Pulling the tee shirt down over his muscled chest and flat stomach, and combing his fingers through his wet hair, Ezra wandered through the enormous penthouse to the living room, Scoundrel padding along at his heels. Pouring brandy into a snifter, he flipped on the stereo and lifting the heavy book from the shelf, settled on the couch.

Unable to concentrate on the page, his thoughts on his teammates, the gambler's green eyes drifted from the written words to the telephone which lay silent on the mahogany coffee table.

Had it only been four days since he'd heard from his other team mates? Four days since the five of them had seen Chris and Vin off at the airport and retreated to Inez's tavern to talk about their plans for their down time over drinks.

Travis had asked Larabee and Tanner to inspect and assess several of the law enforcement academies around the country in an attempt to provide suggestions for further improvements or updated programs which could be implemented in the wake of 9/11. Every law enforcement organization in the country was screaming for input and qualified people with the proper training were stretched thin. Travis had been only to happy to send out the two men, pleased the director had deemed his men as worthy and as capable as any from the FBI or CIA.

Everyone would have been happier if he could have sent the entire team but Josiah had been asked by the DA to give psychological testimony at the trial of a man who'd cold bloodily murdered his family. Finishing the paperwork from their last assignment, it was estimated the others would have almost a month of vacation… after they disposed of their research of a possible case.

Ezra had left the others still drinking at the bar and had driven back to the airport, impulsively buying a ticket on the next flight to San Antonio to spend the weekend with the light of his life. Dionica Ryan and her crew was there, constructing what was quickly becoming, in her words, a nightmare of bad taste for a couple who'd recently inherited several million dollars.

The gambler had spent the last two nights at the casino, killing time until the weekend. While he'd enjoyed the challenge of once again playing the skilled occupants of the poker tables, it hadn't held the same...satisfaction...the same…fun was the only word that came to mind...that he had when seated with his six friends around the table in his own game room. Nor did it hold the same charm and allure it had once held for him so long ago, before he had met the men he now worked with.

Maybe he should call and see if any of the other four had special plans for this evening?

Wilmington was staying at Larabee's to tend the stock, but needing to keep up his flight quals, Standish knew Buck was planning on getting in some flying time as well. When not with Miss Wells, Ezra knew JD would no doubt be working on one of his endless pursuits to improve their job technology and Nathan would, without question, be spending his days working at the neighborhood free clinic and his evenings with Rayne.

It suddenly occurred to the gambler what he was feeling was lonliness.

"Don't be stupid, Standish!" he castigated himself aloud, "You've spent most of your life alone. It has never bothered you before."

Scoundrel raised his head, looking at his owner quizzically wondering who the man was talking to.

'You never had real friends before either,' his inner voice of reason chided. Since accepting the proposition to join Larabee's team the con man had found himself inexplicitly being drawn into the family they'd formed, first by the ex-bounty hunter of the group and then by the others. He had fought a good battle, not wanting to be dependant on anyone, believing as he'd always been taught that getting close to others meant getting hurt.

If given the chance people would use you, disappoint you and toss you aside so Ezra had remained true to his mother's teachings staying emotionally detached, thinking of others as nothing more than mere marks, getting what he needed from them and moving on.

Green eyes glanced at the ruby ring on his finger. Inklings of doubt that Maude might be wrong had begun in the young con man's mind when he'd been silently thanked and rewarded for his intervention on behalf of that long ago nameless mugging victim. Jamie Watson had strengthened those doubts, but the six men who comprised the elite law enforcement team had proven his mother wrong.

While they hadn't completely sent the doubts into the void of extinction they had shoved them to that deep abyss with their loyalty. Each man in his own way had shown the con man they trusted and cared about him.

Accepting the cardsharp for who he was, Vin Tanner, with his quiet dependability and his cockeyed sense of humor, had wiggled his way into Ezra's heart and persistently pulled the stubborn gambler from behind Standish's walls of defense.

Buck Wilmington, the jovial womanizer epitimized the word loyalty standing beside the gambler when needed just as he had stood so steadfastly beside Chris, letting his laughter and good humor engulf the southerner as fully as it did the others.

JD Dunne with his boyish enthusiasm and naivety always trusted Ezra to tell him the truth and never doubted the con man would do what was right.

With an extra-ordinary fondness for the southerner, Josiah Sanchez used his mind rather than his Herculean physical strength, letting his feelings help draw the gambler into their family, never pushing or expecting more from Ezra than the gambler was willing to give.

Nathan Jackson. The moral man of medicine constantly tried to set aside his own prejudices and conceptions concerning the unethical con man apologizing when he let his preconceived ideas get the better of him and rushing to his defense when he considered the man unjustly accused.

And then there was Chris Larabee who had given the leery con artist a chance at the life he truly wanted. From the beginning, he'd been totally honest with Standish, letting him know he was being brought onto the team, not because he trusted the gambler, but because they needed his talents. They needed the skills Ezra'd spent a lifetime honing to sharp perfection.

They'd had more than their share of conflicts and often times the two men mixed like dynamite and a lit fuse but Larabee considered the gambler part of his family. He defended Standish against outsiders and while Ezra didn't believe it would ever be in the same manner he did the others, the leader had honored the con man by placing his trust in him.

The six men had stood by him and stood up for him. They had taught him the meaning of friendship and helped him begin to open up. With them had come others. Mary and Billy, Casey, Miss Nettie, Lucy, Mark Johnson, Judge and Evie Travis, Scoundrel...Dionica.

Because of them, he'd been ready when Dionica Ryan had walked into his life.

A smile touched the gambler's lips. The petite constuction worker had stolen his breath the first time he saw her and his heart the moment she smiled. Intelligent, hardworking, trusting, playful and loving the young woman had, like the others, accepted him, his walls and idiosyncrosies without judgment and easily filled the hole in his life.

Yes, Standish admitted, he had put up a good fight...Thank God he'd lost.

He glanced at the phone again.

"It was easier before." Ezra sighed wearily arching his eyebrows as Scroundrel cocked his head. "Don't look at me like that. I'm merely stating a fact."

Life was simpler before these men came along. He went where he wanted, when he wanted and did as he pleased. His enjoyment of life didn't depend on being with six men who cajoled, teased, harrassed, pushed, pulled and pleaded to get their way. His life had been easier when it had only been Maude who occasionally popped into his vicinity of residence probing into his business and ordering him about as if he were one of the many servants who passed through her life.

He shook his head. He didn't like this feeling. It was so much easier when his emotions, locked behind the self erected walls, had been ignored as if they were non-existent.

"You don't have to say it." He told the tiny dog. "I know you're right. It's minor payment for the many benefits that accompany their friendship." Adding petulantly, "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

Hope flaring, Ezra set the unread book next to the phone and followed as, evidently hearing the elevator, the animal scampered for the front door, sliding precariously on the marble floor of the foyer.

Perhaps, he thought, realizing the dog was wagging his tail happily, signaling a friend was approaching, Josiah had decided to stop by for a game of chess.

Why hadn't the bell rung? Damn! If the chimes were broken, JD would want to fix it and then they'd end up ringing something outrageous like Van Halen or Pink Floyd. Standish enjoyed a wide spectrum of music and while he had several CD's of both groups, he didn't think either of them exactly appropriate door bell music. Of course, only Vin and JD had recognized the tune they now played as the Tubular Bells from the movie 'The Exorcist.'

Knowing it was probably a unnecessary precaution, since Harry and Henry never allowed anyone use of the penthouse elevator except the gambler's friends, Ezra nevertheless pulled the small handgun from its place in the drawer of the foyer table. Better safe than sorry…..

Pacing the outer hallway, trying to decide if she was doing the right thing, Lucy looked up, startled as holding the weapon out of sight, Standish opened the door.

"Miss Lucy?" Ezra looked as surprised as the veterinarian herself.

"Hi Ezra."

Gathering his wits, the gambler covertly shoved the gun back in its drawer and stepped aside, motioning within. "Won't you come in?"

Following him into the apartment, Lucy raked her gray-eyed gaze over the con man, taking in the well worn jeans, black tee-shirt, bare feet and damp collar length curls. Only at the cook outs held at Larabee's ranch had she seen him in anything other than a suit. Even then he always looked as if he'd stepped from the pages of GQ. With a start of embarrassment, she realized she'd caught the gambler in a rare unguarded moment.

"I'm sorry, I should have called." The woman shuffled from foot to foot nervously.

"Nonsense! You're most welcome anytime." Ezra smiled reassuringly, puzzled at this woman's presence in his home.

'Damn! He's almost as sexy as Vin.' Lucy blushed afraid for a moment that she'd given voice to the thought running through her mind, not believing she'd even considered such a thing, let alone at this particular time.

Seeing the heat flush the woman's cheeks, Ezra excused himself telling her to make herself at home and hurried to the master bedroom. Changing into a white dress shirt he slipped into a pair of loafers and ran a comb through his hair reappearing in what he considered to be more decently dressed for company.

*******

Ezra sat at the kitchen table studying the woman staring intently into her coffee cup, one hand gripping the china so tightly he was afraid it would shatter while the other nervously played with the antique locket on the expensive chain around her neck.

The veterinarian was obviously upset. The red rimmed eyes gave evidence of her tears, and the tight lines around her mouth giving her a haggard appearance, was ample proof she hadn't been sleeping. A million thoughts raced thru the gambler's mind: Had she and Vin had a fight? He knew things had been tense between the two since Vin's flight from the law, but was certain they had worked things out. Had something happened to Vin? No. Chris would have called. Was Mattie okay? Had she heard something about Nica?

Hoping to put the woman at ease, the con man kept up a stream of inconsequential prattle pretending not to notice when the hand eased its grip and the muscles began to relax as the tension almost visibly drained from her.

"As I stated, Miss Lucy, you are welcome anytime and as much as I enjoy your delightful company, I don't for a moment believe you came all this way out of love for my coffee and a scintillating discussion of the local weather."

Her gaze dropped to her coffee cup again, a smile touching her lips, a blush of embarrassment highlighting her cheeks.

"What can I do to help?"

The gray eyes that met emerald were full of hope and pleading. Lucy blurted the words before she lost her courage. "Marry me."

*******

The lifetime of training that had always stood Ezra Standish in good stead, that had always made him a formidable opponent at the poker tables suddenly failed him completely. The uncanny ability to hide his true emotions while making people believe every word he uttered, making him the consummate con man, disappeared with Lucy Garth's two little words.

Of everything she might have asked for, could have asked for, that request would never have occurred to him.

As his heart began pumping again and his blood flow resumed, the fog lifted and his brain began to work, the con man immediately worked his way down the mental list of possible reasons for the startling proposal, starting with the most obvious.

'I'm gonna kill Tanner! Or at least kick his skinny ass!' A sense of guilt washed over the gambler at the disloyal thought as Ezra immediately discarded the notion that Vin had run out on the veterinarian after impregnating her. Whether the Texan was ready to admit it to her or himself, Vin loved the pretty little vet and even if he didn't, only the Grim Reaper himself would force the ex-bounty hunter to abandon any child of his.

Had Lucy been seeing someone else who might have gotten her in trouble? Again, Ezra immediately tossed the thought away. His emerald gaze flickered on the shining locket which rested, as it always did, at the base of the young woman's throat. For Lucy Garth there was only one man in this life or any other...and that man was Vin Tanner, which also threw out the idea she was trying to get back at the tracker for something unreasonable.

He dispensed with the idea that she might need a husband in order to complete Mattie's adoption. Single parent adoptions were commonplace and Lucy had a lucrative practice that would more than support herself and a child. Even if the adoption agency was insisting on a married couple, she would have no earthly reason to turn to him rather than Tanner.

The list quickly diminished as Ezra cast aside each far fetched reason that came to mind.

His eyes sparkled and a smile touched his lips as the only plausible explanation suddenly flashed through his mind like a bright neon sign. One of his friends had targeted him for one of their infamous practical jokes. But who? Wilmington? No, Buck would want to see Ezra's reaction if he had planned it... It had to be Tanner!

The sharpshooter had a devious mind when it came to practical jokes...Almost as clever as Ezra himself... It would be perfect, played on anyone else, of course. With Vin out of town, no one would consider him the mastermind behind such a joke. It was perfect! He would enjoy a hearty laugh both from hearing of the gambler's reaction and watching Ezra extract his revenge on the innocents of their group.

The yearning that this was indeed one of Vin's jokes died a painless death with the look of hopeful pleading so clearly displayed in Lucy's sad eyes.

*******

Relieved to see the color slowly return to the cardsharp's complexion, Lucy watched the emotions play across Ezra's normally stoic expression, each as readable as the pages in a child's storybook.

The giggle she wasn't able to stifle turned into uncontrollable laughter as the gambler used every ounce of willpower to force himself not to flee the room in stark terror

Shocked, fear gripping him, Ezra quickly moved around the table kneeling beside her chair as the laughter gave way to heart wrenching sobs. Pulling her to him, Ezra continued to hold her, rubbing her back comfortingly as her tears wet the shoulder of his shirt.

It was several minutes before the sobs began to subside. Lucy pulled away, avoiding his eyes as she hurriedly wiped at the tear tracks streaking her cheeks.

Keeping a steady hand on her arm, Ezra led her into the living room and gently settled her on the over stuffed couch, setting a box of tissues within easy reach. Assuring her he'd be right back, wanting to give the embarrassed woman time to compose herself, the gambler returned to the kitchen and set about preparing her a cup of tea, adding a splash of brandy and threw together a tuna sandwich, wondering when she'd eaten last.

Ezra's steps faltered as he reentered the room only to discover Lucy curled in the corner of the couch asleep, Scoundrel laying contentedly at her side. Setting the food aside, he lay a light afghan over her and moving to replace the soothing brandy he'd been drinking earlier with a stiff two fingers of scotch, he settled into the chair.

*******

Stirring, a smile tugged at the woman's lips, as feeling the rough tongue licking the back of her hand, wakefulness slowly returned. She'd been having a wonderful dream of standing by a peaceful creek, wrapped in Vin Tanner's arms as they watched Mattie playing with kittens in the meadow. It felt safe and familiar somehow.

Her fingers automatically rubbed the small head of curls of the tiny dog. Lucy's eyes flew open wide and she bolted upright on the couch, staring around in confusion. Meeting the gambler's green eyes, seeing the twinkle of amusement that mixed with the worry in their verdant depths as he set a fresh cup of tea and sandwich on the table beside her, her cheeks flushed bright red as she suddenly realized where she was and remembered her reason for being here.

She flustered. "Ezra, I'm sorry I-"

"There's no need for an apology, Miss Lucy." His soft words helped ease her embarrassment as he quietly added, "We'll talk after you've finished your light repast. Would you care for a bowl of soup or some chips to go with this sandwich? You do like ham and cheese or perhaps you wish something else instead?" Seeing the first signs of her awakening, the gambler had quickly thrown together another sandwich and poured a fresh cup of tea.

"No, really, this is fine, thanks." Her stomach twisting into knots, Lucy nibbled at the sandwich. Her expression become one of shock as she heard the stately grandfather clock in the corner chime one a.m. "I-I…" she struggled to her feet, dropping the sandwich back on the plate. "Mat—"

Reaching out, he grasped her shoulders and slowly forced her back onto the sofa. "I called and arranged for Miss Nettie to keep Mattie for the night." Ezra assured her. He'd taken the chance Lucy had left the child with the ex-school teacher. He'd explained that the vet had stopped by to check on Scoundrel who'd been under the weather and seeing how weary and upset she appeared, he didn't think it a wise idea for her to make the long drive home.

Sighing with relief, she picked up the discarded sandwich and toyed with the ragged crust. "I guess I kinda dropped a bombshell in your lap earlier, huh?" Her lips twitched as she stifled a small smile at recalling his earlier reaction to her request.

"That's the understatement of the century." He graced her with a dimpled grin. "Might I ask why you have this…. sudden need for a husband?"

"I don't need a real husband, Ezra....Just-" She sighed in frustration. This was harder than she ever imagined it would be.

"One in name only, then?"

"NO! I mean, yes.... I mean....Oh, hell!"

Crossing to the bar, the southerner poured some brandy into a snifter and setting it on the table next to her tea cup, he settled back into the chair across from where the young woman sat. "Perhaps, my dear, you should start at the beginning."

*******

Prepared for anything, Ezra listened in sympathy and empathy as Lucy began speaking of her friend Brenda. She talked about their friendship, telling him about some of their childhood antics and how, even after Brenda's family had moved away, the two had always managed to keep in touch.

"It could be a couple of years before we'd actually see each other again, but we'd just pick up where we left off, like we'd never been separated. Over the years there has been very little we didn't tell each other." A twinge tugged at her conscience. There was one thing she had never told her friend.

"Did she know about Mattie?" Ezra immediately regretted letting his curiosity get the better of him when Lucy paled, her eyes wide with shock.

"Vin told you?" she whispered hoarsely.

"No, my dear. It would have to be a matter of life and death importance and not his own, before Mister Tanner would ever reveal such a confidence." Ezra was quick to reassure her. "You have my deepest, most sincere apologies. I should not have spoken of the matter. . It was simply a guess on my part. An accurate one from your reaction." He glanced down at his hands, toying with his ruby ring. "I'm afraid I have an active imagination and since Miss Mattie has your eyes, your coloring, and... your smile, my curiosity was piqued. I apologize for any invasion of your privacy."

In truth, he couldn't explain exactly how he'd known about the relationship between Lucy and Mattie. It was more than the actual physical resemblance. Just as he was certain Lucy and Vin had been together in another time, he was equally certain Mattie had always been a part of their lives. "You needn't fear Miss Lucy," he quickly reassured her when she did not speak, "no one will ever hear of it from my lips."

Her gaze sought his. "I intend to tell her...when she's old enough to understand." Lucy wasn't completely surprised Ezra had guessed her relationship with Mattie. The little girl had taken to the cardsharp as quickly and affectionately as she had to Vin. Watching the enigmatic con man entertain the child with magic tricks and fairy tales at Larabee's last cookout, a teasing memory had tickled her mind...the memory of this man riding up to the house on a chestnut horse, Mattie, wrapped in a red jacket, dozing in his arms. A vivid memory that hadn't happened at least not in this life.

"She's a very lucky little girl." There was a twinge of wistfulness in the gambler's smile. "To have two mothers who love her so much." Seeing her quizzical expression at his statement, Ezra quickly turned the subject back to Brenda.

Lucy, knowing he was distracting her from something personal, told him how a week earlier Brenda had come by her house. "…I thought she wanted to tell me about her wedding plans. She's engaged to Thomas Hunnicutt."

Ezra frowned, "The same Thomas Hunnicutt who's been nominated for a seat on the State Supreme Court?"

"One and the same." The vet nodded. "Ezra, a few weeks ago she was so damn happy. They're so much in love and he just seems to worship her..." The words trailed off.

"But on this visit, she didn't want to discuss her upcoming nuptials?" Standish pressed.

"I've never seen her that upset..." Lucy shook her head. "She was going to call off the wedding."

"Why?"

As if to fortify herself, the petite woman took a large swallow of the brandy before rising from the couch. Ezra waited patiently, watching as she paced the room, raking her fingers through her hair, pushing the dark locks from her eyes.

"When Brenda was in college... You have to understand... her family never had much money..." She hesitated, taking another drink from the snifter. "Brenda..."

"Paid for her education working a less than legal profession?" The gambler volunteered.

Lucy gave a tiny nod. "She worked at a strip club, but when money was really tight, she..."

Ezra nodded in understanding, saving the pretty vet from voicing how her friend had worked her way through college servicing the sexual needs of strangers. "Many people do whatever's necessary in the name of higher education." He pointed out quietly. "I see nothing for your friend to be ashamed of."

"Brenda wasn't very proud it. As far as I know she never told anyone, but me... But it bothered her so much, she went into therapy."

"Talking often helps." How many times had his six friends told him that very thing?

"Except when the people you talk to, use what you say against you." Lucy stated bitterly.

*******

Silently, his green gaze never leaving the petite woman who paced his living room, tears once again rolling down her cheeks, Ezra listened as Lucy described the car wreak that had kept her sitting at her friend's bedside the last two days. He couldn't help but wonder how much more the young vet could take and still maintain her sanity. Josiah always said God never gave you more than you could handle, but he was aware in the last few months, Lucy had faced the possibility of never again seeing the man who possessed her heart, had almost lost her daughter to the same mad man who shot her and took the life of her best friend and now could only sit by praying for a miracle while her oldest friend lay in a coma fighting for her life.

His words were soft, "I get the impression you don't think this was a mere car accident as the police indicated."

"She's driven that road a hundred thousand times, Ezra, and there weren't any skid marks to suggest she lost control or even tried to stop the car from going over the embankment." Lucy sank back onto the couch, her eyes locked on the tissue she twisted nervously in her hands. Swallowing hard, she forced herself to vocalize the thought which had been foremost in her mind since receiving the call from Thomas, informing her of the accident, "I think…." She hesitated, then, "I think she tried to commit suicide."

Ezra frowned, finding that action hard to believe in the person Lucy had described to him. "You said she was in therapy. Was she--?"

"When she came to the house last week, she told me she'd gotten a call from a man... She didn't recognize his voice, said it was muffled...but she was positive it was a man... He said it would cost her twenty thousand dollars if she wanted her sordid past kept secret."

"That amount of money hardly seems worth the effort of blackmail," Ezra mused aloud.

"Brenda isn't rich, Ezra. It would take everything she had to make up that kind of money."

"But Thomas Hunnicut is." The con man sighed. "I would estimate, twenty thousand would only constitute a down payment. The blackmailer would undoubtedly contact her again once she was married."

"That's what she thought, too. She said there was nothing to stop him from coming back for more and more money. I tried to convince her to go to the police. I told her I had some friends she could talk to who might be able to help, but... " She shook her head, "I don't know what upset her more...the thought Thomas would leave her because of her past or that he wouldn't and it would cost him his career."

Lucy didn't need to point out that, out of sympathy, no one would look into the past of a fiancée killed in an apparent vehicle accident.

"Is it an accurate estimation that you consider this doctor she was seeing as the most likely suspect?"

"As far as I know, I'm the only other person who knew about her past and I sure as hell wasn't planning on blackmailing her over it." Lucy was instantly remorseful for the curt reply.

Ezra waved away her apology before she could make it. "It's a safe bet she's not the first patient he's attempted to extort money from." The gambler stared at his steepled fingers, giving the vet time to once again compose herself.

An admitted con artist, Standish would rather have starved to death than stoop so low as to use a person's past against them. And he figured even Mother Teresa had done things she wasn't proud of. Most people did whatever was necessary to survive and everyone made mistakes they wished buried in the past and forgotten, but only an opportunistic asshole continued to use those happenings for leverage and only a snake profitted from them.

Of course, he realized ruefully, people could say he used their pasts against them in his position on Larabee's team, but that was somehow different. Larabee's elite went after the worst dregs of humanity. It was their job to protect society against the bottom feeders...'Protect them from people like me.' His inner voice of reason pointed out.

"Unfortunately, I don't think any of his victims are going to step forward, so the only way to prove anything is to catch him in the act. Given an appropriate target with enough money, it's fairly certain he would be greedy enough to try again, even if he thinks as you do that Brenda..." Ezra let the words trail off, suddenly realizing he was speaking aloud.

"So you'll help?" Hope echoed in Lucy's question.

"Of course, my dear." Ezra leaned forward and patted her hand comfortingly. "I'll get a hold of the others in the morning and give Captain Johnson a call. I'm sure one of his policewomen-"

"NO!"

"Excuse me?"

"Ezra, I...I...Brenda is my friend..." Lucy stuttered. "I've already broken my promise by telling you any of this... I want to be involved..." She hesitated, unable to meet his gaze. "I'm already involved..."

"Lucy?" Fear gripped the gambler's heart, as he unaccustomedly dropped the 'Miz' when calling the young woman by her given name. The woman was damn near as fearless as Tanner and just as prone to trouble. "What have you done?"

