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.

Rating: PG-13

This is story #3 in the series

Title: The Magnificent Seven Ranch : Summer Vacation

Author: [email protected]

Nathan couldn't believe how rowdy the schoolteacher was letting the class get. It was Monday of the last week of school and just this morning Chris had reminded everyone to behave. He had said, that just because there were only a few days left, it didn't mean they could act poorly. Nathan hadn't been concerned for himself; however, he knew that Vin and Ezra had something planned. He just didn't know if he should try to stop them and risk fall out, or just let them bury themselves.

"Okay class. You may have 20 minutes to run off some of your energy. Dismissed."

Cheers went up as a herd of children ran from the room. Nathan followed at a slower rate, and made his way toward his brothers. He needed to find out what sort of trouble they were about to start. He quietly snuck within hearing distance.

"How are we going to do this Vin?"

"I'm not sure yet Ez. All I know is Peterson is gonna get one last good-bye from me."

"You better make sure it's a good one and that it cannot be traced back to you or Chris will skin you alive and hang your hide over the fireplace."

"God Ez! That's disgusting. It ain't gonna be that bad."

"Wanna bet?" Ezra looked at Vin with a skeptical gaze.

"Well I ain't plannin' on gettin' caught. Chris will be too busy chasin' JD to keep track of me."

"You don't really believe that do you? For some reason you two seem to have a stronger connection. Chris can tell when you're up to something. Me on the other hand, I can be a complete mystery to big brother Chris. He never knows what I'm up to."

"Maybe not what, but he knows something's up."

The school bell halted the discussion and the class returned to the small schoolroom and finished their day. When the teacher finally dismissed the class, she was frazzled.

Nathan, Ezra and Vin saw Chris before he saw them. Vin shushed his brothers and Nate and Ezra watched in amusement as Vin stalked their big brother. Chris spotted Nathan and Ezra and wondered where Vin was. He approached the boys and asked, "Where's Vin?" Suddenly Chris was attacked from behind when Vin leaped onto Chris' back. Chris instinctively reached for his gun until he realized the 'bandit' weight nothing. He shifted his weight and brought Vin off his back and set him on his feet in front of him. Vin was giggling.

"Boy, I ought ta tan yer britches for ya. How many times have I told you not to sneak up on a man with a gun?"

"Ahh Chris. I was just funnin'. 'Sides, ya didn't shoot."

"No, but I may have to change my mind on that one." Chris tried to glare at Vin but it only made the boy laugh harder. Chris really wasn't upset, he simple hated it when Vin lurked around and startled him. Chris smiled at his little brother and swiftly gave him a firm 'love pat' on his backside.

Vin stopped laughing and rubbed his backside. "Ow! That ain't fair."

"Neither is scaring years off you older brother." Chris laughed.

"You sayin' yer gettin' old Cowboy?" Vin said while backing up.

"Old? Old? I'll show you how fast this 'old man' can teach you some respect." Chris said with mock threat in his voice.

Vin smiled and ran as fast as he could to the wagon Chris was using. He giggled harder when he heard Chris yell, "You can run but you can't hide."

As the wagon entered the yard, JD came out of the barn screaming. He ran in front of the wagon causing Chris to halt the team of horses or run the boy down. When JD saw Chris, he ran toward him and hid behind Chris' legs, almost knocking Chris off his feet.

"Save me Chris!"

"JD what is going on? Save you from what?" Everyone turned toward the growling coming from the barn. Chris immediately drew his gun and aimed for the barn. What he saw next made him pause.

Coming out of the barn was Buck. Hair messed up, hunched over, walking with a limp, and motioning with his hands and fingers like an animal with claws. He growled and Chris re-holstered his gun. When Buck saw the wagon full of kids, he started toward them and figured the 'monster' could scare them too. Vin jumped from the wagon and ran into the barn. Ezra and Nathan motioned to each other and sat still. When Buck was close enough, Nathan and Ezra noticed Vin return with a few pieces of rope. When Vin pounced on Bucks back, Nathan and Ezra joined the fray.

Buck was knocked down and immediately realized he was out numbered.

JD saw the whole thing from the safety of Chris' legs. When he saw his brothers pounce on the 'monster' he became braver and ran over to 'help'. Chris stood by and watched Buck get what he deserved.

When the dust settled, Buck was laying on the ground with his hands and feet tide. Chris walked over and motioned for the boys to move back.

"Well, boys. Looks like you took care of this scary beast right proper. Should we string him up or roast him slowly over a fire?"

"Hey Chris. Tell them to untie me. I was only funnin' with JD." Buck struggled to free his hands.

