Setting: Old West
Disclaimer: The following is a work of fanfiction based on the CBS television series, The Magnificent Seven. It is in no way intended to infringe on the copyrights of CBS, MGM, The Trilogy Entertainment Group, The Mirisch Corp., or anyone else who may have legal rights to the characters, settings or song references. I don't own the characters. This story is strictly for entertainment. No monetary gain will be made from anything contained in this story.
In spite of the sluggish cloak covering his body due his injuries, the loud sound roused him. His head was throbbing and he opened his eyes, only to cry out as the daylight stabbed them. He felt like shedding his own skin, it was that uncomfortable. He was stripped to the waist and covered with a fine sheen of fever, which left his bandaged chest soggy. He sighed, then furrowed his face up, covering his ears. The thunder in the room was too loud and send pain through his head. It sounded like a wounded bear was next to his ear. With a final grunt of dissatisfaction, he peeled his eyes open.
"Hah!" he grumbled, pulling the sheet back and sitting up. He eyed the empty room and zoned in on the source of his discomfort. He stood on shaky legs, waiting for the room to stop spinning. Thankfully, the object of his pain was only a few feet away. He staggered unevenly, wincing as the pain in his leg flared up. He felt the floor rising and falling and stumbled, gripping the wooden pole at the end of the bunk. He held on tightly, before lowering his body down to sit on the edge of the bed. He winced and flinched his shoulders as the awful explosion of noise came out. He studied the situation for a moment, then pinched off the instrusive sound. Silence rained down, he smiled, then frowned. He couldn't sit here like this, pinching the nose. He waited a few more moments, deciding that was enough, he released his fingers. He peered down at the face closely, brows furrowed as air went in and out freely... silently! Happy with himself, he smiled and sat up, only to have the sound return even louder.
"Stop!" he hissed, clamping his fingers down again.
"'s'goin'... on?" Buck coughed, wondering what was wrong. Then he realized his nose was obstructed. He peered up at the irate face above him and shoved the hand away. "Vin! What the hell are you doing?"
"Stopping the thunder!" Vin complained, "...it's like a bear was growlin' in m'ear. All the winda's shook..."
"They did not!" Buck sat up, glaring at the intrusion on his sleep. "I don't snore!"
"I heard it!" Vin defended, poking the other man's chest. "Ya were sleepin'... how did ya not wake yerself up? I never heard such a sound..."
"You're full of..." Buck stopped, watching the blue eyes roaming. He didn't like what he saw. "Vin..." his eyes narrowed as the slim body stood up. "Get back in that bed... Vin... where you goin'? ...damn this leg!" He flustered, watching the half-naked Texan staggering into the kitchen. "Aw, hell... is there whiskey back there? Shit! Vin, get back here! Vin!"
Ignoring his friend's words, the curious patient crept into the well appointed kitchen. His wide eyes took in the shiny pots and pans, stacks of dishes and great black kettle. He moved around, exploring the cabinets and pulling out food. Bags of flour, sugar and grain were taken out. He opened a metal box and found bread and small cakes inside.
"Hah!" He crowed happily, eyeing a jar of jam nearby. He tore the bread up, spreading the sweet jam on it with his fingers. He shoved the cakes in next and then smacked his lips. The voice in the other room kept nagging him. He cursed his poor decision.
"...I should have left the bear in his den..." He decided "Quit hollerin' at me... I am fine."
"I'll bet!" Buck muttered, wincing as more cabinets banged open and shut.
He found a cup and was on his way for the water pitcher, when he spied a familiar object on a high shelf.
"Hibi!" He cried out, eyes watering. "Gai... No..." his head was mixed up and throbbing. He saw black spots and his forced breathing hurt his chest. He saw still for a moment, thinking on Nathan's words. He took small breaths in his nose and out his mouth. His eyes never left the bottle. He saw a bench that was near the tall cabinet. Maybe if he used it to climb onto the bottom shelf and if he stretched.
Both of Buck's shoulder's came up when the loud clanging, clashing, smashing of glass and metal shot forth from behind closed doors. Silence for a moment only.
"What the hell was that?" Josiah asked, following J.D. into the room.
Nathan and Chris were next, with Ezra slowly moving with his cane. They were halfway into the room, when a small, drawl slid under the kitchen door.
"Uh..oh..."