"I set up an appointment with Dr. Billings. Three days from now." She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "I figured I needed someone for him to threaten to tell, so when the receptionist asked if I was married, I said yes."

"And….?" Ezra pressed.

"The woman said Dr. Billings usually insists on having his first consultation with both the husband and wife... I couldn't talk my way out of it. So…" she blurted, "will you be my husband?"

*******

Ezra leaned against the patio wall watching the sun lighten the sky sending glorious rays to push back the darkness as it peeked over the mountaintops. His mind remained on the woman now sleeping in one of the guest bedrooms.

Standish understood the woman's need to be involved. Lucy was an extremely caring and courageous woman whose friend was lying in the intensive care unit. None of the rest of his friends...his family...would be happy sitting idly by without helping and there was no reason to think Lucy was any different.

Of course on the other side of the coin, how could he agree to her condition that the others not be involved. That he not tell Vin until it was over.

Her reasoning was sound. Ezra smiled slightly wondering if Tanner ever won an argument with the woman with whom he seemed destined to spend eternity.

Ezra had argued that they had a better chance of success using the team's resources and since the appointment was made by phone, the doctor wouldn't know the difference if a policewoman used Lucy's name.

In return, Lucy had argued that a full fledged investigation by Larabee's team could destroy the doctor's reputation if, by chance, it turned out he was innocent. Buck and JD weren't always the most subtle people in the world. As for not telling Tanner...The sharpshooter could be extremely over protective and would get a crew top haircut before letting her deliberately put herself in harms way. She was also quick to point out that even if Vin agreed he would spend the entire time worrying, rather than concentrating on his job.

"I know what I'm asking Ezra."

Standish allowed himself the smirk he'd kept behind the infamous poker face at the time of the statement.

He didn't think she did.

Ezra was the first to admit, at least to himself, that while his heart belonged to Dionica, he had always been attracted to the pretty little vet. Just as he had with Vin and the others, Ezra had felt an instant connection with Lucy, as if he'd somehow known her before.

Standish would never allow himself to act on that attraction. In no way would he allow a simple chemical reaction to hurt Vin, Dionica or Lucy.

If this somehow went wrong, it could cost him everything it had taken a lifetime to discover. It would cost him everything he had come to cherish more than life itself.

Until these six, stubborn, irritating, giving, men had dragged him kicking and screaming from behind his walls and into their family refusing to let him keep them at arms length Ezra hadn't known what it meant to be wanted. They had taught him the meaning of love. The meaning of togetherness. The meaning of trust and most importantly the meaning of family.

How could he refuse to aid this woman? Not only was she his friend, a friend he felt a deep indescribable connection with, Lucy had saved the life of Ezra's first real...and his best friend, not once but twice...Not only had she saved Vin's life but her efforts had kept the team together.

They would certainly understand his desire to help their friend but excluding them would break the fragile thread of trust he'd manged to weave. His silence would very likely collapse the shaky bridge of friendship they'd all worked so hard to build.

'They'll still have each other.' His inner voice chided.

*******

Giving her hand a light squeeze of encouragement and offering a small smile of reassurance as she took a deep breath, Ezra opened the office door.

He'd tried several times over the last two days to get Lucy to change her mind and let a policewoman play her role, including a few minutes earlier when they'd pulled into the parking garage.

Failing to dissuade her, he had done everything possible to ensure Lucy's success. Mattie spent the evenings happily playing with Scoundrel ignoring the grownups, while her mother and the gambler, their heads close together speaking quietly had gone over every detail of their supposed marriage.

Ezra had assured the woman, he didn't think the doctor would find a need to check their background for a marriage certificate since according to Ezra's fabrication they were married in Paris but not wanting to take the chance the blackmailer wouldn't check out every possible aspect of their story, the gambler had Lucy bring several changes of clothes and personal items for both her and Mattie, setting up a spare bedroom for each of them. He removed the picture of Vin, Lucy and Mattie that now hung above the fireplace with the photos of the rest of his makeshift family and replaced it with one of Lucy sitting on the porch swing reading to the child curled next to her.

He'd placed several other pictures, he'd taken at one of the team's infamous barbecues, around the penthouse. He'd given the vet a key to both the elevator and penthouse and knowing they wouldn't pose any unnecessary questions instructed Henry and Harry that if anyone asked, Lucy was his wife and Mattie had come to live with them a few months earlier. Ezra knew they would treat the two as if they'd known them for years.

Ezra had put several conditions of his own on Lucy's involvement. She was to let Ezra do most of the talking during the first session. She wasn't to mention Brenda's name or reveal the information that would lead to the blackmail until he gave the okay and under no circumstances was she to accept medication from him or allow him to use hypnosis.

Escorting his wife to the couch and seeing to her comfort, Ezra offered her a magazine from the selection on the coffee table before crossing to the receptionist. Giving their names he quickly filled out the billing information and wrote out a check for their first session. A smile touched his lips as he realized their first major argument as husband and wife had been about money.

He had vehemently refused the vet's insistance that she pay for his help. Ezra had pointed out that he now made a living bringing people such as blackmailers to justice and Lucy had countered with the rebuttal that was exactly why he should be paid for his time.

"Miss Lucy I'm already putting my life on the line by keeping this situation from Mr. Tanner and the others." Standish had grinned. "Surely you don't want to insure my demise by insisting on financial restitution?"

"You, yourself, said you now make a living out of situations like this. It's only fair you should get paid for your work."

"I receive a regular paycheck whether we have an assignment or not and I assure you my dear I don't need the money."

The gambler had finally won the debate falling back on Vin's old standby when trying to get past Ezra...Lucy was family and you didn't charge your family to help. Or so he thought until he found five one hundred dollar bills tucked between the books on the living room shelves.

Adding a thousand, pretending ignorance of the hidden funds, he had taken the money and opened a trust fund in Mattie's name.

Ezra settled onto the sofa slipping an arm around Lucy as naturally as he shuffled cards.

*******

"If you'll give me the bill when it comes, I'll pay for the sessions." Lucy snapped the seatbelt with a resounding click, mentally admonishing herself for not having thought of the cost before now. "It's the least I can do since you won't accept any finacial restitution." She grinned at the gambler, the tension falling away, as he steered the Camero from the parking garage.

Lucy was a proud woman used to paying her own way and not wanting to damage her ego any further, Ezra decided to try a compromise. "In the interest of peace, I will split the bill with you." He could always add her half to Mattie's account.

Knowing it was the best she was going to get, the vet settled back on the seat thinking about the past hour.

Like the waiting room, the inner office was tastefully decorated in soothing pastels, with comfortable chairs and a large sofa.

Dr. Billings was an older man with an open friendly air about him that reminded her of Marcus Welby.

She'd watched in amazement as Ezra easily charmed the doctor, weaving his tale of convincing Lucy talking to a therapist might be helpful. He'd explained how worried he was since his wife had suffered some personal tragedies in the past few months. The dark circles under her eyes attested to the sleepless nights since Brenda's accident, giving the vet a weary, almost haggard appearance.

Remembering her role, Lucy had easily answered the questions they'd readied concerning their marriage and shown an obvious reluctance to discuss anything about the past months. She'd tried not to appear surprised or automatically jerk away, when, while talking with Dr. Billings, the southerner had casually taken her hand gently preventing her from nervously twisting at the unfamiliar rings on her finger.

Lucy glanced pensively at the expensive diamond ring and the intricately carved wedding ring. They were beautiful but she couldn't help but think the wrong man wore the matching gold band.

"We can stop this at any time Miss Lucy." The gambler's emerald gaze remained on the traffic. "There are other ways to find out if what you suspect is true."

"We've been over this Ezra." She sighed. "I'll be fine. After all, my husband is the best undercover agent in the country. There's something to be said for osmosis." Lucy quipped.

"You, my dear, are incorrigible." The con man grinned. 'I hope Mr. Tanner never fails to appreciate the gift that's Lucy Garth.'

*******

With a last glance around the dimly lit hallway, Ezra slipped silently into the dark office and relocked the door. Pulling the tiny Maglite from his pocket, the southerner crossed to the filing cabinets in the receptionist's small office. Picking the lock was as simple as the office door had been and setting the tool kit on top of the cabinet, he removed a small note book and pen from his jacket pocket.

The gambler had taken the opportunity during that first visit to descreetly survey the offices for any annomalies or security system.

Ignoring the medical histories, Ezra rifled the files, paying attention only to the finacial records of names he recognized. The con man's research had proved Dr. Billings was well known among the medical community and had a reputation for treating some of the most affluent of Denver society

He wasn't interested in the reasons they needed to see the psychatrist but he needed names and social security numbers to check bank records. If anyone had been making regular cash withdrawals of large amounts, they may be able to think of someway to approach the possible victims.

It would have been easier to simply download the patient list to his own computer at home but he didn't have time to get to know the receptionist well enough to figure out her password and hacking into the system may set off alarms he didn't need.

Finishing the list, Ezra relocked the cabinets and just as easily unlocked the doctor's private office. Pulling the drapes closed he used the small light to search the man's desk, finding no evidence of the doctor's indiscretions.

Giving the office a quick once over for any evidence of his presence, the con man switched off the light and reopened the drapes, locking the door behind him.

*******

As the bedroom door opened, Standish's hand slowly slid toward the small gun that usually rested beneath the pile of pillows before remembering, with Mattie in the penthouse, he'd locked all the weapons in the secret room behind the closet wall.

"Miss Mattie?"

With a small sob, clutching Rabby, the child padded across the carpet on bare feet quickly climbing onto the bed.

"Did you have a bad dream?" The little girl nodded, snuggling closer to the gambler as he gently wiped the tear that trickled down her cheek before tucking the blanket around her small shoulders.

"I couldn't find Mama."

Ezra wasn't sure if Mattie was referring to Lucy or Tish. 'Aunt Lucy' had gradually given way to mama in the time since the child had come to live with the vet. "She's in the room across from yours."

"Forgot." The word was mumbled. "Thought she'd be here...Mommies and Daddies sleep together."

His mouth moving soundlessly, uncertain how to respond, Ezra rubbed soothing circles on the little girl's back thankful as feeling safe again, the child drifted off to sleep. 'Oh Lord, Miss Lucy we may have a bigger problem than blackmail.'

*******

"Mr. Ezra...you wake?" The small cheerful voice whispered.

One eyelid lifted enough to see the bedside clock read six forty five estimating he'd gotten just over three hours sleep for the night. Evidently, Mattie and her mother were cut from the same cloth as Vin Tanner, rising with the sun.

Ezra had awakened everytime Mattie moved, ready to chase away the nightmares and allay the little girls fears. He'd pretended to sleep when Lucy had quietly opened the bedroom door, hearing her sigh of relief at finding her missing daughter safe and sound.

Remaining motionless, the gambler suppressed a chuckle as the child sat patiently watching him for several moments before a small hand crept up to pull away the blanket that partially hid his face.

"Mr. Ezra...you wake?" She leaned close, speaking softly in his ear. A squeal of delight escaped the child as in one quick move, the gambler rolled over and snatching the child pulled her into a hug, his agile fingers gently tickling her ribcage.

"I-I c-can't breathe..." The little girl managed to gasp in the middle of her laughter, squirming frantically.

She lay still her head resting on Ezra's arm dragging in deep breaths of air as the gambler desisted his attack.

"That's what happens to people who wake me from beautiful dreams." Ezra tried to sound threatening, the child's giggle telling him he'd failed miserably. "What's that Rabby?" Holding the stuffed animal to his ear, the gambler pretended to listen for a moment. "You're absolutely right."

"What did he say?" The little girl asked curiously.

"Rabby said it's much to early for rabbits, little girls and southern gentlemen to be awake."

"But you said we'd go to the zoo today."

"That I did my dear and we shall but I do believe, like Rabby and myself, the residents we plan on visiting would appreciate a bit more rest."

"Don't go back to sleep Mr. Ezra." Mattie lovingly pat his cheek as the gambler snuggled deeper into the pillows. "Mama's makin' pancakes."

"That would explain the scintilating aroma wafting through the air."

"She makes the bestest pancakes in the world. Ya can have 'em with blueberries or raspberries or even bananas...Any kind you want."

"Well then I think it would be extremely ill mannered of us to be late to the breakfast table. As Nathan is so fond of informing me...Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Throwing back the blankets, Ezra gave his make believe daughter a warm hug before setting her on the floor and handing her the raggedy rabbit. "If we aren't to keep your mother waiting, you'd better hurry with your morning absolutions."

"Huh?"

"Wash up and get dressed." He explained, slipping into a robe and guiding her toward the door. "Beat'cha to the table."

"Uh huh."

The gambler sank wearily back onto the bed as with a giggle the child dashed from the room. Damn he was tired.

*******

Lucy couldn't help but laugh as Ezra held the back of Mattie's overalls preventing her from reaching the table. He scooped her daughter up in his arms, whirling the child around and setting her down on the other side of the kitchen door sliding into a chair and smiling smugly.

"I won."

"You cheated."

"I take great umbrage at that remark." The gambler poured himself a cup of coffee. "I don't cheat. I merely use a given situation to my advantage."

To an outsider, they were the picture of the perfect family as between bites, Mattie was chatting excitedly about the upcoming trip, telling Ezra about the animals they were going to see.

"I'm sorry if she disturbed you last night. I know you didn't get much sleep." Lucy apologized, loading the dishwasher as Mattie scampered off to play on the patio with Scoundrel.

"Miss Mattie is rarely a disturbance."

"Did you find out anything?" She smiled, ignoring the quizzical expression. "I heard you leave...and come back."

The gambler didn't ask why she'd been awake at one in the morning. "Unfortunately nothing of importance I could ascertain immediately."

Ezra moved about straightening the kitchen not wanting to outright admit to his late night visit to the doctor's office. A law officer or not, Ezra had technically committed burglery and he wasn't about to make Lucy an accessory after the fact.

The gratitude he'd felt when the ringing phone prevented any further questions vanished instantaneously replaced by dread upon hearing the voice on the other end of the line.

"Hey Ez. Glad I caught ya before ya went ta bed."

"What makes you think I haven't been to bed Mr. Tanner?"

Lucy's wide-eyed expression reflected his own feelings.

"Ya sound awake and it ain't even eight in the mornin'." The sharpshooter chuckled. "Reckoned ya'd take advantage of the time off ta clean out the casinos." The Texan continued before the gambler could respond. "Listen, there's a report in the top drawer of Chris' desk he forgot to send the judge and he wondered if ya could take it over to him."

"Of course. Just how did Mr. Larabee injure himself?"

"Chris ain't hurt."

"I assumed he either had laryngitis or perhaps had broken his fingers since he has you making his calls." Ezra teased drawing laughter from both Lucy and Vin.

"Actually he's on the phone with Buck warnin' him again that the house better be in one piece when we get back"

"Is it time to go yet Mr. Ezra?"

Ezra wasn't quick enough in covering the mouthpiece to prevent Vin hearing Mattie's question as she skipped into the room, Scoundrel yapping at her heels.

"Is that Mattie?"

"As a matter of fact it is. Miss Lucy has been at the sickbed of a friend the past few days and I offered the hospitality of my spare rooms and babysitting services." The southerner improvised, offering a Reader's Digest version of the truth as Lucy hustled Mattie back into the living room.

"Well that explains why she ain't answered the phone the last couple a days." Ezra could almost picture the tracker nodding to himself as he talked. "Was kinda worried."

"I'm sure she'll be pleased to hear you've been thinking of her," Ezra grinned passing her the receiver as Lucy re-entered the kitchen, not giving his bashful friend time to object.

*******

Ezra stood in front of the fireplace watching the pages of his notes burn. Out of the list of patient's names he'd pulled from the doctor's files he'd found several making rather suspicious cash withdrawals on a regular basis. Of those, he decided on three names to research further.

In actuality, the errand Chris required of him had proven beneficial to Lucy's situation. As much as it went against his upbringing, Ezra had taken the opportunity to ask for the jurist's assistance in the matter. Without revealing sources, and avoiding as many details as possible, he had explained his suspicions and given the judge the names of the three patients he wanted to approach. The three he thought would be the most likely to admit they were being blackmailed. Each of them had stopped seeing the doctor on a professional basis after the first withdrawal of funds.

Ezra had seen the momentary skepticism in the older man's eyes as the judge weighed the options running through his mind. Was Ezra reverting to his old ways and using him to pick his next mark? Secondly, had Ezra for some reason decided to seek therapy and was being threatened for what he'd revealed or was the man actually telling the truth and trying to help someone else? Someone, whom, heaven forbid, the gambler was trying to protect?

Standish knew the judge had thought Larabee insane for bringing the con artist onto his team and while the gambler had been assured time and again he had proved himself to the others Ezra was a bit overwhelmed and stunned at how quickly the judge made his decision and offered his help.

In short order, after obtaining the three names in question, Travis informed Ezra he'd arrange to have the three people contacted if he had to do it himself. He'd call and let Ezra know what he'd discovered.

As he left the Judge's chambers, Ezra convinced himself, he hadn't betrayed Lucy's confidence. He had only promised not to involve the rest of the team, but he had never said a word about seeking help from other avenues.

The gambler's thoughts turned to the doctor. Billings didn't fit the image of a blackmailer...Hell, for that matter, he didn't even fit Ezra's image of a therapist. Having Lucy wait in the outer office, the man had assured the southerner he didn't think his wife was suffering from anything other than acute anxiety brought on by the stress she'd been under the last few months.

According to what Standish had told him, Lucy was a very open person, saying exactly what was on her mind. She wasn't a person to keep her emotions bottled inside but that was exactly what she had begun to do and as soon as she released the emotions, she would quickly recover from the events which had recently overwhelmed her.

"In layman's terms Mr. Standish she needs to talk."

"But she's always talked to me about everything." Ezra pointed out.

"It may be that she doesn't wish to add to the stress that you yourself have been under."

The doctor had set up an intensive therapy schedule, with three appointments the first week and two a week after that certain in a very short time she would no longer need his services at all. Ezra had been surprised, as he always thought of therapists as dragging out the healing process as long as possible.

Stirring from his musings, he saw the flames had died to mere embers and the tall clock in the corner was chiming two a.m. Double checking the protective screen spark guard, he made a check of all the locks and turned on the security system. It seemed he was being overly cautious with his security since Mattie was in his home. His eyes flashed wide for a moment. Good Heavens! Was he becoming paternal?

That odd little thought niggled at the back of his brain as he hesitated at the guest room, taking a moment to glance through the open doorway. A genuine smile of delight touched his lips at the sight of the small girl asleep in the large bed, Rabby clutched to her chest, the other arm draped across a large stuffed penquin, nearly as big as she was.

A look of embarrassment replaced the smile. What would his teammates have said if they'd seen him...Ezra P. Standish...carrying the huge stuffed animal about the zoo? What would they have thought of his smiles and joyful laughter at seeing the zoo through the little girl's eyes.

The child was a born entertainer. He chuckled softly to himself, picturing again how she'd perfectly imitated the penquin's waddle. Mattie had dragged him over every inch of the enormous city zoo, commenting on every creature she saw, asking a thousand questions as only a precocious child could. Why couldn't penquins fly? Would the chimpanzees grow up to be gorillas? How come the flying squirrels didn't have wings?

Ezra released a soft sigh of contentment. He'd have to be a walking encyclopedia, although Larabee had often accused him of being just that, to answer everything she wanted to know. As they had started for home, he realized he'd rarely spent a more enjoyable day. Mattie had a natural affinity for the animals and it wouldn't surprise the gambler at all to see her follow in her mother's footsteps.

With a last look at the sleeping child, he made his way to his own room. Exhausted, Ezra was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.

*******

"We shoulda called Buck." JD warned for the tenth time. "You know Ezra ain't thrilled about havin' people just show up."

"Other people JD." The womanizer argued, slapping the ball cap from his young companion's head. "He's finally gotten used to us. 'Sides tell me ya don't miss the smart mouth little bastard."

JD jammed the cap back into place. "That ain't the point!"

"That's exactly the point." Buck argued. "If Mohammed won't come to the mountain then the mountains have come to Mohammed."

Chris and Vin had been gone just over two weeks and in that time other than his joining them at Inez's for a drink each Friday night or a few hours at the office none of them had seen Ezra. He'd begged off each time any of them called to invite him to some activity they'd planned, staying on the phone only as long as necessary.

The previous evening, after another one of Ezra's 'thanks but no thanks,' the four team mates over pizza and a movie had discussed their absent member.

JD, a romantic at heart and always believing the best about the con man had suggested the southerner was spending his spare time with Dionica vehemently arguing his case that planes flew both ways when Buck reminded him the woman was out of town.

Buck, himself, knowing how tiring an active lifestyle could be and having seen how exhausted Ezra usually was at the end of a case, thought the gambler was catching up on his sleep and lost casino time.

Josiah, with fatherly wisdom had bluntly pointed out that how Ezra spent his off time was none of their business but if he were to hazard a guess, it would be that the absent younger member was doing the things he knew Ezra enjoyed visiting the museums, symphonies, plays and other places and activities Buck and JD considered too highbrow and cultural for their tastes.

Nathan, never quite sure when the gambler was going to revert on them and go back to his old ways, had teasingly suggested the con man was taking advantage of the time off to sharpen his skills on some unsuspecting mark.

"Hey Harry, how's it hangin'?" Buck questioned the doorman as they approached.

"Same as always Mr.Wilmington and yours?" The doorman commented, his light blue eyes twinkling merrily.

"Busier than ever." Wilmington chuckled. "Figured we'd drag your resident vampire out for some fresh air. Reckon we'll find out if sunshine really does make them disintegrate."

"If you're referring to Mr. Standish, he's not home. He and the missus left about an hour ago." Excusing himself, Harry hurried to help one of the other residents with several packages she carried.

"Told ya we shoulda called." JD snickered ducking to avoid the slap that would once again force him to retrieve his beloved hat. "Come on, he's probably at the office." He headed back toward the car parked on the street but when his jibe didn't elicit a response from his companion, he glanced at Buck. "Buck what the hell's the matter with you?" Dunne asked as the jovial man obediantly followed him out the door and down the sidewalk as if he were in shock.

"He and the missus." The womanizer muttered.

Dunne stopped to stare at him. "What?"

"Harry said he and the missus left about an hour ago."

JD whirled around, his wide eyed gaze returning to the front door of the building, a wide smile slowly spreading across his young face. "Him and Dionica got married. Hot Damn!"

"No way in hell." Wilmington shook his head in denial. "Ain't no way he got married without us standing up beside him."

"The hell he wouldn't." JD laughed. "He was probably afraid you'd show up in that ugly ass bright pink Hawaian shirt and tattered cutoffs. Besides you know Harry calls everybody mister and missus. Might a just been a slip a the tongue. He's an old man Buck." He pointed out. "So we don't know for sure and that means we have to wait till Ezra decides ta tell us."

"Not necessarily." The womanizer wiggled his eyebrows, his grin suggesting he had a better idea as he hurried off, tossing over his shoulder. "Hey you bought me that ugly ass shirt!"

*******

Just as JD predicted they'd discovered the con man at the office, deep in conversation with Nathan over a cup of coffee. They'd passed the better part of an hour talking about inconsequentials events before the gambler stated he had an appointment and abruptly departed.

"Gonna check out a rumor we just heard." Buck grinned, watching in amazement as his partner's fingers flew across the keyboard. "How come Ezra stopped by?"

"You could have asked him yourself but if ya must know I was waiting on some supplies that had to be signed for. Ezra volunteered ta be here in case I couldn't get out of the clinic in time." The physcian explained. "Now ya wanna tell me what's got you as hopped up as horny jackrabbits."

"'Ccordin' ta a certain doorman our resident southerner's done snuck off and got hisself hitched." Buck burst into laughter at Jackson's shocked expression.

"What's the matter Brother...laryngitis?" Josiah questioned as he stepped from the elevator pulling the tie from around his neck and stuffing it into a jacket pocket. "Damn I hate these things. Main reason I always tried to get outta testifyin'....Nathan did you know your mouth is moving but there isn't any sound comin' out?"

