JD kicked at a stone as he walked home. He couldn�t believe he had opted to walk home instead of riding the bus. He was angry though and needed to cool off. He knew he couldn�t do it on a bus full of noisy kids. Casey would�ve kept the bus from leaving him if he had asked her too, but she was the one he was mad at. Lost in thought, JD didn�t notice the car till it was right next to him.

�Excuse me.� Josiah called to the oblivious youth walking next to the car. The teen continued to walk as though he hadn�t heard him and Josiah tried again. �Hey!� He called a little louder and this got him the attention he wanted.

Wariness filled JD�s eyes as he stared at the owner of the vehicle next to him. �Yeah? What do you want?� JD asked as he moved away a bit.

�Do you know where I can find Chris Larabee?� Josiah asked watching as the boy moved slightly away.

�Maybe, depends on what you want with him.� JD said as he kept walking.

�He�s an old friend of mine. Him and his brother Buck. We were high school together. I asked for directions in town, but my memory isn�t what it used to be and this is as far as I�ve got. I�d appreciate directions the rest of the way if you know where I can find him.� Josiah said as he continued to slowly follow the boy.

JD looked at the man again, and then finally said, �I�m on my way there, if you just follow me I can take you there.�

�How about you hop in. It�ll be faster for both of us.� Josiah said as he pressed the button and unlocked the car door.

�Well alright.� JD said as he hopped in and closed the door.

Once at the ranch JD bounded out and headed for the house. �I�ll let Uncle Chris know you�re here.� He called over his shoulder.

Josiah nodded and chuckled as JD ran into the house letting the screen door bang behind him.

�Hey Chris! Chris!� JD called as he began to move through the house looking for his uncle.

�JD I�m right here. Stop yelling.� Chris said as he came out of the study. He looked JD over a minute, and asked, �Well what are you so excited about?� He grinned slightly.

�Oh Chris there ya are. There�s someone here to see you. His name�s Josiah.� JD said excitedly as he gestured towards the door.

Chris grinned. �Josiah? Wow haven�t seen him in a long time. Come on kid.� Chris walked outside and grinned at the man leaning against the car. �Josiah Sanchez, ain�t see you in a long time. Where you been hiding out?� Chris asked as he approached the man and they hugged each other laughing.

�Well I got myself a couple of youngun�s and we don�t live to far from here. I just found out that you lived around here. This your son?� Josiah asked.

�No JD�s my nephew. Buck�s in town over at the diner. He thinks he can get a date with one of the waitresses there named Inez.� Chris said as he led Josiah towards the house.

�Ahh well the way the boy talked about you on our drive here, I would�ve sworn you were his Dad.� Josiah said chuckling at the thought.

Chris smiled, and then it began to fade a bit. �The drive here? You mean JD wasn�t already here when you arrived?� Chris asked as he looked at Josiah first, then JD.

�I was walking home Chris. Josiah pulled up next to me and asked how to get to the ranch, I offered to show him and he offered me a ride Chris.� JD said not really understanding why Chris looked upset.

�I see and why didn�t you ride the bus home as usual? Did you have to stay after class for something?� Chris asked as he motioned everyone inside.

Once inside JD flopped into one of the armchairs, one leg dangling over the arm of the chair. �I got upset at Casey Wells and decided to walk home to cool off.� JD explained.

The corner of Chris� mouth quirked at JD�s mention of Casey. He could see through JD�s pretended annoyance with the girl. He watched them when they thought no one was around and how fond they were of each other. �I see and what did Miss Casey do this time?� Chris asked as he folded his arms.

�Just being her usual annoying self.� JD said, his cheeks flushing red. He didn�t see the look of amusement that passed between Josiah and Chris at his words. Just then the door opened, Buck came strolling in and JD groaned softly causing the older men to laugh.

Buck raised an eyebrow at the laughter. �What is so funny about me arriving home? Josiah! Wow you sure haven�t changed a bit.� Buck said as he finally noticed their visitor.

