Chris made a cup of coffee while Buck finished getting dressed to head out to go into town.

"You got the list of what we need?" Buck asked in a hushed tone, not wanting to wake up the boys hours earlier than they should.

"Yeah here." Chris handed over the piece of paper. "When do you think you'll be back?"

"What? Scared of being left alone for very long with the boys?" Buck joked.

"Some of the things on the list I need to make breakfast." Chris said as he sat down in a chair.

"Alright, I'll hurry on back instead of staying for a few drinks." Buck grunted as he finished his cup of coffee and set the cup back down.

"Don't forget to find out how Josiah and Nathan are doing and when they'll get here."

"Sure thing." Buck grinned before pulling his hat on and leaving the house.

Buck quickly saddled his horse before climbing on Daisy's back and turning towards town.

Because Chris was pretty well-known, there maybe people wanting to kill him to avenge kin. Having him go into town by himself, even though he probably could take care of himself, was risky. If there were more than one shooter, he wouldn't be able to take them. Josiah and Buck were able to go in and out of town without having to look over their shoulders. Chris, though he was able to scare off most threats with just his glare, couldn't. For the time being, he would lay low at the place he had built for himself and his friends. Though they hadn't had much time to enjoy it once Larabee found out the killer of his family was Ella Gaines. The woman was an ex-lover of Chris's and was crazy as hell. Anything that Chris loved was at risk of being taken from him. For that reason, the boys would remain at the Larabee ranch.

Chris sighed and moved to go out and replenish the Woodstock. He had too much on his mind and too much energy to burn off before the kids woke up.

After filling up the firewood bin at the side of the house and seeing to his horse, Chris washed up and came back inside. He began starting what he could for breakfast. It wasn't much since they were practically out from trying to fill Vin's bottomless pit. How could the boy look so thin yet seem so hungry?

JD woke up first and padded into the room. His hair was in every direction sticking up on end. He still looked tired as he wiped the sleep from his eyes.

"Where's Buck?" he yawned.

"He's in town." Chris answered as he steered the boy over to a chair and placed him in his seat. He then went and retrieved a blanket to cover the boy in.

JD looked disappointed at not waking up in time to go with Buck, but his eyes soon became hooded again before they closed and he fell asleep again.

Chris went back to the cooking when he heard Vin running into the room.

"Vin, don't get close to the stove. It's hot." Chris said as he caught the boy and carried him away from the hot area and set him back down.

"Something's wrong with Ez." Vin said with a shaky voice.

Chris stood up quickly from his kneeling position and made his way to the room where Ezra was still in bed.

The boy looked like he was still asleep, though the frown etched in his brow was not a particularly good sign. His hair was matted down with sweat and his lips parted every so often.

Chris checked the boy's temperature. It was pretty warm.

Ezra's green eyes opened and he looked like he was in pain.

"Where does it hurt?" Chris asked, pointing to different parts on himself. He didn't want to touch Ezra who was already scared of being touched. In his vulnerable state, he might freak out.

When Chris's hand pointed to his own throat, head and chest did Ezra nod.

"Is your throat sore?"

"Yes." Ezra croaked.

Chris nodded and quickly left the room. He came back about three minutes later with a spoon with warm honey.

"This should help a little."

Ezra opened his mouth and sucked the honey off the spoon. Chris then used a towel that he ran under cool water to wipe Ezra's forehead.

"You want to get up now?" Chris asked. He wasn't a professional when it came to taking care of someone who was sick. When Adam got sick, Sarah took care of him mostly. He did however carry his son around whenever the boy asked for his dad.

Ezra nodded and held out his arms. Chris didn't hesitate and picked the boy up and placed him on his hip. The boy's head rested on his shoulder as Chris rubbed his back in circles the way he did for Adam. Carrying him into the other room with JD and Vin, Chris tried to think of something he could do for the boy. Ezra would let out a pained groan as he was readjusted in Chris's arms.

Chris tried to think of a plan. Normally he'd be prepared for anything, However, this was a kid and not an adult. Ezra's body temperature would increase quicker than a grown man. He would have to cool him down.

