Beyond Dreams

by Maggie

Warning: Refers to death of a canon character.

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Friendship is a rainbow between two hearts- Anonymus
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Chris Larabee jerked straight up in bed covered with sweat and shaking uncontrollably. He had been having these kinds of dreams for about a week now. Ever since the gun battle the seven endured days before. They had each experienced something they'd never thought they would have to face. Or rather something they were too blind to see.
The gunslinger swung his legs over the side of the bed and rested his elbows on his knees as he ran trembling fingers through his sweat soaked hair. Dear God would it ever end. He stood up slowly thinking how he was beginning to feel his age and the tragedy of his past in his bones. Moving with no real purpose, he quickly got dressed and checked his pocketwatch. 9:00 am.
They're probably all gathered at the saloon. Larabee sighed as he put the watch back in his jacket pocket and went out his room door. Another day in the town of Four Corners for the protectors, almost all of them anyway.
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Ezra Standish had claimed his usual table at a very early hour, shocking the patrons. The gambler rarely arose before noon unless trouble was brewing. Whatever the reasoning, no one dared to approach Standish on the matter. Not since what happened last week anyway.
Buck Wilmington was sitting quietly in the corner table with JD Dunne. The two men didn't say anything, just sat silently staring at nothing. The two exuberant men had become somewhat solemn in the past few days. Buck hadn't visited with a lady and JD hadn't even went to see Casey once. They had either lost heart or faith. At this point they didn't know.
Josiah Sanchez and Nathan Jackson had decided to let the others alone until the time they deemed right for confronting them. The two saviors of the group were glad for the support from the other in more ways than one. They were each others anchors in this storm of confusion surrounding the lost men.
Chris entered the tavern the same way he did most anything, with deadly caution. He had noticed the mens' positions as he had walked up the sidewalk, but once inside the room did he truly feel the tension hanging around them.
"Mornin' boys." Larabee sauntered to the bar and poured himself a whisky from the bottle sitting on the counter.
The six men had been meeting here every morning after the attack of the bandits at Ezra's birthday party. They were all hoping that Vin Tanner would miraculously walk through the batwing doors with his usual slow grin on his face. They had searched the streets and alleys' until dawn for some sign of the tracker.
Once the gunfire had ceased, Chris had ordered them to find Vin. But there was nothing. Only his horse which had a bloody saddle. Larabee had known the voice that had yelled the warning belonged to his best friend, but was now facing something worse than death. The unknowning.
The gunslinger's dream had been the same since that day. He found the bounty hunter slumped behind a barrel, bleeding profusely and half dead. Then as he tries to fight the feeling of dread that is etched on the healer's face as he examines Tanner's wounds, he hears the death rattle of his best friend then nothing. He wakes up in cold sweats, shivering from head to foot. It was only a couple of days ago that the dream grew to include the burial.
Larabee squeezed his eyes shut against the memories that were threatening to take him to his dream, wide awake.
"Chris?" Buck had stepped up beside the gunslinger watching the emotions playing across his features. None of the others had wanted to find Vin alive and well more than Wilmington. Not only for his own peace of mind, but for the peace of heart it would bring Larabee.
Chris rubbed at his tired eyes before turning to his friend. "Yeah, Buck?"
"We got a telegraph this morning from Ridge City. The outlaws fittin' the description of the bunch that jumped us was spotted near Cryer Canyon yesterday by a stagecoach driver." Wilmington paused as he saw the other man's face go from emptiness to cold, hard rage.
"How many?"
"The driver said he saw at least a dozen."
"Alright. Get the supplies and tell the others to prepare to ride. I'll go tell the judge whats going on." Chris turned not even waiting for a response. Right now the only thing on his mind was getting the men that had caused them such agony.
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The six men rode in complete silence on the trail to Cryers Canyon. It was a good day and half ride, but none of them had wanted to make camp. Anger fueled their desire to see justice done, and until that happened, they wouldn't stop.
The canyon was about 300 yards wide with a 100 foot drop on either side. Although the cliffs were sheer, plenty of caves were housed inside them. Especially ones big enough to hide wanted men.
"We'll make camp here until we know exactly where they're positioned." Larabee dismounted and walked over to the edge gazing at the drop.
"What're gonna do once we find out where they are?" Josiah sidled up beside the gunslinger.
Chris turned an empty glance on the preacher and stated softly. "Kill every one of the bastards." He swiveled back toward the campsite never noticing the frown from the older man.