�You either, except maybe you got a bit taller. I hear you�re still quite the ladies man, except for one lady who doesn�t seem to succumb to your charm.� Josiah said chuckling.

�Oh she will, she will. Inez is just playing hard to get is all. Once she realizes that resistance is impossible, I�ll have her eating out of the palm of my hand.� Buck said confidently.

JD snorted at this statement from his uncle. �More likely she�ll bite your hand if you don�t keep it to yourself.� He commented softly.

Chris and Josiah both broke into laughter at JD�s comment and Chris looked at Buck. �I think the boy�s onto something there Buck.�

�Boy�s got you pegged there Buck.� Josiah joined in.

�Yeah well, at least I ain�t blind when I got a pretty little filly after me.� Buck said as he thumped JD lightly on the head.

JD snorted at the tease and smacked at Buck�s hand but all he hit was air. He looked up and growled when he saw Buck standing above him making kissy faces. He jumped up and began to try to attack his uncle.

Chris and Josiah grinned at each other as they watched JD and Buck wrestle each other. After about ten minutes Chris whistled sharply. �Ok boys, break it up before you break something.�

Buck and JD both stopped, though JD tried to make a last attempt on Buck, but Buck was prepared and landed JD lightly on the floor. �You best stay there boy if ya know what�s good for ya.� Buck said smirking at JD.

JD sighed and got up. He walked over and flopped back down in the chair.

�Well Chris, I just wanted to stop by and let you know I was around. I�ve got to get home to the boys. Good seeing you again Chris, Buck. Nice meeting you JD.� Josiah said as he got up and headed for the door.

Chris got up and looked at JD. �Hey kid go up to your room. We need to talk when I come back in.� He said nodding his head towards the stairs.

Buck raised an eyebrow at Chris as he watched JD get up, give him and Chris a confused look and headed upstairs.

�Come on outside with us Buck.� Chris said walking over and putting an arm around Buck and leading him outside.

Once Josiah had left, Buck looked at Chris. �You wanna tell me what that was all about inside with sending JD to his room? The kid looked confused as he went upstairs.� Buck said as he glanced towards the house.

�JD skipped riding the bus home today and walked instead. Josiah gave him a ride the rest of the way home.� Chris explained.

�Ok so Josiah gave the kid a ride home what�s wrong with that?� Buck asked not quite getting what Chris was saying.

Chris sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. �I introduced them when JD came in and told me Josiah was here.� Chris said flatly not sure how to make it any plainer.

Realization dawned on Buck as he listened to Chris. �Damn, he got in the car with a stranger. God Chris, What are you gonna do?� Buck asked as he ran his hand through his hair.

�You know what I have to do Buck. If it hadn�t been Josiah, can you imagine what would�ve happened? Someone else could�ve said the same things to him pretending to be a friend of mine and��Chris went quiet as his throat constricted with emotion and tears threatened in his eyes.

�Hey that didn�t happen buddy. I know it could�ve and you�re right about what you have to do.� Buck said as he clapped Chris on the shoulder.

�Get me the strap from the barn.� Chris said flatly, hating the words.

�What? Chris don�t you think that�s being a bit too harsh on the kid?� Buck asked.

�No. Buck you know Dad would�ve done had one of us did it.� Chris said. �Go get it please. I�m gonna go talk to JD.�

�Why don�t you make JD get it.� Buck asked.

�You obviously don�t remember what happened the one time Dad told me to go and get it.� Chris retorted and smirked slightly.

�That�s where you�re wrong big brother. I remember quite clearly what happened.� Buck said snorting with amusement.

�Well I�m not giving JD the chance. Go get it. Give us a little time though.� Chris said as he headed to the house and then went in.

JD paced his room as he tried to think of what he could�ve done to make Chris mad at him. He stared out the window a minute and watched Buck and Chris talk, though he couldn�t hear what they were saying. He sighed and began to pace his room again. A moment later, he could hear Chris on the steps.

Chris gave a quick knock on the door, then entered without waiting to be invited. He closed the door, leaned against it folded his arms over his chest and crossed his ankles. �Well kid, you figure it out yet?� He asked looking at JD, who stood by the end of his bed.

