Vin Tanner snugged his collar up tighter as he stepped out into the night chill. Fall was rapidly giving way to winter and the nip in the air signaled snow would not be long in making an appearance. A frown creased his handsome face at the thought of the winter months. He loved the season himself, enjoying all the winter activities available in the Colorado Rockies, but cold weather signaled an alarming problem for people who had no where to go and existed solely on the streets.

Vin had been there, done that! As a young man he had lived on the streets suffering through two rough bitterly cold Colorado winters. Only the concern and generosity of people he didn't even know had helped him survive.

Now in a better place financially, Tanner repaid that anonymous assistance with both time and money. He donated as much free time as possible to the Runaway Center, doing what he could to help kids who'd run from situations they found intolerable. Vin strongly identified with the children society had dubbed throwaways. Children whose parents for whatever reason didn't care what happened to the person they had brought into the world. Vin's own mother had loved him and always did the best she could for him but she had died when he was a small boy and he had grown up as a ward of the court, being shuffled through the system.

He'd spent the day helping staff and volunteers install new storm windows and heating vents in the drafty upstairs of the Center. Donated by one of Denver's well to do businessmen, the old building was on it's last legs. While it was nothing more than a tax write off for the owner, it provided a roof over the kids' heads as well as a place they could go for a free meal, shower, a warm bed, counseling or just conversation.

A dozen years earlier, he would have given anything to have found a place like that, but instead, had struggled to survive on his own learning from the experiences of those who made up the homeless community.

He gave himself a shake. That was all behind him now. Vin had gotten his GED and joined the armed services. Afterwards, thanks to Jamie Watson he had followed his dream into law enforcement. Jamie had helped him get into the academy. Had taught him what it was to be a true peace officer.

His life had shattered once more when the man who'd been his mentor, his friend, his family had died in the line of duty. Fate had finally decided to smile on him once more, in the form of a black clad near suicidal widower. Vin was doing good., He had a job he enjoyed, working with Chris Larabee's team, surrounded by his six teammates, and Nettie Wells all of whom had become his family. Then there was Lucy! He felt, for the first time in recent memory, his life was on track.

As he hurried down the street to his Land Rover, he caught a blur of motion out of the corner of his eye, his hand automatically moving to the Sig secured in the holster at the small of his back. Looking around, he saw a slim shadowy figure darting down the street to slip into a darkened alley. Vin had seen that same figure, in the same clothes, scurrying around the mission and near his apartment building the past few weeks. Tanner sighed heavily, hoping he had not frightened away a needy child. From the quick glimpse he had gotten of the tattered jacket and jeans, the person was definitely needy.

He hesitated for a moment, contemplating going after the kid, then with a shake of his head, he ducked on into his vehicle. It wasn't that he was heartless or unfeeling, but he knew all too well, runaways had a hard time trusting strangers and he would just scare the person further away. Firing up the old Rover, he eased into a U-turn and headed home, not seeing the shadowy figure move from the alley to watch his departure.

*******

Several of his neighbors' children ran to him as Vin entered the old building, babbling happily as they followed him up the stairs to his second story apartment.

Wanting nothing more than a hot cup of coffee and hotter shower, the young Texan sank onto the top step, taking the time to listen as each of them told him about their day.

It was a little ritual they went through, when he had the time, and the children loved the attention. It was such a small thing and meant so much to them, he always went out of his way to make time for them.

The children loved the quiet long haired man who made each of them feel special. With parents who usually worked two jobs to stay afloat or who were too high on alcohol or drugs to pay them any attention, it was the young man whom they turned to.... telling him of good and bad grades in school, new brothers or sisters, grandparents coming to visit, or anything else they thought he might find of interest.

It was the children he sometimes questioned about events on the streets. They scurried and played in those streets and little missed their sharp eyes. Ezra had once teased him, like Sherlock Holmes, he had his own little band of spies..... for in reality, adults paid little mind to children playing in the streets. The sharpshooter had grinned, knowing the arrogant gambler was just as suseptible to the children as himself.

Now, the children happily babbled and he nodded and smiled, trying to focus on their words, but it had been a long day. Finally, believing they had all had their say, he pushed to his feet, before his gaze fell on Tina, huddled in the corner. His expression softened as he crossed the distance to hunker down in front of the long-haired, dark eyed little girl. "And how's yer day, been sweetheart?" he questioned softly, hoping but certain the child wouldn't answer.

Giving the children who had followed him, still fighting for his attention a stern look, he smiled as they fell silent when he turned back to the quiet little girl. Vin had never heard her speak and despite his numerous urgings and offers of financing, her family refused to take her to the nearby clinic to have her checked out. Tanner had explained the clinic would charge according to their income but they were a proud family and he truly understood when the grandfather had explained they wanted to raise the brother and sister to be independant. They hadn't come to this country so the government could support them.

"Cat got Tina's tongue!" one of the children called out and the others, laughing and taunting despite Vin's warning looks, dashed down the stairwell, leaving him, the little girl, and her older brother alone in the hallway.

"Ya doin' okay?" he questioned the little girl whose eyes were shimmering with tears at the children's cruel mockeries. She hesitated, then nodded as he reached out to brush her long hair back from her face.

"She lost her front tooth," her brother Ricardo pointed out.

"Can I see?" Vin asked softly and, with a shy smile, she opened her mouth to show him. "Did ya save it?" She nodded. "Ya know the Tooth Fairy'll be visiting ya t'night. Ya leave it under yer pillow and he'll leave ya a dollar."

She shook her head, her expression a mixture of sadness and skepticism. This man she adored must be truly crazy if he believed such things.

Vin nodded. "Yeap, he will. Promise." Seeing her doubt, he continued. "Ya remember my friend Ezra?"

Tina nodded. She liked the magic man who performed card tricks and found quarters behind her ears. The little girl liked him almost as much as Vin.

"Well Ezra was havin' a party the other night. It was the Easter's Bunny's birthday and the Tooth Fairy was there and a couple of leprecauns and even Mrs. Claus came by. Santa and the elves couldn't make it because they're awful busy." Vin smiled seeing the little girls fascination at the tale he weaved. "Well, before she left the Tooth Fairy told me she'd stop by and say hi since she was gonna be in the buildin' soon, visitin' you."

Trusting the long haired man to be right, she gave him a bright smile and a quick hug before she dashed down the steps. Vin turned to Ricardo, as he dug in his jacket pocket and stood. "I know yer grandfolks are at work, so it's up ta ya." He pressed a silver dollar coin in the boy's hand. "Ya put this under yer sister's pillow when she goes to sleep.... and make sure ya get the tooth."

Ricasrdo stood a little taller proud of the responsibility his hero was placing in him. "I can do that."

Vin ruffled his hair. "I know ya can. See ya later." The boy skipped down the steps and with a sigh, Vin went on down the hall to his apartment.

*******

Showering and changing, Vin thought of going out for supper, but opted to stay in. A quick raid of the fridge turned up ham for sandwiches and fixing himself a couple, he settled on the old battered sofa to eat. While the furnishings here weren't the best, the young Texan still clung to the dilapidated old apartment. He'd rented the place when he first got out of the service. It had been home during his stint as a police officer and his base during his bounty hunting days. Even with his cabin in the mountains, this place still held a part of him. Perhaps nothing more than a reminder of where he had once been....Where he knew, now, he no longer belonged. That place dearest to him now was beside the six men he worked with.

With a sigh, he realized the other guys wouldn't be back until the following week. After finishing a long drawn out assignment, the Judge had given them ten days downtime.

Chris had promptly headed off to Taos with Mary Travis for a much promised, many times canceled vacation together. Nathan had gone to Rayne's folks, and JD and Casey Wells were off to some reunion somewhere. Josiah had trekked off to some spiritual retreat and Buck had headed for Vail with whoever he could sweet talk into joining him. Ezra, well, it was anyone's guess where the con man was spending his time.

And that left Vin holding down Four Corners. He had been invited along with the others, but Lucy was out of town and never one to be a third wheel, he had opted to stay home and get a few much needed things done. He still had to run out to his cabin and put up storm windows, and he needed to swing by Nettie's and fix a section of roofing which had blown off the barn. It was just as well. Keeping busy made the time fly and he really hadn't had time to miss his friends, until now.

Gaining his feet he moved to pour another cup of coffee and as he did, his gaze instinctively went to the window. He stood to the side staring out into the cold night. Always alert and watchful, his sharp gaze caught a slim figure distinguishable only as a lighter shadow in the darkness. His brow furrowed and he chewed on his lower lip. He knew he should be on heightened alert--in his line of work it wasn't wise to ignore shadows--but his gut instinct told him this was the same runaway he had seen earlier. 

After a moment's deliberation, Tanner crossed to the closet and began digging. A short time later, he found what he was looking for. A pair of warm sweats which were too small for him now, an old down vest which still had a lot of wear to it, several pairs of thick socks and a couple of heavy flannel shirts. Bundling them all together, he crossed to his kitchen and pulled down several boxes, removing packets of instant soup and hot chocolate. He added those to the bundle and grabbing a pencil and paper from the coffee table, scribbled a quick note and tucked it into the vest pocket.

Pulling on his jacket, he gathered up the bundle and headed outside, ending up in the dark drafty alley where he had last seen the shadowy figure. Vin slowly moved to where he had spied the person and saw no one. Knowing the person could have gone anywhere but certain he was being watched Tanner debated for a moment before tucking the bundle behind the corner of the dumpster.. With a last look around, catching no sight of his shadowy church mouse, he headed back inside.

*******

Up early the next morning, Vin filled his thermos with hot coffee and with a large sized travel mug of the thick liquid in hand, he headed down the steps, only to be waylaid by the children on their way to school, who happily accompanied him out to the Land Rover, all babbling at the same time. Settling his coffee in the console, he turned to listen to them and saw Tina still standing on the steps, a bright smile on her face. Still talking with the other children, he moved over to her and smiled back as she held out a chubby little fist to show him the silver coin she clutched.

"Tooth fairy visited, huh?" he teased and she smiled, nodding. Standing on her tiptoes, she threw her arms about the long haired man's neck and hugged him tightly before turning and running back up the steps.

Vin shook his head, still smiling as he nodded to Ricardo. "Ya done good."

The boy puffed up and his eyes sparkled at the older man's compliment.

Untangling himself from the children, telling them to behave and have a good day at school, Vin slid into the vehicle and with a wave, making sure everyone was clear, he turned and drove down the alley by the dumspter, slowing as his sharp eyes noted the bundle was missing from the place he had left it.

Tanner wasn't foolish or naive. He knew that didn't necessarily mean the runaway had gotten it, but for the moment, he would believe it was in the right hands.

Sipping his coffee, he tooled on out to the main road and headed for the country.

*******

In short order he had the cabin winter ready and while he had planned on spending a couple of days there, by late afternoon, he found himself inexplictedly drawn back to town. Having promised Nettie to do the repairs to her barn, he debated, but it was getting late so he headed for Purgatorio instead. He'd drive out to her place and get an early start in the morning.

It was spitting a cold rain as he parked the Rover and bound up the apartment steps. For a change, there were no children hanging about on the stairway and he ducked in his apartment, dropping his jacket on the sofa and the fast food order on the coffee table.

The phone's message light was blinking and he punched it as he dropped onto the sofa to remove his boots. The second message was Ezra: "Mister Tanner, would you care to join me for supper tomorrow night? The Saloon. I'll pick you up around eightish."

Good ol' Ezra.... he would vanish for several days, but he missed the others as much as the Texan did. Vin knew there was no need to return the gambler's call. It was a given the only time one called Standish was to inform him of a no show. Otherwise, the southerner would be there. And with a start, Vin realized he was rather anticipating seeing the con man.

Although Ezra had not voiced it, just like Tanner, he had become close to the men in the team and they had become family to each other.

Knowing he'd have to make an early start to Nettie's to be back in time for supper, he gathered the things he needed to take with him for the repair job, and poured the last cup of coffee from the pot. Setting the timer to have the brew ready when he arose, Tanner crossed to look out the window.

The rain was misting down, blurring the landscape beyond, but near the dumpster, he saw the shadowy figure and a lop sided smile tugged at his lips. If he wasn't mistaken, it was clothed in his old down vest. Still smiling, happy he had made a connection, even a small one, he settled on the battered old sofa and was asleep in minutes.

*******

Vin was up at dawn, pleased to see the rain had ceased sometime in the night. Gathering his things and filling his thermos again and his travel mug, he bounded down the steps to the lobby. It was too early for the children and he missed their presence. Vaulting into the Rover's seat, he fired up the vehicle and let it idle for a few minutes as his blue eyed gaze roamed over the quiet street.

He saw the figure then, standing at the corner of the building. For half a second he thought of approaching, but, as if seeing his action telegraphed, the runaway spun and darted away into the alley. Sighing, Vin shook his head and drove away from the curb. All in good time....

As he drove down the highway, his thoughts rolled back to another time. A time when he had been so alone, so afraid, so lost.... He had run away from the latest foster home, and had hitched into town, knowing on the streets he would never be found, if they even bothered to look for him. But the somewhat glorified life he had seen on TV never materialized.

It had been a tough row to hoe for a fourteen year old orphan, with no talents and no skills other than a strong back and willingness to work. His less than stellar reading ability had not helped his situation and he had found himself panhandling on the street corners, sleeping in doorways, eating from dumpsters.... He had damn near starved to death before some kind soul took pity on him and left him food and clothing, along with directions to a mission.

The mission hadn't been the best in town, and the rules there were lax. The other patrons were older, so he had stood out... an easy mark for those bent on picking on those smaller than themselves. Still he had stayed several nights before realizing he was in as much and possibly more danger there than on the streets.

It hadn't been easy.... with the poor food or lack thereof, the cold and wet, he was sometimes too sick to even move.... But he had survived.

No, it had not been a time in his life he wanted to recall. He thought he had succeeded in putting that time behind him, but seeing the homeless shadow lurking about his building, had brought the half buried memories back to him with vivid recollection.

Tanner firmly shook away the thoughts, focusing instead on the things he had to do at Nettie's. The old woman had gone out of town to visit a friend and he intended to surprise her with the much needed repairs to the barn. As he pulled into the long lane leading back to her place, a twinge raced through him. It was the first time since he'd started coming here there wouldn't be a fresh baked pie waiting on him......

The kids Nettie paid to feed the stock had already been by so the place was empty and quiet, except for the animals and he set to work. Toiling steadily, stopping only for coffee breaks, he finished up by late afternoon. Gathering his tools, and giving her animals a quick look, he loaded up and headed back to town. He was pleased to note, Ezra wouldn't have to wait while he showered and changed. This wasn't a meeting at the office so it was a ninety nine percent probability Standish would be right on time. 

*******

Vin moved down the steps to the sidewalk, his azure eyed gaze instinctively sweeping over the surrounding area. Lately, he had had the overwhelming feeling of being watched and it was an unsettling experience. Waiting for Ezra, snuggling his collar up against the cold breeze, he swung around uneasily, checking out his surroundings.

Although he couldn't see the person's face, Vin recognized the shadowy form of the figure watching from the nearby alley on the other side of the street. Come to think of it, he'd never seen the face of his new shadow but he recognized his old vest, glad to know it was being put to good use. He gave a small wave as the person faded further back into the alley, hoping they would realize there was nothing to fear from him.

The ex-bounty hunter sighed softly. Homeless runaway. He knew how hard it was trying to exist on the streets. It had been one of the roughest periods in his life, if he discounted the abusive foster homes.

Damn, it was getting cold! Wishing Ezra would hurry, Tanner shifted from one foot to the other. Spinning, his heart beating wildly, the sharpshooter raced across the street as the brisk air was suddenly split by a piercing scream. Instinctively he reached for the Sig he always wore at the back of his belt surprised to find the weapon missing. Damn! Where in the hell had his mind been to leave his apartment unarmed. Tanner hadn't been without a weapon since leaving the army.

Disgusted with himself, he sprinted into the alley and skidded to a halt at the sight visible in the dim glow of the humming nearly burnt out security light on the corner.

A figure was bent over a motionless form on the ground and he immediately realized the one down was his shadowy ghost. With a loud yell, he raced for the other person who jerked his head up, saw him, spun and ran.

Without a second thought, Vin gave chase, his Nikes squeaking on the wet cold pavement as he raced after the attacker.

Whoever it was obviously knew this section of town, darting down the alley dodging obstacles before he finally slipped through a fence. By the time Tanner scaled the fence, dropping lighting to the ground on the other side, his target had vanished into the growing darkness.

Swearing under his breath, Vin stood bent over, hands on his knees as his breath huffed out white clouds of vapor. He was getting too old for this kind of nonsense, he berated himself. If Larabee discovered he'd let a perp with barely a few feet head start escape, the team leader would have them all pulling double training on the obstacle courses. Straightening, he slipped back over the fence and jogged back to the alley opening, slowing as he saw the figure on the filthy concrete hadn't moved.

His face paled at the sight of the blood soaking into the vest and pooling around the still form. Vin dropped to his knees, his hand trembling as he reached to check for a pulse, knowing instinctively there would be none. Pushing the hood aside, he saw the white face of a girl, barely in her teens. Long dark lashes rested against too pale cheekbones, hiding the dark circles that came from nights spent in wary rest, never fully sleeping, always on alert for danger. If not for the blood Tanner could almost convince himself she was merely sleeping. He released a soft sigh of despair...He didn't even know her name.

"Hands on your head, you son of a bitch!" someone ordered roughly.

He jerked about, and was blinded as a bright light flashed in his eyes.

"Hey!" He started to gain his feet. "I'm-"

"Shut the fuck up!" Someone kidney punched him and he dropped to his knees with a painful grunt. Fixated on the young girl who'd lost her life, dying alone in the dark filthy thoroughfare, Tanner hadn't heard the sirens or been aware of the flashing lights as two police cruisers pulled to the curb effectively blocking the alley entrance.

"You're under arrest! Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law..."

His arms were brutally wrenched behind his back and the cold metal of the cuffs clicked tightly into place around his wrists as someone growled the rest of the Miranda to him while more police cars filled the street.

"Hey, wait a minute...!" The sharpshooter's protest was abruptly cut off as someone struck him across the shoulders. Fighting the pain and blinking away the bright spots that danced before his eyes Vin scanned the police crawling over the alleyway, hoping to see a familiar face and finding none.

"Look, ya got this all wrong!" he tried to explain, "I live right there, and I heard someone scream. I ran in here and this person was already down. I chased the assailant down the alley..."

"Yeah, sure!" one of the cops joked. "Tell it to a jury."

"C'mon, ya got this all wrong! My ID's in my pocket. I'm-" Vin attempted to explain, but one of the men lashed out with a gloved fist, rocking his head back. He would have fallen if not for the strong grip they had on his arms. He could feel blood flowing from his nose and shook his head, trying to clear the ringing in his ears.

"Caught ya in the act this time, and ya ain't wiggling out!" one of the cops growled, dragging him to his feet and shoving him toward the nearby cruiser which had pulled into the alley with its lights flashing.

"No!" Vin struggled against the two officers holding him. "I didn't do anything wrong! I didn't..... Help her!"

A strong shove slammed him against the unyielding metal hood of the cruiser, knocking the wind out of him. He was starting to slide down the side of the car when someone jerked him back and shoved him against the open door. "Little bitch is dead.... and with luck, you will be too!"

Rough hands shoved him into the back seat and slammed the door, his protests of innocence falling on deaf uncaring ears.

*******

Ezra Standish frowned as he slowed the Lexus. While crime wasn't a rare occurance in Purgatorio, it was strange to see it here on Vin's street. The sharpshooter's presence usually kept the gangs at bay and anyone foolish enough to tangle with the Texan or his friends were quickly shown the error of their ways.

The southerner's green eyed gaze widened as he saw the handcuffed suspect being violently slammed against the cruiser, and then shoved into the back seat of the vehicle. There was no mistaking the slender long haired figure highlighted by the interior lights.

"TANNER?!?" He actually blurted the man's name aloud as he slammed on his brakes, rocking the four wheel drive Lexus to a sliding stop against the curb. What the hell had the sharpshooter gotten himself into this time?

His hand resting on the door handle, Ezra forced himself to remain in the car. It wouldn't do Vin any good if he got himself arrested as well, although at this moment he wanted nothing more than to jump from the car and beat the shit out of the men who were manhandling his helplessly bound friend.

Ezra's intent gaze raked over the scene before him, taking in every detail, missing nothing as uniformed personnel set about their jobs, taping off the area with crime scene tape. He took great care in memorizing the faces of the men who'd hurt the kind hearted tracker.

His emerald eyes leaving the heartbreaking sight of the dejected figure in the police cruiser Ezra forced himself to look past the police officers to the body in the dark alley realizing there was no emergency medical personnel in the area as a photographer arrived taking pictures from all angles.

Hating the thought of interrupting the other men's down time the gambler knew this wasn't something he or Vin should tackle alone., Pulling the cell phone from his pocket Ezra hit the speed dial, not once but five times. As he reached the other party, their pager or voice mail Standish spoke only one four lettered word.

*******

Feeling the pager vibrate softly in jacket pocket, Larabee scowled, cursing himself for not having left the damn thing in his room. Of course when you were at the beck and call of the most powerful man in the country and his best friend was your immediate boss, a forgotten pager wasn't going to deter them. If they wanted to reach you...you were reached. His heart skipped a beat. Chris had warned his team at great length, it had damn well better be a matter of life and death if they were going to disturb him. Between his job and her magazine, Chris Larabee and Mary Travis' free time rarely coincided and it had taken a great deal of finagaling and rearranging of schedules for the long awaited private getaway. This weekend was not to be interrupted for anything short of death.

With a look of apology, knowing who ever it was would not have risked his wrath lightly, Chris plucked the small device from his pocket, seeing Mary's face fall as he scanned the readout on the small screen.

His scowl deepened further at the one word staring at him from the LCD face: BLUE.

Tanner.

The message was from Ezra, letting him know Vin was in some kind of trouble. The wily southerner had devised the one word code to be used if any of the team was in dire straits. Blue was Tanner, Green for Ezra, Black for Chris, Gray for Josiah, Yellow for Buck, Red for Nathan and Purple for JD.

