- CHAPTER SEVEN -

Chris sat on the railing on his ship listening to the sounds of families who were being reunited. He opted to not leave his ship since he still couldn't see.

Nathan had wrapped bandages across his eyes to protect the one that wasn't working and to prevent the other from being used.

Ezra was still taxed from using all of his strength while trying to contain Chris's. The sorcerer promised to try and help him regain his vision when he was able to.

Buck had been in charge for the journey back and they made it the Governor with no problems.

He led the older man up the plank to where Chris was sitting.

Hector and Johnson had went off already after thanking them for keeping them alive.

Johnson even said that he was glad they had Ezra on the ship.

Chris had received many thanks which he returned with a nod. While these people were able to reunite with their families Chris and JD had met theirs in the worse way.

"I heard what happened, Mr. Larabee, and I thank you for your sacrifice. I'm sorry that it came at the expense of your sight. It's hard to sail if you can't see where you're going."

"I believe you have something for me." said Chris, ignoring the man's 'thanks' and stretched out his hand.

Travis placed the pardon in his hand and Chris closed his fingers around it.

"You did a good thing, all of you. You've brought back many families today and killed off a major threat."

"I want a pardon for my friend." Chris said. He wanted to make sure that Vin had the same deal as him.

"I think I can manage that." said Travis.

Chris nodded.

He listened as the man walked away.

"Well mate, I think we did a good thing."

"Yeah."

"So what's next for us?"

"Us?"

"I figured since you don't have the use of your eyes I'd stick around."

"If you boys are headed out to kill yourselves again then I guess I better tag along."

There was a grunt and a shuffle which Chris probably figured was Vin who had decided to join them.

"We're leaving already?"

"I'm pretty sure there's plenty of low life scum that the seas need to be purified of." came Josiah's deep voice.

"So you guys are sticking around then?" Chris smiled.

"You can't really stop us in your condition." Buck chuckled.

There was a loud sound and Chris didn't have to wait to hear his voice to know it was JD.

"Did I hear you guys were leaving? You weren't trying to set off without me were you?" came his youthful voice.

"Hell JD, you're like something a man can't scrape off the bottom of his shoe." Buck mused.

Chris heard the two scuffling about.

"What about Ez?" asked Vin tentatively.

"No worries," came the familiar drawl of the sorcerer, "I fully intend to pay my debt to Mr. Larabee."

There was a scuffle of boots and Chris could hear a pair heading towards him. A hand began to unravel the bandages around from his eyes.

Keeping them both closed, he felt a hand with a piece of cool metal touch his right eye.

"The spell is only temporary until I find a more permanent way to combat the curse, but for now it'll ward off blindness."

Chris blinked several times before squinting at the light. He saw his friends who were smiling back at him.

"So captain, where to next?"