"Three days there and three days back. This is not the duty I had anticipated when I agreed to associate myself with this organization."

"You agreed to associate yourself with us because it got you out of jail Ezra." JD reminded the gambler. "Besides, I don't recall a lot of details were given to us at the time."

"On the contrary Mr. Dunne. We were told our services would be for the protection of our fair town. Not to be delivery boys for distant settlements."

"Judge Travis tells us what to do and we do it. Just that simple Ezra." Buck grinned. "Besides, a few days out of town can be a good thing."

"Undoubtedly such an escape can be beneficial when a jealous spouse returns and discovers you have been dallying with his mate. However, as I was not facing that predicament, I had no desire to take leave of our community or to forego the comforts, such as they are, of home."

"I didn't know she was married." Buck defended himself. "And you have more comforts than the rest of Four Corners combined."

"I see no reason I should not be using my earnings to make this existence as pleasant as is possible, under the circumstances."

"Can I ask you a question Ezra?" JD spoke tentatively.

"You just did, but yes, you may add another. Do not concern yourself Mr. Dunne, it is rather difficult to injure my feelings."

"How'd you know – never mind. I was wondering why someone like you would come out West in the first place. I mean, seeing as how you like the fancier things in all. You gotta admit, there ain't much of that in these parts."

"Well hell kid, he probably got run out of every town back east." Buck teased, regretting it when he Ezra replied.

"I said it was difficult to injure my feelings, Mr. Wilmington, not impossible."

"Damn, Ezra – I didn't mean –" He waved off the apology with a smile. Truth of the matter was Buck had given a fairly accurate assessment. Yes, there were some places he could show his face without fear of arrests or retribution of a more direct form, but those locations were increasingly limited. Travelling west seemed like a viable option. Little did he suspect at the time that choice would result in a turn on the other side of the law, the respectable one. Four months as a lawman was four months longer than he had held any legitimate employment.

Nor could he ever have for seeing his current unpleasantness. A six day ride it to deliver supplies. Which brought him back to the original discussion, which he chose to return to rather than answer JD's question.

"How often will be will we be required to make this pilgrimage?"

"Towns are sprouting up all over the territory Ezra. Travis figures keeping them supplied will help them settle faster.

"I understand the premise Mr. Dunne, I simply fail to grasp the need for -"

"The last to supply loads got bushwhacked Ezra. Travis put word out that this one was guarded, and no attacks." Buck shrugged. "Seems likely will be doing it again."

"Dreadful misuse of our skills."

"Folks appreciated it though." JD smiled, remembering how grateful everyone had been. "Kinda felt nice."

"No Mr. Dunne. A featherbed feels nice. A warm bath feels nice. Six days in the saddle does not."

JD held the reins of the wagon he was driving out toward Ezra. "You want to take over? I'll gladly get back in the saddle over this damned hard seat."

"He's got a point Ezra. We should spell off." Buck scanned the area. "If memory serves, there's a watering hole not too far ahead. We can take a break there and switch things around."

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Ezra looped Chaucer's reign loosely over the wagon post and set about removing his sleeping role from his gear. "What are you doing Ezra? We aren't staying long enough for a nap."

"I'm aware of that Mr. Wilmington, tempting though the notion may be. The bedding will serve as a cushion against the unpleasant construct of a wagon seat. Is nothing in this part of the world designed for comfort?"

JD grinned. "There is if you're fixing it."

"JD was right Ezra. You simply are not the kind of guy who should be out here."

"Please convey that information to Mr. Larabee prior to the next scheduled delivery errand."

"Oh, I don't just mean out here Ezra. I'm talking about out West. You just ain't cut out for it, are you?"

"Buck, that isn't very nice." JD cautioned, worried the gambler's feelings were going to be hurt again. He'd already figured out Ezra wasn't as callous about his emotions as he purported to be.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you can't handle yourself, and we've all seen that you're a top shot. But this area ain't for city boys."