"Vin!" Chris clenched between his teeth, storming through the kitchen doors, Nathan on his heels. Both men stopped inside, eyeing the mess. Flour and sugar were spewn on the floor. An empty bottle of jam rolled into the pile of grain. Chunks of bread were being carted off by a rather busy duo of bugs. Pots and pans were scattered over the floor like bones. Two broken plates and a cluster of utencils completed the havoc.
"Vin!" J.D. squealed, peering over Ezra's shoulder.
"Jesus!" Chris bolted to the cabinet, where Vin was precariously dangling. His fingers were almost at the top, his feet were slipping, having sent the bench flying. They slid over the slippery counter, sending everything on it, onto the floor. His free hand grabbed Vin's waist and eased him down, with Nathan's help. They sat him on the now upturned bench.
"It's not m'fault!" Vin defended of the murderous look, before Teheno could speak.
"You're the only one in here!" Larabee raged, gripping his shoulder, "Whose fault is it?"
"Bucklin's!" Vin shot back, shoving the arms away. "Yer thunder is louder than his!"
"Thunder?" Chris quizzed.
"It woke me up!" The irate patient fought back, "I thought a bear was in the room... the winda's shook!"
"They did not!" Buck hollered through the open door, giving Erza, J.D. and Josiah a good laugh. "I don't snore!"
"Ya do too!" Vin shouted back, "...there were bells in m'ears..."
"Don't be twistin' this around, you little weasel!" Wilmington defended his honor.
"He's right, Buck," J.D. smiled, "You do sound like a lumber mill."
"Shut up, Kid, whose side are you on?"
"Enough!" Chris snapped, turning back to Vin. "Didn't Nathan tell you to stay in bed?"
"Yes, but..." Vin tried, only to be cut off.
"Then that's where you should be, not climbing shelves in the..." he paused, hearing Ezra's snicker. He followed the gambler's amused gaze upwards.
"It would appear he is quite a 'hibi' hound!" the southerner smirked, eyeing the whiskey.
"Vin!" Chris balled his hand into a fist.
"I did nothin' wrong..." he protested, wincing as Nathan checked his bandages. "If that bear hadn't growled so loud, I'd still be sleepin'. I got thirsty..."
"There's water in the other room!" Chris growled, pointing a finger, "You stayin' in that bed if I have to nail your hide to the frame!" He snarled, "Don't you have something to say to Ezra?"
"Did ya bring another present?" Vin's eyes widened, only to frown again when Teheno loomed in his path.
"Vin!" the gunslinger's hiss cut off the other's laughing.
"What?" Vin quizzed, squinting. His head hurt, his chest hurt and it was hot. It was hard to listen to Teheno's loud voice. "Yer voice's like a spear in m'head..."
"Then you better listen carefully, I'll talk very low," Chris said in a hard voice, "Ezra came over here yesterday and brought a gift for you. You thanked him by stealing his flask."
"I did not!" Vin defended, trying to squirm free.
"You drank all the whiskey out of it!"
"Aha..." Vin trumped, "see... I'm right. I didn't take it... I left it inside the rooster coat."
"Rooster coat?" Erza frowned.
"Furthermore," Chris directed, "you drank too much and ate too much chocolate. That made you sick and Buck thought you were choking. Do you know how serious his leg wound is? He could have..."
"Chris, don't..." Buck interjected. "It's water under the bridge. I'm okay."
"You're damn lucky!" Larabee turned, "If I hadn't come in and you had put weight on that leg, you'd have torn up all the work Miles did... you could have bled..."
"I'm sorry," Vin offered with a hushed rasp, dropping his face. Teheno was very angry and he was shamed.
"It's alright, Vin, apology accepted. I daresay you learned your lesson the hard way." Ezra offered.
"Nathan?" Chris asked, watching the tall man shielding Vin.
"He's okay... but he's too warm. I'm gonna have to cool him down again."
"Okay, let's go, Vin. You're getting back in bed and staying there!" Chris turned then, not seeing Vin stick his tongue out and make a face. He paused next to Ezra, who appeared to be choking. "You okay?"
"Never better!" Standish proclaimed, grinning like the others at the prankster.
"Come on, Vin, let's get yuh back to... Vin?"
"Uh-oh..." Vin's eyes bugged out and he gagged.
"Nathan, you best grab a pot, your raisin bread's about to come back at you." Josiah shook his head, watching Vin toss back his snack.