"He's just tryin' ta swallow some unbelievable news." Wilmington joked, turning his attention back to the flashing emblem on JD's computer screen which indicated the search was still in progress.

"What news?" The big man shoved Nathan into a chair by JD's desk crossing to see what had Buck and JD so fascinated and the physician so flabbergasted. His craggy eyebrows pulled together in the beginnings of a frown. "Why are you searching state records? We have a new case?"

"Yep...sorta..." JD muttered, impatiently tapping the mouse as if it would hurry the requested readout's appearance

Shaking his head in mild disgust at the two, he turned to the doctor. "Okay Nathan, ya wanna find your voice long enough to tell me what the Hardy Boys over here are up to?"

The black man just shook his head unable to wipe away the silly grin. "He wasn't wearin' a ring." He stated stupidly.

"Call it the Case of the Married Gambler." Dunne's giggle faded away as the No Match Found flashed across the screen. "Aw hell!"

"Go back a few months." Buck ordered. "He didn't have to apply for it recently."

"I searched the entire year. No license was applied in either his name or Nica's."

"What the hell are you two babbling about?" Josiah growled. "Ya think Ez got married?" Having realized what was going on, the large man tilted his chair back and propped his feet up on the corner of the desk. "You're wastin' your time Brothers. No one said if they did get married they had to do it in this state...or even in this country."

"I tried to tell Buck that Harry calls everybody mister or missus but he wouldn't listen." JD pouted, shutting down the computer before Wilmington could suggest a full scale, state by state, country by county search.

"Only ring he was wearin' was that ruby a his." Nathan clarified his earlier statement.

"That don't mean nothin' either, cause some men don't wear wedding bands," Dunne argued.

"Don't know about that," Nathan muttered. "Bet Ezra would and besides I'd bet a months pay if him and Nica decided ta get married, they'd ask Josiah to perform the ceremony."

"Any of you got a better suggestion for why he's bein' so sneaky and evasive lately?" The womanizer challenged.

"Because it's his nature." The doctor shrugged. "He's probably playin' a joke on y'all or more likely he's runnin' some kinda con."

"Because it's none of our business." Josiah's tone dared them to deny it. "Furthermore, if our black sheep has decided to tie the knot and settle down it's up to him to inform us of that fact."

"Come on Josiah, you know you're just as curious as the rest of us." The youngest of their group prodded.

"That may be so," the preacher admitted, "but I'm willing to respect Ezra's privacy. He'll tell us when he's ready."

*******

"Gentlemen, I realize I'm an exceptionally handsome specimen of the male species but is there a particular reason you can't seem to take your eyes off me?" Ezra questioned offhandedly as he studied the cards he held. Lucy had insisted the gambler join his friends when Josiah had called about their weekly Poker game. "Perhaps you've all had a sudden change of sexual orientation?"

"What?" JD squeaked bringing a deep rumble of laughter from Josiah.

"I can think of no other reason for such intense scrutiny."

"Hell, Ez you're damn pretty with nice legs and all, but if that's an offer I'll pass." Buck chuckled.

"Good thing he ain't wearin' that purple dress or ya might not be so picky." Nathan quipped bringing a groan of dismay from the gambler at the memory of his one and only feminine undercover job. Despite his remark, Nathan couldn't keep his eyes from straying to the con man's agile fingers. Damn, he was only wearing his usual ruby ring!

"Hey Ez, ya ever think about gettin' married?" JD stifled the small cry of pain as the preacher ground the heel of his boot into the smaller man's foot causing the youngster to wish he'd stifled his curiosity. His heart racing, the poker face firmly in place, the gambler concentrated on the cards he held. What had prompted that question? Had he inadvertantly let something slip? He glanced down, relieved to see he hadn't forgotten to remove the wedding band. Taking a sip of his beer to wet his dry throat he remarked, "Every man at some time in his life has considered the prospect of marriage whether as a distinct possibility or as is most likely Mr. Wilmington's case in abject terror. Are you perhaps considering proposing to the lovely Miss Casey?"

"Hell no!" The computer expert vehemently shook his head, his face reddening. "Well...maybe someday...but not for a while yet."

'Your skills don't need sharpening Brother. You wiggled your way out of that as slick as JD hacks into a database.' As Ezra turned the conversation to the latest news from Chris and Vin, Josiah wondered if he was the only one who realized the southerner had answered without actually answering.

*******

"Maybe I'm wrong Ezra." Lucy held up the coffee pot offering the gambler a refill before joining him at the table. Her gray eyes softened as she gazed at the man. At first, she had believed the stay with the con man would be a tribulation at the very least, having heard the disparaging remarks the other men often leveled in his direction but the past days had been a real joy not only to her but to Mattie.

He made her feel at ease and as for Mattie, Lucy was a bit overwhelmed at how the two had taken to each other. Keeping her occupied while Lucy worked, Ezra was constantly taking the child somewhere, the zoo, the science museum and today to the child's delight, a small carnival.

Upon returning from the local street fair, Ezra had carried the sleepy child to her room and dropping a light kiss on the little girl's forehead had hurried to the kitchen to start the coffee pot while Lucy had put her daughter to bed.

Two sessions earlier, with the con man's approval, Lucy had reluctantly revealed to Dr. Billings, the secret causing her inner turmoil and in doing so had given the man his blackmail material. Suspecting she intended to tell the man about Mattie, Ezra hadn't argued when the vet had refused his offer of a fabrication for the doctor, hoping if nothing else, talking about the circumstances around her daughter's birth would be lethargic.

The young woman settled into the chair across the table from him, her expression grim as she sipped at the coffee. "I just don't know who else it could be but I thought he would have contacted me by now."

"Perhaps, Brenda will be able to provide further information soon." The vet had come home that afternoon with news her friend was showing signs of waking from the coma.

Home?

The con man started, as the ramifications of that one word sank in.

He,...Ezra P. Standish,...a man who had spent most of his life alone, who valued his privacy and guarded it zealously had been surprised to discover he enjoyed having Lucy Garth and her daughter in his home...in his life. He'd come to look forward to returning to the enormous penthouse knowing they were waiting. He couldn't and wouldn't deny he'd enjoyed the last weeks doing the things normal happy families did: watching morning cartoons with Mattie, talking about the day over dinner, tucking the little girl into bed at night, listening while her mother read a bedtime story. The other team members would never let him live it down if they discovered he'd enjoyed playing the games of skill with Mattie at Chuckie E Cheese as much as he did sitting at the casino poker tables.

If nothing else, the southerner was a realist. He constantly reminded himself this was nothing more than a pretense and when it was over, Lucy and Mattie would move back to the vet's small farm and he would only see them occasionally at the gatherings held at Larabee's ranch. He was beginning to begrudge the time when she would be leaving and his home would go back to the empty cold place it had been. He tried not to think of that and kept telling himself things could change in the future. If nothing else, his time spent with the woman and her daughter had given him a perspective of what life with Dionica and their own children might be.

Ezra spoke with the construction worker every night and had flown to visit her the previous weekend. He was an entrepaneuer so last minute business trips weren't uncommon and if anyone was watching, his wife and daughter had seen him off at the airport and were there waiting for him when he returned.

As he had walked down the long airport corridor, just as he had done a thousand times before in his lonely life, past the security check point, a small bundle of giggles with laughing gray eyes had run pell mell toward him. Ezra had dropped his coat and briefcase and stooped down as Mattie launched herself into his arms, clinging to his neck exclaiming how very very much she and Rabby had missed him. As he gathered her in his arms and stood, Lucy had approached to greet him, her soft expression telling him more than her words ever could how much she had missed him as well and Ezra felt himself torn in a million directions. He had just left the love of his life and yet, this woman...his best friend's love...stirred something in him too and he hated that he hadn't been totally honest with Dionica.

Not wanting to betray Lucy's trust, the con man had explained, as he had with Vin, that Lucy and Mattie were using his spare rooms so she could be near her hospitalized friend.

The southerner loved and missed Dionica Ryan. He hadn't realized how much until he'd stepped from the plane and into her waiting arms but a part of him whispered Lucy held an undeniable attraction for him as well. It wasn't love but a strange familiarity as if she had always been a part of his life.

"Guess I should have let you come up with a story to feed him." Lucy sighed drawing the gambler's attention back to her.

"Miss Lucy, I truly believe the fault is not with the tale you related." He reassured her. "Perhaps I haven't played my part believably."

Lucy found that very statement unbelievable. Ezra, not wanting the doctor to have a doubt that while he loved his wife there was every possibility he would be angry enough to leave her upon discovering her secret, had escorted her to each session, harmlessly flirting with the receptionist, discreetly gathering information and immediately becoming the doting husband when Lucy stepped from the inner office.

"It's more likely he didn't believe me." She sank back in the chair, stirring the coffee aimlessly. "Unfortunately, I've never been a very good liar." Her eyes widened as she raised her head to gaze at the gambler realizing how he might have taken the innocent comment. "I-I-m sorry Ezra...I didn't mean to say that you...I know you only-"

"It's how I make my living Miss Lucy." He chuckled in a vain attempt to ease her embarrassment. If the simple remark had been made by Larabee or one of the others, the southerner would have taken it for the slight to his character they had meant it to be but he knew the vet hadn't intended any offense. "I find it refreshing that unlike so many others you don't feel the need to watch every word you say." He hesitated than questioned, "May I ask you something?"

The con man was suddenly uncertain how to continue when the woman nodded her consent. Needing to help her friend, she had come to him for assistance and he didn't want her blaming herself if their carefully laid plan failed. She didn't need to feel that her honesty was a liability.

"When you spoke with Dr. Billings...did you speak from your heart?" Ezra couldn't prevent the blush highlighting his cheeks, thinking how incongruous the question sounded.

Inhaling deeply, Lucy re-ran the session through her mind. With true heart felt reluctance she had broken down and told the doctor of the events leading to Mattie's birth and her reasons for keeping the child's parentage secret. Even as she spoke, Vin Tanner's face had immediately surfaced in her mind.

"Never for a moment have I regretted Mattie's birth but I don't want to have to choose between my daughter and the man I love. Other than Mattie, he's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I don't want to lose him."

Tanner knew the truth surrounding Mattie and hadn't judged or condemned her actions. In her heart, Lucy knew Vin would never make her pick between the two of them. He seemed to love Mattie nearly as much as she and Trish had.

As the doctor questioned her further, Lucy had to force herself to remember the doctor was speaking about Ezra, when he had asked why she thought the man who obviously loved her would leave if told the truth.

Her thoughts had reverted to Tanner's disappearance, remembering the worry and sorrow it had brought her as well as the overwhelming painful thoughts of never seeing the handsome gentle tracker again. Even after all these months the thought still brought tears to her eyes.

The vet had dropped her gaze, not meeting the doctor's eyes as she stared at the carpet as she quietly relayed Ezra's additions to her story. Lucy told her willing audience how her husband had once stated he didn't want children and to make matters worse she thought he might be having an affair. She had never been so glad for a session to end, never having dreamed how she would have to bear her soul.

Now, looking at the man who sat across from her, realizing he was no stranger but a dear and trusted friend she softly whispered. "Yes."

The simple answer brought a smile to the gambler's face.

"Then the good doctor would have no reason not to believe you." Ezra pat her hand. "Perhaps he isn't the perpetrator we think...or...."

"Or?"

"Or perhaps he just isn't convinced we're the loving couple we're portraying." The gambler's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I think I have an idea. Could you arrange to have Miss Nettie babysit Mattie tomorrow evening?"

*******

Mattie jumped up, hurrying to the door expectantly at the sound of a vehicle pulling in Nettie's drive. Lucy had dropped the child off that afternoon on her way to a call at the Atkin's farm.

"JD!" The child's squeal of delight echoed through the house.

"Hey sweetie!" As the little girl rushed to meet him, the young man swung her up into his arms, accepting and returning the hug she offered. "I didn't know you were gonna be here."

"I knew you was though. I heard Casey tell Miss Nettie you guys was goin' to the show." She grinned letting him carry her back to the living room. "She ain't ready yet cause she's still colorin' in her face."

Seated in the rocker watching the nightly news as she sewed a baby quilt for a friend's daughter, Nettie laughed at the comment as Dunne set the little girl down on the couch beside him.

"You been havin' a good time?" He asked the child.

"I helped Miss Nettie bake cookies and she let me feed the chickens and play with Lightning...That's the baby goat...He tried to eat my shirt but Miss Nettie showed me how to make him stand up and beg. He likes Frosted Mini Wheats." The little girl chatted happily as she slid to the floor beside the coffee table, returning to the picture she had been drawing. "What movie ya gonna see?"

"I don't know. I'll let Casey pick."

"You're gonna see a chick flick than." Mattie shrugged.

Nettie chuckled, "Oh child, you've been spending to much time around Buck."

"She's probably right though." The young man gave Casey's aunt a wry grin. "I think Casey wants to see that one with Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman." JD turned his attention to the paper Mattie was working on. "Whatcha drawin' kiddo?"

"A picture for Mama." She held up the paper. "See there's me and Mama and my new Papa and that's Mama Trish..." She pointed to a figure with wings who seemed to be flying among the clouds. "She's an angel now just like your mama."

JD heard the sadness in her voice but his thoughts were running rampant. New Papa? First Ez and Dionica and now Vin and Lucy! Was everyone secretly getting married?

"Think she'll like it?" Mattie quizzed shoving the picture under his nose where he couldn't help but see it.

"I-I'm sure she will." Dunne stuttered, feeling the color drain from his face only to return in a rush as he continued to stare at the picture. He was saved from commenting further when Casey hurried into the room apologizing for running late.

"They gonna get married and have a baby Miss Nettie?" Mattie questioned after they'd each given the little girl a hug and left.

"Maybe someday sweetie." Nettie smiled, the child having voiced her own secret wish. "Why don't you run out and put us some of those cookies on a plate? I'll be there in a second and pour us some milk."

Since it wasn't unusual for small children, especially those who had lost a parent, to pretend about their relationship to others, the old woman hadn't paid much attention when Mattie spoke of her new papa but curious at what could have caused the strange reaction in JD, Nettie studied the picture for a moment, her own complexion paling. 'He better have a damn good explanation or I'll wring his scrawny neck!'

*******

Entering the elegant five star restaurant, Lucy steeled herself not to stare in wonder at the opulant surroundings. After all she was supposed to be used to dining in only the best and most expensive places. She wasn't surprised when the maitre'd greeted Ezra by name, stating how pleased he was their favorite patron had decided to visit them once more. It had surprised her when he called her Mrs. Standish commenting that she looked lovely as always.

She felt like a little girl playing dress up, wearing the only evening gown she owned. It was a classic style with simple lines that displayed her figure and her mother's single strand of pearls was the perfect accessory to the black dress. With a start, she realized she'd never worn the dress for Vin. It seemed their 'dates' were more casual, not that she minded. Any time spent with the Texan was fine with her, no matter where they went, but this...this evening with Ezra seemed like some kind of fairy tale.

After holding Lucy's chair seating her beside the man portraying her husband, the maitre'd popped the cork on the bottle of champagne resting in the ice bucket, filling their stemmed goblets. Telling Ezra he only had to signal the waiter when they were ready for their appetizers, the man faded away.

As the seemingly perfect evening progressed, the southerner kept the conversation light pleased to see Lucy relax as she talked about her day.

Finding himself more than a bit curious he carefully steered their discussion to Trish. He listened intently as the young vet talked of the happy times with her friend, telling him about their celebrations caused by Mattie's first tooth, her first word, her first step, laughing as she described how the two women had stood outside the school peeking in the Kindergarten windows on the child's first day of school.

The main course ended and the dishes cleared, Lucy smiled when the staff moved away, her fingers playing with the stem of the glass. "Thank you Ezra. For months, all I've been able to think about is the senseless way she died....I needed to remember the good times."

"Everyone needs to remember the good times...including Mattie." The gambler had few childhood memories worth thinking about but those few were held close to his heart. He hesitated uncertain if he was overstepping the boundaries of their friendship. "I think Mr. Tanner would greatly enjoy seeing Trish through your eyes."

Vin hadn't known Trish but he'd been at the scene of her violant death. He'd seen the blood and imagined the woman's terror just as Lucy had. He'd stood beside Lucy at the funeral, holding Mattie, offering support and grieving for a woman he'd never met but whom he knew meant so much to the woman he loved.

Before she could respond, the maitre'd led a party of four to the table closest to where they sat. Lucy quickly hid her surprise at the sight of Dr. Billings, a woman she recognized as his wife from the picture on his desk, Nancy, the receptionist and a man she could only assume was the receptionist's husband.

Her eyes narrowed slightly and an accusatory tone crept into her voice. "Ezra?"

He gave her a dimpled smile and slight shrug looking deeply into her eyes, supposedly so lost in each other they were unaware of anyone else. "What can I say? I was waiting for you when she made the reservations. It's the good doctor's birthday present to Nancy." The vet almost burst into laughter at the sly undertone in his quiet words as he added, "Ready for a little play acting?"

Seemingly engrossed in their private conversation, the con man and the veteranian appeared oblivious to their audience. Wanting to do as he directed, needing to look upset, Lucy struggled not to laugh, constantly dropping her gaze to the glass in front of her.

Ezra, his expression intense, his tone angry while the words were inaudible to the surrounding couples, the gambler was describing in great detail the latest joke Tanner had pulled on Larabee. Adding to the illusion, the hustler raised his voice slightly. 

"Damnit Lucy, this isn't the time or place for this discussion." His southern drawl was just loud enough to draw attention to their table. "Can't we just have a nice pleasant evening...alone?"

The young woman flushed a bright red with embarrassment and looked properly chastized as she struggled to thank the waiter who had returned with a delicious looking Pecan pie, a speciality of the restaurant.

Ezra once again became the loving husband treating his wife to a romantic evening out on the town.

As she finished the last of her pie and started to sit back in the chair, the southerner leaned closer and Lucy couldn't prevent the thrill that raced up her spine as his warm Pecan scented breath softly tickled her cheek.

Sliding a hand to the back of her neck, the fingers of his other hand gently stroking her cheek, Ezra's emerald eyes stared into hers a long tender moment before his soft lips claimed her own. The gambler attempted to keep the kiss as chaste as possible, holding it long enough to appear passionate to their watching audience.

"I hope I didn't offend you Miss Lucy but it was the only appropriate action to achieve the desired effect." Ezra whispered, in her ear as he appeared to nibble the lobe. His thumb continuing to trace her cheekbone as if wishing to brush away the heat flaming her face. Finally, much to soon it seemed to him, he sat back, staring at her with soft verdant eyes.

Lucy nodded her understanding afraid her voice would betray the sudden shame she felt. Damn! This man was Vin's friend! Yet, she couldn't deny being drawn to him. A deep sense of guilt washed over her. It was almost as if by enjoying the evening and the kiss she had somehow betrayed both Vin and Dionica. She couldn't help feeling as if she'd somehow cheated on the man she loved.

"Aww hell." Standish groaned, drawing her attention. The con man's emerald eyes momentarily closed and his handsome face paled.

"Ezra?" Was he feeling the same guilt as herself?

"Miss Lucy, I'm afraid we had more of an audience than I anticipated." The gambler forced a smile, keeping his attention focused on the woman at his side pointedly ignoring the angry gaze of the team's healer seated across the room.

*******

"You have to tell them Ezra." Lucy sighed as they pulled into Nettie's driveway. She'd questioned him continuously after they'd left the restaurant and returned to the penthouse to change clothes before driving out to pick up Mattie. She had refused to allow him to change the subject until he'd finally admitted, Nathan and Rayne had been witnesses to their little acting scene. "What must they think? I know I asked you not to say anything but now you have no choice."

She grabbed his hand as they stepped onto Nettie's porch. "Please say you'll tell the others what's going on."

"You have my word, Miss Lucy, I will handle the situation." He grinned, his tone reassuring as he took her elbow escorting her into the house and putting an end to the conversation.

*******

"Of course she wasn't any trouble." Miss Nettie scoffed at the very idea Mattie had been anything other than perfect in Lucy's absence.

Her arms folded across her chest, her expression stern, the older woman whirled on Standish the moment Lucy started upstairs to get her sleeping daughter.

"Ezra Standish I have one question for you and ya damn well better tell me the truth."

Ezra forced himself not to cringe. He and the ex-school teacher had an on going feud, mostly playful but even if he didn't recognize her tone of voice, the fact that she hadn't called him Mr. Fancy was a dead giveaway the woman was nothing but serious.

"Just what might that question be?" He questioned, wondering what he had done this time to set off the old woman.

Her blue eyes flashed. "Does my boy know what's going on with you two?"

Ezra was well aware of what she was asking. "Mr. Tanner is quite aware of the fact that Miss Lucy and Miss Mattie are making use of my guest bedrooms and that Mattie often stays with me while her mother visits a dear friend who is currently hospitalized." 

Although Nettie knew the man was an accomplished liar, she read the truth in his emerald eyes. She was well aware the gambler had allowed the sharpshooter closer than most people and while her heart said the southerner wouldn't intentionally hurt the Texan, her head reminded her this was a man who'd been raised to use whatever means possible to get what he wanted with very little regard for others and their feelings.

"And for future reference, Miz Wells I always answer truthfully." He added letting her know there was no hard feelings from her blunt question. Yet, even as he spoke the words, his inner voice chided, 'At least a reasonable version of the truth.'

*******

"JD?" Startled by the healer's voice, the youth immediately shut down the computer, fighting the guilty blush threatening to creep past his shirt collar. "What are ya doin' here?"

"I-uh-I was searching the web for a video game Buck wants for his birthday. Figured it was the only way I could look for it without him standin' over my shoulder." The youth stammered. He didn't like lying but how was he supposed to explain he was doing another search of marriage licenses...this time with the names Ezra Standish and Lucy Garth. How many times had the others reprimanded him for running his mouth without stopping to think? This wasn't going to be one of those times.

Buck had taken one look at him and immediately kicked into mother hen mode, constantly questioning him on what had happened to upset him and getting no answer, the pilot finally decided he and Casey must have had a fight. That had been three days earlier and while Buck hadn't continue to interrogate him, his roommate still hovered about ready to swoop to the rescue.

Dunne just couldn't get up the nerve to tell his best friend about Mattie's drawing of her 'new papa'. A drawing of a well dressed man with bright green eyes.

He repeatedly told himself there had to be an rational explanation. Ezra wouldn't do something that low. No matter what anyone said, JD refused to believe the gambler was selfish enough to take advantage of Vin's absence to usurp his relationship with the vet, thereby hurting everyone.

JD admitted, at least to himself, he didn't understand the nuances of most relationships but he did know without a shadow of a doubt, Vin Tanner loved Lucy Garth and Lucy loved Vin. Just as surely as he knew he had never seen Ezra happier than when he was with Nica. There was just no reason on earth he could think of for Ezra to mess with what both of the couples had found in each other.

"How come you're here Nate?" The youth dragged his attention back to his teammate.

"Chris and Vin will be back in a few days. Getting set up to start on the semi-annual physicals." The quickly stifled groan from his youngest teammate brought a slight smile to his lips. The first in three days.

The physician was having a hard time coming to grips with what he had seen. He struggled with the anger that surged through him each time he allowed himself to remember the events he had seen transpire at the restaurant.

Wanting to make the anniversary of their first date special for Rayne, Nathan had approached Ezra months earlier, knowing the gambler was the person to ask about all of the best places to dine in and around Four Corners. He had made reservations weeks before and had eagerly looked forward to spending a delightful evening with the love of his life.

Enraptured by his companion Nathan had been more than a little surprised to hear Ezra's familiar southern drawl and shocked at the sight of gambler's dinner guest. Ignoring Rayne's suggestion that they at least acknowledge their friend's presence, Nathan had struggled to understand why Ezra was there with the woman who made Tanner's eyes light up by walking into a room. Only days before hadn't they had heard from what they all considered a reliable source, that Ezra had made the ultimate committment to Dionica.

The physician didn't think he'd ever felt such anger as the rage that surged through his veins when Ezra had kissed Lucy, as if proclaiming to everyone in view that she belonged to him alone. What had stunned him further was that Lucy had allowed it without putting up even a token protest. Were the two playing Vin for a fool behind his back? Vin, who loved Lucy more than life and cared for Ezra like a brother.

