Setting: OW
"Hey y'all!" he drawled, entered the crowded Saloon.
"Vinnie Darlin'," a chorus bellowed, giving the tracker a swell.
"Vinnie?" Chris and Buck said in unison as both heads swiveled towards the door.
"Hey... What the hell?" Buck complained, his lap and shoulders now cold and deserted.
"You came back," the pretty brunette said, of their dinner companion. She tousled his curls and hugged him.
"We missed you..." the blonde beauty pouted, kissing his cheek and caressing his face. "It was awful lonely..."
"I missed y'all, too" Vin nodded, eyeing the two beauties favorably, "I'dda been here sooner, but the doctor sassed me but good. Said I should be bed... I'm awful weak..." he rasped, staggering slightly.
"Here Vin," the dark-haired one said, taking one arm over her shoulder.
"We'll take care of you," the other said taking the other arm and grabbing the tracker's waist.
They led the 'victim' to an empty table and eased him into a chair. Before Buck could close his gaping jaw, a third pretty maid appeared, bearing a steaming mug of herbal tea and huge piece of apple pie, with fresh cream smothered all over it.
"Fer me?" Vin feigned shock. "I don't know if I can manage... bein' so weak and all..." he let his voice trail off and fell back in the chair.
"I got the tea from the doctor's office, Vinnie..." the newest comely member added, sliding onto the Texan's lap. She eased her arm around the strong back and caressed his neck under the curls.
"...and I saved the pie for you," the brunette breathed coyly, sliding onto Vin's other leg. She unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt and slid her hand inside, tracing seductive circles on his hot skin.
"...I whipped the cream..." The last member of the trio added from behind, leaning over Vin's shoulder and letting the 'girls' kiss the shadowed face. She took a large dollop of cream on her finger and slid it into his parted lips. She withdrew the moist finger and licked it. "...ummm... that's good..." she breathed huskily.
"I'm gonna be sick," Buck exasperated, watched the trio feed the sated king. He tossed his cards in disgust and glared openly at the laughing Chris Larabee. "Look at him... like butter would fuckin' melt in his mouth," the rogue noted, eyeing the wide-eyed Tanner, who was being fed by all three girls. The whipped cream that missed and ended on his lips and chin were quickly licked off by the servers. As if on cue, one of them scooped up some apple mix and slid it inside his mouth. Vin sucked greedily and gave Buck a bold wink, which only made the dark-haired rogue madder.
"You know Sugar," the blonde said eyeing Vin's long hair. "You got pretty hair... it needs tendin'"
"Doc said no baths, on accounta m'delicate lungs," Vin whispered, nearly checking to make sure the pants he was wearing were his own, not Chris's. The roaming hands and hot lips were making his blood boil.
"Oh, we can fix that," the brunette winked and nibbled on his neck. "Can't we girls?"
"Un-huh..." they nodded.
"We can wash your hair... sure is pretty," the blonde said, running her hands through the tangled locks and leaning against the muscular chest.
"We're awfully good with sponges and such," the brunette added. "I'll bring up the hot water."
"I'll get the sponges and uh... other tools..." the blonde said, nipping Vin's neck and pulling him up.
"I don't wanna be no bother," Vin protested weakly, his legs shaking.
"Hush up that pretty mouth of yours," the one leading him said, taking the last dollop of cream and teasing his tongue with it.
The trio then lead the dazed man upstairs. Chris was laughing hard, as the look on Buck's face was one he'd not soon forget.
"I can't believe this... how does he do it?" the stunned voice asked.
"Looks like your losing your touch, Stud," Chris said slyly, grinning like a fool at Tanner's antics. He turned back to the stricken mustached man and rested a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "New shirt?" He noted, not recognizing the burgundy form-fitting garb.
"Hell, yeah... cologne too," Buck dismayed, eyeing the roaming fingers of his missing maidens and frowning, as two different hands squeezed Tanner's backside as they disappeared upstairs.