JD walked over to Buck and said, "You scart me!"

"I was only playin' with ya JD." Buck again pleaded to Chris. "Let me loose!"

"I don't know Buck. JD was so frightened he ran right in front of the wagon. He could have been hurt." Chris turned back to the boys. "What do you boys think? Should we let him go?"

Before they could reply, Josiah rode into the yard to see everyone standing around brother Buck, who was tied up. He smiled and dismounted.

"Looks like I missed all the fun again."

JD ran to Josiah and jumped into his outstretched arms. "We caught us a monster 'Siah. Vin 'tacked him and then Ez and Nate pushed him down, then I helped tickle him."

"Tickled huh." Josiah gave JD a small tickle and put him down.

"We were just trying to decide what to do with him when you rode up. JD ran in front of the wagon as we entered the yard because he was frightened by this..." He pointed to Buck, "monster. Any ideas?"

"Josiah. Would you talk some sense into them and let me go."

Ezra walked over to Josiah and motioned for him to bend down so he could whisper something into his ear. Josiah smiled and them laughed at the suggestion. He stood straight and headed for Buck.

"Ezra has the perfect solution." Josiah released Bucks feet and helped him stand up.

"Well, at least one of my brothers is compassionate." Just as Buck thought his hands would be untied, he was lifted up over Josiah's shoulder and walked over toward the water trough. "No! Josiah please." No one was listening to his pleas as Josiah dumped Buck into the water. Buck came up sputtering.

"Just you all wait. This 'monster' will have his revenge."

Chris offered Buck his hand to get out of the trough. "Buck. Just remember, you started it." Chris turned to the rest of his laughing family. "Boys? I want you to get started on your chores and then get washed up for Supper." Chris smiled as everyone scattered. He turned back to Buck and smiled.

Buck was wringing the water out of his shirt. He looked at Chris and saw him smiling. Buck forgot about his current state and smiled back. "Hey Pard. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have cause JD to run out like that. I'm glad he wasn't hurt."

"Well Buck, it was funny. You should have seen his face when he flew out of the barn. I thought there was a real 'monster' in there. I'm gonna go get washed up." Chris headed for the house. Buck was about to follow when he noticed Josiah smiling too.

"It's good to see brother Chris smiling and laughing."

"Yep, Josiah, he's way too serious."

"Huh! Someone has to balance out the fact that you're never serious."

"Hey. I'm serious about lots of things."

"The ladies don't count." Josiah walked away from Buck while he was sputtering about ungrateful brothers and revenge.

Supper came and went with lively conversation about the last week of school, the new string of wild horses coming tomorrow, and summer vacation. Chris decided to find out what everyone was planning for the summer. After dessert, he had everyone move into the living room and sit by the fireplace.

JD sat on the rug in front of the fireplace with his toy soldiers. Vin and Ezra sat on the stone hearth and watched JD. Buck sat in his favorite chair near JD. Nathan sat on the couch and Josiah sat in their pa's chair. Chris entered the room followed by Miss Nettie with coffee. Josiah, Buck, Chris and Nathan poured themselves a cup of coffee and settled down. Chris looked over at the expectant face of Ezra. Since turning 13, Ezra had been anxious to try some adult things. Coffee was one of them, but Josiah had said no while in school, because it seemed to keep him awake and even harder to get up in the morning.

Chris on the other hand, didn't care if Ezra had a cup of coffee once in a while, but Josiah was the oldest. Chris gently shook his head 'no' to Ezra who got the message loud and clear and didn't appear too happy about it. Josiah caught all of the unspoken conversation and smiled. He took an extra cup and filled it half way. Without saying a word, he handed the cup to Ezra. He smiled at the shocked expression and almost laughed at Ezra's response.

"Thanks Josiah."

"Your welcome. Make it last though, because that's all you're getting. Understood?"

"Yes sir." Ezra and Josiah both settled down.

Vin turned expectantly to Chris, and started to say, "Hey Cowboy could..."

"No Vin."

"Why?" Vin whined.

"Tell me you're not whining?"

Vin immediately stopped and said "No sir" and started to pout. He knew that above all else, Chris had no patience for whining. It would only end badly.

Chris decided to ignore the pouting and looked at all his brothers. "Boys. Summer vacation starts in four days and I wanted to know what everyone was planning for the summer."

"Those wild horses will need to be broke and trained for the fall roundup." Josiah said. "I'll probably spend most of the time split between horses, fences, and kids."

"Are we going to stick to the same rotation for watching the youngun's?" Buck asked.

"Probably. It seems to work. Why?"

