Magnificent Seven

"Lil' Ones"

Summary: In this Old West Alternate Universe: JD Dunne is seven, Vin Tanner is eight, and Ezra Standish is nine. All three wind up in Four Corners and all three end up in the care of Chris Larabee, who is the town's sheriff. Buck Wilmington is his deputy, Josiah Sanchez is the town's preacher, and Nathan Jackson is the town's doctor.

Author's Note: I have recently found the M7 "little" universe and absolutely loved it, for the most part. I especially loved the "little" Ezra stories. I must admit I have not actually seen the show, but seeing as how this is an AU story that wouldn't (or shouldn't, anyway) matter. I know enough about the characters to make it work–I hope… This will be a sort of blending of the "Little Britches" universe and the "Little Ezra" universe—with my own twist, of course ;) If you like "kid fics" I'd suggest reading these. They are great.

Warning: Spanking of minors. (Naturally, since this is the Old West.)

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I just wrote this story for fun. Enjoy.

Chapter 7: Welcome to the Family

They buried the old bounty hunter at the ranch. Because he was Indian, and a professed pagan, he could not be buried on church ground; nor did he want to be, according to Vin.

"He loved apple trees," Vin had told them. "He said he always wanted to be buried under one."

So, that is what they had done. They buried him under one of the apple trees that grew wild on the ranch.

Josiah, of course, presided over the ceremony with Chris and Buck mentioning a few things about what they knew about the old bounty hunter. Vin, though asked if he wanted to speak, didn't say anything merely stood there solemnly in the new suit that had been purchased for him.

JD stood beside him, also wearing a new suit, tugging ever so often to show his annoyance at having to dress in 'finery'. He didn't complain out loud, however, knowing how important this was to his new friend. He and Vin had become fast friends in the last few days and he wanted to show his support for him.

Once the ceremony was concluded, JD whispered to Nathan, "Can we get out of these duds now?"

Nathan smiled at him. "Yeah," he whispered back, "I'll take you up to the house." Together, the two of them made their way up to the house.

Josiah spoke quietly to Vin for a few minutes and then came to speak to Chris. "You should probably remain here," he said, "in case…" He looked back at the grieving little boy.

Chris nodded. "I know," he said, "will you all keep an eye on JD for me."

"Course," Buck said, "I'll teach Lil'Britches how to play…"

"We shall keep him occupied," Josiah interrupted before he could finish just what he intended to teach the boy.

Chris grinned. "Thank you," he said. "Vin and I will be along shortly."

The two other men nodded and turned to head back up to the house. Chris then made his way over to the quiet little boy who continued to stare at the old bounty hunter's grave.

Without really thinking about it, Chris reached out and placed a hand on top of the boy's head. He had flat out refused to let anyone cut it, saying that "Gran'father" had worn his long and he would too, in memory of the old man. Chris simply thought he'd found the perfect excuse to never get a haircut and hoped to goodness that JD didn't pick up on it.

"He's really gone," Vin finally spoke.

Chris nodded. "Yeah, son," he said, gently. "I'm afraid he is."

"I knew it up here," Vin said, tapping his temple, "but I didn't want to believe it in here." He placed a hand on his heart.

Chris nodded again, remembering that he had felt the same way when Sarah and Adam had died. "I know exactly what you mean," he told the boy, rubbing his hair.

"You do?" Vin asked, looking up at him with those large brown eyes of his.

Chris knelt down so that they were looking each other in the eye. "Yes, son," he said, "I do. About five or six years ago my wife and son were burned up in a fire. I didn't want to believe it, either."

Vin nodded, feeling bad for the man all of a sudden. "But you have JD now," he told him, "and Buck, Josiah, and Nathan to keep you company."

Chris smiled. "Yep," he agreed, "that I do, and I thank God every day for 'em, too."

Vin looked back at the grave. "What's gonna happen now, Mister Chris?" he asked. "To me, I mean? Am I gonna end up on an orphan train like JD? Or is Pastor Jo gonna try and find me a family?"

Chris had actually been thinking about these things, too. It was Buck, Josiah, and Nathan that finally made up his mind for him.

"C'mon, Chris," Buck had said the night before as they sat in Inez's saloon, "you know you love that little feller and there's no doubt he practically hero worships you."

He couldn't argue. In the few days that Vin had been with them, he'd come to care for long haired little boy just a much as he had JD. It was also pretty obvious the boy adored him, too.

"Brother Buck is right, Chris," Josiah had said, grinning. "Perhaps the Lord is speaking to you once more."

"So, one Lil'Britches wasn't enough," Chris said, "He's got to send me a Lil'Pard now, too."

Nathan had chuckled at that. "Looks that way to me, Chris," he said, taking a sip of his beer.

Chris had sighed, knowing they were all right.

He sighed now, as he knelt beside Vin.

"If you could stay here, Vin?" he finally asked the boy. "Would you?"

Vin's eyes widened at that. "Could I, Mister Chris?" he asked. "I wouldn't be too much trouble and I'd do my fair share. I promise!"

Chris stood back up. "Easy there, son," he said, "just hold on. So, you're saying you would like to live here with me and JD?"

Vin nodded, tears stinging his eyes. "Yes, Sir," he said, "I would. A lot."

Chris smiled. "Well then, Mr. Tanner," he said, seriously, "I guess there's only one thing left to say."

"What's that?" Vin asked, practically holding his breath.

"Welcome to the family, Lil'Pard," Chris said, beaming down at the boy.

Vin beamed back at him and then surprised him by jumping into his arms. "Thanks you," he whispered to him. "Thank you."

Chris hugged the boy close. "No need to thank me, son," he whispered. "Yer my boy now, just like JD."

Vin nodded, as he was sat back on his feet. "Mr. Chris?" he asked, smiling.

"Yeah, son?" Chris asked, as they started toward the house.

"Will you teach me to shoot?" the boy asked, seriously.

Chris hadn't been expecting that question, but he already knew the answer. "I will," he said, "when you're old enough."

Vin sighed. "But I'm not old enough right now, huh?" he asked, slightly disappointed.

"Not yet, Lil'Pard," he said, 'but don't worry you will be soon enough. I promise."

Vin nodded. "All right," he said, "and I'm still glad I'm getting to stay."

Chris grinned. "Me, too," he said. "Me too, son."

Together, they walked back up to the house to let JD know he now had a brother to play with.

I wonder if Nathan has any of that headache tonic of his…

TBC…