"Like Mr. Dunne?"

"Yeah Buck, like me?" JD was well aware his Boston upbringing left him lacking in the skills the rest of them had. But he had thought he was getting better.

"Well, sort of. But JD's working at it. Shooting better, riding better, all of that."

"Whereas I apparently fail to measure up." Ezra had a hint of a grin on his face, watching Buck struggle to find a way to say what he meant. And Ezra knew exactly what he meant. Buck was not the first to make assumptions about Ezra based on first impressions, and he doubted he would be the last. Fancy clothes and elegant speech were hardly the trademarks of a western settler. Let alone a law man. And that, he often found, gave him an advantage. The more unsuspecting an opponent was, the better chance one had of winning the battle.

"All I'm saying Ezra is you ain't really rugged enough for all this. I hate to see you get hurt or in trouble. That's really all I meant."

"I appreciate your concern Mr. Wilmington and shall endeavor to avoid any circumstance where misfortune might befall me. "

Buck mounted up, still mumbling under his breath. "Man took the whole thing wrong. Didn't mean anything."

JD fought to keep from laughing out loud when Ezra winked at him. To cover the chuckle, he spoke. "Ezra, you sure you shouldn't secure Chaucer better than that? Liable to run off on you the way you've got them."

"No fear of that happening. If he elects to wander a bit, or chooses not to be tethered, he can enjoy some freedom. He will come when summoned."

"If you say so." JD spurred his own ride ahead, marvelling, and not for the first time, at the faith Ezra had in his horse.

They rode in silence for a couple of hours. The pace was slower than it could have been, with an empty wagon as part of the assemblage. They'd left the older of the supply carts behind, but Mrs. Potter had insisted that her delivery wagon be returned. The slow pace and long day left the men less than attentive to their surroundings, and not ready for trouble when it struck in the most innocuous of ways.

Buck was leading the way, with Ezra still on the cart, half dozing as he allowed the horses to do most of the work. He was unaware that Buck's passing had disturbed a rattler's resting place. By the time the reptile was riled up, the wagon was practically on top of it. The workhorses reared back, pulling the reins from Ezra's slack grasp, and then bolted for all they were worth. Chaucer immediately pulled away, freeing himself from the wagon before it could pull him into the chaos. Ezra grabbed for the reins, but they were now out of his reach. The action, combined with the lurching of the wagon, set everything off balance and before anyone could register what had happened, the cart was tumbling as the horses broke free of the yolk. Ezra was thrown from the wagon, only to have it roll over him before coming to a rest in pieces several yards away.

It all took just a matter of seconds, but it felt like an eternity. Buck circled back, pulling his gun and shooting the rattler before any more trouble came from that source. JD was off his horse and approaching Ezra when Buck yelled for him to stop.

"But he needs our help!"

"Just watch where you're going."

"More snakes?" JD looked around nervously.

"Could be, but that's only part of the problem." Buck could see where Ezra had landed, and the sight chilled him through. He was in the middle of a patch of cactus, and if Buck was right, Ezra was going to be in a world of pain.

"Watch out for the cactus JD."

The man looked where Ezra lay unmoving. "Are they poisonous?"

"Not exactly, but that doesn't make them any less dangerous. We gotta move him carefully." Buck had dismounted by now, rifle in hand, and was pulling on thick riding gloves. He carefully made his way to where as relay. "Ez – can you hear me?" He got no reaction. He moved closer, using the butt of his weapon to beat back the plants closest to him. When he got next to the injured man, he squatted beside him. "Ezra?" He pulled his glove off, reaching down with dread to check for a pulse. The groan he got on touching their injured friend sent a wave of relief through both men. "Stay still Ezra. You're hurt."

"I am acutely aware of that."

