No sight, no hearing, weightless, lost in limbo. Whoof's as the twins suddenly impacted hard stone covered ground. Stirring they looked around. Early evening, semi desert

"Dev ya know where we'th at?" Beau asked in a shaky tone. Dev shook his head as he climbed to his feet and looked around. Beau got on his feet and looked around. "Which way do we go?" he wondered. Dev started walking north followed by his twin.

Dev topped the small rise and pointed to the dusty trail below. "Reckon yer right. Northeath or thouthweth?" Beau asked. "Ya thmell town ta tha North. Figure Tad'll look there firth?" Dev made the sign for star and touched high on his left chest. "Find a policeman like Unca Chrith tolt uth iffen we ever got lotht. Yer right we'th lotht," The boys began walking northeast.

Dev stopped and looked back they way they had come for the last hour. "Man on a horth?" Beau responded to the silent Dev. "Doeth we let him find uth?" Beau wondered. Dev looked confused "What da ya mean he thmellth like Unca Buck but he ain't?"

Soon the rider appeared a big man on a grey horse. Carefully looking around he stopped by the boys. The friendly blue eyes twinkled and the mustache shifted as the man smiled. "You young'ns running off?" he asked gently, noticing the brightly colored backpack.

"We'th lotht," Beau answered calmly.

"Lost now that ain't good is it?" Buck frowned. "Your folks gonna be lookin' for ya?" Buck dismounted opening the canteen and handing it to Dev. Who stayed protectively in front of his brother.

"Damn right they'th gonna be looking," Beau responded. "Yer righ' Dev I ain't thuppoth ta cuth," Beau sighed.

Buck grinned at the spunky youngsters. Buck studied the situation. The children looked to be about 3 maybe. On the scrawny side. They had mops of shoulder length golden curls. Their foot wear was very unusual. They had on cloth jackets with shiny buttons. Black cloth pants looked to be sturdy and well made.

"Where's yer hats?" Buck asked.

"Couldn't find 'em when we hit bottom," Beau answered.

"Hit bottom?" Buck quickly reached out to check for injuries. He pulled back quickly at Dev's snarl. "Whoa there pard just wanted ta see if you were hurt," Buck soothed. Buck sat down so he'd be on eye level and less threatening. "Ya'd tell ole Buck if ya were hurt now wouldn't ya?" he asked. Buck's breath caught when he saw the boys' faces clearly. The big blue eyes in the small faces were shockingly familiar. Vin Tanner we need ta have us a long talk.

The boys exchanged a silent conversation. "Bruitheth, hungry, thirthty, dirty but nothing bleedin' or freth broke," Beau grinned a sweet lopsided grin.

Was Vin like this before his momma died? These are mighty fine boys. Buck waited patiently as the boys quenched their thirst. Beau handed the canteen back.

"Thank ya tha' helped a might," Beau addressed Wiliminton.

"Howdy my name's Buck Wilmington. I'm headed just down the trail a bit to Four Corners. Be a good place for your people ta find ya," he suggested.

"I'th Beau, he'th Dev," Beau introduced himself. "We wath headin' tha' way".

"How 'bout I give ya a ride on into town then?" Buck offered. The boys nodded and moved closer. Buck climbed into the saddle and leaned down catching Beau's grubby little hand and lifting him up. Settling the boy in his lap he carefully reached down for Dev. The boys were arranged one in the crook of each arm.

Buck examined the sling and strange contraption on Dev's left arm. "What'd ya do here, pard?"

"It'th broked again. Dev felled outta the loft when he kept me from fallin,'" Beau uttered.

"Ole Dev don't talk much does he?" Buck asked.

"Dev don't never talk," Beau answered.

Some poor woman's having a fit lookin' for these boys. They sure as hell look like they could be Vin's. That doesn't seem right though. Junior would have spoke out about these pups. Wonder if they're some kin to him though. Might be some older than I thought the way Beau puts words together. Maybe a Standish/Tanner cross now ain't that a frightening prospect. We'll just start looking for their folks. Buck thought to himself as they rode.

"Dev if you can reach I have some biscuits in a bandanna in my pocket on your side," Buck spoke. Soon the boys were nibbling on the biscuits contentedly. "You just lean back against me and relax. Not far to town now," Buck spoke. Shortly two small heads were pillowed against him, as the boys slept.

Buck rode into town and headed for the livery. Ezra glanced up from grooming Chaucer as Buck entered. "Good evening, Mr. Wilmington," he greeted.

"Evening Ez, mind giving me a hand here," Buck responded trying to decide how to dismount without dropping a sleeping child. Ezra moved out to aid Buck when he saw the boys.

"A past indiscretion has returned to haunt you two fold Mr. Wilmington?" Ezra smirked.

"Nah they ain't mine," Buck sighed. "Found 'em long side the trail about 5 miles south," Buck whispered. "Ya know something Ez. I'd take 'em if their folks don't show up. They's mighty fine boys," Buck sighed.

