Ezra heard the jailhouse door opening but chose to ignore it. Or at least, to avoid reacting. By his calculation there were three arrivals, at least one of whom was undoubtedly here to relieve Nathan. He was sorry to realize that. After yet another quick check on his almost fully healed gunshot wound, Nathan had been quietly reading some kind of medical texts. Any of the others would undoubtedly be far more talkative, either to try to cheer him, or to change his mind. The sound of the rattling of the bars forced him to acknowledge to their presence.

"Yes Mr. Larabee. I am aware of your arrival."

"Been in touch with the judge. Since you are pleading guilty to just about every crime ever committed, we've come up with sentencing for you. No need to make him come to town for a trial."

"I have no desire to cause any further inconvenience."

"Good, because that plays a big part in all of this." Vin chimed in.

"Based on what we can find, there are 23 charges pending against you in the places we found out about." Josiah deliberately avoided reminding just how they found out, knowing Ezra didn't need to hear again about his mother's actions.

That will add up to a considerable sentence, Ezra thought, not at all surprised. He nodded his agreement with the total.

"Judge's going to contact the parties involved and let them know he is handling the matter. None of the charges are anywhere close to being big deals, so he doubts there'll be any problem with that."

"And what sentencing has been deemed to be appropriate to the circumstances?"

"Well, he figures this could all fall under the pardon he gave you when we started up." Chris held up a hand to silence the objection. "Told him you wouldn't go for that."

"So, we have a new plan: 23 charges, so 23 days locked up."

Ezra simply stared at them. "That is the most patently absurd concept I have ever heard of; and trust me when I tell you I am familiar with the absurd."

"That's his ruling. You mouth off at him and he'll hold you in contempt. Said we should take off one day for every time you challenge this."

"I'm sorry. Did you say take a day off?"

"Now," Vin took over, "we decided the times where you paid folks back don't count, so I figure that's at least four off, right Josiah?"

"Based on the information we have. Don't doubt the number is likely higher."

"And one contempt. We'll say your second comment was just for clarification. So, down to 18 days."

Ezra opened his mouth to argue but stopped himself before more time could be deleted.

"Now, this is going to leave us short one man for patrol, two counting a guard, so we decided since you're going to be in the jailhouse anyway, you can stand guard." Chris was struggling to keep the stern look on his face.

Ezra leaned forward, softly banging his head against the bars. "This is completely insane."

"Are you challenging the court Ezra?" Vin asked, not bothering to fight off his own grin.

"Yes, not the court, and the sentencing. Not to mention the fact I am challenging the sheer lunacy of putting a prisoner in charge of the prison."

"What you think Josiah? Is that contempt?"

"I would have to say yes Chris, since he basically called you crazy. And is sounds like 3 counts."

"One." Ezra corrected, hoping this wouldn't be seen as another challenge. "It was one all encompassing statement."

"Fine, 17 days. And we consider that last comment clarification, but you are pushing your luck. Now, we can't have our jailer in less than top physical form, and we know how out-of-sorts Ezra gets when he can't get a good sleep, so we are placing the prisoner under house arrest from dusk to dawn."

"Well, maybe a bit later than dawn Josiah. You know how hard it is to get him out of bed."

Ezra threw up his hands in frustration. "Next thing you know you'll be paying me for guarding myself."

Chris gave up on fighting is smile. "Hadn't thought about that. It's only fair since you will be working."

Ezra sat heavily on the bunk, his head in his hands. He let out a deep sigh before leaning back, resting his head on the wall with his eyes closed. Chris was about to comment further when Vin reached over and took his arm. He tilted his head toward Ezra. Chris stepped back and took a serious look.

Ezra seemed closer to falling apart than he could remember. The strain was evident as he was making no effort to camouflage it. Chris grabbed the keys from the desk and opened the cell. Nathan had only locked it to get Ezra to stop bothering him. He went in and sat next to the drained gambler.

"You get what were trying to say Ezra? There's no need for any of this."

"Yes, there is. I do not –"

"Knock it off Ezra. We get it. You feel the need to be dealt with, and that's what were trying to do."

"It is a less than successful effort."

"Ezra, why do you think we send people to jail?"

Ezra looked at Josiah as if he really had lost his mind. "Because they broke the law, but I sense you have a more philosophical response in mind."

"Not really philosophical but maybe a bit more theoretical."

"Fine, then I will alter my response accordingly. For justice."

"So, to make them pay for their mistakes?"

"Not mistakes Mr. Tanner. Crimes. To be punished for their crimes."

"Well, I doubt any time in prison could punish you any worse than you already do yourself Ezra, so I would say that aspect is covered." Josiah smiled sadly as he spoke.

"I would disagree but fear I will end up with a credit of days if I continue to challenge any of you. We also incarcerate criminals to protect society."

"You plan on running anymore of these cons of yours?" Ezra shook his head firmly at Chris's question.

"Okay, so that's covered. No danger to society."

Vin took the argument one step further. "In fact, you're actually protecting folks, so more harm than good is coming from locking you up."

"Those who were wronged deserve to know there has been justice."

"I don't know how else to say this. You're not that man anymore. Nobody thinks you need to do this. People are being paid back, you're helping this community. I don't know what else to say – what else to do."

"All you need to do is your duty."

"I'm trying, and you're not making it easy."

Ezra couldn't help but smile for the first time that day. "Well, at least I am consistent in that."

Chris sighed in frustration, with just a bit of anger mixed in. "We're gonna leave you locked up for the day. I don't see that we have a choice, since you'd just stay put even if we open the door. But I want you to promise me you're gonna think about what we've been saying. Really think about it."

"Something else to consider Son. If you're feeling bad about the things you think you are responsible for in the past, how are you going to feel if something happens while you are 'proving' yourself to us? What if someone gets hurt because we're a man down?"

"On that basis, none of us should ever be leaving town." Ezra argued with little conviction.

Chris wasn't accepting that. "One thing to be away for legitimate reasons, like when Nathan is off tending to folk, or we're out on patrol. Something else when you're locked up trying to prove some stupid point."

"You really don't strike me as the martyr type." Josiah continued.

Ezra smiled slightly again. "I cannot argue with you on that." He turned to face Chris. "I am not, as you phrased it, trying to prove a stupid point. These are crimes Mr. Larabee. They must be answered for."

"They have been Ezra. That's kind of the point here." Vin retorted.

It was Ezra's turn to sigh in frustration. "I am of the distinct impression that continuing to argue this issue would be the very definition of futility."

"Halleluiah brothers." Josiah smiled broadly. "I think he has finally seen the light."

"Fine. I will, albeit reluctantly, accept the findings of the court. 17 days of what you so laughably define as incarceration."

"Could be worse Ezra – he could have made it hard labour." Vin teased.

Ezra shuddered theatrically when saw the gleam come to Chris' eye. "Perish the thought."

He leaned back on his bunk, watching the others finally relax. "Well Mr. Larabee. I believe as jailer you are responsible for providing me with my evening meal. I should think a roast beef dinner from our finest establishment would do nicely. And I believe I caught the tantalizing aroma of fresh apple pie a little earlier. That would also be acceptable."

"Standish…" Chris left the threat unspoken, but evident. Ezra, as always, ignored it.

"As for the house arrest aspect of this, I see no logical reason that would not include the gaming tables, as that is under the same roof. Can I interest any of you in a few hands of poker after dinner?"

And for not the first time in recent memory, Chris found himself praying for patience.

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

The End