"Won't go to waste," Chris grinned and leaned over. The evil smile matched the devil in his eyes as he nudged the handsome rogue, "Miranda's show at the theater ended ten minutes ago. I reckon she'll be on the hunt..."
"Aw, hell..." Buck jumped up. "You never saw me." He smacked Larabee's back and glared up at Vin, who was winking boldly him and licking his lips. "You're dead meat Tanner," he warned, slipping outside.
"That's my boy!" Chris boasted, as a new hand was dealt. He picked up his cards and resumed his game.
Vin watched from the top of the stairs until Buck left. He turned to his three co-conspirators and smiled. "Y'all were great. Ya should be in that theater down the street. Matter o'fact," he wheezed, feeling how tight his pants had become. "Yer were a little t'convincin'. I can't thank ya enough, it was worth every dollar." He nodded and turned to go.
"Nuh-uh..." Becky said, pushing him towards the open door.
"Wh... what are ya doin'?" he stammered as the sassy one tugged his coat off and her deft fingers unhitched the holster. "Cut that out... gimme that... hey... wait a minute..." he protested as six well versed hands forced him into the readied room. Vin eyed the steaming basins of water and shook his head. "This weren't part o' the damn deal..."
"Muse, did he use profanity?" Becky asked their leader, smacking the angry, stammering man's backside.
"He did... and that's a punishable offense," she commanded, unbuttoning the few remaining clasps on his shirt and pulling it off. She pinched him and smiled as he yelped and blushed.
"Alright, ya had yer fun... cut it out now," Vin protested as they forced him onto a stool and one of them sat on his lap, forcing his head back. A set of strong hands pulled his head into the basin of warm water and waited.
"Are you gonna behave now?" she warned, pulling his head back and pouring something from a lavender bottle.
"Hey... hey... quit it..." Vin yelped as strong fingers massaged the scented lotion into his slick hair. He kept his eyes closed as the suds ran down, stinging them. He felt a firm sponge making slow circles on his chest and another on his back. As the heat rose in the room, so did his wheezing. He managed to open one eye from where he was sitting and panic set in.
"What the hell kinda sponge is that?" Vin paled at the strange looking brush. His panic increased and his mouth went dry, as it headed south "That'd take the bark right off a damn tree."
"More profanity... You were warned," the sassy one shook her head. "It's for those hard to reach places."
"Hell, I ain't got none... ya leave that alone... hey... cut that out... aw, hell... " He rasped and flushed as he surrendered to the sponge-bathing trio.
The crowd had thinned out and Chris stood alone outside enjoying a cheroot. He eyed the deserted street and wondered where Buck ended up. The sky was full of stars and he raked the heavens, taking in their celestial beauty. How many nights had he and Sarah slept under the stars on a blanket and felt each others heart beat. Sarah... he still ached for her touch. He flinched and tossed the cheroot into the gutter and went back inside. The tavern was almost deserted and hegrabbed a bottle and a glass. He sat down and slid a full glass to the body next to him. As he leaned over, his nose wrinkled up and his breath caught.
"You sure smell pretty," he said huskily, lifting the 'scented' locks. "...just like silk..."
"Show ya good time, Cowboy?" the drawling Romeo rasped, lifting a bold eyebrow and giving the blond a good laugh.
"I don't think so." Chris shook his head and grinned. "I wouldn't want to mess your pretty hair."
"Ya couldn't afford me nohow." Vin tossed back, declining the liquor. He was holding a mug of tea.
"Yeah?" Chris raked a bold eye over the tracker. "That scrawny ass of yours is overpriced."
"...and plum wore out..." Vin shot back, giving both a good laugh.
"You're going soft," Chris said, nodding to the tea. "Next thing you'll be takin' to quiltin'"
"I do a right fine stitch," Vin pouted and Chris laughed again. He kept a slight smile and wondered why it felt so good. Why was Vin Tanner was the right fit? He snorted and tossed back another shot. Why ponder? Just sit back and relish it.