Nathan was fully aware Ezra had seen them...Worse still, the con man hadn't shown a modicum of embarrassement that they had unwittingly witnessed the passionate display nodding and smiling at the other couple as with his arm possessively around her waist, he escorted Lucy from the restaurant. As he did so, Nathan was aware this was no chance meeting of two friends...they were together.

With Rayne's hand gripping his arm, it had taken every ounce of self control the doctor possessed not to confront the smug southerner. Even now, Nate could not understand why Rayne refused to acknowledge the con man's guilt and actually seemed to defend his actions.

"All we saw, Nathan, was one of our friends taking another of our friends...one who's had a very rough time the past few months...to dinner. There is nothing wrong with that!"

"He kissed her!"

"And Josiah has kissed me...Chris, Vin and Buck as well as Ezra have all kissed me, hello, goodbye, a reassurance, or maybe you think we're all fooling around behind your back."

"How can you take this so lightly? Vin's our friend!"

"And so is Ezra. We don't know the circumstances and I, for one, believe it was two friends having dinner. If you think it's something more, well, perhaps you should look a little deeper into why you always suspect the worst of Ezra."

Rayne's last words had stung him and Nathan had admitted to himself, she was right. He told himself he was letting his own prejudice and the preconceived ideas he'd had when Ezra first joined the team cloud his judgment. He'd told himself that Standish would have a perfectly good explanation for his actions. He'd told himself Lucy loved Vin and would never fall victim to the charismatic con man.

Then he had remembered...The rings. They were both wearing rings! Damn, matching wedding bands! He remembered seeing the brilliant flashings of the diamond on Lucy's left hand.

"Ya okay Nathan?" JD's voice drew him back to the present.

"Yeah...Just thinking about the things I still need to do." Nathan mentally shook himself once again focusing on his young friend. "If I get started tomorrow, I should be finished with y'all and be ready for Chris and Vin when they get back."

"Want some help?" JD sincerely hoped the doctor would refuse his offer. He didn't think he could keep up the pretense that everything was normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth and when the others found out it would destroy the team. It would tear apart the family he'd found after his mother's death.

"Thanks but I can take care of it." Nathan wanted to be alone. He didn't want to pretend everything was normal when he knew better. "I'll do your physical tomorrow so you can enjoy the last few days of freedom cause ya know when Chris and Vin get back...everything is gonna change."

JD's eyes widened. "What'da ya mean?"

"I'm sure the Judge has a case waiting and we probably won't get another day off for awhile." The doctor quickly improvised. "Get out and enjoy yourself...Doctor's orders." He slapped the younger man's shoulder. "See ya bright and early in the morning."

*******

Assuring Lucy he'd meet her back at the penthouse in plenty of time, Ezra gave Mattie a quick hug, telling her to have a good time with Miz Nettie and rushed from the apartment. He hoped to be in and out of the office before any of the other men stopped by.

Steering the Camero through traffic, Ezra had run through the mental list wanting to be certain every eventuality had been considered.

Lucy had answered her cell phone the previous day, expecting it to be a call from a client only to be told in no uncertain terms, unless she wanted her husband to discover the true identity of Mattie's mother she'd have fifty thousand dollars ready and waiting for the next contact.

Ezra hadn't told Lucy of his visit to Mark Johnson earlier in the week requesting help from Larabee's old friend. The con man had explained the situation and how other victims who didn't wish to have their dirty laundry aired in public had spoken off the record with Judge Travis.

Using the information provided by Travis, the two men had worked out several scenerios for the possible payoff. According to the other victims, the money had been left in a public locker, never in the same place, during the busiest time of the day and usually on the weekend.

Mark had agreed to have two undercover agents standing by, more if he could spare them when the drop call finally came.

Pocketing what he'd came for, Ezra quickly relocked the supply closet and hurried back through the silent office only to come face to face with the others stepping from the elevator.

"Hey Ez! Thought for sure you'd find a way ta wiggle outta this." Buck chuckled, throwing an arm around the southerner's shoulders.

"And what is it I need to wiggle out of?" Ezra inquired.

"The physicals...Didn't Nathan call ya?" The womanizer looked from the gambler to the healer in confusion.

"No, I'm afraid he didn't, but if you'll excuse us for a moment, I do need to have a word with Dr. Jackson in private."

"You got nothing to say I wanna hear." The doctor brushed past the southerner, shouldering him out of the way.

Ezra stared at the man's back. "Nathan if you would allow me to explain, I'm sure-"

"Explain what Ezra!" Nathan whirled on the gambler, stalking back to stand in front of the smaller man, flames of fury burning in his dark eyes. "You really think I'd believe anything you have to say. Any lie you managed to concoct to save your own selfish ass!"

The anger taking control, Jackson lashed out, his large fist connecting with Standish's cheekbone, the force of the blow sending the southerner sprawling to the floor.

"What the hell's your problem Nathan?" Wilmington demanded stepping between the two men only to have the healer shove him aside as Josiah moved to help the con man who was attempting to get to his feet.

Ezra slowly straightened refusing to give the other man the satisfaction of acknowledging the blow as he faced the physician.

In his fury, Nathan didn't give him a chance to speak as he shouted. "Tell 'em Ezra! Explain to them...Better yet explain it to Vin...Explain to the one man who never once thought you were the conniving sleazy sonuvabitch you really are. Explain to the only man on this team who's never had a doubt about whether or not you could be trusted...Tell him how you threw that back in his face the first opportunity you had to satisfy your own selfish desires." He punctuated each demand with a hard jab to the gambler's chest.

Ezra stepped back from the other man's onslaught as if he would be able to avoid the slashing of his soul caused by the physician's harsh words. He glanced at the others, seeing the truth mirrored in their faces. It seemed as if his very world was crumbling about him and he was being crushed by cold hard reality. It had all been a con. He had always known they still had their doubts regarding his character but he had allowed himself to believe they trusted him to be there when needed. He had wanted to believe they knew they could depend on him.

His inner voice laughed at the irony. The con man had truly been conned. He heard Buck's voice but with the pain swirling about his heart, it seemed far away.

"Nathan what the hell are you talking about?" Wilmington demanded again, grabbing the healer's arm and jerking him around.

"Hell, you were right all along Buck. Ezra did sneak off and get married...only it wasn't to Nica...Was it Ezra?...It was to Lucy!"

"You're outta your fuckin' mind!" The womanizer declared in disbelief looking to the other men who were as dumbfounded as himself. Except for one. Buck's attention froze on his young roommate who shuffled from foot to foot uncomfortably avoiding everyone's gaze. "You got something to say JD?"

The youth shook his head keeping his broken gaze glued on the carpet.

"Please feel free to voice your opinion Mr. Dunne." Ezra's voice dripped with sarcasm. "I'm sure they'll be more than happy to listen to anything you have to say."

"Just...Mattie showed me a picture she drew of her new father." Dunne's voice was barely above a whisper. He dragged his gaze up to stare at Ezra. "He had green eyes...It was you wasn't it."

Nathan shook off Buck's hold and was in the gambler's face again, rage contorting his face into a hateful mask. "Go ahead and explain that you shifty bastard! Explain to 'em how you waited till Vin wasn't looking then plunged the knife in his back. Vin don't deserve any happiness right? Not if it gets in the fuckin' way of what Ezra Standish wants!" Nathan couldn't stop himself. The dam had broken and he couldn't hold back the flood of words.

"That's enough Nathan." Josiah ordered, seeing the hurt and anguish on the gambler's face. He truly prayed the gambler had a reasonable answer to Jackson's wild accusations.

"Fuck you Josiah!" Nathan glared at his best friend. "Don't you dare stand there and try to defend this lyin' little bastard! Not this time!" He reached out grabbing Ezra's left wrist and jerking up his hand. "Where's the wedding ring Ezra or do you only wear it when it's convenient?"

Ezra jerked his hand from the man's grasp and burning with a fury of his own, straightened his cuffs in an attempt to keep control of his rapidly rising rage. "As a matter of fact...Yes! Of course it's really none of your fuckin' business what and when I chose to wear anything!"

The doctor snorted. "Something like this from a snake like you doesn't surprise me but I have to admit Lucy had me fooled. I never thought she was the type to fuck someone over." Disgust was evident in his expression and voice. "Guess enough time around scum like you could corrupt anyone."

"One more word and I'll show you the true meaning of southern fury you self righteous son of a bitch!" The gambler let his own anger take over as the healer maligned Lucy. "You can say whatever the hell you want about me but I damn well, will not stand here and listen to inflammatory remarks about one of the most honest and decent women I've ever had the privilege to know." He shoved past the men stepping into the elevator, his gaze pinning Nathan. "It must be wonderful to be so God like and perfect with all the answers." With a small shake of his head, he gave the four men a wry grin and released the button. As the doors hissed shut, he uttered. "Damn, thanks to y'all I'm gonna have to once again listen ta my mother say I told ya so. Worst part is...she was right."

*******

Standing in the door of the clinic, JD looked up, his eyes full of hope as Josiah and Buck re-entered the offices, his expression falling as he realized they were alone.

Taking the stairs, praying the tempermental elevator would favor them with one of its tantrums, the two had raced after the gambler. The damn thing would break down at least twice a week but of course today when they needed it to creak its way to the parking garage at a snail's pace the erractic elevator had behaved as if it were newly installed. To their dismay the con man's classic Camero was pulling out of the exit as they burst through the stairwell door.

The physcian didn't look up as they stepped into the small clinic, using the last of the angry energy to set up the battery of tests he was planning on putting his teammates through. In truth he didn't want to face the hurt and disappointment that would be clearly written on the other men's faces. He'd seen enough of it in Ezra's emerald eyes to last a lifetime.

The normally jovial womanizer gave the kid a sad smile, slipping an arm around his shoulder. "It'll be okay kid, you'll see."

"I don't think so...Not this time." The youth pulled from the comforting touch and turned to the now silent Jackson. "Why'd ya have to go and say all that stuff Nathan?"

"Because it needed to be said!" The doctor pushed aside the wave of self recrimination that was threatening to drown him, letting his anger take over once again. "Didn't any of you listen or don't you give a damn that the little bastard just fucked over a good friend a yours? He married the woman Vin's in love with!" He fell silent a moment letting that sink in before adding, "And what about Nica? I thought y'all liked her? Have any of ya thought about her feelings? How many lives ya gonna let that sneaky bastard fuck up before it dawns on you he just ain't no good?"

Wilmington let the phone ring several times before flipping the cell phone closed. He had hoped but hadn't really expected the gambler to answer.

"There's no marriage license." Dunne's face flushed red with embarrassment. "That morning, you know when....I was doin' a search for a marriage license with Lucy's name on it. There wasn't one."

"Well I hate to burst your bubble JD but as Josiah pointed out to you and Buck the other day, they might not have gotten married in this state." Nathan retorted sarcastically.

"I also pointed out that Ezra's private life was his own business but you managed to ignore that statement." The big man commented sardonically from where he had sank into a chair his head resting in his hands as he stared at the floor.

"Did a nationwide." The computer expert mumbled. "A license wasn't applied for anywhere within the last year." He frowned adding, "And I did a county records search for Colorado and nothing was filed in either name so..."

"So they're shackin' up and the weddin' ring is nothin' more than a way a protectin' her reputation?" Nathan sneered. "I know what I saw and what I saw was Ezra-"

"Did it ever occur to you that you saw what he wanted you to see?" Buck interrupted rounding on the doctor. "You, yourself, are constantly throwing up the fact that he's a con man...a liar. I don't give a damn about what you think you saw! Ezra is my friend and-"

"And Vin isn't?" Nathan jeered.

"Of course he is!" Buck's own anger was rising but to be honest he wasn't sure who he should be directing the anger towards...Nathan, Ezra...or himself. He hadn't intervened while Jackson threw his accusations at Standish and it made him just as guilty as Nathan. He had stood there silently letting the doctor insult and humilate the gambler in front of his teammates...The very people who claimed to be his friends.

"Most of what you said didn't have anything to do with Ezra marryin' Lucy though." The pilot bitterly reasoned. "You went over the line and took some really cheap below the belt shots, Nathan and you know it. It's no secret you don't particularly care for Ez and ya just used this as an excuse to cut loose on him."

"Buckley's right! Hell of it is, ya pulled the rest of us into it when ya decided to become spokesman for the rest of the team." Josiah pushed to his feet and stared in ill disguised disgust at his friend.

"I only said what needed to be said. Ezra doesn't seem to give a damn about anybody else if it concerns something he wants." Nathan defiantly glared at each of them. "And I didn't hear him...or any of you denying it."

To their chagrin, the physcian was right. By the time Wilmington and Sanchez had pulled themselves from their stupor, wanting to give the southerner a chance to finish what he'd tried several times to say, the elevator had closed, whisking the other man out of their lives...perhaps permanently.

"I didn't hear you exactly giving him a chance to say anything." Buck gave Nathan a hard look, before reaching for his cell phone again and pushing Ezra's number. "I wouldn't want to be caught dead in your shoes when Chris hears about this."

*******

Seeing Wilmington's name on the LCD readout, Ezra dropped the small phone back into his pocket, determinedly ignoring the ringing. He should just turn the damn thing off but if Lucy needed to get hold of him...

He had neither the time or the desire to listen to half hearted explanations or apologies. There was still too much to do if they were to capture the blackmailer. For the moment, that had to take precedent over all else, even over his own situation with the team.

Besides, Nathan had made the team's feelings quite clear.

The con man mentally berated himself for acknowledging the feelings of hurt and disappointment which were washing over him. It was his own damn fault! He should have known better...Hell, he did know better! He had tossed aside a lifetime of training because he wanted nothing more than to be apart of Larabee's team...Larabee's adopted family.

He had wanted to help one of the family members who was in trouble, wanted to make things right for Lucy and look where it had gotten him.

Nathan had accused him of always doing exactly what he wanted without regard of the consequences. The physician had distinctly pointed out how Ezra never worried about other people's feelings...Whether or not that had been true at one time, it wasn't any longer but of course the others would have no way of knowing that. It was because of his very concern for Lucy's feelings that he had agreed to aid the young woman.

His teammates would never believe that. Not from him. While the southerner had let down his defenses where the other men were concerned, he still maintained a distance when it came to certain aspects of his life, not wanting to give verification to their opinions of him. To his own regret, he realized his silence in some matters was what damned him in their eyes.

He pushed aside the thoughts as he parked and hurried into the bank. Jacobs, the bank manager, was waiting and Ezra quickly signed the needed papers while the banker counted out the funds placing each bundle of bills in the briefcase the con man had provided. Although he'd felt obligated to advise his customer about the penalities and loss of interest in withdrawing that amount of cash, the manager hadn't questioned his need for the money when Standish had called, asking him to have it ready when he arrived.

Snapping the lid closed, the con man gave the banker a brief nod and thanking him for his assistance sped back to the penthouse. Realizing he needed to be focused on the task at hand, he pushed aside all thoughts of his confrontation with the other men. For Lucy's safety and the success of their current endeavor he needed his concentration fully focused on the immediate problem.

He may be a selfish bastard as Nathan had taken great pains to point out but he did know one thing for certain...He wouldn't cause Vin Tanner further pain by allowing Lucy to be injured.

*******

Mark Johnson was seated at the table with Lucy and his two detectives, when Ezra entered the kitchen. "Anything?"

"Not yet." Lucy shook her head. Ezra had said nothing about the suitcases sitting in the foyer. He knew she planned on picking Mattie up from Miz Nettie's and returning to their own home as soon as the con man called to say it was over and Billings was in custody. She couldn't help but think he'd probably be thrilled to have her and Mattie out of his life. The sooner, the better.

She turned away, crossing to pour him a cup of coffee as the gambler placed the briefcase on the table. Lucy was still amazed and having trouble believing the lengths, the self proclaimed con man was willing to go to help her.

Once again their main argument during her stay had been about money. She didn't have close to the amount the man on the phone had demanded but was willing to empty her account and cash in the bonds in her safe desposit box, suggesting it would be enough to fool the man with a quick glance and the police would most likely apprehend him before he could count it.

Ezra on the other hand had argued that he had access to the needed funds and not knowing enough about the blackmailer's methods, he wasn't willing to take a chance with the usual ploy of front money mixed with blank paper.

When she had tried to reasonably point out if the blackmailer somehow escaped the police trap undetected, Ezra could lose everything, he had simply given her a dimpled gin and assured her that would never happen.

"Ezra, this is...What the hell happened to you?" The police captain blurted out the question as Standish removed the dark glasses revealing the beginnings of a large bruise around one eye and across his left cheekbone, drawing everyone's attention to the gambler.

"Let's just say I'm an irresistable force that met an immovable object." Ezra tried not to flinch at the pain caused by the forced smile.

"What the hell does that mean?" One of the other officers asked, gaining a shrug from his female partner.

Mark snorted. "In simple terms...He ran into a door."

"Which one of 'em played the part of the door...Buck?" Lucy's voice was soft as she gently placed a cold rag against his eye, lifting his hand to hold it in place. Stifling smiles, everyone concentrated on their coffee cups as folding several cubes of ice in a towel, the woman yanked a meat mallet from a nearby drawer and released her anger by pulverizing the frozen water into slivers for an ice pack.

Focusing on the ice, Lucy tried to rationalize who had used the gambler for a speed bag. Larabee would have been her first guess but he was still out of town. The vet immediately dismissed JD as a suspect. The young computer expert had a tendency to see the best in everyone and she knew he looked up to Ezra. Buck on the other hand...The over protective mother hen of the group kept a tight rein on his temper but wouldn't hesitate to go after anyone he considered was hurting Tanner. Josiah thought of Ezra almost as a son and while the giant bear of a man harbored a hot temper it was highly doubtful the man would have reacted without giving the gambler a chance to explain. That left Nathan...She couldn't explain it but as surely as she loved Vin Tanner, Lucy knew the normally compassionate healer had been the one to release his emotions with his fists.

With a wiry grin, Ezra caught her wrist, gently removing the towel and placing it against his eye before caught up in her own thoughts she could slam the ice pack in place.

She looked down at the gentle hand which still held her wrist. "It was Nathan wasn't it?" She questioned getting no response. "It was, wasn't it?"

"Miss Lucy-"

"I can't believe he did something like this after you told him..." She stared at the con man, her eyes squinting with suspicion. "You did tell him didn't you?"

"I handled the situation just as I promised." Seeing the evasive answer wasn't going to satisfy her, Ezra turned his attention to the others gathered at the table. "Are we fully prepared?"

"As much as we can be. It would sure help to know ahead of time where and when the drop is." Hoping to help the gambler off the hook with the vet, Mark began laying out the plans he and Ezra had discussed earlier.

*******

The zoo!

Of all places for a money drop, the zoo was the last place the gambler would have imagined.

Ezra and Mark had arrived at the zoo an hour earlier, flashing their badges to the administrator and explaining they needed to appear as nothing more than employees, assuring the man if at all possible there would be no trouble on the premises. They had no desire to put any of the patrons in danger.

Mark was situated in the refreshment stand directly across from the coat check leaving the other two officers, Stacie and Jerry to follow Lucy, insuring her safety and able to alert Ezra and Mark if the blackmailer suddenly changed plans.

The con man had told no one of the button size tracking device he'd slipped into Lucy's pocket or the one secured between the bills in one of the money bundles. He wouldn't take a chance with Lucy and while he wouldn't want to lose his money, he definitely didn't want to face the wrath of Judge Travis for the twenty thousand dollar loss of state funds, the jurist had convinced the police department to provide.

The sound of a child's laughter caught the gambler's attention, a smile touching his lips as he remembered his own excursion through the wildlife habitate with Mattie. It was a memory he would always cherish.

Pulling the drab employee ball cap, that shaded his face, lower Ezra casually followed, sweeping at ground debris as Lucy exchanged the blue nylon tote bag for the plastic numbered claim chip and made her way to a shaded area near the chimpanzee habitate. 

Sitting on the designated bench, Lucy nervously tucked the chip between the slat and the rail as instructed and giving a nervous look about, she gained her feet and hurried to the exit.

Receiving the confirmation nod from Mark that according to the unmarked patrol car parked near the exit Lucy was safely off the property and on her way to pick up her daughter, Ezra made his way to the locker room and quickly changed from the employee jumper into jeans and a black tee-shirt, replacing the uniform ball cap with one of his own, emblazoned with 'Colorado Rockies." He knew Mark was in contact with an unmarked police vehicle which would follow Lucy until certain the vet wasn't being tailed and in no danger.

Buying a Pepsi, Ezra crossed to the souvenir stand and stood contemplating the assortment of items meant to remind you of your visit, his eyes constantly traveling to the building across the way. Impulsively pulling money from his wallet, the southerner nodded to the desired item and watched as the salesperson carefully wrapped his purchase counting out his change.

At the thought his teammates would never let him live down the frivolous buy, a sadness instantly flooded him as he realized they no longer wanted anything to do with him...except perhaps to kick his sorry southern ass into oblivion.

*******

"It's over Lucy." The cell phone to his ear, Ezra sagged against the wall, his free hand alternating between rubbing the back of his neck and his forehead.

"So Dr. Billings-"

"No...It wasn't the good doctor." The southerner could hear the relief in her voice and quickly explained how they'd followed the man who retrieved her bag, to the small house rented by Nancy and her husband. The two had been in the process of counting the money when Mark accompanied by Ezra and the other officers had entered to effect their arrests. "Captain Johnson wanted me to inform you he'll need you to make a formal statement. You can stop by the station when you have time in the next couple of days."

"Are you alright Ezra? You sound..."

The con man had been berating himself, telling the police captain how he should have realized sooner who the true blackmailers were. Lucy had told him Dr. Billings taped the private sessions and he'd seen the typed transcripts in the files. Someone had to have transcribed them. "I'm fine my dear...just tired. It was several hours before the aforementioned gentlemen decided it was safe enough to retrieve his ill gotten gains. I never appreciated how hard the employees work to maintain the zoo's standards of cleaniness."

"There's no way I can ever thank you enough for-"

"It's not necessary. Just relax and get some much needed rest. You've earned it."

"You too...Ezra-"

"We'll talk later my dear." He disconnected the call handing the phone back to its owner.

"Come on Ezra. They're waiting." The police captain grinned at the gambler's exasperated expression before taking a firm grip on the younger man's shoulder and steering him back into the hospital.

Mark hadn't failed to notice, Standish hadn't told Lucy everything. Nancy's husband in a desperate attempt at escape, had jumped from the bedroom window and fled down the alley with Ezra right on his heels.

Johnson had chased after the two and arrived just in time to see the gambler tackle the would be blackmailer. Cornered, the man grabbed a discarded two by four from the ground and placed a heavy blow to Ezra's head, sending the smaller man sprawling to the concrete. Only Mark's well placed bullet, crippling the assailant's arm, had kept him from delivering another possibly fatal blow to the con man's skull.

"This really isn't necessary." The southerner swayed precariously as he attempted to pull from the larger man's grasp.

"You're kidding right? You were unconscious for almost fifteen minutes Ezra. You can give me all the dirty looks ya want but Larabee'd have my ass for lunch if he knew I let you get away without seein' a doctor."

"Mr. Larabee need never know. Other than a minor headache, I'm in perfect health." The gambler lied. Minor headache...It felt like his head was swollen to three times its normal size.

"It won't be so bad," Johnson chuckled passing the responsibility of the reluctant patient off to a waiting nurse. "They just wanna check you out and take some pictures, then I'll personally drive you home."

"I have to pick up my car." The gambler argued, not seeming to realize the nurse had gently shoved him into a wheelchair and was pushing him down the long hallway.

Mark strolled along beside the chair explaining. "Stacie dropped it off at your place on the way back to the station." Thinking the con man might find more comfort in having his friends near, Mark offered to call Buck and let him know what had happened.

"No!" Ezra nearly jumped from the chair. "There's no need to cause them worry. They have a tendency to overreact."

