DISCLAIMER: I do not own Magnificent Seven or it's characters. This story will contain SPANKING. If you do not like that please do not read – just move on to something you would enjoy better.

CHAPTER 3

Caleb was glad that Vin had asked him to go out to Nellie's with him. He really didn't want to be anywhere around the house when his sister and Chris had their "talk". That and he really liked Vin but had not had a chance to spend much time with the tracker since they had been in Four Corners. Vin had promised he would start teaching him some tracking skills and Caleb could not wait for the first lesson, which he was really hoping he might get today.

The ride to Nettie's was a quiet one – Caleb had already started to get to know the different personalities of his new family members and Chris and Vin were both definitely the quiet type. After a year alone with a little sister who could talk the red off a barn quiet was not something Caleb minded at all!

Nettie came out to the front porch to greet them when they arrived. She had on her apron and a big wooden spoon in her hand waiving it excitedly at them as they rode up. She barely waited for them to dismount before squeezing them each tightly in one of her motherly hugs.

Kissing the top of Caleb's head without any concern for the fact that he was much too big for such affections, Nettie shoed them inside to sit and eat on the cookies she and Casey had just gotten done baking. This was only the second time Caleb had met Nettie but if should could bake like this he was sure he was going to like her!

While the two of them finished off the plate of cookies that Nettie had set in front of them she came around the corner holding an old sling shot. Handing it to Vin she said "Look what I found out back. I think maybe its Billy's from the last time he was out here with Chris. Would you mind bringing it back to town for me?"

"Sure Nettie no problem. Ifn' its Billy's I'm sure he's missing his favorite toy" Vin smiled taking the sling shot.

Caleb had met Billy a few times already and although Billy was younger than him they had fun together. He wondered if Billy would let him take a turn at the sling shot in town sometime. Or even better, maybe Vin would let him play with it now.

"Ummm Vin do you think Billy would mind ifn' I played with the sling shot some this afternoon before we bring it back to him?"

Looking from Caleb to the sling shot Vin smiled, remembering how much he loved them as a kid…and how much trouble he could find with one he smiled and handed it to Caleb. "Sure buddy, I don't reckon he'd mind so long as you take care of it AND NO shootin at any windows or animals you hear me" Vin finished that statement pointing his finger at Caleb so he'd know he was serious.

"Yes Sir. I'll be right careful with it I promise!" Caleb said excitedly and jumped up to run out the door.

"Hold it there buddy" Vin shouted after him as he started out the door. Caleb turned back and saw Vin's pointed look from himself to Nettie. Caleb realized what Vin was wanting and turned to Nettie and as politely as he could muster said "Thank you Miz Nettie for the cookies. They were mighty good"

Smiling, Nettie hugged him again and sent him out the door to play.

"Mind what I said Caleb. I'll be out in a bit and we'll get started on them chores for Nettie."

"Yes sir" Caleb called back over his shoulder as he ran outside to look for rocks to shoot from the sling shot.

About five minutes later Vin came out the front door and headed over to where Caleb was gathering small stones. "Come on buddy, it's time we get them chores done for Nettie. I need you to go an muck out the barn while I go mend a patch of fence on the other side of the property."

"Awwww Vin, I just started playin' I don't wanna go muck out the barn yet, cain't I wait just a bit until after I played with the sling shot some more? I'll do it right after I promise." Caleb asked looking every bit the little boy that the grown ups had wanted him to start being again. Vin was happy to see him enjoying himself but chores came before playing and he figured it was best Caleb get used to that rule.

"Sorry buddy – no playin til the barn is mucked. You get your work done, and do it right the first time, and you'll have plenty a time to play with that sling shot 'fore we have ta head back. Ifn' you don't do it right the first time though you'll be doin' it again and there won't be any playin' after – got it?" Vin ruffled his hair as he dictated the chore to the kid. He didn't want to sound too harsh but he also knew a child's tendency to rush through a chore if there was something fun waiting and he wanted Caleb to know that wouldn't be allowed.