With a deep sigh, Larabee shoved the small device back in his pocket. Trying to calm his racing heart, he pushed to his feet giving Mary a regretful look. She looked lovely and inviting in the soft light .... He bent to lightly kiss her inviting lips. "I'm sorry, I gotta go..." he whispered softly.

"Now? Chris...." There was a soft pleading in her voice and he closed his eyes. How long had they both waited for a quiet evening alone, here in Taos, far away from Four Corners and the problems which came with his job? But it wasn't meant to be. He couldn't strand Tanner if the man was in trouble and he knew Ezra would not have sent word unless it was an extreme emergency.

He pulled away, trailing his long fingers down her cheek. "I really do have to go, Mary."

"I know." She forced a small smile of understanding. She understood why Lois Lane never married Superman. He'd probably have to leave in the middle of the ceremony to rescue some poor distressed soul. To Mary Travis, Chris Larabee was superman...and she wouldn't have him any other way.

"Let me make this call and see what's up. Maybe it's something that can be handled without me and even if it's not...we still have tonight...I won't be able to get a plane out till morning." He smiled. "Just because I may have to leave doesn't mean you can't stay and have a relaxing weekend...I'll--I'll make this up to ya. I promise." Kissing her again, he slipped from the room.

Mary sadly sipped at her champagne, "That's what you always say," she whispered as the door closed behind him. "One of these days I'm gonna hold you to it."

*******

Ezra flipped open the cell phone before the second ring, "Standish."

"This better be damn important, Ezra," Larabee's warning was all too clear.

"Mister Tanner has been arrested."

There was total silence on the other end of the line. Then, "WHAT?!" the team leader exploded. "What the hell did you just say?"

"I reiterate, Mister Tanner has been arrested by Four Corners' finest," Ezra responded slowly and distinctly.

"What the hell has that boy done now?" Larabee groused.

"I have not yet ascertained that. I only just arrived at the police station." Ezra had watched the patrol car carrying Tanner pull away before climbing from the vehicle and blending in with the stunned crowd spent several minutes listening to the officer's conversations, picking up bits and pieces of information.

"Which one?" Larabee growled.

"Sixth Precedent."

"I'll catch the next flight out. Ya done good, Ez. Just try and keep a lid on things until I get there." Chris knew he didn't need to tell the southerner to call the others. The calls would have been made immediately following his own.

"Yes, sir."

"And Ezra?"

"Yes, Mister Larabee?"

"Don't do anything stupid."

*******

The police station was full of milling bodies, and Ezra wrinkled his nose in disgust as he stepped from the cold into the smelly warmth. Pressing his way to the front desk, he finally caught the eye of the desk sergeant on duty.

The man gave him a bored look, "What ya want?"

"A Vin Tanner was brought in by officers a short while ago. Do you know what he is charged with?" Ezra asked the question although he was certain he already knew the answer.

The officer frowned, and rifled through a stack of papers. "They're just booking him now, but says here he's charged with first degree murder."

"What?!" Ezra's loud outburst shocked even him. The con man had hoped they had brought Vin in for questioning or even expected to hear Tanner was a suspect in the death of the person in the alley. It was more likely that Vin had taken out his frustration at being unable to help the victim on some unsuspecting officer who thoughtlessly made a tactless comment but admittedly the gambler was stunned to hear they were actually booking him for the murder. He lowered his voice. "Surely you must be mistaken."

"Look, mister, all I know is what it says on this paper," the desk officer grumbled.

"Would it be possible to see him?" Ezra queried.

The man eyed him.

"You family?" Ezra hesitated, then shook his head. They were a family of sorts, but...Standish knew he could simply flash his badge and demand to speak with Tanner. Since their formation, Larabee's team held more authority than any law enforcement agency in the country...they were also the most subtle, working in the shadows and letting other divisions take the credit. Their anonimity aided their jobs and they wanted it kept that way if at all possible. Maybe Mark...

The man eyed his expensive cashmere coat. "You his lawyer?"

Ezra nodded firmly. "I'm Mister Tanner's legal consulant, yes." It was no lie although it was a slight stretch of the truth. He was always helping Vin with his reports and answering his questions including those concerning the law, although the sharpshooter knew damn near as much as most working lawyers.

The sergeant eyed him warily. "Ya sure got here fast. He can't have made his call yet."

"I was in the vicinity and saw him taken into custody," Ezra explained, his tone serious.

"Let me see if they've finished bookin' him." The officer picked up the phone and mumbled several questions before hanging up and turning back to the southerner. "It'll be a bit yet. You can wait in there." He motioned to an empty room containing a table and two chairs. "They'll bring him up."

Thanking him, Ezra made his way to the dingy room and sniffed in disgust at the layer of dust coating the few pieces of cheap furniture, evidence the room was used only when there were no other available facilities. Opting not to sit, needing to expend some of the nervous energy, he paced by the barred window. He silently thanked the fates that be, knowing if the officer hadn't been overworked, he would have demanded identification rather than taking the con man's word about his occupation.

"You Tanner's lawyer?"

The question caught his attention and he looked around, nodding a quick glance at his watch telling him he'd been in the small room almost an hour. "One of them," he added as his gaze swept over Vin when the officer half shoved the disheveled young Texan into the room.

"Ya got ten minutes." The man closed the door, leaving Vin handcuffed.

The Texan sighed heavily as he sank down on the hard metal straight backed chair. "Hey, Ez.... practicin' law without a license, ain't ya?" He gave the gambler a lop sided grin.

"Only way I could see you. And for the record, I do have a license...." Ezra caught himself, hoping the tracker was to preoccupied with his immediate problems to catch the slip he'd almost made.

His sharp eyes raked over the young man taking in the dark bruises forming on his cheek and jaw line and the blood that had dried in a trickle down the side of his head.

Concern darkened Standish's eyes. "You okay?"

Tanner shrugged.

"They do this to ya?" Again he shrugged. "Were you resisting arrest as they'll no doubt claim?" Vin gave him a disgusted look, but didn't deem to answer. "Vin, they are charging you with murder. What happened?"

Vin moved restlessly on the chair, in obvious pain. "Done told 'em, I's waitin' on ya, and heard someone scream. Saw the assailant and chased him up the alley, but he got away. Came back and was checkin' the girl, and they tackled me there. Wouldn't listen ta a thin' I said..."

"Can you describe the assailant?"

Vin shook his head in self disgust. "Medium build, jeans, hooded black jacket. Coulda been anybody."

"You know the victim?"

Vin shrugged. "Not her name, but seen her hangin' round the shelter and that alley before. Reckoned she's a runaway." He pinned Ezra with pleading blue eyes. "You'll do what ya can? Find her family, let 'em know? I'll pay the expenses..."

"Consider it done, Mister Tanner. Now, about bail...."

Tanner's eyes flashed. "Ya ain't gonna bail me out, Ez. I ain't no charity case! Don't want ya spendin' yer money, or anyone else's ... ya got that?"

"I'm sure Mister Larabee, and the others will disagree with you."

A look of panic flashed in the young Texan's blue eyes. "They know?" he whispered, ducking his head, ashamed with the realization his friends knew he had been dragged in like a common criminal.

"Only that you were arrested."

"Damn, Ezra! Ya ruined Chris' weekend with Mary? That was a stupid thing ta do!"

"Not as stupid as not informing him. I happen to like breathing...It's something I'm quite proficent at. Now, is there anything you need? Besides a doctor?"

"Yeah," Vin twisted around, holding out his hands, "a lock pick. I hate these damn things."

"I'm afraid..." Ezra trailed off as the door opened and the officer stepped in.

"Time's up. We gotta take him to holdin'. He'll be arraigned in the morning. C'mon, Tanner." He jerked the unresisting Texan to his feet.

"Hey, that is not necessary!" Ezra protested the undeserved rough treatment and the officer sneered at him.

"You stay outta this, lawyer. We been after this murderin' scum for months now...."

"My client needs the services of a physician. I would say the cut on his head will require stitches."

"The infirmary doctor will be by in the morning."

Ezra frowned as the officer's earlier statement registered. "Months? What do you mean months?"

"That girl wasn't the first..... been three others and we're gonna make sure this murderin' SOB pays for every one of them!" He roughly shoved Vin ahead of him, leaving Ezra staring after his friend.

*******

Ezra shifted from one foot to the other as he waited for the secretary to return. She smiled as she approached and motioned him forward. "He'll see you now, Mister Standish."

"Thank you." He slipped through the double doors and approached the huge desk and the man who stood behind it. "Thank you for seeing me, sir, without an appointment."

"That's quite all right, Ezra. Waiting on a verdict. Jury wants to get out of here tonight." Judge Travis waved the southerner to one of the high backed leather chairs as he settled back in his own desk chair. "Now, what is this problem you so desperately need my help with?"

Ezra saw no reason to dance around the issue and had dealt with the Judge enough to know the man didn't take kindly to beating around the bush...Besides it would probably be all over the news shortly and Travis would have all their asses in a sling for not being informed.

"Vin Tanner's been arrested for murder."

Judge Travis frowned. "Tanner? Murder? You're certain?"

Ezra nodded. "I just came from the police station where they booked him."

"Do they have evidence?"

"Circumstantial. Vin was seen leaning over the body when the officers arrived."

"What does Mister Tanner say?"

"He heard a scream, ran to the alley, saw the assailant and gave chase, but the person eluded him. He was checking the victim when the police arrived." Erzra hesitated, then adding firmly, "I believe Mister Tanner."

Orrin nodded absently. "Yes, it does so sound like the young man, doesn't it?" He'd dealt with Tanner before the formation of Larabee's team, in the sharpshooter's earlier professions as a police officer and bounty hunter. "A killer? No, someone is in error."

"The police claim this wasn't the first victim.... said there were three other murders and they plan to pin them all on Vin."

Travis snorted. "That sounds like some of our city's finest. " He eyed the southerner. "And what exactly do you want me to do?"

"First, I thought it would be best if we could keep it out of the papers...at least his identity." If nothing else, it might save the sharpshooter further embarrassment. Ezra tried not to fidget. He knew he wasn't the judge's favorite person and would have sold his soul before asking the man for a favor for himself....but this was for Vin. "I was hoping you could talk with the DA. Try to convince him what a huge mistake he's making."

"I'm afraid I can give my opinion but other than that..."

"Will they set bail for Vin?"

Orrin shrugged. "That depends solely on the judge. In cases of murder, they go for the highest bail possible. You thinking of putting it up?"

Ezra didn't hesitate. "If at all possible. I hate for Mister Tanner to languish in jail for something he did not do." He did not want to admit he knew the young Texan was claustrophobic and would go crazy behind bars for any period of time. It was Vin's secret, something he considered a shameful weakness and while the others suspected his phobia no one spoke of it.

"I know you are..... comfortably well off, Ezra, but the bail will no doubt be considerably high depending on the arraignment judge and the DA's argument. If he runs....."

The southerner's emerald green eyes locked with the judge's. "That is not even a consideration, sir."

Orrin hid a small smile. Standish, the black sheep of Larabee's team, had more faith in the young Texan than even he had. "I'll call in some favors and see what I can do."

"Thank you, sir." Ezra pushed to his feet, offering his hand. "I'm sure Mister Larabee will be in touch when he returns."

Orrin eyes widened. "Chris doesn't know you're here?" He found it hard to believe the gambler had made this approach on his own. The con man's standing with him rose several more notches. Perhaps Larabee had known what he was doing when he had hired on the con man, although, until now, Travis often found himself searching for the reason.

Standish was a better undercover officer, getting results faster than any of the highly trained men in law enforcement but while Travis liked the southerner, there was a cocky arrogance about the charming man that grated on the judge's nerves.

"No, sir. He is in Taos, with your daughter in law, I believe."

Orrin nodded, "Yes, I believe he is. " He followed the younger man to the door. "I'll get back with you as soon as I hear anything."

"Thank you, sir." Ezra took his leave and left the building, his thoughts running rampant as he reached for his cell phone and began punching in numbers.

*******

Vin stood rubbing his wrists, trying to restore circulation the too tight cuffs had cut off. He jumped as the metal cell door slammed shut behind him and spun around, to watch the officer locking it.

Lord, how he hated small confined spaces and even more so when they were crowded with other people. The holding cell was filled with too many unwashed bodies, and the rank smell was overwhelming. What he wouldn't give to be sitting on his cabin porch breathing in the fresh clear clean mountain air!

Realizing he was drawing attention to himself by standing in the open, he moved to an empty space next to the barred window. At least he could look out and see sky.... so maybe his claustrophobia wouldn't flare up too badly. He slouched against the cold wall, closing his eyes. When had things taken such a nasty turn?

He had just wanted to help, do his civic duty and look where it had gotten him. Damn! He could just hear Larabee's lecture on this ....... not to mention his pissed off attitude at having to abandon a planned weekend with Miz Travis. He smiled to himself, realizing Chris would give him every shit detail he could think of as payback......once this mess was straightened out.

"What's so damn funny, pretty boy?"

The harsh question jarred him from his thoughts and his eyes jerked open as he straightened. Damn, he had to get a grip on himself. He eyed the man who stood leering at him with yellow teeth and foul breath.

"Nothin' ya'd understand," he muttered, pushing by the man, who grabbed his arm and spun him around..

"Don't be walkin' way from me, boy! Don't ya know who I am?" he demanded.

"Don't know, don't care," Vin retorted, jerking away from the man's cruel biting grasp.

"Ya better care," the man sneered. "Slick pretty thing like you thinks you're somethin' but you'll find out........." he warned.

Vin made a disgusted face and moved to the other side of the cell, his gaze sweeping over the other eight or ten men who shared the area. Several were well dressed businessmen. DUIs no doubt and several were vagrants. It was the others who had that hard look about them..... they were the ones he had to keep an eye on.

*******

Ezra's mouth fell open as he heard Judge Simons. He turned to the man next to him and grabbed his arm. "He is kidding.....isn't he?"

Cal Cooper shook his head. Judge Travis had sent the clerk down to the courthouse, instructing him to answer any questions Standish might have about the proceedings, although Travis suspected the con man probably knew more about the law than Cooper. "Afraid he's not, Mister Standish. Actually, I'm surprised he went any bail at all."

Cal had explained that Travis had talked till he was blue in the face with both the DA and the man sitting on the bench, but thought he'd have a better chance convincing the front steps of the courthouse they had the wrong man. Unfortunately, the arraignment judge was a man who had always considered himself better than Travis in every way and was bitter that Orrin's career had risen far above anything he would achieve. Travis thought this was probably a small payback on the other man's part.

Ezra had given Tanner an encouraging smile as he was brought to the defendant's table to stand beside the lawyer Standish kept on retainer.

He'd listened as the attorney argued the reasons the sharpshooter should be released on bail and the DA's reasons for keeping him locked away until trial.

"The state's case is purely circumstantial your honor. They have no motive, no weapon-"

"The defendant was apprehended at the scene, the victim's blood on his hands and clothes."

"And no weapon was found at the scene or on the defendant."

"We're talking about a serial killer your honor!"

"You can't prove he's involved in one murder let alone several!"

"Save it for the jury gentlemen." The judge admonished.

"Mr. Tanner has strong ties to the community. He's an ex-police officer and even now continues to be employed by law enforcement agencies-"

"The defendant has no family and is also a very successful ex-bounty hunter, your honor. Who better to know how to elude the law."

"$900,000?" Ezra choked out. He was prepared to go bail for Tanner, but he never dreamed...The con man mentally added the balance of his bank accounts, calculating the value of stocks and bonds he could sell immediately.

The clerk tapped Ezra's arm drawing his attention to a heavy set black woman in brilliantly colorful attire, her hair hidden by a turban, at the back of the court room. "That's Mama Doc. They call her that because she mothers all her clients and rumor has it she used to be some kind of doctor in Jamica...Probably a witch doctor." Cooper mumbled. "Judge Travis called her...He said Tanner used to be her best retrieval agent and she's got a real soft spot for him. Figures she'll work out some kind deal with you for his bail."

"Thank him for me."

"Bail is ten percent. $90K." Cooper gave the southerner a quizzical look, "You value a friend that much?" he asked, a touch of amazement in his voice.

Ezra glared at him. "I don't put a 'value' on my friends." He watched them lead Tanner from the courtroom before turning his back on the clerk and making his way over to the lady who was possibly Vin's best chance at immediate release.

*******

One of the remaining men in the holding cell kept staring at Vin, his expression thoughtful as if he were trying to place the young tracker's face. The cell had cleared out as bails were posted and men were released, and it was down to Tanner and five of the harder looking men. Listening to the officers conversations on the way to and from the courthouse, Vin had overheard the five had robbed a liquor store and assaulted the clerk who was not expected to recover. Men like that, he knew, had nothing to lose.

Their ring leader suddenly straightened, the light of recognition dawning in his narrow eyes as he moved away from the bars.

"I know you..." He moved closer to Vin, motioning the other men who fanned out along side him. "You're that hot shot bounty hunter, Danner...no,...Tanner."

"So?" Vin retorted dryly, warily pushing to his feet, watching the men moving in a semi circle around him, blocking him in the far corner away from the bars. Damn, he should have been paying more attention. Any green, fresh from the academy rookie knew you didn't let yourself get cornered....

"Ya don't remember me, do ya, hot shot? Ya drug in my brother and cousin, over in New Mexico."

"Guess I missed scoopin' ya up with the rest of the shit. Have ta get me a bigger shovel." Vin responded, backing against the wall, realizing he had no where to go. He thought of yelling for the guard, but as his gaze jumped beyond the bars, he saw the area beyond was empty of anyone.

"Well, they weren't guilty, but the damn judge gave 'em ten years. All your fault, you little sonuvabitch." He stepped closer and Vin tried to keep an eye on him and the others, but they were all around him and it was impossible. Take out the leader.

"Pot callin' the kettle black, don't ya think?" Vin growled, realizing he had no where to go. He knew he could yell and bring someone running,...eventually...depending on how proud the cop was of doing any job assigned. He didn't want to call for help like some scared kid but he sure as hell didn't need to give that asshole judge a reason to revoke his bail before he ever walked out of the cell. Before he could suit action to words, a powerful blow to his stomach drove all air from his lungs and left him struggling just to breath.

*******

"Ezra!"

At the sound of his name, the southerner looked up to see Josiah and Nathan making their way across the crowded bullpen in his direction. He gave an internal sigh of relief, glad he was no longer alone in this mess.

"Gentlemen," his one word gave no hint of the emotions rushing through him.

"What's going on, Brother Standish? What's Vin gotten into this time?" Josiah asked, as they moved to a quiet corner of the crowded room.

Ezra quickly filled them in on what he knew, and concluded, "Mr. Tanner's former employer arranged bail and now I am simply waiting for the release order to come through."

"Sometimes that boy's too kind hearted for his own good. How much?" Josiah questioned.

Ezra hesitated, but knew they could find out. "$900,000."

He had gladly written a check for twenty five thousand, and while she hadn't asked for anything more, Ezra had insisted on handing over the deed to the penthouse as collatoral until he could raise the rest of the money asking her not to reveal who had put up the ten percent. Not to Vin or anyone else who might ask. Mama Doc had agreed, saying if questioned she had fronted the bail for sentimental reasons. She remembered all too well how much pride the young Texan had.

She truly liked Tanner, thinking of him as a son and never considered the possibilty he was guilty.

Nathan whistled under his breath. "That's steep!"

"Especially for a case with nothing but circumstantial evidence," Ezra added.

"Standish?"

They looked around as a mousy man held out a sheaf of papers. "Here's the release forms. Give them to the officer downstairs." He nodded toward Josiah and Nathan.

Thanking him, the men headed down the stairs and Ezra moved to the jailer. The man motioned to the other two. "I know you said you were Tanner's legal advisor. Just who are these gentlemen?"

"Doctor Jackson is Tanner's personal physican and Brother Sanchez is his spiritual advisor." Ezra blurted out, and the other two men hid their smiles. Leave it up to Ez to rearrange the truth.

As the officer moved away to double check the paperwork, Josiah slugged Ezra's shoulder. "Chris will have your ass if he finds out you're passing yourself off as Vin's lawyer."

Ezra shook his head. "I never used the word lawyer. When asked I simply stated I was his legal advisor. I assure you I have advised Mister Tanner many times on legal matters when he was working on his reports, just as you Mister Jackson have cared for his injuries and you, Mister Sanchez, have had many discussions on religious matters. I have not lied or falsely presented myself, or either of you for that matter."

Josiah shook his head, hiding his smile. "I guess you are right," he admitted.

The jailer returned and motioned them through the locked doors. "I guess you'll want to be taking Tanner. Wait here."

"I don't think so!" The bite in Ezra's tone stopped the officer's retreat. "I requested medical assistance when Mr. Tanner was booked. Judging by his appearance this morning he didn't receive that attention and since his personal physican is here, we'll accompany you to aid in his efficient departure from your humble establishment."

"The rules say-"

"At this point in time I don't give a damn about your rules! Judge Travis asked that we see to Mr. Tanner's safety and upon his release escort him to the good jurist's chambers and that's exactly what we intend to do." Ezra took a step closer to the officer, clearly saying the man's refusal was not an option. "Now lead the way."

Everyone knew of Travis' reputation and not wanting to face the Judge's anger, the officer hesitated before finally backing down with a nod of his head. They wound their way around the room and down a narrow corridor, lined by barred cells and windows.

"We left him in holding, waiting to see what the DA wanted to do or if someone was gonna post bail for him." He stopped, and withdrew a ring of keys, motioning to the larger cell which held half a dozen men. "Tanner... bail's made."

The five other prisoners snickered, but no one moved. "Tanner! Bail!" the officer called out again as the three team members exchanged puzzled looks. Ezra had believed Vin would run them over in an attempt to escape the close confines of the small barred room.

"Oh, Shit!!!!!!" Ezra bodily shoved the jailer aside and scrambled across the cell, Nathan and Josiah on his heels. The southerner dropped down to his knees, unmindful of the filth on the floor, beside a bloodied unmoving figure lying in the corner. Reaching out a trembling hand, he gently touched the familiar slender shoulder.