Johnson frowned. Someone needed to know. "But-"

"If you call them I swear I'll leave immediately. No one can keep me here against my will and they can't treat me without my consent." The gambler attempted to put up a relaxed front. "I told you it's just a minor headache and the last thing I need is Nathan hovering around, making more of it than it really is."

Mark nodded, giving Ezra a reassuring smile as they wheeled him into Neurology for the CAT scan prescribed by the ER physcian.

The police captain had come to think of all the men on Larabee's team as his friends. He'd seen the way they worked and played together. They were a family in every sense of the word. He remembered Buck and Chris laughing as they talked about the gambler's infamous escapes from health care facilities and Nathan complaining about what rotten patients both the con man and ex-bounty hunter could be, driving anyone to distraction. They would get over the fact he hadn't called to tell them Ezra had been hurt but they would never have forgiven him if he hadn't made their brother seek medical attention for his injuries.

Leaning against the wall, Mark settled in to wait for the doctor's diagnosis.

*******

"Told ya they'd be here." The four men looked up at the familiar Texas drawl.

"Hell ya don't need ta be a expert tracker to know where ta find these trouble makers on a Friday night." Larabee chuckled, sinking into the empty chair between Buck and Josiah.

"Welcome home boys!" Wilmington forced a smile, signaling the waitress to bring Chris and Vin their usual. "Why didn't ya give us a call. We'd a picked ya up at the airport."

"And give you a chance to retaliate for a certain joke played on you a couple years ago?" Tanner gave him a lopsided grin, recalling the infamous greeting he and Chris had given the pilot on his first arrival to Four Corners. "I don't think so."

"Aww Vin, ya know I don't believe in carryin' a grudge. My motto is forgive and forget."

"Yeah as soon as you get even." Tanner muttered around a swallow of beer.

"Had a chance at an earlier flight and grabbed it." Larabee nodded his thanks, taking a long swallow of the cold beer, the waitress handed him. "Figured we'd find y'all here and we'd just catch a ride back to the ranch with you."

"How was your trip?" The profiler asked, toying with his empty beer mug, praying the two wouldn't notice something was amiss.

"Hell Josiah, I can answer that!" The womanizer attempted to joke. "It was down right dull without us there ta liven things up." Hoping to keep the two distracted, the pilot rambled on telling Chris how he'd taken care of the ranch, describing a couple of new women he'd become acquainted with and asking questions about the different academies barely giving them time to answer.

Seeing his friend stifle a yawn, scrubbing a hand wearily over his eyes, the pilot quickly jumped at the excuse to call it an early night, glad neither man had asked about their errant gambler. He'd watched as Vin's sharp eyed gaze kept flickering about the room, as if searching for something...or someone.

Unable to shake the uneasy feeling which crept over him, Vin settled in the back seat as Wilmington turned onto the highway. He replayed the homecoming in his mind. Both he and Chris had noticed the southerner's absence but knowing Ezra was ever the gentleman had decided, the gambler hadn't wanted to leave his houseguests to their own devices.

Listening as Buck had rambled on inanely, Tanner had watched the other men, not failing to notice the despair in Josiah's blue gray eyes, Nathan nervously drawing designs in the moisture ring left by his beer mug and JD's silence. The silence was a dead give away that something was bothering the usually brimming over with words youngest of their group.

As he dozed off, lulled by the movement and quiet hum of the engine, his body giving in to exhaustion, the tracker's last thought was he would discover what had happened in their absence first thing in the morning. With that thought came the strange sense he wasn't going to like it one damn bit.

*******

Snapping his seat belt, Ezra leaned back in the soft leather seat and closed his eyes, hoping the pain medication would kick in before his churning stomach rejected the contents.

A sense of profound relief washed over him. It was over. There was nothing left to do but sign his statement and let his life return to normal. Mark had said Nancy and her husband were talking about cutting a deal even as they were being booked so he should be able to redeposit his money in a short amount of time rather than having it sit in the evidence room until after a lengthy trial.

Back to normal? That was a laugh. When had his life ever been normal?

In the past weeks, he'd come to realize that normal meant not waking to the aroma of breakfast cooking, filling the penthouse. Normal meant not having Mattie kiss him goodnight or crawl into his bed seeking safety from the monsters that invaded her dreams. Normal meant silence rather than laughter, dinner for one instead of three and only Scroundrel happily meeting him at the door when he returned home.

Normal meant returning to work and letting his friends...No!...That was no longer an option. Keeping his promise of silence had destroyed that option. Of course, to be honest, Lucy had released him from that promise. His pride and anger had kept him silent in the face of the accusations being hurled at him.

Focusing on the soft music emitting from the car's stereo, Ezra let his mind drift trying to shut out that disturbing remembrance of the scene in the office...Had it really only been that morning? The words of the song penetrated his thoughts.

'I've dealt with my ghosts and I've faced all my demons. Finally content with a past I regret.'

The gambler stifled a sneer of derision. Until that morning he might have agreed with the composer. With the help of the men on Larabee's elite law enforcement team, Ezra had come to terms with his disreputable past.

'I've lived in this place and I know all the faces. Everyone's different but they're all still the same. They mean me know harm but it's time that I faced it, they'll never allow me to change. But I never dreamed home would end up where I don't belong. I'm movin' on.'

Ezra had conned himself into believing he'd finally found a home and family only to have that belief destroyed in less time than it took to play a hand of poker. The lyricist was correct in his statement because anyone aware of Ezra's upbringing and previous lifestyle would never truly allow him to change his life. People would always question his motives, no matter what he did and no matter how many times he struggled to prove himself. Whether they wanted to admit it or not in the back of their mind they would always wonder what was in it for Ezra Standish.

The gambler had never resided in one place more than six months at a time, always following the money, moving where he could make a profit. He had been contemplating his next location when Larabee approached him about joining the team. He thought he had finally found his home, but as the song's words lingered he realized they were right...this home was a place he didn't belong.

It shattered his heart as he finally stirred. Maybe the composer was right. It was time he was movin' on.

*******

Rinsing his mouth, Ezra wiped his face with a cold rag and gingerly made his way back to the bedroom.

"Nothing to worry about my friend." Ezra assured the faithful little animal who watched his every move. "Merely the unpleasant side effects of a mild concussion."

Zipping the duffel bag closed, the gambler sank onto the bed. Ignoring the flashing message light on the answering machine he reached for the phone dialing before he could change his mind. 'Just one more promise to fullfill.'

Listening to the lectures on following the doctor's instructions, afraid the police captain would prove to be as stubborn as his old friend either insisting on staying with the con man himself or calling to inform the others, Ezra had assured his self appointed chauffer he wouldn't be alone and finally promised to call JD.

"JD?" Johnson frowned, pulling to the curb in front of Ezra's building, his expression skeptical as he turned on the seat to face the gambler. He would have thought Josiah or Nathan a better choice or even Buck although if Wilmington had remained as big a mother hen in regard to his friends as he had been in the service, the pilot would likely have the con man ready to commit homicide within a matter of minutes.

"Mr. Dunne has an exceptional bedside manner, managing to hover without making one feel crowded and he uses that damn little boy lost look of his instead of threats to get his way." Ezra smiled, "He even manages to keep his normal enthusiasm for life to a dull roar."

Seeing the cynicism in Mark's eyes, Ezra put on his most convincing smile and held out his hand.

"Thanks for all your help Captain Johnson, including the ride home."

"Ezra." There was a warning note in Mark's voice.

"You have my word as a gentleman I will call Mr. Dunne."

"Your word?" Johnson pressed

"My solemn oath." Fighting the growing nausea, Ezra grinned quickly shaking the man's hand and opening the door, hoping to reach his apartment before embarrassing himself.

"Get some rest Ezra." The officer ordered, sounding for all the world like Larabee.

"Yes sir." The gambler gave him a two fingered salute and taking a deep breath to keep the revolving landscape from spinning completely out of control, he focused his concentration on casually crossing the sidewalk, glad Henry was his usual efficent self having the door open by the time the gambler reached him.

Fighting a losing battle on the elevator up to his penthouse, he made a mad dash for the bathroom and emptied his stomach. Ezra had swallowed two of the pain pills the hospital had provided and making his way back to the living room he weakly collapsed on the couch. His head pounding, Ezra's pain filled gaze focused on the pictures hanging above the fireplace.

His friends.

His family.

No longer.

Tears trickled slowly down his cheeks as the gambler drifted to sleep, waking from the nightmares that haunted his slumber only when his churning stomach once again demanded attention.

The click on the line drew his attention back to the phone in his hand as he heard a sleepy voice respond. "'Lo?"

Ezra glanced at the clock surprised it read just after one a.m. "I apologize for calling so late Mr. Dunne but I just got in and thought there might be an emergency considering the number of messages on my machine."

"Ezra!" All traces of weariness suddenly left the younger man's voice. "Damn am I glad to hear from you!"

"Is there a problem Mr. Dunne?"

"Damn right there is..." JD suddenly hesitated. He had hoped the others would be around to help convince the con man the events that morning had been nothing more than the flaring of hot tempers. "I wanted ta tell ya Ez...about this morning..."

Ezra abruptly cut him off. "If it's all the same to you, I would rather put that unpleasant scene behind me." Standish sighed. Not realizing how late it was, he had hoped the youngster and his roommate would be hoisting a brew at Inez's as was the normal Friday night routine, letting the machine take the call while still allowing Ezra to keep his word to Mark.

"Nathan had no right ta say all those th-"

"He had every right Mr. Dunne. Perhaps you should brush up on the Constitution. It's called Freedom of Speech and Dr. Jackson should not be ostersized for speaking his mind. His honesty is ingrained as deeply as his compassion. Those are qualities that should be admired not abhorred." The con man rubbed his forehead, hoping to ease the steady throb which seemed to have taken up residence there. "I'm extremely weary Mr. Dunne and apologize once more for disturbing your rest. We can talk another time."

"But-"

"Goodbye JD." The gambler couldn't prevent the hitch in his voice and quickly replaced the receiver before he could change his mind.

*******

Not bothering to set the alarm or take any of his usual security precautions, Ezra shouldered the packed duffle bag and lifting his suitcase gave a low whistle. Waiting until Scoundrel pranced past him into the hallway he shut the door without a backward glance.

'I'm movin' on...'

*******

'Damn his head hurt!'

Popping two more pain pills, the gambler switched off the bathroom light and crawled into the motel bed, burying his head in the pillows, cursing the fates and his own weakness.

He had planned to be across the state line when the sun came up yet here he was holed up in a motel on the outskirts of Four Corners, puking his guts up and wishing his head was removable.

Nausea and dizziness had forced the southerner to face the fact he was in no position to be at the wheel of a moving vehicle. He didn't really give a damn whether he survived a crash but he was unwilling to put other people on the highway at risk.

He'd hurt enough people already.

To his dismay, an image of twinkling blue eyes and a lopsided grin flashed through his mind.

'The one man who never once thought you were the conniving sleazy bastard you really are.' Nathan's words taunting him.

Vin Tanner.

Tanner, the ex-police officer had suggested Standish when Chris was putting together his elite team. Vin had quietly offered his friendship seemingly letting the southerner set his own pace and the ground rules of their relationship while inconspicuously pulling the con man into the team's family circle.

Nathan's words continued to echo over and over like a broken record. ...'The only man on this team who's never had a doubt about whether or not you could be trusted.'

While Ezra knew in his heart there were a lot of things Nathan didn't know and a lot of his assumptions were wrong, he couldn't fault him in his assessment of Vin Tanner. Vin, who felt things so deeply and trusted with his whole heart, would be deeply hurt by Ezra's actions.

As a police officer, a bounty hunter, a soldier and now a member of Larabee's team Tanner had dealt with some of the darkest elements of society. If their positions were reversed, Ezra knew whether he wanted to or not he would have to wonder if the con man hadn't taken advantage of the situation. After all, as Nathan had often pointed out Ezra had been raised to always use a person's vulnerability against them. It was second nature to him.

Earlier, at the penthouse, having decided to leave, Standish had stared at the pictures over the fireplace, photos that surrounded the antique calligraphy on friendship. Photos that evoked memories which rolled through his mind like shadowy visions on a movie screen...Barbecues at Larabee's, forest fires, fighting Ella Gaines for Chris' soul, camping trips, Mason's twisted revenge, holiday celebrations and the special framed calligraphy he held so dear. Tally and being lost, Vin's practical jokes and his silver circles. Hospital stays when he was never alone, adult laughter and childish giggles. Blair trying to kill Vin and Lucy. Everyone's surprise when Tanner brought the highest bid at a bachelor auction. Dionica Ryan and the warmth and love he'd found in her enormous eyes, glasses raised in friendship, meals around the old wooden table in Chris' kitchen, where he'd once wondered if it had room for one more lost, lonely soul....

Yes damnit, he was running! Running was also second nature in his former way of life. This time he wasn't running from physical danger...Hell he could take the beating Larabee would dish out for hurting the man who'd become closer to Chris than a brother. Ezra had taken beatings before...More than he cared to count or remember.

He wasn't really running from intimacy since he was actually on his way to see Dionica. He had to see her, if only for one last time. She deserved the truth. She deserved to hear from him, what had happened and why he had to leave. After their months together, he owed her that and his honor would settle for nothing less. A pang shot through him, as he realized with the truth, the woman who had captured his heart would want nothing more to do with him. It was just another hurt he would have to live with.

He could deal with Nathan's loathing, Josiah's disappointment, Buck's anger and JD's disilliusionment. He could even accept Larabee's hatred. What he couldn't handle was the betrayal and mistrust in Tanner's blue eyes.

Tanner would be angry that she hadn't let him help with her problem but the tender hearted Texan would forgive Lucy just as she had forgiven him the lapse in judgment when he'd fled rather than trusting the others not to let him spend his life behind bars. The two belonged together and nothing would ever break that bond.

Yes Tanner would forgive Lucy. He might eventually forgive Ezra but the gambler couldn't face never again having lost that unconditional trust the tracker had placed in him.

He hadn't realized until losing it just how much Vin's friendship had come to mean to him. How much each of the men had come to mean to him.

What was it the song said?....He struggled to remember the words.

'I've loved like I should but lived like I shouldn't. I had to lose everything to find out...Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road...I'm movin' on.'

Forgiveness? The best he could hope for was understanding. Maybe someday the others would be able to pull forth a fond memory if Ezra ever came to mind.

*******

"Took 'em longer than I thought." Larabee commented, nodding to where a motorcycle, followed not to closely by Josiah's Yukon rounded the last bend of the road leading to the homestead. "I figured they'd be gathered round the breakfast table when we finished muckin' out the stalls."

"All except Ez. Ya know he don't eat breakfast." Perched on the porch rail, his back braced against a post, Tanner pretended not to notice the almost inaudible sigh of relief from the womanizer seated next to Larabee.

Buck had begun to wonder if the others were going to make him face Vin alone. They'd agreed to stand together offering the ex-bounty hunter and themselves the comfort and support needed when he discovered the truth about Ezra and Lucy. Until a few moments earlier, Wilmington had found a dozen reasons that morning to avoid being alone and questioned by Larabee and Tanner.

The argument had raged as Nathan conducted Dunne and Wilmington's physicals. Josiah had pointed out with Buck and JD agreeing, it wasn't their place to say anything to Tanner about Ezra and Lucy, especially since they had no proof of any wrong doing. Of course Nathan was also correct in saying Vin would persist until he discovered answers to the reason behind the gambler's obvious absence. It was finally decided they would answer questions if asked but wouldn't volunteer anything.

Tanner wasn't stupid. As Ezra had often stated, Vin, more often than not, seem to down play his high level of intelligence and few people were more observant than the tracker. Of the six men, Vin had learned to read Ezra better than any of them and Buck didn't think even an Oscar winning performance from Standish would fool the ex-bounty hunter into believing nothing was out of the ordinary...at least not for more than a few hours.

Buck cast a quick glance at the long haired tracker before dropping his attention to the dark liguid in the cup again.

In the time Wilmington had known Tanner, the shy sharpshooter had never lacked female attention and while he'd dated his fair share of women, it was plain to anyone with eyes the fiesty vet had captured the Texan's heart.

They'd shared good times and already worked through more trouble than most couples saw in a lifetime together, their relationship growing ever stronger. There wasn't a doubt in the womanizer's mind Lucy Garth...Standish...would never love another man as much as she did Vin Tanner. Try as he might Buck couldn't come up with a reason for what Nathan believed. Why would two of the three people who cared the most for Vin destroy his happiness.

Watching his roommate climb from the motorcycle, removing his helmet, the memory of their first meeting Dionica flashed through Buck's mind. He remembered the comfortable way Ezra's arms had slipped around the petite woman and the look of utter happiness and contentment on the gambler's face. He had thought even the formidable Maude wouldn't have a chance of tearing the two apart.

The pilot persisted in believing there was a simple, logical and innocent explanation for Harry's 'mister and missus'statement, Mattie's drawing of her green eyed 'new papa and what Nathan had seen at the restaurant. Buck considered himself a fairly good judge of character and while he believed Ezra could be a self serving, money grubbing little bastard about some things, Buck was just as certain the gambler would never intentionally hurt the Texan.

Although he continued to keep up his facade of being a pompous, egotistical miser who consistantly put his own needs and welfare above the others, Ezra's loyality and caring had been proven more than once especially where the tracker was concerned. No one could prove it but they were all certain it had been Ezra who fronted the bail money when Vin had been jailed.

With the exception of Vin and JD, Wilmington knew each of the men had more than once needed a reminder that their con man often practiced his skills on them. Buck understood the gambler needed to keep up his pretense, for his own self protection and peace of mind. Ezra had been raised in the art of the con. People were marks pure and simple. They looked out for number one doing what was in their own best interests. He wasn't used to dealing with honest people who had no ulterior motive. Buck had truly begun to believe Ezra was finally albeit slowly learning how to deal with people who cared more for their family and friends than for themselves.

They just had to remind themselves, Standish was a good man with a kind heart and the conniving, arrogant, uncharitable mercenary was an illusion created by a consumate master at his craft. Ezra Standish was no more than an actor playing the role most people thought he should and only in their small circle was he beginning to peel away the many masks that hid the true man beneath.

Buck fervently held onto the vain hope that at any minute Ezra would pull into his usual parking spot and with green eyes sparkling mischieviously proclaim himself the king of practical jokes. But as ardently as he hoped some tiny inner voice told him it simply wasn't going to happen.

The womanizer's chest swelled with pride at seeing his roommate's barely perceptible nod and small smile of encouragement, JD plastered a smile on his face and bounded onto the porch with most of the enthusiasm he usually displayed.

*******

"Sit up here son and drink some of this." The soft voice ordered, cutting through the pain.

"'Siah,...ain't yer son..." Ezra mumbled burrowing his head further into the pillows. "Don't wan' Nate's con...coctions."

There was laughter in the voice as an arm slid under his shoulders and someone gently pulled him into a sitting position. The gambler groaned as pain sliced through his head and nausea caused his stomach to churn.

"Drink." The voice cooed, placing a bottle to his lips. The cool liquid soothed his dry throat and was quickly followed by several swallows of warm chicken broth before Ezra was allowed to sink back into the pillows.

"When was the last time you took any of these?" The voice questioned.

Ezra cracked an eye, surprised to see the heavy drapes had been pulled closed, the only light filtering into the room through the slightly ajar bathroom door. A heavy set woman with a round jovial face and bright eyes, wearing a housekeeper's uniform sat on the edge of the bed holding the bottle of pains pills.

"Did you take any of these the last few hours?" She persisted.

"Don't think so."

At his negative response, she dropped two of the tablets in his hand guiding it to his mouth and once more lifted his head, placing the bottle to his lips.

"My Michael used ta suffer the killer headaches. Best thing for them is sleep but ya need somethin' in ya ta help the medicine. The Ginger Ale will help settle yer stomach."

Receiving no answer to her light knock the cleaning woman had entered using her pass key, intent upon finishing the last five rooms and getting home early to spend the afternoon with her children. Thinking the man in the bed was probably sleeping off the results of a drinking binge she started to back out of the room but hesitated unable to ignore the painful moans emanating from under the blankets.

Patting the head of the little animal who pranced at her feet, whining and looking longingly outside, she accompanied the tiny dog to a patch of grass behind the motel, waiting until he'd done his business. The faithful bundle of curls had returned to the room, curling on the floor near the head of the bed as if to watch over his master.

Seeing the prescription bottle and afraid the man might have checked into the motel with the intention of committing suicide, it wouldn't be the first time, she quietly crossed to the bedside table, pleased to see the prescription bottle almost full and immediately recognizing the name of the pain medication.

"W-wh-who?"

"My friends call me Aggie." She smiled, laying a cool damp washcloth across his eyes. "Get some more sleep."

"Can't." Ezra struggled to rise only to have her gently press him back onto the bed. "G-gotta go...S-San...tonio."

"San Antonio ain't goin' nowhere and you ain't in no condition to be on the road. Get some more sleep and you'll be feelin' better in no time."

"S-Scoundrel?"

"Don't be worryin' none about your little friend. I let him out and got him something to eat." The soft voice was soothing and the gentle touch of a hand stroking his hair, eased the gambler back into the healing oblivion of sleep.

*******

"Looks like Lucy give up tryin' ta drag Ez's ass outta bed and decided ta come out by herself." Vin hopped to his feet and vaulted down the steps as the vet pulled her old truck to a stop. He didn't have time to question the four men's startled expressions as calling his name excitedly Mattie jumped from the vehicle and racing across the yard, throwing herself into his arms.

"I'm so glad you're back!" The little girl wrapped her arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his cheek as the sharpshooter swung her up into his arms. "I missed you!"

"Missed you too angel." He grinned settling her on his hip and sliding one arm around Lucy's waist. "Both of you."

"Mr. Chris!" Wiggling free of Vin's grasp, Mattie ran across the porch, climbing onto the team leader's lap to receive another hug. "I missed you too! You guys were gone an awfully long time."

"Seemed longer than it was." The Hoosier chuckled. Not wanting to frighten the little girl he held the smile firmly in place despite being surprised by the outright animosity clearly displayed on the healer's face as Nathan stared at the woman in Tanner's embrace. Puzzled he nonetheless turned his attention to the two females. "So what have you ladies been up to in our absence besides missing our charming company?"

"You sound like Papa Ezra." The child giggled.

Oblivious to the uncomfortable shuffling caused by her innocent comment, Mattie chattered happily telling them about her trip to the zoo and how Ezra had won her a real live gold fish, when he threw a ping pong ball into a bowl at the street fair. She looked around as if realizing for the first time, the gambler wasn't among the gathered men. "Where is Papa Ezra?"

"Mattie, why don't you take that bunch of carrots you brought for them out to the horses." Lucy suggested. With a sigh, she turned to the others as soon as Mattie was out of earshot. "I was hoping Ezra would be here so I could give these back to him."

"Not the Prince Charming you thought he was?" Nathan mumbled sarcastically at the sight of the ring box she pulled from her pocket. "Didn't take him long ta run out on ya did it?" he added bitterly

Seeing her daughter had retrieved the bag from the pick up and entered the barn, the vet whirled on the physician, her small fist connecting with his jaw, pleased to see Nathan stagger backwards.

"That's for Ezra!" Her gray eyes smoldered with anger.

Shocked none of the men moved as she faced off with the doctor, her anger overwhelming her.

"I thought you were Ezra's friends!" Whirling to face the stunned men, her hands on her hips, Lucy's irate glare took in Buck, JD and Josiah before once again settling on the dark man before her.

"We are!" Dunne protested, dropping his dark gaze to a knot hole in one of the planks of the wooden porch floor as she turned her anger on them.

"You sure got a hellava way of showing it!"

"If that's not the pot calling the kettle black." Nathan sneered. "You sure got a hellava way a showin' how much you care about someone too."

"You got somethin' ta say Nathan spit it out." Vin pulled Lucy back against his chest, wrapping his arms around her waist, showing his support while effectively keeping her from attacking Nathan again.

