**Part 15

Vin and Chris slowly rode into the village with Ezra slumped in front of Chris. The conman had remained unconscious throughout the trek back. Chris kept a folded up shirt pressed against the ugly knife wound hoping to keep it from bleeding anymore. He could feel the heat coming off of Ezra's skin, knowing it was more than just from sunburn.

"Nathan!" Chris yelled as he handed his wounded burden down to Josiah. The ex-preacher gently eased Ezra down, cradling his head to his chest. He could feel the heat emanating from the gambler.

"Damn, what happened to him?" Nathan asked.

"Found him out in the desert like this," Vin explained.

"Two men ambushed him and took the medicine," Chris added.

Nathan's heart broke as he laid a hand on Ezra's chest feeling the quick beating of his heart. The healer's head dropped.

"Do something!" Vin beseeched. "He wouldn't drink any water."

Nate's head snapped up. He was watching a whole village die unable to do a thing about it. He looked down at Ezra, whose skin was dry and pasty. Nate wasn't sure he could save the southerner.

Josiah focused red-rimmed teary eyes on the healer. He knew his friend was disheartened. Nate was watching people he knew die unable to stop it. He felt useless and a fraud.

"Nate, do what you can," Josiah softly said. He knew his friend was once again doubting his medical abilities.

Nathan straightened, he would not give up, and he wouldn't let Ezra give up either. "Get him in the stream!" Nate abruptly commanded. "We have to cool him down."

Vin grabbed under Ezra's arms, as Chris took up his legs. They carried the limp form to the shallow stream and gently placed him into the soothing water. Ezra's body stiffened then seemed to relax as the gentle current flowed over his burnt skin and buffeted his limp arms. Vin sat in the streambed and held Ezra's head and shoulders up. Nathan cupped his hands and poured a little water over the southerner's head. Ezra's head lolled to one side and he licked his lips as the cool water trickled over his abused skin. Dust and blood from his hair ran small dirty rivulets of water down his cheeks. The water loosened Ezra's shirt away from his skin. Nathan ground his teeth at the ugly, dirt-filled wound. He made to remove the canteen and flinched when Ezra's green eyes flashed open.

Standish was only dimly aware of the attention he was receiving, until he felt someone trying to take the canteen. Had the bandits come back for it? Had they discovered his ruse? Ezra began to thrash as he gripped the canteen tighter.

"Easy, Ez, you're safe," Nathan soothed, not understanding the gambler's sudden agitation.

Ezra's eyes blazed with fever and fear as he released a strangled cry. "Nooooooo!"

"He wouldn't let us take it either," Vin exclaimed as he tightened his hold on the combative man.

"Well, I have to git it out of the way," Nathan explained.

Buck appeared at the embankment upon hearing the commotion. His heart lifted slightly upon seeing Ezra, but his joy was short lived as he took in the gambler's beaten body. He looked over at Chris. The blond leader shook his head in answer to Buck's silent question. Buck swallowed a sudden lump, and dropped to his knees the despair overwhelming.

"C'mon, Ez, let go," Nathan coaxed. With Vin's help Nathan managed to pull the canteen away and tossed it onto the bank.

Ezra's struggles abruptly ceased. "Nooo, I failed...I'm sorry, so sorry." The southerner's voice was nothing more than a whisper, and he fell limp in Vin's arms.

Chris clenched his fist and frowned at the sorrow he heard. They all knew it wasn't Ezra's fault, and if he survived Chris hoped they could convince the man of that.

Nathan cut away what was left of Ezra's linen shirt and continued his examination of the abused gambler. He checked the knife wound grateful that it didn't appear to have injured anything important inside. But Ezra had lost a lot of blood, and shock and dehydration was the biggest threat. "I'm going to need to clean and stitch this up." He palpitated the bruises frowning at the broken one. "I also need to set his arm, damn, how much can one person do to another," Nathan commented.

Vin looked up as Josiah stepped down on the river bank prepared to help Nathan. The big man didn't look too good, but there was a spark of life in his eyes at seeing the southerner alive.

"Looks like someone beat on him," Nathan added, probing the bruises that dotted Ezra's torso. He lifted an eyelid. "Definitely has a concussion." Nathan felt around Ezra's skull feeling the gash alongside his head.

Buck eyed the discarded canteen dispassionately then slowly reached over and picked it up, surprised at the weight. He shook it and frowned upon hearing the liquid slosh inside. "Damn, there's still water in here," Buck announced. "Why didn't he drink it?"

"Probably out of his head," Nathan said as he and Vin moved Ezra onto the bank where Chris had spread out a blanket. "Looks like someone whacked him good."

Josiah's brow furrowed and he stepped over to where Buck was sitting. "Buck, let me see that canteen."

Buck handed Josiah the canteen and watched as the preacher opened it. He tentatively smelled the contents and then stuck a long finger inside. He pulled it out, sucked on it, and a broad grin split his long face.

"Nathan, it's the medicine," Josiah happily exclaimed.

Nathan's head turned sharply and his mouth fell open. "What?" He jumped up and took hold of the canteen to verify Josiah's surprising declaration. He could hardly contain the broad grin on his face. "Sonofabitch." Nathan looked down at Ezra his eyes shining with disbelief and admiration.

Buck whooped and jumped to his own feet taking the ex-preacher in a bear hug. "I always knew that slick bastard would cheat to win!" Buck yelled out.

A true grin broke across Vin's face and he brushed stray hairs off of Ezra's forehead.

Everyone stared down at their oblivious friend with renewed respect. Chris would never doubt the man again. Buck couldn't wipe the smile off his face or stop the tears from forming in his eyes. JD had a chance; they all had a chance, thanks to Ezra.

Nathan's mind whirled as renewed confidence surged through his veins. "Okay, Josiah, Buck, start doling out the medicine, two tablespoons for the more serious cases and one for the ones that aren't as bad."

Josiah pressed his lips together and took the time to glance skyward. "And Josiah," Nathan started, breaking the man from his reverie. "You take some of that medicine, too." The ex-preacher chortled at his old friend.

"Don't worry none, Nate, I'll make sure he does," Buck said as he headed toward JD's tent with Josiah following behind.

"Damn, how did he...?" Chris murmured.

"I don't know, but we better work fast if we're going to get a chance to find out," Nathan exclaimed. The village had a fighting chance and he was determined that no one else would die, including the unconscious form fighting for breath under his caring hands. "I need some oak and chestnut bark boiled up, and some salve for his skin. We need to get him under some shade," Nathan instructed.

"There's an empty tent over there," Vin exclaimed.

Chris rested a hand on Ezra's head feeling the heat. The gambler moaned and his head turned to the side. "You hang in there, you hear me Standish. Don't you dare die on me."

tbc