Title: The Joker and his Mask

Author: KohakoShadow

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything of the Magnificent 7. They all live boringly ever after in the hands of their creator.

Warning: This deals with a minor character death and mentions of child abuse.

Dedications: I dedicate this to all the Little Ezra writers.

Author's Note: This emphasizes 'thoughts' and "speaking".

Chapter 4: My Mouth repeats a single word

They waited and they waited, but he never showed up. One day went by and he still hadn't shown up. Buck worriedly hit lip. He was debating on sneaking into the restaurant compartment to grab some grub. The nice man hadn't come and he couldn't deny the worry he felt at Ez's "Maybe he went to visit the Angels too?"

Shaking his head he felt silly, surely the man was all right. He must've had his schedule changed and spent his watch in another hold. Waylaying his brother's fears he casts his thoughts on a much bigger problem.

He did not want to admit it but he wasn't sure they were heading in the right direction anymore. He racked his brains on the places near Salt Lake City and tried to picture the big map his mother had once shown him. He could remember that day, his mother was reminiscing and when asked she told him about her life before Las Vegas.

She told him stories about her childhood and birthplace, Salt Lake City. They never went there to visit, even though his Grandparents used to live there. 'Something about a huge fight that Mom had with her parents'

But there was that one time, when he was the same age like Ezra that he was taken to Salt Lake City. He had to wear very dark clothing and Momma was dressed really nice, 'she looked nice all the time, just different.'

It was snowing that day and they went to the cemetery, he was curious why they went there but his Momma looked unhappy and he didn't want to upset her any further. So standing in front of a connected grave, he stayed silent next to his mother, tightly gripping the delicate hand and listened to the soft sobbing that lingered in the still winter day. He read the inscription written on the stones but he felt nothing but discomfort whereas his mother immediately burst into tears. He glared heatedly up ahead and wished they were away from this bad place that made Momma cry.

Shaking his head and nodding his head he whispered for his brother to "stay here and be quiet, I'll be back as fast as I can." He walked slowly through the door and peered in every direction before locating the restaurant. Unbeknownst to him Ezra had followed him out. With finger in his mouth he walked slowly behind his big brother. Knowing Bucky would get mad, he stumbled on hoping that Buck 'not go angwy at him.'

He watched as his brother ducked behind the corner and quickly stumbled toward Buck, afraid of losing him out of his sight. Glancing left and right and up he tried to push himself through the crowd.

Growing frustrated he opened his mouth to shout indignities being done to his person when he saw her through a gap in the crowd. It was Momma; he'd recognize that haircut anywhere. 'She didn't leave, she came back.'

He jumped up and down in excitement and finally shouted, "Momma" at the top of his lungs. He startled the entire compartment and ignoring the sudden silence raced toward his 'Momma'. Clinging himself to a jeans clad leg he wrapped little hands around it and chanted "Momma" over and over again.

The lady was confused by this situation and attempted to pry Ezra's hands off her. Gently stroking his head she soothingly said, "Sorry, little guy but I'm not your Momma." Jerking his head up Ezra watched the unfamiliar face above him. "You not Momma?" he whispered brokenly as big fat tears cascaded down his cheeks.

The woman's heart broke at hearing the whispers, just like that of the rests in the restaurant and attempted to draw him to her but before her hands came in contact they were slapped away.

By this time Buck dropped the food in his hands and pushed his way to Ezra. Accidently slapping the woman's hands away he wrapped his arms all round the little body. "No, that's not Momma. You know she went someplace else. It's okay Ezra, don't cry."

Whispers arose after Buck's statement. The husband of the woman crouched in front of them and trying to catch the older boy's eyes asked what was on everybody else's mind. "What do you mean? Where is your mother?"

Buck felt uncomfortable, he didn't want to tell the truth, they might take them away from each other and he did not want that to happen. He opened his mouth to lie, but before he managed to produce any sound his brother beat him to it.

Slightly hiccupping Ezra tried to draw strength from of Buck. "I-I twought M-Mom-m-ma came back from visting the Angels."

Everybody grew cold at that revelation and a search part was organized to look for the woman. But after a quick search on the train revealed no body, the majority decided to drop the children in the next city to search for any living relatives. The woman Ezra mistakenly thought as his mother decided to take both of the youngsters to the police station there. Her husband already notified the authorities and a police car would be waiting by the station.

Feeling the train beginning the slow he stood with the rest of his companions. Taking the hand of his wife while holding Buck's other hand they made their way through "goodbye" and "Good Luck" wishes. He listened to the bellow that sounded overhead and waited for the automatic doors to open.

"Denver City Station"

To be continued in Chapter 5