A/N Thanks for all the ideas, I've tried to take them into account. Hope you like this chapter. Sorry it took a while my muse decided to go on a vacation.

Follow the Lights Home

Chapter 3 Darkest Fears

"Fear can only grow in darkness. Once you face fear with light, you win."

― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

Buck had a bad feeling. His best friend could tell. Buck was supposed to spend the night but he felt he needed to be home. What really worried him was that this was not the first time he had ever had this feeling. The last time he had it he had lost his family.

Ezra glanced at Buck who was staring not at the TV they were using to play Call of Duty but out the window. Ezra used this distraction to eliminate the opposing character. He turned again to boast his triumph but the words died on his lips. Calling to his friend he received no acknowledgment. He worried of what was troubling his companion so he suggested going to get a snack. Buck could be a truly bottomless pit and was always ready to eat.

"Buck, are you still currently residing on this terrestrial planet?" Ezra was only met with silence again so he continued, "My current apparel includes undergarments of the female nature."

"Wha?" Buck glanced back from the snowy night to his friend then down at the game controller still in his hands.

"I asked, my distracted friend, if you would like to accompany me to the kitchen for some nourishment," the southern accent leaked concern.

"Now Ez, you know I can't understand you half the time, but especially when you act like a rich butthead with those ten dollar words," Buck teased the slightly younger boy.

"I take offense to that insinuation and the mangling of my Christian name."

"Now I wouldn't want to offend you kid," Buck teased trying to ignore the growing knot in his gut.

"One year of seniority does not entitle you the pleasure of addressing me as a child." Ezra ducked the offending hand man handling his hair.

"Would you care for a game of chance?" Buck mocked trying for a new distraction. Both boys' upbringing left them quite familiar with the game. Buck's mom had worked in a casino for a time and he had accompanied her several times learning the basics. Ezra's mother was a con artist and had taught her son the art from an early age. She was currently incarcerated for the trade, leaving Ezra with his great aunt.

Ezra noticed his friend's increasingly troubled mood as he lost several hands he could have easily won.

"I think Chris is in trouble, I need to get home," Buck finally confessed.

"I'll have Aunt Ellamae drive us over in order to determine that all is well," Ezra offered climbing to his feet, before Buck could protest.

"Darling, I hear you have a bit of a bad feeling and need to make tracks towards home," The older petite woman led the way to the mud room. Overseeing the boys' bundling up they headed to the garage and pulled out into the snow. Thankfully the Larabee homestead was the nearest neighbor to Ellamae Standish and her great nephew.

The large four wheel truck made its way slowly through the storm. Coming to the yard they could make out the house lights as well as a light on in the barn. Buck stared up at the light in shock; he could have sworn he turned it off after his chores. Maybe Chris went in there to check on the horses and was now lying on the floor hurt. He rushed out of the truck, ignoring the concerned calls, he trudged his way to the barn.

Rushing through the barn, Buck called out to his uncle. He almost didn't notice Ezra's voice echoing his. With no luck he met back up with Ezra at the door. They backtracked from the barn to the house; Buck has to force himself to go slowly. His eyes were glued to the ground searching for a sign of Chris. Praying he is inside Buck goes into the house. He hears his guardian in the den. He sounds fine but there is someone else with him. He finally noticed Ezra and now his aunt at his back, lending their silent support behind him. He heard the stranger, he determined is a boy, call Chris a cowboy.

Stepping into the den Buck adds, "He hates that," He grinned in relief when an intact Chris turned towards him.

"Buck," Chris' face crumpled in concern, "What are you doing here?"

"Well I do sort of live here," Buck grinned as Chris let out a sigh.

"How'd did you get home," Chris glanced out the window, "It's really coming down out there."

"That would be my doing Christopher," Ellamae stepped forward with Ezra in tow.

"Ms. Standish, I appreciate you bringing Buck home but I thought he was going to spend the night," Chris stood up to address her.

"Yes that was the plan," Ellamae smiled down at the shy Vin watching from the couch, "but it would seem fate decided to bring us all here instead."

Chris glanced at Vin before inviting his neighbors to sit down and warm up. Ellamae had worked as a nurse at some point; between her and Chris, with his first aid training, they were able to get Vin looked over and taken care of.

Buck sat in the corner with Ezra watching the interaction between his uncle and the boy. Ezra had tried multiple times to engage the young teenager in conversation; however Buck was not having any of it. Ezra finally let out a small frustrated sigh before beginning to shuffling his cards quietly beside his friend. Buck continued to watch and think.

Finally both adults stood up from the lightly dozing Vin and went to the kitchen to have a quiet talk.

"Ezra dear, we have a slight break in the storm if we hurry we can make it home to our own beds tonight." Ellamae addressed her nephew quietly once she and Chris finished talking.

"Ms. Standish it really is no problem if you stayed here," Chris tried to offer again.

"Nonsense Christopher, I am perfectly capable of driving in a little snow," then she added quietly, "Now you take care of both those boys. Hurts aren't all on the outside."

"I will Ma'am" Chris promised.

"Come along Ezra," she called heading back to the front door.

"All seems to be well Buck," Ezra comforted quietly following after his aunt, "keep me informed."

Buck walked his friend to the door watching the truck drive away slowly all he could do was sigh. He turned back into the house whispering, "I hope so," into the cold night sky.