Vin had reached to roof of the building next to the saloon when he heard the scream. He tensed, expecting to hear a gunshot follow, but there was silence. His approach had been made much easier thanks to the distraction of Ezra's ride into town. Holmes' men watched the arrival, and continued to focus attention on the saloon, believing that was where the action was going to be for the next little while. Many moved closer for a better view. Vin quietly crept up behind the man perched on the roof in front of him, tapping him on the shoulder. He spun in surprise, only to drop unconscious as a fist slammed into him. Vin quickly bound his wrists, securing him to a sign support and stuffing his mouth with a dirty bandana for a gag. Looking over the edge, he was able to spot the outline of a man in black, now able to move closer to the jail.

Nathan wasn't entirely sure he heard movement outside the barred windows, but when a soft bird call came an instant later, he knew either Chris or Vin was outside. He slowly stood and stretched, trying to look as innocent as possible. The man standing guard had, like all the others, switched his focus to the saloon. He glanced back quickly at the sound of movement in the cell, but assuming his captives to be securely locked in, returned to watching outside. He didn't see as four guns were passed through the window, along with the knife that a moment later flew across the room, catching him cleanly in the back and dropping him to the ground. The door burst open, and a slam to the head from the butt of Chris's revolver stopped him from making any further sound.

"Everybody OK here?" he whispered as he stepped to the desk to retrieve the keys.

Three heads nodded, and Buck groaned softly.

"You'll survive Buck." Nathan assured the big man again, before turning to Chris. "So do you know what the hell is going on?"

"Not entirely. You hear the name of the guy running the show?"

"Holmes." JD answered.

"Shit. Whatever else he wants, he's gunning for Ezra too, and the fool just walked right into the lion's den."

"On your feet Standish. I didn't hit you that hard. Wouldn't want to spoil my fun."

Ezra got to his knees trying to stop the room from spinning before attempting to rise further. He raised his hand to stop both Mary and Inez, who were showing their intention to come to his aid.

"Where are the other members of this community Holmes?" He momentarily dropped all pretense of civility as he struggled to his feet. "What have you done with the children? If you have harmed them…"

"Why Ezra, how could you accuse me of such a heinous action? We are southern gentlemen."

"I for one have never been more ashamed to be a southerner, and that factors in the war years."

Holmes snarled and raised the cane again, but this time Ezra was able to raise a hand, warding off the blow. He did hear a crack and fought against the reaction showing on his face as the pain shot through is arm. Standing beside the weakened man, Holmes pulled Ezra's weapons from him, pointing the revolver at the gambler's head.

"How fitting it would be to blow your brains out with your own gun. Very satisfying." He stared into green eyes that refused to look away. "Perhaps later."

He stepped back, moving to the bar and leaning against it. Ezra watched every step, trying to read the room at the same time. He sensed most of the occupants would be willing to help if they could, but he was determined to see none of them had to put themselves at further risk on his behalf. He smiled to himself on hearing the long call of a whippoorwill waft through the saloon doors. The second bird call he'd heard, and far and away the sweetest sound of the day.

"So tell me Standish, are the remainder of your law enforcement team waiting somewhere for you to play hero? Obviously they don't know you well. I should bring over the gentlemen from the jail. Let them watch you grovel before I get rid of you once and for all."

"Better them than these good people. Holmes, if you have one ounce of southern honour left in you, release the women and children. They can be of no help to you now, and there is no need for them to witness what you have planned."

"You're serious aren't you? You walked in here, gave yourself up, to save these folks. That's just sad Ezra. You were so much more interesting back in the good old days. You're dear mother would be terribly ashamed of you." It seemed like so much more than 24 hours ago when Mrs. Hanson had said the exact opposite to him. In his heart, he knew Holmes had it right.

"Children are at the church, with a couple of my men watching them. Once I get what I want from the stage, we'll be on our way."

"And the folks here, the ladies?"

"Ah, now Ezra. I've been talkin' with them since you've been gone. These two here seem quite fond of you. I don't think we should dismiss your admirers quite yet. Never would have expected to see the day someone worthless as you would have two such lovely women holding you in high regard."

