Finally, the last chapter. Really not where I was going with this but it had to end somewhere. Sorry for the delay and thank you for all the reviews.

Chris was trying to read in bed, but his illness had left his eyes weak and his book mostly lay open in his lap. Instead he spent his time gazing at his mother, committing her face to memory, as she sat beside him knitting quietly. They'd had many whispered conversations over the past two days, catching up on each other's lives, as well as the lives of his sisters and their families. Laughter and tears had brought them back to the same closeness they'd shared before he left home and he relished it, smiling more than he had in years.

"What have you done to yourself, boy?"

Ezra jerked awake in the chair beside Vin, where he had been enjoying a light doze, reaching for his gun only to see Ms Nettie standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips and a cross look on her face. Turning at hearing a muffled snicker, he saw Buck sitting up in bed with Inez perched on the chair beside him.

Buck and Chris had been given baths in front of the fire that morning, along with a shave, so the lanky gunman was feeling rather chipper as he sat with his hand being held by his lady love. A deep cough that still shook him to the core sporadically was the only sign he had that he'd been so deathly ill. In fact, both Nathan and Archie agreed that he and Chris could go back to their own rooms the next day and start working light duties the day after that, if they swore to continue taking Nathan's tea. Up until today, he could honestly say that he hadn't minded his confinement as he'd been far too sick and tired to want to do anything more than sleep. But now he was starting to feel better, Buck found he missed the conviviality of being out and amongst different people. Mostly, he was looking forward to escorting Inez to dinner at the restaurant and maybe taking her on a picnic, when the weather warmed up. A few of his lady friends had tried to visit him when they heard the quarantine had been lifted, but Ezra had quietly told them that he was still too ill. The smooth southerner had also worked into each conversation the fact that he was now all but betrothed to Inez. Fortunately, they all took it in good grace, but then he'd never made them any promises.

JD and Josiah were still doing the bulk of the patrolling in and around town, although it had been miraculously quiet. A number of local men had stepped forward to volunteer for some patrols, wanting to help out their peacekeepers in their hour of need. Josiah and JD had accepted gratefully, glad to have the extra man power with three of their number ill or injured, another tending to them and yet another out of town at the Seminole village.

Nathan had spent a couple of days with Rain at the Seminole Village, before visiting with his sister and her family on the way back. Feeling refreshed and revitalised, he had checked on Chris, Buck and Vin before catching up with Archie and doing the rounds of people who needed tending. The kindly doctor was still keeping his distance from the patients, due to their compromised lungs and his very contagious disease, but Nathan returned to the clinic to spell Ezra on occasion. As the men improved, they didn't really need the constant presence of one of the medically trained, but Nathan and Ezra felt better if one of them stayed in the clinic.

Chris smiled at seeing his younger brother turn red and try to hide in the blankets at Ms Nettie's question. Seeing the wide, blue eyes peering innocently through a fringe of shaggy hair, over the edge of the blankets that had been drawn up to the tracker's nose, the older man's smile turned in to a warm chuckle. Knowing that the old rancher loved Vin like a son, he wasn't too worried about her intentions, but nonetheless decided to head her off at the pass and spare his young friend a scolding.

"Ms Nettie," called the handsome blond, "I'd like to introduce you to my mother, Margaret Larabee."

Distracted from her scrutiny of the squirming tracker's visible injuries, Nettie switched her gaze to the austere woman sitting beside Chris Larabee. She'd heard tell from Gloria that the moody gunslinger's mother was in town and had been eager to meet her. After all, Chris was a formidable man who usually meant that a strong woman had raised him and Nettie was always willing to talk to like-minded women. Walking briskly across the room, the old rancher reached out a work-roughened hand, stating gruffly, "Nettie Wells. Pleased to meet you, Mrs Larabee."

Rising to her feet, Margaret smiled as her hand was grasped firmly and shaken. Nettie Wells was an independent, pioneering woman not unlike many of her friends back home. Having heard stories from her son and his friends, she knew that Nettie was destined to be her newest friend. It was a comfort to know that Chris would have a motherly influence in his life once she herself had been forced to return to Indiana. Hazel eyes twinkling, Margaret replied, "It's a pleasure to meet you too. The boys speak highly of you, Mrs Wells."

A slight blush warmed Nettie's weathered cheeks as she gazed around fondly at the 'boys' around her, stating gruffly, "Well now. They're good boys. Mostly."