As if realizing Tanner wouldn't allow him to insult Lucy the healer shook his head and stepped back, leaning against the porch rail. "Ain't my place."

"But it was your place to hit Ezra?" The vet mocked attempting to move towards Nathan again only to be brought up short by Vin's embrace. She started to shake off his hold but he moved one hand to her shoulder, squeezing it lightly to let her know he was on her side even though he had no idea what she was so angry about.

"Oh give us a fucking break! The two of you didn't really expect us to keep our mouths shut and pretend you and Ezra haven't been sneaking around behind Vin's back while he was gone?" Nathan questioned.

"Did any of you listen to a word Ezra said yesterday?" The expressions of guilt on the four men's faces gave the vet her answer. ""Hell even murderers get a chance to plead their case in court before being found guilty! How come Ezra isn't entitled to the same consideration? All of a sudden you're prosecuter, judge and jury!...Ya wanna know what's goin' on between me and Ez I'll tell ya..."

The weight of guilt pressed down on the four men as Lucy described the events the past few weeks. "I didn't want everyone dragged into my friend's problems but he knew you'd seen us at the restaurant Nathan, putting on that little show for Dr. Billings. That's what you saw Nathan...an act...nothing more just like the entire three weeks were just an act! Ezra was simply helping out a friend! That's why I made him promise to tell you." She snorted with disgust. "Fat lot of good it did huh?"

"But he didn't tell us!" JD protested.

"Because I didn't give him the chance." Nathan sank onto the porch rail, scrubbing a hand through his hair. "Honestly Lucy we didn't know...He never said a word..."

"But Lucy said he promised. Ez don't break promises." JD insisted.

"Ezra also doesn't make promises he isn't sure he can keep." Josiah pointed out. "Exactly what did he promise you Lucy?"

She paused, running the conversation through her mind. "He promised he would handle the situation." Lucy immediately realized her mistake in dealing with the gambler.

Chris saw her expression fall. "Ya gotta make Ezra repeat word for word what you want him to promise." A small smile touched Larabee's lips remembering how he'd learned that particular lesson the hard way. "Else that stubborn southerner does things his own way."

"That still doesn't give anyone the right to hit him." Lucy fiercely declared.

"She's right." Vin added, his glare almost at deadly as Larabee's. "Ain't no wonder, Ezra keeps pushin' folks away 'specially with y'all showin' him just how much ya trust him."

"I take it you already knew what was goin' on?" Josiah sighed.

Tanner nodded abruptly. "Lucy called me that night after the incident in the restaurant. Afore that all I knew was Lucy and Mattie were stayin' at Ez's penthouse so she could be close ta the hospital."

"Seems you boys are gonna be kissin' southern ass for a long time ta come not ta mention owing our favorite vet an apology."

Vin ducked his head, hiding his amusement at Larabee's assessment as the blond moved inside to answer the ringing phone. Their leader missed seeing the other four fall over each other in their rush to make amends to the still angry young woman.

*******

"She say what's wrong?" Nathan questioned for the hundredth time as the six men piled from the vehicles in the hospital parking lot.

"Told ya what she said Nathan." Chris reiterated. The phone call had been from Rayne informing Chris, he and the others were needed at the hospital immediately.

Pacing the emergency room floor, Rayne rushed forward as they entered, her eyes frantically searching the group. "Ezra's not with you?" Her gaze swept over the men again before turning to the door, hoping the gambler was straggling behind the others. "I should have made certain. Figured havin' y'all come down would be the easiest way to get him here."

"What's goin' on?" Nathan moved to put a comforting arm around the upset woman. He dropped his head in defeat as she pulled away, obviously still angry with him. To say she'd been less then pleased when he told her about the confrontation with Ezra in the office would be like saying Hurricane Andrew was a simple spring shower.

No one spoke as they nervously followed her down the hall before she ushered them into one of the doctor's offices and spoke to the man behind the desk. "Dr. Shannon, this is Ezra Standish's family."

"What's goin' on doc?" Chris demanded, apprehension flowing through him. "Something wrong with Ez?"

Seeing the scowl, the doctor coughed nervously as he flipped open the file resting on the desk blotter. "I was asked to review the results of Mr. Standish's CAT scan and-"

"When did Ezra have a CAT scan?" Nathan interrupted.

"A better question would be why did Ezra have a CAT scan?" Buck proclaimed.

"According to the chart it seems Mr. Standish was struck in the head during an altercation involving the police yesterday...A Captain Marcus Johnson accompanied the ambulance which transported him to the emergency room." The doctor explained, glancing at the papers in front of him.

"Buck get Mark on the phone now!" Larabee ordered, his attention never leaving the doctor as the man crossed to a table containing several computer monitors and quickly pulled up the pictures he sought. "Keep it in simple terms doc."

"You see this area here." Using the lead tip of his pencil the doctor pointed to a small red area that appeared to Larabee to be no bigger than the head of straight pen. "That appears to be a small blood clot."

"That's dangerous ain't it?" JD questioned, his complexion paling.

"Only if it's not treated properly." The doctor nodded. "Basically, it's a very simple procedure. Of course it could disipate on it's own..."

"Or?" Chris prompted impatiently.

"It'll kill him." Vin finished the sentence no one wanted to say aloud.

"The sooner Mr. Standish returns to the hospital the sooner we'll know what we're dealing with."

"He's not answering his phone Chris. That's why I called your place. I thought he might be there." Rayne blinked back the tears. "Despite everything."

Nathan cringed at the accusing glance from the nurse. He didn't need to look to be certain that his friends wore the same expression. "Thanks, doc." Tanner took the time to thank the physician as the other men moved from the office, Larabee grabbing Buck's cell phone and already in deep conversation with Mark.

"We'll get him here." Vin promised giving Rayne a reassuring hug before hurrying after the others, hearing Larabee tell the police captain to meet them at Ezra's.

"Nathan, what exactly are we lookin' at here?" Chris questioned as they reached the parking lot. "Headache, sick to his stomach...what? How's it goin' to affect him physically?"

"Severe headache, nausea, disorientation, slurred speech, blurred vision, maybe even bouts of blindness, paranonia...possibly hallucinations or delusions. There's any number of symptoms he could suffer if it continues to worsen and isn't treated properly."

"Well, hell, that's just what I needed to hear...Ezra more paranoid than normal." Buck quipped hoping to lighten the somber mood.

"Okay, Rayne and Lucy both said he's not answering his phone which means he's either not home or ignoring it." Chris reasoned. "Nathan, you and Josiah check out his favorite casinos. Buck you and JD head to the office, see if Inez has heard from him then get on the phones." He lay a hand on his old friend's shoulder. "Call Nica. Try not to scare her but see if she's heard from him. Call any place ya can think of he might go on a Saturday. JD start callin' his cellphone and don't stop till the ringin' drives him so nuts he has to answer. Vin and I'll check out his apartment. If you find him give a yell, otherwise everyone meet back at the office," he glanced at his watch, "in three hours."

*******

As Harry opened the door for Vin and Chris, the two men saw Mark pacing the lobby floor. As the elevator carried them to the penthous of the exclusive apartment building, Johnson quickly filled them in, explaining how Ezra had been injured during the felon's arrest.

"Damnit, Chris, he promised he'd have JD come stay with him." The police captain growled as Vin inserted the key the gambler had given him, in the lock

"Exactly what did he promise?" Chris repeated Josiah's earlier question to Lucy, knowing Johnson had just learned the same lesson Lucy had...When dealing with the southerner analyze every word.

"He said he wouldn't be alone. He promised he'd call JD." Mark stated.

"Ez would count Scoundrel as not being alone and I'll bet if we ask we'll find out he did call JD. He just didn't ask him to come over." Vin pushed open the door reaching to shut off the alarm, startled to discover it hadn't been set or that the door hadn't been locked. He whistled for Scoundrel as Chris pushed past heading for the master bedroom, shouting Ezra's name loud enough to wake the dead.

The Texan turned to the frowning captain. "Mark, do me a favor. Go to the garage. Ez has the first two spaces by the elevator. See if either of the cars are gone, the Camero and the Lexus. Then talk to Harry...Find out if him or his brother have any idea where Ezra might be. We'll check and see if we can find out anything here."

With a brisk nod, the policeman moved from the room, leaving the two team members alone.

A cursory glance of each room revealed nothing but Vin had known Larabee would want the police captain out of the apartment so he could check the secret room the southerner had built behind the closet wall.

Chris paused to punch the answering machine on the bedroom night stand and listened to message after message from JD, Buck and Josiah, begging the con man to call them. If nothing else, his men were persistant. He moved into the hidden room and studied the small interior looking for anything out of place. Switching on the computer, he tried several possibilities at passwords, only to have the machine mock him each time flashing the words 'Wrong again. Keep trying!' A large animated happy face rolled its eyes in mock exasperation.

"Smart ass." Growling with frustration, he shut down the machine and waited to be sure the room was securely hidden again before moving back to the living room.

"There's a suitcase and his duffle missin' but it looks like most of his clothes are still here. Might call Nettie and see if she's got Scoundrel."

"Don't matter...He ain't plannin' on comin' back." Tanner replied sadly.

Struck by the despair that filled the Texan's words, Chris dropped the envelopes he'd been studying back onto the end table. Following the motionless tracker's gaze, Larabee found himself staring at the empty wall above the fireplace, now devoid of all the pictures of the team...Ezra's family.

It suddenly struck him what had been wrong in the hidden room...Something had been off but he couldn't quite figure out what. The reason now hit him like a physical blow. The snow globe was missing. The cheap plastic souvenir of Ezra's first trip to Las Vegas, the only item he knew the gambler had held on to, carrying it from place to place no longer sat on the shelf.

*******

"What the hell we gonna do Chris?" Buck questioned his old friend, his tone husky with worry as he stared out the office window. At the late hour, the nearly deserted street below was lit only by over head lights. There was none of the normal daytime hustle and bustle and the inactivity only accentuated Wilmington's somber mood.

Larabee's worried gaze traveled over the quiet office, his gaze settling momentarily on the small stuffed Winnie the Pooh, propped against the computer monitor on the gambler's otherwise pristine desktop. Absently, he realized Vin had never told him the significance of the Pooh.

His gaze drifted over his men. Seeking his own form of comfort, Josiah thumbed through his father's worn bible he kept in his desk drawer.

Nathan needing something to occupy his mind sought refuge in the clinic, reviewing the results of Wilmington and Dunne's physicals.

Tanner, chin resting on his chest, his legs propped on the end of the couch appeared to be dozing in the chair opposite Larabee but Chris knew the man was aware of every movement in the room, every page Josiah turned.

The team leader wasn't fooled by any of his team. He knew them too well and knew their thoughts were with Ezra, searching their minds for anything they might have missed. Anything which might give them a clue as to where their errant black sheep was hiding.

The now silent offices had been a hotbed of activity all day as the men followed through on every possible idea no matter how improbable to find their missing member.

Buck surmised Dionica must have been sitting on top of the phone as quick as she answered and he knew she wasn't fooled for a minute by his excuse Ezra had forgotten a meeting with Judge Travis.

"I'm tellin' ya Chris, she ain't heard from him but she's knows somethin's wrong." Wilmington had stated. "I swear sometimes I get the feelin' if he stubbed his toe, she'd feel it."

Mark, feeling guilty in his own right had issued a APB on the Camero stating a medical emergency and no one was to approach or attempt to apprehend the driver. Officers were requested to simply keep the vehicle under observation and immediately inform Captain Johnson of its location.

Chris' gaze jumped to the youngest member of their team. Exhausted, his head resting on his folded arms, wanting to be there if the computer alarm signaled a hit, JD dozed at his desk. Dunne had checked for tickets at the airport under Ezra's name and had started a continual search for any use of the con man's credit cards. The speaker phone had been silent since that afternoon when Mark had informed them Ezra's cellphone had been broken in the struggle with Nancy's husband.

Having turned the cities of Denver and Four Corners upside down in their efforts to find the wily cardsharp one by one the men had straggled wearily back into the offices to regroup, after talking to their contacts and CI's, passing the word and seeking out the undercover agent's own informants...at least the ones they knew about.

They had called or visited every restaurant, museum, art gallery, exclusive club, bookstore, out of the way bar and back alley crap game they could think of. With Vin and Chris tagging along, Mark had pushed his way into every suspected illegal gambling spot, threatening arrests of the participants unless they cooperated. They'd talked to the Three Card Monty dealers and other hustlers that frequented the street corners near the bus station, malls and other locations where they could find easy marks, and searched every inch of the park near Ezra's apartment.

They'd urged, pleaded and threatened, hoping someone would contact them upon spotting the errant gambler.

In a final act of desperation, Chris had even tried to contact Maude only to be told she was somewhere in the South of France and hadn't left a forwarding number. He'd sighed in relief, not really wishing to talk to the woman.

Now as he paced the empty area, rubbing the back of his neck to relieve the tension building there, he couldn't help but wonder if maybe this time, the gambler had truly managed to elude them. While the con man didn't have Vin's backwoods sense or experience, the southerner could just as easily disappear and fade away.

"We find him and we bring him home."

*******

"Where ya goin' brother?"

Nathan jabbed at the elevator button again. "Hittin' the streets again."

"Unless ya plan on searchin' every bed in the city ya ain't gonna find him...Sun's barely up so ya know he ain't." Vin quipped, never opening his eyes.

"That's where we'd look if we were huntin' for Buck." JD mumbled without raising his head.

"Well Ezra's out there somewhere and I ain't stoppin' till I find him." The healer angrily kicked the elevator door cussing the slow moving conveyence.

"Nathan-"

"I can't sit here and do nothin'!"

"Like the rest of us?" Chris questioned, calmly lighting a cheroot.

"That's not what I meant!" 'Good job Nathan. Haven't you done enough already?' His inner voice castigated, swamping him further in guilt. 'You've already alienated Ezra, so why not insult the rest of your friends.' Self disgust laced the physcian's voice as he rubbed the tense muscles in the back of his neck. "Damnit don't any of ya understand...This is all my fault! I-"

"You weren't the one tryin' to crush his skull with a two by four." The team leader pointed out.

"No, I just crushed his spirit." Sagging against the wall, Nathan swiped at his bloodshot eyes with the back of his hand as he slid to the floor. 'Damnit! When had he lost control of both his mouth and his mind?'

It wasn't Jackson's nature to talk out of turn or speak without thinking...'except when it came to Ezra,' his inner voice chided bitterly. The jaded gambler's smart mouth and cynical view of human nature seemed to bring out the worst in the ethical healer. Nate jus couldn't seem to stop himself from jumping to the wrong conclusions where Ezra was concerned and rarely kept his thoughts to himself no matter how cutting or hurtful the remarks. It seemed as if his feelings towards the gambler had been building for some time and this altercation was simply the long pushed aside climax.

"If I hadn't treated him like somethin' ya scrape off the bottom a your shoe, he'd be safe and sound in a hospital bed right now, givin' us hell and tellin' us how he don't need some doctor pokin' and proddin' at him."

"Wasn't just you Nathan." Josiah offered, his deep voice full of pain. "I saw what was happenin' and didn't try ta stop it."

"None of us did." Buck snorted bitterly. "Ya said Ezra'd let us know what was goin' on when he was good and ready. Well he was ready and none of us gave him a chance ta explain. Wise ass bastards we are, we know it all. 'Bout the only one that ain't guilty is the kid there. I don't think he ever thought bad about Ez."

"Hell, don't leave me outta this mess." Dunne yawned, shoving the mop of dark hair from his eyes. "I shoulda kept my damn mouth shut about Mattie's drawin'."

"Well shit! Are the members of the Mutual Guilt Society through feeling sorry for themselves?"

Vin stifled a snicker as the four men carefully avoided meeting the blond man's angry glare. Even the kid wasn't dumb enough to answer their leader's sarcastic question.

"Then," Chris snubbed out his smoke, "I suggest we get our shit together and concentrate on figuring out a way ta find that stubborn sonuvabitch."

*******

Gripping the towel rack, Ezra waited for his body to stop trembling before making his way back to the bed.

The gambler stared around the drab unfamiliar room The reason he wasn't in his own comfortable home continued to elude him.

Was he undercover? Working some case or some con? Was this one of his Mother's many ploys to get money using his skills?

He struggled to focus his blurry gaze on the styrofoam container sitting on the old scratched and battered nightstand. It sat next to a bottle of soda and a small prescription bottle. The combination of medication, sleep and a hot shower had managed to give him the temporary illusion of feeling a little better.

The vague memory of a kind voice and gentle hand wavered before his eyes...Aggie?

He cringed, a hand rubbing his forehead as Scoundrel yapped happily at seeing his friend moving under his own power. The small dog's bark sent a shaft of searing pain through his head.

Well that answered that question. Maude would never approve of him having the pet along. She hated dogs. At least he wouldn't have to piss Larabee off by admitting he couldn't remember his assignment. He wouldn't have the little animal with him on an assignment, at least he didn't think so anyway. Maybe he was undercover and Larabee...

Larabee!

Images suddenly flooded his mind.

A woman, her dark eyes full of madness, trying to drive the sharp blade of a knife into Chris' body while Ezra did nothing to stop her.

Blood spurting, spraying in all directions as the bullet pierced Tanner's chest.

Vin laying on the cold concrete in a pool of his own blood as medics worked frantically to save his life.

As the visions filled his mind he heard voices, hate replacing the normal compassion in Nathan's voice as the healer shouted his disgust, telling the gambler over and over how much he had hurt his friend.

"The only man on this team who's never had a doubt about whether or not you could be trusted."

Guilt at the statement, realizing how true it was tore at him. The other men refusing to look at someone as disgusting as himself had agreed with Jackson, none of the speaking up, none of them offering a word of support.

The visions shifted and wavered and he saw himself standing alone, watching from a distance as the sharpshooter's casket was lowered into the ground, the police color guard presenting Nettie with the flag that had been draped over the mahoganey box. Lucy was there, dressed in black, Mattie clinging to her hand. The young woman raised her swollen red rimmed eyes to fix him with a hateful glare. 'How could you let this happen to your friend?'

'No! That wasn't right! Vin was alive. He had to be!'

But he had hurt his friend. Of that one thing he was certain.

Tugging a pair of jeans and shirt from the duffle laying next to the bed, Standish dragged in several deep breaths, trying desperately to control his shaky muscles as he pulled on the clothes.

He sank back down onto the bed, clutching his head as the pain intensified with the jumbled thoughts tumbling uncontrollably through his befuddled mind. Nothing made sense.

His surroundings wavering out of control like an out of focus camera lens, Ezra's emerald gaze came to rest on the pill bottle close at hand.

The solution?

'It would be so easy to stop the pain...Everyone's pain.'

*******

"Okay JD, working on the assumption that Ezra's drivin' where ever he's headed, and that he left right after talking to you which was...?" One hand braced on the desktop, the other on the back of Dunne's chair, Chris studied the map of the Colorado highway system on the kid's monitor.

"Somewhere around one I think. Maybe a little later. I was asleep." The computer wizard wanted to tell the men crowded around him staring at his monitor to back off and give him some breathing room.

"Give ourselves a little leeway and say he left at two...Where would he be in four hours time...figurin' he stopped at six ta sleep."

"Calculated speed?" JD quizzed, studying the next box on the trip tik calculator.

"Sixty five. If he's runnin', he ain't gonna wanna attract unwanted attention." Tanner volunteered, a blush creeping up his neck, grateful no one commented about his being the voice of experience.

They watched silently as JD entered the perimeters, the computer humming as it performed the necessary calculations before flashing a large red circle encompassing neighboring towns of all sizes.

No one wanted to mention, the circle was nothing more than a hopeful suggestion of where they might start looking. The gambler could have stopped anywhere or not at all. He could have pulled off the road and slept for a couple of hours and then kept going and they had no idea which direction he'd taken.

"I'll bet that boy was the hide and seek champ as a kid." Buck sighed, wondering how many hotels, motels, boarding houses and rooms for rent there were in the area the circle encased.

"He wouldn't have bothered to hide," Josiah smiled. "It would have been easier to just convince the other kids he wasn't Ezra Standish."

"Damn!" Tanner yanked his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans, frantically searching the contents, dropping each rejected item onto the desktop. Finding what he was looking for, Vin held out the small plastic card. "Here, look for any activity under this name."

A smile touched Larabee's lips as the other men stared in confusion at the driver's license bearing Vin's picture and the name Paul Hunter.

"Well, work your magic boy!" The team leader ordered causing the easterner to jump. "Rest of ya pick a town and start callin' the motels." Watching Tanner shove the cards, papers and few bills back into the worn leather holder, Chris couldn't help but wonder if that's why they hadn't been able to find the sharpshooter when he'd been on the run from the law.

"It's just a souvenir Pard." Vin replied to the his friend's unspoken question.

Ezra had supplied the Texan with a false identity when he'd been suspected of killing a gang member, hoping to keep the tracker out of the hands of the law until they cleared his name. Tanner hadn't returned the driver's license along with the credit cards and other identification, the plastic card a tangible reminder of how much he'd learned about the southerner during that experience. No matter how much he denied it, Vin knew Ezra cared about the men and was willing to put himself on the line for them.

Vin mentally berated himself for not realizing if the gambler wanted to disappear he would simply take on another persona, wrapping himself in a new identity as comfortably as slipping into his tailor made suits.

"We got a hit!" JD shouted excitedly, drawing everyone's attention to his screen. "The Four Leaf Clover Motel..." His voice dropped to a dumbfounded whisper as he looked up his dark eyes wide with surprise. "Right here in Four Corners."

*******

His heart pounding, a sheen of sweat covering his face, Ezra forced his eyes open hoping to escape the tidal wave of nightmarish images that flooded his dreams.

There were vivid images of Larabee, slamming him bodily against the wall, rage filling the older man's hazel eyes, his low voice filled with anger.

JD, laying motionless in the sterile hospital room, tubes and wires attached to his burnt and broken body.

Buck, the pilot's forearm pressed brutally against Ezra's throat, cutting off the con man's air.

Nathan's large fist knocking him to the floor.

Lucy waving Ezra's gun about haphazardly as she loudly berated his actions.

Tanner's limp body tumbling from the tiny confines of the horse trailer's storage compartment.

Nettie, glaring at him. her arms folded, her expression stern.

Vin, badly injured, laying in the hospital bed, calling for Chris.

Tally raising a leather strap, determined to teach Ezra obedience.

Josiah shaking his head in disappointment.

Mason, smiling evilly as he swung the lead pipe.

Dionica, turning away from him, tears of betrayal flowing down her cheeks.

Vin, the nylon rope around his neck, balanced precariously on the chair, staring at him with pleading eyes.

Voices echoed in his mind, under scoring the scenes. "Vin don't deserve any happiness right? Not if it gets in the way of what you want!"

He knew Vin had had a hard life, that his mother had died when he was young. Hell, the Texan had trusted him enough to tell him the circumstances surrounding her death. After all the young man had been through, he did finally deserve to be happy. But somewhere inside the con man, he knew he had destroyed Tanner's happiness.. Had hurt the only friend he had truly trusted.

Why couldn't he ever get it right? Why was he always hurting those people he had come to love?

He hadn't meant to fall asleep again. He needed to go...Where? He had been traveling, of that he was certain. He was doing what came naturally...running. Running and hiding. That was his style...His M.O.

"Isn't that what you're doin'? Hidin' from the rest of the team?"

Hadn't Larabee asked him that once? Accused him of playing hide and seek, keeping the rest of them at arms length?

Hell, yes he was running! But not by his own choice. They didn't want him. They didn't need him. They didn't trust him. They had proven that. He was little more than dirt under their feet.

As confused as he felt about his surroundings and the events which had led him to this tiny motel room, despite whatever state he'd managed to reach, he knew as surely as his name was... The gambler foundered for a moment, surprised his name didn't immediately pop to mind...Ezra? Ezra P. Standish! As surely as his name was Ezra P. Standish, the men he so desperately wanted to be a part of, didn't want him. That fact was very clear in his mind. As was the fact he had hurt his friend Vin...Tanner had been his first true friend, trusting him despite who and what he was. The man was his friend, no strings, no ulterior motives. But he had hurt him, betrayed the gentle Texan... He had betrayed them all and lost their hard won trust. Of that one fact he had no doubt.

