Please see Chapter 1 for warnings and disclaimers.

A/N: A HUGE thank you to Gaben who, when asked for a nickel's worth of advise provided a goldmine worth of incredible feedback without which this chapter would not be what it is. Gaben you are AWESOME!

Chapter 7

Sitting under the tree, next to the burbling creek, Ezra absently swabbed his handkerchief across his brow as his eyes drifted down to the wrinkled paper in his hand. He didn't need to read the letter again. He had, by now, memorized it.

Though he heard a rider approach, Ezra didn't bother to look up until the black clad man dismounted, loosely tying his horse's reins to a bush. The blond gunfighter didn't say anything just sat on a boulder opposite the card player. Not wanting to repeat the rather emotional account from his past, Ezra had asked Josiah if he might explain the situation to the other peacekeepers. The look in Chris's eyes was not one of pity, but of understanding; their circumstances might be different, but each man had suffered through the loss of the woman he loved.

Haunted eyes met Chris's as Ezra lifted the letter. "She died without knowing if I had willingly abandoned her or been tricked as she had. Yet, still she clung to the hope of our love with her dying breath. Of course she could not help but to doubt my affections."

"Where'd you get that?

"Eli had it."

Chris shook his head, "Why that little-"

"No, the children have a right to be suspicious. They have been lied to their entire lives by one person or another. Even their mother. Though I can understand why; she did it to protect them."

"Protect them?"

"When Kate and I were married, I was using the name Edward Stanton. She had come to know my real name during our courtship but we maintained the ruse in order to avoid complications with our parents. Had Maude known that Mr. Hamilton was on the brink of losing everything she would have argued most vehemently against our union. Similarly, Mr. Hamilton would never have given me his daughter's hand in marriage had he known I was not actually a member of the wealthy and influential Stanton family." Ezra shrugged. It all seemed rather ridiculous now.

"In the end, the malicious cunning of our elders won out. My mother told Kate I was killed in an accident and her father kept her believing that lie. He married her off to a wealthy plantation owner twenty years her senior who was only too willing to wed a pretty young widow, despite the fact that she was expecting her former husband's child. I am quite certain that William Hamilton profited tremendously from the union and that Maude shared in the proceeds. I do find myself wondering if my mother knew about my children, her grandchildren," Ezra's voice was filled with bitterness and he paused for several moments before continuing.

"It was only after Kate's second husband died and financial difficulties forced them to move from Georgia that she learned I might be alive. I can't imagine what she thought; whether I had betrayed and abandoned her or perhaps had been grievously wounded. I am certain Maude, if she'd been able to contact her, would have continued to facilitate her doubts, just as she continued to have me believe that Kate had died. Kate's letter makes it clear that her father never told her the truth."

"Though I can unfortunately fathom the reasoning for their vexatious and malicious motives," the former conman knew that both Maude Standish and William Hamilton were consumed with the pursuit of riches, "I cannot comprehend why they continued to maintain the deception once Kate's second husband passed away." He shook his head. "Not knowing for sure if I had been party to the monstrous fraud, Kate told the twins that Ezra Standish was their father's best friend and would know if their father was alive and if so, where he was to be found. Well aware of my propensity for assuming names she gave the children a list of potential pseudonyms. She did not know how I would react and she didn't want them hurt," Ezra explained his voice low and weary.

Chris remained silent, allowing Ezra to mull the matter over and come to some acceptance of the raw deal he'd been dealt. He of all people knew that there were no words that could bring any comfort or solace. Both men watched the clear water swirl around the rocks, carrying away any bit of debris that made its way into the stream. The sound was soothing, just as the cool water within could be on a hot summer day.

"Why didn't I go back? At least to visit the grave?"

Chris shook his head, unable to answer his friend's guilt ridden question, but more than able to sympathize with the anguish in his voice. "More important question is, what are you gonna do now?"

"I honestly don't know," Ezra shook his head. "I'm a confidence man turned peacekeeper. A card player whose greatest aspiration has been to own my own saloon. What kind of life can I offer them? I don't know the first thing about being a father."

"Don't know a single new dad that does."

"Yes, but...this is…well, this is utterly different. They are ten-years-old for God's sake! What do I know about children?"