Ezra chuckled and looked down at the cards he was shuffling, after the 'wizened crone' winked at him when she added the last word.

"May as well call me Nettie. If you're going to be one of the ones helping to keep this lot on their toes, then there's no point standing on ceremony. You can be proud of this one. He and the others have turned this town around. Used to be a body was afraid to come to town for fear of having their possessions or even their life stolen by some low life scum. But since the seven have been here, we're almost heading towards civilised" added Nettie with some pride, pushing her hand under the thick blond hair to lay it on Chris' brow and nodding her approval at the lack of fever. "You've lost weight you couldn't afford, Mr Larabee. Best do something about that, son."

Margaret smiled as the gruff woman laid a tender hand on her son, which was tolerated with admirable restraint by Chris who was obviously used to letting the old rancher have her way. Seeing his mother's smile, Chris rolled his eyes and gave her a little half smile, knowing what she was thinking. Chuckling behind her hand, Margaret remembered being on the receiving end of that same look whenever he had been tolerating his sisters' displays of affection as a teenager.

Moving to Buck, Nettie repeated the motion and smiled again at the normal temperature under her hand. Giving Buck's earlobe a quick but gentle warning squeeze in response to his flirtatious grin and wink, she let her eyes wander as she assessed how much weight the already lean but muscular man had lost. Too much was the answer and she determined to start cooking and baking up some of their favourites as soon as possible, even though she knew that half the women in town would be doing the same. Her smile widened at the sight of Buck and Inez's entwined and she exclaimed, "Stars and garters! Don't tell me that the two of you have finally stopped dancing around each other and come to an agreement."

Blushing fiercely, Inez nonetheless lifted her chin defiantly and replied, "We have, Senora. Buck has finally agreed to court me and only me, so I have agreed to accept his affections."

Grunting her approval at the devotion shining from Buck's eyes as he turned to gaze at his pretty senorita and the love shining back at him from the large, dark eyes of Inez, Nettie grumbled, "'Bout time. Be a relief to every father, brother, husband and intended in the land to know that they can lay down their shotguns and have their womenfolk's' virtues remain intact. Now, if I could just get that gadabout boy to declare his intentions of courting my tomboy niece, I could rest easy."

Highly amused by the crusty old rancher and her forthright proclamations about the love lives of the peacekeepers, Margaret asked softly, "JD?"

"Yup. JD and Casey carry on like a pair of kids, Mom. They race their horses, climb trees, challenge each other to spitting contests with watermelon seeds, go fishing together…" explained Chris, a fond smile lighting his face. "I'm not sure JD even realises that Casey's a girl."

"I've tried to point the kid in the right direction, but he just won't pay me no mind," complained Buck, assuming an expression of great disgust at his young friend's cluelessness.

Arching her eyebrow and poking a sharp finger into her beloved's side, Inez playfully growled, "Given how long it took you to find the right direction, cariño, I'm not surprised JD isn't listening to you."

Everyone laughed as Buck tried to assume a wounded expression, only to burst into his joyful laugh before kissing the back of Inez's hand. "Can't argue with you there, darlin'."

"Believe me when I say, JD is now fully cognisant of Miss Casey's feminine appeal. It took him a while, true, but then it was a touch difficult to see them when the lady in question was covered in dirt and overalls for a good part of their acquaintance. No bad thing, really, as it enabled them to get to know one another as friends before taking the leap into a romantic attachment. Something that will only strengthen a life bond, rather than hinder it," defended Ezra, feeling that the boy was not wholly to blame.

Having drifted over to Vin's bed, Nettie brushed her fingers through the tangled curls of her boy, surreptitiously checking his temperature at the same time. Smiling at the sweet, shy smile directed her way, along with the glowing blue eyes, Nettie lifted an eyebrow at the gambler and asked, "Just how 'fully cognisant' is the boy of my niece's 'feminine appeal', Fancy Pants?"

Flustered at her implication, Ezra reddened and replied hastily, "Her virtue is quite safe I assure you, Ms Nettie. You should know that JD is an honest and honourable lad and would never press his attentions in an unchaste way…"

Laughing at his flustered brother, Vin teased, "You's in trouble now, Ez. Best be glad Ms Nettie left her ole Spencer on the wagon."