"A miracle is in need more now than ever." Sanchez looked out over the expanse of the canyon admiring the beauty it held and the mystery plus death it was housing.
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"Damn Rupert. We need to be in Mexico. Not hanging around here. You know if they find out where we are they'll come for us." Hank paced nervously around the fire which was burning in the middle of the cave.
"Calm down, Hank. Everything is gonna be fine. I've planned this perfectly. We want those gunslingers' to find us. Trust me." The leader laughed harshly as he saw the doubt cloud the younger man's features.
"I sure hope your right." The gunman slumped on his bedroll and stared at something near the back of the cave. "Your playing with fire."
"No my dear Hank. I'm holding all the cards." Rupert snickered heartily as he threw a piece of meat to the figure watching them. "Don't want you to starve to death."
The form grunted softly and tossed the food back at the gunman hitting square in the head. Hank started chuckling but a glare from his boss shut him up quick.
"You better watch it boy, or I'll let you die for sure." Rupert wiped the grease now running down his face and returned to his meal.
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"Mr. Larabee, I do believe I have spotted our quarry." Ezra stood atop a boulder and was staring at a couple of bandits trotting into a cave near the entrance.
Chris hurried over and also peered at the pair. "Good. I'm damn tired of waiting." Larabee never let his eyes stray from the outlaws wanting to know everything about where they were going. As he watched, he saw a guard step out from behind a boulder that if you looked at close, you could see an opening behind it.
"Theres where we want to be." The gunslinger turned swiftly and felt the gambler right on his heels. The other four men were lounging around the campfire, but one look at the thunder in their leader's eyes had them on their feet and ready for action.
"We goin'?" Buck caught up to his friend and fell in step with him.
"Yep."
"We know how many?" Nathan had also risen and was now on the other side of Ezra.
"Nope."
"Do we care?" JD was hot on Buck's feet.
"Nope."
"Then may God have mercy on their souls and the Devil have room in Hell." Josiah fell into line beside the healer as the six walked shoulder to shoulder to their waiting mounts and certain battle.
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Rupert realized at the first shout from his men, he had greatly underestimated the six protectors' of Four Corners. But at this moment, there was no time for reprimand, only action.
Hank had run ahead to join in the gunfight with the others near the entrance, but the leader stayed where he was with the one thing he knew that was gonna keep him alive.
"Looks like you came in handy afterall, Tanner." Rupert kicked at the tracker's outstrecthed legs and was rewarded with a low moan.
"Go to hell, Rupert." Vin raised his tired blue eyes and tried to give the other man his best glare.
"Only if you go first." The leader grabbed the bounty hunter by his hair and pulled him to his feet. "You'll provide the needed distraction to get the surprise drop on your friends'. I wonder how it feels not knowing the fate of someone you love. Maybe I'll ask them before I kill'em." The madman laughed in Vin's face as he threw him against the rock wall behind him.
Vin knew he had to stay conscious, it was the only way to warn the others. Tanner fought the sickening pain the shove had started in his abdomen from his gunshot wounds, but that was minor compared to the agony his heart was inflicting upon his chest. "Give up now and you might still live." The tracker's hoarse voice was strong despite his tattered appearance.
"You'd like that wouldn't you. But no can do. I was out here for one reason and one reason only, to see the seven fall. And thats what I aim to do." Rupert grabbed the man's leather jacket and pushed the tracker in front of him. "Lets get you reaquainted with your friends."
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Getting inside the cave had been easier than they had anticipated. Twelve men had come out fighting but was no match for the six fury filled men attacking. Chris recognized everyone of them from that wretched day. They were all gonna pay and pay they did, with their lives.
The six watched all but one of the twelve fall. The last ran back inside as fast as he could, and they could hear him yelling at someone.
"He must be carrying the fated message of our arrival to his leader. Shall we not disappoint the dear fellow." Ezra finished reloading his pistol and glanced to the five men to his left.
Buck slid his gun back in its holster and gave the gambler a nod of agreement. JD put the last bullet in his right colt before also giving the go ahead nod. Nathan and Josiah neither said anything, but let their hard stares and slight nods speak volumes. They each stared intently at Chris as he absently loaded his .45 and gazed inside the cave opening.
"No matter what happens in there," Larabee turned to look each one of the men in the eye. "It's been a pleasure riding with you boys." The gunslinger holstered his weapon and gladly accepted the friendship the men were offering in their eyes. In single file, they began entering what may become their tombs.