Chris chuckled. "Always thought you were good with kids."

"They have not been dealt a good hand. Is it even fair? They deserve so much more. Wouldn't it be kinder to find them a loving, stable home that is not in some dusty, dangerous little town in the middle of no where?"

Chris looked steadily at his friend. "Given their penchant for trouble, that might be a bit more easily said than done. Not to mention that you might have a time talkin' them into it."

Ezra's face lost color at this obvious truth that he had somehow managed to overlook.

"They need you, Ezra. You're their pa."

"I don't know how to be one."

"You'll learn."

"And what if I should make some grievous irrevocable error?"

Chris rolled his eyes at Ezra's theatrics. "Well, then I'll just kick your ass."

"Thank you ever so much for that encouragement," the card sharp replied acerbically.

"No problem." Chris paused, watching the younger man, confidant that he would come to the right decision. "Fact is you're thinking like a Pa already, you care enough to want the best for them, and that's a start. You remember when Anderson's men got the drop on us?"

Ezra flushed, but nodded as his thoughts went back to the time when the seven men had first joined together. He'd almost abandoned his new comrades to flee to safety, but his conscience hadn't allowed it. It had been an important turning point in his life.

"It isn't about NOT making mistakes," Chris said, noting his friend's embarrassment over the reminder. "It's about making things right when it counts. You did then and you will now."

Ezra bowed his head, considering the older man's words and acknowledging to himself how much they meant to him, particularly coming from Chris. Ezra knew himself to be a very different man now than he had been before he met the six other men that helped to keep the peace in Four Corners. Was it conceivable that he could do this?

"They got in a fight today."

"What?"

"Josiah pulled Ethan and Eli out of a knock down drag out with the Jones boys this morning."

"Were they hurt?" Ezra asked in alarm.

"Nah, they're fine."

"What on earth were they fighting over?"

"The Jones boys were troubling Levi Potter over spilling the beans about the poker games. Your boys took his part."

"I see."

Ezra's look of pride didn't escape the gunman anymore than his concern when he'd heard the twins were in a fight. The gambler didn't yet realize it but he'd already had a shift in his sensibilities. Ezra might not consider himself father material, but Chris could tell how much the man already connected with and cared for the boys.

"Judge Travis will be here sometime in the next few days to settle that water dispute between Carver and Smith," the gunman said, subtly suggesting Ezra figure this situation out before that time so that the judge would be available to handle any particulars...whatever they might be. "I'm riding patrol tonight. Vin and Buck had to run one of those fellas we locked up last night over to Eagle Bend."

Ezra looked inquiringly at Chris.

"Turns out he's a fifteen-year-old kid who borrowed his pa's horse and gun to go off on an adventure." Chris pushed himself off of the rock. "I'll have supper before I head out. JD's with the boys now."

Ezra understood that Chris was giving him a little more time to himself in case he needed it, but he also understood that his children were his responsibility to look after tonight. He folded the pages in his hand and returned them to the envelope, sliding it into his jacket pocket. As Chris mounted his horse, Ezra rose to his feet and dusted off his trousers.

"Ezra," the quiet address drew the younger man's immediate attention. "You're not alone in this. We've got your back."

With a sardonic grin, Ezra met the other man's gaze. "That, I will admit, is more encouraging than your earlier injunction that you would kick my ass should I blunder on this incredibly daunting endeavor," he drawled, covering for his inability to express his genuine appreciation at Chris's words.

"Amounts to the same thing," Chris replied with a grin of his own before turning his horse toward town.

***M7***M7***M7***M7***

"Whooeee!" Buck laughed as he and Vin headed down the boardwalk in Eagle Bend. "Wouldn't want to be that boy when his pa gets him home!"

Vin nodded his agreement, "Thought he 'as gonna bolt when he saw his old man's face. Don't think he'll be lookin' fer much more adventure fer awhile."

"What d'ya think the Sheriff wants ta see us for?"

Vin shrugged.

When the two reached the jailhouse they could hear a shrill voice on the other side of the door. Giving a quick knock to announce themselves, the two entered the jailhouse, giving a nod to the Sheriff who looked relieved at the interruption. In front of him sat a middle-aged woman with a pinched face and a hawkish nose. Well behind her stood a slim, well-dressed balding man.

