A/N: This is a revised/corrected chapter in prep. to finishing the story. It is a new AU that I hope other writers will pick up and play with.

What was Missing

By The Chronicler

"Moo." The little boy leaned his head against the fence rail and tried again. "Moo!"

The small White Tailed doe munched on her feed, giving the annoying child little more than a glance.

The boy straightened up, put his hands on his hips, and glared at the animal. "I said MOO!"

"Munch, munch, munch..."

"John Danniel Dunne, what are you up to now?" Nathan Jackson called as he crossed the courtyard to come and stand behind the five year old.

Tilting his head up and back so he could look up at the grownup, J.D. complained "She won't talk to me, Uncle Nate."

Nathan chuckled. "Well, problem is she's a deer, not a cow. I don't think she speaks in terms of moo'."

"What does she speak?" J.D. wanted to know, turning back to watch the animal.

Nathan paused, frowning. After a moment, he admitted "You know what? I just don't know. But I bet Josiah knows. He should be here soon with your father. You can ask him, okay?"

The five year old nodded. He watched the deer another moment, chewing on his lip as he did when thinkin' real hard.' Then his eyes brightened. "Maybe she's bi-linguini..." He leaned his head against the fence, and tried again "Moo?"

Nathan grinned. "That's bilingual... But I still think she doesn't speak cow."

J.D. glanced up at him, then turned back to the deer. After another moment of thought, he shouted at the top of his little lungs "RUFF!"

Startled by the sudden and very loud noise, the deer bolted to the far side of the paddock.

"Hey! Wow!" J.D. bounced for joy, clapping his hands. "She speaks doggy!" Then he frowned. "I wonder what I said. I didn't mean to scare her."

Nathan shrugged. "Don't know. Maybe you should try a quieter language... like horse... or rabbit?"

"Rabbit?" His eyes brightened. "Like Thumper and Bambi? They talked! They talked all the time!" Instantly he began to thump his foot on the ground and wiggle his nose.

Nathan laughed. "hey, there you go. That just might work. Go try it out."

"You comin'?"

Nathan glanced at a big, black sedan as it pulled into the parking spot in front of the office. "You go on ahead, J.D. I'll catch up to you soon."

"Promise?" When Nathan made a cross over his heart, the boy shook his finger at him.

"Don't you forget!" And, with that, he was off, running around the edge of the paddock to get close to the deer again.

Nathan smiled one more time as he watched the boy go. Then, with a sigh, he turned and started across the courtyard to the office.

Sarah Larabee had stepped out of the office, dusting her fingers on her faded jeans, then straightening her white tank top. Standing on the large deck, she smiled her best, prepared to meet their visitors and potential client.

"Hi, there. Welcome to Redwood Guides." she greeted as the driver's door opened.

The chauffeur glanced at her with a rather unkind look. Then moved to the other side of the car and opened the back door.

A very elegantly dressed woman stepped out. With one quick tug, she smoothed away any and all real and imaginary wrinkles in her tailored black dress suite with pearl buttons. She reached up and adjusted the wide brim lady's hat pinned to her tightly permed, dyed blond hair. The heals of her outrageously expensive, soft paten shoes sunk a little into the soft dirt of the yard. Frowning, she looked down at the hated dirt and what it had done to her precious shoes. "Well, crap." she cursed in a manner completely contrast to her lady like appearance.

Sarah froze. "Maude? Maude Sanchez?" she breathed in disbelief.

The woman glanced up at her, her sharp emerald eyes striking out. The flash of venom in those eyes was there just barely long enough to be seen, before, in a blink, it was gone and she smiled. "Sarah! My sweet little Sarah. My dear, what a wonderful sight you are. As beautiful as ever. What a wonderful, beautiful sight indeed."

Sarah couldn't believe her eyes. So, she asked again: "Maude Sanchez?"

Maude smiled. "No, dear, it's Standish again. I reclaimed my maiden name after that unhappy episode with my former husband." She glanced about. "And where is Mr. Sanchez?"

Recovering from her shock, Sarah stiffened with an old, dredged up anger. "What do you want?" she growled. "Haven't you done enough to Josiah? Taking off like you did. You just up and disappeared with no more trace than divorce papers. And now, nine years later, you show up again?"

Maude's smile never faltered. "Closer to eight years and nine months, actually." she answered.

Sarah crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you want, Maude?" she demanded.

The woman's emerald eyes narrowed just slightly. Then she reached back and held a hand out to the still open car door.

A small boy with auburn hair, each curl perfectly placed, and striking green eyes took the offered hand as he stepped out of the car. He was dressed in a tailored five piece suit, a perfect miniature of something a modern day English prince might ware. To accent the suit were his polished to a shine black loafers and a gold pocket watch on a fine gold chain.

Maude took on a look of pride. "Ezra, this is Mrs. Sarah Larabee." She looked up at Sarah. "Sarah, my dear, this is my son, Ezra Patrick Standish." Her eyes locked on hard to the woman. "He will be nine years old in two days."

Ezra bowed his head slightly. "Mrs. Larabee, it is a pleasure." he greeted in a perfect gentlemanly manner.

Sarah's jaw dropped. "Holy shit!"

o0o0o0o0o0o

Chris smiled as he pulled his hummer to a stop in front of the garage. "Buck?"

"Huh?" His friend mumbled from under his cap. Despite being home, he was still leaned back in the passenger seat, his head tilted back, his eyes closed, determined to catch what little laziness induced sleep he could.

Chris reached over and snatched the cap off his face. "What, exactly, is your son doing?" he wanted to know.