"Vin?" He held his breath as he heard Josiah yelling for a stretcher. There was no response from the young tracker and Ezra let Nathan shove him aside as the black man knelt to check the injured man's condition.

Ezra heard snickering behind him and whirling to his feet, he stormed to the men leaning against the wall, all of them watching with barely contained smiles of delight on their faces. From out of no where, a small derringer appeared in Ezra's hand and it was shoved under the biggest man's nose.

"Hey! You can't do that!" the jail officer yelled, wondering how the hell the fancy dressed man had gotten by security with a gun. Several officers hurried in with a gurney but before he could call them to assist him, Nathan was directing them on lifting the unconscious tracker.

"Watch me!" Ezra growled, shoving the gun harder in the man's face. "You low life scum!"

Afraid the officer would overreact, Josiah flashed the badge in his wallet.

"You're cops?"

"Judge Travis is our boss."

Everyone in the precinct had heard of the exclusive team that answered only to Travis.

"Hey, he can't be doing that to him! We's got rights!" One of the other men yelped, then fell silent as the large shape of Josiah Sanchez loomed over him, the preacher's steel gray eyes flashing an unspoken warning.

Ezra's attention and gun was centered on the obvious leader, his emerald eyes flashing with barely surpressed rage. The man, clearly twice his size and Vin's, was backed up as far as he could go against the bricks and was trying to push into them to escape the fury even he could see simmering in the southerner's green eyes.

"Hey, ya can't..." he attempted to protest, his words muffled by the gun nearly rammed down his throat.

"You better hope he's alright because if not I don't care where you end up...in prison or back on the streets...I'm coming after you...There'll be no place you can hide. If Vin Tanner dies, you're a dead man," Ezra vowed harshly, as with a final shove of the gun, he backed out of the holding cell, his deadly gaze never leaving the man's face.

"Hey, you can't...." the bail officer's protest died in his throat at the glare Standish sent his direction. He stared in stunned silence at the three men who helped carry their friend from the area. Finally gaining his senses, he closed and locked the cell. Damn! There was going to be hell to pay over this one.

He hastily glanced at the prisoners who were staring white faced after the disappearing men. He had seen the look on the three men's faces and with none of his charges seriously hurt, other than Tanner, he wasn't about to put his life in danger by pursuing them.

People cleared a wide path as the men hurried Vin's still form to the lobby and without waiting for the EMT squad, carried him outside.

Josiah quickly dropped the back seat of his vehicle and they slid the stretcher inside, Nate jumping inside to monitor the tracker as the ex-priest hurriedly scrambled behind the wheel, moving with remarkable speed for a man of his size. Peeling away from the curb and into traffic, Josiah caught Nate's eye in the rear view mirror.

"Hospital?" he questioned, glancing in the mirror again and seeing Ezra's Lexus right on his rear bumper.

Nate shook his head. "Clinic." Pulling the cellphone from his jacket, Nathan quickly dialed Rayne's number telling her he needed her help and to meet him at the clinic.

They all knew how Vin loathed the hospital. It was only as a last resort and when Larabee was around to bully him into going, and staying that he was ever taken to the institution. His aversion to medical facilities was well known and along with wanting secrecy concerning the elite team was one of the major reasons Larabee had asked for and gotten the funds Jackson needed to furnish a clinic on the premises with all the same up to date equipment found in most of the major hospitals.

In fact their clinic was better stocked than some small town hospitals.

*******

A short time later the three men had the still unconscious tracker settled in one of the clinic beds, and Rayne had hooked up several monitors while Nathan carefully checked out the injured man, shaking his head and tsking to himself at each new injury he discovered.

"Well?" Josiah finally rumbled before Ezra, pacing by the window, blew a gasket.

Nathan straightened and ran his hand through his short hair. He shook his head. "It ain't good."

"And..." Josiah prompted, laying a large hand on the gambler's shoulder as the man actually made as if to lunge at the doctor.

"Three broken ribs, at least that many cracked. A bruised kidney where someone tried to stomp him into the floor. And the usual contusions and abrasions from a severe beating." He shook his head and sighed, his gaze on Vin's battered face. "I don't know how that boy gets himself into these fixes..."

"I don't think our young impetuous brother went looking for this, Nathan." Josiah murmured, studying the young man's face.

"Somebody sure had it in for him," Nate pointed out needlessly.

"Part of that was compliments of our esteemed police force," Ezra spoke for the first time, his words biting. "I observed them roughing up Mister Tanner when they were taking him into custody." He dropped his head, his eyes full of shame and regret. "Unfortunately, I was too late to be of much assistance to him."

"Are you sure 'bout the cops?" Josiah questioned, finding it hard to believe any of the young tracker's injuries could have been the product of police brutality.

"I saw them!" Ezra reiterated stubbornly.

"Maybe Chris oughta have a long talk with Mark when he gets here. He does know what's going on, don't he?" Nathan asked realizing it was a stupid question. If they knew, Chris knew.

"He knows Mister Tanner was arrested and is on his way back from Taos. He knows nothing of his current condition." Ezra clarified.

"Perhaps it had best stay that way until he does get here. I'd hate for Chris to go off half cocked on the entire DPD."

A small smile cracked Josiah's face, "Oh, I don't know, Brother Jackson. I would kinda like to see the kind of damage he could inflict before we stopped him."

Nathan snorted, "What do you mean we stop him?"

They exchanged startled looks at Ezra's next words, "I, for one, would be right along side him."

*******

With Rayne's assistance Nathan had taken care of the injuries and made the tracker as comfortable as he could. He refrained from sedating the man, giving him a mild painkiller instead wanting him to be lucid enough to tell him of any undiscovered injuries and how badly he hurt. Thanking the nurse for her help, insisting she go home and get some sleep before starting her shift at the hospital Jackson settled back to watch his patient.

To no one's surprise, Ezra ensconced himself in the chair beside the clinic bed and settled in for the long haul. Josiah, seeing that Nate couldn't leave, and that Ezra wouldn't, departed long enough to make a run downstairs, returning with sandwiches and coffee from Inez's. The latter was consumed, the former was not.

Watching the man seated at Tanner's side, Josiah debated with himself on the best way to approach the gambler. He knew Ezra was blaming himself for the sharpshooter's current condition...probably for the entire situation. The con man had formed what Ezra considered a nasty habit...caring about and taking responsibility for the men he worked with.

They were hashing around whether to call Nettie or Lucy when the doors blew open and Buck and JD entered, their loud voices falling to a subdued hush when they saw the injured man in the bed. Quietly they moved closer to the bed, viewed their injured friend, then moved to Josiah's side and demanded to know what had happened.

The preacher had no more than finished explaining when a black clad figure stormed into the area, grumbling about piss poor airlines and how it would have been faster to drive, his hazel eyes raking over each of them before settling on his friend in the bed. Blinking in surprise at the young Texan's battered condition, he focused first at Nathan.

"He's gonna be okay, Chris," Nate offered without being ask.

Throwing his coat over an empty chair, Chris raked his hand thru his hair. He had caught the first flight out of Taos to get back, cursing the long security checks, delays and the fact he hadn't been able to get a non stop flight. "What the hell is going on? How did he get in this condition? Ezra...." He pinned the gambler, who steadily returned his glare, "you didn't say anything about him being hurt."

"That's because he wasn't... Well, not that badly anyway...." Josiah quickly filled their leader in and the other men held their breath as they saw the anger beginning to rise in the blond man.

None of them would have traded places with Mark Johnson in the morning.... not for all the money in the world. They knew with Chris Larabee riled, there would be hell to pay.

*******

The front desk secretary scrambled to her feet, attempting to stop the man. "Sir! Sir..!"

Chris ignored her and Buck stopped long enough to flash his badge, patting her shoulder, and gently pushing her back down in her chair. "It's all right, miss. We're expected." So saying, he followed Chris through the doors leading to Mark's office.

The cop was on the phone with the Chief of Police, but seeing the black clad storm entering, he murmured, "I'm sorry sir but I'll have to call you back," and quickly hung up.

Climbing to his feet, he held out his hand. "Hey, Chris. Buck. Good to see ya. What can I do for you?"

Larabee ignored the gesture, leaning on the desk both palms pressed against the smooth surface to get nose to nose with the policeman. "I wanna know what the hell kinda police force you're running when they railroad a man into a murder charge and then damn near kill him!" he hissed, hazel eyes flashing green fire.

"Tanner..." Mark sank down in his desk chair and sighed. "Look, Chris, first let me say I'm sorry this happened, especially to Tanner. Second, it wasn't my men. You know I don't allow vigilante justice in my precinct. But we've been short handed and the Chief sent over a squad from Baxter." The dark man looked tired as hell. "You know how lax that place is run. I never dreamed they'd do anything so stupid to make a bust." He sighed, sinking into his chair, rubbing at the knotted muscles in his neck. "I'd heard they don't particularly give a damn about a prisoner's rights and had a man riding along, just keeping an eye on them, but by the time he knew what was happening, Tanner was already cuffed. All I can say is I'm sorry."

Chris stopped pacing by the desk and looked at his old friend. He knew what a chore he had riding herd on just six men. He couldn't begin to imagine the strain of trying to keep tabs on an entire precinct.

"Is Tanner going to all right?" Mark questioned, his tone concerned.

"Yeah, but he's banged up pretty good," Buck spoke up as Chris sank down in the leather chair beside him.

"I know it don't mean much, yet, but I've got the names of those involved and they will be suspended until there is a thorough IA investigation. I've been going over their reports all morning. That was the chief I just hung up on...I imagine most of them will lose their badges over this. At least if I have my way." He rushed on when Larabee remained silent. "I also called the DA and insisted he add another assault charge to those assholes he was locked up with."

Chris nodded. He wanted a piece of someone as retribution for Vin, but he knew Mark would see to it the right people paid. "All right. You'll keep us posted?" Mark nodded and the two men gained their feet to leave.

"I'll send over copies of everything we get." The police captain rubbed the back of his neck again in a useless gesture. "Wantcha to know I don't for a minute believe Tanner had anything to do with that girl's murder and I'll do everything I can to help prove it."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, Chris. Good to see ya, Buck."

Buck flipped him a lazy salute and moved through the door. Chris stopped and looked back at the man behind the desk. "If it had been any one but you, I'd have fuckin' mopped up the floor with him," he muttered softly, for Mark's ears only.

The other man gave an understanding nod and sighed heavily when the door closed behind the two agents. He said a silent prayer for the friendship between them for he had been witness to Larabee's mop jobs before and there had literally not been enough of the person left to mop up.

*******

Two days passed. The team mates kept a close watch on their injured member and Vin, upon regaining consciousness, to their surprise, was remarkably quiet and cooperative. He capitulated to Nathan's wishes he rest in bed, and took the hated pain killers without complaint.

The sharpshooter answered their questions, repeating what he'd told Ezra in the interrogation room, telling them the questions asked by the detectives and providing what little information he knew about the girl.

He didn't ask about the bail, or what progress they had made in their own investigation, questioning only if they had discovered the girl's identity never wondering if Ezra had kept his promise and made arrangements for her burial.

The other six men were puzzled by his uncharacteristic attitude. He even refused to allow them to notify Lucy of his injuries when she returned to town

It was that action which put Ezra on edge as he realized what was on the young tracker's mind. It was a thought which he frequently gave serious consideration to himself. Debating, wondering if he should inform the other men, he opted to keep his silence and see how things went.

*******

The fourth evening, as Vin settled down to sleep, the other men finally gave in to a much needed break with a night out at Inez's. Chris knew Vin was feeling crowded, and wanted to give the tracker a little space...at least for a few hours. They would, after all, only be two floors away and if the Texan changed his mind he could join them or call if he needed anything.

The gambler, uneasy, but not wishing to set off any undue alarms, joined his friends for a quick drink before making his excuses and departing the premises. Picking up a pizza, he parked the Camero in the darkest corner of the garage hoping the others wouldn't notice the distinctive vehicle and took the elevator to the office floor.

Rather than listen to Nathan bitch about having to traipse all over Purgatorio or up the side of a mountain, to look after his patient, Vin had agreed to stay at the office apartment where it would be easier for the healer to poke, prod and force the reluctant man to take the prescribed medicine. Another fact which worried the gambler.

Tanner was perhaps an even worse patient than Standish himself, yet he hadn't once mentioned returning to his apartment or the seclusion of his mountain retreat, giving JD a small list of items for the young man to retrieve from his tiny apartment.

Quietly stepping into the apartment bedroom, the con man leaned against the door jam, the pizza box balanced in one hand as he stared at the long haired man within, hoping but not expecting to see his friend curled up asleep. He watched as Tanner fastened the backpack sinking onto the side of the bed and reaching for his boots.

Ezra had known, had felt in his very being, this was what the Texan was going to do the minute he was left alone. He absently wondered why it had not registered with Larabee, but then, the man had enough things on his mind as it was. He hesitated, not sure if he should try and stop Vin or not.

He cleared his throat and Tanner looked up guiltily.

"Whatcha doin' back here?" he rasped out harshly, looking away. "Figured you'd be down at Inez's with the others."

"Thought you might enjoy a late night pizza," Ezra offered. "Double cheese with everything," he added, knowing it was the tracker's favorite.

Vin shook his head curtly. "Ain't hungry. So why dontcha just turn 'round and leave?"

Ezra set the box down beside Vin, staring at the defiant young man who grimaced with the pain the movement caused on still sore muscles as he attempted to pull on his boots. While the swelling had reduced considerably, the bruises on his jaw and cheekbone were still vivid.

"Leavin' are ya?" he questioned softly. Ezra had considered a comment suggesting the sharpshooter might be intending to join his friends in the bar, but quickly discarded the idea, knowing this was not a time for subterfuge

Vin nodded once. "Yep," he responded brusquely. Funny, Larabee had once asked him that same question.

Ezra frowned. "Mister Tanner, you know what will happen, don't you?"

"Fuck! I've hunted bounty. I know what some assholes do with bail jumpers," Vin spat out sarcastically.

Ezra remained silent, uncertain how to talk sense into the tracker. It was quite clear Vin had made up his mind, and Ezra knew he did not have the persuasive sway of Larabee when it came to convincing the sharpshooter to do what was in the younger man's best interest.

Tanner looked up glaring at the silent man. "Don't worry about your fuckin' ninety grand!" He turned and snatched a paper from the night stand, throwing it in the gambler's general direction, "I signed my deed over ta ya. Cabin and land's worth that and more. Ya won't have to worry bout losin' yer fuckin' precious money," he growled, straightening with a grimace and reaching for his denim shirt. "Don't bother denyin' ya put up the bail...even after I asked ya not too. Couldn't be nobody else. Mama Doc's a good lady but she don't front her own money for nobody. She's the only person I know that can be greedier than you."

Vin hardened his heart, trying desperately to ignore the hurt that filled the emerald eyes. He had hoped to make Ezra angry. Piss him off enough to turn and leave wishing the ex-bounty hunter good riddance. He, himself, had to stay angry. He was angry. Furious at the death of an innocent, young girl. Furious at the police who didn't seem to care enough to consider the possibilty they had the wrong man and keep looking. Furious at the circumstances forcing this decision.

Standish made no move to pick up the paper which fluttered to the floor at his feet. "It isn't the money I'm worried about losing, Vin. It's the friend," Ezra stated softly. He saw Tanner hesitate for a half-second before slowly drawing on the shirt.

His eyes never leaving Tanner, the gambler flipped open the cellphone silencing the devise in the middle of its third ring.

"Ezra?"

"Yes Mr. Larabee?" Ezra saw the sharpshooter stiffen, his motions slowing slightly but never completely halting.

"How's he doin'?" Chris hadn't been fooled, as a matter of fact none of them had, when stating an important errand, Ezra had finished his drink and slipped from the bar. They'd had a harder time making Standish leave Tanner's side than any of them had expected.

"He's fine...Perhaps a bit impervious, intractable and illogical but otherwise his usual pleasant self."

"Enough with the million dollar vocabulary. Sometimes I think I need a dictionary to talk to you." The leader chuckled, taking the sting out of the comment. "Reckon ya can talk him into comin' down for a while...I figure we can convince Nate ta let him have at least one beer."

"I shall give it my best endeavor Mr. Larabee but I wouldn't bet on satisfactory results." He had hoped to find some way of talking the tracker into staying. Maybe this was the perfect opportunity. "Mr. Larabee wishes to know if you would like to join your friends for a evening of relaxation?"

"Don't think so."

Chris heard the surly answer and decided not to push his friend. Hopefully Ezra would be able to change his mind. "Tell him we'll be here for a while if he decides to come down."

"I shall pass that message along." The con man flipped the phone closed disconnecting the call. "What about Mister Larabee?" he pressed.

"What 'bout him?"

"How do you think he's going to feel about his best friend taking off without so much as a 'goodbye, it was nice knowin' ya'?"

"Hell, Chris's a big boy. He'll get over it. He's fine afore we ever hooked up and he'll be fine after I'm gone...And so will the others, so don't even bring 'em up," he warned, flashing the gambler a challenging look. 'Hell, making sure they were alright was his whole purpose for leaving.'

But Standish didn't back down. "What about Miz Nettie?" He knew the older woman was a soft spot for the tracker. Perhaps he could play on the tracker's guilt....

"She's all right 'fore I came along. She'll manage." Vin responded tersely.

"And Miss Garth? Is she supposed to manage? She' just found you again." As soon as the words were uttered, he realized he should not have spoken them as the tracker whirled about to face him, his azure eyes flashing.

"What ya mean, 'again'?" he demanded, pinning the gambler with a indignant blue glare. Ezra hesitated. He had honestly been intrigued by the golden locket he and Lucy had discovered and further puzzled by its engraving.

Fascinated, he had taken time to research the history of the old homestead where it had been found. He had been surprised to discover in the mid 1870s the land had indeed been owned by a family named Garth and in the county census he had discovered the name Lucynda Garth.

The coincidence was just too much to be ignored. But he hadn't shared that discovery with Lucy and had not broached the fact to Vin. Somehow, he felt if they were to know the truth, they would find it on their own and didn't need his matchmaking to throw them together in this life time or any other.

"You must admit, Mister Tanner, first with Frank Blair, and then Ella Gaines....... The young lady does seem to keep appearing in your life. Do you think that it is more than mere chance? Nothing more than luck?" He offered, hoping to appease the angry look in the blue eyes.

"Since when did you start believin' in luck?"

"I don't. However I have recently discovered there is something to be said for fate...destiny...whatever a person chooses to call the powers that deem it appropriate two people should be together."

Vin snorted in mild disgust. "We just happen ta run inta each other...spend a little time together once in awhile...ain't no more 'an that," he stated firmly, mentally refusing to travel down the trail of thought Ezra's question evoked.

"I dare say Miz Garth might think otherwise. She is very fond of you," the gambler pointed out, a slight shadow of envy in his low voice. How many lifetimes had he spent alone? How many lifetimes had he searched for that special woman who would accept him, love him and mourn his passing? Dionica had shown him exactly how special a gift that was and he intended to hold onto it with both hands if necessary, for just as long as possible.

Whether he knew it or not Tanner had evidently been given that gift at least once before. He just needed to be reminded how rare and magnificent a prize it was to have a second chance at anything.

'Fond a her too.' Tanner's thought went unspoken.

"She'll get over it," Vin muttered as he straightened and shouldered past the southerner.

Ezra reached out and grabbed his arm, spinning the slighter man around to face him. "She shouldn't have to 'get over it.' None of us should." At Tanner's furious look, he released his hold and stepped back away from the fury which was emanating from the long haired man. "I'm not one to interfere in other people's concerns--"

"Then don't!" Tanner spat out.

"--but I believe you are making a terrible mistake, Vin."

Vin laughed coldly, looking the fancy dressed man up and down with glacial eyes, "Ya do, do ya? What the hell would ya know about it?"

Ezra hesitated, not wanting to reveal his own errors. "I'm an expert on mistakes and blown chances, Mr. Tanner." He met the cold blue eyes steadily, knowing his next words were far from deniable. "You walk away now, Vin, I can guarantee you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Vin snorted, as he reached for the door knob. "I can live with that," he muttered.

"Can you, Vin?" Ezra pressed. "Can you just throw away everything you value and never look back? Abandon everything and everyone without a second thought?"

Tanner whirled to face him, "What the fuck ya expect me ta do, Ez, huh? Stay here and face them charges? I didn't kill that girl!"

"We know that, Vin," Ezra stated calmly. "Just like we knew you didn't kill Davey. We got through that together and we can get through this. You certainly know we'll stand behind you."

"Yeah, and ruin your reputations? Your lives, coz of me? Hell that little escapade damn near got ya killed or did ya forget that part. Y'all may be willing to risk losin' all you've struggled ta build up here but I'm not!" He shook his head. "Nope." He turned back to the elevator door and started through it.

Ezra tried one last plea. "You know, Vin, you have a hand in what is here. You helped build what we have. It won't last without you here."

Vin hesitated. "It'll last. Don't need me here fuckin' up everythin'....... destroyin' what Chris has done. I get dragged down, y'all all come down with me. You think them stuffed shirts in Washington are gonna wanna keep payin' for a team of men with a suspected murderer on it. Not just once but twice! Hell, they're raisin' enough stink now makin' Chris and the Judge constantly prove we're worth havin' around." He shook his head. "I won't let ya do it."

"It should be our choice, Vin. You should know we value your---"

"Don't!" Tanner warned as he stepped into the elevator. He half turned. "And don't be comin' after me. I won't be seein' ya 'round, Ez."

The doors hissed shut and Ezra listened to the humming of the car as it carried his best friend down and out of his life.

*******

A single tear escaped rolling down his cheek as Ezra stood staring at the cell phone in his hand, contemplating whether to call Chris. He hated the thought of Tanner being on the run. Always looking over his shoulder. Always fearful of letting anyone close. Always fearful of trusting anyone.

Ezra understood Tanner's reasons for his decision. Vin was a noble man who would never hesitate to sacrifice his happiness or his life for those he cared about.

