Ezra's effort to walk away was met with a wall of resistance. Josiah stood squarely in front of the door, while the others made comparable moves to block any strategic retreat. The only path open would have been into a cell and based on the look on Ezra's face and the equally dejected tone, Chris decided to err on the side of caution and blocked that option as well.

"Think I'm beginning to understand why you don't want me calling you son."

"There is absolutely no basis for comparison between you and that man, Josiah." Ezra spoke softly, for once not hiding behind formality and distance. "Anything you do that creates that link is decidedly unwelcomed."

Buck's voice was more subdued than usual. "I just figured since you never talked about him, you'd never met your old man."

"Sadly, I was not that fortunate. Nor was mother."

JD offered a half smile. "If she hadn't, you wouldn't be here."

The responding shrug suggesting that would have been no loss was not taken well by the others, but Ezra silenced them before they could voice the objections. "None of this matters at this point. All that needs to be said is that I am the result of what our town visitor sees as a youthful indiscretion. When the situation became common knowledge, he was drummed out of town by the moral and upstanding citizens who disapproved of such acts. They had no more sympathy for mother, the wanton woman who seduced a weak man. The two went along separate paths."

"So what's his beef with you?"

"It is simple JD. I serve as a reminder of that time in his life when his potential was thwarted by one dalliance."

"My guess is more than one dalliance." Buck spoke ruefully. "Some men just can't help themselves."

Ezra could hear the self-recrimination in his friend's tone. "Yes, but decent men, such as I choose to associate myself with, treat those women with respect and compassion. They do not blame them for every ill that befalls them, and they assuredly do not take out their anger and frustration…" His voice faded as he struggled to bring his temper under control. It was, of course, too late.

"Bastard hit her?" Josiah rose, ready to seek out justice for the deed.

"There is no proof, but I suspected from passing comments that were made. It certainly would fit with his character, or rather lack of same."

Chris had heard more than enough. "No reason you need to see the man Ezra. It's clear he has no decent reason to be here, so we'll escort him out of town for you."

There was a somewhat evil grin on Josiah's face. "Shouldn't be too difficult to find the proper justification. Or to provide incentive."

"Yeah, and if he can't take a hint, we'll just haul his ass outta hear." Buck agreed with his own somewhat maniacal glee.

Marvelling yet again over the fact these men would take on a battle on his behalf, Ezra felt he had to prove to them, but even more to himself, that their support was well-founded.

"No. My days of turning my back on my tribulations are behind me. I will meet with him and have what will hopefully pass for a moderately civil conversation, although I concede to having no real control over his end of things."

Not all that long ago the others would have been knocked of their feet by even the suggestion that Ezra was facing up to his problems. It did not match the man they had met a few months previous. Now, his statement wasn't a shock to any of them. What it was, however, was a cause for concern.

"At least make the meeting somewhere we can keep an eye on things." Nathan proposed.

"It ain't you we don't trust Pard." Knowing how Ezra thought, Vin wanted to make sure their motives were understood. "From what you say, he'll find a way to cause trouble, and none of us need to see that happen."

After a moment of hesitation, Ezra offered a counter proposal. "I will agree to the suggestion, but not that all of you are there. It would seem undignified to appear to be overwhelming him with your presence." The fact that he had no desire for the others to overhear the conversation was a much stronger factor, not that he would ever acknowledge that to them, or even to himself.

"Me and Vin were the first he met, so let's keep that connection going." Chris agreed that the group should be limited, although for different reasons. He had his doubts that Buck, Josiah, and even JD would keep their comments to themselves when the conversation inevitably turned ugly. And keeping Nathan outside the fray seemed like a good idea. If any of them needed fixing up when all was said and done, at least he wouldn't have been in the fight.

"How much time to you want to set yourself for this Ez? We can keep him outta your way long as you need."

As much as he appreciated Buck's offer, there was no logical reason Ezra was able to devise for stalling. "I see no benefit in postponing the inevitable. Perhaps if it is done with quickly enough we can all enjoy a relaxing dinner as reward." He couldn't imagine he was going to have much of an appetite.

"You want me to fetch him over here?" JD stood, ready to act.

"I believe he would find a jail house to give him home advantage, based on his career history."