Frowning, Buck sat up and looked out the window to where J.D. was on his hands and knees, "Baaa" at the deer they had been rehabilitating.

In the back seat Josiah chuckled. "Brother Buck, I do believe we have a Dr. DoLittle in the family."

Buck sighed. "Well, at least he's talkin' to a deer. Last night he spent hours trying to learn elephant."

Josiah's chuckle turned to a full fledge laugh.

Chris chuckled, shaking his head. "So, that's what all that racket was about."

"Chris?" mumbled a sleepy, seven year old that had been curled up against Josiah's hip.

Chris glanced back at his adopted son. "We're home, Vin."

The little shaggy head poked up to look out the window. "Chris?"

The father sighed. "Yes, Vin?"

"Who brought the big, ugly car?" Vincent Tanner wondered. "An' the big, ugly guy?"

The three men all turned in their seats to look out the back window, seeing the sedan and its driver for the first time.

"Huh." Chris mumbled.

"Client?" Buck suggested.

"Maybe." Chris answered. He watched as his wife stepped out of the office and onto the deck. When she saw they had arrived, she started across the compound toward them. "Alrighty, folks, 'les you intend on sleepin' in this thing, lets unload. Vin, straight to your room and out of your school clothes. And, remember, Sarah's gonna want to see your school work."

"Yes, sir." Vin groaned.

Chuckling, Josiah reached across the boy and opened the door for him.

"Josiah!" Sarah called as she got close. She paused to give her adopted son a welcome home hug and kiss, but hurried on without her usual how was school? Tell me all about it.'

"Sarah." Josiah greeted, climbing out of the hummer. "New clients?" he asked.

"Not exactly." She glanced at her husband as he and Buck joined them. "You have a visitor, Josiah. She's waiting in my office."

Josiah frowned. "Visitor? Who is it?" he wondered.

Sarah hesitated, before suggesting "Might be best if you went and saw for yourself."

Now Chris and Buck frowned. It wasn't like Sarah to hesitate. If anything, she was the lionheart of the bunch.

Josiah eyed her, but then, with a shrug, headed for the office.

Waiting until he was out of ear shot, Chris stepped close to his wife. "Wanna fill us in?"

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Maude Standish smiled when she heard the heavy foot falls on the deck. "Your very finest, Ezra." she reminded her son.

The boy stood at his mother's right, straight and proud, head held high. "Yes, mother." he answered her. He knew what she wanted of him. She would reason the man. He would distract him. And they would fill their pockets and make a run for it...

As always.

But then he stepped into the room. A big, hulking man. Not tall so much as just big. Shoulders wide and square, thick arms, and big hands. The plank floor creaked as he stepped into the office.

Ezra couldn't help but stare, momentarily forgetting their mission.

But then he realized the man was just standing there, staring back at them... or rather his mother.

The boy tore his eyes away from the mountain of a man to look up at his mother.

Maude slowly rose to her feet. "Mr. Sanchez, it is good to see you." she purred, smiling her very best.

Josiah Sanchez couldn't seem to get enough air into his lungs. "Maudy?" he whispered.

The woman fluttered her eyes, lowering her head in a facade of innocent shyness. "My gentle Josiah." she breathed as if they were long lost, found again, lovers.

He shook his head, confused. "What... what are you doing here?" he wondered, not quite able to comprehend that she truly was there.

Maude set a hand on her boy's shoulder. "Josiah Sanchez, this is my... our son." she admitted.

Frowning, the big man turned his eyes down, seeing the boy for the first time. "Son?" he whispered.

A sharp squeeze from his mother, reminded Ezra of the task at hand. Daring the mountain, he took a step toward him, and offered a hand up to him. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Sanchez." he greeted, proud of the fact that his voice didn't fail him even for a breath.

Josiah stared at him for a moment, before casting a glance up at the mother.

Maude continued her shy, little smile, dropping her eyes.

"My son?" Josiah needed clarification. Our' only meant her's and some one else's. Didn't necessary mean...

"Your son." Maude assured.

Josiah stared at her long and hard, waiting for her to fade away like smoke. After all, this couldn't be happening. He had a son?

Again, he looked down at the child who still held his little hand out, waiting to be acknowledged. Josiah felt his stomach flip, his heart leap right up his throat. He dropped down to his knees so that he could be eye level with the child. "Hello." he whispered, taking the offered hand.

Ezra tilted his head in a half nod. "Good day, sir."

Josiah glanced down at the little hand in his huge paw. It looked so tiny and pale. So fragile. "What's your name... son?" he wanted to know.

"Ezra P. Standish, sir." he answered.

"Sanchez!" Maude quickly corrected, giving her son a painful squeeze, reminding him the cost of making mistakes.

Practiced to the point of near perfection, Ezra took the pain without even a flinch.

But Josiah saw it. No, he heard it in his ex-wife's voice. He had known her far too well to know when she was dealing out punishment. And, suddenly, he was reminded of why he hated so much this woman he had loved so dearly.

Smiling gently to the boy, Josiah suggested "Ezra, Vin's probably in the kitchen in the house getting his after-school snack. Cookies and milk. Would you care to join him? Give your mother and I a moment to discuss a few things."

The boy's eyes narrowed only a fraction. "Thank you, sir, but I believe I will wait in the car..."

"Of course you would like some cookies and milk. That's very kind of Mr. Sanchez. Isn't it, Ezra?" Again the painful squeeze.

Ezra swallowed, then smiled his best. "Of course. Thank you, sir."

Josiah smiled back. He nodded to the back door. "Just follow the path. It'll take you right to the kitchen of the main house. Tell Sarah I sent you."