"The doctor feller was okay." Vin nodded, sipping the herbal tea. "Told me the cold'll run its course in a week or so. Weren't real happy with the lungs... warned me good. The medicine and this tea sure gotta kick to 'em. I took some after supper and they knocked me out. Slept for hours."
"You finish all of it," Chris warned and saw the head dip once. His keen eyes read the deep blue ones a few feet away. "You okay, Vin?"
Vin sighed and stared into the wood grain of the table. He waited several minutes before answering. The tightness he now felt in his chest had nothing to do with the cold. Chris's strong words and steel vow had hit him hard. He suddenly realized that was a large part of why he felt so good. He raised his head and his sky eyes met the icy green ones. "I am now, Cowboy." He said softly and paused. "Chris, what you said last night... I ain't never gonna ferget that." He dropped his head and took a long breath and Lucas's face came into view. But the fear was gone, chased away for good by a pair of big brothers. He felt a hand clamp on his shoulder and drew his gaze back up.
"I'm always here, Vin."
"Yeah..." Vin rasped, draining the remainder of his tea. "I was thinkin' that... nah... ye'd laugh."
"Try me."
"...shame that bastard Lucas didn't head north and settle in Indiana..." Vin paused and felt the hand grip him painfully. "...wouldda made it easier when I run off." He ended, thinking on Chris's childhood farm and fine family life.
"I would have found you," Chris promised, thinking of the small boy fighting his battles alone.
"I wouldda visited ya in jail," Vin smirked, thinking on Chris's black look.
"'preciate that, Vin." Chris eased, warming to the thought.
"Ya know, Chris. Fer a long time, I had a box inside. I put all the bad stuff in there... so's it couldn't hurt me nomore. But it got t'be heavy... totin' it around. Last night, you and Buck busted the lock open. I can't..." He paused, feeling a swell of emotion as the heat rose in his face. "It feels good, Chris. What ya done."
"Jesus Vin," Chris grinned at the emotive display, his own chest tight. "You haven't talked this much in all the months I've known you. That must be some potent tea." He cocked his head and picked up the empty mug. "Reckon I'll stick to whiskey."
That did it. The image of a babbling Chris Larabee loose on society did the Texan in. He laughed until tears welled up and a coughing fit ensued. He felt the hand clamping his back and swiped his eyes.
"Do me favor, Vin?" Chris said seriously.
"Anything," Vin leveled, eyeing the somber face.
"Don't give up your day job," Chris said, standing up. "Your singing stinks."
"The girls don't think so..." Vin hissed, rising painfully, and waiting so Chris couldn't see him.
"Speaking of the lush trio," Chris paused, "Where are your angels of mercy? Thatwas quite a show." He grinned and shook his blond head.
"They's upstairs lyin' the hell all over," Vin declared proudly, wincing as he stepped outside. "I wore 'em out."
"Really?" Chris turned and saw the slow, painful steps the tracker was taking. He scowled, put both hands on his hips and paused. He eyed the darkened windows of the rooms upstairs, the Texan's painful face and nearly elderly gait. "That sunburn or you give the boys a beating?"
"Don't ask." Vin winced. "Ya best move along, I'll be awhile."
"Hell, you don't pick up your pace and I'll be headed back for breakfast and you'll only be halfway to the hotel."
"Where's Bucklin?"
"God only knows," Chris said, eyeing the empty street. "You got him good this time. I don't know how you found the time. It was brilliant though."
"Funny," Vin scoffed. "Brilliant ain't the word I'm thinkin' of..."
"They turned the tables on you, didn't they?" Chris guessed and saw the face flush under the lamplight. The look of unadulterated chagrin gave the leader a good laugh. He rested a sympathetic hand on the baby-stepping sharpshooter. "I want details Vin or I'm spillin' the beans to Buck."
"That's blackmail..." Vin wheezed, grabbing Chris's arm to steady himself. The tea was stronger than he thought and walking was difficult.