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"Rupert! They're coming." Hank slid to a halt beside his boss and looked back the way he had come.
"Calm down, Hank. I've got everything under control." The leader yanked on the tracker's hair but Tanner refused to let him see him suffer.
"I tried to warn you. Your gonna die now." Vin smiled ruthlessly as he saw the panic and then the color drain from the younger man's face.
"Shut the hell up Tanner. The only one dying today is you." Rupert cocked his revolver and put under the bounty hunter's chin.
Vin heard the footsteps and knew who was headed their way. Once again he was in need of warning his friends. I gotta do something. Tanner quickly looked around the campsite and finally his eyes fell on what he needed. The fire.
The bounty hunter began the slow movement toward the flames and was happy when he wasn't met with resistance from the gunman.
The footsteps grew closer as did Tanner. Another couple of feet. Vin raised his eyes and caught the slightest glimpse of black rounding the corner. Oh God, Chris. The tracker fought the sudden fear that clutched at his insides and turned his attention back to his task. Almost there.
Chris didn't know how many men awaited them but was prepared for anything. Well almost anything. The pale features of his best friend being held at gunpoint definately caught him off-guard.
"What the hell?" Larabee pulled up short almost causing the other five to hit him head on.
"Chris, why'd you s-?" Buck glanced around the gunslinger and felt the breath catch in his throat. "Holy!"
JD peeked around his friend's shoulder and thought his heart would stop beating. The sudden gasps from the three men behind him told the youth they were experiencing the same thing.
"Hello, Larabee. Looks like we meet again." Rupert pushed the gun into the tracker's jaw harder.
"Let him go you son of a bitch." Chris started to go forward but Buck's restraining hand stopped him.
"Easy pard."
"Now, now. Is that anyway to treat someone who has a gun to your friend's head." The leader chuckled harshly at the glare he was receiving.
"What do you want?" Larabee was amazed at how calm he sounded when ever fiber of his being was in turmoil from the ragged sight of Vin.
"You all dead of course. Throw down your weapons or I blow his brains out." The older man emphasized his words with another shove of his gun.
Vin could feel the tears welling up in his eyes but fought against them as his task was almost achieved.
For once Chris had no idea what to do. He knew the instant they dropped their guns, they were dead. But if they didn't, Vin was dead. Larabee glanced into the tracker's eyes for the first time in days and saw a glimpse of something. Chris stared harder and finally understood. Vin had a plan.
"Do I look as stupid as you apparently are, Rupert?" The gunslinger forced himself into a laidback stance praying this would work.
"Insulting me is definitely not a good thing to do now." The leader tightened his grip on Tanner's hair and the bounty hunter couldn't surpress the slight gasp.
"So help me, you hurt him..." Wilmington stepped forward but it was Chris that stopped the advancement this time.
"Do what you have to, I ain't got all day to waste on the likes of you." Larabee's voice held the deadly tone everyone knew well.
Rupert looked to Hank and then back at Chris before he began to ease down on the trigger. Vin saw the motion in his peripheral vision and knew he didn't have a second to lose. So with all the strength he could muster, he pulled down with his entire body and felt the success of Rupert falling with him. He only hoped he had enough energy left to roll out of the way before hitting the fire.
The madman's scream reverberated off the walls in the cavern causing the men to wince in pain.The leader had fallen dead center into the flames and was now trying to put out his clothing but with no success. Hank had tried to come to his aid, but his boss was so out of it, he shot the younger man right between the eyes before turning the gun on himself.
The six men stood stunned for a moment at the scene, but Chris's sudden movement to the still tracker shook them back to reality.
"Vin!" Larabee fell beside his friend and started remembering his reoccuring dream from the last week. He hesitated for a split second but had to know for sure. The gunslinger rolled Tanner over slowly and was more than relieved when his eyes met those of his best friend.
"What the hell took you so long, cowboy?" The bounty hunter felt the weight of not knowing what had happened to his friends' during the ambush lift from his shoulders's and peace once again enter his heart.
Nathan quickly examined the grinning tracker and was amazed to find two bullet holes in his stomach area, but both seemed to be healing fine. They had gone through and apparently not damaged anything vital.
"So whats the word, doc?" Chris broke his gaze long enough to look at the healer but this time he wasn't met with the despair of his dreams, but a genuine smile of relief.
"He'll live."
END