"More than anyone has ever had for you at least." Ezra didn't know if goading the man was really the smartest option, but at least it turned his attention back away from Mary and Inez. Chris and Buck would never forgive him is something happened to either woman, nor would he forgive himself.

"Now you know that's not true Standish. I coulda had me a wife. Coulda been a happily married man if not for you." He pointed the gun again.

"What, you think mother would have married you? Are you insane? Mother had no more use for you than she did for any other of her trophies. Once you had served your purpose you were history to her."

"Lies. She loved me. Would have come with me if you hadn't gotten in the way." The man became more crazed with each sentence, moving closer to the target of his anger. He was close enough to swing at him again, the cane hitting in almost the same spot on the already broken arm. This time the pain did drop Ezra to his knees, and he looked up only just in time to see another blow aimed at his head. He pulled back, and the weapon struck the side of his head and bounce on his shoulder. As much as he longed to make a move against his tormentor, there were still too many armed men in the saloon standing ready to take out the innocent. He continued to provoke the man to keep attention on himself for a few more minutes. The bird calls had told him Chris and Vin had secured the release of the others, and were at this moment likely taking out the gunmen scattered around town. Then next call would mean they were coming into the saloon. He only needed to stall a bit longer.

"Believe me Holmes. If mother had wanted to go with you, she would have abandoned me in a heartbeat. It certainly would not have been the first time she had done so. No, Maude didn't go with you for the simple reason she had far too much taste and good judgement to spend a moment more with you than was needed." He tried to step back from the oncoming blow, but was too woozy from the head wounds to react in time. This hit slammed into his leg, and he dreaded the thought his knee was shattered. The pain that shot up his leg led him to believe that had to be the case.

"She laughed later about how truly pathetic you were."

With a roar Holmes pulled his gun, but to Ezra's dismay he turned and pointed it at the table where Mary and Inez sat paralyzed in shock at the beating they had witnessed. Knowing he had no choice, and praying that everyone would be able to duck, Ezra screamed at Holmes while ratcheting his own hidden Derringer into his hand. He fired the shot off quickly, but his injuries had him off balance and just slightly slower than usual. He hit his target, but wasn't the fatal shot he'd hoped for. Holmes spun, the women forgotten and fired three shots in rapid succession, dropping Ezra to the ground.

He did not get the satisfaction of seeing his victim fall, as shots fired by Chris and Buck from the doorway killed him instantly. JD and Josiah fired from the back of the saloon, taking down two more thugs. As Holmes fell, his rest of his men dropped their own weapons, recognizing they were no match for the firepower and the anger of the lawmen.

Nathan ignored everything else as he charged toward their fallen comrade. Blood was already pooling beneath him, and the white shirt was rapidly turning crimson. No one moved, waiting to hear the words they feared. Two bullet holes were clear on his chest, and the third was a gut shot. At close range, there was only one outcome.

Which is why Nathan's voice held a hint of relief and a lot of confusion when he spoke. "JD, get me some towels and my supplies. We're gonna need water to clean him up. And a blanket to make a sling – carry him to the clinic."

"He's alive? That ain't possible." Buck stared at the floor, and was almost knocked over by Vin charging into the room.

"He OK – Ezra OK?" He stopped short at the sight of the blood. "Damn, DAMN."

JD was the first to snap out of it and run to follow Nathan's orders. Within a minute they had all made the requested moves, and Ezra was gently being lifted onto a blanket. He was bleeding badly from the stomach wound, but the chest injury seemed less damaging. Nathan tore the shirt back to apply pressure directly and froze in place. "What the hell?" Strapped around his chest were sheets of leather, cut down from two saddle bags. Padded to be thick and bulky, they were still barely noticeable under the layers of shirt, vest and jacket. They hadn't stopped the bullets, but it looked like they slowed them enough to minimize the damage.

Buck grinned and looked to Chris. "He leaves nothing to chance." Chris gave a tight smile back. He wasn't at all certain the protection would prove to be enough.

TBC

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