"You bet your scrawny ass it is," Chris tossed back, noting the blinking eyes as they entered the hotel. Effortlessly he picked up the arm and brought it across his shoulder, supporting the struggling man's weight.
"Ya best remember, Larabee...Tanner's paybacks are a bitch." He coughed and stumbled. By the time he found the bed, he was dead on his feet. He felt Chris pull his boots off and the blanket up. He heard the door close and lock. Then he relaxed and fell into a tranquil sleep, knowing he was safe.
It was just past seven a.m. when Chris Larabee tried Vin's door. He peeked inside and found the room empty. He made his way down stairs and his eyes darted around the empty lobby. He glanced in the Dining Room and saw a bleary-eyed dark head hovered over coffee. Smiling, he eased his way to the long face and nodded to the server. He took his hat off and left it on the seat next to him. The head next to him remained bowed, and he took the steaming liquid.
"Thanks," he offered, as she left the speckled pot. "You got griddle cakes?"
"...with or without ham?"
"With," Chris nodded as she left. He turned a bemused face to the sorrowful body next to him. Leaning over, he dropped his voice low. "Mornin' Stu..u...u...d"
"...'ey, Chris," Buck croaked, peeling an eye open. He sipped his coffee and made an effort to sit up straight and appear human.
"Long night?" the blond wondered.
"Pure heaven... just me and a lush desert rose," Buck oozed, sighing and staring hard.
"Damn..." Chris grinned of the tall man's prowess.
"That about covers it." Buck chuckled, "Where's Vin?"
"Gone," Chris replied and nodded as the steaming plate of food arrived. "...livery most likely."
"Surprised he's able to walk," Buck commented and saw the small grin tug at Larabee's lips. "That boy's gettin' a little too slick for his britches," He frowned of the Tanner ploy. "I'll get even..." He paused and saw Chris staring at the empty tables.
"You come in with the sun?" Chris muffled over his pancakes.
"Yup," Buck said, "Had my breakfast in bed..." He winked and slapped Chris's back. "I think I'll stretch my legs."
Chris knew Buck was headed to find Vin. "Stretch 'em past the bath, will ya Buck?" He wrinkled his nose and saw the shadowed-face grin.
Buck headed for the livery first and wasn't surprised when he saw all three horses cared for, curried and saddled. Vin's bedroll was neatly tied on Diablo's back. Buck lifted each canteen and found them full. Curious, he headed to the outskirts of town. He saw a lone figure sitting under a tree about a quarter mile from town. His long strides made it a short trip. He paused several yards away and studied the somber Texan. Vin's face was puzzled, his brows furrowed and his fists were clenched. Shaking his head, the older man made his way forward .
Vin glanced at the heat rippling over the horizon. It was going to be a long ride and he felt like shit. Although his chest felt a whole lot better and the coughing had decreased greatly, his head was pounding and the cold had settled in good. He'd never admit how lousy he felt to the others, or they'd end up staying. He wanted to go home... he could almost hear Nathan hollering at him. He frowned as the familiar battle started. How could being a part of something good, make him feel so bad?
"You best quit dancing in the dragon's lair, Vin."
"Huh?" Vin squinted up at the tall body approaching.
"...seat taken?" Buck asked, not wanting to intrude. Vin shook his head and Buck dropped down. Taking his hat off, he spun it around on his finger and eyed the handsome young man's profile. Sometimes he forgot just how young Vin was, and how fast he had to grow up.
"Well?"
"Well what?" Buck yawned, scratching his stubble.
"Whaddya mean by dragons dancin'?"
Buck smiled and let his mind wander back thirty years, to dusty day, hot tears and a soothing voice. "When I was a kid, about the age when other boys started talkin' and pointin' fingers..." He paused and felt Vin's intense stare. "...seems everyday I was comin' home with a black eye, bloody lip and hot head. My Mama told me never to back down. She said never to let any fool call me a bastard and defend my name. She told me about a knight," he sighed and smiled wistfully, feeling her gentle hand stroke his face.