Glaring at Vin, Ezra then assumed a sheepish expression as he turned back to Nettie, saying, "I humbly apologise, if I implied anything that would impugn Miss Casey's honour. I certainly meant no offense to the dear girl."

"Oh go on, Ezra, we're just joshing you. I know how highly you think of my Casey. She thinks the world of you, too, 'specially after you bought her that nice dress and taught her to dance and all. I freely admit that my manners are a bit rough and ready after living on the ranch my whole life surrounded by men, so it's good of you to teach her some of the fancy things she needs to know in nice company," soothed Nettie, seeing that Ezra was feeling uncomfortable. "Casey told me they came in right handy when she went back East to visit her Aunt a while back. Said she'd have felt all sorts of awkward if she hadn't had her lessons with you to fall back on."

Vin, Buck and Chris all looked at Ezra proudly as the southern gentleman blushed and looked down at the cards he clutched in his hands, embarrassed by the praise.

"I'm pleased I could be of some small service to Miss Casey and yourself, Ms Nettie," murmured Ezra, desperately wishing they'd find something else to talk about. He was never comfortable being thanked for things he did.

Seeing the gambler's embarrassment and turning her attention back to the young tracker, Nettie pursed her lips as she traced her finger lightly over the bruising on her adopted son's face and announced, "Speaking of JD and his intentions, it's about time we got you a wife too, Vin. Someone with a level head to keep you out of the trouble that seems determined to follow you around."

Memories of expressive eyes, sweet lips and loving arms engulfed Vin and he automatically rolled away from Nettie and his pain to face Ezra as the agony of loss filled him, hiding his face in his pillow.

Seeing Vin's expression fill with pain before closing up, Ezra leaned forward and shook his head at Nettie's quizzical look, laying his hand on the side of Vin's head in a soothing gesture.

Margaret looked up from her knitting at the sudden silence. Seeing the way Ezra was trying to comfort Vin, she guessed that the topic of marriage was a hurtful one to the shaggy-haired tracker. To change the subject, she stated enquiringly, "I was told that Nathan was sparking a lovely girl at an Indian village outside town?"

Ezra lightly rubbed his thumb over Vin's bruised cheek one last time before giving up his seat, gesturing for Nettie to come sit beside Vin and visit now he was calmer. The Texan lay quietly with his eyes closed, avoiding Nettie's sharp gaze, as he tried to stuff his pain back into the box he kept it in. Huffing, Nettie settled in the chair taking hold of Vin's hand, rubbing her thumb over his knuckles lightly as she worried about what had upset him so. Vin returned her grip firmly, welcoming the warmth of human touch in his efforts to stay in the present, rather than sinking into his turbulent past.

Gracefully moving around the clinic, the gambler tidied and fussed over things as he responded, "Yes, her name is Rain Eban and she is a lovely woman, both in looks and nature. She will make an excellent wife for Nathan, matching him in temperament and outlook, but they are waiting on any serious commitment until after Nathan has his medical diploma. Once he becomes Dr Jackson, I believe we shall be getting invitations for their nuptials."

"Gloria was telling me that she and Josiah have started stepping out," added Nettie, moving her other hand to lightly stroke Vin's hair off his face. She was worried about the shadows she'd seen in her boy's eyes after she'd mentioned getting him a girl. Maybe it was too soon after the whole fiasco with that married hussy on the wagon train. Dear lord, she hoped he wasn't still carrying a torch for her.

A pleased smile stretched across Ezra's face as he confirmed, "That is true. I confess to having given Josiah a nudge in that direction. They are also a good match in temperament and I believe that they will do an admirable job of raising Josh and Beth up into adulthood. Josiah's taste in women when left to his own devices has only resulted in pain for him, so I felt it fell on me to steer him away from the danger of my own dear mother and toward the safe and loving arms of Gloria Potter. That lady is truly a prize to be sought, what with her abilities as a homemaker, a mother and a business woman. You won't see Mrs Potter resorting to histrionics should Josiah be called away or incapacitated in the course of his duties. No sir, there is a woman to stand beside her man as an equal partner in marriage, staunch and true. As to Josiah, well, Mrs Potter could do no better in searching for a father to guide her young children to adulthood, nor a stronger protector for herself and her family, or a more faithful, loving and loyal husband. "

""It's good to see her putting away her widow's black. Gloria's too young to shut away her heart and those young'uns need a Pa. What about you, Fancy Pants? Have you got your eye on any young ladies?"