The boy nodded once, then turned and started for the door.

"Ezra?" Josiah called after him. When the child paused to look back, he told him in all honestly "I am very happy to meet you."

Ezra's smile faltered then, and suspicion flashed across his emerald eyes for the briefest of moments, the only honest emotion he had shown thus far. But he quickly hid it away, his smile returning to full strength. He bowed his head in acknowledgment, then hurried out the door.

"Alone at last." Maude breathed. "Oh, my darling Josiah, how I have..." Her voice died off as his eyes turned up, sending a hate filled glare at her. She couldn't help but flinch.

"If you ever hurt that boy again..." He shook his head angrily, unable to find just the right description for what he would do. "Deepest pits of hell would be the only solace you will find from my wraith!"

Maude stared, wide eyed and pale.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Ezra paused just outside the kitchen door. It was a big ranch door, the upper half filled with little windows. He could see Sarah and a boy sitting at the kitchen table, snacking on cookies and looking over school work. A tall, blond man leaned against the door on the far side of the room, watching his family as he sipped at a beer.

Sarah was showing the boy something on the papers. When he took the pencil and wrote something, she smiled and hugged him, before looking over her shoulder at the man who seemed to be nodding his approval.

Ezra wondered for a moment what that would be like. A father and a mother and a son, all enjoying a moment with nothing at stake. No bet, no do or die, no con... just enjoying one another. He thought for a moment about all the windows he had looked through, wondering the same thing. Specially at night, when he could see the figures cross the blinds with the light behind them. Or bunched together on the couch in front of the big windows, watching T.V. Or sitting around a dinning room table for dessert and how was your day, dear?' conversations.

"You ain't gonna get no cookies out here."

Ezra glanced down sharply at the little black hair boy he had seen playing in the yard earlier. Behind him stood another man, big, solid, with blue eyes and unruly brown hair.

The boy grinned before ducking in front of Ezra. He pushed open the door, and ran into the kitchen. Before he could reach the table, Sarah was telling him "Wash those paws of yours, young man!"

The blond man laughed, scooped the child up, and carried him to the sink to wash his hands. With a hold on his calves, he dangled him over the sink while the boy did the awkward deed of pouring soap on and washing his hands up-side down.

The brown hair man set a gentle hand on Ezra's shoulder.

Instinctively, Ezra shrugged away, his eyes snapping up at him.

The man just smiled. "He's right, you know. Cookies, that way." He jerked his head toward the kitchen.

Hearing him, Sarah looked toward the door. "Ezra, come on in." she called, quickly rising to her feet and went to the cupboard to fetch another glass. "Have you met the other's yet?" she asked, pouring him some milk. "This is Chris Larabee, my husband and our son Vincent."

"Adopted." the boy who was shuffling together his school work corrected. "Hey." he added a greeting and a nod to the newcomer.

Chris dropped the squirming five year old in the chair next to his son, and reached over to gently tug on a long, dusty blond lock from Vin's head. "Mine none the less." he assured. He turned and pulled out a chair for Ezra.

Ezra hesitated for a moment. But knowing what his mother's reaction would be if he displeased any of these people, he moved to take the seat. "Thank you, Mr. Larabee. You are very kind, sir."

Chris frowned at this very un-eight year old like behavior.

But Sarah had expected it. "You are very welcome, Ezra."

"I'm J.D." announced the littlest boy loudly. "John Daniels Dunne!" he said proudly. Then he pointed to the brown hair man. "He's Buck. Buck's mine!" That said, he found the biggest cookie on the plate in the middle of the table and did his best to inhale it.

Chuckling, Buck Wilmington nodded. "That I am, that I am." But then he looked down at Ezra. "And just who do you belong to?" he asked, grabbing a cookie for himself.

Ezra glanced at him, but then looked up at Sarah as she set a glass of milk in front of him. "Mr. Sanchez wished to have a moment to speak privately with my mother, thus, he sent me here. Please forgive my intrusion."

The woman smiled. "Nothing to forgive, sweety. You're always welcome in our home."

Vin scrutinized the other boy. "Where you from?" he wondered.

"Yea." J.D. wanted to know too. "You talk funny. Hey! Do you speak deer?"

Ezra's eyes narrowed. He thought for a moment of how to answer the question. His mother didn't like him giving out details of anything about them. Details were weapons. If he knew them, they were his weapons. If they knew them... well, then. "I suppose that we are from all over. We travel quite a bit." he offered up a vague answer. Then added, with a smile at J.D. "I'm afraid I have yet to learn deer. But, if she speaks French, perhaps I can be of some assistance."

The boy grinned from ear to ear with that and offered his brand new best friend a half eaten cookie.

Ezra shook his head slightly, amused by the offer.

"French?" Sarah whistled. "You must be a very smart boy to have learned French already. Do you go to school?"

"Yes, Mrs. Larabee." Ezra answered a little too quickly, his eyes snapping up at her. Silently he reprimanded himself for the quickness of his answer. He knew it would sound as if he was hiding something or right out lying... which he was. Trying to fix the error, Ezra made sure to meet her gaze and hold it, knowing that liars rarely exposed their eyes to scrutiny. But Ezra knew his eyes didn't reveal what others did. He was too well trained for that.

Sarah wasn't buying it. She was too well trained too. Too well trained in the ways of children, anyway. And she knew that little Ezra was not being very child like. Knowing Maude, even if it had been nine years ago, she could guess as to the why.

She opened her mouth to ask for more details when Nathan walked into the room. "Hey, Chris, Buck. How was the job?" he asked, walking over to the sink to wash his hands.