Vin watched the transformation and grinned broadly. He envied Buck for having such a mother, someone to love you unconditionally. A strong woman whose delicate touch was still felt today. She raised a strong boy into a fine man, a good soul, and a true friend. "...guessin' his name was Bucklin."
"You hear this story already?" Buck chuckled and swatted Vin's knee. "Anyhow... seems this knight was always chasin' a dragon. A big brute... spewing fire all the time. The knight was bogged down with a heavy armor, couldn't hardly stand upright, let alone swing his sword. So no matter how hard the knight tried, he always ended up dancing in the dragon's lair... gettin' beaten down by them flames."
"So what'd he do?" Vin persisted, intrigued.
"Seems this knight was totin' around a heavy armor. The mettle was all wrong, overloaded with big chunks of misplaced remorse." Buck paused and looked intently into the cerulean eyes of the Texan. He saw Vin's Adams Apple bobbing and continued. "...no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stand up straight and fight. That damn armor was wearin' him down. Until he learned to shed that mess... adjust the links and stand straight and true. He left that pile of guilt and shame in the shadows and replaced it with pride and faith. That armor glistened in the sun and he sat tall; he rode like hell for that dragon."
Vin's eyes narrowed sharply and he felt his chest constrict. He didn't pull away when Buck clamped a strong hand on his shoulder and those knowing dark blue eyes bore into his own.
"Vin, from the day my mother told me that story, I never let anyone best me. Don't ever let anyone's light shine brighter than your own. You listen to me," he said emotionally, "you ain't got no reason to be dancing in the dragon's lair. Get rid of that weight, ride tall."
Vin took a deep breath and felt the heat rise on his face. He thought on Buck's words for a minute and inhaled them. He felt a warm strength inside, as they coursed through him and settled in deep. "I had me a box... inside ... where I buried all the bad stuff..." he paused and swallowed back the waver, "...ya helped me bust it open, Bucklin." He studied Buck's strong hands and then unleashed a killer smile. He drilled the dark blue eyes and drank in the winning Wilmington grin. "Bring on that scaly son-of-a-bitch," he spouted defiantly, jutting his chin out.
"Well alright!" Buck boomed, smiling and clasping Vin's offered forearm. He hauled the younger man up and slapped his back. "You best get some breakfast first. You're turnin' into a bag of bones," He teased, running his hand over Vin's abdomen.
"Cut that out..." Vin squirmed, "...dammit Buck..."
Buck released the protester as they approached the outskirts of town. He couldn't help notice that Vin was walking awkwardly. The smaller man was lagging behind and a slow scowl was forming. Buck couldn't resist and glanced back in sympathy.
"How 'bout I run ahead and see if that doctor is busy? He might have an ointment for your uh... delicate condition."
"Ya best mind yer own delicate condition," Vin tossed back, "and find a damn bathtub."
Unbeknownst to the two bantering friends, they were being observed. A figure in the shadows let a slow, cruel smile form.
"Small world..." he commented, eyeing his quarry. "No, not yet." He clamped a hand on the gun being raised next to him. "It's too crowded here. Let's see how this plays out."
Chris Larabee uncorked his canteen and took a healthy swig. The sun was sitting high, telling the leader that it was nearly noon. He'd slowed the pace of the trip, due to Vin's struggle. Despite his verbal protests, the younger man was having a hard time keeping up, thanks to the medicine he'd taken. The green eyes glanced back several feet to where Buck had stopped. The dark head was turned away, looking for Vin. Finally, the tracker's black horse came around the bend. The animal was walking slowly, as if not to disturb the snoozing body upon it. Chris started to turn Caesar around, but Buck shook his head and tossed his canteen.
"Find a spot ahead, we'll catch up," Buck tossed and turned back.