�What did I do? Is it because I walked home?� JD asked hurt and confusion showing through in his tone.

�No kid. Think JD. Think about what you did on that walk home today.� Chris said not moving.

�Chris the only thing I did walking home today was get a ride home with Josiah.� JD said his eyebrows furrowing as he thought. JD suddenly went pale and he sat down quickly on the bed.

When Chris saw how pale JD got a second before he sat down, Chris pushed away from the wall quickly and walked over to JD. �You alright little bear?� Chris asked as he sat next to JD, resorting to the affectionate nickname he had given his nephew when he was younger.

�Oh God Chris. I-I didn�t know Josiah when I got in the car with him. I�m so stupid. How could I do something so stupid.� JD said as he laid his head against Chris�s shoulder.

�Hey. First you are not stupid. Don�t ever let me hear you say that again. You are right about one thing, what you did was stupid. JD do you realize what could�ve happened if I hadn�t known Josiah and he was just using that as a ploy to get you in the car?� Chris asked as he nudged JD up and looked at him.

JD nodded tears starting to fill his eyes, that when he blinked, the tears slipped from the corners. He quickly brushed them away as he looked at Chris. �I�m sorry Chris. What are you gonna do with me?� JD asked already with an idea of what was going to happen.

Chris opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by a couple of wraps on JD�s door. He got up and opened the door and let Buck in. Buck stood there trying to keep the strap out of sight. He knew JD would react badly to it. �Hey kid, how ya doin�?� Buck asked as he gave a sympathetic smile to JD.

�He figured out what he did, and wants to know what I plan to do with him.� Chris said as he stood there, giving Buck a look and then towards the object Buck had in his hand, then held out his hand for it.

JD was watching Buck and Chris and could see them talking and exchanging something. �Guys? What�s going on? Chris, what are you gonna do?� JD asked, his fear showing through in his voice.

Chris turned slowly around the strap hanging from his hand at his side. He looked at JD and felt like a heel when he saw the look on the teen�s face. He stepped towards JD and stopped when he saw JD stand and take a step back.

Buck had watched and when he saw JD shoot up and step back, he started towards him. �Hey easy there kid, come here and sit back down. You and me and Chris, we�re all gonna sit here and talk for a bit first. Ain�t nothin� gonna happen to you right now kiddo.� Buck said gently easing towards JD the whole time. He thought he had him calmed and went to reach for him, when JD sprang to life and raced past both Chris and Buck. They heard him thunder down the stairs and heard the front door slam shut. �Well that went well.� Buck said quietly.

�I should�ve seen that coming.� Chris said quietly.

�Aww hell Chris, we both should�ve, but he did it and now we gotta go find him talk to him. You might wanna leave that here pard. Kid might think it�s gonna happen on spot if he sees you carryin� it.� Buck said nodding towards the strap.

�Yeah.� Chris said as he laid the strap on the bed and followed Buck out of the room.

�Where do we start?� Buck asked once they were outside. He began to scan the yard hoping something would stand out as an obvious place to hide.

�Same place Dad found us the first time I ran.� Chris stated as he headed towards the back of the house. He could hear Buck behind him as headed toward a large tree by the lake. Up in the branches was a large tree house that their Dad had built for them when they were younger.

Buck went up the ladder first into the tree house and saw JD huddled in one corner, knees drawn up to his chest, arms wrapped around then and his head buried in his arms. �Hey kiddo how�s it going?� Buck asked gently as he sat next to JD and put his arm around him.

Chris poked his head through the opening and upon seeing JD and Buck on the other side, he climbed up and walked over to them. He sat down as close as he could on the other side of JD and gave the boy�s knee an affectionate squeeze. �Hey little bear. It�s gonna be alright. I won�t lie to ya, it�s gonna hurt like hell, but Buck and I will be there for you when it�s over.� Chris said as he moved his hand up and gave JD a gentle squeeze on the arm.