"Well I told the sheriff that I would help out part time in town as a deputy. Mostly evenings and nights. I can still watch the boys in the morning."

"We can work something out." Chris turned to Nathan. "Nate?"

"I was wondering if you would let me ask the Doctor if I could help him this summer?"

"As long as your chores are done each day and there's nothing here that needs your attention, and as long as it's okay with the Doc, I think that it would be okay. Josiah?"

"Sounds good to me. I will need some help watching your brothers but we can work that out as we go along. Deal?"

"Yeah. Deal. I'll talk to Doc on Friday. That is if we don't see him before that."

"Bite your tongue young man. There will be NO emergencies or injuries anytime soon." Chris looked toward Ezra and Vin. "Understood?"

"Why ya lookin' at us. We ain't the only ones who get hurt 'round here." Vin protested.

"No? Maybe not, but you two are the biggest cause."

"Hurumph." Vin and Ezra said together and then giggled.

"Okay. What about you Ezra and don't say sleep."

"Why can't I sleep?"

"Because breakfast is still a family affair and the livestock like their breakfast early also." Chris answered.

"Well, if you won't let me sleep in, then I will probably just want to hang out around here and maybe do some exploring."

"You could help Josiah train the horses. Your pretty good trainin' Chaucer all them fancy tricks." Vin added.

Ezra elbowed him and tried to smile.

"What tricks would those be Ezra?" Josiah asked.

"Nothing that fancy. Just how to direct him without my hands and stuff like that."

Josiah knew there was more but he decided to watch Ezra closely for a while.

"Fine. I will warn you now though. Stay out of trouble and NO gambling. Understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Vin what did you want to do this summer?"

"Stuff."

"Stuff? Could you be more exact?"

"You know Cowboy, stuff. Fishin', swimmin', explorin', maybe campin'."

"Yeah! I wants ta go campin'." JD yelled. He jumped onto Buck's lap and bounced. "Can we go campin' Buck, Please."

"We'll see Little Britches."

"JD? Come here Sprout." Chris patted his knees to invite JD up. JD crawled off Buck and heard him grunt. JD ran over to Chris and crawled onto his lap.

"What Chris?"

"JD. What else do you want to do this summer?"

"I dunno. Alls the stuff everyone else wants to do would be fun. I can fish and swim and 'plore. I can ride my pony too. Buck said I'm getting' good."

"That's my pony your riding JD." Vin added.

"No he's not. He's mine." JD crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.

"No he's not ya little bonehead. Starr is MY pony."

"VIN!" Chris said. "Don't be calling your brother names and you can certainly share your pony."

"Chris. I'm gonna need Starr to explore and fish and stuff. He cain't be available for JD all the time."

"Chris. Starr's my pony." JD whined.

Chris turned JD so he could look at his face. "JD. Vin is right. Starr is his pony."

"But..." JD started to say when Chris shushed him.

"But he will share him with you. You aren't allowed to ride alone anyway."

JD started to cry. "I want my own pony." He leaned into Chris' chest.

"Shhh, JD. We'll work something out, I promise." Chris looked at Vin and gave him a look that spoke volumes. "Vin. You need to apologize to your brother."

"Why? For saying Starr's my pony? He is."

"You need to apologize for calling JD a bonehead. Now."

Vin was too tired to notice Chris meant NOW, so he started to argue. "But..."

Chris immediately stood up and handed JD over to Buck. Vin noticed his error and spoke quickly. "I'm sorry JD." Chris moved over to Vin and gently took him by the upper arm and led him out of the room. "I said I was sorry Chris, please." Everyone sat quietly as they hear Vin protest and then three solid smacks followed by Vin crying. When the crying died down, Vin and Chris returned. Vin went over to JD and said, "I'm sorry I called ya a bonehead JD. You can still use my pony." Vin wiped his eyes on him sleeve and turned to Chris.

"Thank you. Now you can go to your room and get ready for bed."

"Yes sir. Night everyone." Vin turned and went upstairs. Chris returned to his chair.

"It's getting late boys. JD you and Ezra need to get ready and go to bed. No arguments tonight." JD saw that Chris was serious so he just excused himself and went upstairs. Ezra paused. "You too Ezra." Chris added.

"Yes sir." Ezra reluctantly set down his coffee cup and started out of the room.

"I'll be up in a few minutes Ezra to get you settled." Josiah added with a smile.

"Okay." Ezra smiled back and left the room.

"Nate, you can have another half hour if you want."

"Okay. I wanted to spend some time out in the work shed reorganizing it."

"Fine. Just don't be too long." Chris added as he stood up. "Well boys. Let's go tuck in the little ones."