Did Ezra or any of them have the right to force their friend to abide by their wishes. It wasn't their life. They weren't the ones facing prison or worse if convicted.

Ezra knew the sharpshooter wasn't running from the consequences of a possible conviction. He was afraid of what the very hint of another scandal would do to the team that had been so effective from its very conception. They all knew there were certain high ranking political figures who had been out to destroy the president's project from the very beginning. Tanner was afraid this would give them the ammunition needed to do exactly that.

With Vin gone, the judge could always argue that the sharpshooter was simply a bad apple who had finally stepped over the line drawn long before he joined Larabee's team. He could still justify the need for the other six men. Their records were clean and their work exemplary.

Standish jumped as the phone he held suddenly rang. Damn what was he going to say to Larabee? How was he supposed to tell him, his best friend was gone?

"Yes?"

"Didn't mean it Ez." The Texas drawl was soft and sorrowful. "What I said about ya bein' greedy. I didn't mean it. You're a good friend and I 'ppreciate everything ya done for me...Wanted ya ta know that." The line was disconnected before Ezra could reply.

*******

"He what?!"

Ezra calmly faced the enraged team leader, unflinching in the blond man's anger. "Mister Tanner left."

Chris stared at him as if he had suddenly grown an extra set of ears. "You just let him? Ya didn't even try to stop him!"

"Of course I tried to change his mind." Standish stated. "I'm afraid, Mister Larabee, short of knocking him over the head and sitting on him, there was no way to block his exit."

"Well, damnit, that's what you should have done!" Larabee angrily raked a hand through his short hair. "When did he go?"

"Shortly after your call."

"Hell," Chris glanced at his watch. "That was almost six hours ago."

Certain Ezra would spend the evening in the apartment, Larabee and the others and spent the evening trying to relax, only to have the conversation constantly turn back to the best way to help their injured member out of his current predicament.

Chris had been half way home when he found himself making a u-turn on the highway and heading back to the offices. He couldn't explain his sudden need to see Tanner, nor would he try but the gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach told him something was definitely wrong.

Ezra nodded.

"And you didn't even call me? One of us? Ezra...." the growled threat in his voice did not phase the gambler. "Damnit, he could be anywhere. Have you--?"

"Miz Nettie has not seen him, nor has Miss Lucy, Miss Casey, or any other mutual acquaintances. I didn't tell them he was currently not where he should be but since they all asked after his well being..."

Chris turned from his abrupt pacing. "You tried callin' his place?"

Ezra nodded. "Both of them. There was no response at either. Nor is he answering his cell phone. I dare say Mister Tanner has vanished. If he does not want us to find him, then we shall not."

"The hell we won't!" Chris declared vehemently. "I'll tear this state apart, rock by rock...."

"And if you locate him?" Ezra quizzed.

"I'm gonna kill 'im! I swear, I'm gonna kill that long haired Texas jackass!"

Ezra hesitated, then pointed out, "There is the matter of the hearing..... "

Chris nodded. "I'll talk to Travis about postponing it."

"Actually Mr. Larabee that won't be necessary. Mr. Tanner isn't required to be at any of the pre-trial hearings and I've spoken with Mr. McGoff, he'll be able to postpone the trial at least twice." Ezra had been surprised when Vin hadn't argued about having the lawyer he kept on retainer defend the sharpshooter. Of course at the time, Tanner had been in his particularly cooperative mood.

"At least that'll give us time to find him."

"And if we don't?"

Chris shrugged. "I'll worry about that later." He grabbed the phone from the table and pitched it to Standish, "Call in the guys. We got work to do."

Ezra bounced the phone in his palm. "Should I call Miz Nettie and Miss Lucy as well?"

Chris hesitated. He knew both women cared deeply for the young Texan, but at the moment, he really did not want them underfoot and in the way. He shook his head. "I'll call 'em later."

Accepting his boss was taking responsibility, Ezra nodded and began dialing Buck's number.

*******

"I can't believe ya just let him walk outta here Ezra." Nathan growled. "He's not only puttin' his life on the line legally, he isn't exactly in the best of health to be running around the countryside."

"What would you have had me do Dr. Jackson? Should I have held him at gunpoint?" Ezra didn't turn from where he stood staring out the window at the gray drizzly dawn.

"Woulda been better than standin' there doin' nothin'!"

"Wouldn't have done any good." The womanizer sighed, seeing the gambler's shoulders slump a little further under the verbal assault. Buck regretted the fact they'd all taken pot shots at the gambler upon first hearing what had happened. "The only way ta stop him woulda been to shoot him and Vin knows Ez better than that."

In a few short hours they discovered little beyond the fact Vin had not taken his Ford truck, which was still parked at Larabee's ranch and his battered old Land Rover still sat in his spot in front of the Purgatorio apartment building. Which meant he had taken his Harley. A quick check had proven the bike no longer in its space in the underground garage of the office building where Tanner kept it in inclement weather. Chris had fumed at the discovery. On that bike, Tanner could go anywhere, blend in..... he wasn't going to make it easy for them to find him.

"Damnit!" Nathan wasn't going to ease up any on the gambler. "We were right downstairs. All he had to do was pick up the damn phone and call us!" The doctor insisted. "Tell me Ezra, would it even matter to ya if they brought him in dead?"

Truth of the matter, Ezra was merely a convenient target for Jackson's anger. He had dealt with the sharpshooter as a patient enough times to know he should have been more suspicious of the man's concurrence regarding Nathan's instructions. He should have realized how Vin was feeling and what he might be planning.

"Leave him alone Nate." Josiah wearily ordered. "It ain't his fault...Yours neither."

"Hey Ez, this was layin' on the floor."

Ignoring the object JD carried as he entered the bullpen of the main offices, Ezra pushed past the men and bypassing the elevator made his escape down the stairs.

"What is it?" Nathan asked as Buck studied the single sheet of paper.

"The deed to Tanner's mountain property." Wilmington choked moving toward Chris' office where Larabee sat continuely dialing Tanner's cellphone. "He signed it over to Ez."

"No wonder he didn't try ta stop him." Nathan shook his head in disgust. "Wonder how he managed to con Vin into that."

"Damn Nathan, how can someone so intelligent be so stupid sometimes!" It was Josiah's turn to look disgusted. "Figure this is Vin's way of makin' sure Ezra doesn't lose his bond money." The preacher released a deep sigh, seeing the doctor's confusion. "You know any of Vin's other friends who might have figured a way to come up with ninety grand? I couldn't beg that kinda money from everyone I've ever met, put together."

"Awww hell."

*******

The brisk wind was biting cold as Vin slowed his Harley on the snow bordered road. At least the high country road crews had cleared the highway or he would be giving serious consideration to stopping. The chill in the air was nothing compared to the bitterness which seemed to settle into his soul as he fully came to grips with what he had done. He swiped at the tears forming in his eyes, knowing they were not caused only by the wind.

The miles slipped by under the steady turning of the Harley's wheels, and the rest of the world disappeared in the steady thundering of the powerful engine. Perhaps the vehicle could take him far away from ..... From what? his inner voice quired. Home? Friends? He could never run far enough or fast enough to escape the overwhelming pull of what he had left behind. Of what he had just thrown away....

He eased up on the throttle and steered the bike to the side of the road. The machine stopped, idling under him as he just sat in the cold wind, the snow swirling around him as the scalding tears ran down his face.

He could just turn around, go back and say he was sorry. Chris would forgive him. They all would. But with that thought came the immediate realization of the charges against him. He wasn't guilty, but dragging him through a trial, knowing his friends would be standing right beside him, would be dragged them through the dirt as well, was the one thing he could not come to grips with. He would not have innocent friends suffer or ruin their lifes, reputations, and careers simply because they had chosen to befriend a man like him. A man who seemed to attract trouble like a magnet.

He didn't know how long he sat there, but the cold began to seep into his bones, and he finally realized it was getting dark. Swiping at his eyes, and sniffling, he carefully steered the Harley back onto the road, continuing on without looking back.

*******

The honking of a horn drew his attention to the vehicle moving at a rapid clip down his driveway as Larabee crossed to his truck.

"Chris!"

The blond man halted, his hand on the truck's door handle. He had run out to the ranch to pick up a change of clothes. The kids who fed his stock and looked after the place when the team was away on assignment had already come and gone for the day.

It had been several days with still no news of Tanner and the team had settled into the offices for the long haul. Larabee silently cursed the Texan for putting them in this situtation, then lambasted himself. If he hadn't been off with Mary trying to forget his job, he would have been there for his friend. He knew even being in town wouldn't have prevented Tanner's arrest but if he'd paid more attention to the man himself instead of constantly questioning him about the circumstances that caused the situation, he'd have seen the way Vin was feeling and been able to prevent his actions.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath then turned to face the person who jumped from the truck, running up to him. "Hey, Lucy."

The young veterinarian's face was somber as she stopped in front of him. "Chris, where's Vin?"

Larabee grimaced. He had meant to call the young woman, but other more pressing things had taken precedence and he hadn't picked up the phone. To be honest, he'd hoped they would have located their missing member before he had to tell her anything. Now, he fleetingly wished he had taken the time. If he had, he wouldn't have to look her in the face and tell her..... For a millisecond, he thought of lying, of telling her Vin was called away on an assignment, but that thought died as quickly as it was born. She deserved to know the truth.

"I wish I knew," he admittedly softly, sagging back against the truck.

Lucy clutched her arms across her chest, and stared at him before moving to lean against the fender beside him. "What's going on, Chris? Is Vin hurt? He's hurt, isn't he, and he don't want you to tell me, right?"

Larabee shook his head, wishing it was truly something that simple. "No, it ain't that."

"What then? I've called his places and I keep get nothing." She gave him a cold scowl, "And when I called the office, none of the guys wanted to tell me anything.... All they said was I should talk to you." There was an accusatory note in the last remark, aimed solely at him.

Chris drew in a deep breath. "I don't know where Vin is, Lucy. None of us do."

"What?" Disbelief washed over her face. She gave a short laugh. "This isn't very funny, Chris."

"It's not suppose to be. Honestly, Lucy, we don't know where he is..." He motioned her to the porch and as she settled on the top step, he sank down beside her. Low voiced, his tone full of apology at not contacting her earlier, he explained to her everything that had happened including the night Ezra had returned to the apartment with pizza.

Lucy's face grew more pale at each word, until there was no color left in her face at all. She had been out of town at a convention and had not even known Vin had been arrested and charged. She mentally kicked herself remembering the strange tone in Ezra's voice the night she'd called the office looking for Vin, wanting to let him know when she'd be back.

"He's........gone? Left? Without a word?" she whispered with a strangled sob. "I can't believe...." Her voice choked and she trailed off, not finishing the thought.

"None of us can."

"Why...why?" She turned tear shimmering eyes to the man beside her, her voice choked, "Didn't he know we'd all stand behind him? That's what friends do! Whatever got into him?"

"I don't know that either, Luce, but when we find him, you can join the line asking him that."

"Screw that! I want to be first in line to kick his sorry Texas ass!" she vowed angrily as emotions washed over her. Anger at the tracker for leaving, heartache he didn't trust her, surprise he hadn't trusted the men who'd become his family, pissed at Larabee for not telling her sooner.....

Chris gave her a wan smile. "Sorry, honey, but that pleasure's all mine."

*******

To Larabee's surprise, Standish had insisted on accompanying him when Chris finally broke down and went to the judge. Not only did the man deserve to know what was happening but he had connections around the country that might come in handy.

Certain the man was remembering their earlier conversation, Ezra sat silently ignoring the looks the jurist sent his direction as Chris informed Travis, Vin had left town, what they were doing to find him as well as where they were in their investigation into the death of the young girl Tanner was accused of murdering.

"Basically, what you're saying is there is every possibility Mr. Tanner won't show up for his trial." His tone, the Judge's only sign of his apparent anger, Travis tapped his fingers on the smooth desktop. "I can't believe this! I might have expected it if had been..." The jurist trailed off.

"If it had been me who was facing these charges." Ezra finished the sentence.

"Ezra I-"

"Perfectly understandable. I am, after all a criminal with a less than stellar past."

"You're not a criminal Ezra." Larabee declared, jumping to the gambler's defense.

"Please Mr. Larabee, let's not pretend ignorance at this point in time. I'm a con man and a gambler with an arrest record. It's common knowledge that for years I made my living defrauding others of their savings. It's only logical that of the men you've chosen to work on your team I would be most likely to disappear before facing the consequences Mr. Tanner is currently looking at by going to court."

Travis scrubbed a hand over his face, knowing the con man would never allow them to see the hurt caused by his thoughtless comment. The judge had to admire the gambler, uncertain if he, himself, would be able to face someone he thought considered him less than worthy of respect with the dignity displayed by the southerner.

In the beginning Orrin had readily voiced his disagreement of Larabee hiring the con man, certain the Hoosier was asking for nothing but trouble taking on someone as untrustworthy as the southerner appeared to be. Over time, the judge had begrudgingly found himself not only understanding the decision but becoming truly fond of the cocky con artist.

The true character the gambler kept hidden behind his facade of selfish arrogance had been discovered as Standish had put himself in the line of fire time and again proving his loyalty to the men he worked with.

It hadn't been very long ago, Ezra had sat in that very chair, asking for the jurist's help and letting him know he had no doubts about Tanner's innocence or the fact that he would do whatever necessary to help his friend. He still hadn't shown the least bit of apprehension about losing the bond money, worrying only for his friend's safety.

Travis made a mental note, 'Gonna have to find a way to let that boy know he's just as important to me as the rest of the team.'

Did Chris or the others know Standish was looking at homelessness if the tracker didn't return in time for his trial? Travis had called Mama Doc, planning to offer the bondswoman whatever Ezra couldn't scrounge together for the ten percent only to be told the gambler had readily handed over a check and the deed to his home.

Orrin knew Ezra would politely accept but wouldn't believe the sincerity of any apology he might make at the moment.

"I can't say I wouldn't have made the same decision as Mr. Tanner, however, in all honesty, my reasons would not have been as noble as our young friend's."

"Ezra ya never said a damn word about-"

"You never asked Mr. Larabee." The gambler cocked an eyebrow at his boss.

"What reason would he have other than avoiding the possibility of prison?" Travis demanded, exchanging a puzzled expression with the ex-Navy SEAL.

"Protecting you and this team."

"What!" The word spoken simultaneously by both men came out as a small roar.

A sense of despair settled over Larabee and Travis as Ezra finished repeating the tracker's reasoning.

"Gentlemen, while it's true Mr. Tanner has an overdeveloped sense of self sacrifice," Ezra interrupted as the two softly cussed Tanner, the circumstances, his reasoning and Washington 'stuffed shirts', "your admonishments are wasted until we retrieve Mr. Tanner."

*******

Thinking of Lucy's reaction and not wanting to face Mary's anger or Miz Nettie's old carbine if they heard about Tanner's disappearance through the grapevine, Larabee had screwed up his courage and called both women.

Certain the men were doing all they could, and knowing they could use all the help they could get the women pitched in as well. They all had a fondness for the quiet young tracker and knew the team would not be complete until he was back in the fold.

Lucy had promptly faxed the missing man's description to any and all vets and horse owners in the surounding areas, saying the man had recently suffered a personal tragedy and to please contact his family if spotted. Nettie had done the same with her circle of retired teachers and volunteers and Dionica had contacted every construction foreman or company she knew. Thanks to Mary, within hours, Tanner's picture, the story and contact numbers were all over the internet. If Vin Tanner was out there, someone would see him.

Travis put the team's next assignment on hold knowing even if they agreed to start the case their minds would be on Tanner and that would likely get someone killed. Using the excuse the women had concocted Orrin had put out feelers of his own, calling in markers and asking all his contacts in law enforcement to keep an eye out and call him directly if they spotted the sharpshooter.

Chris' team split into two camps. One, consisting of Chris, Buck and Josiah searched for their missing friend, the others digging into the murder case against him. They regrouped each evening at the office which had become their home away from home.

After two days, haggard, tired and disgusted, Chris eyed the men who sat around the conference table. The one empty chair was a glaring reminder of why they were there. It had been a long fruitless forty eight hours. He rubbed tiredly at the back of his neck. "Okay, what have we got so far?"

Buck decided to get the bad news out of the way first. "Well, we found out today Eli Joseph's the bounty hunter they put on Vin's trail...."

Chris exploded. "Who the hell sent that fuckin' bastard after Tanner? He'd as soon kill Vin as bring him in."

The men all knew there was a history between their friend and the bounty hunter sent to apprehend him. Vin had never explained what had happened, but pieces and bits through the grapevine implied Eli had used unneccassary force on a bounty they were both chasing and the man had died. Eli had tried to pin the death on Vin and it had taken almost two years to get the situtation ironed out. There was bad blood between the two men and Chris was insensed that the bondsman had sent Eli after Tanner.

"But technically Vin ain't even a fugitive yet!" JD pointed out.

"In actuality it was nothing more than an unfortunate misunderstanding." Standish explained. "It seems Mr. McGoff had a motions hearing this morning, a mere formality asking for discovery of all evidence concerning Vin's case. Eli took advantage of the fact there's a new person working the desk at Mama Doc's. He told the young woman that Mr. Tanner hadn't appeared for his hearing and had her fill out the fugitive retrieval papers. Mama Doc called me as soon as she found out."

"Can we get him pulled off the case?" Larabee questioned, raking a hand thru his hair.

Ezra shook his head. "It is unlikely. The bounty on Mister Tanner is considerable and it would take that amount and more to distract Mister Joseph's attention from his quarry. She has been calling his cell phone and pager. Both of which he appears to be ignoring."

"Perhaps an advantageous word to Judge Travis?" Josiah offered.

Chris shook his head. "I know the Judge would do what he could to help us out, but I think we ought to hold back on asking any favors just yet. We might need something further along." In the back of his mind, he was thinking if Vin was found and captured, the Judge's weight might go a long way in getting the tracker safely returned to Four Corners. "What else we got?"

The men exchanged looks and it was Ezra who finally spoke up. "Nathan and I spoke with the coroner about the victim." He made a face. "It seems the young lady was two months pregnant." There were sounds of shock around the table, but he ignored them to continue. "It seems they discovered a note in her jacket pocket, matching Mister Tanner's hand writing, to the effect if she needed assistance, to telephone him." He stared at his notes. "It does not look good. The prosecutor believes it proves motive on Vin's part."

"Aww, now, hell! That's just stupid! Anyone who knows Vin knows he wouldn't..." JD flared up in defense of his absent friend, only to trail off at the look Chris gave him. "Well, he just wouldn't..." he murmured stubbornly.

"They got a name on her?"

"Jordan Duff. She told the people at the shelter she was from Colorado Springs. Workers said they saw her hanging around the teen shelter off and on for the last few months. We're going to question some of the other kids tomorrow, see if she talked to any of them." The big man chewed his lip. "You know, I hate to say this, but it does give opportunity. Vin did volunteer work there every weekend and his days off."

"Hell, Josiah, we all did!" Buck blurted, appalled at what the preacher was insinuating.

"But we aren't the one running," Ezra pointed out quietly, playing devil's advocate.

"The hell with this!" Chris stormed to his feet to pace around the table. "I ain't gonna listen to this from any of you! Vin ain't guilty!"

It was Ezra who cleared his throat and spoke up. "I can assure you, Mister Larabee, no one in this room believes Mister Tanner capable of harming anyone, least of all a young lady. However, the prosecuting attorney will most assuredly use these very facts to build his case against our team member. Thinking as he would will aide us in keeping at least one step ahead of the local law enforcement's investigation."

Chris spun around, his open palm slamming down on the table top, causing Standish's imported leather folder of notes to jump several inches into the air. "Then, damnit, we just have to disprove his damn theories!"

"Perhaps if we dug into the young woman's past, we might discover something the prosector hasn't..." Nathan muttered softly, trying to deflect some of Chris' anger from the southerner.

Josiah nodded, grumbling, "That's a start. What do we know about her?"

Ezra skimmed his notes, shaking his head. "She told mission workers she was from Colorado Springs, but there is nothing to verify that. I'm afraid, so far, that, and her pregnancy, is the extent of our knowledge regarding Miss Duff."

"I can do an Internet search. There's this site I discovered on missing people.... I can check it out. At least see if anyone is looking for her," JD offered.

"Do it." Chris ordered as he turned to Josiah, "You're going to the shelter to ask around?" The big man nodded. "Keep JD apprised of anything you find out there. Might help in his search."

"What about you and me, Hoss?" Buck questioned his oldest friend.

"I've got another morning meeting with Mark. You're goin' along."

The men exchanged wary looks. They knew Chris had filed a complaint against the precinct for the assault on Vin while the Texan was in their custody. It probably was a good thing Buck was going with him again. They all knew in Larabee's present state of mind, given bad news, he would not hesitate ripping his old friend's head from his shoulders.

Nathan pushed to his feet with a stifled yawn. "Guess we'll get a fresh start in the morning."

Nodding to the other men, he moved down the hallway to the apartment. Staying on site, with sleeping bags and blankets scattered about the apartment, the men had taken turns using the bed. They all wanted to be there and ready to move if any news came in they could use, either about their friend or their investigation.

One by one, they drifted off down the hall until it was just Ezra and Chris left in the main office.

The southerner quietly watched the team leader as Chris sipped at his umpteenth cup of coffee.

"We'll find him, Chris," he murmured softly.

Chris started, looking up at him as if just realizing he wasn't alone in the room. "Yeah, I know."

Ezra nervously shuffled the papers in his folder. "I am aware, sir, if I had made a more concentrated attempt at preventing Mister Tanner from leaving--"

Larabee waved it aside. "Hell, Ez, he's stubborn as a mule and I know there wasn't any way you could have stopped him."

"I should have tried harder...or perhaps called you. If I had, we would not be--"

Chris shook his head. "Don't even go there, Ezra."

"I just wished to say I am sorry, Chris."

"And there ain't no reason for you to apologize. You're trying to help him, ain't ya?"