"All o'yuh clear outta here!" Jackson warned, "J.D. get me a wet cloth." He waited, then helped Vin get cleaned up. He got a mug of water in him and bathed him, watching the eyes now dull and listless. "Vin?" He waited until the face turned up and the eye blinked. "Yuh got a bad wound in yuhr head. If yuh don't stay in bed and rest, that pain won't go away and yuh'll keep throwin' up. Yuh don't like being sick, do yuh?"
"No," Vin whispered, "I'm sorry... I'll clean up..."
"No, yuh're gettin' back in bed. I'll bring yuh some tea..." He nodded to the sheriff, who had cleaned up most of the mess. "Can J.D. give yuh a hand?" He saw the head nod, "Good, yuh gonna stay put?"
"Yeah," Vin managed, limping back into the room. He stopped at Buck's bunk, his eyes glued to the bandage. "I"m sorry... Buck...lin. I didn't mean t'hurt ya..."
"I know that Vin," Wilmington smiled at the forlorn face, "Don't you mind Chr... Teheno growling at you, it's only cause he cares."
"...maybe..." Vin shook his head, climbing back into his bed, "...but I think it's because I make bees inside his head."
"Nah..." Buck winked, "you might fry his nerves now and again, but you mean the world to him, Vin. Don't you forget that, okay?" He saw Vin painfully turn sideways and nod. Then he turned back, then sideways again. "Can't get comfortable?"
"No..." Vin yawned, watching Nathan approach. "Did ya make more medicine?"
"Sure enough," The ex-medic announced, helping Vin to sip the herbal tea. "It's got some peppemint in it, should help that belly..."
"'s'good..." he agreed, sipping thoughtfully and watching Buck. "It's strong?"
"Yeah, why?" the healer wondered.
"It's more powerful that Bucklin's thunder?"
"Hey!" Buck teased, getting a small smile. It was strong and the blue eyes finally shut. He noticed Chris wasn't in the room. He saw the tense profile outside, a slight breeze lifted the blond hair. He saw so much conflict in that profile and had to turn away. "It's gonna tear him up..."
"Yup," Nathan agreed, feeling the heat rising on Vin's face. "Damn his fool self... J.D.!"
"Yeah?" a muffled voice replied, as a head popped through the door.
"Can you go to the store and..." Nathan paused, squinting. "What are yuh eatin'?"
"...cakes with jelly..." the youth replied. "Well they would have gone to waste..."
"Yuh just ate breakfast!" Nathan shook his head at the Bostonian's logic. "I need more rubbing alcohol."
"You want me to get more chickens?" Dunne asked, thinking on the need for broth.
"Yeah, thanks..." Nathan sighed, wringing out a cloth and laying it on Vin's forehead.
Two hours past, before Chris Larabee returned. Buck was up and dressed, sitting outside with his leg on a barrel. With every passing female admirer, the story of how he was wounded grew taller. Ezra was next to Buck, reading a book. He didn't know where the others were, save Nathan, who was at Vin's side.
"Yuh okay?" He asked, watching the pensive blond's face.
"No," Chris admitted, "but you're right. It needs to be done. I... did some thinking while I walked. I'll sit with him this afternoon. I'm gonna tell him I have to go away for a few days. I can't just leave without an explanation. He's strong enough to travel by wagon?"
"Depends on how far. Why?"
"Tomorrow morning, I'll have a wagon ready. You load Buck and Vin in the back. It's not far and if you start out early, you'll beat the heat of the day." He handed a slip of paper to the other man. "I took care of it. Josiah's familiar with the area, he studied in a mission there. It's nice there... peaceful and tranquil."
"Sounds like good medicine," Nate agreed.
"I hope so, Nathan, you both need it." He nodded in appreciation. "I'll be closeby, but he won't see me. I hope..."
"It's the right decision," Jackson answered the question lingering in the green eyes. "Well, if we're traveling in the morning, I got supplies to get and packin' to do. There's cold water in that jug. Tea simmerin' on the stove and a big pot of soup. Get some liquids in him, if he rouses. I'll be back in a couple hours."
"Okay," he settled in, his mind dwelling on Teheno. As he watched Vin sleeping, he wondered about the man who'd been such a vital part of Vin's life. What happened to him after the massacre? Did he look for Vin? Was he as torn up inside at the loss of a brother? Vin stirred and his eyes opened. Pain radiated there, the kind that nearly blinds you. He moved then, to the side of the bed. Vin was propped on on many pillows, giving his injured ribs relief. He saw the tongue snake out, investigating the dry lips. "Hold on, Vin." He held the cup and tipped it, giving the sated man a drink. "Better?" The damp head nodded.