"Boring." Buck groaned.

Nathan grinned. "In other words they were all retired men and not one pretty girl among them?"

"Yea!" Buck crossed his arms over his chest, glancing down when he saw J.D. mimicking him. "Now who'd all go wanderin' about the woods with no one for company? Huh? An' they were claimin' to be huntin'."

"What'd they be huntin' with girls?" Vin wanted to know.

Buck winced, though it was probably more the effect of the equally venomous glare Sarah and Chris threw him than the question itself. With an apologetic smile to the parents, he told the boy "Ask me again in ten years."

"Do I have to wait ten years?" J.D asked.

"No." Sarah was quick to answer. "You have to wait fifteen."

"Aaahhh!" J.D., pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.

Ezra couldn't help but to chuckle, drawing a surprised smile from Sarah. He quickly dropped his eyes, becoming fascinated with his milk.

Chris shrugged. "It was uneventful. We showed them a few hundred deer and they managed to shoot a tree. We made sure they got back to civilization without shooting each other. They gave us a big fat check and promises that they'll tell all their friends about us, enough to keep us busy right into an early retirement."

"Speaking of such..." Sarah held her hand in the air.

With a sigh and a groaned "Women." Chris dug into his shirt pocket and handed her the deposit slip for the payment.

"Thank you." Sarah chirped. "I will make sure this gets into the books."

Ezra's sharp eyes latched onto the slip, watching carefully as Sarah folded it and put it into her jean's front pocket.

"When's our next group?" Buck asked.

Nathan shrugged. "The Wild Rescue wants to pick up the doe day after tomorrow. And we'll have the annual trackers' convention who can't track anything next week."

"Oh, goody." Chris grumbled.

Sarah tilted her head back until she could see him standing behind her chair. "Oh, cheer up, love. Who knows? Maybe there'll be some horrific forest fire and they'll call you boys in for reserves. Hey, maybe some riche rich city folk will go and get themselves lost in the wilds of our little part of the country."

"A pretty little damsel in distress?" Buck asked hopefully.

The adults laughed.

Sarah shook her head. "Buck, you are... oh, hopeless just doesn't seem to fit the bill."

"Incorrigible." Ezra offered before sipping at his milk.

The woman looked at him, surprised. "Incorrigible? Yes... that's just about right. You are a smart boy!"

Ezra glanced up at her. Her praise made him feel warm all over. Something his own mother's praise never had. 'Course, when his mother praised him, it was always backed with a threat.

But Sarah wasn't threatening him. She looked and smiled at him, fearlessly meeting his eyes, and offering him an open view of whatever she had within. She was being honest with him.

Ezra couldn't help but smile back.

o0o0o0o0o0o

Maude had chosen to ignore Josiah's comment. There was no answer to it except argue, and there was nothing she could achieve if she argued with this man. And Maude Standish did nothing unless there was something for her to gain.

Donning her sweetest, she stepped close to her former husband. "Oh, my dearest, how I have missed you." She reached out a gentle hand, but he grabbed it only a breath from his chest. Maude hesitated, surprised by the hold. The was nothing gentle in his touch, and, she knew, it was simply restraint that kept him from crushing her petite hand in his giant fist.

Steadying herself with a deep breath, she continued. "In all my wanderings, I have never lost hope in seeing you again. Dreamt of the time I would feel your strong arms..."

"Save it, Maudy." Josiah huffed. "I'm not nearly as soft hearted as I once was."

Maude fluttered her eyes as innocently as possible. "Soft hearted?"

Josiah thrust her hand away and stepped back. "You cured me of that. Or don't you remember emptying out my life savings and disappearing, leaving behind annulment papers tacked to my pillow?" He shook his head in disgust, letting his anger go with a long sigh. "What do you want, Maudy? I'm too old and too broke for your games."

The woman studied him for a moment. So, romancing him back wasn't going to do the trick.

Then she remembered the doe outside. There was one thing nothing could change about Josiah Sanchez: he had enough pity to adopt the entire continent... and then find homes for the rest of the world.

Dropping her eyes, she admitted "Truth is, Josiah, I've gotten myself in a bit of trouble."

"No kiddin'!" He huffed, shaking his head. "Maudy, you are trouble."

Maude took a quick step toward him, looking up at him, eyes shiny with desperation. "Oh, lord, not like this. I know I have done some horrific things in my time. I do know, and I am sorry for all the hurt I have caused others. I was only trying to survive in the only way I knew how, the same way my mother taught me." she cried, clutching her hands together just under her chin.

Josiah frowned. "It would be more convincing if it wasn't for that manicure."

Maude's eyes flashed to her finger tips for just a breath, before she continued. "You see, we, Ezra and myself, we were on the mends, making a good showing of ourselves with this little club down in New Orleans. This awful man, he was running a protection racket. But I wouldn't pay. I couldn't. We just didn't have the cash he asked for. It was all tied up in the club."So, this awful man proposed an exchange." She paused, wrapping her arms around herself, shivering. "I didn't want our son to think... to believe... oh..." She shook her head, letting her eyes drop. After taking a shaky breath, she looked up at Josiah again. "He burned us out, Josiah. Burned everything we had built right to the ground and sent us running like frightened children. Now he claims that we owe him for the lost profits he would have earned from our club. He's hunting us, Josiah." She stepped up to him again, grabbing his shirt front. "Oh, Josiah, what he said he would do to our son..."

Again, Josiah grabbed her and put her off. "What do you want, Maudy?" he repeated.