Comprehension dawned as Ezra nodded somberly. Larabee had expected an argument from the southerner when he'd split the team putting Standish with those investigating the murder case instead of helping him look for Tanner. The con man had said nothing, simply accepting the assignment with downcast eyes.

The gambler had a quick mind and an odd way of looking at things which gave Larabee's team a jump on most situations working angles most people would never consider. The leader wanted Ezra close to home afraid the gambler feeling responsible for Tanner's disappearance would strike out on his own to search for his friend and having him work with Nathan would hopefully help mend the rift that had once again opened between the two.

"Then that's all that matters." Chris nodded towards the other room, a pointed dismissal. "'Night.."

"Good night, Mister Larabee." Moving for the apartment, Ezra was aware that Chris had settled in the chair by the window with his coffee and he knew the man would not be sleeping this night, or any night until their friend was found.

*******

Remembering their last visit and knowing her boss was expecting them, the female officer acting as Mark's secretary waved them on by as the two team members approached, and Buck flashed her a bright winning smile. She was a pretty little thing, and obviously smart too, not to get in Chris' way a second time.

Johnson was looking out the window as they entered and he turned to give them a weary smile, one far too weary for the earliness of the morning. "Chris, Buck.... " he waved them to the nearby chairs and motioned toward the stand where a coffee maker gurgled. Both men shook their head, wanting to get down to business.

Mark sank down in the chair at his desk, and eyed his old friends, choosing to mince no words. "Chris, I want you to know I would have done the same thing if it had been a man of mine. I'm doin' everything I can to make sure IA doesn't drop the ball on this one. I want those men off the force and those fools working the holding area to at least spend time on suspension. What the hell do they think the surveillance cameras are down there for?"

Wilmington rose and pouring a cup of the strong brew sat it before his friend. How many times had he seen the same look of discouragement and weary determination Mark now wore, on Larabee's face.

"A few officers remember Tanner from when he wore the blue and some a the others from his work in the neighborhood. They all come forward, volunteerin' to do what they can includin' talkin' to IA." There was a touch of pride in the police captain's voice. No one ever 'volunteered' to talk to Internal Affairs.

"But....?" Buck added softly, not liking where the conversation was headed.

"Everyone knows it was a fuckin' mistake on those officers' part, but the assistant DA has got his teeth into it and don't want to shake loose. I've told him it was all a mistake even took Tanner's old personnel records with me but he's an ambitious little weasel, gung ho to pin these murders on someone. Anyone.... With some of the circumstancial evidence I've heard he has, he could damn well nail your man with it."

Chris' hazel eyes flashed, but he didn't speak, as he just continued to stare at the policeman.

"There's alotta high powered pressure comin' down on this one." Mark opened a drawer and pulled out a piece of folded paper. He turned it over several times in his fingers, pursed his lips and was silent for a long moment. Then, placing the paper down on the desktop, with one finger, he slid it across the sleek wood in Chris' direction. "This could mean my job, Chris." he admitted softly,

It was Buck who picked up the paper, but did not unfold it. "What is it?"

Mark chewed his lip, looking away. "I told you I had a man watchin' that bunch that pulled in Tanner. It seems he overheard some talk he shouldn't have." He drew in a deep breath. "He gave me that name yesterday. He said there was some sort of connection to the dead girl and that name. That's all I know. I thought you should check it out. I can't guarantee it'll clear Tanner, but it couldn't hurt."

Chris stared at his old friend. "This has got you scared," he murmured.

"Early this morning, they found his body in a burned out wreck out on County 214." Mark gave a nervous laugh that ended on a choked off sob. "You look at that name, you might start shaking in your boots too." He forced a smile as he pushed to his feet, looking at his watch. "Look, guys, I hate to push ya out the door, but I got a meeting in five minutes...Gonna stop by and see Carrington's family afterward..."

Chris pushed to his feet and Buck did the same, slipping the paper into his pocket and buttoning it so it could not slide out.

"Just one thing last thing, Chris. I got a wife and kids. You never got nothing from me."

Chris offered his hand. "Not a thing. Thanks, Mark. You need anything at all..." He left the offer unfinished as Johnson nodded in understanding.

"You don't shrug ole' Chris here off, Mark...Don't hesitate to give a holler." Knowing he couldn't ease the officer's conscience but hoping to ease his mind, Buck shook the other man's hand, giving the cop a smile. "We'll keep you posted."

"You do that." As they opened the door to leave, Mark called out softly, "And guys? Watch yourselves."

"You too." With somber nods, they left, leaving the cop to wonder if he had done the right thing.

*******

As the big Ford truck eased out into traffic, Buck unbuttoned his pocket and withdrew the folded piece of paper. Flattening it out to read, his eyes grew big and he whistled under his breath.

"What?" Chris demanded, pulling his gaze from the bumper to bumper traffic.

"Miles Camden."

"Camden?" Larabee frowned. "Ain't he that councilman that's been all over the news lately, for pulling in all those funds for the needy?"

"That's him." Buck agreed. "The man everybody says is well on his way to the presidency."

"Why would Mark give us his name?" Chris wondered aloud and Buck shrugged.

"His man died for it. Must mean something."

"Give JD a call. See what he can pull up on the name."

Fishing his cell from his pocket, Buck did as asked.

*******

By the time they returned to the office, JD had a sheaf of papers waiting hot off the printer. The computer expert followed them into the conference room and quickly passed out copies of the printouts as Nate, returning from the coroner's office joined them.

"Miiles Camden is the councilman for Purgatorio. He's had the spot for three years. He's managed to pull in several big HUD grants to renovate some of the older buildings and has had a hand in several of the cottage industries that have grown up in the area. They employ laid off and displaced workers, that kinda thing."

"Accordin' to the media, Camden's political party has big plans for him. Supposed to be on the fast track to the white house. Polls say he's a definite favorite for the senate seat in the next election."

"We know all that! Dude's got a pile of money and some powerful friends...Big deal!" Chris growled, "JD,. What about personal stuff?"

"Widower, although his wife divorced him two years before she died. She's been dead ten years. They have one son, Buddy Camden, age twenty-four. Been in and out of various colleges, academic suspension, drunk and disorderly on campus, things like that.. He's currently enrolled in Oklahoma State, liberal arts programs. Appears to be a career student."

"Don't seem like much to go on," Buck stated with a frown.

"I'm researching local news reports to see if I can find out where Miles was the night of Jordan's death. Ya know, an alibi 'cause if he was at some social function they'd have photos, or it would be in some news article or TV report." JD slowly gathered up the printouts. "Sorry, guys."

Buck gave him a quick rub on the back. "Hey, ya done good."

Chris paced by the window, scrubbing a hand through his short hair. "Why?...What would a councilman have to do with a dead homeless girl?"

"He was working with all those HUD grants. Maybe he ran into her on the streets," JD offered, looking up from his printouts, "or maybe she applied for a job."

"Man like him don't make a habit a hangin' out on the streets or doin' his own hirin' but runnin' on the homeless issue he would take every opportunity to further his cause...and his campaign." Larabee mused aloud. "No wonder, Mark's so jumpy. If Camden's the one puttin' pressure on the high ups to solve this..."

"Hell, Hoss, he wasn't jumpy, he was downright scared." Buck pointed out.

"Man like Camden has to be powerful, have a lot of pull in the higher circles. People fall all over themselves to kiss someone's ass, if they think it'll get 'em what they want." Nate pointed out. 'Damn! He was starting to sound like Ezra.' "He could get a man like Mark fired in a heart beat."

Chris shook his head. "It's something more...." he reached out, taking the folder of print outs from JD's grasp. He gave the youngster a tight grin. "Ya done good, JD."

"Thanks, Chris, but," the Bostonian stood up straighter, "it won't be good enough until Vin's cleared and back home where he belongs."

Larabee nodded, giving Buck a look. Their little brother was growing up.

*******

The room was barren, with worn, out-dated furnishings, but the price was right and the landlord didn't bother asking worrisome questions. Vin paid the deposit and a month's rent, although he knew if anyone came within sniffing distance, he would eat the loss and run. But he highly doubted if any one he knew would track him here. Hell, he wasn't even quite sure where here was!

Before the interstate diverted all the traffic, Evergreen had been a thriving little mountain town. But when the highway passed it by, it had died over night. Only a few hardy souls remained, mostly those still holding on to the land of their ancestors.

Tanner vaguely remembered being here several years earlier, tracking a bail jumper and the quaint quiet location had come to mind as a place a person could get lost. He had eventually found himself on the outskirts of the town and with no other thought in mind, he had located the little motel with the vacant sign buzzing in the window. One room with a small kitchen more than suited his needs. He'd unpacked the few items of clothing he had brought with him, and his toiletries. Those few items took up all the space in the tiny bathroom, serving only to remind him of the spacious cabin he had left behind. Even the run down apartment he kept in Puratorio had more room.

He had spent several days just loafing, cautiously watching the occassional vehicle which drove by, his sharp eyed gaze checking for anyone familiar. But as the time passed and no one showed, he began to relax a little. Evenings, when the shadows served to hide him, he wandered the quiet street, the crisp air smelling of the nearby pine forest, again reminding him of his abandoned home, and of Chris' ranch with the cottonwoods and pines along the stream.

In an effort to push aside the memories, and although he would never admit it, a tad lonely, Tanner finally wandered down the nearly deserted main street one morning and it was at the feed store, he encountered Slim Barnes. The old man was attempting to load bags of heavy horse feed onto his truck, the clerk having been called away to the phone. Without a second thought, Vin had jumped forward, shouldering the heavy awkward bags and dumping them in the back of the battered old truck.

The old man had eyed the young stranger, then offered his hand and a hearty thank you. Vin had nodded, intending to walk on, when the old man began to question if he needed a job. Realizing he could put his time to use, and earn a few needed bucks for he couldn't risk using his credit cards out of fear he could be tracked through them, Vin had nodded, and the old man, liking his quiet helpful attitude, hired him on the spot to help with his livestock.

The pay was more than ample for his few needs and the work was easy. Loading hay, and grain, driving it out to the far pastures, checking on sick cows and medicating calves. He had done it all at Chris' ranch and fleetingly wondered if any of the team was helping Larabee in his absence as it was getting near calving season.

Absence...he had snickered. Abandonment was more like it.

Days he was able to handle, with working and spending his time hiking and riding alone, but the nights.... The nights closed in on him, old familiar voices and faces forming in the shadows around him, reminding him what he had given up... what he had abandoned. What he had in essence just thrown away without a backwards look.

He knew all too well Mama Doc would send a retrieval officer after him the moment he hadn't shown up for the pre-trial hearings. Mama didn't take any chances with her money. She'd pay a minimal fee to one of the newest employees to find him and make sure he showed up for court, giving the youngster some experience and saving herself the ten percent she'd have to pay out on bounty. He was equally sure law enforcement had his likeness plastered around the state as well. He let his hair grow longer and shaggier, his cheeks darkened by a scruffy untrimmed beard. He looked haggard, worn and older than his barely thirty years.

He kept to himself. Slim tried to draw him out, but was met with monosyballic answers and sad eyed stares whenever he asked anything that came close to resembling personal questions. The old man was no fool. He knew first hand about people on the run. He knew his hired hand who had given his name as Eric Garrett, was running from something..... a divorce, lost love, an unhappy marriage.... He wasn't sure exactly what, but he knew beyond a doubt the man was running..... He just had that look about him, but Slim couldn't help but wonder if he was running mainly from himself.

Slim truely liked the quiet young man. He worked hard and did more than what Slim expected. He had a way with the horses and even the old border collie which helped work the cattle, made up to the long haired man. Slim knew an animal's instincts could be trusted for they had a sixth sense where people were involved and he let his own guard down.

While his hired hand was quiet, the old man was not and, happy with the company, he talked the young man's ear off about ranching and cattle, the history of Evergreen and his own younger days. To his credit, the young man listened, occassionally nodding and offering a lop sided grin.

*******

Larabee stepped out of Mark Johnson's office, a slight smile on his lips. He had cornered the officer on his scribbled note. At first, Mark had balked at telling him any more than he had previously, but finally gave in to his own desire to help his old friend, knowing if their positions were reversed Larabee would pull out all the stops to help him.

He told Chris, how not only was he being stonewalled as far as receiving info on the murder investigation but the officer in charge was taking a lot of flack from the high ups. They wanted the case closed and didn't seem to give a damn if it meant sending an innocent man to jail.

On the sly, with the help of a couple other officers, Mark had done some snooping on his own mostly digging into the backgrounds of the officers from Baxter, giving Chris the copies of everything he'd discovered to that point.

IA's preliminary investigation had resulted in the suspension without pay of the involved officers and Mark as well as several other high ranking personnel, right up to the chief himself was pushing to have them fired and criminals charges brought. Assault charges had been added to the ones already pending against Vin's attackers in the holding cell and the officers in charge had been suspended without pay for two weeks with a formal reprimand placed in their personnel files.

While it didn't help the fact Vin had been injured, it gave the team leader a moment's satisfaction. At least someone in the damn department was doing something constructive....

As Chris crossed the empty parking garage, headed for his truck, his steps slowed, his heart quickening as he heard the deep rumbling echo around him. He spun around, his eyes wide, a smile of happiness on his lips. But his joyous expression fell and his shoulders slumped as a purple Harley with two people in the saddle, eased by. For that one fleeting moment, he had believed Tanner was returning.

He drew in a deep breath, wondering if the man he thought of as a younger brother and best friend would ever find his way back to the fold. He knew as deeply as he was feeling the man's loss, the other men were missing Vin just as profoundly. And he firmly believed Ezra was taking the young Texan's absence the hardest.

It had been Vin who had been the first to draw the reserved southerner into their little family. While Ezra presented a happy, laughing, easing going front, he had kept them all at arm's length, excusing himself from the team's get togethers and Vin had been the one who had gone out of his way to include the elusive private gambler into their weekly gatherings, always making sure he had his own place with the other six. Tanner seemed to understand the con artist didn't feel worthy of their friendship and did everything possible to prove to Ezra just how much he was wanted.

The team leader knew Ezra himself felt guilty for letting Vin leave, although Chris himself knew no force in the universe could stop Tanner once his mind was made up, and it hadn't begun to register on him yet that the southerner had begun to withdraw from the group. Without Vin there to buffer his presence, the gambler was quietly pulling away from the other men and into himself. And Chris, lost in his own concern and worry, could see no way to help the man until he could come to grips with it himself.

*******

The elderly woman glanced at the man in line ahead of her and sadly shook her head. TV dinners, coffee, glazed donuts...... a bachelor's grocery list if she ever saw one. The few purchases were taking up little space on the belt, and she cleared her throat. "Excuse me?"

The shaggy young man, bearded and long haired, turned to look at her with empty blue eyes.

"Do you mind if I put my things down?" She shrugged. "These old arms aren't as strong as they used to be," she offered in explanation.

Reaching out, taking the gallon of milk and bag of russets from her arms, the young man placed them on the counter, placing the plastic strip between his items and hers, allowing her to empty the small basket she carried, containing bread, some vegetables and canned goods.

"You know how it is," she continued talking as she placed the other items beside the milk. "You plan on getting two things and leave with twenty."

"Yes, m'am," he responded with a soft drawl, glancing back at the single check out clerk who was slowly taking down the information on a check offered by the person in line ahead of him.

"I don't think I've seen you around here," the woman pointed out, offering her hand. "I'm Sally Tucker. Everyone calls me Aunt Sally."

He shook her hand, "Nice to meet you." It didn't escape her notice that while he shook her hand, the young man didn't offer his name.

"You that boy that's been helping out at Slim's place?

The young man nodded.

"Good. He's my brother-in-law, ya know. He needed someone. Keep tellin' him he's getting too old to be out there lugging those hay bales and wrestling with calves. You got family around here?" she pried, studying his face. If he shaved off that scruff, he would be a right handsome young man. And if his eyes weren't so sad, the depth of blueness would drown a woman, even one as old as her. As it was, they tugged at her heart with the sorrow she saw in them.

"No, ma'am."

She smiled at his politeness. "Well," she nodded towards the frozen dinners, "that's not decent food for a hard working young man such as yourself. I've got some homemade soup I'm tired of reheating. It's still good though. I could drop it by Slim's, if you'd like some. It'll beat that freeze dried so called food by a mile, if I do say so myself."

"That'd be nice of ya, m'am, but it ain't necessary. Wouldn't want ta put ya out none."

"Shoot, son, I go past Slim's every day and I been meaning to stop in. Wouldn't be no trouble at all." She stepped back and pulled a box of saltine crackers from a nearby display and plopped the box down on his side of the narrow plastic divider strip. "You'll want crackers with that soup," she pointed out.

"Yes, ma'am, I reckon I will." He gave her a small lop sided smile and stepped up to pay the clerk for his purchases, plus the crackers. Pocketing his change, he moved around the counter to bag his groceries, and as the clerk rang up the woman's he bagged them as well. Then, as she paid, he gathered her purchases with his own. "I'll carry these out for ya, ma'am," he offered softly and with a smile, she showed him to her old truck outside.

Bags on the seat beside her, she started the engine and looked at the young man who had settled on the Harley parked in the space beside her vehicle. "You be careful now, son, and make sure ol' Slim don't eat all that soup before you get any."

"Yes, ma'am, I'll make sure." With another smile, he eased out of the lot and she watched him go, then headed home, her expression thoughtful.

*******

Leaving the old truck sitting at the base of the slope, Vin Tanner climbed the rise and slowly sank down on the narrow rock ledge. He'd discovered this place on Slim's ranch when he was out checking on strays and each time he made the loop, he stopped.

Something about the lonely place touched his soul, and he sat, his blue eyes sorrowful as he looked towards the east...

This place reminded him of Lookout Ledge on Larabee's property. A small smile touched his lips as he thought of sitting on the rock shelf with Ezra, watching the property owner rant and rave because they'd snuck away from his home when Tanner should have been resting in the bedroom.

How many times had he sat there, alone or with Ezra enjoying the view in silent companionship or discussing poetry and literature?

Digging in his pocket, he withdrew a slim cheroot. Turning it over in his long fingers, he stared at it, his thoughts on the man who smoked them. Chris Larabee. Vin had never been a smoker, but there was something about the slim cigars. Lighting the one he held, he closed his eyes and inhaled the aroma, letting it take him back to quiet evenings spent on Larabee's porch.

Quiet times, when no words were exchanged. Quiet times when nothing need be said. Quiet times when he had wallowed in the overwhelming sense of being accepted for what he was. Quiet times he had spent with the one person on this planet he trusted beyond all reason.

Tanner sighed heavily, the events of earlier that day swirling through his mind. He'd made the run to the feed store for Slim and while waiting for the bags to be loaded, he'd wandered down the street to the diner to get a cup of coffee. Paying for the hot liquid, he had turned to go when two voices drifted to him.

"Is not!"

"Are so!"

"Is not!"

"Are so!"

The tracker had spun, the beaming smile of unbridled delight on his face fading as he realized it wasn't Buck and JD in one of their endless arguments. The smile had disappeared completely and instantly, to be replaced by a look of immeasurable longing. A shudder of regret raced through him as he brushed by the two fussing teen aged boys and made his way back up the street.

Now, having escaped here to this lonely place, that feeling of discontent washed over him full force. With the sense of loss came the bittersweet memory of Ezra's softly uttered words: "I'm an expert on mistakes and blown chances. You do this, you'll regret it for the rest of your life..."

Vin's breath hitched as he violently threw the cheroot into the wind. What smart mouthed retort had he thrown back at the Southerner, "I can live with that?"

A raspy sound escaped his lips, bordering on a sob. How could he have foolishly believed that? He wasn't living. Not like this. He was just existing, lost and foundering.

Tanner had always been alone. His early life had been one of hardship and loneliness, but he had always believed that was just the way life was destined to be. Before Jamie Watson, he hadn't allowed the luxury of friendship, and therefore had not realized what he lacked. After Jamie's death he had closed himself off again but then, he had stumbled across Chris Larabee. The older man had turned his life around, as had the other men he considered friends. It was one of the traits he'd recognized in Ezra and the main reason he'd worked so hard to bring the gambler into their group. He didn't want the gambler to remain an outsider. He wanted to share the precious gift given him by his friends.

Friends he had abandoned, his inner voice pointed out bitterly. Friends he had left without a second thought or a look back. They had backed his plays, stood beside him through thick and thin from the very beginning. Why hadn't he believed they would stand beside him now, help him though this mess he had been caught up in.

He knew they would! That's why he had left. They would stand by his side no matter the cost to themselves.

Seated by his bedside, Ezra had thought the sharpshooter asleep and that he was more or less talking to himself, when he reassured the young Texan they would let nothing happen to him.

Vin had listened as Ezra murmured softly to himself, making notes to himself of how to prove the tracker's innocence and planning the younger man's escape from the country if the unthinkable was to happen...If it appeared Vin would be convicted.

These six men...His friends....His family would give up everything they believed in and held dear to protect him...to stand by him. Everything Chris, Judge Travis and the others had worked so hard to build would be destroyed because of their loyalty to the sharpshooter. Vin couldn't and wouldn't let that happen.

'Yes he could live with it.'

While he missed his friends beyond measure he realized there was something else missing. Something he had not even been aware of possessing, until now. Something he had never dreamed he needed. Now that it was gone, he could feel its deep aching absence. It was loss, profound, heart wrenching, hurt to the very soul loss. He had experienced friendship, and unlike his younger days, when he had not had the experience to know what it was, he now keenly felt and knew all too vividly what he had lost.

He drew his knees up to his chest and huddled in the dusky light of the setting sun. His memory drew up another evening, another sunset, when a man he had hardly known had sat beside him and offered trust. Trust he had desecrated and thrown aside without a second thought. The glow reflected off the wetness coursing down his cheeks. He foolishly believed he was actually protecting them. He had foolishly believed he didn't need them, that he could go back to being on on his own. How wrong he had been!

*******

Ezra braced his back against the boulder, his emerald gaze locked on the colorful sky as the setting sun began its descent beyond the horizon.

