Disclaimer: I don't own The Magnificent Seven and I'm not making any profit from this story. You could sue me but any percentage of nothing is still nothing.

Warnings: If you don't believe in spanking children as a form of discipline (not abuse), then don't read these stories.

Type: Gen

Rating: G

Pairing: None

Status: WIP

The New AU type: Okay, I know there are a couple of AU's with the boys as brothers, and I love them all. This is something I have been unable to get out of my head. The "what if?" of it was what if the boys were brothers but were actually still kids. I left them in the Old West and put them on a cattle ranch (think Bonanza). The boys all range in age from 31 to 5. I left Chris in charge but Josiah has all of the legal control, being the oldest and all.

Status: I would like to keep the AU CLOSED for now. If others are interested in writing in this AU, I may consider opening it later.

Author Note: This is the Fourth story in the series. If you want to read the first three you can read them at http://www.fictser.org. It isn't necessary to read first story, except to get the background stories.

Title: The Magnificent Seven Ranch: Home

Author: [email protected]

Chris Larabee stepped onto the front porch of the Magnificent Seven Ranch and stretched out his sore back muscles. The morning had been long for everyone. With school starting up again tomorrow, supplies had to be purchased and that meant the entire family had to go to town on Saturday. The day had been uneventful other that some complaining done by all the boys. Chris had to laugh because Nathan was the only one looking forward to returning to school. This was also the first year JD would be going to school. He didn't want to admit to his brothers, but JD was frightened of being in school and away from the ranch all day. Josiah, Buck and Chris reassured him that he would be fine but JD wasn't convinced. Upon returning to the ranch, the boys were sent off to finish chores and to play, while Chris worked on the ranch accounts. He hated paperwork.

Sunday they all went to church and relaxed before Monday. Chris worked on the accounts again and the boys played. When Miss Nettie asked him to call everyone in for supper, he jumped at the excuse to leave the accounts for a while.

Chris took the dinner bell and rang it for a minute or two, until he saw Buck and JD exit the barn. A minute later, Vin ran from behind the barn and put his slingshot away in the barn. Ezra was sitting on the corral fence, but didn't move. Nathan exited the bathhouse. Ezra still didn't move.

Thinking maybe Ezra was sleeping, he hollered, "Supper time Ezra."

Ezra didn't move. "Ezra! Now."

"I'm not hungry." Ezra said without turning around.

"That doesn't matter. You still need to come sit with the family."

"No." Ezra quietly replied.

"Ezra." Chris warned.

"Leave. Me. Alone."

Chris started off the porch to fetch Ezra when Josiah put his hand on Chris' shoulder. "Let me Chris. Something has been bothering him all afternoon."

"Fine." Chris stormed into the house as Josiah headed toward Ezra.

Josiah leaned his arms on the top rail of the corral and tried to see Ezra's face. Ezra turned away from him. "You're upsetting Chris by being disrespectful."

"So what."

"Ezra. Is there some reason you're trying to get yourself in trouble?"

"I'm not hungry! I want to be left alone! Is that too much to ask for?" Ezra looked up at Josiah trying to stay angry, but Josiah saw the sadness in his eyes.

"What's really wrong Ez?"

"Nothing!"

"Look me in the eye and tell me that there's nothing wrong."

Ezra spun around to blast Josiah again and when he looked into his big brother's eyes he only saw compassion. It was his undoing. "Nothing..." He couldn't do it.

Josiah only had a second to realize Ezra was really upset about something before he had Ezra wrapped around his neck sobbing like someone had killed his favorite pet. Ezra's sobs were so heart wrenching, that Josiah found it hard to speak. He rubbed Ezra's back and tried to calm him down.

"What's wrong Ezra?" Josiah was starting to become concerned. Ezra didn't usually loose control of his emotions like this.

Ezra couldn't talk. He had thought and thought of what he was going to do or what he needed to do. He decided to push his family away, to protect his heart later, but one look at the love and concern in Josiah's eyes made his decision for him. He knew his family would take care of his problem and he needed them to help. He couldn't do it alone. Josiah asked what was wrong and he could only cry harder. He handed Josiah the crumpled letter and continued to hug Josiah tight and cry.

Josiah took the letter and asked, "Can I read it?" A nod on his chest was his answer. Josiah carefully opened the letter with one hand as he calmed Ezra with the other. He quickly scanned the letter and immediately understood Ezra's problem. He put the letter in his pocket and held Ezra a little tighter. "Everything will be okay Ezra. We will deal with this as a family, okay?"