Maude Standish licked her lips. "We... we just need a little money... just enough to make a run for it." she pleaded. "Not for me, Josiah. For our son, for our beautiful, sweet Ezra. No matter what you feel for me, you can't hold so much hate that you wouldn't want to save our son."

Josiah stared at her long and hard, trying to judge what was truth and was lie. There were just so many questions. Hell, he couldn't even be certain the boy was his.

But if the boy was in trouble... and by the way he witnessed Ezra being treated by his mother, he was... Josiah couldn't turn his back on him. Son or not.

Sensing victory, Maude added what she thought would be the final blow: "You can't turn your back on your own son."

With a sigh, the big man turned away from her. Running his hand through his hair, he grumbled "No, I can't."

Maude almost giggled with excitement over the win. Only strict self control enabled her to keep from ruining it. "Bless you, Josiah." she whispered.

Josiah turned to face her again. "I will give you money and you will leave." he told her.

Maude nodded. "I swear, we will never bother..."

"Not we', Maudy." Josiah stopped her. "You. I will give you money, but only if you leave Ezra with me."

The color drained from her face. "Ex... excuse me?"

Josiah crossed his arms over his chest. "There's no excuse for you, Maude Standish. And there is no excuse for those bruises I'm sure you left on that boy's shoulder. He's staying here!"

Maude's anger suddenly rose up. "You are talking about my son!" she snarled, her facade of being a lady gone.

"MY SON... or so you claim." he reminded her. "That's the condition. You don't see a penny any other way."

The woman's eyes narrowed, her fine, little hands doubling up into tight fists. She considered for a moment the tiny derringer hidden in the folds of her puffy sleeve.

But Maude Standish did nothing unless there was something for her to gain.

Shooting Josiah dead would get her only the few dollars he had in his pockets. And she'd still have to wade through his friends for her son. But, if she gave in, if she sold him her son...

It wasn't as if it would be the first time she had sold the boy. And to people far worse than even herself. And she had always won him back. If not in a game, than simply by taking him. And, if that didn't work, Ezra would always make his way back to her. He knew, even at the tender age of eight, where he belonged.

Hell, she could even consider it a vacation, not having to worry about feeding nor bedding the little runt!

"But, I love my son, my sweet Ezra." she whispered, trying to make it look good. The more Josiah believed her, the more he would pay for her boy. "What would I do without him? I need him!"

Josiah could almost believe it. Children did funny things to people. Brought out the best in them. But it also brought out the worse. Disgusted, he reminded himself that he was standing there, bargaining to buy a child.

"If you had an ounce of love for that child, you would leave him." Josiah warned her.

She spun away from him. "If only I could get far, far away. Start a new life... maybe I could... move on without..." She sniffed loudly.

It was too much. Josiah knew for sure now that she was just upping the price. So, he put an end to the bargaining. "Two thousand dollars will get you far enough."

"Two thousands!" Maude was insulted. But, when she snapped about to challenge him, he threw the money at her.

"Now, get out!" Josiah growled. "Get out and stay out!" With that, he turned and stomped out the back door of the office.

If he had any doubts about Maude Standish, they would have been put to rest if only he looked back to see the lady scrambling on the floor to pick up the last dollar.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Nathan grabbed his coat from the hook beside the door. "Well, I better go see to my wife. Probably filing for divorce by now." he announced.

"Nighty, Uncle Nate." J.D. waved.

Nathan smiled at the boys, then nodded to Ezra. "It was nice meeting you, Ezra. I hope that you'll be hanging around."

Sarah stood up and followed him out. "We don't have anything scheduled for the weekend, 'cept the doe getting picked up. Why don't you bring Raine out if she can get the time off from the hospital? Let you boys play a bit."

Nathan grinned. "And save you from an overload on male company?"

She clutched his arm, pleading "Save me! I need female companionship!"

The team medic laughed. "We'll be here." He patted her hand sympathetically. "Just hold onto your sanity a little longer." he encouraged.

"Excuse me." Josiah suddenly growled, stepping between them and into the kitchen.

Nathan and Sarah looked at each other, concerned and confused. Then followed their big friend back into the kitchen.

Josiah hadn't looked at anyone but Ezra as he crossed the kitchen and held his hand out to the boy. "You need to go talk with your mother before she leaves." he said softly.

"Leaves?" Ezra stared up at him. His heart skipped. His emerald eyes grew big. This wasn't the plan! She promised they wouldn't do this again! She promised...

He leaped to his feet. Pushing pass Josiah, he ran out the door.

"Ezra..." Sarah called after him.

But the boy rushed passed her and continued on.

Chris came to his feet. "What's going on, Josiah?"

Josiah looked at him, then glanced back at Sarah. "Would you guys mind if Ezra stayed with us?" he asked tentatively.

"Really?" J.D. clapped his hands excitedly. "Cooool!"

"How long?" Chris asked.

Josiah sighed. "I don't know." he admitted. "But I can't let him go back to her... to that woman!" He shook his head, rubbing his eyes. Just when did he get so tired. He'd been happy and ready to play with the boys when he had gotten home. Hard to imagine that that was only twenty minutes ago. Felt more like hours.

"Is he really your son?" Sarah asked, leaning up against him.

His eyes snapped down to look at her. And that was the question... and, again, he had to admit "I don't know. But, even if he wasn't, I can't..."

Vin looked up at the adults. "Ez's Uncle 'Siah's kid?" He and J.D. looked at each other excitedly.

Sarah and Chris also looked at each other, but it was Buck who answered the original question: "Come on, boys. Let's get that roll bed down to your room."