Only Tanner knew how much he loved this spot. The others would be surprised to learn how often the gambler drove out here to sit and watch the sunset, enjoying the peace and quiet, letting him think without the distractions of a ringing phone, traffic noise, playful or not so playful arguments or his own churning emotions.

'Damnit Tanner where the hell are you?'

Standish knew it was his fault Vin was on the run. He was just as certain that while they denied it the others blamed him as well.

He was supposed to be Tanner's friend. He should have put his own doubts and fears aside and done what was best for the Texan.

What was best?

Was it best to make the sharpshooter remain under their thumbs and constant watchfulness? Was it best to make him stay in Four Corners facing the possiblity of spending the remainder of his life locked in a cage. That in itself would have been a death sentence for the man who seemed to be as much a part of the wild surroundings as the birds in the trees or the ledge Ezra now sat on.

Something in his soul, every instinct he possessed, screamed that Vin was still in the state. Tanner would be able to fade into the countryside and while Montana or the Dakotas were wild and beautiful, with less chance of his identity being discovered simply because they were less populated, he was inexplicably connected to Larabee and this makeshift family. His loyalty to them had driven him away but would also hold him as close as possible.

The gambler's gaze turned to the old farmhouse, sadly watching as Chris, his shoulders slumped dejectedly crossed to his truck, sitting for several minutes with his head resting on the steering wheel before starting the engine and heading back to the offices.

Josiah was in Colorado Springs. Nate and JD were still digging up everything they could on Miles Camden and Buck was helping Larabee follow up the leads given him by Captain Johnson. Ezra was following through on a few theories of his own.

As the black vehicle disappeared from view, Standish's attention turned once more to the glorious horizon, finding no peace, his thoughts on his missing friend. Was he safe? Did he have a place to stay? Had he found friends? Someone he could trust?

'Where the hell are you Vin?'

*******

"Ya gonna be around next weekend?" The old man questioned as Tanner backed the battered truck up to the barn and vaulted out to unload the feed sacks.

Vin shrugged. "Ain't got no plans...Less the ballet comes ta town." The tracker grinned. "Kinda like ta see them tiptoeing around in them short skirts."

"Gotta granddaughter about your age, down in Greeley. She's comin' ta visit for a few days." Slim remarked as he shuffled around the truck to lean on the tailgate, watching the younger man. "Be right pleased if ya'd come, have supper with us. I'm sure Penny wouldn't mind none."

"Don't know," Vin mumbled. "Can't promise..." He never knew when he'd have to cut and run if someone showed up looking for him.

"Well, ya think on it and let me know," Slim assured him. "Be right pleased ta have ya join us."

"Thanks, I'll let ya know." Vin offered, heaving the last of the feed into the storage area. Dusting his hands on his jeans, he nodded towards the corral. "Gonna go check that sick cow..." So saying, ramming his hands in his pockets, he walked away.

Slim watched him go, sadly shaking his head. "Yer one lost soul, son," he muttered lowly, then turned and headed for the house.

*******

Josiah's face was a mask of sadness. He had just returned from Colorado Springs and was not thrilled at what he had to impart to his team members. "Found out a little more about that little girl," he admitted quietly, not looking at the other men around the table.

"And...?" Buck pressed, shoving aside the empty cup in front of him.

"Her name was Jordan Duff. She wasn't even fifteen. We tracked down her momma and it's no wonder the poor thing left home. The woman seemed totally unfazed by the fact her child was dead,...murdered."

"Not all women are cut out to be mothers, Mister Sanchez," Ezra murmured softly, ignoring the strange looks the comment garnered.

"I tried to explain to her the circumstances and she just shrugged it off saying the girl had been nothing, but trouble before she slammed the door in my face." He sadly shook his head. "No wonder she ran away. Obviously weren't no love in them walls. Must have been looking for something on the streets she didn't get there."

"Most runaways are. I'd say she found it," Buck muttered. "She was pregnant, wasn't she?"

"That doesn't mean she found love, Brother," Josiah grumbled lowly. "Coulda been raped, or abused.... "

"Guess we'll never know, will we?"

"Shame......." Josiah murmurred, shaking his grizzled head. "So young........."

*******

As the days and weeks passed, with no sign of his friends Vin began to doubt if the men who had been his teammates had even bothered to search for him. Maybe they had just let the fugitive retrieval officer look for him.

While he truly hoped they would accept his decision Tanner had fully expected the six men to come hightailing after him...except maybe Standish.

Tanner didn't expect the gambler to easily forgive the betrayal. Ezra could recover the bond money, Vin had seen to that but Tanner had betrayed his trust. He'd convinced the gambler it was safe to put his trust in the sharpshooter. Had promised he would always be there for the con artist, watching his back on an assignment, helping execute the devious practical jokes, keeping his secrets or simply being his friend. Then speaking angry hurtful words, he'd abandoned the man. Walked out on him like so many others in his life.

If he was going to be honest with himself, Vin had to admit some small part of him had hoped Ezra would stop him. Had hoped they would come after him, not giving him a choice but to stay where he knew he belonged.

Sitting at the little table, staring at his untouched TV dinner, he shook himself. Larabee would be looking. Larabee would care.... Wouldn't he? Doubt began to eat at him. He knew Larabee would have been highly pissed at his actions, but once he cooled down, he would be searching....Vin had to believe that, had to hold onto that belief with both hands, just as a drowning man would cling to a life raft. He had to believe someone other than the law cared enough to search for him. He had to believe that in his short, undistingushed life, he mattered to someone other than for the bounty placed on his head.

Suddenly, overwhelmed with homesickness, he reached for the phone, and almost automatically, he dialed the number he knew as well as his name. Three rings, and the machine picked up. "Larabee. Leave a message. I might return it." At the beep, he clicked off the call. Hunched over the phone, his fingers, as if having a mind of their own, dialed again, and again:

"You've reached Buck........and JD. We're otherwise occupied...."

"Josiah here. You know the drill...."

"This had best be a medical emergency..."

"You have reached 303-555-7777. Please leave your name and number and I shall return your call at my earliest convenience..."

With each familiar voice, the young Texan's heartache grew. He dialed one last number. "Hi! You've reached Doc Garth. I'm out on a call, but leave your number and I'll return it as soon as I can. If this is an emergency, I can be reached on my cell at 303-555-1432......beeepp....."

He held the phone, clutching it, wanting so desperately to speak, to say something, anything....... but with a strangled sob, he dropped the receiver into the cradle, breaking the connection. Violently shoving the phone, away, ignoring it when it clattered to the floor at his feet, he dropped his head into his hands and his heart wrenching sobs filled the quiet lonely room.

*******

Vin parked the Harley and climbed the steps to Slim's front porch. The old man, border collie at his heels, was smoking his pipe, watching down the road. He acknowledged the young man's arrival with a bright smile. "Glad ya could make it, son," he offered warmly.

Tanner shrugged his too thin shoulders in his worn barn jacket. "Didn't have no plans." He flashed a rare grin, "Ballet didn't show up and I never pass up a free meal."

"Never known a man who would," Slim looked around as a black Jeep pulled in the drive, parking behind the Harley. The side door swung open and a young woman climbed out. At the sight of her, Vin grabbed the porch railing, his knuckles white as he realized she was wearing a deputy sheriff's uniform. Wishing he could become invisible, his blue eyes darted about, but his cycle was effectively blocked by her vehicle and short of taking off on foot, there was no way to escape.

The young woman smiled as she approached and embraced the old man who had a wide smile on his weathered face. "You're looking good, Pops. Ol' Widow Harkess will be campin' out on your doorstep to make you husband number five, or would it be six?" she teased. Then seeing the quiet young man standing in the darker shadows of the porch, she fell silent, studying what she could see of him.

Vin was taken back by her intense scrutiny and shrank further in the shadows, wishing for all he was worth he could just sink into the wooden floor boards of the old porch.

"Oh, Penny, this here be Eric. He hired on to help me with the critters. Couldn't do it without him," Slim uttered firmly.

"Well, now, Eric did he say?" she offered her hand, "that's high praise coming from Pops. I'm impressed. I'm Gillian." She smiled, "Pops is the only one who calls me Penny."

"Yes, ma'am, his 'Lucky Penny,'" Vin mumbled, accepting her firm handshake, then quickly releasing her hand, and stepping back again. "I reckon I know that."

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh?"

"He ain't talked 'bout nothin' else this whole week," Vin admitted quietly, bringing a bright flush to the girl's face and the old man's as well.

"Harrump, well, c'mon you kids. Supper's getting cold." The old man ushered the youngsters into the house and took their coats as he shooed them towards the kitchen.

Vin, waiting until the young lady had taken her seat, settled down in the chair with his back to the wall, facing the door. Old habits died hard. If either of his compnaions noted, they did not remark on his actions.

As Slim passed around the food, Tanner quietly obseved the young deputy without being too obvious. Her mannerisms, with a wistful pang, reminded him of Lucy and he finally glued his eyes on his plate, listening as grandfather and granddaughter caught up on all the latest news. Penny mentioned all that was happening with her job and Slim beamed proudly.

She turned to Vin, attempting to draw him into the conversation, "You know, Pops was sheriff around here, fifty odd years ago," she informed him.

Vin eyed the old man in surprise. "Ya were?" In all his ramblings, Slim had not mentioned that singular fact.

"Yep, back when things was a mite different than they are now. Didn't have all them new fangled computer printout and fax stuff. Ya just kinda went on your own gut instincts as to whether a man was to be trusted or not. Sometimes that's all ya had, and ya got to be good at pickin' out the good from the bad. Why, I remember a time..." he broke into a story about horse thieves and rustlers.

Vin listened to the story, trying to ignore Penny's gaze as she continued to study him over the rim of her coffee cup.

When the old man finally wound down, she turned her full attention to the younger man. "Where did you say you were from?" she pried.

"Denver," he mumbled around his coffee cup.

She toyed with her silverware. "Ya don't look like no city boy. Pops says you know livestock. I dare say you didn't learn that in the city. What kinda work you do in Denver?" She knew she sounded like she was grilling him, but she was burning with curiosity.

"Construction," he offered, knowing it, at least, would partly explain his tanned outdoorish appearance.

The deputy ignored the quick response, her gaze raking over him. "Ya don't learn about tending stock on any construction site," she pointed out quietly. "You grow up on a ranch?"

"No, ma'am, but a friend runs a few head on his place and I spent a lot of time there helping out." At least that was no lie.

She nodded, accepting the explanation. "How did you come to be out way out here, though? Evergreen's a little off the beaten track."

Vin nodded, not denying that fact. "I passed through once, a few years back. It seemed like a nice quiet place. Had some free time on my hands...." he shrugged.

"Well, Pops likes you and so does Aunt Sally. She just gushed over you earlier, telling me how she was talking about you to her friends on the internet." Gillian hid a smile as his face blushed under the bearded growth. "I dare say you've made a big impression on her."

He shook his head. "Didn't mean to do that, ma'am."

"Well, Aunt Sally's a good judge of character. She used to be a school teacher, you know. Still stays in contact with a lot of her old friends. Yeah, she was right taken with you that day at the grocery. Said it an't often you see a young man with manners."

Vin shook his head. "That's a sad fact, ma'am." He shifted in the chair, uncomfortable with the questions and attention she was focusing on him. He nodded towards her uniform, "Ya deputyin' up in Green County?"

"Must make him proud, ya carrying on the family tradition and all."

"Guess maybe it does, especially since there ain't no grandsons to do it." She glanced at her watch. "Look, I hate to eat and run, but I promised Aunt Sally I'd come by and watch a movie with her. She gonna get it off PPV and thinks the more people who see it, the more she gets her money's worth out of it. You wanna go along, Pops?"

Slim shook his head. "No. I know Sally's tastes in movies. I ain't into them so called chick flicks."

Penny grinned at Vin, pleased to see a lop sided grin gracing his face at the old man's remark. No doubt about it, if he shaved, he would be a right handsome man. She focused on him, and started to speak.

He shook his head, "No, ma'am. 'Preciate the offer, but I ain't into 'em either."

She pushed to her feet, and began clearing the table and loading the dish washer. "Cowards," she whispered under her breath and the two men exchanged smiles.

As she finished and readied to leave, Vin stood to follow. "I gotta be gettin' back, too. Thanks for the meal." He nodded to Penny. "It was nice meetin' ya, ma'am."

"You too, Eric. Hope I get a chance to see you again." She gave her grandfather a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back by midnight." So saying, she trailed the Texan outside.

Vin was astride the Harley and kicking up the stand as she climbed into her Jeep and slammed the door. Giving him a smile, she backed out and waited and as he backed out beside her, she rolled down the window. Not wanting to be rude, Vin stopped, letting the Harley idle under him.

"It's good you're here helping Pops," she spoke softly, and he had to strain to hear her words over the sound of the engine, "but I think it's time you headed home, Vin."

He was a half mile down the road before her words fully hit him and he nearly wrecked, braking the cycle to a sliding stop in the middle of the empty road. "..it's time you headed home, Vin."

Vin! His head dropped and his shoulders sagged as a shudder ran through him. She was the law and she knew who he was!

*******

"He can't just have leaked into the countryside!" Chris growled, slamming his open palm down on the desktop as he glared at the five men gathered around the table.

"As unlikely as that may seem, Mister Larabee, there have been no sightings, nor word of our errant teammate," Ezra pointed out, the only one brave enough or perhaps stupid enough to face the blond man's ire.

"Perhaps he left Colorado," JD offered hopefully.

Buck shook his head. "Don't think so. He wouldn't go far."

"Maybe you don't know him as well as you think you do, Brother," Josiah intoned softly.

Chris' eyes flashed as he pinned the big man, "I know all I damn well need to know! Vin's missing and ya ain't found him!"

The men exchanged pained looks. Chris had a point. They were suppose to be Travis' Elite Team and they couldn't even track down one of their missing own. They knew Vin Tanner better than anyone else on earth, and they were coming up empty.

"Easy, Hoss," Buck cautioned. "It ain't cause we ain't been trying," All the men showed signs of fatigue, worry and lost sleep. He knew Chris was frustrated. They all were. It was part of their job to find people and they couldn't even locate a missing friend. It rankled to the core, and struck a cord of worry in each of them. If they couldn't handle this, perhaps Travis would rethink his need for them and disband the little group.

The phone chose that moment to ring and Ezra, closest to it, grabbed it. "Hello?"

"Ezra?"

He gave a tight lipped nod, although the young woman on the line couldn't see him. "Yes, Miss Lucy. How are you doing today?"

"I'm okay." There was a sad weariness in her tone. Once again the southerner was reminded of how much one's life affected those around them. He had tried to warn the Texan his leaving would affect the young woman, and it had, more deeply than she cared to admit to any of them.

"There any word?" She didn't have to add about who.

"I'm afraid not. But not from lack of trying, I assure you." He reiterated Buck's statement.

"I know. I just can't believe...." She trailed off. "Look, I know you are busy and don't need a silly woman bothering you, but when I got home this evening, there was a message...." She faltered. "Well, it wasn't really a message. Hell, Ezra, I don't know what it was."

He sat up straighter. He knew Lucy Garth was not a frivolous woman and would not have bothered calling the office if she didn't think it was important. "Perhaps you can describe..." He suggested, punching the speaker button so they could all hear.

"It was on my answering machine. There was someone there.... the machine held the line, and there was this...... I don't know how to describe it.... a gasp, or strangled cry... I don't know....and then it went dead. You don't think....?"

The men all exchanged looks. Lost and alone, perhaps missing his friends, would the tracker have called to hear a familiar voice?

Larabee spoke up. "Lucy, this is Chris. Is there any way to backtrack the call?" he asked hopefully.

"No, I thought of star 69, but there was several other calls after it." Regret colored her tone. "Sorry."

"Would you mind if JD takes a listen to that tape? Maybe he can work with it a little.... hear something..." He looked hopefully at the young computer whiz.

The youngster nodded. "I can enhance the sound, listen for background noises, that sorta thing."

"I'll drop it off at your place, Chris. I've got a call to make out that way anyway." She sounded tired and Ezra knew she was keeping busy to avoid thinking of the missing man. "You'll keep me posted if you turn up anything., Anything at all?"

"You know we will."

"Thanks. Bye, guys."

The soft click cut the connection and the men looked around the table at each other, a spark of hope glittering in their eyes. It was the first hint of a clue they had had in the weeks since Tanner's disappearance.

*******

JD looked down at the floor, shaking his head. "There just ain't nothing there," he admitted softly. "I tried everything I could think of. Boosted and blocked and enhanced and other than that one sound, there's nothing else there I can identify."

"You pin down what that sound was?" Nathan questioned.

JD shrugged. "It's human.... Lucy was right. It sounds like a sob."

"It Vin?" Chris questioned.

JD shrugged. "I honestly don't know, Chris. It could be anyone."

"Could have been someone calling to get Lucy's help with a dying animal, or....." Nathan dropped that train of thought at the dark looks thrown his way.

JD went on, "There's not enough there to get a pattern off of to match it to Vin's voice. I had his answering machine tape, but other than really close tonal values, that's all I can say." He chewed on his lip, his hair falling into his eyes, "'M sorry," he mumbled.

Buck ruffled his long hair in big brother fashion as Josiah patted the kid's shoulder. "Ya done good, kid. We all knew it was a long shot."

"Well, I just...." JD trailed off as the elevator opened and a young man stepped out into the open area.

Chris shook his hand, his eyes guarded. "What can I do for you, Sergeant?"

The man nudged at a rough place in the carpet with the toe of his shoe before bringing his gaze up to look each of the men in the face. "I work over at the Sixth." He ignored the scowls which came to the team's faces. "Captain Johnson told me where I could find ya."

"Ya one of them that got suspended for beatin' on our friend?" Buck growled, taking a step closer to the man, stopping when Josiah laid a firm hand on his arm.

"No," he protested sharply, ashamed they would think that of him. "But I was there and I didn't stop them. Look, I know your friend wasn't involved in that girl's death, but some of the others... They'd been put on this case special and were ordered to find the perp and when they saw your friend, well........ "

"Well, what?" Buck hissed. "They really think he fit the killer profile? Or y'all just decided to pin it on an innocent man to get the pressure off yer freakin' asses and make your case record look good, huh?"

Tucker didn't deny the accusation. "Look, I just came over to tell you I'm sorry" He shuffled his feet. "Figured ya might wanna know..." His words trailed off under their intense scrutiny.

"Ya really think we're interested in your apology." Wilmington demanded.

"Let him talk Buck."

"Cap'n Johnson said ya needed ta hear..." The man took another deep breath before rushing on. "I overheard a couple the guys talkin' in the locker room when they was cleanin' out their lockers...They were sayin' how Camden would make certain their asses were covered. Said all he cared about was makin' sure someone took the fall for that girl dyin'. Said as much pressure as he was puttin' on they wouldn't be surprised if somehow he wasn't involved."

The men had to give it to Chris. He didn't bat an eye. "Camden who?"

Tucker's gaze went to the floor. "Look, this is just a rumor, but I thought you should know. It's Miles Camden."

"The councilman?" Ezra asked.

Tucker shook his head. "No. His boy."

"His boy?" Chris questioned sharply, looking at JD. "I thought his name was Buddy."

"Nah, he's Miles, Junior. Rumor has it he got some girl pregnant and the girl was gonna let the whole world know, so his Daddy was calling in markers to get it taken care of any way he could. He's up for election and don't need no scandal, ya know. I don't know anything beyond that and like I said it's just rumors...supposition. I don't know if it will help your friend, but figured it couldn't hurt to tell you."

Chris stared at the young man. "Appreciate that, Tucker."

"Hell, I signed on to be an honest cop, Larabee. What the hell kinda example am I to my kids if I let something like this get by?"

"I'd say you're a damn fine example, Brother," Josiah rumbled, pumping the man's hand vigorously. "If there's anything we can ever do to help ya...."

"Didn't do it wanting no pay backs. Done it coz it was right," the man declared firmly. He glanced at his watch. "Look, I gotta go, but I just wanted to stop by and let ya know. You'll tell Tanner I'm sorry 'bout this whole mess, won't ya?"

"Ya bet!" Buck assured him, escorting him to the elevators. As the young man took his leave, the jovial womanizer reacted first, letting out a whoop and dancing a jig around the desks, slapping Josiah on the shoulder and hugging JD. "Well, that's about the best news we've had all week," he proclaimed, a wide smile on his handsome face.

"Yeah," Chris mumbled, turning to the window, as JD scrambled for the computer, "now if we could just tell Vin...."

'Now all we have to do is prove it.' The southerner thought, forcing a smile.

*******

"What's up Josiah?" Chris questioned as the large preacher quietly entered the darkened bullpen area, furtively glancing around as if searching for something.

Josiah jumped, cussing under his breath as startled, his knee collided with the corner a desk. "Damn Brother what are you doin' hidin' here in the dark?" The black clad man seated at Tanner's desk blended in with the dark room.

"Could ask you the same thing." Larabee chuckled as the profiler tried desperately to catch several items that tumbled from the surface of the desk. It was the first time he'd laughed in weeks. "I'm not the one sneaking around like some half assed amateur burgler."

"It's your turn ta use the bedroom...Should take advantage of it." The older man grumbled absently rubbing his leg. They all knew Chris wasn't sleeping more than a couple of hours a night. Each of the men at one time or another had tried returning to their homes for the night, each finding themselves laying in their comfortable beds wide awake and wishing they were sacked out in the spacious apartment that become cramped with six men anxiously waiting, hoping and praying for the phone to ring.

"Ain't sleepy." Chris stared at his friend, certain he knew why Josiah was wandering around in the dark. "Ain't answered my question."

"What's goin' on?" Both men blinked rapidly shielding their eyes as Nathan stepped into the offices flipping on the overhead lights.

"Isn't anybody in this damn place sleeping?" Josiah growled continuing to rub the knot on this leg.

"Evidently not you two." Nathan yawned. "Makin' enough noise ta wake the dead. What are ya doin' wandering around in the dark?"

"That's what I asked him." Chris turned his attention back to the preacher, one eyebrow quirked expectantly.

"If ya must know I was lookin' for Ezra."