"Nathan's medicine isn't strong enough..." Vin whispered, blinking as the red poker was pushed in and out of his head. He bit his lip and clenched his fist, but didn't give in. Tears of pain welled in his eyes, but they didn't fall. He had to show Teheno, he'd learned his lesson. "I... am... sorry... I disappoint..." He whispered, even talking hurt. "...I will show ya... we will ride... together... make ya proud..."
"Vin," Chris paused, every word like a bullet, only making his decision harder. He waited until the twin blue orbs of woe faced him. He rested a hand on Vin's chin, cuffing him lightly. "I'm proud of you everyday. You made some mistakes...I make a lot of them. But that doesn't mean I'm ashamed of you."
"I make bees come in your head."
"Well, I can't argue that," Chris chuckled at the serious face, "You got a fire inside, Tanner. You right things that are wrong. You stand up for what you believe in. You're loyal to your friends. You're very brave. There's a lot of things I've learned from you."
"Me?" Vin shook his head.
"Yeah, you," he gave the shoulder a pat and left for a moment, to get some tea. Despite the strong medicine, the eyes remained open. Chris could almost see the pain pulsing behind them. "Hurts pretty bad, huh?"
"...no hibi..." Vin sighed, not understanding the laugh.
"Vin, I want you to know how proud of I am of what you did for..." he paused, trying to pick the right words. "...my wife and s..s...on." He saw the eyes flicker then, and the lip tremble. "You stood up to a whole army, tried to protect them, even after you were hurt. You defended them with your life. I'd do it again..."
"No... I failed..." Vin sighed, "...I see her eyes..."
"I know," Chris gasped, looking away. He did know, he still saw Sara and Adam. He didn't want Vin to carry that weight anymore. He'd hidden it away far too long. "Look at me, Vin. In her eyes is how much she loved you. That's what you need to see, okay?" Vin nodded and his eyes were starting to shut. But he seemed restless and Chris saw something that might fix that. He rose, wrung out a cloth and laid in on Vin's head and took the object. "Vin, I have to go away for a few days. I'm leaving in the morning."
"No!" Vin panicked, "We will ride together. I can ride. I'll behave... I'll go with ya..."
"Damn," Chris cursed softly, flinching as Vin's hand tried to grab at him. "You can't go, Vin. You're too sick. Nathan and the others will be leaving with you in the morning."
"Leaving?" Vin frowned, "I don't understand..."
"There's a place I visted near here. It's called San Diego. It has beautiful flowers and trees. It has a golden beach and blue water...an ocean, Vin. Water as far as you eye can see. The air is sweet there and the sound of the ocean hitting the sand is very peaceful." He saw denial in the eyes.
"Why can't I go with ya?"
"I uh... have to uh... see... take care of my family... their final rest... journey..."
"I will go with ya!" Vin demanded, fighting back. "I will... follow... ya cannot stop... me..."
"No, you won't and I'll be back. I need a favor, Vin. An important one, it's about Nathan."
"Na..than?" Vin thought on the kind man and his gentle hands. Then he thought on the awful dreams.
"Yeah, you see Nathan thinks he's taking you there to get well. I need you to help Nathan get well. He needs that peace... the water... the salty air... the rest. Can you do that for me? It'll be our secret. By listening to Nathan, he won't worry about you so much. Then he can rest and get well, lose those bad dreams. You can do that for him, Vin. You can heal him."
"Na..than... needs me?"
"Yes, he does. He's taken good care of you. He saved your life."
"I will take care of him," He vowed, sticking his chin out."I will!" he decided, "...then we can ride together?"
"Yeah," Chris whispered, "I got something for you."
"A present?"
"Yeah, you keep it for me until we meet again, okay?" Chris paused and saw the damp head nod. "Remember that place I told you about, where the ocean meets the sand? It's very peaceful there, Vin, there's birds called seagulls who fly over the water, calling out to each other. A soft breeze comes off the water, the spray of the waves falls through the air..." He eased the conch shell next to Vin's ear. "Listen Vin, can you hear the ocean?"
"I can!" Vin sighed, listening to the gentle sound in his ear. "I can... s'magic..."
"If you get to missin' me, you close your eyes and listen to that sound, okay. You listen for my voice in there."