For the second time, Nettie watched as one of her young friends shut down at the mention of a relationship. A seed of suspicion started to winkle its way into her mind as she looked at first Ezra and then Vin. Then she snorted and told herself to stop being so foolish.

"Unfortunately, my heart belongs to my late wife, Ms Nettie. I can honestly say that I am content to wait for female companionship until I join my dear Emmaline in the hereafter. As to Vin and Chris, I believe that they too are content to remain solitary, due to their own tragic bereavements," explained Ezra sombrely, seeing that leaving the woman with no explanation would only lead to speculation and further match making. As much as the three men preferred to keep their losses to themselves, it was only right that their nearest and dearest should know. "That may or may not change in the future, for any or all of us, but for the moment our hearts belong exclusively to those who were violently wrenched from us far too soon."

Standing at the stove, blinking furiously to dispel his tears and hoping to blame the meagre smoke from embers for the way his voice had ended in a croak, Ezra swallowed harshly to clear his suddenly clogged throat. Unknown to him, Adelia had entered via the back door with a tray of food for the convalescents. Starting as he felt warm arms circle his waist, he soon turned and melted into his friend's loving embrace, muttering, "I'm alright, really."

"Sho you are, white boy, and I'm the Queen of France," answered Adelia tartly, clutching her friend to her as tightly as she could.

Nettie's chest tightened with remembered grief of when her husband passed long ago as she watched Ezra being comforted by his friend. Feeling her hand being squeezed, she looked down into Vin's glistening eyes.

"Ez's wife 'n their son and daughter was murdered a while back," whispered Vin to Nettie, his voice raspier than usual with suppressed emotion. "M…My w-wife 'n our unborn b-baby was killed by soldiers. Cain't take another wife yet, Ms Nettie. Not while ma heart still yearns fer Nakoma. Tried ta fergit wit' Charlotte, but jist felt wrong all ways 'round. Best I's on ma own fer now."

Leaning forward and gathering Vin into her arms, Nettie held her boy to her breast fiercely. Feeling his hot tears soak into her shirt, she growled, "Don't you pay me no mind, boy. I'm just a foolish old woman who's forgotten what it's like when the loss is still new and raw. Take all the time you need. If something's meant to happen, it'll happen when you're ready and not before. That goes for the two of you too."

Chris nodded curtly, mouth a thin line as he sat in bed with clenched fists.

Margaret sighed sadly as the tragic histories of the two younger men were revealed and reached for Chris' hand, unfurling it from the clenched fist and curling her fingers around it with a gentle squeeze.

Buck had filled Inez in, his voice low and confiding. The pretty woman now sat with her hand over her mouth in horror, tears poised tremulously on her lower lashes and heart aching for her friends.

Sniffing delicately, Ezra pressed his cheek to Adelia's for a moment before standing up straight. Taking a deep breath, he held it a moment before blowing it out and shaking himself. Looking around the room and sensing the pall of grief that had fallen over it, he announced, "Well, this just won't do. I don't know what Sarah and Nakoma would say, but my Emmaline would kick my shins for carrying on this way when we have so much to celebrate. Chris and Buck have survived their brush with death and will soon be fit and hale. Vin has survived his slide on the ice. Four of our number have flourishing relationships that need an opportunity to shine. Winter is nearly over and Spring, the season of new beginnings, is almost upon us. I believe that a party is called for, don't you? I think we should have a dance, so that Buck and Inez can celebrate their new agreement. I'm sure that Josiah would appreciate an opportunity to dance with Mrs Potter. JD and Miss Casey surely need the practice of courting in civilised surroundings. Then there's Nathan and Miss Rain… Yes, I do declare that we should hold some sort of social occasion. I may even make it a monthly event. People need something to look forward to when times are hard. As for the three of us, Vin and Chris, there's pie and entertaining all the delightful chillum with stories and magic tricks. I'm sure that we can convince all the townswomen to provide some tasty morsels. I shall provide some liquid refreshments. The band would love an opportunity to shine again…"

Margaret leaned towards her son and whispered, "Is he always like this?"

Smiling fondly at his gregarious brother as he whirled around the room espousing the benefits of a regular town soiree, Chris grinned widely and replied, "Yup and we wouldn't have it any other way."

Fin.