Chapter Thirteen.

The early morning breeze felt quite refreshing on the back of his neck, and he turned into it, letting it wash over his face like a cool wave. He smiled, lamenting that there were probably more mornings like it, were he simply to wake up earlier in the day.

Before him, the horses pulling the stage tossed their heads impatiently, and pawed at the ground, their noses flaring, eager to be off. The driver however, seemed considerably less rushed and flicked the end of a roll-up onto the ground casually, sitting back in the seat as if he didn't have a care in the world.

The town itself was quiet, almost peaceful, not that it ever stayed that way. The only people up were those leaving, and a few familiar forms gathered by the saloon doors.

"Ezra!"

A blur shot out from the hotel doorway and launched itself at his chest, leaping from the ground.

Ezra let out a groan as simultaneously, the wind was knocked out of him, his bad arm was knocked, and Hannah launched into his arms.

Behind him somewhere, he heard Nathan let out a deep sigh, and thought back to the lecturing he had received from the healer for landing on his damaged arm not once, but three or four times, before having it shot. Buck, who had spent most of his spare time recounting their version of events, from Chris' arrival back in town to JD missing out on the gunfight, had watched Nathan and Ezra's banter with a broad grin, until he'd been reminded that Sophie was looking for him, and was not in a good mood.

"Hannah!" Catherine, following at a more sedate pace, frowned at her daughter, who securely in Ezra's arms was playing shyly with the brim of his hat.

Ezra grimaced slightly,

"No harm done I assure you,"

"Your arm still hurtin?" the little girl asked quietly, looking down at his white sling. Ezra smiled,

"It'll mend,"

Hannah's fingers drifted to the cut on the side of his head,

"What about this?"

Ezra smiled, that had been another injury that Nathan had been angry about, although he had assumed that that particular outburst was directed more towards McKale than himself.

"Well I've been told that my head is particularly thick on numerous occasions, it's going to take a great deal more than a little affliction such as that to hurt me,"

As he said that he turned slightly, and winced as his arm twinged in response. Nathan chimed in from the background,

"Hope it knocked some sense into you."

Ezra ignored him and Catherine stepped closer, tugging gently at the hem of Hannah's dress, and nodding as her daughter complied, and slid from the gambler's arms.

"Well," Catherine smiled at him, "If you're ever in New York, let us know,"

Ezra smiled and cast his eyes down to the ground,

"I don't suppose I need to tell you what it's like around here," he stopped and looked up, meeting her eyes, "But if I ever find myself that way, I'll be sure to take advantage of your hospitality,"

Catherine smiled again,

"It would be the least we could do,"

They both looked at each other for a while, sharing awkward glances and embarrassed smiles. In the background, someone cleared their throat and stepped forward. Catherine looked up,

"And thank you too Mr. Larabee, in fact, thank you to all of you. I don't know where we'd be if you hadn't..." she stopped, and as she gazed around the warm faces of the seven men, she realised no words were needed.

Josiah stepped forward as another figure emerged form the hotel, and took her hand delicately,

"Mrs. Roth, I can only hope you return to our fold soon,"

Mrs. Roth, hair swept back, looking refreshed and content, blushed shyly, and gave him a gracious smile,

"Oh, well, thank you Josiah, I shall keep that in mind,"

Her eyes turned to meet Ezra's as well, and she smiled her thanks broadly.

Buck, watching proceedings from the boardwalk leapt from his chair and clapped his hands together, sensing the mood had changed,

"Well, I think it's only fair and proper now that we help these women onto the stage. Grab that there bag JD."

