THE ADVENTURE
Hi. This is Fozrulz, I write in many universes. I was inspired by MamaBear2Two and I'maMePanda in the Magnificent 7 YP universe. My universe is a little different. Ezra and JD are still young. Vin is a little older. Nathan is still in the middle. Josiah is still the oldest
In my universe, here are the ages:
Josiah 45
Christ 36
Buck 32
Nathan 28
Vin 25
Ezra 21
JD 17
I am adding a character. So, those of you who know my writing know what that will be, for the others welcome to my world.
Warnings: Sometimes my stories contain CP (swats or a spanking). This is usually reserved for the younger children. I don't believe in beating anyone. However, I don't have a problem with a well place swat or two. In this story, the younger boys may get a swat now and again. If that bothers you, then don't read the story. I've had reviewers tell me they thought the boys might be too old for that kind of punishment or any kind of punishment. I've been told that in the old West, the boys would have been considered men. However, I've seen plenty of TV shows, etc, when older teenagers may have gotten a swat or two, like Bonanza, Big Valley, Young Riders, Wagon Train, etc. I've noticed that this usually applies to the youngest member of the family, but not always. I think discipline was much more rigid back then. I see alot of yes sirring and no sirring in those shows. Plus I'm from Texas. We believe that younger folks should always say "Yes sir" or "No sir" to anyone older than them. Heck, I've had friends that were required to do that to siblings when they were growing up. So, it's my story, I write for fun. Please don't tell me if you disagree with me. You don't have to agree with me. For heaven's sake people, it's fanfiction - just a story. I apologize for not putting this warning in place earlier. I am posting this warning right before I post the eighth chapter and will change the other chapter to see the warning in Chapter 1.
THE ADVENTURE – CHAPTER 1
JD was feeling good, real good. He had finished lessons for the day. He had had dawn patrol, so he wouldn't be stuck with dawn patrol for a couple of days. He had town patrol in the evening, which gave him the whole afternoon to goof off. He wanted to go fishing, he wondered if Ez or Vin could go. Maybe he would ask Casey. He thought he'd rather spend the time with one of his brothers. Girls could be an awful nuisance. He really liked Casey and she wasn't as bad as other girls. She knew how to fish and skip rocks and shoot and ride, but he didn't really feel like competing with her today. She was always trying to best him at everything. Buck was always saying to let her win, cuz girls liked that. But he just wanted a lazy day.
JD started to walk toward the stable to get Danger, but knew he'd be in a world of trouble if he didn't let someone know where he was going. He grimaced to himself disgustedly. Jeez, he just turned 17, he could take care of himself. Why did he even have to ask permission? Buck's worlds were ringing in his ears, "JD, the next time you go off without telling me, I'm gonna tan ya six ways to Sunday!" Sheesh, thought JD, all he did was go out to the Indian Village by himself, stay a couple of days. So what if he missed a couple of patrols and lessons. It wasn't like he was a baby. Vin did it all the time. JD sighed big, it wasn't worth getting into trouble. Buck was the best Da/brother he could have. Besides he wanted company. He turned around and headed toward the saloon. He figured Ez would be in the saloon and maybe Buck, so he could tell Buck where he was going. He was just going to tell him, he wasn't asking for permission. Dumb grownups!
JD approached the saloon and entered the batwing doors. As he thought, Ezra was shuffling a deck of cards, but not playing poker. JD smiled big. He had a good chance of getting a fishing buddy today. No one else was in the saloon. He frowned a bit, Buck wasn't there and he didn't want to go traipsing all over town trying to find him. Then, he and Ezra wouldn't have time to go fishing. Maybe, they could just tell Josiah, he was generally at the church.
He slid in a chair next to Ezra. "Heh, Ez," JD greeted.
"Good afternoon JD," Ezra smiled at him.
"Heh Ez, I want to go fishing. Do you want to go, we could go to Miller's pond and if we leave now we could be back by supper and I have evening patrol and I just want to get out of town and ….." JD rushed out.
Ezra smiled indulgently at his little brother, holding up his hand for the barrage to stop and cocked his head. For once, JD didn't have some hair brained scheme that was going to get him in trouble. "Are you quite certain, it's just fishing, it doesn't involve anything that would cause concern for Mr. Sanchez and Mr. Wilmington?"
"Jeez, I don't always want to do stuff that gets us in trouble," JD said shaking his head.
Ezra shook his head at that. JD didn't always want to do things that got them in trouble, but somehow they managed to find trouble any way. He had been in Chris and Josiah's good graces for a couple of weeks and didn't want to break his record of good fortune. "I would welcome a respite from this dreary afternoon with exceedingly little to do."