Ezra gently lifted the sleeping boy from Buck's arm. "That'ns Dev he don't talk. This one here is Beau," Buck gently repositioned the sleeping child.

"Did you ascertain their situation?" Ezra inquired. Gently he shifted Dev into a more comfortable position.

"Said they's lost," Buck responded "Someone's gonna come looking for these young'ns. They been took good care of they's a might smudged but they've been washed and feed regular. Not fearful, means somebody has been takin' pretty good care of 'em I reckon," Buck answered.

"What a beautiful child," Ez smiled as he gazed on the sleeping face.

"Twins only way I can tell 'em apart is yours has a busted wing," Buck chuckled.

"He seems almost familiar," Ez frowned as he studied his small burden.

"I'm afraid there's gonna be broken hearts before we're done," Buck spoke in a troubled voice.

"It is far to cold for these children to be outside. We should remove them to a more appropriate location?" Ezra asked.

"Take'em to Nathan I reckon. Beau said they took a tumble so might be best if they's looked over," Buck directed.

"Nathan is at a lying in at the Wilson homestead," Ezra replied.

"Damn," Buck frowned.

"May I suggest taking them to the bath house. We can get them clean and warm and examine them for injuries at the same time," Ezra offered.

"Can't think of nothing better. Then we'll take 'em over to Mrs. Morton to get fed," Buck considered. Buck lifted the brightly colored pack from his saddle horn. Ezra held both boys while Buck quickly cared for his grey. Taking Beau back he picked up the bag and led the way to the bath house.

"Hey little fellas time to wake up for Ole Buck," Buck cajoled the twins. Slowly Dev's eyes opened.

"Vin Tanner," Ezra acknowledged looking into the child's blue eyes. '

"I figure maybe so," Buck acknowledged

"Why didn't he say something?"

"Mr. Tanner may not be aware of the situation," Ezra considered.

"I was wondering that myself. Thought maybe with that bounty on him he might have been protecting them by not lettin' on about 'em," Buck replied.

Dev struggled loose and stumbled as he reached for Beau.

"Careful now," Buck soothed as Ezra steadied the shaky boy. Beau woke reaching for Dev. The boys touched hands and they immediately calmed.

"Beau, Dev this here is my friend Ezra Standish," Buck introduced. The boys exchanged a look.

"Pleathed ta metcha Mithter Ezra," Beau nodded.

"May I inquire as to your domicile?" Ezra asked gently.

"We'th from Texath. Live near Denver now though," Beau responded.

"Damned, if he didn't understand them big words," Buck chuckled.

"Mithter Wilmington, I have an extensive vocabulary," Beau spoke in an affronted manner. Ezra's gold tooth glinted as he grinned at Buck's dumbfounded look.

"Lets get you boys a bath then something to eat," Buck directed. Ezra prepared a tub while Buck started to aid the boys.

"Ain't a baby kin do it my own thelf," Beau fussed. Buck laughed at Dev's glare.

"Might be part Larabee too, Ez," Buck indicated the glare. Gently he lifted the youngsters into the water. Beau grabbed a bar of soap and cloth. He started scrubbing Dev's back.

"Don't ferget ya gotta keep yer catht outta the water," He reminded.

Ezra squatted down "May I examine your arm Master Dev," he spoke to the silent twin. Dev offered the damaged appendage.

"You broke the bone?" Ezra asked. Dev nodded and pointed to a spot just above the wrist. "Is it hurting a lot?" he asked. Dev shook his head no.

Buck touched a bruise on Beau's shoulder. "I tolt ya only a few bruitheth".

Soon squeals and giggles erupted as Buck washed hair. "You're slippery as fish," Buck laughed as Beau once again slid through his hands. Ezra smiled as he gathered the boys discarded garments. Ezra studied the fastenings and stitching closely. A choked off gasp greeted the reading of a clothing label. The tiny sneakers were handled and set aside.

"Dev, what is this?" Ezra touched the tag on a chain around the boy's neck. Dev took it off and gave it to Ezra. "Dumont, Devin Blue, 07-03-96, AB negative, Baptist, 300-00-0001," Ezra read aloud.

"Thath'th Dev'th dog tag. I got one too. Tad thaid thience Dev don't talk it'd be a good idea. Tholdierth all wear 'em," Beau chattered happily.

"Dumont, Beau James, 07-03-96, AB negative, Baptist, 300-00-0002," Buck read off. "Your all clean lets get you out before you get cold," Buck directed. The boys were lifted out wrapped in towels and dried off.

"I'm afraid we did not consider the ramifications of our actions, Mr. Wilmington. The children have no clean garments," Ezra stated. Dev got their bag and pulled out clothing. Buck started to say something and Ezra hushed him as the boys dressed. Beau and Dev struggled but managed to tie their shoes. Dev climbed up onto a bench and offered Ezra a comb. Soon both boys were ready to go eat.