"Yes sir" Caleb replied glumly as he headed the direction of the barn. He didn't mind doing the chores and he liked helping Nettie – he just didn't understand why he couldn't play some more first. Kicking dirt with the toe of his boot on his way to the barn he noticed some old rusted cans sitting out beside the barn. Caleb's eyes lit up imagining what a great target those cans would make for the sling shot. Looking back over his shoulder he saw Vin ride out of sight. Glancing back and forth between the barn and the rusted cans it only took Caleb a few seconds to decide he had time for a little more target practice and still have enough time to finish his chore before Vin came back.

Caleb gathered the cans and sat them on a stump and began knocking them down over and over again with small stones he found to shoot out of his sling shot. Before he knew it he was really good and almost never missed whatever can he was aiming at. Unfortunately, getting that good aim took more time than he realized and all of a sudden he heard Vin ride up behind him.

"Hey buddy – yer getting' might good with that thing – seems we might hafta help you build yer own sling shot when we get back home" Vin smiled at him. Caleb swallowed hard trying not to look as guilty as he was feeling. "Um thanks Vin that would be great" Caleb said trying to smile and act calm – while his mind was racing trying to figure out what he was going to say to Vin to explain not having done his chore. Before he could start any excuse though Vin turned around to head inside the house saying "I still got another hour or so on the fence mendin' just came back for a different tool. Glad you got the barn done already and could practice with the sling shot. Have some fun until I get back and then we will finish up gatherin' some wood for Nettie together."

Caleb stared at Vin's back as he walked into the house not believing his luck. Vin just assumed he had mucked out the barn already and was leaving again giving Caleb enough time to finish the chore before Vin got back. A small pang of guilt for letting Vin believe he had obeyed him when he hadn't crossed Caleb's mind but he quickly discarded that thought and went back to feeling like the luckiest kid ever to catch such a break! He would have plenty of time to finish the chore while Vin was gone and no one would be the wiser!

Unfortunately, while Caleb was thinking about his good luck he didn't notice Vin leave the house and head into the barn to get the tool – didn't notice that is until he heard Vin yell "Caleb Johnson you get your tail in here right now young man!"

"So much for my good luck" Caleb mumbled to himself as he sat the sling shot down and headed for the barn.

Walking into the barn he saw the tracker leaning against a wooden beam with his arms crossed over his chest and a very angry look on his face. "Would you like to explain this to me young man?" Vin asked as he pointed to the unclean stalls.

Caleb just stood there and starred at Vin. He knew Vin expected an answer but he really wasn't sure what to say. He had screwed up and now Vin looked really mad at him.

"I asked you a question Caleb and I expect an answer!"

"I'm sorry Vin" Caleb said as he stared at the ground not wanting to meet the angry man's eyes

"Sorry for what Caleb? For disobeying me or lying to me?" Vin growled.

Caleb's head shot up, "I..I didn't lie to you Vin" he stammered.

"Really, cause when I came back you was out playin' and you let me believe that was cause you was done with your chores in the barn – that's lying in my book son."

"But I didn't tell you it was done – you just figured it was and.."

"and you figured yu'd do the chore fore I came back and no one would be the wiser – is that it?" Vin interrupted giving Caleb a look that brokered no further lies from him

"yes sir – I'm sorry Vin" Caleb said hanging his head again. Looking down Caleb continued "I knew I shoulda tole you the truth earlier but I figured I cut a lucky break and I was comin' in here to muck the stalls honest. They'd a been done when you got back so it would have all been fine"

Vin moved over and sat down and a bale of hay in the middle of the barn and called Caleb over to him. Caleb had to will his feet to move over to where Vin was sitting.

Lifting Caleb's chin to force the young man to look at him Vin more calmly replied "I'm sure they would have son but finishin' the chores now wouldn't a changed the fact that you disobeyed me and kept playin' instead of doing your chores in here first like I tole ya and then let me believe somethin' you knew was wrong - which is the same as lying to me and I know ya know that to be true."