"Vin, can you help me prepare a bath for Ezra?" Chris asked the antsy child.

Vin nodded and followed Chris's instructions in filling the buckets with water. Chris had to carry the bucket when it was full because the boy couldn't carry it.

Once the tub was partially full, Chris pulled the big shirt that Ezra was wearing and deposited the boy in the cool water.

Using a rag, Chris began to wash the sweat off of Ezra.

"It's going to be okay." Chris said in a low voice as Ezra struggled to keep his eyes open.

He let out scratchy coughs and whined.

"Can I do something to help?" JD asked, the noise waking him up. He was still in the chair, but he was turned around.

"No, everything is going to be just fine." Chris said before turning back to Ezra, "I want you to stay in here a little longer to bring your temperature down."

Chris went back to the stove to check on the food and was grateful nothing burnt. He turned everything off and let JD eat a little something to distract him. Vin however had taken up Chris's vacated position in wiping the rag over Ezra's back and neck.

Buck couldn't have arrived later to Chris. The tired blonde was seated with a bundled Ezra resting on his chest. Vin had taken it upon himself to climb on his lap too, his head resting on Chris's shoulder.

Only JD, who had been seated at the table, was able to greet him.

"Buck!"

Buck scooped the little boy up and settled him on his hip, "Heya kid. What did I miss?" he asked mostly Chris.

"Ezra's come down with a fever."

"Talk about bad timing. Want me to take over nursemaid?"

Chris nodded, grateful for the chance to stretch. Buck carefully lifted the boy out of his friend's hands after putting JD down.

Ezra felt the shift and his eyes flew open. What was happening? In his fevered mind, he was being handed to the orphanage people.

"NO, NO, NO!" he screamed and began flailing in Buck's grasp.

Buck grunted in pain when a small hand hit him right in the eye.

Chris stood up quickly, letting Vin slip out of his lap and onto his feet. He took Ezra back in his arms and began shushing him to calm down.

Ezra was breathing rapidly, a few racked coughs escaping his lips before he settled down again. Chris rocked the boy in his arms to help him fall back into sleep. Once Ezra's head was resting on Chris's shoulder with his eyes closed Chris turned to Buck, "I guess there won't be a change of the guards."

"I'll take care of breakfast for you." Buck offered.

"I made what I could. JD ate some food. Vin and Ezra haven't eaten yet."

Buck had the food heated and served in record time. Chris sat down again, Ezra still in his lap. Vin was preoccupied with food to notice. JD ate a little before playing with his food and offering the rest to Vin.

Ezra turned his head away from the fork holding food that Chris tried to feed him.

"Come on Ezra. You need to eat. I know Buck ain't the best cook, but I assure you it's edible for the most part."

"Thanks for that." Buck murmured.

Ezra continued his silent protest to eating.

"I'm at a loss." Chris sighed, ready to give up.

"I mean I'm not as good of a cook as you, but I didn't think it was that bad."

Chris managed to get a few forkfuls into Ezra before he refused to eat more.

"Maybe we should take him into town and have the doc check him out." Buck suggested.

"How's Nathan doing?" Chris asked after giving up.

"Couple of bruises, but nothing broken thankfully. Should be able to come back tomorrow."

"We can go into town today and stay the night. All of us could head back together." Chris said.

Buck nodded and soon the two men were prepping the boys for the journey.

Vin shied away from Buck getting him dressed so it took a little longer. Chris had to finish dressing Ezra before helping Vin button his shirt back up.

Once they were all ready, Chris and Buck got the horses ready and got the children settled in the saddles before taking off.

"Been a while since you've been here, hasn't it?" Buck asked.

"Four Corners? Don't particularly miss it."

"Because of who lies within?" Buck teased.

Chris didn't take the bait, but stayed silent.

"She saw Josiah coming into town with Nathan. I'm sure she's interrogated him thoroughly." Buck laughed.

"That woman is too persistent." Chris grumbled.

"Is that not a good quality to have?"

A/N: Poor Ezra is sick. I actually came up with this story during another break in the school year where I was sick. The chapter is short I know, but according to how I broke it up, it must be so unfortunately. The new semester is about to start, oh my!