"Gentlemen, this is Miz Weatherby."

"Ma'am," Buck greeted, tipping his hat. Vin gave a nod and tipped his hat as well.

"These are the men I was telling you about. They help keep the peace in a town west of here. Miz Weatherby here ran an orphan train all the way from Mississippi to Canyon City where she had a couple of young'uns go missin'."

Vin and Buck nonchalantly shared a look. "Canyon City's more'n a week's ride east o' here. Long ways ta come," Vin commented casually.

"Don't suspect a couple a young'uns on their own woulda made it this far," Buck added with a chuckle.

"That's what I was explainin'," the Sheriff said with a nod of appreciation.

"Oh, you underestimate the fortitude of these particular children," the woman replied fiercely. "They are like no others you have ever experienced and they wreak havoc where ever they trod. They are complete and utter heathens, I assure you."

"If they're all that, sounds like you'd be pleased ta be rid of 'em." Buck shrugged.

"I will have you know sir," she replied haughtily, "That I take my responsibility quite seriously. Though they were the very bane of my existence for months, I cannot just leave them to survive on their own in this wild territory. Besides, they made off with certain valuables, not only of mine, but also of a very a important businessman in Canyon City."

The slight man stepped forward. "I am Percival Atwood, and I represent the interests of Alonzo Willis who was the victim of not only theft but vandalism that resulted in the significant loss of his property. The two children in question severely damaged a barn housing some prize thoroughbreds which were loosed at that time."

Buck shook his head, "Sounds like a lot ta lay at the feet of two little kids. How old are they?"

"Though only ten, the Stanton twins are beastly miscreants capable of despicable acts," the woman declared coldly. "The boy is bad enough, a consummate prankster and mischief maker, leaving behind him a wake of damage, but the girl...she is truly the spawn of Satan himself."

Buck's eyes widened at this revelation, "That so?"

"Indeed."

"So yer lookin' ta find 'em so's ya kin lock 'em up?" Vin asked, eyes narrowing. He didn't care much for the pinch faced spinster or the slender man with the shifty eyes. Something about their story bothered him and just plain didn't add up. The twins hadn't been carrying enough loot to warrant this kind of keen interest.

"As I mentioned before," Miz Weatherby looked at Vin disdainfully, "It is my duty to find them and see that they are suitably placed. At this point, I am quite certain that no family would ever want them or have them. There is a work house just east of Canyon City, though, where they can reside until they are of age."

"I told Miz Weatherby she could leave their descriptions with me and I would keep an eye out for them and send word to the towns nearby," the Sheriff said shaking his head doubtfully. "Don't think it's likely they made it this far. You haven't heard a report of two runaways have you?"

Buck shook his head, "No one matching that description in our neck of the woods."

With a curt shake of his head Vin cast a baleful glare at Miz Weatherby before exiting the jail without so much as a, "goodbye." He'd had his own experience with her type when he was a boy and right now he could barely stand to be in the same room with the woman. There is no way in hell she was getting within five miles of Ethan and Eli if he could help it. Ezra damn well better have himself together by the time he and Buck returned to Four Corners.

***M7***M7***M7***M7***

Ethan popped the last of a pancake into his mouth. "These sure are good flapjacks, Mrs. Bennett," he said, talking around the mouthful of food. The woman smiled fondly at the boy before heading for the kitchen to get more coffee for the peacekeepers sitting at her table.

"For goodness sake, please chew and swallow before speaking lest Mr. Jackson should have to revive you after you choke on the gargantuan portions that you insist on shoveling into your mouth," Ezra chided.

Undaunted, Ethan just grinned and reached for his milk to wash down the last of his breakfast. "So we goin' back over to the church to work today?" he asked looking towards Chris and Josiah.

"Thought I might take the two of you over to the barber first," Chris replied taking a sip of his coffee.

"Good by me. The hair gets hot and itchy on my neck," Ethan agreed casting a knowing glance over at his twin with a smirk.

"No," Eli replied. "I don't want a haircut."

When Chris's eyebrows shot up at the child's defiant tone Eli quickly added more beseechingly, "Mr. Tanner wears his long."

"Vin's old enough to make his own decisions about such things," Chris replied tersely.