Buck grinned slightly. "Well, your attitude seems to be just fine." He looked down again, smile fading. "Where does it hurt? Ezra? Ezra? Damn, he passed out." Buck swatted more of the offending plants out of the way. "JD, get over here, carefully. We gotta move him and see what's going on."

"Hang on a minute." JD grabbed his bedroll and brought it over. "We can put him on this, make it easier to carry him."

"Good thinking."

Ezra bit down on his lip, desperate to keep his reactions to himself. He eased off only when he could taste the blood.

Contrary to what others thought, he had a fairly high tolerance for pain. A myriad of experiences from a young age and throughout his life had conditioned him well. He had no doubt the others would find hours of amusement as his expense if they ever found out about the techniques and practices he had learned and perfected over the years.

Usually, they worked well. Sadly, this was not a usual circumstance. Never could he recall pain quite like this. Despite the harsh landing he was feeling no effects from the impact. He assumed that was because he could feel nothing beyond the sensation of what felt like a thousand burning pokers stabbing at him. His arm and chest appeared to have taken the brunt of the damage, although he could feel it on his face and neck to a lesser degree as well. He was dimly aware of voices, and his name being repeated, but decided he didn't have the ability to focus on any of that at the moment. He was too busy trying to cope, trying to shield the truth from his companions. All of this resolved disappeared when they rolled him, and the fire shot through his body. Hiding the shriek of reaction was simply not possible.

Buck clenched his jaw, fighting against the instinct to let Ezra go. JD pulled his hands back and he hadn't even been touching the man.

"Shit Buck! Did we kill him?"

"No, but I bet he wishes we had." He settled Ezra onto the blanket as gently as he could. "Damn it Ezra. I'm sorry about this but we have to move you again."

"I shall try to be less vocal in my response." he gasped out.

"Scream as much as you need to if it helps."

"Not a particularly rugged manner of dealing with this."

Buck wished desperately he could find a way to take that comment back. "Ain't a man alive who's not going to scream at something like this, and you got a shit load of them fire spines in you. Like I said, you do whatever you have to. We ain't gonna judge."

Ezra nodded his head, and even that simple action sent waves of pain through him. Figuring it was best to act while he was already distracted, they grabbed the corners of the blanket and lifted him clear. Another shriek filled the air and an instant later JD cursed as well.

They sat him down in a small amount of shade created by some nearby rocks. "Get me the canteens." Buck looked up when JD didn't move and saw the young man staring down at his leg, reaching for five cactus needles that stuck out.

"Don't." He cautioned. "They on you, or in you?"

"At least one is in, and it burns like hell fire." He looked down at Ezra, sickened by what he could now begin to imagine the man was going through.

"Don't just pull. They got little hooks on the end. You need to cut them out." JD turned green at the thought. "It won't be that bad kid."

"Wasn't thinking about my leg." he replied, looking down at the injuries Ezra had.

"Yeah, I get it. Look, cut your pants and get yourself taken care of. I'll get Ez settled."

"I can wait."

"No, it's gonna distract you and he needs you to be focused."

JD nodded reluctantly and stepped away. He doubted that Ezra was too aware of what was going on around him but saw no reason to give him a preview of what would be happening. He couldn't hide his relief at seeing only two of the small spikes actually under his skin. Given the pain, he'd assumed all five had pierced. He shuddered again, thinking of Ezra's multiple wounds. His anger at the injustice helped him to focus on what he was doing, taking out the rage on the spines. It took only a moment to make the small incisions and remove the spiteful items. He tied his scarf around the leg to keep it clean and hurried back to Ezra.

"I can't do it Buck. I can't cut him like that." He wasn't proud of the fact but knew it was the truth.

"Relax JD, we don't have to. Likely do more harm than good to start that up now."

"But the poison?"

"I believe Mr. Jackson would call it a toxin, rather than a poison." Ezra's voice was weak and strained.

"Hush Ezra. Save your strength."

"Whatever for Mr. Dunne?"

"We're going to get you home Ezra. Just relax and trust us."