Caleb knew Vin was right. Heck, he'd even tanned his sister for the same kind of lying just a few months ago… Squaring his shoulders, Caleb looked Vin in the eye this time when he apologized. "Yes sir, I knew it was wrong. I'm sorry I disobeyed you and I'm sorry I lied. I'll finish muckin' the barn and whatever other chores you want me ta do Vin, no more playin I swear"

Taking a deep breath, Vin gave Caleb a sad smile "Yeah son you will and your gonna do them with a mighty sore tail end cause I cain't abide by you disobeying me and lying to me." Patting his knees he motioned for Caleb to bend over them "Let's get this done – we still got chores to do fore we ride back home tonight"

Caleb closed his eyes tightly and awkwardly laid himself over Vin's knees mentally yelling at himself for being stupid enough to disobey Vin in the first place.

Vin held Caleb with his left arm over his back while he reached down and picked up the small piece of discarded leather about the size of a foot he saw laying on the floor. Vin didn't really like the idea of making the kid take down his britches in case Nettie or Casey happened to come outside but he figured he could still make his point on the kids backside with this little piece of leather for saddle mendin he found.

Looking down at the squirming backside over his lap Vin shook his head "I reckon' we don't need to spend any more time talkin' bout why your fixin' to get this here lickin' so let's just get it done" and with that Vin let the first slap of leather fall across the fullest part of Caleb's backside.

Caleb flinched at the sting but didn't try to move off Vin's lap. He wanted to show Vin that he was sorry and that he could take his lickin' like a man – no tears, fightin or yelling. At least that was his thought for about the first 10 licks. He wasn't sure what Vin was spanking him with but it stung like a thousand bees each time it landed on his rear end making his efforts to not yell at each lick extremely difficult. When Vin struck his right side a little lower on number 11, catching that sensitive area where butt meets thigh and then proceeded down his right thigh for the next four sharp swats Caleb lost all thought of taking this lickin' like a man and began to yelp and holler at each lick. The tears started when Vin worked his way back up his right thigh and moved over to the left side. By the time Vin spanked his way down Caleb's left thigh Caleb was a mess, crying out his apologizes and begging Vin to stop.

After about 25 licks Vin did stop to talk to Caleb. "When I tell you to do somethin' I expect it done – is that clear?" SMACK SMACK

"OWWWWW YES SIR VIN I'M SORRY" Caleb yelled hoping Vin understood him through his tears.

"Ifn' you had just disobeyed me this lickin' would be over right now, but lying to me earns you extras every time. Best you learn that now young man. What yer about to get would not have happened if yu'd been honest with me when I got back." And without waiting for Caleb to reply Vin gave him ten more very hard rapid fire licks with the leather piece all to the spot just under his butt where he would feel them the most for the next day or so.

By the time Vin was done Caleb just layed there over his lap crying but no longer fighting to get off. Vin stood up and stood Caleb up at the same time taking him into his arms, letting him cry the pain out. Once he started to settle down some Vin began to talk softly to him.

"I hope you understand why I had to do that buddy and I hope I ain't gotta do it again anytime real soon." Vin said sadly while he held Caleb.

"yes sir.. I hope you don't either" Caleb said still sniffling, pulling himself away from Vin and rubbing his backside. "Are you gonna tell Chris?"

"Nope" Vin said, but before Caleb could register relief Vin followed that with "but you are"

Seeing the scared look cross Caleb's face Vin reassured him it would be ok. "Don't look so worried – you paid for your wrong and I'll make certain that Chris knows I handled it and you won't be repeatin' this particular mistake again anytime soon - but he's your pa now and he has a right to know when you earned yourself a tannin'."

Caleb nodded his understanding, rubbed his backside one more time and then reached for the shovel next to him, "reckon I oughta start muckin out the barn now. I really am sorry Vin."

Ruffling his hair as he walked out of the barn, Vin smiled "I know buddy – it's over so lets jest put it behind us. Ifn' we get these chores done and git home in time I'll help ya make yourself one of them sling shots ifn' you want."

"Yes sir!" Caleb smiled and started shoveling. Hearing the barn door shut Caleb took a moment to reach back and rub his backside one last time, shaking his head at the fact that he hadn't been on the receiving end of a whippin in over a year but had managed to earn himself two within just a couple of weeks of being in Four Corners. Sighing, he realized it was going to be harder getting used to be a kid again than he thought.