JD blinked at Ezra. "Huh? Does that mean you'll go with me?"
"Yes, JD, I will go fishing with you. Have you informed Mr. Wilmington of your intended destination this afternoon?" Ezra asked peering at JD from behind the house of cards that he had been building during their prolonged discussion.
JD looked at Ezra with an exasperated look on his face. He wished Ezra would just talk like a normal person. It usually took him a minute to figure out what Ezra was saying. "No, I ain't told Buck yet. I didn't know if you was going and I don't know where he's at any how."
"Well, we need to inform someone as to our whereabouts or Mr. Sanchez and Mr. Wilmington will not be pleased," Ezra said.
JD humphed, "Jeez Ez, it's not like we're babies. Why can't we just go fishing without them breathing down our necks, it's down right embarrassing to have ask to go do stuff."
"Nevertheless JD, I've had quite a good run without much supervision and I would like to continue to not be on Mr. Sanchez's mind every moment. He has loosened the reigns somewhat and I shall continue to keep my streak."
"I don't know where Buck's at," JD whined.
Ezra rolled his eyes at his little brother's whining and he wanted to be treated like a grownup. Ezra took a deep breath. "I will simply inform Mr. Sanchez of our whereabouts. It is not necessary to tell the whole town. I believe telling Josiah will be sufficient."
JD smiled at that. Ezra would do the telling and JD wouldn't feel like such a baby, sounded good to him. JD jumped up from his chair. "Great, I'll go saddle Danger and Chaucer and meet you at the livery." JD took off out of the saloon and running down the boardwalk before Ezra could even stand up. He was a little worried about JD saddling Chaucer, but the persnickety equine actually like JD. Chaucer didn't really let anyone else near him but Ezra. Ezra figured Chaucer knew that JD was just a child and really meant no harm, after all Chaucer was the most intelligent horse in the world.
Ezra pushed back from the table and headed out of the saloon toward the church. He found Josiah at the back of the church polishing some pews with linseed oil. Josiah looked up and smiled indulgently at Ezra. He loved that boy. He loved all the boys, they were his family. However, Ezra held a special place in his heart. "Ezra," Josiah acknowledged.
"Josiah," Ezra returned to greeting.
"Did you need something, Son?" asked Josiah stopping his work for a moment to gaze at Ezra.
"Mr. Dunne and I are going on a short expedition to provide some of our scaly friends the opportunity to dine with us this evening."
Josiah chuckled, he wasn't sure why Ezra just couldn't say that the boys wanted to go fishing. "I see, when will you be back?"
"Our current plan is to return prior to the evening meal for which we will procure the main course and dine upon said main course prior to Mr. Dunne performing his duties as Four Corners unofficial peacekeepers on evening patrol."
Josiah rolled his eyes, so the boys were going fishing and would be back before supper. "OK, you boys go ahead. Be back before supper. "
"Of course Mr. Sanchez," Ezra said as he turned to leave.
"Ezra?" Josiah questioned.
Ezra turned around, "Yes, Josiah?"
"Two things, Son. One, does Buck know?"
Ezra shook his head no. "We were unable to inform Mr. Wilmington of our impending plans this afternoon due to the fact that we were unable to locate him."
"Ok, I'll make sure he knows." Josiah said.
"You said there were two items you wished to discuss, what is the other?" inquired Ezra.
"I didn't miss the fact that you told me where you were going and you didn't ask permission. I assume that was just your way of asking permission because I know you wouldn't tell me what you were going because that would be disrespectful." Josiah said with his eyebrow raised. He was using his mild warning voice, so he wasn't really mad, he just was reminding Ezra of what he expected.
Ezra took on a mock shocked and hurt look, "Of course Mr. Sanchez. I wouldn't dream of telling you of my whereabouts, I was merely asking." Ezra said as he turned and walked out of the church.
Josiah just shook his head, that boy….
Ezra met JD at the livery to find Danger and Chaucer saddled. JD had the fishing poles and was ready to go. JD was buzzing with excitement. He couldn't wait to get out of town and away from the big brothers. He loved them like no body's business. But time alone with just Ezra or Vin was a treat and he was going to enjoy it! "Are you ready, Ez? What did Josiah say? Is he going to tell Buck? See, I got Chaucer all ready. He didn't even try and bite me this time. I gave him a carrot. You know he really likes them. You know, we can just get worms at…" JD stopped because he needed to take a breath.