"Since Chris ain't in it...he probably snuck in to make use of the bed." The physician turned to his boss. "And just why aren't you using the bed. Thought I told ya if ya didn't get some sleep I was gonna sedate ya."

"He ain't in the bedroom." Josiah argued, saving Larabee from Nathan's attention. "I looked there first. His blankets are still folded and layin' on the coffee table."

"What do you mean he ain't there."

"You gotta problem hearin'...He ain't there."

"Then where the hell is he?"

"If I knew that I wouldn't be lookin' for him."

"Hey Abbott and Costello, can I interrupt here for a minute?" Chris interjected, drawing both men's attention. "Ezra's fine...I can guarantee he'll be here when you get up in the mornin'."

"You know where he is?"

Chris' expression said the preacher's question was beyond stupid.

"You send him on an errand?"

"Nope." Chris turned his attention back to the window staring out into the dark night putting an end to the questioning.

"Don't worry about it Josiah, he probably just couldn't take bein' away from the casinos any longer." Jackson sneered as the two men crossed to the door.

"He's at Vin's." The quiet words stopped both men in their tracks.

Larabee's discovery of Ezra's secret had come completely by accident. Wandering the streets of Purgatorio, talking to Vin's neighbors, the kids at the teen and homeless shelters, hoping the sharpshooter's concern for those he spent his free time helping would draw the Texan back or cause him to somehow keep in touch, Chris was repeatedly told they would call him or Vin's southern friend, the one who had been down there almost every night looking for Tanner, if they found out anything.

Hoping to find a clue to where the tracker might have headed, Larabee had quietly let himself into Tanner's apartment, stunned to find the gambler curled up asleep on the couch. Not wanting to embarrass the con man, Chris had left as quietly as he entered only to find the gambler asleep on the floor of the office apartment when the others arose the next morning.

Several times after that, the team leader had held his silence watching as the card sharp slipped from the building in the middle of the night or didn't arrive until just before the others awoke. Somehow he knew where Ezra was spending the night, just as he knew the reason. It was the gambler's way of staying close to his friend, hoping to be there if the Texan returned.

"Turn off the lights on your way out."

*******

Chris had to give it to the Bostonian. The kid could make the computer do everything but sit up and beg. The kid had been up with the rising sun and by that evening, he had reams of printouts and gathering the men around the conference table, he spread them out.

"...and this," JD pointed to a newspaper photo, "was taken a day before her death." Josiah, who had seen the girl's body, had verified her likness in the shot.

"I don't see her," Nathan groused, staring at the printout of a man at a podium speaking with a large crowd gathered around him.

"Look close," Dunne urged.

"Hell, JD, I don't see her either," Chris stated, scowling.

JD exchanged smiles with Josiah, and the older man gave him a quick wink, as he leaned forward and pointed.

"Well, shit," Buck exclaimed. They had been looking for a face on shot, but the girl was in profile. "You sure that's her?"

"I'm sure. Got me wondering what she was looking at," JD said, drawing their attention to him. "I mean, look, everyone in the shot is focused on the man at the mic. That's Miles, Senior, by the way. But she's looking off to the side. So...." He motioned to Josiah and the preacher flipped on the TV and punched play on the video recorder.

A live version of the photo, less the speaker, came to life in living color. Josiah muted the sound and the men exchanged looks, then stared puzzled at JD .

"Well, I figured if this guy is the political bigwig y'all say, his campaign people are gonna use all the media so if the newspaper guys was there covering this speech, then the local TV crew would be too. I called and asked. They had this tape and made a copy which Josiah picked up when he went out for coffee." JD moved away from the table and closer to the TV. The camera was focused on the actions around the podium, but rewinding, JD paused the scene. "The camera man did an establishment shot, you know, showing a wide angle of the location and everyone there." He forwarded the tape in slow motion. "And bingo!"

Standing at the edge of the crowd in the shadow of a news van was the girl they knew as Jordan and next to her, his arm draped about her shoulders was a young men who was the spitting image of Miles Senior. "I believe that is Junior."

"Thought you said he was in Oklahoma?" Wilmington questioned.

"What I said was he's enrolled at Oklahoma State...Guess he decided to cut a few classes." The youngster quipped.

"Average..." Ezra murmured under his breath.

"What's that, Ez?"

"Mister Tanner said the person he saw bent over the victim was average." He nodded towards the screen. "I'd say that's average."

"Sonuvabitch!" Buck blurted out. They'd been concentrating so hard on Camden senior, no one had given a thought to his son as a possible suspect.

Chris smiled. "This," he tapped the frozen image on the screen, "gives us the link. Camden knew Jordan.... If Mark's informant is right---"

"We're a jump ahead of ya, Hoss." Buck pulled out a sheaf of papers. "Nathan and Ezra already tracked down the free clinic where Jordan went for a couple of checkups. 'Ccordin' to the paperwork she refused to give the father's name but the doctor's notes in the file said she referred to him as junior. Doctor remembered because she was tryin' ta talk Jordon into gettin' help from Children Services. The girl told her she didn't need their help cause Junior would take care of her and the baby."

"Don't know about you gentlemen, but between the good doctor's statement and that piece of video tape I would think there is enough evidence for a judge to issue a search warrant and the police to bring in young Mr. Camden for questioning." Ezra murmured. 

Chris punched the off button on the TV. "What say we all go pay the Camdens a visit?"

"Thought you'd never ask," Buck called out, already moving through the door.

*******

The little room was quiet, the fuzzy picture on the TV muted as the lone person sat quietly staring into space, a beer can clutched forgotten in his hand. Vin sighed heavily, and focused on the can before taking a long swallow. His duffel lay on the floor at his feet, packed and ready to go.

He had only gone out to Slim's to satisfy the old man. But the fact the old rancher had been a lawman and his granddaughter was one, hit too close. He really didn't want to run out on Slim. He liked the old timer, but there was no way he would drag the old man into his troubles. It would just be best to haul ass and leave before the cops showed up to hustle him off to jail.

Penny knew who he was and if he stayed, he was aware that was exactly what would happen. She was obligated to try and apprehend him or at least report his sighting. If she didn't and was found out, it could mean the end of her career.

It suddenly hit him he was abandoning Slim just as he had Chris and the team. As he had done Lucy and Miz Nettie.......... His shoulders sagged with the realization. Was that to be the way it was for the rest of his life? Never finding happiness and contentment...but always running, looking over his shoulder, just waiting for the law to catch up to him. Damn! He should have known! He had chased men before.... Now he was seeing it from the other side..... and he did not relish the view.

Almost unbidden his hand closed around the phone and with a mind of their own, his fingers dialed the old familiar number. He could risk it. It was Thursday night. Lucy would be helping at the weekly county 4-H meeting. He listened to the number cycle through and heard the ringing on the other end. The click and "Hello?"

His eyes flared open wide. That was no recording!

"Hello?" The voice, filled with concern was soft as the young woman hesitated, then added in a quiet whisper, "Vin?...If that's you, Vin, won't you please come home?"

He slammed the receiver down. How could she have known? Damn her and that bastard Larabee for their intuitive sixth sense! How........? It didn't matter. Nothing mattered. Shoving the phone aside, he bent to pick up the duffel.

It was misting rain as he stepped outside and closed the door behind him for the last time. Lashing the pack to the back of the seat, he pulled on his helmet, straddled the seat and fired up the Harley. Its deep rumbling was lost in the sound of the rain and wind as he pulled out onto the road, heading he knew not where.

*******

It was cold and wet, and finally seeing the glowing lights of an open diner, Vin wheeled into the parking lot and killed the Harley's engine. Dismounting, shaking the wetness from his clothes and removing his helmet, he moved into the bright interior.

The diner was nearly empty and he crossed to a table against the wall where he could watch the exits. Dropping the helmet on the seat beside him, he sank wearily into the other chair and ran his hand through his dripping hair.

The waitress approached, pencil posed over her order form as she eyed the scruffy man.

"Coffee?" she guessed.

Vin nodded curtly. "Black and strong. Large."

"That all for ya?" He nodded, leaning his elbows on the table and blowing out a deep breath as she moved away.

What the hell was he doing?

Hearing Lucy, had shook him. Not her machine, but her voice... her soft plea. "Come home..."

Tanner snorted. Hell, he didn't even know where home was anymore. He suddenly sobered, brushing his wet hair from his eyes. That was a lie. He knew where home was. Chris had once told him it was that place that always caught you when you fell.... the place you could go when there was no where else left to go.

The old framed cross stitched picture of the house Chris had given him flashed in his mind. It was hanging at his cabin, on the wall next to his computer. That cabin was home. Chris' ranch was home, as was Buck and JD's disgusting place, Ezra's fancy designer abode and Josiah's and Nate's humble digs. Nettie's old homestead, and Lucy's rambling country house... They were all home to him and he had left them. Walked away without a thought, never dreaming how desperately he would long to return. Never once giving thought to how much he needed the peace and companionship he always found in all those walls.

A random thought raced through his mind........ you don't always have what you want, but you always get what you need. And in the long lonely weeks since he had turned his back and left Ezra standing in the office, he had come to realize he had had what he always needed, what he'd always wanted...what he desperately wanted to have once again. If there was any way he could go back and do it over, he would never have left. But that wasn't possible. Not with that warrant on his head.

"Well, well, well."

Vin slowly brought his gaze up from the tabletop and his eyes narrowed. How could he have been so stupid?!

The man staring down at him had a self satisfied smirk on his face. "This is the easiest money I ever made," he gloated.

"Go fuck yerself, Eli," Vin growled. He should have known the sleazy bounty hunter would have come after him with a vengeance.

"That little pleasure can wait until I get you back to Four Corners...." he trailed off as the waitress appeared, coffee in hand. "Didn't figure ya'd stray too far from home. Remembered how ya was always talkin' about buildin' a place up in the mountains or settlin' down in some rinky dink town off the beaten path."

"Thanks." Vin tossed a couple of dollars on the table, telling her to keep the change and leaned back, taking a sip of the coffee, his gaze remained on Eli who stood unmoving by the table.

"C'mon, Tanner. Ain't got time for this shit..." the bounty hunter grumbled, impatiently, fishing a set of handcuffs from his pocket. "We gonna do this the easy way...or the hard way?" The gleam in the bounty hunter's eyes clearing depicted which choice he would enjoy most.

"I paid fer it, I'm drinkin' it," Vin declared stubbornly, taking another sip of the hot liquid.

A disgusted look came to Eli's face and he chewed his lip as he cast a quick glance out the window when the bright headlights of a car pulling into the parking lot further brightened the inside of the dingy diner.

It was the moment Vin had been waiting for. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the hot coffee in the hunter's direction. With a powerful lunge Tanner was over the table, grabbing his helmet and on top of the scalded man who with a yelp of pain, was desperately trying to pull the coffee soaked shirt from his chest, wiping at the hot brew running down his face and neck.

Shoving the man away as Eli Joe grabbed a fistful of jacket, Vin swung the helmet hearing the satisfying crunch of broken bone as it connected with the other man's long nose. Howling in pain, as blood spurted in all directions, Eli dropped to his knees.

Vin didn't hang around, sprinting for the door, almost knocking over the two people entering. He was on the bike and gone before the bounty hunter regained his senses.

*******

Travis eyed the man sitting across from his desk, noting the haggard lines of weariness at the corners of the eyes and mouth. "Great job Chris! As usual."

Larabee shook his head. "Wasn't me. The guys did all the hard work. Hell, I was just along for the ride."

With the judge's help, a warrant had been issued allowing Mark's men to search the councilmen's house and bring him in for questioning. Faced with the evidence of the video tape and the doctor's statement, the man had finally admitted his son had become involved with Jordon while home on vacation. Even his own lawyer had appeared skeptical when the man stated he pushed so hard for the police to find the murderer, simply because his son was so fond of the girl.

"They brought the boy in today." Mark had sent two officers to Oklahoma to retrieve Camden's son, afraid the boy would use his father's money and influence to escape before they could question him. "He broke down and admitted he killed the girl to keep her quiet. Said she was pushing him to marry her. Finally had to tell his dad what was going on and the old man threw a fit. Said all the man seemed to be worried about was the fact, his son's indiscretion could ruin his run for the senate or even keep him from being re-elected as councilman."

Shaking his head sadly, Orrin went on to explain how Camden Senior had told his son, he'd better find a way to rid himself of the girl otherwise he would cut him off financially. "Kid figured with the other victims the police would think it was a random killing. The old man admitted he suspected his son when he heard about the girl's murder. He had already called in favors and put pressure on the police to 'quote' find the person responsible as soon as possible no matter what it took. Seems Jordan wasn't the first one of Camden's homeless constituents Junior had fooled with. Camden started to worry when he heard one of the other victims was a young woman. He had the boys from Baxter brought in as a supposed task force. Working behind the scenes, he had his people put out a reward to the officer or officers who found the murderer...Anything to throw suspicion off his son."

"A girl dies just so that bastard can get re-elected." Larabee sneered. "What about the officers down at the sixth?"

"You know yourself, it's a damn good precinct Chris. Unfortunately, most of the men involved were simply following orders from a man in power."

Chris nodded, "They didn't know Vin, but that wasn't their only mistake!" He hesitated knowing it might not be the best time to ask for another favor. They'd already put their own work on hold. "What about Mark? I wanna do what we can to help find out who killed his officer."

"I know he'd appreciate it." Orrin nodded. "I received an interesting call from Mama Doc. She still hasn't been able to call off Eli Joe but wanted to know if she could file formal charges against him. I told her I would have my clerk look up some case histories for her. See what we could come up with. She plans on seeing him behind bars if he so much as musses Mr. Tanner's hair." The judge grinned. "She doesn't think that'll be a problem though...Said he wasn't half as good at his job as Vin had been. I thought you would like the pleasure of personally telling Mr. Tanner, his good name has once again been cleared.

"Wish I could say I'd rush right back to the office and tell him." Chris sighed as he pushed to his feet. "We've been trying, Judge, but when that boy don't wanna be found...." He trailed off.

Travis nodded understanding. In his time on the state judicial bench, he tried several men brought to justice by Vin Tanner in his capacity as fugitive retrieval officer. The jurist had no doubt about the Texan's ability to disappear without a trace. "Well, use what resources you need. I want this team back together and ready to work as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir, Judge. We'll do our best." Nodding to the secretary, Chris took his leave, wondering how in the hell they were supposed to find Vin when they hadn't found a single clue to indicate which direction he'd taken.

Standish had obtained copies of files on the men the tracker had apprehended from Mama Doc, hoping the reports would show them something helpful. He and Chris had gone over each case with a fine tooth comb all to no avail.

As he wandered out of the Federal Building towards his truck, his cell phone beeped and he stopped to pull it from his pocket. "Larabee."

"Chris, I think I might have good news...." Nettie Wells wasted no time on a preamble, and Chris was grinning from ear to ear as she concluded.

"Well, I got good news for you too. The Judge just told me all charges against Vin have been dropped. He's free and clear."

"My stars and garters, Larabee! How did you boys manage that?"

"Found the real criminal. You'll read it in tomorrow's paper. Then again it may be all over tonight's six o'clock news. Let me get on this......" He cut the message short, bid her good-bye and hung up. Still smiling, he climbed behind the wheel and headed the truck towards his office.

*******

Ezra frowned in disgust as he looked down the single main street. "I fail to see the rustic appeal in such decrepit places," he murmured to his companion.

Unable to get out of an emergency meeting with the Federal D.A. regarding a hearing that could very likely release the defendant of their last case, Larabee had sent the two men racing for the tiny town in the mountains, following Nettie's directions.

Only Standish hadn't volunteered to accompany the profiler but knowing Ezra needed this chance to try and rectify what the gambler considered a mistake on his part, Chris had ordered the younger man along. He thought it only fitting, since he couldn't do it himself, that the con man be the one to inform Tanner of his freedom.

Josiah smiled, patting the smaller man's arm. "You will one of these days." He motioned towards the diner. "There it is."

Heading that way, they entered and looked about. The place was empty except for a gray headed woman and a young lady who sat sipping tea. They both looked up and smiled, and Ezra felt a shock. The young woman had a remarkable likeness to Lucy Garth.

"Mister Sanchez?"

"Yes, ma'am. And this is Ezra Standish," he introduced the gambler who nodded politely to the woman.

"This is my niece, Gillian. Why don't you boys sit down, have some coffee," she urged motioning to the waitress who approached with two cups. Filling them with coffee, she moved away.

"Now, tell me, how is Nettie?"

"Miz Wells is doing fine. She sends her best."

Ezra let Josiah do the talking as he sat sipping the coffee and trying to unobtrusively study the older woman's companion. She felt his scrutiny and flashed him a smile.

"Well, when I got that message of hers, I immediately thought of that young man in the store, I just knew it had to be him. But with all that scruff, I just wasn't really sure. Such a polite well mannered young man. And such a quaint drawl."

The two men exchanged looks as Ezra withdrew a photo from his pocket. "Is this the young man in question?"

Slipping on the glasses that hung on a string around her neck, Sally studied the photo for a long moment before passing it to her neice.

Finally they both nodded as Sally added, "Trim off all that scruffy beard he had and that's him all right."

The young woman still held the photo and spoke for the first time. "Who is this man in the picture with Mister Tanner? His brother?"

Ezra shook his head. "No, miss, that Chris Larabee. He's Vin's ...supervisor."

"He owns a ranch, doesn't he?"

Startled, Standish scrutinized the young woman. Did she have Lucy's uncanny intuition or possess Dionica's gift of clairvoyance? "Mister Larabee raises a few head of cattle, yes."

"And Vin--Vin spends a lot of time there?"

Both men nodded, puzzled, but she fell silent, staring at the photo in her hand.

"Might you know where we could find him?" Josiah asked, trying to keep the excitement from his voice.

"Well, he was working for my brother-in-law Slim, helping with his cattle and all, but he left two days ago. I'm sorry. My computer's been in the shop for awhile. Don't use it that much, just ta keep in touch with old friends. I contacted Nettie as soon as I got her email...Thought it might be him. Boy looked lost...like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. If I'd known he was going to take off like that..." The woman's sigh was full of regret. "Might have been able to talk to him..."

"You had no way of knowing, ma'am." Ezra assured her.

"It's not your fault Aunt Sally..." Gillian pat the woman's hand. "It's mine." Taking a deep breath she quickly described the dinner at her grandfather's including calling him by name. "Think ya should know...There's a bounty hunter after him...Some creepy lookin' guy with stringy hair and a face he oughta hide behind Jason's hockey mask." She met their stares steadily. "He's gettin close too."Penny voiced lowly.

"Excuse me?" Ezra sat up straighter.

"Some fugitive retrieval office stopped by work, flashing Vin's photo and asking questions."

"And this happens often? Bounty hunters flashing bail jumpers' photos in your... office?" Ezra questioned, frowning.

"Matter of fact it does, Mister Standish." She grinned. "I'm a Greene County deputy sheriff."

The southerner flushed and mumbled an apologize, then frowned, shaking his head. "You are a law enforcement officer, and you knew there was every possiblity Mister Tanner was a wanted man and you did not arrest him?"

It was her turn to blush. "I never met Vin Tanner. The man working for Pops was introduced to me as Eric Garrett....Look, Aunt Sally was pretty sure he was Nettie's friend, and Pops trusted him. I--I--well, I did, too. The man on that Harley was not a murderer, no matter what that bounty hunter said," she stated firmly.

"And you trust your 'gut instinct' in all matters of law enforcement?" Josiah quizzed.

"No sir," she shook her head. "but the person at Pops could not have done the things that bounty hunter said he did. Call it gut instinct, a woman's intuition, sixth sense... whatever, I just knew..." she shrugged.

Josiah shook his head. "Well, you got great judgment, miss. The charges was trumped up and all charges have been dropped.

"So I was right." she uttered quietly, "And Pops and Aunt Sally were too."

Ezra could not resist questioning, "And what if you hadn't been?"

"I was, and that's all that matters, isn't it?" She dared Standish to refute the statement.

Sally stepped in, seeing the fire sparking in her niece's eyes. "You will find him, won't you? I know Nettie sets great store in him and from you making the long trip up here, I dare say you do too."

"Yes, ma'am, we will."

Josiah chatted with her for a few more moments then they took their leave. As they climbed into Ezra's Lexus, Josiah sighed and shook his grizzled head. "I sure hate we have to tell Chris we missed him. Damn, that boy must have a sixth sense knowing when someone's coming after him."

Ezra settled behind the wheel and started the vehicle. "You most assuredly should know it does not take a sixth sense, Mister Sanchez."

Josiah gave him a puzzled look as he looked up from buckling his seat belt.

"It is simply a matter of knowing Mister Larabee," Ezra pointed out the obivious. "Mister Tanner knows that man will never give up."

*******

The wind and rain was howling outside the rambling old farmhouse. Chris' team had opted for a break in a night away from the office. It seemed they had been living there and everything was beginning to get on their nerves.

In truth, Larabee hadn't given them an option. In an attempt to diffuse the growing problem, afraid the building tension would rip the team apart, Chris had ordered everyone to meet at his place. He hoped a weekend of relaxing would rejuvenate the team and bring them back together.

With the others help, the team leader intended to spend the weekend trying to draw the gambler out of the shell he'd drawn around himself relieving him of the guilt he still felt regarding Vin's disappearance.

So here the six were. Buck and Josiah were in the kitchen, fixing steaks on Chris' electric range top grill, adding liquid smoke and mesquite seasoning which filled the entire house with a comfortable familiar smell, bringing back memories of summer cook outs and lazy days. JD was popping corn in front of the blazing fireplace. Nate was mixing drinks and Ezra was sprawled in a chair, doing nothing.

"Ezra thought I told ya to leave that shit at the office." Larabee growled, snatching the notebook from the southerner's lap, barely stopping himself from tossing it into the roaring fire.

"I apologize Mr. Larabee I was hoping..."

"I know what ya was hopin' but not this weekend."Chris paced by the fireplace. "This weekend ya do nothin' but relax and..." He paused, turning his head to glance out the window. The rain was driving in sheets against the panes, running down them in streaming rivulets. Funny how the tailpipes of a Harley made the same roar as thunderclouds. It was not a fit night for man nor beast.