With a sigh, Ezra looked over to the sulky child, "Though I understand the rationale for its origination, I see no reason for continuing your façade."

"You're one to talk," Eli mumbled sarcastically.

Ezra looked sharp at the child, just now remembering that the correspondence from Katherine had been opened prior to its delivery. "Be that as it may," Ezra inclined his head meaningfully toward Chris.

Blowing out a breath in exasperation and glaring at both Ezra and Chris, the curly headed child finally conceded. "Eli's just a nickname. My real name is Eliza."

Chris's eyes widened and he quite nearly spewed out the coffee he'd just taken into his mouth.

"Ya mean you're a girl?" JD demanded also coughing and sputtering to avoid choking on a bite of pancake.

"Yes," Eli responded simply while Ethan giggled at everyone's shocked reaction. Nathan had missed his mouth altogether and spilled coffee down his shirt front, while Josiah had dropped his silverware on his plate.

Looking from Ethan to Eli, several things now made sense to Chris, even though Eli could still easily be mistaken for a boy by most anyone - dressed as she was in boy's clothing with her hair cut much shorter than a girl's normally would be. Guilt started to settle in when he thought about the tanning he'd delivered a few days before. Not that it wasn't still well deserved but...had he known Eli was a girl…

"And you knew about this?" the gunman demanded angrily looking at Ezra.

"The realization only just struck me yesterday morning. The truth was confirmed with Katherine's letter."

"So ya read, Ma's letter? What'd it say." Ethan interrupted. "Ya never did tell us if'n ya knew where our Pa was."

"Yes, I read your mother's letter and it's contents were personal," here Ezra paused to pin Eli with a stern glare before continuing. "As far as your father's whereabouts," the adults at the table were watching Ezra closely. "That is something we will come to discuss in time." Ezra's eyes met Chris's, "Perhaps when Judge Travis arrives."

"Who's Judge Travis?" Eliza asked warily.

"Billy Travis's grandfather."

The girl nodded still uncomfortable with the knowledge that there would be a judge coming to town. Her eyes studied Ezra's and then sought her plate. Though she knew good and well who Ezra was, Ethan did not and she wanted to spare him any potential heartache. She'd watched the gambler since coming to town and had quietly gathered information on him. Though part of her wanted desperately for him to claim them as his own, her cynical side doubted that he would and she couldn't really blame him. They didn't exactly fit into the lifestyle of the debonair card player.

Clearing his throat, Chris decided it was time to move on. "Okay, so I'll take Ethan over to get a haircut and we'll meet you and Josiah over at the church after that."

"At the church?" Eliza asked, puzzled.

"Yeah. I figure you can help him out there for a few more days."

"But, I just told you I'm a girl. You still expect me to exert myself in activities of manual labor?" If she hadn't missed her guess, she'd seen a look of remorse flash across the gunman's green eyes and she figured it had to do with their rather unpleasant encounter the other evening. Perhaps this could work in her favor.

Chris's eyes narrowed. "Until your debt to this town is paid off, that is exactly what I expect you to do, young lady."

No luck. Seeing the firm set of his jaw, Eliza bit back the argument she wanted to offer, giving a quick glance to Ezra to see if perhaps he might intervene. If the grin on his face was any indication, he was not going to. She probably should not have thrown that glass of water in his face yesterday morning.

Indeed, Ezra's train of thought was tracking quite closely with his daughter's but after letting her suffer through a moment of disappointment, he offered a reprieve. "Actually, I thought perhaps while you escorted young Ethan to the barber to improve his outward appearance, I might similarly see to Eliza's by means of finding her more appropriate attire, now that the need for subterfuge has past."

"I am not wearing a dress," Eliza informed him resolutely.

Before Chris could comment on the girl's defiance, Ezra countered. "Well, I suppose you can head right over to the church with Mr. Sanchez then and start work immediately. Unless of course you think there might be a possibility of a compromise should you accompany me to the store."

Ethan didn't bother to hide his laugh, which earned a glare from his sister. Eliza hated chores but she was stubborn as all get out and hated giving in as well. It was rather fun to see the card player manipulate her into a corner.

"Perhaps there might be some form of common ground," the girl finally conceded with a nod and flush to her cheeks.

TBC…