Ezra looked at his younger brother, how could all of that come out of such a small person was beyond him. He wouldn't even have to talk. JD would do enough talking for the both of them. He would do his normal thing of tuning JD out and offering a "Hmm" or "is that right" every so often. JD would be none the wiser. "JD, take a breath," Ezra said annoyed.
JD didn't even notice Ezra's annoyed tone. "Well,…"
Ezra cut him off before he could continue, "Yes, I'm ready. Josiah will tell Buck and thank you for getting Chaucer ready. Let's go."
JD jumped on Danger and shouted "Woo Hoo! Let's go!" as he took off at a gallop toward Miller's pond.
Ezra rolled his eyes at the younger boy's antics and sedately mounted Chaucer and followed in his little brother's dust storm. JD finally slowed Danger to a walk so that Ezra could catch up with him. Ezra finally caught up to JD as they crested Miner's Hill about a mile from Miller's pond. JD turned to Ezra, "Isn't today great? Isn't it a great day for fishing? Isn't it a great day for a ride? I think Danger is the best fastest horse around. We're going to have so much fun fishing. Do you think we can catch enough for Inez to cook for supper? I hope so. Wouldn't that be neat?"
"Hmmm," said Ezra.
JD looked at Ezra, "Ez did you hear what I said? Are you even listening to me? Are you doing that thing where you pretend to listen, but don't really?"
Ezra was shocked, he didn't realize that JD knew he didn't listen to him. He felt a little guilty. JD was just exuberant. He didn't mean any harm. He just had excess energy. He schooled his face immediately, "Of course I am listening to you John Daniel. I also hope that we catch enough fish for Ms. Inez to prepare a delectable meal with them."
JD smiled broadly. "It's ok Ez, I know you don't always listen to me. I just like spending time with you or Vin without the older guys around."
Ezra smiled a bit shyly, "I do as well John Daniel, I do as well."
The boys arrived at Miller's pond and tethered their horses to a tree near the pond. JD jumped off his horse. He was hot. A brilliant idea flashed in his mind. He could go swimming. "Heh, Ez, I'm hot, I'm going swimming."
Ezra grabbed his little brother's arm as JD was trying to shuck his shirt over his head. "No, JD, it's too cold. You could catch your death. Nathan would kill me if you come back sick."
JD struggled trying to get his shirt off and Ezra to let go of his arm. "It ain't too cold Ez. Put your hand in the water."
Ezra put his hand in the water, it really wasn't too cold. He eyed JD. "Ok, but don't go out to far and pay attention to what you're doing. I am not properly attired to jump in a save your sorry behind if you get in trouble."
JD rolled his eyes and grinned, "Jeez Ez, I'm a good swimmer. I ain't no baby. I ain't gonna get in any trouble. 'Sides I just want to cool off. I do want to catch enough fish for supper."
Ezra nodded. "OK, go on with you."
JD grinned even wider. He shucked all his clothes and jumped in the water.
Ezra shook his head. He couldn't understand why JD didn't wanted to swim with some kind of clothing on, but he could see why JD didn't want to ride back to Four Corners with wet clothes. JD was swishing around in the water. "Come on Ez, the water feels great," shouted JD.
"No, thank you for your kind invitation, but I did not bring proper attire to swim in and I will not frolic completely unclothed in a pond with God knows what in it." Ezra espoused from his position of the bank.
"Spoil sport," JD muttered.
JD had been swimming in the pond for about 30 minutes when Ezra called out to him. "JD, come on, if you want to catch enough fish for our evening meal, I suggest we start fishing."
JD gazed up at the sky, from the sun's position it was probably getting close to 3:00. Ezra was probably right. They better get busy or they wouldn't get enough fish. He headed out of the water and shook himself like a wet puppy on the bank, much to Ezra's dismay, flinging droplets of water everywhere. He got himself dressed and sat down on the bank next to Ezra. Ezra handed him a fishing pole. "What about the bait?" asked JD.
Ezra looked at him questioningly, "Bait, I thought you would have taken care of that particular issue considering you're the one that wanted to go fishing."
JD rolled his eyes, "I thought you would have dug up some worms, while I was swimming."
"I do not dig for worms," huffed Ezra. "This was your idea. I suggest you dig up the worms."
"That's not fair," whined JD. "You're fishing too."
"Ok fine, We'll both dig up worms!" Ezra said exasperated.
The boys dug up enough worms for bait. Ezra was muttering and cursing the entire time. JD was inwardly enjoying how dirty his prissy brother was getting digging for worms, great material for teasing Ezra later. The boys sat in companionable silence for a while, when JD's line starting bobbing. "I got one! I got one! " shouted JD enthusiastically.
"JD, if you keep shouting, you're going to scare all the fish away," Ezra hissed.