"In the mean time," Sarah took Josiah's arm, "we better go check on your boy."

"Mother?"

Maude paused at the door of her car. She took a moment to plaster on her best smile, before turning to face her son. "Ezra, my beloved." She held her arms open. "Come and give your mother a farewell hug."

Ezra stood on the top step of the office deck and glared down at her. "You're leaving?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "You promised! You promised you wouldn't leave me any more!"

Maude quickly glanced around, making sure no one but their chauffeur had been around to hear. When she saw that the coast was clear, she quickly stepped up to the deck, and hissed "Watch your words, child! Do you want to blow your cover?"

"But I don't want to con them!" Ezra wined. "They're nice!"

"Nice!" Maude grabbed his forearm in a painful grip. "You know better than that, Ezra. No one is nice. Nice is just another con. You do what you are told! You find the money. You score the money. I'll be close by." She smiled, her grip softening. "Remember, Ezra, you are my son. You owe me everything."

"But... you promised... Ow!" He bit his lip as her grip tightened again and twisted, bringing tears to his eyes.

"You will do as you are told!" she hissed.

"Maude!" Josiah snapped as he and Sarah came up on the deck behind the boy.

Instantly, the woman's entire manner changed from the harsh con woman to a loving mother. Her hand softened to a gentle touch. She leaned close and laid a gentle kiss on her son's forehead. "Be your very best, my beloved Ezra." she cooed. Straightening up, she eyed Josiah. "Take care of my boy, Josiah Sanchez." she told him. Then, with a seething glare sent at Sarah, she spun about and returned to her car. Without a glance back, she climbed in.

The chauffeur closed the door behind her, stepped around to the driver's side, and climbed in.

"Mother..." Ezra started, but bit his lip as he watched the car drive away.

Josiah set a big hand on the boy's small shoulder.

But the boy under his hand stiffened. Straightening up, he sniffed, quickly wiping his tears away, before turning to face Josiah. He summoned every ounce of strength he had and tried to look calm, strong, and all grown up. But he couldn't seem to keep his bottom lip from trembling.

Josiah put an arm around the boy's shoulders and pulled him against him, letting him hide his face.

o0o0o0o0o

Sarah set the small suitcase on the bed and opened it. "This doesn't seem to hold much." she observed.

Ezra glanced up from where he sat, with knees pulled up to his chest, at the head of the bed. He watched her for a moment, before dropping his head back to his knees.

Sarah picked up a suite jacket. "We'll need to get you some school and play clothes."

"School?" Ezra looked up again, frowning. "Is there something wrong with my clothing?"

"Well, honey," she started hesitantly, looking over the elegant, hand tailored silk blouses, suit vests and jackets, ties, and slacks. There were two entire suits. "This is some mighty pretty stuff, but you'll want to save these things for special occasions. School clothes need to be comfortable for school activities. And you'll need some jeans and t-shirts for play. And, around here anyways, hiking boots."

"I do not play." Ezra's answer was cold, muffled as he dropped his head again.

"Don't play?" Vin exclaimed as Chris lead him into the bedroom, J.D. dragging his feet behind.

"Who don't play?" J.D. asked around a yawn.

"At this hour?" Sarah smiled. "No one does." She tapped her cheek. "Kiss."

The two boys slouched on over, each giving her a kiss.

"Night, Sarah." Vin offered before climbing into the bed opposite of Ezra's.

J.D. eyed Ezra suspiciously. "That's my bed." he pointed out.

Ezra's head snapped up.

"J.D. you get to sleep in the roll away." Sarah informed him, taking a moment to zip up the final inch of his jumper.

"The bouncy bed?" J.D.'s eyes brighten.

Chris frowned. "The NO-bouncy bed." He corrected, doing his best to look stern. Of course, he knew, the minute the door was closed, J.D. would be on his feet, jumping like there was no tomorrow.

It was going to be a long night.

"I don't want to dislodge anyone." Ezra quickly offered, moving to leave the bed. "I can look after myself."

Sarah stopped him with a hand on his knee. "Stay right where you are. You're not dislodging anyone."

Chris scooped little J.D. up. "Truth be told, hardly anyone in this house ends up where they began. Probably the best thing about this house." He paused at the foot of the bed and tried his best fatherly smile. "You're safe here, Ezra. I know things seem pretty tough right now, but this is home. Close your eyes, get a good night's sleep, and trust that we'll keep you safe."

Ezra blinked up at him, but said nothing.

Chris smiled slightly, then carried J.D. over to the roll out across the room. It was a struggle to plant the wiggling five year old under the covers, but, when he finally did, he tugged them tight and tucked them in.

"Hey... I can't move!" the boy protested.

Chris leaned over him. "That's the idea. Be good!" He tweaked his nose, then stepped over to wait at the door for his wife.

Sarah closed up the suitcase. "Well, looks like we'll need to get you some P.J.s too. Buck will bring something in for tonight." She smiled, reaching out to run her fingers through his hair. "Josiah wants to say good night too."

Ezra shrugged.

With a sigh, Sarah leaned over and kissed him lightly on the forehead. When he shied away, she sighed again. "Sleep well, sweety. We're right down the hall if you need anything. And Josiah is down the hall in the other direction." she told him before standing and joining her husband.

As soon as they were out the door, J.D. kicked for all he was worth until his blankets were loose enough for him to wiggle out and climb to his feet. And, with freedom, came bouncing.

Vin eyed his little brother. "You're gonna get in trouble, J.D." he warned, but J.D. just stuck his tongue out at him.

Grinning, J.D. turned in midair to look at their new roommate. "Why'd your mama leave, Ezra? She goin' to heaven too?"