Fighting the pain and the nausea, the gambler gingerly finished dressing, stuffing his belongings into the duffle, his former friends'-former teammates', he amended, words ringing in his ears.

"...you're an unscruptulous, unethical cheat who will lie and do anything necessary to get what he wants..."

"Ain't nobody keeping your sorry ass here or beggin' ya to stay!"

"Don't be sneakin' around behind my back. Fuckin' little weasel!"

"...They need to know they can rely on each other that someone ain't going to cut and run..."

"...Get out and don't bother comin' back!"

Somehow, he had betrayed Tanner...had gotten him injured....Mason!...Ezra had sworn to Chris he wouldn't let Mason hurt the ex-bounty hunter. The southerner had broken that promise!

Again the vivid memory of Tanner laying in a pool of blood while Nathan and paramedics frantically worked to save his life, flashed before Ezra's eyes.

He had let the brutal police detective kill Vin so...so....there had to be a reason....The emerald eyes dropped to the gold wedding band encircling his finger... He somehow knew the mate to it was on Lucy's left hand. That had to be it.he had let Mason hurt the tracker so he could have Lucy for himself... Wasn't that what Nathan had said? It didn't matter who got hurt as long as Ezra P. Standish got what he wanted. and he couldn't deny it, but in some small way he did want Lucy. wanted that same contentment he saw in Vin, that same aura of being so loved and wanted by one person.. But he did have that, with Nica.. Didn't he? Then why was he calling Lucy his wife.

NO! He wouldn't have...He couldn't have...Lucy belonged with Vin!

Then why was she with him? The reason didn't matter at the moment...He'd think about it later, when his head didn't hurt so badly. Right now he had to focus on just one thing.. Vin had been hurt... perhaps killed because of him.

That's what mattered!

He knew the other men watched over each other. They were a family, not by blood, but by choice. They had come together and claimed each other as brothers, joined in an unbreakable bond. Because of that, he knew they would seek revenge against the person who caused one of their number pain. It wouldn't matter if the object of their vengeance had once been part of their team. They would have their vengeance, no matter who or what.

That realization hurt him. After all he had wanted to be one of them. He wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with them, fight for them and with them against all odds. In his own way, he had claimed them for his own family, his own brothers. He may have never voiced it aloud to anyone, but they were his. Those six men had become the family he had always longed for. The family Maude had never been.

No matter how he acted, no matter what he had done, he had always known there would come a time when they may not have him, but he sure as hell wanted them.

They were his. Each and everyone of them.

They counted on each other. Depended on the others to watch their backs. He may no longer be welcome among their ranks but he could still make sure they remained safe. Perhaps it would make up for having failed Vin.

He could return to Four Corners. Find a new home and watch over his family. They never needed to know. Ezra was an expert at remaining in the background unnoticed unless it was necessary. He would do whatever necessary to make certain, his family lived long and happy lives.

*******

Pulling a bill from his wallet, hoping his bleary vision was showing him a demonination larger than a ten, Standish shakily wrote the name Aggie on the money and slid it under the pillow. To be honest he couldn't be certain there was actually an Aggie but the soup and soda hadn't materialized by magic.

Ezra couldn't prevent the outcry, his hand going up to shade his eyes as the bright sunlight on the other side of the motel door sent a severe shaft of pain through his head. Dropping the unzipped duffle bag he staggered back against the wall, bile rising in his throat, wanting nothing more than to crawl back into the darkness.

Was this why Nathan always insisted they stay inside and quiet, preferably in bed, when one of them had a concussion? Had he been trying to protect them from the agony brought about by the light and sounds that now assaulted him?

Scroundrel whimpered in sympathy, his front paws resting on the knees of the man he adored, who was now kneeling in the doorway, desperately trying to take control of the pain wracking his body.

He wasn't ill. Illness was a sign of weakness. Wasn't that what Maude had always said. Wasn't that why she always sent him away if he complained of a stomach ache or showed the first symptoms of a cold?

As his mother always preached to him, time and time again, an illness or injury often made a person dependent, showing others how vulnerable they truly were and left them indebted for any assistance rendered.

"Not now!" he prayed. "For God Sake's, not now!"

He didn't have time to be sick. He needed all his strength and all his wits to find out where he was and make his way back to Four Corners.

Concentrating all his energy on pushing aside the overwhelming pain, Ezra slowly forced himself to his feet. Dragging the duffel bag, which seemed to weigh a ton, he stumbled through the doorway. Squinting, one hand raised to his eyes to deflect as much light as possible, the southerner waited for his vision to clear, and focused on the Camero. It was only a few feet away from where he stood. He could manage a few feet. Once he did, there were dark glasses in the glove compartment which would protect his light sensitive eyes.

All he had to do was make it to the car. He could manage that. Once he was inside the beloved vehicle and sitting down, he could take a few minutes to rest and wait for the pain to recede. Using all his stubborn will, he forced one foot ahead of the other and shuffled towards the vehicle.

A ghost of a smile fleeted across his lips as, extremely pleased with himself, his hand reached out and firmly gripped the door handle. The expression vanished when the gambler nearly screamed aloud in pain as the sound of squealing tires filled the air, the noise intensifying the torturous pounding in his head.

Peering in the direction of the noise, fear coursed through his aching body as his cloudy vision made out the indistinct shape of a large dark truck. A bright strobe light flashed in the window and it was followed closely by a silver vehicle. Both vehicles slid to a stop in front of the sign marked 'Office', and several figures vaulted out.

His heart racing, Ezra dropped into a crouch, the bulk of the Camero blocking him from the arrivals' sight.

"Sonuabitch!" How had that bastard found him?

His gaze darted in all directions as he searched for an avenue of escape. Frantically he dug into the duffle shoving aside objects, some slipping out onto the ground. A modicum of satisfaction rushed through him as he pulled the loaded gun free from the entangled clothes. Grasping the weapon for dear life, he again quickly glanced about the area.

There were only two other cars in the immediate vicinity and while, at a quick glance, they effectively kept the classic vehicle from immediate view, they would give very little cover when it came to making a get-a-way.

Steeling himself for the shower of bullets he was certain would rain down on him, and already feeling the metal ripping into his body, tearing through flesh and muscle before lodging in internal organs, the southerner took a deep breath. Knowing he was facing his eminent demise, he hoped the men had all entered the office or were otherwise occupied, Ezra made a mad dash for the dense woods at the far end of the motel lot.

*******

Vin was out of the truck and rushing for the office almost before Chris finished braking, Wilmington right on his heels.

"We're lookin' for this man," Tanner slapped the enlarged picture of Standish's federal ID onto the scarred countertop. "Ya seen him?"

The little man stepped forward, the thick glasses making his frightened eyes appear even larger as he nervously studied the picture. "Can't be sure...Eyes ain't what they used ta be....Looks like a fella that stopped a couple nights ago but I don't want no trouble..."

Deciding to let the others handle the situation with the manager, Vin pushed his way outside as Chris flashed his badge.

Ignoring the happenings going on behind him, the tracker studied the immediate area with a keen eye.

The ancient motel sat in a decent location, atop a small rise overlooking the main highway. It was close enough to the exit ramp to attract late night travelers too tired to risk falling asleep in the extra miles they would have to drive for a fancier room at one of the hotel chains in town. A small restaurant across the road provided decent meals at a reasonable price, and a filling station next to it insured a full tank of gas before travelers continued on their journey. Surrounded on two sides by thickets of trees and well trimmed flowering shrubbery, the greenery also obliterated the traffic noise from the nearby interstate.

Squinting against the bright sunlight, his sharp gaze searching and re-searching the area, Vin stepped toward a flash of red shining on the far side of two other cars at the opposite end of the parking lot.

Tanner was so intent on confirming his suspicions he nearly tipped over the cleaning cart which was being pushed through the entrance to room three. He quickly reached out and uprighted the cart before it could spill its contents. "'Scuse me, ma'am."

Stepping around the supply cart, he hesitated, turning back to the older woman who was pushing the cart. "'Scuse me again, ma'am, but was wonderin' if ya could help me. I'm lookin' for a friend a mine. Nice lookin' fella...brown hair, green eyes, southern accent, real polite..."

Vin met her gaze steadily as the housekeeper silently studied him, assessing his intentions.

His voice was low, with a hint of pleading. "Please, ma'am, he might not be feelin' to good. Just found out he got hurt bad the other day."

"Might be him. Had himself a mighty powerful headache." Apparently deciding she could trust him, the woman nodded slowly. "Checked on him about an hour ago. Guess he was feelin' a bit better. He was sleepin', but he'd showered and dressed." Seeing the relief roll on the tall man's face, she added, "Second room from the end... Number seven."

With a nod of thanks, Tanner jogged down the walk, slowing as he neared the open door. Uncertain of Ezra's condition and not wanting to upset his friend, Vin cautiously gave a light knock, softly calling the gambler's name.

"Ez... It's Vin..." Hoping Standish might be in the bathroom, he silently stepped into the empty room, quickly taking note of the rumpled bed, the damp bath towel and the absence of any personal items, except... "Ez?" Dismay flooded the Texan's voice.

He was unaware of Chris' arrival until the older man questioned, "Anything?"

Shoulders slumped, clutching the forgotten prescription, Tanner shook his head at Larabee's soft query.

"Well, he couldn't a gone far without his car-"

"Chris!" The almost panicked tone in Josiah's urgent call sent chills through both men. Exchanging looks, they hurried from the room and moved to where the ex-preacher crouched.

The large man was stooped beside the driver's door of a very familiar Classic Camero, tugging an open bag from where it was half lodged under the vehicle.

Chris gave a low groan of dismay. So much for the flickering hope the gambler might be seated in the restaurant having breakfast. The card sharp might have chosen to walk across the road, but they all knew there was no way in hell he would have left his belongings laying about on the ground. It was bad enough, the obsessively neat gambler's things had obviously been shoved haphazardly into the expensive leather case.

"Catch up with ya in a minute." Lifting the bag, Dunne gave them a poor imititaion of his normal happy smile as without a word, they followed the tracker who had moved in the direction of the thicket. "Wanna put this in the truck."

None of the men spoke as they watched Vin pace the tree line, intently studying the ground. He stooped, his fingers lightly running over the grass, tracing something only he appeared to see. "Here," he called out over his shoulder.

"Ya sure?" JD questioned dubiously, as he rejoined the men, his tone doubtful. He wished, for just one moment, he could see through the sharpshooter's blue eyes

"Am I sure it's him? No." Tanner answered honestly. "But someone passed through here and not very long ago."

"Standish!" Forcing himself not to run after what might prove to be a false trail, Larabee entered the shadowed woods, pleased to see the others spread out in a straight line on each side of him, keeping each other in sight, as they took turns urgently calling out for their missing family member.

*******

"Standish!" The word drifted on the still air.

Ignorant of the branches that snagged his clothes, scraping his exposed skin, Ezra thought he heard his name shouted in the distance as staggering drunkenly, he pushed his way through the forest growth, fleeing for his life.

One thought overrode all others in his confused mind. Why wasn't the bastard dead? He had emptied the gun, each bullet finding a home in the large body. He remembered continuing to pull the trigger hearing the firing pin clicking against each empty chamber. Evidently the devil was impervious to bullets.

Ezra would just keep trying. He would find a way to end the reign of terror and release the hold the bastard had maintained on the gambler's life. He wouldn't fail again. He would do whatever it took to rid himself of the demon and return to Four Corners. He couldn't protect his family if he lost this battle.

Hearing his name called in several different voices, an insane giggle escaped the con artist as he realized the devil must be afraid of him if he'd brought help this time. Maude would be proud!

Stumbling, Ezra crashed to his hands and knees again, gasping for air. The world spun out of control and his trembling muscles refused to obey the painful commands that had forced him to his feet the other dozen times he'd found himself face down on the forest floor.

Startled, Ezra jumped, his eyes flying open at the faint whimpering in his ear, as soft curls brushed his cheek and a wet nose pushed against his neck.

'Scoundrel! Aww hell...Should have ordered him to stay.' Ezra knew the faithful little animal would try to protect him.

His pursurers were closing in. He could hear them, calling his name, fallen leafs and dead twigs crunching beneath their feet as they searched.

He looked about frantically, his glazed eyes casting about for shelter. He needed cover. A place the bastard couldn't get behind him. He needed a plan of defense. Trying to bring his surroundings into clarity, the southerner squinted at what appeared to be boulders to his left. The landscape shimmered turning several shades of gray as Ezra used the small stones to pull himself up. Smaller than he had thought, the largest reaching the middle of his thigh they wouldn't provide much in the way of protection but would keep anyone from approaching in that direction.

"Ezra?"

Realizing while he had foolishly focused all his attention on just getting to his feet, the bastard had found him! Ezra whirled, bringing his gun up, pointing it with unerring accuracy at the broad chest of the black clad figure.

"Back off, Mason!" he snarled.

*******

Larabee froze, staring at the man before him. The gambler stood in the tiny clearing at the top of a slight rise overlooking the main highway below. There was no way they could surround him..

Ezra swayed, listing heavily to one side, sweat rolling in rivulets down his pale face.

Mason? Nathan was right. The gambler was hallucinating...a sign he was suffering from more than a mild concussion.

Whispering for JD to call an ambulance, no sirens, lights only when they neared the motel, Chris had ordered everyone to stay out of sight, not wanting to frighten Standish any more than he already was. Quick glances to each side gave him confirmation the men were following orders, Larabee silently moved forward as they all watched their fallen friend struggle to his feet.

"Stay back!" The gun wavered slightly as Ezra fought to remain standing. "Told ya I ain't a kid no more! Killed ya once...D-do it 'gain."

"I'm not Mason Ezra." Larabee kept his voice soft. "I'm Chris..."

"C-Chris?..." The gunbarrel dropped a notch as the gambler blinked rapidly, staring at the figure before him in confusion.

Larabee? Here? Ezra scrubbed the back of his hand over his eyes. It had to be a trick! Chris was out of town... the Judge had sent him. Ezra couldn't remember where but... A sudden thought flashed vivid bright in his brain. Oh God! There was only one reason Larabee would be here! He knew! He knew about Vin! He had come seeking revenge for Tanner! Overwhelming sadness washed over the gambler. Well it was Chris' fair due. Tanner was his best friend...his family...Chris always fought for those he loved... He always protected his family.

Chris saw the fear that flared in the gambler's green eyes quickly change to overwhelming sadness, then resignation, as the weapon in the man's trembling hand dropped another inch.

Shaking his head, Ezra stepped back away from the black clad man.

"Ezra, stop!" The blond shouted, his voice harsher than intended as he automatically reached for the man. Dangerously close to the edge of the rise, Larabee was afraid the weak con artist would lose his footing, sending himself in a headlong tumble down the embankment.

Vin, to Chris' left, watched the interaction between his two best friends, trying to anticipate each man's reactions, his mind searching for a way to prevent the coming disaster.

Chris was balanced on the balls of his feet, ready to move, either to grab the gambler or dive for cover if the fingers clutching the gun tightened on the trigger. Ezra. Ezra was on the very edge.. literally and figuratively.

Tanner glanced to where Nathan, shielded by a large tree, was studying the injured southerner.

His expression remorseful, Jackson assessed Ezra's condition, trying to avoid staring at the vivid bruise and swollen eye, the only color in the con man's washed out complexion. He could see even from a distance, the card sharp was using every ounce of energy to remain standing, his handsome features clearly displaying his agony. His speech was quickly deteriorating, becoming more slurred and incomprehensible, the refined southern accent thick and indiscernible.

Chris held out his hand, keeping his voice low and soothing. "Ezra... Everyone's worried about you... Nica asked me ta come get ya..."

The gambler shook his head, nearly falling over at the simple motion. "N-Nica...San T-ton-"

"She's here and wants to talk to ya..." He hoped Standish would forgive him the small lie, but he knew in his heart the young woman was on her way to Denver. "Let me take you-"

"No!" Standish cringed gripping the weapon tighter as the black clad figure shimmered and wavered, becoming a dark eyed beauty, demonic eyes shining with insanity.

It was a trick! She'd tried to trick him before! Locking his knees to keep from falling, he swallowed convusively at the bile rising in his throat as he remembered all the things she'd done...all the things she described would happen when she delivered him to his new home.

Never show fear! Isn't that what his mother always said? Show fear and you lose the game before it's begun.

He pressed a clenched fist to his forehead as the pain intensified. Tally was dead! She was dead! Chris had killed her. Chris had told him so...He had killed the sadistic bitch to protect Ezra.

Tears filled his eyes.

Chris had lied. It had all been a lie... The ultimate con pulled on a consummate con man. They had all lied to him from the very beginning They had him believing he was trusted...that he was wanted, that he belonged... It had all be an elaborate con!

NO! That wasn't right, was it? Chris never lied! As the saying went, Larabee was as honest as the day was long. Chris just didn't know...You can't kill the devil...It just changes forms...Mason...Blair...Ella...Candless...Tally...

"Easy Ezra...It's alright." Chris soothed, hoping to dispel the terror filling the glassy green eyes. "It's Chris...It's Chris..." His worried gaze dropped to the small dog at Ezra's feet. Sensing his owner's distress, the sensitive creature shivered giving a tiny whimper.

"Hey fella.." Larabee squatted on his heals, pleased when the dog gave his owner a glance before bounding across the clearing with a happy yip.

"Been chasin' rabbits have ya?" Brushing the leaves and other debris from the Poodle's curls, Chris lifted the animal into his arms, slowly standing again. "Don't ya know, they're probably bigger than you are?"

"Please don't hurt my dog...Pl-please..." Six macho hearts broke at the gambler's plaintive plea.

Stunned Chris found himself unable to respond. Wanting to distract the southerner, Larabee had turned his attention to the little dog, hoping Ezra's mind was still clear enough to realize his faithful companion wouldn't go near anyone he thought would hurt Standish.

Tears overflowed spilling down Ezra's cheeks, the gun hand dropping to his side. "M-my f-friend gave him t-to me...All..I-I got...left...Hates...m-me...n-now."

"Don't hate ya Ez." Vin stepped into view, giving the startled southerner a reassuring smile. "Could never hate ya..."

"We love ya Ez." Wilmington joined his friends. "You're part a our family...Josiah's son...Mine, Chris and Nathan's little brother and Vin and JD's big brother...We're family Ez...We love ya."

"C-Can't..." Ezra shook his head, cringing with the motion. The pain was becoming excruciating, feeling as if his skull was breaking apart like a boiled egg shell. He blinked rapidly trying to push aside the fog clouding his vision. "Mama....d-don't...."

Everyone held their breaths, afraid to move as still clutching the gun, the gambler pressed both hands against his temples, his face twisting with pain.

'God, please don't let the gun go off.' JD prayed moving to Buck's side.

"Maude loves ya Ez." Josiah spoke softly. "She's just not sure how to show ya sometimes."

"A problem we all seem to have." Larabee stated softly. Passing the now quiet Scoundrel to JD's waiting arms, he slowly began edging closer to the con man.

"Especially me." Nathan stepped out into the clearing. "I was wrong, Ezra. I should have---"

Larabee and Tanner both jumped forward to catch the smaller man easing him to the ground as, with a barely audible groan, green eyes rolling back in his head Ezra gave up the battle.

"Nathan?" They all heard the tone of concern in Tanner's voice.

Cradling the gambler's shoulders off the ground, Chris watched as the physician quickly checked Standish's vital signs, the fear in Tanner's voice reflecting Larabee's-indeed, all their own.

Jackson's voice was curt. "Let's get him back." It was all the answer they were going to get.

Josiah stepped up beside him, and lifting the smaller man, he carried him as easily as JD held Scoundrel, his sure steps leading them all back to the parking lot.

*******

"Buck, call the hospital. Have 'em reach Dr. Shannon and tell him we're bringin' Ezra in," Chris ordered, as the attendants lifted the unconscious man on the stretcher into the ambulance. "Vin take my truck. I'll drive the Camero." The Hoosier reached out, catching Nathan's arm as Jackson started to follow the stretcher's burden into the vehicle. "Don't leave his side, Nathan...just in case..." They all knew there was every chance the gambler wouldn't survive and Chris was determined if that did happened, Ezra wouldn't die alone.

*******

The hospital waiting room was silent as the six men waited for news on the fate of their seventh, each man praying their family would remain intact. The news of the gambler's condition reached the women and one by one, they showed up as well, each offering their support as best they could.

Rayne had taken Scoundrel to the atrium on the children's ward, letting the small patients shower the tiny animal with attention until Lucy, securing a promise they'd call the minute there was any news, had taken Ezra's pet home with her.

*******

As the two doctors stepped through the doors of the surgical ward, five pairs of eyes widened, five hearts raced faster than Nascars and five bodies stopped all motion as breaths were held in fear as they tried to read Ezra's fate in the surgeon's expression.

With the death of his wife and son, Chris had sworn he would never allow himself to care about anyone else. When he had led his team of SEALS, Larabee had faced the constant possibility of losing a team mate, a friend on any given mission. It was a very viable part of the job. He'd attended the funerals of friends, had raised many a glass in memory of comrades lost in battle. He had buried his parents, his wife and his son, but he was certain he'd never survive the pain of losing yet another family member. 

That certainty had changed with the help of a womanizing pilot, an eagle-eyed ex-bounty hunter, a computer genius, a knife throwing doctor, a soft spoken ex-preacher....and a charming con artist.

Those six men had wrapped themselves around Chris' heart, bringing him back to life and brightening his dreary world. His one all consuming dread was the thought he could lose any one of them. It was enough to tear him apart inside.

He was pulled from his thoughts as Buck laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, offering silent support.

A wan smile touched the Hoosier's lips. Wilmington didn't have to say anything. Chris knew Buck would be there, just as he had stood by Larabee through the darkest times of his life. Wilmington had always been there, watching over his friend, forcing Chris to face yet another day without his wife and child, even if it was through bloodshot eyes provided by a full bottle of whiskey. His old friend had been there, supporting, comforting, screaming, cajoling and crying.

Buck had taken the abuse, the anger and the accusations, never once faltering in his friendship. Chris had done everything possible to push the womanizer away, but Wilmington refused to go far. Even when he wasn't physically there, the Navy pilot's presence was felt in his weekly letters that continued to arrive in Chris' mailbox. Letters Larabee hadn't bothered to answer, but had read time and again. Letters that had been his lifeline to the world.

With his new found clarity, Larabee knew he would always regret he hadn't helped his oldest friend through Buck's own mourning. Sarah and Adam had been Buck's family too. He had been Adam's 'Uncle Buck' and Sarah's big brother.

True to his caring nature, the big hearted Wilmington had again stood by Larabee's side doing everything possible to keep the Hoosier from shutting down as this newly formed team had faced its numerous tragedies. He'd stood as solid and dependable as the Rockies surrounding them when they thought they'd lost Ezra to Tally's vengeance. He had been there when Vin had nearly died, a madman seeking vengeance having mistaken him for Larabee And even though Chris would never understand why, Buck had even forgiven him the indiscretion with Ella that had nearly almost cost them all their lives.

Never taking his eyes from Nathan and the surgeon with him, Chris could sense Dunne trembling as the doctors moved closer. He knew without looking, Josiah's lips were moving in silent prayer, just as he knew Tanner, his clenched fists shoved deep in his pockets, was holding his breath and Buck. constant, eternal, never failing Buck was preparing himself to help them all through the worst.

'Not this time my friend...This time I'll be there for you.'

Nathan wearily pulled the surgical cap from his head as Dr. Shannon gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze before moving down the hall.

"They were able to drain it completely. Fortunately it hadn't progressed as rapidly as it could have." Surrendering to his own emotions, the physician sank into the closest chair, burying his face in his hands as the tears began to flow.

