DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Magnificent Seven or its characters. There will be disciplinary SPANKING of an adult in this story so if that's not your thing please move on to another story.

This is an almost finished story – kind of having some writers block on my other two stories so I thought I would try my hand at just a one shot, which this was supposed to be, but it just kept getting longer and longer, anyway –hope you like it J Just another chapter to write which I will finish this weekend hopefully.

CHAPTER 2

Back in town Chris had went looking for JD. He felt bad yellin' at JD earlier when the kid wanted to go out alone scouting for the rustlers. He knew the kid was just trying to help and probably prove his skills to Chris and the others but that job was too dangerous for any of them to do alone, much less JD who just didn't have the skills for something like this yet.

Dealing with JD was sometimes hard for Chris – he was a man who was used to being obeyed without question but with JD everything was questioned and that often irritated the gunfighter right down to the bone and he sometimes didn't do a very good job of hiding the irritation. He did like the fact that JD felt comfortable enough with him too question him – not many men did- but sometimes, when things were dangerous- he just needed JD to obey – no questions, just obey. Being 4 men down right now, at the same time these cattle rustlers were getting bolder, was making Chris even crankier than normal.

Going to the Boarding house to look for JD he ran into Buck coming out.

"Hey partner you headed in for the night?" Buck questioned "I thought you were doing rounds."

"Just got done and thought I might go have a word with JD about why I wouldn't let him scout tonight – thinkin' he may of misunderstood why it is I said no" Chis answered and started to walk past Buck without waiting for a reply.

Chris felt Buck touch his arm as he walked by and turned around as Buck said "he ain't up there right now – he tole me a few hours ago he was gonna go to the saloon and play cards. He knew I was goin to bed early tonight since I wasn't feelin' to great - maybe catchin' some a what Josiah had don't know for sure." Buck said with a frown.

"Anyways, when I realized a while ago that JD hadn't come home yet I figured he was either drunk or winnin' and either way I should prolly go and save him from himself before he passes out or looses whatever money he has won." Buck finished that time with a smile and a wink.

"hang on I'll come with you in case ya need help draggin' his sorry butt home." Chris responded with an almost smile.

Walking into the saloon neither man saw JD so they walked up to the bar and asked Fred the bar keep if he knew where JD went.

"Sorry fellas" Fred answered "but I ain't seen him in here all night which his kinda unusual seein' as we got some good card games tonight but he ain't showed himself yet."

Chris just shook his head and looked at Buck "you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'" Buck asked Chris with a worried expression.

The instant anger and worry were evident in Chris' eyes too "I'm thinking JD done ignored me tonight and went out scoutin on his own, for God knows what reason, and we need to find him fore he gets his sorry ass shot" and with that Chris turned on his heels and headed back out the swinging doors of the saloon with Buck right on his tail.

Mounting up the 2 men headed out in the direction the tip they got earlier said the rustler's would be figuring that would be the way JD would head.

Chris could see the extreme worry on Buck's face and tried to calm him some – "I'm sure he's fine Buck – we both know the odds are that tip was wrong tonight anyways and JD is just out there losing sleep for nothing."

"I hope your right Chris cause we both agreed earlier that this group of rustlers would have to be at least 5 men to pull off some of what they already done and JD wouldn't stand a chance against no 5 men by himself." Buck replied trying to keep the worry out of his voice.

"Well damn it all if that kid don't make me crazy as a wet hen sometimes" Buck mutter angrily trying to replace some of his fear with anger deciding it would serve him better in his search for JD.

"Kid sure has a knack for that don't he" Chris replied

"I know one thing for sure – when we do find him I'm gonna wear a switch out on his backside for defying me today!" Chris said shaking his head in frustration.

"Look Chris I know your mad – so am I – but I'm guessin one of the reasons JD went and did sometin' this stupid was cause he feels like you're always treating him like a little boy and you takin' a switch to him ain't gonna help that feelin' none" Buck spoke hoping to talk some reason into the angry man riding beside him.

"Well if he would stop acting like a child I would stop treating him like one – we all knew when we let him stay with us that he had a lot a learin' left ta do and I think today's stunt proves that. If it takes me layin' into his butt with a paddle, my belt or a switch every time he puts his life in danger for no good reason then I will do it – I'll hate it, but I'll do it. Til he gets some more experience under his belt he is gonna keep feelin' mine every time he disobeys me. And what about you Buck, kid flat out lied to ya – tole ya he was goin to the saloon when he ain't been there all night – he knew you was goin' ta bed and didn't figure you'd go lookin for him so he lied right to yer face – you gonna just let that go?" Chris finished talking not feeling the need to explain further or apologize for what he intended to do. And what he intended to do was set JD's ass on fire for this stunt… He just hoped they found him alive and the tannin' he had planned was the worst thing that happens to JD tonight.