Tiny stood in his doorway, looking out at the blustery evening. The sun had set, but there was enough light coming from the tavern and other buildings to cast a glow over the town. He sighed, wishing he could stay in out off the wind, but knowing the horses needed to be checked for the night. Christmas Eve meant nothing to the animals, so their caretaker didn't get the night off. Bracing himself for the chill the wind would send through him, he reached for his tattered hat and scarf. They weren't much protection against the elements, but they would have to do. Warm gloves would have been nice, but such luxuries were just not in his world. With another sigh, he headed out into the night air.

Mrs. Potter glanced out her window as she saw movement on the street. Not too many people were out at this point on Christmas Eve, especially given the chill of the night. She smiled to herself as she watched Tiny cross over on his way to the Livery. Say what you might about the man's social skills, his concern for the animals was evident. Actually seemed to get along with them better than he did most of the townsfolk. Of course, that could have something to do with the way some of those folks treated him. He simply wasn't up to their social standing. Sure, he was good enough to look after their horses, but not to actually befriend. With that kind of treatment, it was no wonder the big man preferred the horses to their owners.

She pulled herself away from the window and back to the task at hand – cleaning up the store for night. It didn't take long. There hadn't been a lot of business in the last few days. Sure, people had been coming in for the usual supplies, but business was slow. Lots of folks had gone to a bigger city to pick up items for Christmas, or had ordered things that had been coming in by stage over the last few weeks. She didn't begrudge folks the opportunity to look for special things, especially this time of year, but the slow-down hadn't helped her bottom line. She looked sadly at the Christmas gifts she had set aside for her own two children. Socks, underthings, and a new hat for each. Not exactly what Christmas dreams were made off. They would be disappointed with what Santa left in their stockings this year. Yes, there would be a bit of candy treat, and there was a paper and new pencils for each, but it wasn't the holiday she'd hoped for. Since losing Mr. Potter to outlaws months ago, things just had never come back into balance, personally or financially. She wondered on more than one occasion if it wouldn't be best to sell the store and head back east. Her family would accept her home, and the children might be able to have a normal upbringing. She'd miss Four Corners, a little, but there wasn't a lot of town spirit happening here.

Inez settled her shawl around her shoulders as she looked out at the rag-tag assortment of customers in the saloon. Men, single men, filled the tables. The family men were all at home tucking in the kids for the night. The table in the corner was more subdued than usual, with 4 of the usual 7 occupants tossing back a few beer in celebration of the season. It was a quiet celebration.

Chris Larabee was trying not to look too morose. He had promised himself not to wallow in the past this year. His life had improved, and he was going to make sure his mood reflected that, but it was easier said than done. He'd been invited to Mary Travis's home for dinner tomorrow, and enjoying the day with her and her son was both a blessing and a curse. It would keep him occupied, but also kept alive the memory of holidays with his own wife and son Adam. Buck Wilmington picked up on his friend's mixed emotions, and though he tried to hide it, he too felt the melancholy of the unattached during the holidays. He wasn't a family man – never had been and very likely never would be. But still, alone on Christmas just wasn't fun, and even the prospect of an evening with the lady – or ladies – of his choice didn't really do much to alter his attitude.

Buck glanced sideways at the young man at the table with them. JD Dunne wasn't exactly exhibiting his usual enthusiasm either. Christmas was a hard time for someone who had recently lost a parent, and it was obvious JD was missing his mother tonight. The young man had strong memories of Christmas Eves spent by a fireplace, sharing her company. They didn't have a lot, but just being with family was enough for him. He hadn't imagined he could ever feel so lonely.

The fourth lawman at the table didn't do a lot to improve the mood of the room either. Nathan Jackson didn't even have the luxury of good Christmases to remember. Growing up a slave on a plantation did not lend itself to holiday spirit. He hadn't had it as bad as some in the South had, but that didn't make the situation much better. And his plan to spend a couple of days with his girl Raine had fallen through when he ended up falling into his role of healer and staying on town to help care for a family struck down by flu. They weren't seriously ill, but it didn't take a lot for something like that to turn into an epidemic, and he was a firm believer in better safe than sorry.

Inez pasted on a smile as she carried a tray with refills for the men. "You seem to be missing three of your posse tonight. Hopefully they are having a better time than you seem to be."

Chris forced himself to smile back. "Well, Josiah should be enjoying himself, getting the church ready for services tomorrow."