Earlier, against Doctor Shannon's advice, Chris had adamantly insisted that Nathan be in the operating room during the delicate surgery. The surgeon had been correct in his assessment that Jackson was too close to the patient...too emotionally involved. The doctor had repeatedly uttered the axiom: "There's a reason, surgeons don't operate on their families."

Chris had agreed but still insisted that while Nathan didn't need to be an actual part of the surgical team, he needed to be there, explaining that Ezra's job made him privy to classified information, it was a slight exaggeration but their job had given them access to priviledged information, and someone had to be present in case he said anything. As a physician, Nathan was the most qualified.

Larabee also had an ulterior motive. He wanted Nathan there as much for the doctor's sake as Ezra's. As the team physician and a talented surgeon in his own right, Nathan had more often than not assisted when one of the team required the skills of the hospital surgical team but this was different. This was a life and death situation which Nathan felt more than slighty responsible for whether that guilt was justified or not.

And in the back of his mind, if it came down to it, Chris didn't want the con man leaving this life in some sterile room surrounded by strangers. Jackson needed to be there to hold the con man's hand, to let him know he wasn't alone and have his say if the unthinkable did come to past.

The doctor scrubbed a hand over his face, pulling himself together with a willpower that would have impressed the gambler. "They'll be moving him to ICU shortly."

"Any permanent damage?" Josiah quietly voiced the question none of them wanted to ask.

"They don't think so, but there's no way to tell until he wakes up."

Sighs of relief were drowned out by a small sob and six faces drained of color at seeing the petite woman who stood white faced, hand pressed to her mouth in the waiting room door.

*******

Just as they had twice before, careful of the medical equipment, seven people shot to their feet, crowding around the hospital bed at the slight moan which emanated from the motionless man who occupied it.

Sixteen worry filled hours had slowly passed before Ezra had shown the first signs of awakening from the anesthesia. Groaning, his slack face had twisted in pain as his head rolled to the side before lapsing back into unconsciousness

The second time had been an hour and a half earlier. They had exchanged confused glances, Vin softly assuring him he'd never left, as the gambler mumbled about devils, demons, family and his need to return to Four Corners.

Dionica, to the right of the sharpshooter, leaned closer to Standish and whispered, "Come on, sweet thing, I didn't come all the way from San Antone to watch you sleep... Let me see them beautiful green eyes."

The corners of the con man's lips suddenly twitched, turning upwards as his eyelids fluttered.

"That's it, Pard...You can do it." Tanner encouraged, his lopsided grin lighting up the room as Ezra's eyes slowly lifted, closed and lifted again, the confused emerald gaze sweeping over the people gathered around him.

Tanner, Wilmington and Sanchez stepped aside to allow the doctor Nathan had buzzed for, access to his patient, but they refused to move out of their friend's line of sight. As for Nica, it would have taken a stick of dynamite to move her from the other side of Ezra's bed.

The doctor sighed at the protectiveness of those gathered, then turned to his patient. "Mr. Standish, I'm Dr. Shannon. Can you answer a few questions for me?"

Ezra's forehead wrinkled. "W-why?"

Chuckles of relief filled the oppressive room at the softly rasped word. No one was certain if the one word was an answer to the physician or a question in itself. Why did the doctor want to question him? Why should he answer? Why was he in the hospital? Why wasn't Dionica in San Antonio? What the simple answer did tell them was their stubborn southerner was going to be fine.

Chris blinked back the tears that quickly filled his eyes. "Stop being a pain in the ass, Ezra and just answer the man."

"T-t-tired." The con man gave Dionica a look of gratitude as she spooned some chipped ice into his mouth, the slivers easing his dry throat.

"Answer the questions and you can go back to sleep." Larabee promised.

"Do you know where you are?"

The question earned the doctor a look of derision, causing another round of snickers.

"Mister Standish, do you know why you're here?"

"Obviously...the...fates f-found lettin' y'all p-poke and pr-prod at m-me...a fittin' p-punishment for s-some indescretion."

"Reckon we can stop worryin'," Josiah chuckled, "his mouth still works."

With a small smile of satisfaction, Ezra succombed to the drugs and exhaustion, drifting back into the oblivion of healing sleep.

*******

Calling a warning to the ex-bounty hunter, Chris entered the penthouse expecting to find the sharpshooter had fallen asleep on the couch, waiting for his boss.

Leaving Josiah and Nathan to sit first watch with the southerner, Larabee had ordered Buck and JD home for a few hours rest, planning on giving Nica a ride while Vin delivered the Camero to it's home in the garage of Ezra's apartment building.

It had taken everyone's combined efforts in convincing Dionica to let Larabee drive her home assuring her Ezra wouldn't be alone and there'd be hell to pay if the gambler discovered they didn't make certain she took care of herself.

Neither Chris or Vin had been surprised at the construction worker's arrival. In fact, knowing her special gift they would have been more shocked if she hadn't arrived. Receiving no word from Larabee's team about Ezra, the feeling she was going to lose the man she loved becoming stronger with each passing minute, Dionica had caught the first flight she was able to book.

Racing through the airport, almost frantic with panic and worry, she'd practically knocked a large man to the curb, throwing herself into the cab he'd hailed. With an embarrassed grin, she had admitted to the Hoosier, she didn't remember giving the driver a destination. There were a dozen places she might have found Ezra and the others but somehow she had ended up at the hospital.

"Right where you needed to be," Larabee had nodded in understanding. Far be it for him to question the bond between his southern friend and the perceptive young woman.

Chris smiled in appreciation at the pictures hanging once more above the fireplace before moving through the penthouse, finally discovering the tracker carefully placing the last of Ezra's clothes from the suitcase in a dresser in the master bedroom.

He knew Tanner was not only telling the con artist, this was where he belonged but hoping to remove the easy temptation of leaving once the gambler was back on his feet. Ezra wouldn't be able to just throw the bags back in the vehicle and drive away. He'd have to repack, giving him time to think and the others time to try and change his mind.

Vin finished his self assigned chore and closed the drawer with a sigh. Turning to lean back against the dresser, he watched as, without a word, Chris lifted the small plastic Vegas water globe from the corner of the suitcase and, sliding open the panel in the closet, replaced the item back on its rightful place on the shelf.

A slight frown tugged at the Texan's face as he watched Chris pull a bag from his jacket pocket bearing the logo of the local zoo. He's seen the blonde take it from the Camero's front seat and now, curiosity getting the better of him, he stepped forward for a better look.

A lopsided grin spread across his handsome face as Larabee carefully unwrapped the bag's contents. Giving the item a small shake, he set the snowdome depicting penguins at play next to the gambler's old Las Vegas souvenir.

*******

Nathan slipped through the door, giving the three visitors a wan smile before his eyes settled on the man sleeping in the hospital bed.

Although confused, the gambler had managed to stay awake a little longer each time he opened his eyes. Both Nathan and Dr. Shannon had assured them this was normal the first few days after this type of surgery but it hadn't kept anyone from worrying and strengthened their determination that someone be with him at all times.

Jackson had remained in the background, the few times Ezra had awakened as if needing and wanting to be near the southerner but afraid of Standish's reaction to his presence.

No one was talking about it and Dionica hadn't asked but she was certain something had happened between Ezra and Nathan. Something the healer deeply regretted and feared couldn't be rectified.

Seeing the dark circles beneath the bloodshot eyes and the weary slump to his shoulders, the woman couldn't help but wonder if Nathan had slept at all since the con man had been injured. Wisely sensing the doctor needed time with his friend, Dionica gave Vin a slight nudge with the toe of her shoe, her eyes indicating the door.

"I don't know about you two but I'm starvin'." Tanner stretched, rolling his shoulders to ease the kinks. "Don't worry Nica, the cafeteria food's a lot better than that stuff they feed the patients."

"Even Buck's cookin' is better than what they feed the patients." Larabee quipped, rising to his feet. They might have thought he was dozing but the team leader hadn't failed to see the little byplay between the construction worker and sharpshooter. "Want somethin' Nate?"

The physician silently shook his head, his worried gaze never leaving Ezra's pale face.

"He loves ya Nate....Don't ever doubt that." Dionica whispered, giving his arm a small squeeze before joining Chris and Larabee in the hall, putting an end to the discussion of whose turn it was to pay, stating she'd be honored to buy lunch for two such good looking fellas.

Larabee gave the small woman a wink and reassuring grin as, with a last glance at the closed door, she slipped one arm through his and one arm through Tanner's and the three of them moved down the hallway.

*******

Ezra weaved his way through the hazy fog of sleep towards the light of wakefulness. Aware of the presence of others, their voices muted and muffled by the thick murkiness, uncertain who it was or why they were in his bedroom, the southerner lay motionless waiting for his senses to further clear.

'Aww hell, the hospital!'

The combination of medicinal and disinfection smells mixed with the uncomfortable feel of the mattress beneath him informed the gambler of his current location. Memories of teammates, Dionica, Lucy and even Miz Nettie being at his side, smiling, murmuring comfortingly, holding the cup as he sipped at the straw, flooded his mind.

'What the hell did you do this time Ezra?'

Whatever had happened to land him in this despised locale, at least the painkillers had reduced his headache to a minor irritating throb.

The con man lay still forcing himself not to react as someone gently placed his hand in theirs. Hopefully, if they thought he was still asleep, they would be less likely to poke, prod or stick him with sharp objects.

"I'm so sorry Ezra."

'The words and the familiar voice registered fully. Nathan? What does he have to be sorry about? He isn't the one lying on this manufactured mass of lumps they have the audacity to refer to as a bed.'

"I shoulda listened to ya. Hell I shoulda listened to everybody....The least I coulda done was give ya a chance to explain. I had no right to talk to you the way I did...To say the things I said..." Ezra felt the gentle graze of fingers as Nathan lightly brushed his cheek.

"How the hell could I be so stupid and irrational...I should have known..." regret colored the healer's whispered words.

The sorrow and sincerity in the healer's voice tore at Ezra's soul. But a sudden rush of memory surfaced of the angry words Nathan had spat at the gambler, and of his fist smashing into the smaller man's cheek...that same cheek he was so tenderly brushing with his fingertips.

With the surfaced memories, came the reason for the healer's anger as well.'What are you feeling guilty for? You were only defending your friend...someone you care for like a brother.'

The doctor's quiet words continued as he bared his soul to the injured man. "Ya gotta know Ezra...What I said that day...It wasn't true..."

Ezra wanted to protest. Don't start lieing now Nathan...You're no better at it than the others. That's why Chris brought me onto the team.'

"Well, maybe at first it was true...but not anymore. Ya've proven over and over again how much ya can be trusted...Question is why the hell should ya trust me...I know ya trust the others, but everytime ya step out from behind that wall a yours I say or do something ta drive ya back. Hope ya know Ezra, come hell or high water I trust ya with my life...maybe even with my money."

Ezra struggled not to smile. 'Now that would definitely be a leap of faith.'

"Well, okay, maybe not with my money," Nathan conceded as if reading Ezra's thoughts. "But with everything else...with everything, but more importantly, every one that's important to me." The healer inhaled deeply, his thumb stroking the back of Ezra's hand. "You're right ya know... I am a self righteous bastard...As if I have any right to be."

Ezra wanted to reach out, or speak up to reassure the doctor. 'You have every right Nathan. You're the most ethical man I've ever met. You shouldn't apologize for standing by your friends or standing up for your beliefs. I'm the one that should be apologizing.' But he made no move, no sound and the doctor's words continued, still softer and more heart felt.

"I don't expect ya to forgive me Ezra but you're my friend...my family and no matter how long it takes I'm gonna prove to ya that we do trust ya...each and everyone of us...and I'm gonna find a way to prove just how much ya mean to me...to all of us." Jackson sighed, wiping at the tears rolling down his cheeks. "Kinda silly talkin' to someone who's sleepin' but I'll apologize again when you're awake to hear it. Maybe by then I'll have found a better way to say it."

Ezra wouldn't embarrass either of them by subjecting the healer to a repeat performance of the heartfelt apology. He tightened his grip preventing the physician from releasing his hand. "No need...A-apology ac-cepted."

"Give a person some warning when ya wake up would ya?" His eyes shining with joy, Nathan sank into the chair, retaining his hold on his friend's hand and returning the gambler's dimpled smile.

"Oc..cupational hazard... What am I doin' here anyway?" The gambler was asleep before Nathan finished his explanation.

*******

Ezra slowly rolled onto his back, stretching and savoring the silence and luxury of waking in his own comfortable bed without one of his friends sitting at his side watching him with worried eyes. Of course it would have been nice to awaken with his arms around Dionica but since it was only a nap...

Hearing his friends in the penthouse living room the southerner smiled. He'd been released from the hospital the previous day and they'd all accompanied him home making certain he was settled and advising Dionica not to hesitate calling for help if he gave her any problems.

Ezra rubbed absently at the small bandage on the back of his hand where an IV had been placed. He vaguely remembered the first few days after his operation, the hospital staff constantly poking and prodding, Nathan's apology and someone always at his bedside, but his first clear memory of his hospital stay had been of waking to one of JD's infamous bad jokes.

"There was this hillbilly that was drafted by the Army and on the first day there they gave him a comb. The following day the Army barber cut all of his hair off. The next day the Army gave him a tooth brush and the day after that the Army dentist yanked several of his teeth out. On the fifth day he was given a jock strap..." The youth flushed red, avoiding looking at Dionica and Lucy. "That afternoon the hillbilly disappeared and the Army is still looking for him."

A soft chuckle emitted from the man they all thought to be sleeping, building into outrageous laughter carrying everyone along with it. No one was really certain if they were laughing at JD's joke, because of the southerner's infectious laughter or just from plain relief but it didn't really matter.

"Told ya it was funny Buck!" The easterner slapped his best friend on the back of the head.

"Indeed Mr. D-Dunne. That was quite a-amusing." Ezra wiped at the corner of his eyes as Vin slowly raised the head of the bed.

"Nathan ya sure they didn't give him a lobotomy." Buck teased pleased to see the younger man more alert than he had been in days. "Only someone brain dead would find that sorry joke funny!"

"Hey sexy! How ya feelin'?" Dionica asked, brushing the back of her fingers along his cheek.

"C-confused would be an a-appropriate word." He blinked owlishly at the woman who had stolen his heart. "Am I in San Antonio?"

"Didn't quite make it that far, Pard." Tanner chuckled. "But I'm supposed to remind ya it'll still be there when you're feelin' better." The motel housekeeper had been waiting beside the ambulance when Josiah carried Ezra across the parking lot. She watched with worried eyes as the paramedics worked on the man who'd occupied room seven, asking Vin to make certain his friend realized San Antonio would still be there when he was healthy enough to travel.

"Course your reason for goin' is here." Larabee smiled, comfortably slipping an arm around Dionica's shoulders.

No one could mistake the amazement in the green eyes as Standish smiled at the woman standing at his bedside. Amazement that she was there. She had dropped everything, rushing to his side. Amazement that she would ask nothing more than to let her be with him. He couldn't remember his own mother being there when he was ill or injured. He still found it a source of wonderment that these six men were always there when he woke up, doing their best to keep him from feeling as if he were alone in the world, even if it was through some misguided sense of compassion.

"I know I've probably asked this before but could someone please clarify the circumstances resulting in my untimely stay in this haven of inhospitality." His eyes widened as Dionica caught the hand he raised to rub his temple, his fingertips brushing the gauze encircling his head. Steeling himself, hiding his fright behind his poker face, Ezra's gaze settled on Nathan standing at the foot of the bed. "W-why am I here Nathan? Plain English please."

"According to Mark ya took a blow to the head which caused a small blood clot. Dr. Shannon was able to drain it and-"

He had gasped in disbelief, "Surgery!"

Careful of the IV, Tanner grabbed Ezra's free hand as he reached for the bandage again. "Don't worry Ez, ya still got yer hair...well,...most of it anyways."

"Most?" Standish squeaked.

"Nathan told 'em they'd be better off shavin' Vin's head cause he'd just kill 'em outright and be done with it." Chris chuckled. "You on the other hand would make 'em suffer for the rest of their sorry lives."

"It's just a small spot Ezra. The rest of your hair will probably hide it and it'll grow back quick enough." Nathan sighed, rolling his eyes as if silently commenting on the men's vanity taking precedence over their health. "All the tests results say you're going to make a full recovery."

"M-most gratifying."

Now, shaking aside the memory, he concentrated and could place where each person was in the penthouse.

Ezra grinned, hearing Josiah's deep rumble as he admonished Buck and JD about their horseplay before they broke something they damn well couldn't afford to replace, Nathan telling them all to pipe down and Chris banishing them to the game room with orders to set things up for the movie they were going to watch when Ezra finally woke up

Tanner was in the kitchen with Lucy, Dionica and Mary and the gambler chuckled picturing Lucy lightly smacking the sharpshooter's hand as he attempted to sneak snacks for him and Mattie.

Standish had tried several times to apologize to the ex-bounty hunter for his part in the deception only to have Tanner thwart each attempt.

"What do ya wanna apologize for Ez?...For helpin' Lucy's friend? For keepin' Luce safe and lookin' after her and Mattie while I was gone?...For makin' Mattie feel even more like part of a family?...For kissin' Lucy?...Or for enjoyin' it?" Tanner chuckled as the gambler's emerald eyes widened, his mouth moving soundlessly as he searched for a explanation. "Hell Ez, it just proves yer human...She's a damn good kisser ain't she?"

The gambler had flushed. "Mr. Tanner...Vin I-I-"

"Ezra, Lucy explained everything. Hell she called me that night after y'all got back. You were playin' a scene Ez, even Nathan understands that now." A mischievious twinkle entered the tracker's blue eyes. "Would it make ya feel like we was even if I was ta kiss Nica?...I'll be more than happy to..." he assured the card shark, "just so it'll put yer mind at ease..."

"I don't think that will be necessary but you have my sincere gratitude for your offer...and your understanding." Ezra had responded, realizing the tracker was going above and beyond to let him know he wasn't upset. The gambler couldn't help but wonder if he himself would have been so forgiving if the circumstances had been reversed.

Carefully pushing off the bed, wanting no dizzy side effects, Ezra moved to the dresser, automatically reaching for his comb before remembering the bandage wrapped around his head like a bandana. The gambler sighed, wishing he could do more than straighten his exposed curls with his fingers. Changing his shirt, he checked his appearance once more, making certain he presented a reasonable picture of health and left the bedroom, slowing as he approached the kitchen where it seemed everyone had once again congregated. He hesitated, taking it all in.

"Hey Mattie, that's an awful good lookin' penquin ya got there." The jovial womanizer squatted on his heels in front of the unusually quiet child playing in the corner.

"Papa Ezra got him for me when we went to the zoo..." The happiness left the child's voice and she dropped her eyes to the little dog curled in her lap. "I mean Mr. Ezra."

Lifting the little girl into his arms, Buck carried her to the large table and sinking down in one of the chairs, settled her onto his lap. "Hey kiddo, ya know ole' Ez is gonna be just fine, don't ya?"

Ezra had been asleep when Lucy and her daughter arrived at the penthouse. They would have happily sneaked her past the nursing staff but no one had thought it very wise for the child who'd lost her mother in the not so distant past to see the injured gambler laying in a hospital bed, medication being fed into his veins and machines monitoring his condition.

"I know. Mama told me." She nodded. "She told me how Pap...Mr. Ezra and her was just pretendin' they was married...I love him but..." She broke off, her lip quivering.

"But what sweetie?" Wilmington prompted.

"Mr. Vin is 'sposed to be my papa." Mattie stated matter of factly. "Just like always." She added firmly.

Ezra bit his lip to keep from bursting into laughter, imagining the blush creeping over Tanner's handsome face while Lucy's own complexion would have drained of color. 'Out of the mouth of babes.'

Deciding it might be best if he rescued the tracker and vet before questions were asked that neither of them could or wanted to answer, Ezra stepped into the doorway.

"Ezra!" Standish knelt down bracing himself to keep from being knocked over as jumping from Wilmington's lap, Mattie dashed across the kitchen throwing her arms around his neck.

"How's my best girl?"

"I missed you." The child released him long enough to allow the gambler to follow Nathan's orders and sit his sorry butt in one of the kitchen chairs. Mattie leaned against his leg, her elbows resting on his thigh. "I was scared ya was gonna go to heaven like my other mama but Mama Lucy said Dr. Nathan's friends fixed ya up real good."

"That they did." He smiled. Leaning forward he whispered in her ear. "Soon as Nathan says it's okay for me to drive, we'll make that trip we talked about."

Not far from Denver was a old ghost town which had been renovated as an old west tourist attraction. Mattie had seen an ad for it in a local newspaper and had stressed on more than one occasion, she wanted to visit the town. Not willing to admit it, Ezra realized he had a "hankerin'" as Vin would call it, to see the old town as well.

Placing a finger under her chin, he gently raised the child's head forcing her to look at him. "Now you want to tell me what's bothering you? As Josiah is so fond of telling me, we can't help if you don't tell us what's wrong."

Sanchez's proud expression said he knew despite his relative indifference, their black sheep had been listening.

"Miss Lucy explained why we pretended to be married didn't she?" Ezra didn't want the others to know how long he'd been eavesdropping.

"Uh huh...She said you was play actin' to help out her friend. She said you have to do that sometimes for your job with Mr. Chris."

Ezra nodded. "That's right. Sometimes I have to play act like they do on television."

"But," she ducked her head and toyed with his shirt button. "does that mean ya was only pretendin' ta love us?"

"Never!" He pulled her onto his lap, giving her another hug. "No one is that good an actor! I'll always love you! You're my best girl!"

"Then you love all of us?" Mattie asked guilelessly.

It was Ezra's turn to blush as he felt all eyes waiting expectantly for an answer to the child's innocent question. "Miss Mattie, you will find as you get older that many people will come into your life. Some of those people will be good, some not so good and some you will discover to be very special. I want you to remember to always keep those special people close to you."

The adults exchanged furtive glances, no one fooled by the con man's evasive answer. The message had come through loud and clear. They were his family!

Mattie frowned. "So if yer all family.."

Josiah choked back a grin. It was obvious Mattie hadn't been anymore fooled than the rest of them.

"...when Mama and Vin get married you'll be my uncle and when you marry her Miss Nica will be my aunt and Mary and Chris..."

"Mattie don't you have something for Ezra?" Lucy spoke up, hoping to stop the embarrassing speculations.

"I forgot!" She dashed from the room quickly returning and shoving a thin package in colorful paper into his hands, stating proudly. "I wrapped it myself." A fact that was apparent to everyone.

"And a fine job you did." The gambler declared working at dislodging one of the many pieces of tape holding the paper closed.

"You're sposed ta just rip it." The little girl reached out and tore a strip, helping him quickly tear away all the paper revealing a picture frame.

Ezra blinked back the tears, staring in wonderment at the present. A child's drawing. A drawing of a little girl surrounded by grownups.

She pointed a chubby finger, explaining, "That's me and that's you and Mr. Vin holding my hands. And there's mama holding Vin's hand. And that's Mr. Chris and Mr. Buck and Mr. Josiah and Dr. Nathan and JD. I didn't have room to draw Miss Nica and Miss Mary and everybody, but Mama said that was okay."

"It's a beautiful picture Mattie." Mary smiled at the delight on the little girl's face as everyone joined in her praise.

"Indeed." Ezra agreed, his eyes never leaving the picture as he fought for control of his emotions. "And it deserves to be displayed in a very special place."

"I'll get the hammer and a nail." Vin volunteered hurrying to the storage closet as the others followed the gambler and little girl into the living room.

*******

Seated in the corner of the couch, a contented smile graced the gambler's handsome face as Vin lifted Mattie up letting the little girl have the honor of hanging the picture on the nail, listening while his family argued over the best rearrangement of the array of pictures that would now surround the drawing.

The lyrics of the song he'd heard while riding in Mark's car floated disjointedly in his head. The sentiment and words were both right and wrong.

This was his family and they would not only allow him to change but they had already helped and would continue to help him become the man he wanted to be.

He was movin' on but not to a different location. He was movin' on to stronger relationships with all the people he loved and he wouldn't look back.

THE END

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Song 'Movin' On' by Rascal Flatts.

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