Vin slowly stood up from the cot in the clinic and shuffled over to where the gambler lay. Vin shook his head as he replaced the coverings over the sleeping man and checked for a fever. Carefully he placed a wet rag on his forehead before taking a seat beside him. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

Vin took a deep breath. "I feel like I should be here Chris not laying on my backside."

Chris pulled a chair over to him and sat beside him. "You need to rest Vin. It has only been a couple of days since you were in his position." Chris leaned back Vin nodded but made no move to leave. "Want to talk?"

"He got shot Chris because of a stupid man who'd had to much to drink. He put my needs above his and now is laying here sick because he was to stubborn to let anyone know he was hurt."

Chris scratched his chin. "Sounds familiar to me. Oh I know where I've heard it before I believe a man I know and call a brother of mine does it to me all the time. Oh wait all six of you do. And I have too." Chris crossed his arms over his chest. "We each have done it sometime Vin over these past six months at some point put the others before ourselves. Didn't you when you took the bullet for him?"

Vin nodded with a sigh. "It's still just all new Chris. With you it was just simple to trust I can't explain it."

"I know." Chris's mind flashed back to their first meeting in the street trying to save Nathan.

"The others it's just taken a little longer I guess. Ez I always knew he had it in him if he just let it happen."

"Then what is the matter?"

"I thought I was going to lose it without getting to say goodbye first. That I wasn't going to get to come to the first place I've been able to call home in a long time. To my family."

Chris nodded it was becoming apparent that this incident with the two men was bringing to light new feelings the group had towards being a group. "I ain't had a family Chris since I was five." Vin said quietly. "Most people I worked with wanted to save themselves before helping me. I'm used to patching myself up and hiding out until I can walk on my own two feet."

Chris put a hand on Vin's shoulder. "I don't think any of us are quiet used to it yet."

Vin nodded. "I remember seeing his face Chris. The pure panic written all over it. I tried I really did to keep him from blaming himself. That what ever happened it wasn't his fault and he did his best. I feel like I let him down Chris. Because I couldn't help him like he helped me. I should have been watching his back more carefully."

"Answer me this. Did you kill the man or did he?"

"I honestly don't know Chris. I hurt so bad I could barely see I just knew I had to protect Ezra."

"According to Ezra when you went down you were out." Vin nodded. "Seems he was watching your back. And you did watch his or he'd be the one possibly dead."

"He ain't that far from it Chris. You heard Nathan."

"Yeah he's really sick Vin. That shot was bad. Luckily Nathan said it'll run it's course without any permanent damage other than a scar."

Vin looked at Chris. "He blames me Chris."

"Vin." Chris took a deep breath. "He blames himself for what happened. He was afraid that it would cause him to lose his family. We are his family Vin. We all are family and nothing will change that."

"You mean he has been blaming himself for me getting shot?" Vin said surprised looking between the sleeping gambler and Chris.

"Yep."

"But I'm the one who walked out in front of the bullet."

"But it was meant for him."

Vin nodded finally understanding. "That was why he was here the whole time ignoring his arm." Chris nodded.

"He was worried about you. I heard JD say something before you left that we've become like brothers. And that is exactly what has happened."

Vin watched the gambler as he began to mumble and move about the bed. Vin grabbed his arm in the forearm grasp and watched as Ezra calmed. "Relax Ez I'm here to watch your back." A small smile played across the ill gamblers face. "I guess Josiah's right constantly calling us Brother then. Right brother?"

Vin grinned at Larabee. "Don't push it junior. I'm the eldest means I get to pick the punishment."

Vin laughed then winced as it pulled on his broken ribs. "We're an interesting group ain't we? I mean a gambler, an ex preacher, a ladies man, a healer, a green horn, and a mad at the world gunslinger. Who'd a thought?"

"You forgot an arrogant Texas sharpshooter among other things."

"Ain't forgot just didn't want to be arrogant." Vin grinned at him.

"Go get some rest. Ezra's sleeping alright."

Vin looked doubtful. "I don't know Chris."

"Listen if I need to I'll get you. But you need to rest too."

Vin nodded; "Listen Ez I gotta go. Chris will watch for ya till I get back." Vin squeezed Ezra's hand before slowly shuffling back to bed. Chris watched as the tracker finally fell asleep, he shook his head he wondered what he had gotten himself into.