Ezra nodded again. Josiah lifted Ezra up and carried him into the house. He settled into a chair near the fireplace in the living room and continued to calm Ezra down. After a few minutes, Ezra's tears slowed and he lifted his head from Josiah's shoulder. "I'm sorry Josiah. I..." Ezra tried not to cry anymore.

"It's okay Ezra. Any one of us would be upset with this news, but rest assured, we will take care of it. Okay? No more worries. You just let Chris and me deal with it."

"Was Chris really mad?"

"Yes, but I think if you apologize and I explain why you were rude, he'll be okay. Let's go eat and then we'll deal with this problem head on. Okay?"

"Okay." Josiah handed Ezra a hanky and helped him clean up for supper. Josiah and Ezra both entered the dining room and the quiet conversation at the table stopped. Ezra went to Chris and said, "I'm sorry I was rude to you."

Chris saw Josiah's expression and how upset Ezra was and decided to ask after supper. "All forgiven Ez. Have a seat and try to eat something."

"Yes sir." Ezra sat down and for the first time in two days, actually felt hungry.

The conversations started up again and supper was a lively family affair. After dessert and coffee was served, Chris spoke. "Who still needs a bath?"

"Yuck." Was Vin's answer.

"Nate had one before supper, but Vin, JD, and Ezra still need one." Josiah said.

"Chris?"

Chris turned to Ezra. "Yeah Ez?"

"Could I have my bath in private?"

Josiah answered, "If you help Vin and JD, you can have the bath house to yourself afterwards. Deal?"

Chris gave Josiah a questioning look but didn't say anything. Ezra seemed pleased with the deal and smiled back at Josiah.

"Deal."

"Well, with that settled, Vin and JD you need to go get your night shirts and head for the bath house."

"Aw Chris. I ain't dirty. Why do I have to have a bath?"

Chris sighed. "Why do you have to make a bath such a fight? I asked you to take a bath; you take a bath, end of story. Now move it before you find it hard to sit in the tub."

Vin recognized Chris' no nonsense tone and headed to do as he was asked. Ezra helped JD and Vin with their baths while Buck, Chris and Josiah moved to the living room. Nathan went upstairs to get ready for school in the morning.

"So Josiah. What's wrong with Ezra?" Chris settled in his chair with his coffee. Josiah simply handed Chris the letter. "What's this?"

"Read it." Chris set his cup down and opened the letter. Josiah and Buck sat and waited. When Chris was finished he folded the letter and handed it to Buck. Buck quickly read and refolded the letter and handed it back to Josiah.

"When did this arrive?" Buck asked.

"I'm assuming it was in the mail on Saturday. Ezra did get the mail from the mercantile." Josiah said.

"No wonder he was upset. I guess we had better send a telegram to Judge Travis." Chris sipped his coffee.

"Do you still want to send Ezra to school tomorrow?" Buck asked.

"He should be fine for now, but we may need to keep him home in a few weeks. I think we need to let the teacher know and keep watch over him." Chris said.

"Chris?"

The quiet voice brought around three heads. "What Ezra?"

"Vin won't let me wash his hair and..." Ezra hated to tattle but he wanted to take his own bath and go to bed.

"I'll deal with him, thanks Ezra. Why don't you gather your things and I'll start your bath water?"

"Okay."

"Ezra?" Chris stopped him.

"Yeah?"

"We won't let anything happen to you, understand? We will fight to stay together."

"Thanks." Ezra smiled and headed upstairs while Chris went to deal with Vin.

When Chris entered the bathhouse he had to laugh. JD was bent over drying his toes with his bare behind sticking in the air. He was also talking a mile a minute.

"JD shut up." Vin was annoyed. Ezra wasn't any help. Vin had figured he could skip washing his hair with Ezra helping, but Ezra had insisted. When Vin had argued and said no, Ezra helped JD out of the tub and left. Vin was scrambling to get out before reinforcement arrived.

"Kevin Tanner! Apologize to JD and stay in that tub."

Vin turned and saw Chris standing in the doorway with his hands on his hips. "Sorry JD."

"JD. Let me help you with that." Chris helped JD into his nightshirt and combed his hair. "You need another haircut little boy."

"I want to let it grow out like Vin's."

"We'll talk about it later JD. Go find Buck. He has a story to read to you before bed."

"Okay Chris." JD left and Chris rolled up his sleeves as he approached Vin.

Chris took the soap and lathered his hands. He said, "Dunk and get your hair wet."

"But..."

Chris rinsed his hands in the tub and raised Vin to his feet. He quickly added a firm swat to Vin's backside and then let go of his arm. "Dunk."