"Probably being enjoying it more if the place had a proper roof. Likely have to shovel out the pews if we get snow tonight – and those skies looked like snow all day." Buck added.

"And the others?"

JD spoke up. "Vin is on patrol – should be back soon. And Ezra – I got no idea. He's been on his own a lot the last few days. Maybe he misses his mom too."

Nathan all but snorted. "JD, I know you miss your mom something fierce, but Ezra and Maude aren't exactly the same kind of relationship. Pretty sure that isn't what's got him down."

"What makes you think something is bothering him?" Chris asked, not having noticed the gambler had been depressed.

"Can't really say. Just an impression."

Buck looked a bit troubled now. "I know he sent a bunch of telegrams when we were in Eagle Bend a while back. Think he's getting restless? Maybe thinking of moving on?"

"Wouldn't surprise me. He never struck me as the type to stay in one place for any length of time." Nathan observed.

"Which of us is?" Chris wondered. He never imagined when they formed up that the idea of Ezra moving on would bother him, yet now he was a bit surprised to find himself hoping Buck's guess was wrong.

"That's changed though – right?" JD looked anxiously at the others. Before anyone could answer the room felt the chill as Vin Tanner came through the doors, letting the first flakes of snow float in behind him.

"Typical Christmas Eve out there. Quiet as all get out, and threatening to get messy." He shrugged out of his jacket as Inez started over with a beer. "Make it a coffee please Inez. Least wise till I warm up a bit."

"Nothing going on out there?"

"Not too much Chris. What's got you all looking out of sorts?"

"You talk to Ezra recently?"

Vin looked at Buck puzzled. "Now that you mention it – no. He's been busy I guess. There a problem?"

"We're not sure. He said anything about moving on to you? Seems he talks to you more than he does the rest of us."

"Well, I wouldn't exactly say that." Vin considered it for a minute. "When you think about it, he doesn't really talk to any of us. Sure, we have conversations, but he really doesn't tend to share much, does he? What makes you think he's leaving Chris?"

"Buck and Nathan came up with the idea. Said a few things seem a bit off."

"Maybe he figures a new year should mean a new start." Buck added quietly.

No one spoke for a few minutes, each mulling the possibility the Seven might soon be Six. Vin tried to think of a reason Ezra would leave, and found he had no trouble coming up with a long list. The man was a gambler and a hustler by trade. Staying in one place was no way for him to earn a living. And with each day that passed the odds that someone he had fleeced in the past may show up in town, ready to exact revenge. Granted, Ezra wasn't the only one looking over his shoulder, but his enemies were likely to be less obvious, and in turn, more dangerous. Most any of the lawmen would be likely to win in draw down, but Ezra's enemies were the type to shoot a man in the back and slither back into the shadows. Then there was the way folks in town looked at him. There was never the acceptance the others had received when it came to the gambler. A lot of folks in town didn't trust him, even after all these months. The risks he had taken, the injuries he'd received, the sacrifices he'd made, didn't seem to resonate with the town. A lot of the time, they didn't even seem to resonate with the team, and there had been too many times his motives or actions had been questioned. Could be he was tired of proving himself over and over again. Who could blame him?

Nathan finally broke the silence. "We should be asking Josiah. He's more likely than any of us to have an idea what's going on with Standish." As if summoned, the doors opened again to show Josiah Sanchez's silhouette in the frame. He closed the outside weather out quickly and moved over to take a seat with the others.

"Looks like an almost full house here gents. What are we drinking to tonight?"

"Possibly absent friends I guess." Buck answered him. "Nathan was just saying we should ask you if you know when Ezra's leaving."

"If Buck, If he's leaving." JD corrected. Josiah looked surprised at the notion.

"He has shared nothing about that with me. What makes you think he's leaving?"

Chris decided it was time to stop the speculation. "We don't think he is. At least, we don't know he is. Aw hell. We don't know what's going on. One question and suddenly we've got him with his bags packed and his room for rent. Look – Nathan's wrong. We shouldn't be asking Josiah, we should be asking Ezra. JD – go up to his room and haul his ass down here.

The young man sprinted up the stairs to Ezra's rented room, only to return a few moments later looking dejected.

"Not there, and the door is locked."

Chris stood up. "What do you mean not there? On a cold night like this? Where the hell else would he be?"

"He wouldn't have left on Christmas Eve – would he?"

TBC