Chris caught the empty water vessel and took off. By the time Buck arrived, he'd have their lunch ready. Sandwiches, apples and oatmeal cookies, courtesy of the hotel. With any luck and the shortcut Vin mentioned, they'd be in Four Corners by nightfall. He found the river and led his sweating horse to drink. He found a flat rock several feet away and squatted. As he began filling the canteens, he thought on the party for Buck. He couldn't wait to see Wilmington's face when they had the reunion with some of their war comrades. He chuckled as he thought of the brave, dashing figure in the field. Buck had been every General's ideal soldier. He was brave, loyal, good with a gun and smart as hell. But typical of the mustached man, he downplayed his heroics and the awards he'd received. He claimed he only joined, because 'the ladies love a man in uniform'. The rapport of gunfire severed his thoughts.
He dropped the canteen and jerked his head up. He wheeled and headed for his horse, but a party of bullets altered his journey. Diving for cover behind a cluster of rocks, the gravel cut a path across his chin and jaw. The bullets redesigned the bark on the tree beside him. Self-preservation aside, his thoughts were on his two absent friends. He tried to gage the direction of the gunfire, but it seemed to be coming from three different areas.
"A goddamn turkey shoot..." He gritted, shoving bullets in his colt.
Having finished lunch, Ezra was headed to his room where a book of Shakespeare's sonnets was waiting. His jade eyes absentmindedly found the empty rocker by Mrs. Travis's office. His handsome face broke into a small smile. He almost heard the raspy drawl and wry Tanner comment as he passed by. The Texan had a sharp sense of humor and managed to convey his whimsies with few words. It was more of the way they were said and the devilish blue eyes. He was nearly home free, when a deep voice boomed behind him.
"Ezra, hold up a minute."
"Why me?" He glanced skyward and shook his head. "Yes, Mr. Sanchez..." He turned and sobered at the concerned face. "Is something amiss?"
"I hope not," Josiah sighed and glanced around. "Where's J.D. and Nate?"
"J.D. is entertaining the lovely Miss Wells at a riverside picnic. Nathan is checking on Mrs. Jenkins. What has happened?"
"Sheriff Stewart wired from Salerno. It might be nothing, but..." the preacher paused and pulled the wire out. He handed it to the gambler and watched the skillful mind working.
"I'll leave word at the clinic and meet you at the stable." Ezra handed the note back. "You leave this in our youthful sheriff's office. He's an hour in the other direction and we'll lose time backtracking."
"Yeah." Josiah sighed. "I sure hope it's a coincidence," he said of the contents in the telegraph.
"I'm afraid I don't share your optimism," Ezra tensed, "their luck doesn't run that way," he noted of their missing friends.
"You okay?" Buck shouted, kissing the ground as a hail of bullets sailed by. "Vin... Vin dammit answer me!" All he could see was a few inches of tan pants and the worn tracker's boots. A cluster of high grass hid the rest of the body.
Vin rolled onto his back and pulled out his mare's leg. He wheezed heavily and his ragged breaths were keeping perfect time with his pounding head. His fingers fumbled, but managed to load cartridges into every chamber of his prized gun.He glanced at the horses, but they had already disappeared, taking the rifles and ammunition with them.
"Shit..." He swore of the sudden attack that sent them flying for cover.
"Vin?" Buck's head rose a precarious few inches as the curse went airborne. "What kind of 'shit' was that? The pissed off kind or the bleeding kind?" He inquired on the tracker's health, worried about a bullet wound.
Vin rolled back onto his belly and crawled slowly through the high brush. He wasn't far from Buck, but before he could reply, a deafening silence fell. Then came a lethal warning.
"Usted es muerto un hombre!"
"Huh?" Buck squinted, trying to place the voice. "...a dead man?"
"Le cortaré del vientre a las bolas, Wilmington," the angry, Spanish accent warned, punctuating the issue with a flurry of bullets.
...
"Wilmington?" the young, blond bounty hunter grunted, keeping his body on the ground. "Cody, who the hell are those guys?"