"You forget Ezra. This is your home, and your advantage. You are part of the law in this town." Josiah hoped his smile was reassuring and took it as a good sign with Ezra grinned back at him.

"Yes, I suppose that is the case. And we shall certainly have the preferred privacy here."

Chris looked over his team, inordinately proud of the way they were rallying behind their trouble-prone mate. Ezra had, over the months, made a sincere and somewhat surprising effort to transform himself, while still maintaining his personal style. Every time he seemed to be leveling out and beginning to feel like he might truly have turned over a new leaf, something or someone from his past stirred his doubts. They had all known they could count on Maude to have that effect on him. None expected his father would appear to raise the same issues.

"Nathan, why don't you head over and invite this Jessop to join us here. You're most likely to keep your temper in check."

Before the healer could stand to follow the suggestion, Ezra spoke. "That might not be the best approach to take Mr. Larabee." He turned to face Nathan with chagrin and embarrassment. "I fear your presence would not be looked upon favourably, and I do not believe I would ever be able to ask your forgiveness for the comments my – he – would direct at you Mr. Jackson."

"Don't expect a man to apologize for the actions of others Ezra. Only his own, and you've done that in word and act."

"I am grateful for the understanding. However, I repeat, my past comments and deeds would seem tolerant compared to what you would hear spewing forth if you were to approach my dear father. I ask you please to not subject yourself to the vitriol."

Intolerant idiots were nothing new to Nathan, and he was loathe to shy away from them, feeling that only justified their beliefs. Josiah was aware of his friend's attitude but was more concerned right now about starting any more trouble than was already brewing.

"No point in getting Jessop any more riled up before he meets with Ezra. Things are going to be ugly enough as it is Nathan. I'll get him over here. I expect I can make the effort to do so without causing any unnecessary discomfort."

Buck followed close behind, dragging JD by the sleeve of his jacket. "We'll join you, just to make sure he understands the situation."

"Buck – behave." Chris gave his oldest friend a solid stare. "You heard Josiah."

With a shrug, acknowledging only that he would try, Buck headed out.

Nathan looked back at Ezra before making his way out the door as well. "I don't feel much like patching anybody up today, so try to avoid turning this into anything physical."

"I shall endeavour to control my actions, and those of our colleagues. I make no promises about the reaction from the other side of the equation. Thank you for your understanding Mr. Jackson."

With a small nod, Nathan headed out. He allowed a brief smile to come to his face as he marvelled over the change in his relationship with the southerner. If anyone had suggested when they first met that each would express such concern over the other's feelings and well being, he would have had them certified as insane. Now, that relationship was simply taken as a matter of course.

Josiah walked into the saloon where Jessop, having long finished his lunch, now sat watching a poker game.

"Not a gambler Mr. Jessop?"

"No. Unlike others, I choose to come by my money honestly."

Refusing to rise to the bait, Josiah merely nodded. "To each his own. Ezra is over at the jail house waiting for you."

"Seems like a fitting place for him. He behind bars finally?" Jessop's grin showed off the gaps of missing teeth, and the staining years of tobacco chewing had produced. "No, you wouldn't do that on my account now, would you?"

"He is waiting to speak to you. If you aren't interested, then there isn't much point in staying around this town, is there?" How a father could hold so much hatred for his own child was a mystery to Josiah. While he was willing to admit Ezra presented certain challenges, it seemed apparent that much of the blame for that lay in the way he was raised. He had always assumed that Maude's lifestyle was the strongest factor but was now beginning to see where the paternal influence came into play as well. Nothing would please him more than to have this man move on without ever coming face to face with Ezra, but he didn't foresee that happening.

"How do I know this isn't some kind of ambush you all have set up with him?"

"You don't. Feel free to avoid the risk of falling into any trap by mounting up and riding out."

Jessop's laugh was every bit as unpleasant as his smile. He stood, tossing a few coins on the table to cover the cost of his beer and headed toward the door. "Figure I'm safe. You all are such upright folks, despite the company you keep."

He had to stop short to avoid running into Buck, who stood just a step away from blocking the door. "We don't take to trouble makers in town. More than happy to lock up anybody who don't respect that."

"Obviously not." He sidestepped the challenge, not even bothering to cast a glance at JD waiting on the step below and made his way across and up the street.

M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7

TBC