�He�s right kid. Shoot ole Chris ran to this very spot the first time our Dad to took the strap to him.� Buck said as he rubbed JD�s back.

JD looked up at that, his eyes puffy, red and wet from crying. He raised his arm to swipe it across his nose and eyes and was stopped when a red bandana was put in front of him. He looked up at Chris, who was giving him a small smile. He wiped his eyes, then blew his nose several times then handed the soggy mess back to Chris a small smile playing slightly on his lips before it faded.

�We�ve both been through this before kid. Come on scoot over so I can sit with you, or am I the dubbed bad guy at the moment?� Chris asked, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards as he put his hand on JD�s shoulder and squeezed.

Buck and JD moved over so that they all sat against the wall. They sat in silence for a few minutes, till JD sighed and looked up at Buck first and then at Chris. He sighed again then looked down.

�What�s a matter kid?� Buck asked giving JD a squeeze and wondering what was going through the kid�s head at the moment.

�Am I in trouble?� JD finally asked.

�For?� Chris asked knowing this wasn�t about him getting in the car with Josiah.

�For running out here.� JD said as he shifted closer to Chris and laid his head on his uncle�s shoulder.

�This time, no. I understand why you ran kid. Hell I ran the first time, a second time too. I got in trouble the second time I ran and so will you. It�s ok to run the first time, because you don�t know what�s gonna happen or anything and it�s scary. Second time though, you know what to expect and running will just prolong it and make it worse.� Chris explained as he patted JD�s knee.

Buck listened quietly and snorted a little. Chris and JD both looked at him and Chris quirked an eyebrow at him. �I think hidin� the damn strap made it worse Chris, not just runnin�� Buck said chortling a little.

�Y-you hid it?� JD asked with awe as he looked at Chris with wide eyes.

Chris smiled a little and nodded. �Yeah, I think that was the stupidest thing I ever did when I was a kid. Worst three weeks of my life.� Chris said as he chuckled at the memory.

�Hey it was your own fault it lasted that long. You could�ve ended it the first night, but no, you had to be the stubborn bull headed idiot that you are and keep dragging it out.� Buck reminded his brother as he reached over and thumped him on the shoulder. �Yeah that�s true, not to mention who actually found it and what happened.� Chris said shaking his head.

�Who found it Chris? And why were you punished for three weeks? What, what did you do?� JD asked hesitating slightly at the last question.

�Hey take it easy JD, Chris is hard headed, you know that. Dad told him what to expect if he didn�t go get the strap from where he hid it and Chris being the stubborn ass that he is refused.� Buck said as he gave JD a squeeze.

�Ok kids, we need to take this back inside. JD, we need to finish this kid. No use in prolonging it anymore. If you want to hear the story, Buck and I will tell it to you later, but right now we need to go back in.� Chris said as he stood and moved towards the ladder.

Buck helped JD up off the floor then as Chris descended. JD went down next with Buck and Chris�s help. Chris kept a hand on JD�s shoulder as Buck climbed down, not wanting to chase after the kid, if his nerve left before Buck got down.

JD lagged behind Chris and Buck as they headed towards the house, till Buck caught on and slowed his steps to walk with JD. As they got closer to the house, JD began walking slower and slower till he stopped and refused to go forward anymore.

�Hey come on kiddo, I know this ain�t something you wanna do, hell Chris don�t wanna do this either, but he has to. Don�t make this harder on either of you kid.� Buck said as he nudged JD gently and prodded the reluctant teen slowly towards the house and up the back steps.

Chris was waiting in JD�s room when Buck and JD entered. He knew Buck would be able to handle JD and coax him in and up to his room. He shared a silent look with Buck, each nodding at the silent message, then Buck began to slip out of the room. Once he was gone, Chris motioned JD forward. �Come on little bear, Buck�ll be back in a bit. It�s all us now.� Chris said as he saw JD stay motionless by the door, his eyes transfixed to the strap on the bed. Chris knew JD wasn�t going to move from the spot and began to head towards him. He reached JD, wrapped an arm around the teen�s shoulders and began to lead him towards the bed. Once at the side of the bed, Chris said, �Ok little bear, you need to bend over.�

�Y-you�re not sitting yet.� JD said softly as he watched Chris like a cat does with a bird. He tracked Chris� every move from him rolling up his sleeves to picking up the strap.