"I don't know." The senior partner squinted, his keen eyes counting the heavily armed group. "They're Mexican, well armed and riding good horses." He eyed the leader, tall and distinguished, well hidden from the fire fall. His expensive clothing bespoke breeding and wealth. The patrician features were familiar, but the face was very young, twenty perhaps or a little older. Suddenly, he mentally aged the boy, adding graying hair and a slim mustache. "Jesus... " he hissed, sliding back down. They were caught between the two parties, on a sloping hill. Having ridden ahead to pick off the unsuspecting trio of gunslingers, their quiet plan had been rudely interrupted by the deadliest gang in Mexico.
"What?"
"Los raiders del diablo," he announced, watching the boy's eyes widen.
"What are we waiting for?" Willis, his young protege demanded, "Let's ride."
"Not so fast," Cody interjected, grabbing the boy's arm. "I don't care how we haul Tanner's ass back to Texas. Dead or alive, it don't matter none."
"But Cody, the devil's raiders..." he fretted of the legendary bloodthirsty gang.
"No buts about it, Kid," The fortyish hunter grinned. "There's strength in numbers. They ain't interested in Tanner,they want that big guy with 'im. They're on our side."
"Goddammit, Buck," Larabee swore, returning the fire and eyeing the multiple gun barrels jutting out rudely from several locations. "Who the hell did you piss off?"
"Well?" Vin hissed, raising his head long enough to glare at the flustered prey.
"Uh... I... Jesus, Vin... I didn't have time..." Buck's eyes darted, then widened and he swallowed hard. The chilling words to the threat sailed by. His mind playing an image of being tied down and gutted.
"Who was she?" the sharpshooter demanded, picking off a sniper and wounding his partner.
"She?" Buck whispered, not able to see Tanner but knowing he was nearby. The older man sent several bullets in the direction of the closest outcrop and saw a body fall dead. Suddenly the soft body that had been almost too willing to accompany the handsome gringo caused his stomach to fall. The beautiful face and teasing mouth now turned him sour.
"Buck!" Vin growled, as he hat went sailing off. "I'd like t'know why my ass is gettin' shot the hell off..."
"Uh... Maria... Rosa... no..." he corrected, "Maria Rosita..."
"Not Alvarez..." Vin prayed outloud, casting an evil glare at the flustered gunman. He saw the head drop and the handsome face pale. "Fuck!" He slammed his fist on the ground.
"What?" Buck hissed, seeing sky blue death rays bearing down on him.
"Long dark hair, gray eyes," he inquired of the beautiful girl.
"You know her?" Buck frowned and flipped his gun chamber open.
"Maria Rosita Alvarez!" Vin growled, letting his eyes show his rage. "How could ya?"
"I don't get..." Buck paused and his face paled. He slumped back against the tree and narrowly missed having a third eye planted in the middle of his forehead. "Oh God..."
"Get yer fuckin' head down!" Vin screamed, crawling quickly and shoving Buck hard.
"I'm sorry, Vin. I didn't know..." Buck pleaded. "She never said her last name. Jesus, Vin, you gotta believe me." He turned back, but the tracker was gone.
"This is it," Chris warned himself. "I'm gettin' too old for these fuckin' shotgun receptions. Goddamn, no-account fool." He grunted of Wilmington.
"Maria Rosita Alvarez."
"Shit!" Chris jumped as Vin silently appeared next to him. "Jesus, Vin, you gotta quit doing that!"
"Before ya keel over of a heart attack," Vin grunted, "Alvarez, ring a bell?"
"Don Alfredo?" Chris returned and saw the head nod. The name alone struck fear in the staunchest heart. The fifty-year old patron owned huge chunks of Mexico and made his fortune, forming the 'devil's raiders' as a young man. They successfully robbed and pillaged most of the border towns in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Now his sons ran the 'patrols' and his only daughter, a willful beauty who loved to incur the old man's wrath, had lured Buck into her web. "We're fucked Vin."
"I'm goin' high," the Texan decided, "...get a head count."
