough down to sustain him. After three days Vin's fever had dropped some and JD and Buck returned with the supplies that Nathan wrote down. Finally able to give Vin laudanum for the pain eased some of the tension from Nathan and he again cleaned all the wounds and applied salve to his back. After a week it appeared he was coming around, although he still slept fitfully, but Nathan guessed that his dreams would remain for a while yet, he'd been through hell. Sheer determination had kept him alive, he knew that. They could all hear it in his ramblings as he slept. They pieced together bits and pieces that he unconsciously gave them and they were grateful, knowing that he would never willingly tell them all of what had happened to him.

Chris just thanked God for bringing his best friend through it all. He would be there as long as Vin needed him to heal from this and become whole again. Dusk was falling at the end of the long week and they were starting to make preparations for returning to town with the wagon JD and Buck had brought back when he heard Vin say loudly, "Damn Nathan, you never run shorta supply on this shit! I know ya could make it taste better if ya tried! You just wannit ta taste like crap ta make me suffer more!"

"Drink it before I call Josiah to hold your head and I pour it down ya."

Silence. No sarcastic comeback.

Chris popped his head around the doorframe and immediately saw how pale and subdued Vin looked. "Vin? You ok?"

Vin turned his head and blinked. "Yeah . . . fine.." he looked at Nathan still holding the cup out to him and saw sympathy and understanding there.

"I'm sorry Vin, I wouldn't really do that, you know that don'tchya?" He knew that's how they had drugged him by the things Vin had said during his fever.

"I know, Nate.. not your fault.." he took the cup quietly and downed it all.

"Damn I told you to sip it your gonna-" too late, he spoke the warning and quickly held a basin under Vin as he lost the drink in one heave.

"Sorry Nate . . ."

Nathan looked at him with a smile on his face and chuckled, "You did that on purpose." He accused.

"Did not! Chris!"

"Don't look at me cowboy, you gotta learn to take your medicine like everyone else, I aint helping ya!" he laughed as he returned outside to the sound of more arguing from the bedroom. Yes it was going to be a long road back, but they were gonna travel it together, wherever it went and with these boys, it was going to be as interesting as all hell!

The End