Captain Parmalee shuffled a few papers around his desk, pretending to work on reports. The day had ended successfully, though the casualties had been steep on the side of the lawbreakers. The final count was around 10 men dead with 6 more locked in the jail. Around half of all the men were wanted for one reason or another, making their boss, McTavish, in trouble for harboring known fugitives. Parmalee made a bargain with the McTavish that instead of serving time, he would come to an agreement with Sheppard for water rights. Both parties reluctantly agreed.

Yes, all in all, it was a productive day. Only one ranger suffered an injury, and it was just a minor flesh wound. Still…Parmalee felt worry gnaw in his gut. Ranger Bennett had disappeared from the main battle site. The only sign that he had been there at all was that the dead men's bodies were all laid out in respectful positions with their faces covered. That had been hours ago, and still he had not returned to the barracks. Had something happened to the Private?

Much as he hated to admit it, Parmalee had a sort of fondness for the bumbling ranger. He could make any situation seem lighter than it actually was, and though his incessant talking could drive a man insane, it did make the countryside pass by faster during a long ride.

Parmalee threw down his pen in agitation. He didn't have the man power to send out a full-blown search, but maybe just one or two could go search the area a little more thoroughly. The captain doubted he would be able to concentrate on any work until he knew that something was being done to find Bennett.

He stood up to leave just as the door burst open, banging against the wall. "BENNETT!" Parmalee barked, partially angry, partially relieved. "Where the devil have you been? It's been hours since we got back to town!"

The ranger in question stood there, mouth hanging open like a fool. "Well, sorry, Cap'n. Heard a skirmish comin' from the badlands. I went to go check it out."

"And?"

"Well, there were these fellas gangin' up on Riley! Had him backed up in that box canyon."

"Did you stop them?"

"Yeah, this other fella happened to show up and helped me bring them in. They're all out waitin' to be planted in boot hill now."

"And Riley? Did he survive?"

Bennett's face beamed. "Yes sir! I'll say he did. Me and him and that other fella worked together real good and brought down them outlaws."

"Good. Where is Riley now? I want a report."

"That's just it, Cap'n. I come to tell you somethin' that'll make you real proud. I got Riley all set to sign up for the Rangers!"

Parmalee crossed his arms, unbelieving. "Oh really? What changed his mind?"

"Well, there was this matter with the other fella, a guy by the name of Cooper. He 'borrowed' Joe's horse, so to speak, and since him and Joe used to be pards, Joe buffaloed Cooper into sayin' that he had to join the Rangers, since he owed him for takin' his horse and for—"

"Never mind, Reese. So this man Cooper is signing up too? What kind of man is he?"

Reese slapped his hands together. "Just the finest, most daring man you'll ever see! Cool as ice, even when there's danger, yet as hot as lightning when it comes to shootin' that iron!"

"Oh, really?" Though technically it was a question, it came out as a statement of disbelief. "Well, get them in here. Now."

"Right, Cap'n," Reese said enthusiastically, giving Parmalee an exuberant salute. He wheeled about and crashed into the doorway with one shoulder, stumbling out the door and right into Riley's arms. The future ranger caught the stocky man easily, setting him back on his feet like he had done it numerous times.

"You're dismissed, Bennett. I'll speak to these men alone." Reese looked disappointed but did as instructed.

Parmalee eyed the men as they entered the office, his gaze critical and skeptical. "Ranger Bennett was just telling me that you men are aiming to join the Rangers. I want to hear it from you."

The two men looked at each other for a moment before the smaller one shrugged. "Sure, why not. Don't have anything better to do, I suppose."

Parmalee snorted. "And who might you be?"

The man stood up straight like he was a cadet reporting to a superior officer. "They call me Chad Cooper, sir. At your service." He tipped his hat with flamboyance.

Parmalee rolled his eyes. Just what he needed: a fancy Southern boy to cause trouble. "Bennett already vouched for your fighting skills. You wanted for anything?"

"Ah…," Cooper's eyes shifted over toward Riley, who was staring at the floor, "…no, I don't think so."

Parmalee turned to Riley, who was standing calmly, casually hooking his thumbs in his gun belt and his hat low over his eyes. "I already know what I need to know about you, Riley. What made you change your mind to join?"

The large man glanced over, making eye contact with Cooper. "We do everything together, apparently," he said while quirking an eyebrow.

"Well," Parmalee said while turning around to pick up the roster book, "I suppose I'll just go ahead and sign you boys up. A probation period is customary for new rangers, and you two are no exception. Do your job without any backtalk and you'll do just fine."

In moments the men were signed up and sworn in. Cooper seemed a little dismayed at the lack of a badge, but if they wanted one they'd have to make one for themselves. Parmalee shook both of their hands. "Welcome to the Rangers, boys. Head next door and stow your gear in the bunkhouse. The stables are right next to that."

Parmalee watched them leave, shaking his head. Reese sure knew how to pick them.

Chad and Joe settled into the ranger life fairly quickly and made friends with nearly all the other rangers. Reese had made it his duty to show them the ropes and, just as Joe had predicted, Chad was quick to tease the older ranger. The three friends had quickly become a trio of partners and were often assigned to patrol duty together. Their strengths complimented each others', making them an effective team. Their ability to get along made them even stronger. They all let each other do what each did best and left it at that, needing no role of leaders or followers.

After returning from a successful mission, Joe was relaxing on the porch of the office, his chair tilted back and his hat over his eyes. A jaunty step paired with a more clomping stride on the boardwalk signified the approach of his two pards on the boardwalk. The two were arguing about something, but, as always, in good spirits. Joe shook his head. He could never get any peace with those two around…but somehow it just seemed right. Silence had become unnerving ever since he met those two. The feelings of camaraderie had only increased since his arrival in Laredo, and now he couldn't imagine life without both Chad and Reese cluttering the air with their incessant speech.

No, Joe couldn't imagine a better life…even when Reese ran into him, almost knocking the chair over. "Excuse you, Reese."

"Sorry, Joe. Chad was just tryin' to make me go try my hand at bustin' them broncs again."

Joe came to his feet so fast his two friends stumbled backward. "Reese, whatever you do, don't do that." He turned toward Chad, his face hot. "Don't you ever learn?"

Chad smiled innocently, holding the face as long as he could before busting out laughing, Reese joining in. "You should have seen your face, pard! You looked like somebody just said the bunkhouse was on fire! Ha ha!"

"Not funny," Joe growled.

Reese waved his arms. "Hey, usually it's you two gettin' me! Figured it was your turn for once."

"Humph."

Chad snapped his fingers. "Oh, by the way, Reese, the Cap'n wants to see you."

"Yeah? What for?"

"Said somethin' about cleanin' out the stables, I think."

"No he didn't!" Reese looked wildly at Joe. "I had stable duty last week!"

Joe shrugged sympathetically. "Sorry, pard…."

"We'll see about that," Reese said and charged into the office.

Chad and Joe eased closer to the open door to eavesdrop, catching the tail-end of the conversation. The captain was saying, "I'm surprised that you're volunteering for them, Bennett, but I'm sure Cooper and Riley will be grateful to you."

Chad and Joe couldn't hear anything else over their own attempts to keep their laughter silent. They hightailed it down the street as fast as possible when Reese came out of the building like a charging bull screaming, "YOU TWO!"

Finally, Joe knew. This was where he belonged. It was unmistakable.