"Keep your head down," Chris called after him. "Buck... cover..."
The two moved as one, from opposite sides of the area. Blasting away with enough firepower to ensure Vin's safe passage up the tree nearby. Chris stopped to reload and heard a grunt. His head jerked to the tree, but he couldn't see Vin. His heart was hammering and he tried to skirt the area underneath, but couldn't see clearly.
"...five or six maybe... rest of 'em is dead."
"Jesus Christ Vin!" Chris growled and shoved the Texan's head down. "Fuckin' warn me..."
Vin's lips turned up briefly as he read the concern in the green-eyed glare. "...didn't know ya cared, Cowboy." He stared away over to where Buck was lying and mouthed the question.
Buck saw Vin inquire on his rounds. He opened his gun and frowned. He raised his right hand, extending five fingers. He saw Vin nod and drop back out of sight.
"Buck's almost out... I'm dry... how many?"
"Six..." Chris counted the loaded chamber. "We need a distraction."
"That's m'middle name." Vin whispered. "Ya keep 'em busy, I'll get behind 'em. I'll take out that sniper and get his gun, then we'll have 'em pinned in."
"Take him out? With what - a cannon?" Chris hissed, eyeing the quarry perched atop a rock. "or your good looks? Did you see that guy? He's over six-five and at least two-hundred-and-fifty-pounds."
"Compared t'them three wildcats I tangled with last night," Vin tossed, as he got ready to go, "this here's a piece o'cake."
"Get your scrawny ass down!" Chris bellowed as the Texan haphazardly made his way through the brush. He nodded to Buck and they began to fire, making every shot count. Chris's eyes were riveted to the mountainous sniper. Suddenly, he saw the burly guard turn and fire.
"No!" He cried out, dodging a bullet and sneering. Ignoring the danger, he stood and fired. With one shot, he took down the large sniper. He dove for cover behind a thicket of brush and saw Wilmington rise.
Buck was on the other side and saw Vin fall to his knees. What the wounded sharpshooter couldn't see was a gun peeking out of the brush. "Vin's hit!" Buck wheeled and moved, "I'm going for him."
"Buck wait a minute!" Chris shouted, eyeing the terrain. His hair stood on end and he turned back. He got a bad feeling, despite the bodies littered on the ground. He saw a blond head and the edge of a barrel peeping out from the thrush. efore he could even utter a warning, the shot rang out. He watched in sickening horror and his insides turned to ice as Buck jerked and spun. The bullet slammed into his head, sending a mask of blood downward. He dropped without a sound, covering Vin's body with his own.
"NO!" Chris screamed and charged the brush.
Meanwhile, back in Four Corners
"Nathan! Nathan!"
"J.D., you ain't gotta holler," the healer imparted, stepping off the Jenkins porch. "I ain't deaf yet. What's wrong?"
"I got back from..." J.D. paused and blushed, "Well, after I left Casey at Mrs. Potters, I found this on my desk. Ezra and Josiah are headed after 'em."
Nathan read the wire from the lawman in Salerno, which warned of the well-known Mexican raiders. A band of the bloodthirsty gang rode out shortly after the Four Corners peacemakers left. Rumor around the Saloon was that they were on the hunt for a 'gringo'. The second note was from Ezra.
"That was at the clinic," J.D. said of Standish's note.
"I got a bad feeling." Nate folded the note and tucked it in his pocket. "Did you get a hold of George and Tom?"
"Yeah, they'll watch town until we get back. I wired the Judge too."
"Let me get my bag," the healer said, unable to shake the cold feeling of doom that settled in his gut.
His legs seemed like lead as they propelled him forward. His keen eyes darted and caught movement. He saw Vin's boot scuffing, trapped under Buck's lifeless protective shield. Strangely, he felt no pain or rage. The coldness in him was too familiar, rising again as someone he cared for deeply was stolen from him. He saw the young shooters arm rise, seeking out the small piece of Vin's face that was showing. With a primal cry, he sprung.
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