"...o...k...a...y..." Vin murmured, letting the soft call of the ocean lull him to sleep. By the time his hand fell limply onto the bed, the guardian's head was down. Vin was asleep, he didn't see the pain etched deeply on the brother's face.
J.D. and Chris ate breakfast early. The sun wouldn't be up for an hour yet, but the wagon was outside and ready for two passengers. J.D. ate uncomfortably, finally glad when the meal was over. He took the plate to the sink, rinsed it and lifted the coffee pot.
"Coffee, Chris?" He paused, still wondering why Chris was eating in here. They'd packed the wagon. Nathan was in Ezra's room. He'd changed Josiah's dressing and was giving the gambler one more hot herbal back treatment. The youth paused again, holding the pot over the brooding gunslinger's cup. He had yet to utter a word. When J.D. pulled the wagon up, he'd emerged from the shadows and pitched in silently. "Chris?" The eyes blinked and the head nodded once. He filled both cups and sat down. He knew the older man was worried about Vin Tanner. His wrinkled cloths and shadowed face belayed the fact he hadn't slept much the night before. "He'll be okay, Chris, I know he will. The cup paused halfway to the tense lips. The sleep-deprived eyes shifted over the stubbled face. Then the cup continued.
Chris put the cup down and pushed the nearly full plate away. The kid was trying... maybe too hard. He'd chattered away while they packed the wagon. He'd disappeared for five minutes and returned, with a full report on Ezra and Josiah. He'd made breakfast and was still talking. Chris sipped the dark brew again and sorted out the many thoughts going through his head. First, and most important, was for Vin to make a full recovery. Despite what the doctor thought, a fear still nagged at him. The 'what if' demons were poking his gut with hot spears. What if Vin didn't recover? What if he stayed lost in the past? What if when he saw him again in San Diego in a few days, Vin still saw Teheno? He sighed and shook his head, lighting a cheroot. Then there was Nathan Jackson. He'd been keeping himself much too busy and avoiding sleep. When he did sleep, the dark face was distressed. More 'what if' demons surfaced. What if when he did get a chance to breathe, when he wasn't so busy, he began to suffer again? How do you reach a pain like that. Then there was Teheno. The last nagging fear was something he'd thought on all night. A large 'what if' demon hovered. What if Teheno was still alive? What if he was tormented over losing Vin? What if he's suffered the same guilt Vin did?
"What if I kept riding that day?" he murmured of the day Fate cast the unlikely group together.
"Huh?" J.D. turned, "Did you..." he frowned, eyeing the empty chair. "Chris?" He peeked through the door, expecting to find the leader sitting by Vin, but the chair was empty. He cleaned up the remaining dishes and poured more coffee, dosing it with laudenum. He sat the mug by Buck's bunk, wincing at the loud sounds. He eyed Vin closely, wondering why the fiesty Texan hadn't complained all night. Peering closer, he saw small rubber plugs coming from his ears. He laughed and shook his head, returning to Buck. "Hey... Buck... Buck..." he shook the bare shoulder.
"Not now, Darlin' I'm wore out..."
"Some magnatism..." the youth chortled, "Wake up!"
"Huh? Denise..."
"Who?" J.D. did a quick mental calculation. That name didn't sound familiar.
"Nevermind," Buck yawned, scratched and sat up. "Dammit J.D. it ain't even sun up..." he growled, trying to roll over.
"Oh no you don't!" Dunne whipped around the bed. "You gotta get up and eat... Nathan's orders. Then I'm gonna help you get washed and dressed. The wagon's out front and..."
"You?" Buck frowned, "nothing personal, Kid, but you don't have the right parts to bath me. Where is everybody?"
"Nathan's getting Josiah and Ezra ready. Vin's still sleeping," he paused watching Buck frown, "Earplugs."
"...that sneaky little..." Buck paused, his eyes going from Vin's face to the empty room. "Where's Chris?"
"I don't know," the other admitted, heading to the kitchen. "He's acting funny... he looks awful. I don't think he slept all night. Hasn't said a word..."
"Damn," Buck said softly, running his hand through his hair. He glanced at the sleeping Texan who face was relaxed and the picture of innocence. "...earplugs..." he chuckled and shook his head.
The sun was up and they were assembled outside. Josiah and Ezra sat precariously on horses. Nathan argued with the gambler for over an hour to no avail. Standish maintained he 'would ride on a horse or not at all'. Nathan gave in, throwing his hands up in disgust. J.D. would be in the lead, Nathan driving the wagon toting Buck and Vin, with Sanchez and Standish in the rear.