Ezra glanced up at him sharply. "What!" he demanded, alarmed at such an idea.

"J.D.!" Vin snapped. "That's rude! Besides, mamas go to heaven when they die. Ezra's mama didn't die. She drove away in that big, ugly car. Remember?"

"Sedan." Ezra corrected, smiling slightly at the description. "And a car is like shoes."

J.D. paused in his jumping, tilting his head to one side. "Shoes?"

Ezra nodded. "Flashy cars, like flashy shoes, indicate wealth. Mother always says that appearance is foremost in all things. You need to look wealthy to get close to the wealthy. Learn to talk and walk and look just the right way, and people will do anything you want."

Vin wrinkled his nose. "Sounds like a lie to me. Makin' folks think you're somethin' you ain't." He shook his head. "I don't like stuff that ain't real."

"It isn't a lie!" Ezra snapped. "You wanna know what the real lie is? My mother always said the only real lie is honesty! She says no one is ever what they say they are. No one is ever really nice. No one ever does anything right out!"

Vin's sharp blue eyes narrowed. "You wanna know what I think?"

Ezra crossed his arms over his chest and looked away. "No." he answered sharply.

But J.D. said it himself. "I think Vin thinks your mama musta been pretty sad to say all that stuff." He looked at Vin. "Gets all sad an' lonely when no one knows who you really are."

Ezra looked at the little boy who had returned to bouncing.

Despite his up and down movement, the five year old seemed to be quite serious, knowing even. A little more grown up than someone of his few years should be. Despite bouncing on the bed.

When J.D. noticed he was being watched, he smiled. "My mama was never sad... 'cept, 'course, when she had to say bye-bye. We didn't have no big, ugly cars or shoes. Some times we didn't even have lots of food. But she always told me everything, an' we laughed all the time, an' she'd tickle me, an' we'd play in the park, an' feed the big, fat pigeons. My mama always said strangers are just friends you've gotta say hi to." Again he paused his bouncing. Tilting his head to one side, he grinned, waved, and said "Hi." Then he started bouncing again.

Ezra frowned. "This is childish." he complained.

Vin huffed. "Good thing we're all kids then, eh!"

J.D. giggled.

"Hey!" Buck launched himself through the air, caught J.D. in mind jump, and flipped him down on his back on the bed. Leaning over him, the big man bounced his hands up and down on the bed, making it shake around the little boy.

Ezra was instantly on his knees, leaning forward, concerned and shocked that the little boy was about to get beaten.

But, instead of crying in fear and pain, J.D. laughed. "Da!"

Buck growled playfully, snapping his teeth at the child. Grabbing the blankets, he snapped them up and over the little body, successfully pinning him down once again.

Squinting one eye suspiciously, he asked "Were you bouncing on this bed?"

J.D.'s eyes went big. "Who? Me?"

Buck straightened up. "Who? Me?" He turned his head to look at the other two occupants of the room and winked at them. He almost paused when he saw and recognized Ezra's distress, but he knew that the boy would be taken care of. After all, his father had been right behind Buck.

Grinning, he opened his mouth, turned back to his son, and dropped his teeth down on his throat. Growling, he played as if he was chewing on him while he tickled his ribs until J.D. was a squirming mass of giggles and thrown about covers.

Ezra remained stock still, every muscle tense, ready to move in case the big man's attention turned his way. Though he had yet to see any real punishment, he was sure it had to be coming. So intently was he watching Buck, he never saw Josiah standing beside his bed. When the big hand rested on his shoulder, he jumped back so violently, he smacked the back of his head against the head board.

"Oooow." he hissed, instantly folding forward, wrapping his arms around the back of his head.

"Wow. Ouch." Josiah breathed in sympathy as he dropped down on the edge of the bed. He reached over to pull the boy's hands down to check his head.

"OW! Don't touch!" Ezra cried, jerking away before the man even had the chance to touch his head.

"Hey, hey." Josiah quickly let him go again, but stayed close. "It's okay. I won't hurt you, son." he promised. "I just want to make sure you're alright."

"I'm fine." Ezra quickly said. He glanced up at Josiah and, seeing that he wasn't moving away, he took a deep breath and calmed himself. "My apologies, Mr. Sanchez. Truly, I am quite alright. There is no need to be concerned."

Josiah leaned over the boy and smiled gently. "May I look anyway?" he asked.

Ezra hesitated.

Josiah sighed. "That's alright. I'll let it be... if you promise me one thing...?"

The boy looked up at him and waited.

"If your head still hurts you'll come and let me look. Okay?" Josiah held his hand out to seal the pack, knowing, if Maude taught him anything, it was about making a deal.

Ezra stared at the hand for a moment, before reaching out and taking the offered hand, giving it one, slight shake.

"Now that that's settled..." Buck spoke up from where it looked like he had tied his son down in the bed. He tossed Josiah a big t-shirt. "Try that on for size."

Josiah started to hold it up, but Ezra quickly snatched it.

"It will do fine. Thank you kindly, Mr. Wilmington." the boy said. He laid the shirt in his lap and waited for the two men to leave.

Josiah frowned. He had been hoping to see if Maude really did leave bruises. He knew Ezra would never show him right out. Perhaps while the boy was changing... But, apparently, that wasn't an option either.

"No prob, little man." Buck was quick to catch on. "You boys get some sleep. Remember, Vin, J.D., you both have school tomorrow." he reminded them as he rose to his feet.

J.D.'s only response was a big yawn, his eyes already closed.