�I�m not gonna sit JD. This isn�t a spanking kid, now go on, bend over.� Chris said as he waited for JD to comply.

JD looked at the bed, and then at Chris imploringly. When he saw the stern look, he sighed, then went to undo his pants. He was startled by Chris�s hand on his. JD looked at his uncle confused by the action.

�No JD, your jeans stay up. If you run though, that�s when they and your underwear come down. Just go on and bend over.� Chris explained as he patted JD�s hand and watched as he bent over the bed. He placed his left hand at the small of JD�s back, more for comfort than anything. He raised the strap and brought it down on JD�s jean covered rump.

JD hissed as the strap came down. He thought maybe having his jeans up that it wouldn�t hurt as much. He was wrong it still hurt. The second one came down and tears filled his eyes as he gasped at the sting. At the next swat a small choked sob emitted from his throat.

�It�ll be over soon JD, you�re doing good little bear.� Chris said as he forced himself to bring the strap down again hard to compensate for the jeans and heard JD begin to fully cry. Chris kept count as he brought the strap down again and again. He brought the strap down a final time a little harder than the rest and just rubbed JD�s back. He knew the kid wouldn�t hear him if he told him it was over. He pulled JD up after a few minutes, then wrapped his arms around him.

The final swat had JD sobbing harder into the covers. He felt Chris rubbing his back and then felt his body being pulled up and into Chris�s strong arms. He clutched the back of Chris�s shirt and just sobbed hard against his shoulder. He could feel Chris�s hand cupped at his neck and his other hand rubbing his back. A few minutes later, he could hear Chris�s voice but couldn�t make out the words. He was trying hard to figure out what he was saying to him. Suddenly he felt another hand on his head, fingers running through his hair. He raised his head slightly and through his blurry, red, eyes, he saw Buck looking at him with a sympathetic smile.

�See kid, I told ya you�d live. Hurts like hell though don�t it?� Buck asked as he carded his fingers through JD�s hair again.

JD nodded slightly and laid his head back down.

Chris stayed quiet as Buck spoke to JD, when he didn�t hear anything from his nephew and felt his head lay back on his shoulder, he began moving JD towards the bed. �Come on little bear, ole Buck and I are gonna make ya feel better and tell ya about your dumb uncle Chris.� Chris said quietly.

He lay JD on the bed with help from Buck. They took JD�s shoes off and then tugged his jeans off as gently as they could. When he heard JD�s cries increase at the removal, Chris sat by his side and began to rub his back. �Hey it�s alright little bear. We�re gonna help you. It�s gonna feel better soon.� Chris reassured his nephew. He waited till JD had calmed again, then he gently tugged his underwear down revealing the pink bottom. �Buck you ready?� Chris asked and when he received a nod he stroked JD�s hair and said, �This is gonna be cold JD. It�ll feel better though after a few minutes. Just lie still alright?�

JD nodded not really sure what was going on, but a minute later he almost bolted off the bed, when something ice cold was laid over his stinging butt. �What is it?� He asked trying hard not to move.

Buck chuckled a little. �It�s an ice cold washrag JD. I tend to make �em a little too cold though, sorry about that.� He said and plopped down on the other side of the bed. He looked down at JD and smiled a little. �Feel better yet kiddo?� He asked rubbing JD�s back.

�A little. It�s cold.� JD muttered as he began to wipe his eyes with one hand and prop himself up a little on his arms. �So do I get to hear about my dumb Uncle Chris.� He asked a grin forming on his tear streaked face.

�Yup. Go ahead tell him about his dumb uncle Chris.� Buck grinned as he settled against JD and grinned at Chris.

Chris shook his head as he stared at the two then settled in telling JD about the one time he ran and hid the strap.