Buck yawned again, feeling the effects of Nathan's fine hand. Although he'd turned down the first cup of coffee, he'd taken the second. He knew the road would be rocky and his tender leg would feel every jut and bump. He eyed Vin, who was sleeping again. The Texan roused briefly, ate some soup and drank a strongly doused cup of tea. Nathan changed all his bandages and using an army stretcher, they took the younger man outside. He was under the canopy in the back of the wagon, shielded from the sun. What worried him more, was the total lack of Larabee. He'd been missing since J.D. saw him before dawn.
"You ready?"
"Always, Stud, you know that!" He turned, relaxed and relieved as the voice emerged from the shadows in the side room. "I thought you'd say goodbye..." he eyed the empty spot where Vin had been sleeping. He saw the hollowed eyes flicker for a moment, eyeing the spot.
"...said goodbye last night..." Chris sighed, sitting on the bunk and pulling out a bottle. He took a small sip and offered it. "One for the road?"
"A little one, I'm already doped up..." Buck said, taking a sip. "What's eatin' at you, Chris?"
"I'm gettin' too old for this shit, Buck," he yawned, scrubbed a hand over his rough face and shook his head. "Worryin's better suited for a younger man's clothes."
"Then you wouldn't have them fine lines around your eyes that give you character."
"Fuck that," Chris smiled, eyeing the softened features on his close friend. "Stay close to him, Buck?" His voice was quiet and almost prayful. "The next few days might be rough..."
Buck lifted his face and smiled, nodded and extended his hand. "You got my word..."
"Wilmington's word as good as done," Chris teased of Buck's famous line. He stood, gave Buck's shoulder a single tug and moved to pass to the shadows again.
"You give him them earplugs?" Buck demanded, watching a small smile appear.
"Nope."
"Had to be Erza..." Buck decided, "I'm gonna get him for that... helluva'n insult... Chris?" He turned by found he was alone again. He sighed and cast his eyes heavenward. "How 'bout we make a deal? I'll keep and eye on the little blue-eyed bas... weasel," he corrected. "You keep the green-eyed one safe, okay?"
"Who you talking to, Buck?" Nathan asked, entering the room.
"An old friend," Buck replied, eyeing the wooden items the healer held. "Hey, crutches... You can't keep a Wilmington down for long."
"Yuh listen up!" Jackson warned. "I'm just fittin' ya with these, makin' sure they're high enough. Yuh ain't usin' them for some time. I catch yuh on these before I say so, and yuh'll be sorry!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Buck waved the warning off, letting the taller man help him stand. He eased his armpits over the crutches and tested them. "Hey, with a little practice, I can thwack Ezra and make it look like an accident."
"Just get movin'... once yuh're in the wagon, I get them back. Go on now..."
Finally the caravan was ready. The top half, where they were resting, was covered with a tarp. Buck was resting upright on a bank of pillows. Vin was in a simliar position, due to his injured ribs. He shifted as the wagon started to move, sliding sideways. His head landed on the larger man's shoulders.
"Well now isn't that a fine sight!," Josiah goaded, easily spotting the pair from where he rode behind the wagon.
"Pretty as a picture," Ezra agreed, needling the flustered Wilmington."You two make a lovely couple."
"Shut up Ezra, you're already on my shit list!" Buck hissed.
"Moi?" The finely attired gentlemen tapped his chest.
"Yeah you! I..." He paused and moved Vin back to his own half of the bedding. That lasted a bried scan of moments. The wagon shifted again and so did the sleepy Texan. His head nestled back on Buck's shoulder.
"Ain't he cute when he curls up like that, Ezra?" Josiah grinned again.
"Adorable." The reply came.
"Ezra, I swear to God!" Buck vented and frowned as something wet ran down his chest. "Hey, cut that out, don't be droolin' on me!" Buck protested, shoving Tanner again. He chuffed in frustration when the two men riding behind broke into laughter. "Nathan, are we there yet?"
"Buck, we ain't even out of town yet!" Jackson laughed, guiding the team to the edge of the city. He saw a brief nod as they passed the hotel. He was in the shadows, hidden from view. He looked awful. The healer's face froze for a moment as their eyes met. He returned the nod and then watched Chris Larabee disappear again.