Josiah chuckled. "Ezra would not appreciate being called a 'little one'."

"He is small for his age though." Buck added.

They ascended the stairs and set out into three different directions.

Josiah knocked and entered Ezra's room as Ezra was getting into bed. "All set?"

"Yeah. Hey Josiah?"

"What?" Josiah sat on the edge of the bed.

"Can I help with the horse training this summer?"

"Sure, if you tell me what tricks you taught Chaucer."

"Aw Josiah. It wasn't anything big. I just taught him to come when I called him. How to untie himself from the hitching post. How to steal some ones hat and play tag with it."

"Ha. What good are those tricks?"

"I don't know. I was bored and Chaucer is such a smart horse I could teach him almost anything."

"Then I suppose I should let you help. It would certainly keep you out of trouble."

"Trouble? Me? Josiah, I never get into trouble." Ezra smirked.

"Yeah sure Ezra. Just make sure it doesn't find you either."

"I'll try. Good night Josiah." Ezra said as he snuggled into his blankets and pillow.

"Good night Ezra." Josiah leaned over and kissed his forehead. "Love ya."

"I love you too Josiah." Josiah stood and started to leave. "Josiah?"

"Yeah Ezra?"

"Thank you for the coffee. It was good."

"No problem Ez. Sleep tight." Josiah turned the lamp out and closed the door behind him.

"Hey Buck?"

"Yeah Little Britches?" Buck had just finished reading JD a story and was tucking him in.

"Can I help be yer depty this summer?"

"My deputy? No JD. You're way too young for sheriff work. You can be my pard here on the ranch though."

"Buck?"

"Yes JD." Buck said with patience.

"What's it like in school? I'm gonna be scart."

"No you won't boy. Nathan, Ezra and Vin will be there. They will look out for you. Besides, on Friday you get to go to school with your brothers and then Josiah, Chris and I will be joining everyone for a picnic lunch and games. It will be a good day."

"Can I ride my pony?"

"JD. You have to stop calling Starr your pony. He's Vin's pony. When we get Vin a bigger horse you can have Starr all to yourself, but not before. You still need help and I don't want you riding without an adult. I don't want a repeat of Black Bart, understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Now go to sleep. I love you." Buck kissed JD on the forehead.

"I love you too Buck."

When Chris entered Vin's room, Vin was dressed for bed but was crying into his pillow. Chris walked over to him and picked him up and sat down in the rocker with him. Vin wrapped his arms around Chris' neck and tried to stop crying.

"Shhh." Chris soothed while rubbing Vin's back.

"I... I'm sorry Chris." Vin stuttered.

"I know Cowboy. I'm sorry too. I keep forgetting that JD doesn't understand that Starr isn't his." They sat quietly and rocked for about 15 minutes before Vin spoke.

"Chris?"

"Yeah Vin?"

"Can I have a bigger horse? I's too big for Starr anyway, then JD could have the pony all fer his self."

"It's a possibility. Maybe we can look at the new horses coming tomorrow and you can pick one to train after it's broke."

"Really?" Vin wiped his eyes and tried to smile.

"Really. Now let's get you into bed." Chris put Vin into bed and pulled the covers up. He leaned over and kissed Vin on the forehead. "Good night Vin. I love you."

"I love you too. Night." Vin closed his eyes and Chris turned out the light and closed the door.

As Chris closed the door to Vin's room, Josiah and Buck came out of Ezra and JD's rooms.

"Boys." Chris said.

"Hey Chris? Why don't we let Vin pick out a bigger horse from the ones coming tomorrow?" Buck asked.

"That way JD could have Starr. Could solve some problems and it would keep Vin out of trouble most of the summer." Josiah added.

"I just told Vin that he could do that very thing. But don't say anything to JD yet." Chris said.

"Great! That should keep Vin and JD out of trouble. What about Ezra?"

"He wants to help with the horse training." Josiah said with a smile.

"Really?" Chris and Buck said at the same time.

"Yep. It appears that Ezra has taught Chaucer some interesting tricks, including getting himself untied from the hitching post." Josiah said as he looked knowingly at Buck.

"Well, I'll be. I knew I kept tying that dadburn horse up but I kept finding him in Miss Nettie's garden." Buck said.

"Seems Ezra was bored. At least that's his story. I personally think he did it to make bets at school, but I can't prove it."

"Did you ask him Josiah?" Chris asked.

"No. I didn't want to accuse him. I'll find out eventually if he is. I always do."

All three brothers went to find Nathan and to send him to bed. They all tucked Nate in and then locked up the ranch house and went to bed.