But Vin groaned. "Ahhh, but what 'bout Ez? Ain't he gonna go to school? If he's stayin' home from school, why can't I?"

Buck shrugged. "Why can't you stay home? I don't know. Wanna ask Chris why you can't stay at home and play rather than takin' in a good day of learnin' at school?"

Vin pouted. "Never mind." he grumbled, falling back in bed and pulling the covers over his head.

Buck chuckled. "Good thinkin', cowboy." He reached down and tugged on his foot. "'Night, kiddo." Then nodded to Ezra. "You need anything, buddy, just come a lookin'."

"Yes, sir. Thank you." Ezra answered softly.

Buck grabbed the back of Josiah's collar, pulled him to his feet, and dragged him after him.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Maude walked through her hotel suite to the luxuries bedroom. Anyone would have been amazed that she could have afforded the penthouse of the most fantastic hotel in the county. They would have been down right shocked to discover she didn't pay for an inch of it. A pinch of Josiah's money, flashed at the right time at the right place, accompanied by the right words had convinced the right people that she was one of the wealthy. One did not ask the wealthy to pay for anything in advance.

Ah, but life was wonderful if one knew just how to play the world. And Maude Standish knew how to play the world.

After all, who else could spend their time in such luxury, waiting for the money to come to them? Which her talented, little Ezra P. Standish did ever so well.

Leaning against the door frame leading into the bedroom, she reached around the corner for the light switch.

Suddenly her hand was grabbed and she was yanked into the room. Stumbling forward, she fell across the bed.

The light switched on.

Maude laid on her stomach on the bed, her hands bracing her up. She didn't need to look to know who had attacked her. Fact was she didn't want to look, holding on to the slightest whisp of hope that she was wrong.

"Ma beautiful gal. 'ere ya go, sayin' ya had nottin' but nottin' in 'ose silk pockets of yer, but ya can muster up da doe fer a fancy joint like 'is? Tsk, tsk. 'as ma beautiful gal been a lyin' ta me?"

Swallowing her fear, Maude slowly rolled over and smiled up at her attacker. "Heavens, no, my sweet Benton. I would never lie to you." she purred, fluttering her eye lashes.

"'ey, so ya say, but..." The gruff looking man waved a hand at their surroundings, then glared at the woman.

Maude giggled. "Oh, Benton, you know me. I never pay for anything." She immediately regretted her words when she saw the rage flare in his blood shot gray eyes.

"Don't I know, gal." he growled. "But, ya see, I ain't 'e type to go unpaid." He glanced around the room until he saw her purse. Snatching it from the dresser, he cleared everything else off with a swipe of the arm. Then he turned the purse upside down and shook it until its contents fell out. "Ya owe me, gal. Now, I want ma money! An' lets add on the price of 'e plane ticket followin' ya an' yer damn brat all over 'e country." When a small roll of money fell out, he glanced back at the woman, and grinned. "'ey, now, looky looky what I've gone an' found." But when he counted it, he was disappointed. "Tsk, tsk, now I am sore. What? $1,800? 'is all? Ya owe me, gal, owe me more 'en quarter mill." He waved the cash at her. "'is don't even cover ma plane ticket!" Despite such, he shoved the cash into his back pocket. "Now, jus' how do ya plan on payin' me back, gal?" From his front pocket he pulled out a shiny, spiked set of brass knuckles.

Maude's eyes grew. Quickly she climbed to her feet. "Benton, I have the money. I swear it." she lied.

Benton slid the brass knuckles over his fingers, then held his hand up to admire the fitting. "Where?" he asked calmly, not even bothering to look at her.

The woman hesitated. "Ezra and I have a con in the works. It will lead to a handsome chunk that will pay you in the complete and still leave a few yards for Ezra and myself."

Benton's eyes narrowed. "Where's 'at brat of yers anyhow?" He glanced around. "'at critter is due a bit from 'e flat of ma hand. 'at bite of 'is left scars on ma skin."

Maude smiled slightly, glade that the man's anger had shift from her, if only for a moment. Apparently it didn't bother her that much that it was now focused on her son. "What did you expect, Benton?" she giggled in a flirty way she knew he would like. "He was only protecting his mother. What good boy wouldn't?"

The man smirked slightly. "Well, I'll keep 'at in mind. maybe I won't beat 'e life out of 'im. Jus' a few swats. If'n he brings back 'ome a pretty score, maybe I'll swat 'im so little he'll be walkin' afterwar's." He looked the woman up and down. "When's 'e brat due anyhows?" he wondered, stepping close to her.

"Ezra?" she smiled with honest confidence. "I will see him tomorrow."

"Will he 'ave 'e money by 'en?" Benton asked.

"Well, Benton, dear, Ezra is my son. That should tell you something."

Benton chuckled. Reaching out he took her gently by the chin. "Yea, 'at it does." His grip harden, his fingers digging painfully into her soft, delegate flesh. "Tells me not to trust 'e brat one tiny bit. Chances are I'll be 'inkin' he's payin' me all the time he's got my wallet an' headin' the other direction." His eyes narrowed. "Won't be like 'at 'is time, pretty gal. Ei'er I get cold, 'ard cash, or I'll take ma payment out in flesh." He shoved her back viciously, slamming her against the bed post.

Maude gasped as the hard post jabbed into her back.

Benton gives her a hard glare. "An' 'at boy of yers gonna hurt as much as yer gonna. You be sure of 'at, gal. Be sure of 'at." he promised, before turning around and heading for the door. "Tomorrow, Maude." And then he was gone, leaving Maude Standish alone to think about just what tomorrow would hold.

o0o0o0o