Two hours went by, with Erza and Josiah teasing Buck unmercifully. Buck finally fell asleep, too tired to push Vin over, the sharpshooter's head was again resting on Buck's shoulder. Josiah and Erza were discussing theology, when a pair of panicked blue eyes peered out at them.
"So much for a peaceful ride," he noted, "Nathan, hold up a minute."
"Whoa... whoa there ...." Jackson reined the team in, "What's wrong?"
"Vin's awake and he can't seem to catch his breath. I don't think he knows where he is..." Sanchez hollered, then slid from his horse awkwardly. "Vin, you're okay, Son. You're in a wagon."
"Teheno!" Vin hollered, trying to crawl away. It was too close...there were boxes on one side and a body on the other. It was hot and he was thirsty and his head was on fire. "Teheno!"
"Jesus!" Buck sat up, his ear ringing. "What's wrong?"
"Vin, now calm down!" Nate knelt in the back, putting both hands up. "It's Nathan, yuh remember me, don't yuh?"
Vin didn't reply, he was blinking rapidly and sweating. His eyes flashed briefly to the canteen resting against the other man's leg.
"Buck..." Ezra said quietly and nodded.
"You thirsty, Vin?" Buck uncorked it and handed it over. "Not too fast... we got plenty."
Vin took a few small sips and eyed the faces again. He zoned in the dark-skinned man, whose brown eyes were so full of compassion. It came back then, in jagged pieces. He cried out and dropped the canteen, clutching his head.
"Easy, there," Buck took a cloth from Nathan and wet it, then pressed it to Vin's hand. "Wipe your face, you'll feel better.
He turned at the voice and obeyed, then more pieces fell into place. He remembered the man next to him. But the images he saw confused him. The smiling mustached man in a saloon playing cards. On a horse, riding next to him, firing a gun and sitting next to him on a street, talking softly with a smile. "Bucklin..." the word came out without any rhyme or reason. Trust. That word came too, without any reason.
"In the flesh," the concerned man replied. He saw the confusion and didn't know what to make of it. He shifted his eyes to Nathan who looked equally confused. "Vin, you know where you are?"
"No," Vin replied, eyeing the wagon. "a... wa..gon..."
"Yeah, that's right. Do you remember why?" Buck asked.
"Uh... uh... Te...he..." he stopped and shivered as he heard his brother's voice. His fingers crept around the object in his hand. His arms worked independently of his brain, and he pressed it against his ear. He sighed in relief, closing his eyes and listening to the peaceful sound. He heard his brother's voice then.
"I'll always be right here. I'll never leave you. Safe... peaceful... Nathan needs your help. Can you do that for me, Vin. Can you do that?"
"Yes," he sighed, as the memories returned. He slid the shell back against his chest and eyed the worried faces looked at him. He thought hard again, his eyes roaming to each face.
"They're my friends Vin... trust me... your friends too... trust... trust..." Teheno's voice repeated in his ear.
He felt uncomfortable then, not used to the new feeling. The edge of the canopy lifted, sending the sun directly into his eye. The pain was so sharp and intense, he nearly tossed up the water he'd consumed. He cried out, one hand kept his prized shell, the other pressed against the wound. "...Na..than... make it stop..."
"Dammit! You didn't give him enough!" Buck said sharply, as the healer eased his tall body next to the smaller Texan. "He could of had mine."
"I gave him all I could, he don't weigh as much as yuh do. Any more and he'd be sick..." He turned to J.D. who was leaning inside. "J.D. pour some tea from that jar..." he took the mug and nudged Vin's lips. The tracker was curled against his chest, his jaw clenched in pain. "Open up, Vin, I got medicine." He frowned when Vin stopped after one sip. "Somethin' wrong?" He saw the keen blue eyes darting to the jar J.D. was sealing. "There's plenty more..."
"For Bucklin?" Vin asked, leaning back against his pillows.
"I'm okay, Vin, I don't need anymore." Wilmington soothed.
"Good. I'll sleep without hearin' the thunder again."
"You little snake!" Buck hollered, over the laughter of his friends. "I'm sittin' here feeling sorry for you. Huh!" He turned away, mocking anger. Finally, Vin was done. The light peeking in made his eyes hurt too.
"Shut yuh eyes, the sun's too strong!" Nathan said, pressing a cold cloth over the sharpshooter's eyes. "Better?"
"Yeah," Vin sighed, pulling the cloth away from one eye and peeking out of the wagon. "Ezra?"
