Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: This is a continuation in the Hands of Fate Series. Jesse and the seven continue their adventures. Updates may be erratic, since I am still experiencing laptop woes; it sometimes works with the battery and again sometimes without, and then sometimes neither way. I apologize ahead of time, but technology has a way of not cooperating with your plans as well as life in general. So, bear with me as I continue to rant and rave against everything that hinders my muse in so many ways. LOL

WARNING: Some chapters may contain disciplinary spanking toward a teenager. If you don't like, by all means don't read.

Remember folks this is a work of fiction. Not beta'd. All mistakes are my own.

HANDS OF FATE – Troubled Times

Chapter 1

Everything had been going well for Jesse and the seven men of Four Corners. It had taken some convincing on Chris' part, but Jesse did come in handy on their patrols and not as the extra gun. However, troubled times had a way of creeping up when they were least expected.

Jesse made a mistake while on patrol with Buck and was thoroughly scolded by him and then eventually his pa. Not quite understanding why they severely rebuked him, he sought out one of his favorite thinking spots to hole up for awhile and give the men some time to cool off. Vin found him about an hour later after hearing both Buck's and Chris' concerns.

Without even looking up Vin spoke, "Heard ya had a little trouble on patrol." The silence that followed told him the boy wasn't ready to talk with anyone. "We've all made mistakes and we've learned something from them; good and bad. Not the end of the world. Got to move on. Better that way. Dwelling on it only makes it worse."

He heard the boy stir a little up in the hayloft. "You'd think I committed a murder the way those two acted." Jesse used the back of his hand to wipe some of the moisture from his eyes. "What I don't get is why they lit into me like they did. It was a harmless mistake and…" Jesse fell silent his emotions were running rampant.

The tracker knew what troubled the kid and he had argued extensively with the others after hearing what had occurred earlier.

Flashback

He knew something was amiss when he entered that saloon. Both Chris and Buck were grim faced, while the others tried to ignore the growing tension. "Ya gonna tell me about it," Vin began as he took a seat next to J.D., "or do I have to guess?"

"It would seem our young lad made a small mistake on patrol with Buck and these gentlemen," Ezra glanced from Buck to Chris, "have blown it out of proportion."

A defensive Buck growled, "I think if any of us were out there you would have reacted the same way after knowing what's out there."

"My point is that he is unaware of the danger lurking out there. If he had known I believe he would've acted much differently. Yet for some reason you would rather keep him in the dark on this matter."

"Ezra he disobeyed a direct order. I don't care if it's a routine patrol or something else, he needs to listen. Listening is going to keep him alive longer. I warned him that if he disobeyed there would be harsh consequences. He's lucky he didn't get worse." Chris said.

"Ezra has a point. Don't ya think it would be fair to the boy if he knew what is going on?" Vin met Chris' glare without flinching. "I'll bet yer boy knows something is wrong and yer not telling him is driving him to do some of these wild things. He's gonna gain yer attention be it the wrong kind, yet the sooner you nip it the better for the rest of us."

"What do you know about raising a kid?"

"I was one once." Vin abruptly stood and left the saloon.

Ezra stood as well. "Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me the bias atmosphere at this table has strangled any other notions." He took his leave as well unwittingly following Vin's lead.

"Was that an insult?" A very subdued J.D. suddenly inquired.

"Yes, J.D. it most definitely was." Josiah plainly said.

Nathan finally commented. "I think both sides have a point, although the question remains: Will you be telling Jesse what you know? He sort of knows about this, doesn't he?"

"He knows very little. I never said who did it. The problem I have now is whether to keep him with us or have him remain here. Either way he's in danger."

"Danger is only a state of mind." Josiah casually commented.

An annoyed Buck said. "Remind me to mention that when we're in the thick of it."

Flashing a wide smile Josiah said, "Anytime brother."

Chris contemplated his thoughts. Without a doubt he knew Vin and Ezra would find Jesse and discuss the incident. He also knew they wouldn't overstep their bounds and tell Jesse why he and Buck acted the way they did. They would leave that mess to him. He sighed loudly gaining the unwanted attention of everyone at the table.

"Chris?" Buck asked.

He reached for the shot of rotgut, drank it without hesitation, and grimaced slightly before he, too, left the saloon. Figuring the other two had enough time to talk some sense into his son he decided it was time for him to do the same.