"I can do the latter, but I do not believe that relaxation is within my abilities. As for returning to Four Corners, I cannot imagine that I would be capable of riding. Even on Chaucer." He gasped slightly. "Oh, dear Lord, Chaucer didn't step into any of this did he? Is he –" Ezra made a move to sit up and was again crippled by the pain.

"Stay still damn it. He's fine. Beast had more sense than to step into a mess like that." Buck growled in his concern.

"Yes, he always was the smarter partner, the one with the most common sense." Ezra was fading as he rested his head again.

"Ezra, I'm going to rig up a sling to go between the horses. We'll carry you back in that. You may get a bit sick from swinging, but it won't put too much pressure on your wounds. You understand?" He was answered by a barely perceptible nod. "Meanwhile, JD's gonna fix up something to help you feel better."

"He has a still?"

Buck chuckled lightly. "No booze Ezra. Can't imagine Nathan would think that was a good idea."

"Mr. Jackson is not here to approve or disapprove." Ezra gave his own small smile. "What he does not know…" as he drifted out.

"Rest Ezra." Buck said unnecessarily.

"What am I supposed to fix for him?"

Buck pointed to some of the cacti that he had batted out of the way earlier. "The pulp from inside those. Mash it up with a bit of water to make some paste. It'll sooth his skin some. We'll put some on your leg too."

"Plant has its own cure?"

"Not exactly, but it'll help some."

Both men set about their tasks with determination spurred by concern, and by the occasional weak moan or gasp from Ezra.

"How do we put all this on him without hurting him?" JD asked when he was ready.

Buck squatted beside the barely conscious patient. "We don't. We can't."

"But –"

"You ever hear the saying 'be cruel to be kind'?"

"No, but I can guess what you mean."

Buck looked at the young man. "He's going to say stuff to you, about you, when we do this. You gotta ignore it."

"Like asking us to stop?"

"Like cursing you out, your family, and anything else you can think of. He don't mean any of it."

"I'm not stupid Buck – I get that."

"Just wanted you to be ready for whatever he comes out with."

"Knowing him, we probably won't understand most of the words anyway."

"Ezra, we're gonna put some stuff on you. Like I said before, scream as much as you need to."

"I got a glove for you to bite down on Ezra. Don't worry none, I cleaned it up."

Ezra nodded weakly, taking as firm a bite as he could. He grunted loudly when the first contact was made with his skin but didn't fight against Buck's holding him as still as possible. He went quiet, focusing all his attention on every pain control trick he had never learned, heard about, or even imagined. He wasn't sure whether if was the tricks, the distraction, or the treatment but he could feel himself slowly winning the battle against the radiating pain.

After five of the longest minutes of his life, JD leaned back on his heels. "Think I got it everywhere he's hurt. Looks like it might be working."

"Either that or he's just exhausted. Can't believe he didn't say a damn thing the whole time. Let's get this strung up and we can get him moving." They stood and move away toward the horses.

"You should use Chaucer. That's a better match for size, and you know he'll be gentle for Ezra."

Buck eyed his young friend. "You got another reason for suggesting that?"

"I could ride ahead. Get Nathan to come out and meet us…"

Buck was shaking his head. "No point. He won't work on him out here. Won't be able to. We're best to stick together and keep moving. "

"We gonna stop for the night?"

"If the sky stays clear we'll have a good light from the full moon. I'd like to keep riding as much as he can handle."

"You're still worried. You said this ain't poisonous, right?"

Buck debated briefly whether or not to lie but figured there was no point, but he kept his voice low. "It won't kill him directly, but that doesn't mean he's out of danger. There could be infections, and he probably hurt himself in the fall. And you gotta keep in mind how much is hurting JD. A man, any man, can only take so much of that until it wears him down."

"He's not going to quit." JD said resolutely.

"No, I don't expect he will. That still doesn't mean he's going to win."

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tbc