At once, the others all fell into some sort of order, and as bags were passed to the top of the stage, Catherine turned to Ezra once more, glad to have the opportunity for a quiet word alone,

"I especially wanted to thank you Ezra. For everything. You've done so much for us both..." she stopped and turned to look at Mrs. Roth, "...us all in fact. You're a wonderful man, and were Hannah and I staying, I..." she stopped and slowly met his gaze, "... would have enjoyed getting to know you more,"

Hannah, moving away from the packing of the coach, turned to watch as Ezra and her mother gazed solemnly into each other's eyes. Sensing the sadness of their conversation, she went over, and quietly wrapped an arm around the gambler's leg, tugging at the bottom of his jacket as the last bag was loaded,

She sniffed loudly, her little eyes becoming watery,

"Bye Ezra," she whispered almost inaudibly. Ezra bent down to her level, tapping her lightly on the chin and smiling,

"Hey now, I don't want to see you crying, you might start Buck off and then where would we be?"

Hannah's smile wobbled slightly, and Ezra whipped a pristine white handkerchief out of his jacket-pocket and dabbed at her teary eyes before placing it back gently,

"There now, that's better, and who said anything about goodbye. If you think this is the last you'll be seeing of me you are very much mistaken little lady,"

Hannah's smile grew wider, and as the others stood back to watch, Ezra, wincing slightly, pulled a pack of cards from his inside jacket pocket, and proceeded to flick through them, watching her eyes widen as he moved them almost effortlessly from one hand to the other. Finally, he let them trickle down into her hands, and threw a wink at her,

"Keep them. See if you can work out how to make your own miracles,"

As she planted a kiss on his cheek and ran off towards where her great aunt was beckoning her from the coach, Ezra called after her,

"Of course, make sure that any miracles you do perform are strictly non-profitable endeavours!"

Catherine laughed and as Ezra turned his eyes to hers, she placed a hand gently on his injured arm and leant forward,

"You truly are a special man Ezra," and with that said, she lent over and kissed him on the cheek.

The others moved to stand beside the gambler as Catherine climbed into the coach with one last backward look, and together they watched as the driver finally moved into action, and slowly spurred the horses on.

Mrs. Roth was waving madly, her arm pumping as her excitement over the prospect of a new living environment grew. For her, there was nothing in Four Corners any more, all her ties were gone. Except one or two special men that was, a tall preacher with a heaven-sent smile, and a flippant gambler who'd saved her life.

Hannah too was waving as the men grew smaller in the distance, the cards hugged furiously to her chest, as if she were trying to push them into her heart.

Catherine was the only one not waving. She didn't need too, her eyes were saying everything that she needed to say, and with her daughter, she watched as Ezra grew smaller and smaller, and then disappeared all together. She sat back with a sigh to think about the man who'd saved her life in more ways than one.

Ezra too sighed as the coach disappeared round the corner, and the others moved off respectively, to watch him surreptitiously from out of the corner of their eyes.

For Ezra, it felt strange to be without them, almost as if they'd always been. Around him, life carried on as normal, but somehow, nothing felt normal. Maybe it never would, he thought with a lurch, realising that the place he'd come to call home might not satisfy him forever. However, as he turned around, he noticed something else. They were watching him, and not with any reasons in mind other than concern.

"Ezra?" Chris was looking at him, face expressionless, eyes watching him carefully,

"You ok?" asked JD, sounding slightly worried,

He smiled and looked down. He'd forgotten that Catherine and Hannah weren't the only ones to care for him.

Life would go back to normal.

"Buck!" a voice echoed furiously up the street, and the tall gunslinger almost fell off his chair in shock,

"Aw hell! Sophie!"

As the beginnings of another row escalated before him, and as the others rolled their eyes, Ezra couldn't help but laugh.

"I believe I will be Mr. Dunne,"

Normal? Since when were things ever normal?

oooooooooooooo

Finito! There we go, the last chapter. A little bit sad, but I didn't ever see Catherine as a real potential love interest, just someone to show another side to Ezra. He's not really the settling down type is he? Bless him!

Anyhoo, thanks again to all those who have kindly reviewed and kept me going...especially Macberly, who has been so prompt in reviewing every chapter!

Am putting up the first chappy of my new short story today too so if you've got a minute I'd appreciate you popping in and giving it a go. It's all completed and so the chapters should come fairly quickly, faster than these did anyway!

Well, please review as ever, and thanks for reading!

Hattie x x x