JD gave the gambler a weak smile before turning his attention back to the task at hand, listening to the rain drops beating against the roof. He knew Larabee had been about to tell Ezra he wasn't supposed to think about Tanner this weekend. The younger man also knew that was impossible. None of them would be able to stop worrying about the sharpshooter until he was back among them. Without thinking Dunne murmured, "Where do you think Vin is right now?"

"I know where I'd like him to be," Chris growled.

"Where's that?...Jail?"

The drawled question was voiced so softly, Chris wasn't sure he even heard it. He blinked and spun on his heel, his hazel eyes flaring wide.

There, standing quietly in the doorway was a wet bedraggled figure, long hair dripping rainwater, scruffy cheeks darkened with bearded growth. Shoulders hunched in the sodden jacket, Vin Tanner stood, the motorcycle helmet dangling from his hand.

"Vin?" Chris croaked out the name. He had always joked the man could move like smoke, and had believed it to just a quip, until now. "Vin!"

The other men dropped what they were doing and raced into the room, skidding to stunned stops at the sight before them.

Tanner, his face pale beneath the stubble, stood awkwardly, the door still open behind him. For all the world he looked as though he was about to turn and bolt back through it out into the rain.

The other men froze, afraid to move least he do exactly that.

It was Chris who first moved, taking slow steps toward the rain soaked figure. "Vin..."

The tracker shifted his weight and swallowed hard, his weary blue eyes not rising to meet Chris'. He chewed on his lower lip, staring at the floor. The Texan seemed to be vacillating, frozen mutely, unsure what to say or do.

Chris hesitated. He sensed Vin's reluctance and it puzzled him. He wasn't sure how to react. Afraid if he moved forward to embrace the man, Tanner would flee into the night and be lost to them forever, afraid if he didn't Vin would misunderstand his reluctance.

It was Josiah who moved, clearing his throat as he stepped closer to the young Texan. Gently he reached out and took the helmet from Vin's unresisting grasp. "You won't be needing this any more tonight, Brother," he utterly quietly.

Vin's gaze swung around to lock on the big man's face.

Josiah's grizzled face lit with a soft smile. "Welcome home, Brother," Reaching out, he gathered the smaller man in a gentle embrace, not seeing the grimace of pain which washed over the younger man's face..

The other men thawed, moving to gather around the quiet tracker who seemed shocked and overwhelmed as they embraced him and pounded his shoulder in welcome.

All except Chris. The blond man stood his distance, and Vin, his blue eyed gaze searching, froze, his expression unreadable as their gazes met over JD's shoulder. While the other men might be making him feel welcome, it was Chris' acceptance he needed....... and something more. An unvoiced question lay between them.

Hesitantly having welcomed his friend home, unsure how the sharpshooter would react, Ezra stood off to the side, watching the interaction, waiting for Larabee to grab his best friend in a bear hug before reading him the riot act. The gambler wanted to shout at the Hoosier to say something. Let Vin know everything was going to be okay again.

"Here," Nathan, ever concerned for everyone's health, draped a warm afghan around the shivering, thin, rain-soaked shoulders. A frown etched the dark healer's brow. Tanner had never been one to pack any extra weight and his slender frame showed serious weight loss he could ill afford. "Let's get ya outta them wet things before ya catch pneumonia. JD, Buck, you boys got something this man can change into?"

The two men nodded and scurried off to hunt up dry clothes. Nate exchanged looks with Josiah who gently steered the tracker closer to the warm fire. Leaving the preacher with the young man, knowing there was no way he could get away from Josiah, Nate disappeared into the kitchen to retrieve hot coffee.

Vin huddled under the afghan, the heat from the fireplace causing steam to rise from his wet clothing. His glazed blue eyed gaze roamed over the familiar room, carefully avoiding Larabee's eyes. "Guess I ruint y'all's plans," he apologized.

Josiah pat his shoulder, noting the young man actually seemed to cringe at the touch. "Ya didn't ruin anything', Vin."

"I-I-I...." Vin's almost frantic gaze jumped to Chris who still stood silently staring at him, and Josiah felt the younger man tense up as if he was going to bolt for the outside.

As if sensing the man's distress, Ezra stepped closer, but made no move to touch the Texan.

"Mister Tanner," he uttered softly, drawing the sharpshooter's attention to him.

"'Ey, Ez...." Vin murmured, the words slurring together as he swayed on his feet. "Good ta see..."

"Nathan!" Ezra's sharp cry of alarm brought the medic on the run, coffee forgotten as he burst into the room to see the tracker collapse, caught by Josiah's strong arms as the preacher gently lowered the unconscious man to the floor.

Holding the young man cradled in his lap, Josiah looked at Nathan as shoving the southerner aside, the doctor dropped to his knees beside them and drew aside the afghan. His brow furrowing, Nate peeled aside the wet clothing and sucked in a deep breath.

Blood and bruises marred the skin of the tracker's left side. Nate grimaced and Josiah leaned closer to get a look, his face sorrowful. "Damn! What's he done to himself?"

Buck and JD had returned, dry clothes bundled in their arms and it was a white faced JD who answered. "He's wrecked his bike...."

"What? The way Vin's rides.... no way!" Buck protested.

"Look at that road rash! His jeans are shredded and that's gravel burns. I tell ya he's wrecked it. Did any of ya hear him pull up?" JD challenged stubbornly. They exchanged looks. No one had heard the familiar deep rumble which always signaled the young tracker's arrival on the loud Harley.

"He wrecked it and walked here?" Ezra questioned, his expression stunned. "Is that possible?"

Shoving the clothes into Ezra's arms, Buck grabbed Chris' rain slicker from its hook by the door. Digging his keys from his pocket, he grabbed the door knob.

"I'm coming with ya," JD called out, adding to the pile of clothes in Ezra's arms and grabbing his rain coat, he hurried after the disappearing man.

"Well, I ain't gonna tend him here on the floor. Josiah, ya wanna carry him to the bedroom? Ezra..."

"I've got it." The gambler hurried down the hallway to the spare bedroom, stopping to grab Nathan's medical bag and had the covers turned down before the preacher carried his unconscious burden in and lowered Vin onto the clean sheets.

Nathan's gentle fingers probed the tracker's side, forcing a painful outcry from the man's lips. The healer frowned. "Them the ribs he damaged b'fore...." With Josiah's help he quickly stripped the wet clothes from the tracker's body. Only then did they see the young tracker's entire left side was a mass of bruises and lacerations.

Nathan shook his head sadly. "Think JD was right... lookie here...." He pointed to dirt and gravel embedded in the bruise darkened skin. Still shaking his head, with Josiah's assistance, he gently turned to the task of cleaning and medicating the numerous abrasions.

Staying close in case he could help but not wanting to be in the way, Ezra leaned against the wall near the bedroom entrance, his eyes glued on his unconscious friend. Sensing movement beside him, he looked over to see Larabee silently standing in the door.

"Is he going to be all right, Nathan?" Ezra questioned, wondering why it wasn't Chris voicing concern.

"Reckon so. He's tough, though he looks wore down. Don't know where he's been or what he's been doing, but it sure ain't involved eating decent food." Trying to be gentle, he nonetheless hit a tender place and the unconscious tracker groaned in pain.

Josiah laid a large hand on the tracker's forehead, brushing the wet hair from his closed eyes. "Rest easy, little brother," he murmured quietly. "You're home now..."

Ezra, uncomfortable and embarrassed by the open display of emotion on the preacher's part, wishing it could be him and wondering why it wasn't Larabee comforting their friend, turned to leave the room, puzzled to note Larabee had already departed.

Moving down the hallway, he saw their leader pacing by the window, his gaze downcast as he rubbed the back of his neck. The rapid clicking of his boot heels and the popping of the fire were the only sounds in the house other than Vin's occassional sharp painful outcries which drifted from the bedroom.

The gambler hesitated. He had proclaimed to Vin he did not believe in interfering in other people's business, but Larabee's earlier actions had him confused. The man was their team leader. He was Vin's best friend and yet.... Convincing himself it was for the good of the people he worked with, Ezra cleared his throat.

Chris looked up, barely taking note of the con man's presence before continuing to pace.

"Mister Larabee," Ezra crossed the room, moving to block the older man's progress. "I realize it is none of my concern, but..."

Larabee pinned him with a fierce scowl before stepping around him and continuing his pacing along the long picture window.

Ezra focused on the window. The rain was still driving down, the rapidly running rivulets blurring everything beyond the glass panes to obscurity. He took a deep breath. "I fail to understand your attitude towards Mister Tanner's return. I fear Mister Tanner did not understand either."

Chris pulled up short, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the gambler. He laughed, a short cold ugly sound of derision. "My attitude as you call it towards Vin is none of your fuckin' concern."

Ezra blinked, stunned by the cold words. "I-I ...."

Whatever he was going to say was cut short when the back door blew open and Buck and JD invaded the room. Pulling off the rain gear and hanging it to drip, Buck moved to the fireplace. "Kid was right. Vin wrecked all right."

Stripping off the raincoat, JD kicked off his wet muddy shoes and moved to the fire as well. "We found his bike about three miles back. Looked like he laid it over in the turn and skidded off the road. Loaded it in the truck and hauled it back. Bike's banged up some, but Vin probably got the worst of it."

"Yeah, how is he?" Buck questioned, turning to warm his backside.

"Mister Jackson and Mister Sanchez are with him. I dare say when they finish, they shall inform us." Ezra remarked when once again Chris made no move to speak up. Shaking his head, Ezra moved into the kitchen and poured coffee for the two men, carrying it back in to them. They accepted with grateful nods and sipped at the hot liquid as their clothes steamed in the fireplace's warmth.

The gambler slouched down on the sofa arm, "Did you say three miles back?"

JD nodded. "At least that, wouldn't you say, Buck?"

Wilmington nodded. "Probably more."

Ezra studied his fingernails as he offhandedly remarked, "That's considerable distance for an injured man to walk."

"Not when he was comin' home," JD remarked innocently.

The simple remark's reaction on Chris was not missed by Standish as the older man stopped pacing and stopped to look in the direction of the bedroom.

"You'd a thought he coulda picked a better night to do it, wouldn't ya?" Buck groused good naturedly, tugging his wet clothing from his body.

"I think we should just be grateful he has returned."

"Ya think he knows about them charges being dropped?" JD questioned suddenly.

"Have to ask him," Buck offered, "when he's able to talk." His expression became serious.

Not wanting to make Larabee any angier than he appeared to be, Ezra rose to leave the room. He knew just as the others did, he was responsible for Tanner being on the run, which in turn made him responsible for Vin's current condition.

"Wouldn't it be a helluva note if he didn't know and he came back anyway? He'd have to know we might have had to arrest him......." JD trailed off with that suddenly sobering thought.

He froze in mid step as realization dawned on Ezra. He had seen the look Tanner had given Chris. The young tracker had fully expected his best friend to place him under arrest! He had come all that way, injured and hurting through the storm, to surrender to his best friend.

Raising his emerald eyes, the con man met Larabee's understanding gaze, his earlier scowl replaced with a softer look as the older man gave him a slight nod. He was well aware of what Ezra now knew.

The gambler mentally kicked himself for not understanding the team leader's attitude regarding Tanner's return.. Vin obviously did not know about the charges, and had truly returned to surrender himself to his friend, which would have placed Larabee in the awkward position of either arresting him or letting him go.

Ezra couldn't help but wonder if the charges hadn't been dropped, what their leader would have done. What any of them would have done.

"Mister Tanner does not know the charges were dropped." His quiet statement drew the other men's attention. Certain the other men were just as confused about Chris' actions as he had been and knowing the man wouldn't offer an explanation Ezra took it upon himself. Perhaps in some small way Chris would see it as the gambler's way of asking forgiveness for his part in this mess.

"What? What ya sayin', Ez?" Buck questioned, frowning.

"I am saying Mister Tanner returned here this evening to turn himself in." The southerner stated. "He wouldn't have known about the postponements Mr. McGoff arranged or that the charges had been dropped. Believing himself to be a bail jumper and fugitive from justice he therefore would have only one reason for returning and that is to surrender himself and face the consequences."

"To us?" JD blurted out.

"Who better? If you cannot trust your friends, who can you trust?"

"I'll be damned, Ez. I think you're right. Poor Vin...." Buck shook his head. "We gotta go tell him the good news about them charges..." He moved for the bedroom.

"I'm afraid our young compatriot is in no condition to hear anything at the moment, Mister Wilmington," Ezra pointed out. "Perhaps when he is lucid."

"Yeah, reckon you're right. Damn, comin' back to turn himself in...." Buck trailed off, his voice incredulously. "Don't know if I would have."

The men fell silent, each with his own thoughts. Ezra looked up, as a gentle hand was placed on his shoulder, realizing Larabee was standing beside him. "I see ya put two and two together, Ez," the leader remarked lowly. "Some times, being the leader ain't all it's cracked up to be."

Ezra nodded. "But being a friend is," he pointed out.

"Reckon yer right 'bout that." A small smile tugged at Larabee's lips. "Don't ya ever doubt what a good friend ya are Ez...To all of us."

*******

The bedroom was quiet, the soft sounds of a man's regular breathing as he slept was the only sound, nearly drowned out by the thunderous drumming of the heavy rain against the window.

'Good sleepin' weather,' the other man in the room thought, as he turned the magazine page. His gaze jumped to the figure in the bed as Vin stirred and groaned in his sleep. Although Nathan had found no life threatening injuries, the damaged ribs and multiple contusions were going to keep the young tracker down for a while and sore as a bee stung grizzly bear. For now, Jackson would just be happy to have the young tracker get bed rest.

Making sure the man settled back into restful sleep, Chris relaxed and turned his attention back to the article he had been reading. Attempting to read, his inner voice chided. He had been on the same page for thirty minutes, the words blurred into black and white nothingness.

His gaze moved again to the sleeping young man, and a soft sigh escaped his lips. When had Vin Tanner grounded his faith in him so deeply? When had he proven himself worthy of that faith? What had he ever done to earn the young tracker's respect, a respect and faith that had brought the man back, despite the belief there was a warrant on his head?

"You became his friend," his little voice sagely pointed out. "You accepted him, put your own faith in him, and let him save your life. He knows you will do the same for him."

Larabee pushed from the chair, running his hand through his hair as he crossed to the window. Rubbing the condensation aside, he stared out at the dark and gloom beyond the light's glow escaping the window. That's what his life had been...... darkness and gloom, until the blue eyed tracker had stumbled into his life. Stumbled in, dragging the other five men with him. He absently rubbed the back of his neck, and sighed heavily.

The charges had just been dropped and only the skill of Ezra's lawyer had kept the tracker from truly becoming a fugitive but there was no way short of asking a law enforcement officer, Vin could have known. He had returned here, to Chris' place.... to surrender himself. Not at some police station, not at the office, but here.... the place Tanner thought of as his home....

"C'rissss?"

The hoarsely slurred word drew Larabee's attention back to the room and with quick strides, he crossed to the bed.

Tanner's blue eyes were pain glazed and he licked at dry lips, trying to form words which would not come.

"Here," Chris held a glass with a straw to his lips and Vin sucked greedily at the iced water. As Larabee moved it away, the blue eyes focused intently on his face.

"G'nna 'rest 'e?" he stubbornly forced the words out, Tanner's eyes bleak with more than the pain of his injuries.

Chris gave him a small smile. "No. You get some rest...." he chided.

Vin moved his head against the pillow. "S'rry came ba'k..." he whispered.

Pain flickered in Chris' eyes. Did he mean he was sorry he had come back, or was he asking Chris if he was? He gently brushed the long hair from the tracker's face. "Never that, Cowboy," he vowed, "never that."

The blue eyes stared at him a moment longer, then the heavy lids dropped, and the tracker relaxed, slipping into sleep.

Chris shook his head sadly, as he settled the blanket about the sleeping man's shoulders. "Rest easy, Pard. You're home......."

*******

As morning broke, the storm continued to rage beyond the solid walls of the old farmhouse. Buck and JD took it upon themselves to tend the stock, unloading the damaged cycle and Josiah cooked, leaving Nathan and Chris to tend Tanner.

No one questioned or disobeyed Larabee's orders to let the gambler sleep. Ezra had silently checked on Vin several times during the night, often bringing Chris coffee as an excuse to make sure his friend was still with them. As it was the man stumbled into the living room shortly after Josiah started a fresh pot of coffee grumbling about the early hour and swearing the only reason that rooster still breathed air was because a gunshot might awaken the sharpshooter.

Other than that few moments, the young Texan had slept straight through curled under the blankets, laying on his undamaged side. Chris fussed, but Nathan quietly informed him there was nothing wrong. Just exhaustion and a slight fever from the long walk in the nasty weather.

The rain finally eased in the afternoon and as the men gathered for coffee, a knock sounded at the door. Exchanging looks, Buck opened it, revealing the portly form of Judge Travis.

"Boys..." he stepped in and looked at the gathered men, his gaze lingering on Chris. "Guess you weathered the storm," he pointed out needlessly.

Ezra waved him to the couch as Nathan moved to get him a cup of coffee. The old man settled down with a weary sigh, warming his hands in the direction of the blazing fire. "Woulda called but the phone seems to be out of order."

"Sorry." Ezra blushed as everyone exchanged confused expressions, confessing. "I unplugged it. The damn thing rings at the most inopportune times waking everyone in the house."

It didn't matter. Travis knew he could have called any of their cellphones but he'd wanted to deliver the news in person and check on the remaining members of the elite team. "

Guess you're wondering why I made the long drive out here," he began, garnering nods from JD and Josiah. "Well, got word your Mister Tanner was nearly caught by that bounty hunter Eli up in the mountains. Some little out of the way truck stop. Tanner gave him the slip and got away."

"When was this?" Buck questioned, exchanging looks with Chris.

"Four days ago. Out on Highway 129. Thought you might want to know." He looked around, expecting to see the men running for the door. Leads on the elusive tracker had been nonexistent and he was sure they would jump on it. Then sudden realization dawned. "He's here, isn't he?"

No one answered, each of them finding something of interest out the window, or in the fireplace, anywhere but in the judge's direction.

"Ya come ta take me in?"

They all spun at the hoarsely drawled words. Vin was leaning against the hallway wall, his left arm held close to his body as he stiffly shuffled across the distance to where they were gathered. He was wearing the clothes borrowed from Buck, and they hung off his slender frame, nearly swallowing him.

Chris, staring at him, had a fleeting moment of deja vu of Adam running around in his sweaters, the too long tails and sleeves dragging on the old wooden cabin floor. Right now, long hair in his eyes, the oversized clothes gave the Texan the appearance of a eight year old child.

Nathan jumped up, and hurried to the Texan's side, as Buck did the same and between them, they attempted to help the younger man to the overstuffed chair by the fire.

Vin stubbornly refused their aid, limping the distance on his own to sink into the chair, his face pale. The shirt he wore hung off his too thin frame, only accenting his weight loss. He swallowed hard, leaning forward to alleviate the stiff soreness of his left side. "Well?" he ground out, finally staring up at the judge. "Ya wanna borrow my handcuffs or did ya bring yer own?"

Travis exchanged a puzzled look with Chris before finally focusing on the tracker. "There's been some mistake, Vin--"

"Yeah, mine. Can we get this over with?" He muttered, embarrassed this was happening in front of his friends. He glanced in Nathan's direction, hoping the medic would attempt to bail him out by saying he was too injured to be taken into custody right now, giving him at least another day to try and straighten things out with his team mates, but the somber healer was looking at Chris and missed the silent plea.

Chris' heart broke as he realized the anguish Tanner was in and receiving a slight nudge from Standish, he quickly moved to hunker down by the chair, looking up into the pale face of his best friend who was hunched over, his breath coming in short pants as he tried to ease the pain in his side. "Vin, Judge ain't here ta take ya anywhere."

Confusion, then a tiny spark of hope, flickered in the sharpshooter's pain glazed eyes. "Ya didn't call 'im?" he whispered, sounding for all the world like a lost little eight year old, and looking so much like one it nearly broke the other men's hearts.

"Hell, no!"

"Ya gonna take me in yer ownself?" Vin questioned, disbelief echoing in his breathless whispered voice.

Chris shook his head, a slow smile coming to his face as he laid a gentle hand on the tracker's arm. "Pard, ain't no one taking ya no where. Those charges were dropped."

The words were slow to sink in. "Dropped?" Vin mouthed, blinking several times, then looking at the judge who nodded in confirmation. "Ya mean...?"

"Means your a free citizen, young man." Travis pointed out. "At least you will be when Nathan gives you the go ahead." He pushed to his feet. "Well, I guess I drove out here for nothing. I'll be leaving you boys.... Vin, get feeling better so these other reprobates will get back to work." His smile belied any harshness in the words.

Ezra escorted the judge to the door, thanking the older man for his consideration and all his help and the others bid him good-bye. The old man turned to survey the men, all seven of them and hid a smile. They were together, and he knew that's all that mattered to them. With a nod to Chris, Travis left.

The men turned their attention back to Tanner. He was sitting slouched painfully in the chair, but there was a new light in the blue depths of his eyes as he finally met each of their gazes. "They's dropped? Honest?" he questioned, like some small child and the men couldn't helping smiling at the note of wonder in his weary voice. "What 'bout--?"

"Look, we'll tell ya all about it, but why don't you sit back and rest and let Nate check you over while we get ya some breakfast?" Buck suggested, adding, "Ya shouldn't a been walking."

Vin closed his eyes, muttering, "Walked all the way here..... could sure navigate cross Larabee's damned livin' room." The old familiar defiant spark echoed in his tired tone.

A wide smile came to Chris' face as he drank in the sight of his missing friend, back home and safe. "Yeah, Cowboy, you did at that," he admitted.

Vin heard the words, and eyes closed, a familiar lop sided smile came to his face. "I'm home," he whispered, "I'm home..."

THE END

Love it, hate it, ambivalent?  We don’t care, but we’d love to hear from you.  Contact Us!