"Yes," Standish moved forward on his horse, craning to see the other's face.
"I'm sorry fer callin' ya a rooster." He winced, flexing his hand over his bad leg. He blinked his eyes again, moving the cloth. "Are ya there? It hurts t'see."
"I'm right here," the gambler frowned.
"I smell a rat," Josiah grinned.
"He tipped his hand," Standish agreed, but wanted to see Vin play it out. "Is there someway I can accomodate you?"
"Huh?" Vin squinted, hearing Nathan laugh.
"He wants to know if he can help yuh," the healer translated.
"Oh," Vin nodded, licking his lips. "...road's kinda rough..." he eyed Standish's jacket, looking for bulges. "...medicine left a bitter taste in m'mouth," he cast doe eyes at the other. "...ya got another present tucked away in there?"
"No!" Nathan said, shaking his head, as the others laughed. "Yuh got no shame, Vin Tanner. Yuh're belly ain't ready for more chocolate yet."
"Aw, hell!" Vin wrinkled his nose, pouted and furrowed his brows. He didn't see the others exchange a hopeful glance. It was the first time since before the accident that the tracker's favorite cuss came out.
"Not to worry," Ezra soothed. "I'll procure more as soon as we arrive."
"Huh?" Vin cocked his head and heard Buck laugh hard.
"He'll buy more candy when we get to San Diego," the rogue gently pressed the tracker back onto his pillows. "We're good Nate." He issued, "get them blue eyes closed... go on now..." He ordered, relaxing as the wagon gently rocked again. He was almost asleep himself, when the head hit his shoulder again. "No, get on your own side and quit spittin' on me."
"I didn't spit!" Vin mumbled, swiping his mouth in his sleep and settling back. He didn't hear a reply and finally drew his eyes open. He saw the hand first. It was covering the bulky bandage on the pants leg that was cut off. He followed the arm upwards, until he saw the face. He almost wished he hadn't. The eyes were jammed shut, sweat poured down and the jaw was clenched in pain. He frowned, fought hard to stay awake and moved his arm.
The hot pain came unexpectedly, as the wagon his a rut in the road. It seem to grow in the next few minutes, sending white hot flames up his leg. He felt tears burning his eyes as the fire intensified. Then he felt something press against his ear. He opened an eye and saw Vin's arm. The blue eyes were fighting hard to stay awake. Clutched in the hand, which pressed against his ear, was the prized conch shell. Their eyes met then. He opened his mouth to speak, but Vin beat him to it.
"Close yer eyes," the younger man recalled his brother's words the night before. "If ya listen, ya can hear the... the..." he panicked, what was it called? "Aw, hell... uh... hear... the..."
"...ocean?" Buck rasped, moved by Vin's gesture.
"Yeah!" Vin's voice rose in boyish relief. "...it'll take yer pain away... Teheno told me so... he wouldn't lie. Ya keep it s'long as ya need it... daga..."
"Daga?" Buck murmured, resting his eyes.
"Uh...uh...close friend...better friend?...that ain't right..."
"It's just right, Vin Tanner," Buck eased with that special tone only he possessed. "and thank you. It is helpin' my leg. How 'bout if we share, okay?" He asked, watching the eyes slide shut. "Vin?" He smiled then as the head bobbed and he moved the shell, just as the head hit his shoulder. He didn't shove it away this time. He nestled the conch against Vin's ear.
"Te..he..no..."
Buck sighed deeply when the soft whisper came out. He closed his own eyes, letting the wagon lull him to sleep. He hoped this special place Chris Larabee found for them, would bring the miracle they needed.
"Thank you, that'll be all," the man nodded, finally able to stand and stretch. He winced and rubbed the kinks from his back. He'd been up late the night before and now was paying the price. "It used to be I could go for days with little rest. Oh that youth is wasted on the young."
"I'll drink to that."
He turned at the voice. The young man stood in the doorway, twirling his hat on his finger.
"The guard said it was okay to come in, but if you're busy..."
"No, please stay," He poured the Irish Whiskey into two glasses and moved forward, handing one to his unexpected visitor.
"Thanks," he took the offered glass and sipped it carefully. He took a deep breath and brought his head up. "I have a favor, Sir, if you're not too busy."
"Not at all, Chris, join me for a private lunch?"
"Thanks," Larabee nodded, following President Ulysses S. Grant into the ante room of his hotel suite.
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