JD looked at Ezra sheepishly, "Sorry Ez, I was just excited."
The boys resumed their fishing until Ezra felt like they had been there for quite awhile. He looked at the sky. It was getting close to 5:00. They really should get back if they were going to give the fish to Inez to make for dinner. He looked over at JD, JD was practically asleep. "JD, JD," he prodded JD.
"Huh?" asked JD.
"We should return with our catch, if we have enough. I believe it is almost 5:00 and by the time we get back it will be 6:00. I told Josiah we would return prior to our evening meal."
JD looked a little bleary eyed. "Oh, ok, how many do you have?"
Ezra checked his line, "I have half a dozen."
JD checked his line, "I got 8. That should be ok, right? That's 2 fish each."
"Yes, I believe that should be sufficient." Ezra nodded in agreement.
The boys gathered their fish and mounted their horses to head back to town. Ezra phased in and out of the conversation. By the time they got back to town, he had no idea what JD had been jabbering about. He was interrupted from his musing by a very exasperated JD. "Ez, Ez, did ya hear what I said?"
Fortunately for Ezra he had just caught the last of JD's ramblings. "I most certainly was listening to you. I will take care of Chaucer and Danger, while you take the fish to Ms. Inez."
JD grinned. "Thanks, EZ I'll come back to help with Danger. If you just get his saddle and tack, I'll do the rest."
Ezra nodded his assent as he dismounted Chaucer.
JD grabbed the fish and started running toward the saloon. That boy never walked anywhere. He was running down the boardwalk, when he almost smacked into Buck. "Heh Buck," JD grinned, "I got fish!" he said holding them up proudly.
Buck chuckled, "I can see that JD, watch where ya going, you 'most ran me down."
"Sorry Buck," JD said sheepishly, "I was just in a hurry to get them to Inez and we can have fish for supper."
JD started to take off again, when Buck grabbed his arm and hauled him up short. "How come ya didn't tell me where you was goin'?"
JD rolled his eyes, "Geez Buck, it wasn't like I was doin' somethin' bad, I just went fishing with Ezra . 'Sides we told Josiah and he said he'd tell you."
Buck released his arm nodding, "OK," he conceded.
JD gave Buck his winning shit eating grin and took off for the saloon. He bound in the kitchen yelling for Inez. Inez came around the corner wiping her hands on her apron, "Where's the fire chico? Why are you yelling?"
JD looked down, his hair falling in his face. "Aw, there ain't no fire Inez. Me and Ezra got these here fish and I was going to ask you to cook them for supper. Please?"
Inez smiled indulgently. She could never say no to JD. He was her favorite out of all the boys. "Si, I make something delicious for you." She said taking the fish out of his hands as she pushed him out the back door. "See you for supper."
JD started running back to the stable tossing a "Thanks, Inez!" over his shoulder.
As JD started to run by Mrs. Potter's store, he heard his name called out. "JD!"
He looked up to see Mrs. Potter. "Yes'm?"
I got a letter here for you. JD looked at her bewildered. A letter for him? He had never gotten a letter just for him the entire year that he lived in Four Corners. Nobody that cared about him even knew he was in Four Corners, except one person. No, it couldn't be. Unless, it was from….. Nah, he didn't want to think about it. He had to finish cleaning up Danger any way. "Thanks, Mrs. Potter," he said grabbing the letter and starting run toward the livery.
"Wait, JD, aren't you going to open it?" she called after him.
JD didn't respond. He figured Mrs. Potter would just assume he didn't hear her. He greeted Ezra when he got to the livery and took over cleaning up Danger. "Inez said she would make something good for supper," JD said as he ran the curry brush over Danger.
Ezra didn't say anything at first, but nodded his head. He was finishing up with Chaucer, "If that's the case I will go freshen up from our sojourn out to the pond and see you at dinner."
JD nodded his head distractedly, "OK Ez, see ya at supper."
Ezra nodded his head again. His normally gregariously little brother was awfully quiet, he wasn't sure what to make of it. He shrugged it off to JD being tired of being such a tornado.
JD was talking to Danger as he always did. But this time, JD really needed some advice. He hadn't read the letter, but he knew he had to. Guilt washed over him. It's not like he forgot about the person who wrote the letter, it was just that the timing hadn't been right. "Aw, Danger what am I going to do?" asked Danger.
Vin had been coming into the livery when he heard JD talking to Danger. Nothing much unusual about that. JD'd talk the ears off a stone wall. But this time it was quiet and JD seemed troubled. He hung back a bit to see if he could figure out what was troubling his youngest brother.