Vin cried and held his breath and got his hair wet. Chris soaped his hair and Vin cried softly. When Chris was finished scrubbing Vin's hair he said, "Rinse." Vin immediately dunked again and got most of the soap out. When he came back up, Chris handed him a rolled washcloth. Vin covered his eyes and waited as Chris dumped warm water over his hair to get rid of the remaining soap. Satisfied that all of the soap was out, Chris stood up and got a towel. "Done Vin. Let's get you out of there and into bed."

"I'm sorry Chris."

Chris lifted Vin out of the tub and dried him off. Vin started to cry again, because Chris was mad with him. He tried to stop but he scrubbed at his eyes angrily.

"Vin?"

"What?" Chris wiped the tears away with a towel and put the nightshirt over Vin's head.

"If we keep having these problems with your hair, we will have it cut short."

"But..."

"No buts Vin. I have let you keep it long because it's a part of your Indian heritage and because pa loved it so, but I don't want to have to fight you to keep it clean ever-single time. You are old enough to take care of it. If you can't or are unwilling to take help then we will have it cut. Am I clear?"

"Yes sir. I'm sorry I gave Ez a hard time. I'll 'pologize."

"Good." Chris hugged Vin close and picked him up. Vin immediately snuggled on Chris' shoulder and they headed for the living room.

After a short story, everyone was tucked into bed. Chris was making a final check when he heard JD asking Buck a hundred questions about school. Vin was already snoring, Nate was asleep and Ezra was reading in bed.

"Lights out Ez." Chris said as he stuck his head in.

"Okay." Chris was about to shut the door when he heard Ezra say, "Chris?"

"Yes Ezra?"

"I really am sorry about being rude earlier."

Chris sat on the edge of the bed. "I already forgave you Ezra. Josiah showed me the letter, and I understood why you did it."

"Really? I tried to think of what to do but all my ideas ended with me leaving. I didn't want that." Ezra wiped at his eyes. "Sorry."

"No reason to be Ezra. You're not going anywhere. We will deal with this problem head on. Okay?"

"Thanks."

"Now go to sleep. You have to get up early for school."

"Oh joy."

Chris laughed and ruffled Ezra's hair. "Sleep tight little brother."

"Good night Chris. Love you."

"I love you too. Good night."

Ezra exited the classroom glad the day was over. He just wanted to go home. He walked over to the water pump and got a drink. As he was finishing, he was grabbed from behind. He struggled against his captor, but the person held firm around his middle and had a hand over his mouth. He saw the other children exit the school and didn't notice his distress. As the kidnapper was dragging Ezra further away, Ezra saw Chris stop the wagon and gather up his brothers. Then without a second glance they all headed in the opposite direction. Ezra tried to scream but his mouth was still covered. He struggled and finally was able to bite the hand that was in front of his mouth. He quickly screamed, "CHRIS!! DON"T LEAVE ME, CHRIS!" His sobs wracked his body and when he opened his eyes to scream for Chris again, he realized he was in his room in bed. Out of shear relief, Ezra buried his face into his pillow and cried.

Chris was startled out of his slumber by a piercing scream coming from Ezra's room. He quickly got up and went to Ezra's room. What he saw broke his heart. Huddled on his bed, Ezra was sobbing into his pillow. Chris walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He rubbed Ezra's back and made calming sounds.

Ezra looked up and saw Chris. It took only seconds for Chris to gather Ezra into his arms and hugged him close. Ezra continued to cry and never noticed the arrival of Josiah and Buck. Chris nodded to them that everything was okay. Buck headed back to bed and Josiah got Ezra a drink before he headed back to his room.

Chris noticed Ezra calming down and handed him the drink. He also wiped away the tears and smiled down at his little brother. "You want to talk about it Ez?"

"I... was at school... and someone... grabbed me." Ezra's voice hitched with emotion.

"It's okay. You're safe here at home."

"I tried to scream to you, but you just drove away without me." Ezra buried his face in Chris' shirt again.

"Shh. It was a dream Ezra. You know I would never leave you. We won't let anything happen to you and even if someone snatched you, we would search to the ends of the earth to find you. Never doubt that Ezra. Without you, this family would be missing an important part, that only you can fill."

"What about the letter?"

"After I drop you off at school tomorrow, I'm going to send a telegram to Judge Travis. Then we'll go from there. Okay?"

Ezra nodded.

"Good. Do you think you can go back to sleep?"

"I'll try." Ezra snuggled back into the covers and took a shaky breath. Chris tucked him in and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"Good night Ezra."

"Night." Ezra closed his eyes and Chris headed back to his room. Tomorrow would come soon enough.